JPH1133285A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine which can shorten the wiring of a main inverter circuit part, an operation display part and a power source part. SOLUTION: An inverter unit 16 for housing the main inverter circuit part composed of an IGBT and a control unit 15 for housing the operation display part are housed up and down at a central part on the side of a front face in a housing part 2b so that the wiring between both the units 15, 16 can be most shortened. Besides, a power source unit 14 for housing power supply parts for driving and control is housed at a left side part in the housing part 2b so that the wiring between the operation display part and the power supply parts for driving and control can be shortened.

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 performing a washing operation by controlling a motor by an inverter.

[0002]

Conventionally, in a washing machine which performs a washing operation by controlling a motor by an inverter,
A microcomputer as a control circuit (hereinafter, referred to as a microcomputer) is incorporated in the operation display unit and is disposed in front of the washing machine together with the control panel. A power supply unit for the microcomputer and a semiconductor switching element such as an IGBT are connected in a three-phase bridge connection. The inverter main circuit configured as described above is arranged on the back side of the washing machine due to the limitation of the arrangement space.

However, in such a configuration, since the wiring between the operation display unit, the power supply unit, and the inverter main circuit is long, noise is generated in a power supply of the microcomputer and a drive circuit for driving loads other than the motor. There was a problem. An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of shortening wiring between an operation display unit, a power supply unit, and an inverter main circuit unit.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing machine in which a motor is controlled by an inverter to perform a washing operation. A storage section covered by a panel, an operation display section stored in the storage section on the front side thereof, and a storage section positioned on the back side of the operation display section and stored in the storage section, comprising semiconductor switching means. And a power supply unit housed in the housing unit and supplying power to the inverter.

With this configuration, the inverter main circuit section is located on the back side of the operation display section, so that both can be stored in the same storage section without requiring an arrangement space, and between the two. Wiring can be shortened. Further, since the power supply unit is also stored in the storage unit, the wiring between the operation display unit and the power supply unit can be shortened.

In this case, as described in claim 2, the semiconductor switching means is constituted by mounting a plurality of IGBTs in parallel on the heat radiation fins via an insulating sheet, and covers the non-insulating portions of these IGBTs. A contact prevention cover may be provided. With such a configuration, the heat dissipation of the IGBT is improved, and when a worker such as a service person works while the power is on, the finger may contact the non-contact portion of the IGBT. Can be prevented from being inadvertently contacted.

Further, as described in claim 3, a locking portion for locking the contact prevention cover may be provided on the heat radiation fin, so that the attachment of the contact prevention cover is easy. Becomes

[0008] As described in claim 4, it is preferable that the lower portion of the insulating sheet is extended in a direction away from the radiating fins. It is possible to prevent a capillary phenomenon between the lower end portion and the lower end portion of the insulating sheet from entering the inverter main circuit portion.

As described in claim 5, it is preferable that the contact prevention cover is provided with an opening for heat radiation corresponding to a portion located between the IGBTs.
Since air can be circulated inside and outside the contact prevention cover through the opening, the IGBT can be radiated satisfactorily while maintaining safety.

As described in claim 6, a moisture proof agent may be filled between the contact prevention cover and the radiation fins. With such a configuration, the insulation of the IGBT becomes better,
In addition, the contact state between the IGBT and the insulating sheet and the radiation fin is improved.

[0011] As described in claim 7, it is preferable that the lower portion of the insulating sheet is L-shaped. With this configuration, when the moisture-proofing agent is filled, the contact-preventing cover and the radiation fin are not connected. It is possible to prevent the desiccant from leaking from between.

[0012] As described in claim 8, the contact prevention cover may be configured to be removable from the radiation fins after filling with the moisture proofing agent. With such a configuration, the moisture proofing agent that cures with time can be used. If used, the IGBT can be removed even if the contact prevention cover is removed from the radiation fin after the moisture barrier has hardened.
Since the non-insulating portion is covered with a moisture-proofing agent, there is no problem in safety. Therefore, the contact prevention cover can be reused as a jig for filling the moisture-proofing agent.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the washing machine centered on the upper surface. In FIG. 5, a top cover 2 made of a synthetic resin is mounted on an upper part of an outer box 1 made of a steel plate. The outer box 1 is formed in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape, and includes therein a rotating tank and a stirring body (neither is shown) and a motor for rotating these, for example, a brushless motor 3 (see FIG. ) Is provided. The top cover 2 has a folded lid 3 for opening and closing the laundry doorway 2a (see FIG. 1).
4 is attached.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration. In FIG. 4, the driving power supply unit 4 is configured as a voltage doubler rectifier circuit by diodes, capacitors, and the like.
The DC output terminals are connected to the DC buses 5a, 5b,
The AC input terminal is connected to a commercial AC power supply 6.

Between the DC buses 5a and 5b, six IGBs
T (semiconductor switching means) 7a to 7f are connected to a three-phase bridge-connected inverter main circuit unit 7, and output terminals 7u, 7v, 7w of the inverter main circuit unit 7 are connected.
Are the star-connected phase windings 3u, 3v,
3w respectively.

On the other hand, the control power supply section 8 is composed of a switching power supply, a regulator and the like. In the control power supply unit 8, the AC input terminal is connected to the commercial AC power supply 6, and the DC output terminal is connected to a power supply input terminal of a microcomputer (microcomputer) 9 as control means.

An input terminal of the microcomputer 9 is connected to an output terminal of a position detecting element 10 composed of a hall element or the like provided on a rotor (not shown) of the motor 3. , Each IGBT of the inverter main circuit 7
7a to 7f are respectively connected to the gates. The microcomputer 9 controls the motor 3 output from the position detecting element 10.
IGBTs 7a to 7a based on the rotor position detection signals of
A gate signal is given to the gate of f to drive the motor 3.

The microcomputer 9 is provided with an operation signal from an input unit 11 composed of a switch or the like. The microcomputer 9 drives the brushless motor 3 based on the control program in accordance with the operation signal to operate the washing machine, and displays driving information on the display unit 12 including a liquid crystal panel. The display signal is given. Note that the inverter main circuit section 7 and the microcomputer 9 constitute an inverter 35, and the microcomputer 9, the input section 11 and the display section 12 constitute an operation display section 36.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the top cover 2 and the control panel 13. The top cover 2 has a rectangular frame shape in outer shape, and has a laundry doorway 2a in the center. Storage section 2 located on the front side of top cover 2
b is U-shaped as a whole and is formed so as to form a concave shape opened upward. The upper portion of the storage section 2b is covered by the control panel 13.

The power supply unit 1 is housed in the housing 2b.
4, the control unit 15 and the inverter unit 16 are housed. That is, the control unit 15
Is housed in the center of the front side in the housing 2b, the inverter unit 16 is housed in the housing 2b on the back side of the control unit 15, and the power supply unit 14 is
It is formed in a substantially L-shape as a whole, and is housed on the left side in the housing part 2b.

The power supply unit 14 houses the drive power supply unit 4 and the control power supply unit 8 as power supply units, and the control unit 15 houses the operation display unit 36 integrally. Further, the inverter unit 16 includes the inverter main circuit unit 7.
And attached to the back surface of the control unit 15 by screwing or bonding. Then, the power supply unit 14, the control unit 15 and the inverter unit 16 are connected by the wiring 17.

FIG. 2A is a sectional view of a part of the control panel 13 and the storage section 2b relating to the control unit 15 and the inverter unit 16, and FIG. 2B is an IGBT.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the inside of the inverter unit 16 upside down.

In FIG. 2A, a control unit 15 located immediately below a control panel 13 is configured by disposing a circuit board 19 in a rectangular box-shaped case 18 having an open upper surface. The microcomputer 9 is mounted on the circuit board 19.
And a switch 11a constituting the input unit 11, a display unit 12 (see FIG. 1) composed of a liquid crystal panel, and the like. The inside of the case 18 is filled with a desiccant 20 so as to surround the periphery of the circuit board 19.

On the other hand, the inverter unit 16 is formed by disposing a circuit board 22 on a rectangular box-shaped case 21 having an open lower surface, and the upper surface of the case 21 is provided on the lower surface of the case 18 of the control unit 15. The parts are attached and integrated as described above. The IGBT 7 is mounted on the circuit board 22.
Leads 7L of a to 7f (only 7a is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B) are mounted by soldering.

As shown in FIG. 3, IGBTs 7a to 7f
Is a non-insulating type element in which a metal heat radiating plate 24 directly connected to the collector is exposed on the back side of a resin-molded package 23, and the heat radiating plate 24 is provided on a metal heat radiating fin 25 by an insulating sheet. They are attached in parallel by being screwed with screws 37a through 26.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the screw 37a is
The heat radiating plate 24 is insulated by the resin 23a provided on the inner surface of the screw rod insertion hole and the insulating sheet 26, and the mounting portion by the screw 37a corresponds to the non-insulating portion 37.

The upper end of the insulating sheet 26 is in contact with the circuit board 22, and the lower portion is extended so as to be separated from the radiating fins 25 and is bent in an L-shape.
T7a to 7f are located below the heat sink 24. The height h of the insulating sheet 26 from the circuit board 22 to the bent portion is set to be smaller than the height H of the radiation fin 25. Further, similarly to the control unit 15, the inside of the case 21 is filled with a moisture proof agent 27 so as to surround the periphery of the circuit board 22 and cover the lead portion 7L of the IGBT 7a (ｆ7f).

In FIG. 2, there is a gap between each of the radiating fins 25, the insulating sheet 26, and the radiating plate 24 for the sake of illustration. It is screwed so as to be in close contact.

As shown in FIG. 3, the radiation fins 25
On both left and right sides of the front surface where the GBTs 7a to 7f are mounted, locking portions 25a which are bent inwardly into an L shape are provided.
25a are provided, and the locking portions 25a, 25a have both ends 28a, 28 of a cover (contact prevention cover) 28 shaped to cover the non-insulating portion 37 of the IGBTs 7a to 7f.
a is fitted from above in FIG. 3 to lock the cover 28. The cover 28 is made of, for example, an insulating material such as a synthetic resin.

In the cover 28, the IGBTs 7a to 7f
In a portion located between the respective elements (that is, not corresponding to the non-insulating portion 37), five heat-dissipating openings 28b are formed in a cutout shape. The size of the opening 28b is set to such a size that the operator's finger cannot enter.

According to the present embodiment configured as described above,
The following operational effects are obtained. That is, since the inverter unit 16 accommodating the inverter main circuit unit 7 is located on the back surface of the control unit 15 accommodating the operation display unit 36, the inverter unit 16 and the control unit 15 can be housed in the same manner without requiring any layout space. It can be stored in the part 2b.

Therefore, the arrangement structure of the two can be simplified, the whole including them can be reduced in size, and the wiring between the operation display section 36 and the inverter main circuit section 7 can be minimized. Further, since the power supply unit 14 is housed in the left side of the housing 2b, it can be arranged adjacent to the control unit 15 and the inverter unit 16, and the operation display unit 3
The wiring between the power supply 6 and the driving and control power supply units 4 and 8 can be shortened.

According to the present embodiment, six IGBTs
7a to 7f are attached in parallel to the radiation fins 25 via an insulating sheet 26, and a cover 28 is provided to cover the non-insulating portions 37 of these IGBTs 7a to 7f.
Opening 2 corresponding to the portion located between GBTs 7a to 7f
8a was provided.

Therefore, air can flow into and out of the cover 28 through the opening 28a, so that the IGBTs 7a to 7f
When the work such as a serviceman is working while energizing, for example, it is possible to prevent the non-insulating portion 37, particularly, the head of the screw 37a from being in contact with the head, thereby improving safety. Can be enhanced. In addition, locking portions 25a, 2 for locking the cover 28 to the radiation fins 25.
Since the cover 5a is provided, the cover 28 can be easily attached.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the insulating sheet 26
Is bent in an L-shape and extends in a direction away from the radiating fins 25, so that water applied to the radiating fins 25 causes a capillary between the lower end of the radiating fins 25 and the lower end of the insulating sheet 26. The phenomenon can be prevented from invading the inverter main circuit section 7.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the same parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Only the different parts will be described below. FIG.
Corresponds to FIG. 3 of the first embodiment, but differs from the first embodiment in the shape of the radiation fin 25 'and the cover (contact prevention cover) 28'. In addition, IGBT7a ~
Illustration of 7f is omitted.

The cover 28 'includes the cover 2 of the first embodiment.
Although the opening 28b is not provided as in the case of 8, the opening 28b is not necessarily required when the IGBTs 7a to 7f are satisfactorily radiated only by the radiation fins 25 '. At both ends of the cover 28 ', hook portions 28'
a, 28'a are formed. And the radiation fin 2
5 ', corresponding to the hook portions 28'a, 28'
a into which a hole 25 'is inserted to lock the cover 28'.
a (locking portion) is formed.

The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.
8 'hook portions 28'a, 28'a
It can be easily mounted by fitting it into the 5 'hole 25'a.

FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Only the different parts will be described below. FIG.
Corresponds to FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, but illustrations of the inside of the top cover 2, the control panel 13, and the control unit 15 are omitted.

In FIG. 7, the cover 28 of the first embodiment is a cover (contact prevention cover) 2 having a different height.
9 has been replaced. The upper end of the cover 29 in FIG. 7 is in contact with the circuit board 22, and the lower end is not bent in an L shape so as to cover the lower end of the IGBT 7a (ａ7f), unlike the cover 28. No equivalent to the portion 28b is provided.

Also, unlike the insulating sheet 26, the lower end of the insulating sheet 26 'is not bent in an L-shape. Then, from the lower end side of the cover 29 (actually, from the upper end side when the cover 29 is turned upside down), the humidifier 30 is
It is filled between the cover 29 and the radiation fins 25 so as to surround the periphery of 7a (ａ7f). Other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment.

According to the third embodiment constructed as described above, the insulation of the inverter main circuit section 7 can be improved by filling the space between the cover 29 and the radiation fins 25 with the moisture proofing agent 30. Together with IGBT7a (~ 7f)
Of the radiator plate 24 to the insulating film 26 'and the adhesiveness of the insulating film 26' to the radiating fins 25 to improve heat conduction.
The heat radiation effect of f) can be further enhanced.

FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Only different parts will be described below. The shape of the cover (contact prevention cover) 32 in FIG. 8 is the same as the cover 28 of the first embodiment in which the opening 28b is not formed.

The lower end 38a of the insulating sheet 38, which replaces the insulating sheet 26, is bent in an L-shape to form the cover 32.
Of the lower side 32a. And
From the upper end side of the cover 32, the desiccant 33 is IGBT 7a
It is filled between the cover 32 and the radiating fins 25 so as to surround the lower part of (〜7f). Other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment.

According to the fourth embodiment configured as described above, the same effects as in the third embodiment can be obtained. In addition, since the lower end portion 38a of the insulating sheet 38 is bent in an L shape and is superposed on the lower side portion 32a of the cover 32, when filling the moisture proof agent 33, the gap between the cover 32 and the radiation fins 25 is reduced. Leakage of the desiccant 33 can be prevented, and work becomes easier.

FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those of the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will be omitted. Only the different parts will be described below. In the fifth embodiment, the cover 32 is removed from the radiation fins 25 after the moisture proof agent 33 is filled as in the fourth embodiment and the moisture proof agent 33 is hardened to some extent with the passage of time.

As in the fifth embodiment, the cover 32
Can be removed from the radiation fins 25, the IGBT 7a
Since the heat radiating plate 24 of (７7f) is completely covered with the desiccant 33, the safety does not decrease even when the operator works in the energized state. Therefore, the cover 32 can be reused as a jig for filling the desiccant.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and the following modifications or extensions are possible. Instead of using the discrete IGBTs 7a to 7f, the inverter main circuit unit 7 may be configured using a module in which six IGBTs are previously configured as the inverter main circuit unit. The semiconductor switching element is not limited to the IGBT, but may be a power transistor or a power MOSFET. The lower portion of the insulating sheet 26 is not limited to be bent in an L shape, but may be extended in a direction away from the heat radiation fins.

[0050]

Since the present invention is as described above,
The following effects are obtained. According to the washing machine of claim 1,
Since the inverter main circuit section is located on the back side of the operation display section, both can be stored in the same storage section without requiring an arrangement space, and the wiring between them can be shortened. Further, since the power supply unit is also stored in the storage unit, the wiring between the operation display unit and the power supply unit can be shortened.

According to the washing machine of the second aspect, the semiconductor switching means is constituted by mounting a plurality of IGBTs in parallel on the heat radiation fins via the insulating sheet, and these IGBTs are arranged.
A contact prevention cover is provided to cover the non-insulating part of the BT.
In addition to improving the heat dissipation of the GBT, for example, when a worker such as a service person works while being energized, the IG
Contact with the non-insulating portion of the BT can be prevented, and safety can be improved.

According to the washing machine of the third aspect, since the locking portion for locking the contact prevention cover is provided on the radiation fin, the attachment of the contact prevention cover becomes easy. Claim 4
According to the washing machine described above, since the lower portion of the insulating sheet extends in a direction away from the radiating fins, water applied to the radiating fins causes a capillary tube between the lower end of the radiating fin and the lower end of the insulating sheet. The phenomenon can be prevented from invading the inverter main circuit section.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the contact prevention cover is provided with the heat radiation opening corresponding to the portion located between the IGBTs, the inside and outside of the contact prevention cover are provided through the opening. Air can be circulated through the IGBT, and the IGBT can be well radiated while maintaining safety.

According to the washing machine of the sixth aspect, since the moisture proof agent is filled between the contact prevention cover and the radiation fin,
Since the insulation properties of the GBT become better and the contact state between the IGBT and the insulating sheet and the heat radiation fins becomes better, the heat dissipation of the IGBT can be further improved.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the lower portion of the insulating sheet is L-shaped, when the moisture-proofing agent is filled, the moisture-proofing agent leaks from between the contact prevention cover and the radiation fin. Can be prevented, and the work becomes easy.

According to the washing machine of the present invention, the contact prevention cover can be removed from the radiation fin after filling the moisture barrier, so that even if the contact prevention cover is removed from the radiation fin after the moisture barrier cures, the IGBT can be removed. Since the non-insulating portion is covered with a moisture barrier, there is no problem in safety, and the contact prevention cover can be reused as a jig for filling the moisture barrier.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a top cover and a control panel, showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

2A is a cross-sectional view of a part related to a control unit and an inverter unit of a control panel and a storage unit, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a mounting part of an IGBT.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the inside of the inverter unit upside down.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the washing machine centering on an upper surface portion;

FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is an outer box, 2 is a top cover, 2b is a housing, 3 is a brushless motor, 4 is a drive power supply (power supply), 7 is an inverter main circuit, 7a to 7f are IGBTs (semiconductor switching means), 8 Is a control power supply unit (power supply unit), 9 is a microcomputer (control means), 13 is a control panel, 20 is a desiccant, 24 is a heat sink, 25 and 25 'are heat radiation fins, 26, 26' and 38 are insulated. Seat, 25
a and 25a 'are locking portions, 28 and 28' are covers (contact prevention covers), 28b is an opening, 29 is a cover (contact prevention cover), 30 is a moisture barrier, 32 is a cover (contact prevention cover), 33 Denotes a moisture barrier, 35 denotes an inverter, 36 denotes a display operation unit, and 37 denotes a non-insulating unit.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A washing machine in which a motor is controlled by an inverter to perform a washing operation, wherein a storage portion formed on a top cover at an upper portion of an outer box and covered with a control panel; A housed operation display unit, an inverter main circuit unit which is housed in the housing unit on the back side of the operation display unit and is configured by semiconductor switching means, is housed in the housing unit, and supplies power to the inverter. And a power supply for supplying the water. 2. A semiconductor switching device comprising:
The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a contact prevention cover configured to attach the GBTs in parallel to the radiation fins via an insulating sheet, and to cover a non-insulating portion of the IGBTs. 3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the radiating fin is provided with a locking portion for locking the contact prevention cover. 4. The insulating sheet according to claim 2, wherein a lower portion of the insulating sheet extends in a direction away from the heat radiation fins.
Or the washing machine according to 3. 5. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the contact prevention cover has an opening for heat radiation corresponding to a portion located between the IGBTs. 6. Between a contact prevention cover and a radiation fin,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the washing machine is filled with a desiccant. 7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein a lower portion of the insulating sheet is L-shaped. 8. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the contact prevention cover is configured to be removable from the radiation fins after filling with the desiccant.