JPH1176682A - Water presence/absence detector for washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate erroneous detection concerning the presence/absence of water by examining an electric circuit including a detecting part and a detection circuit. SOLUTION: A control circuit 40 is connected to the detection circuit 45, which is connected to the terminals 38 and 39 of an outlet 36 being the detection part. An examining means 77 is composed of a software and an examination circuit 70 for examining the circuit 40. At the time of executing the examination of the electric circuit containing the terminals 38, 39, the circuit 45, or the like, the means 77 makes both terminals 38 and 39 of a connector 36 in the state of short-circuit to be in the same state as the operation state of the presence of water. When the circuit 45 generates an electric signal corresponding to the absence of water (the output of an output terminal 45C comes into a high level) though the state of both of the terminals 38 and 39 is in the same state of the operation state of the presence of water, then the circuit 40 judges abnormality such as disconnection at the electric circuit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting the presence or absence of water in a washing machine for detecting the presence or absence of water in an installation site where the washing machine is installed.

[0002]

Conventionally, in a washing machine, there is a case where the washing machine is installed on a waterproof pan and used. The use of this waterproof pan is very convenient because the floor is not directly wetted. However, on the other hand,
If this waterproof pan is used, water may accumulate inside due to poor drainage of the waterproof pan, and if left unchecked, the lower part of the washing machine will be immersed in water. In order to prevent this, a detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of water is provided at the lower part of the washing machine, and when water is detected, for example, a buzzer is notified to notify the user that water is accumulated. There is something.

The above-mentioned detecting section is configured so that an electric change occurs depending on the presence or absence of water, and this electric change is converted into an electric signal by a detecting circuit. However, in this case, when an abnormality such as disconnection occurs in the electric circuit including the detection unit and the detection circuit, erroneously detecting that there is water even though there is actually no water, or There is a risk of erroneously detecting that there is no water despite the presence of water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to inspect an electric circuit including a detection unit and a detection circuit, thereby eliminating erroneous detection of the presence or absence of water. It is an object of the present invention to provide a water detecting device for a washing machine.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detection unit provided to detect the presence or absence of water at an installation site where a washing machine is installed, and the detection unit is configured to detect the presence or absence of water. A detection circuit that converts an electrical change to an electrical signal to detect the presence or absence of water, and includes the detection unit and the detection circuit as a state of the detection unit that is the same state as one of an operation state with and without water Inspection means for inspecting the electrical circuit.

When the detection circuit performs a detection operation in a state where there is no abnormality such as a disconnection in the electric circuit including the detection unit and the detection circuit, the detection circuit generates an electric signal corresponding to actual water presence and absence of water. And there is no false detection. In addition, when there is an abnormality such as a break in the electric circuit, when the detection circuit performs a detection operation, the detection circuit may generate an electric signal that does not correspond to actual water presence or absence of water, that is, erroneous detection is performed. Sometimes. Thus, when the inspection unit is executed, the state of the detection unit is set to the same state as the operation state with or without water. Here, if there is an abnormality such as a disconnection in the electric circuit, the detection circuit generates an electric signal corresponding to absence of water, for example, even though the state of the detection unit is the same as the operation state with water. Further, if there is no abnormality such as disconnection in the electric circuit, an electric signal corresponding to, for example, the presence of water is generated. In other words, despite the presence of water, if an electric signal corresponding to no water is generated, an inspection result of an electric circuit abnormality can be obtained. If an electric signal corresponding to the presence of water is generated in the state of presence of water, an inspection result indicating that there is no abnormality in the electric circuit is obtained. In this way, the presence or absence of an abnormality in the electric circuit is inspected, and if an abnormality is detected, the electric circuit can be inspected and repaired to eliminate erroneous detection thereafter.

[0007] The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that the detecting section is constituted by a pair of electrodes. In this configuration, the resistance between the electrodes changes between when there is no water between the electrodes and when there is water, that is, the resistance change is used as an electrical change. In this case, since the electrode is used stationary in a stationary state, the failure of the detection unit itself can be reduced as compared with a case where the detection unit is configured by a switch contact that operates depending on the presence or absence of water, for example.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the pair of electrodes are connected to a detection circuit, and the inspection means short-circuits the pair of electrodes as the detection unit at the time of inspection, so that the state of the detection unit is the same as the operation state with water. The feature is that it is designed to be in a state.
In this configuration, the resistance between the electrodes changes between when there is no water between the electrodes and when there is, that is, the resistance change is used as an electrical change, and the detection circuit detects the resistance change. Is converted into an electrical signal to detect the presence or absence of water. Then, the inspection means reduces the resistance value by short-circuiting the electrodes at the time of inspection, and sets the state of the detection unit to the same state as the operation state with water, so that the state of the detection unit is relatively simple. Can be controlled to the same state as the operation state with water.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the detecting section is constituted by a connector for connecting an electric wire, and a terminal of the connector is used as an electrode. In this configuration, since a generally used connector for electric wire connection is used as the detection unit, it is possible to contribute to a reduction in manufacturing cost.

[0010] The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that the connector is a female connector. In this configuration,
Since the terminals of the female connector are covered by the outer body,
The terminal is not inadvertently exposed to water, and the number of erroneous detection factors can be reduced. The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the connector is provided in a horizontal orientation. In this configuration, it is possible to further prevent the water from being carelessly sprayed.

The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the inspection by the inspection means is performed from when the power is turned on to when the first drainage process is completed. In this configuration, the inspection is performed by the end of the first drainage stroke as the execution time of the inspection means, so that the inspection execution time is necessary and sufficient. That is, if a drainage failure or the like has occurred in the waterproof pan, it is predicted that a large amount of water will accumulate in the waterproof pan at the end of the drainage process of the washing operation. In other words, it is better to perform the detection of the presence or absence of water before the end of the drainage process, and therefore, it is more convenient to perform the inspection before the end of the drainage process for proper detection of the presence or absence of water.
Thus, the time until the drainage process is completed is necessary and sufficient as the inspection execution time.

The present invention is characterized in that a notifying means is provided, and when an inspection result indicating that there is an abnormality is obtained by the inspecting means, the notifying means performs an informing operation and the washing operation is not stopped. .

In this configuration, when an inspection result indicating that there is an abnormality is obtained by the inspection unit, the notification unit is caused to perform a notification operation. Therefore, it is possible to recognize that the inspection result is abnormal, and immediately check the electric circuit.・ Repair can be performed. Since the washing operation is not stopped, the washing operation is continued, the washing is completed as scheduled, and there is no problem of restarting the washing operation.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the detecting section is accommodated by being covered by an accommodating section formed on a leg of the washing machine. In this configuration, the presence or absence of water can be detected satisfactorily in the lower portion of the washing machine, and further, there is no possibility that the detection unit is inadvertently sprayed with water, thereby reducing erroneous detection factors.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, in FIG. 2 showing a schematic configuration of a fully automatic washing machine, an outer tub 2 is swingably disposed in an outer box 1 via an elastic suspension mechanism 3. In the outer tub 2, a rotatable tub 4 serving as both a washing tub and a dewatering tub is rotatably provided, and a stirring body 5 is rotatably provided at an inner bottom portion of the rotary tub 4.

The rotary tank 4 is formed in a tapered shape in which the peripheral wall portion gradually expands as it goes upward. In the rotary tub 4, a group of dehydration holes 4a is formed only at the uppermost part of the peripheral wall, and the other part of the peripheral wall is non-porous. A group of water holes 4b is formed at the bottom of the rotary tank 4.

A drain passage 6 extending rearward from a group of water holes 4b of the rotary tank 4 is provided at the inner bottom of the outer tank 2. In the outer tub 2, the rear end of the drain passage 6 serves as a drain port 7, and the drain port 7 is provided with an air trap 8 for detecting a water level. The drain port 7 is
For example, it is configured to be opened and closed by a motor type drain valve 9, and a drain hose 10 communicating with the outside of the machine is connected to a lower portion of the drain valve 9.

In this configuration, when the drain valve 9 is opened, the water in the rotary tank 4 is discharged to the outside through the drain passage 6 and the drain hose 10. Also,
An auxiliary drain port 11 is formed at the front of the bottom of the outer tub 2, and the auxiliary drain port 11 is connected to the drain hose 10 via a connecting hose (not shown). As a result, when water in the rotary tub 4 is discharged into the outer tub 2 through the dewatering hole 4a during a dehydrating operation or the like, the drainage is discharged to the outside through the auxiliary drain port 11, the connecting hose and the drain hose 10. Will be discharged. A water level sensor (shown by reference numeral 12 in FIG. 5) formed of a pressure sensor is connected to the air trap 8 via an air pipe 13.
2, the water level in the rotary tank 4 can be detected.

A balance ring 14 is provided above the rotary tank 4.
Is attached. In addition, on the inner peripheral portion of the rotating tank 4,
Inner basket 1 made of stainless steel plate that is almost drum-shaped
The inner basket 15 has a plurality of water holes (not shown) formed in the peripheral wall thereof.

In the lower part of the inner peripheral part of the rotary tank 4,
A bottom cover 16 is provided. The inner basket 15
A predetermined gap for water flow is provided between the rotary tub 4 and the bottom cover 16 and between the rotary tub 4 and the bottom cover 16. The water flows downward or upward through the predetermined gap for water flow.

At the outer bottom of the outer tub 2, a motor 17 and a drive mechanism 18 that can be driven at a variable speed are provided. The rotational force of the motor 17 is transmitted to a drive mechanism 18 via a belt transmission mechanism 19. Although not specifically shown, the drive mechanism 18 includes a clutch mechanism,
It has a well-known configuration including a speed reduction device and a brake device. In particular, the clutch mechanism has a function of switching between a state in which the rotational force of the motor 17 is transmitted to the agitator 5 only at the time of washing via the reduction gear at a reduced speed, and a state in which the rotational force is transmitted to the rotary tank 4 and the agitator 5 at a high speed during dehydration. Have.

A top cover 20 is attached to the upper part of the outer box 1. The top cover 20 is provided with, for example, a two-folded lid 21 that opens and closes a door for opening and closing the laundry. A tank cover 22 is attached to the upper part of the outer tank 2.
Is provided so as to be openable and closable. The inner lid 23 is formed with a concave portion 23a having a large number of water holes (not shown) located at a rear portion side. The top cover 2
An electromagnetic water supply valve 24, a water supply device 25, and the like for performing a water supply operation to the inside of the rotary tub 4 are provided at a rear portion inside the rotary tank 4. The water from the water supply device 25 is configured to be supplied into the rotary tank 4 via the concave portion 23a. An operation panel 26 is provided at a front part of the top cover 20, and a control part 27 is provided at a back side thereof.

An inward flange 1a is formed at the lower end of the outer box 1, and a plastic leg 28 is attached to the flange 1a. This leg 28 is, as shown in FIGS.
A downwardly facing tubular portion 30 is formed on a plate portion 29 attached to a corner of a, and a screw boss portion 31 is formed at an upper and lower middle portion of the tubular portion 30. And inside the lower part of this cylindrical part 30,
A leg member 32 is attached by screwing a screw 32a to the boss 31.

In the leg 28, a rectangular box portion 33 having an open upper surface is formed from the plate portion 29 to the base of the cylindrical portion 30, and the box portion 33 is formed so as to close the upper surface open portion. A cover plate 34 made of plastic is attached to the cover 3, and the housing portion 35 is configured by the cover plate 34 and the box portion 33. Note that, for example, two water passage holes 33a are formed at the bottom of the box 33.

A female connector 36 for connecting an electric wire, which is generally commercially available as a detector, is mounted in advance in the housing 35, specifically, on the lower surface of the cover plate 34. The connector 36 is configured to include a pair of terminals 38 and 39 inside an exterior body 37.
As is well known, the terminals 38 and 39 are opened to the outside so that they can be externally connected to a male connector (not shown), and both terminals 38 and 39 are separated by a partition 37a. The connector 36 is mounted horizontally as can be seen from FIGS. In addition, this connector 3
In 6, the terminals 38 and 39 correspond to a pair of electrodes.

FIG. 5 shows an electrical configuration. The control circuit 40 includes a microcomputer. The control circuit 40 is supplied with an input signal from various switches 26 a provided on the operation panel 26 and an input signal from the water level sensor 12. Has become
The control circuit 40 drives and controls a display unit 41 provided on the operation panel 26 and a buzzer 42 as a notification unit, and drives the water supply valve 24, the drain valve 9, and the motor 17 via a drive circuit 43. Control.

Further, the water presence / absence detection device 44 includes a control circuit 40
A signal related to the presence or absence of water is input to
Further, the control circuit 40 executes an inspection for the water presence / absence detection device 44. This water presence detection device 4
4 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the detection circuit 45
Includes a DC power supply circuit 47 for converting an AC power supply 46 into a power supply of, for example, a DC voltage Vd (5 V). The DC power supply circuit 47 includes a step-down transformer 48, a diode 49, and a smoothing capacitor 50. The positive DC line 47a is connected to the connection terminal 45A.

The detecting circuit 45 includes an operational amplifier 56, a reference voltage generating circuit 57, a comparator 58, an LED energizing circuit 59, and an output circuit 60. The above operational amplifier 5
The input terminal 6 is connected to the connection terminal 45B of the detection circuit 45, and the output terminal is connected to the inverting input terminal of the comparator 58. The non-inverting input terminal of the comparator 58 is connected to the reference voltage output terminal 57a of the reference voltage generation circuit 57. LED energizing circuit 59
Are NPN transistor 59a, resistor 59b and LED
The base of the transistor 59a is connected to the output terminal of the comparator 58. The output circuit 60 connects a resistor 60a and a phototransistor 60b, and a connection point 60c is connected to an output terminal 45C of the detection circuit 45. This output terminal 45C is connected to the input terminal Ik of the control circuit 40. The LED 59C and the phototransistor 60b
And a photocoupler 61 are configured.

A diode 62a for preventing noise is connected between the positive DC line 47a and the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 56.
, A diode 62b for overcurrent protection is connected between the non-inverting input terminal and the GND side DC line 47b, and a capacitor 63 and a resistor 64 are connected in parallel.

One connection terminal 45A of the detection circuit 45 configured as described above is connected to a terminal 38 as one electrode of the connector 36 as a detection unit via a lead wire 65, a connector 66, and a lead wire 67. The other connection terminal 45B
Is connected to a terminal 39 serving as the other electrode of the connector 36 via a lead wire 68, a connector 66, and a lead wire 69.

The inspection circuit 70 is provided with a photocoupler 71, and the LED constituting the photocoupler 71
Of the phototransistor 71a and the phototransistor 71b, the collector of the phototransistor 71b is connected to one terminal 38 via a lead 73, a connector 66, and a lead 74, and the emitter of the phototransistor 71b is connected to a lead 75, a connector 66, It is connected to the other terminal 39 via a lead wire 76. The LED 71a has an anode connected to the DC power supply Vd, and a cathode connected to the control circuit 40.
Is connected to the input terminal CH. The control circuit 40 performs an inspection operation according to a program stored in advance, and an inspection unit 77 is configured by the inspection software of the control circuit 40 and the inspection circuit 70. In the inspection circuit 70, when the phototransistor 71b is turned on, a short circuit occurs between the terminals 38 and 39, and this state is equivalent to a state in which water exists between the electrodes 38 and 39.

Here, it is assumed that the washing machine having the above configuration is installed on the waterproof pan 78 as shown in FIG. Also,
In FIG. 2, there is no water in the rotary tank 4, but when water is stored in the rotary tank 4, the outer tank 2 is lowered by its weight. Therefore, if water accumulates inside the waterproof pan 78 due to poor drainage or the like, the belt transmission mechanism 19 may be wet. Whether or not water has accumulated in the waterproof pan 78 is detected by the water presence / absence detection device 44.

Hereinafter, the operation of the water presence / absence detecting device 44 and the operation of the inspection means 77 will be described in relation to the washing operation. 6 and 7 show a control operation in the control circuit 40. FIG. The control circuit 40 starts up when a power plug (not shown) is connected to a power outlet. The control circuit 40 determines whether or not the power switch of the various switches 26a shown in FIG. 5 has been turned on, that is, whether or not the power has been turned on in step S1. The process proceeds to S2 to execute water presence / absence detection control and inspection control. This control content is shown in FIG. 7 which is shown as a subroutine. In FIG. 7, first, in step G1, a water presence / absence inspection mode is set. That is, as shown in Table 1 below, the output terminal CH is set to the high level. Thereby, the LED 71a
Is turned off, the phototransistor 71b is turned off,
The inspection circuit 70 opens between the terminals 38 and 39.

[0034]

[Table 1]

If there is no water (less water) in the waterproof pan 78, the connector 36 in the accommodating portion 35 does not get wet with water, and the resistance value between the terminals 38 and 39 is extremely high (open circuit state).
, The input potential of the operational amplifier 56 is the GND potential, and the output thereof is also at the low level. Accordingly, the output of the comparator 58 is at a high level, the transistor 59a is off, and the LED 59c is turned off.
As a result, the phototransistor 60b is off, the output of the detection circuit 45 is at a high level, and the input terminal Ik of the control circuit 40 is at a high level. With this, the control circuit 4
0 detects that there is no water (a state with little water).

When water is present in the waterproof pan 78 (a large amount of water), the terminals 38 and 39 of the connector 36 in the accommodating portion 35 are provided.
Since water is present between the two terminals 38 and 39, the resistance value of both terminals 38 and 39 is reduced (to approximately 200 kΩ). The input potential of the operational amplifier 56 becomes high, so that the output of the comparator 58 is low level, the transistor 59a is turned on, and the LED 59c is turned on.
Energized light emission, photo transistor 60a on, output terminal 4
5C goes low, and the input terminal Ik of the control circuit 40
Becomes low level. The control circuit 40 thereby detects that there is water (a large amount of water).

In step G2 of FIG. 7, the state of the input terminal Ik is read, and it is determined whether water is detected based on whether the input terminal Ik is at the low level. When it is determined that there is water, the process proceeds to step G3 in accordance with "YES" in step G2, and the buzzer 42 outputs a notification sound. Then, the operation is stopped in step G4. On the other hand, when the presence of water is not detected, the flow shifts to step G5 to set the inspection mode. That is, as shown in Table 2 below, the output terminal CH of the control circuit 40 is set to the low level.

[0038]

[Table 2]

Thus, the LED 7 of the photocoupler 71
1a is energized to light up, and the phototransistor 71b is turned on. Thus, the terminals 38 and 39 are short-circuited.
This state is the same state as the state with water. Here, the detection circuit 45 and the lead wires 65, 67 to 69, 73
When the electric circuit including the connector 76, the connector 66 and the terminals 38 and 39 is normal, the detection circuit 45 operates in the same manner as in the presence of water, so that the phototransistor 60b is turned on and the input of the control circuit 40 The terminal Ik goes low. The control circuit 40 determines from this that the inspection result is normal. On the other hand, when the electric circuit to be inspected has an abnormality such as disconnection, the input terminal I
Where k should be low, it goes high.
The control circuit 40 determines that the inspection result is abnormal when the input terminal Ik goes high in this inspection mode setting state.

The control circuit 40 determines in step G6 in FIG. 7 whether the inspection result is normal or not.
If abnormal, the process proceeds to step G7, and the buzzer 42 outputs a notification sound. In this case, the notification is made in a notification pattern different from the water notification in step G3. Thereafter, the process shifts to step G8 to release the inspection mode, but the operation is not stopped. In step G6, when the inspection result is normal, the process proceeds to step G8.

Thereafter, returning to step S3 of FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the start switch of the various switches 26a has been turned on. If the start switch has been turned on, the water supply process is executed (step S4), and the washing process is performed. Is performed until the washing end condition is satisfied (for example, the washing set time expires) (steps S5 and S6), and thereafter, in step S7, the above-described water presence / absence detection control and inspection control are executed again.

Then, the drainage process is executed (step S
8) The dewatering process is performed (step S9). After this,
The water supply process is executed (step S10), and the rinse process is executed until the washing end condition is satisfied (for example, the rinse set time expires) (steps S11 and S1).
2) Thereafter, in step S13, the above-described water presence / absence detection control and inspection control are executed again. Next, a draining process is performed (step S14), and a dewatering process is performed (step S15), and the washing operation is completed.

According to this embodiment, the control circuit 4
0 sets the output terminal CH to low level, and the terminals 38 and 39
When the inspection of the electric circuit including the detection circuit 45 and the like is performed, the two terminals 38 and 39 of the connector 36 are short-circuited to be in the same state as the operation state with water. Here, if there is an abnormality such as disconnection in the electric circuit, for example, the two terminals 38, 39
Is the same state as the operation state with water, the detection circuit 45 generates an electric signal corresponding to the absence of water (the output of the output terminal 45C becomes high level), and If there is no abnormality such as disconnection in the electric circuit, an electric signal corresponding to the presence of water (the output of the output terminal 45C becomes low level) is generated. In other words, an electric circuit abnormality can be detected by generating an electric signal corresponding to the absence of water despite the presence of water. Therefore, if an abnormality is detected, the electric circuit can be inspected and repaired to eliminate erroneous detection thereafter.

Here, as the erroneous detection pattern of the presence or absence of water due to the abnormality of the electric circuit, there is a pattern of detecting that there is water when there is no water, and conversely, a pattern of detecting that there is water but there is no water. Especially in the latter case, it cannot be detected that the water in the waterproof pan 78 is steadily increasing, and therefore cannot be overlooked. Focusing on such a point, in the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not a waterless inspection result can be obtained by setting the two terminals 38 and 39 of the connector 36 to the short-circuit state and setting the same state as the operation state with water. Thus, the water can be effectively prevented from increasing.

In particular, according to the present embodiment, since the detecting section is constituted by the terminals 38 and 39 as a pair of electrodes, the terminal 38 and the terminal 38 are connected when there is no water between the terminals 38 and 39.
The resistance between 39 changes, that is, the resistance change is used as an electrical change. In this case, since the terminals 38 and 39 are fixedly used in a stationary state, the failure of the detection unit itself can be reduced as compared with a case where the detection unit is configured by a switch contact that operates depending on the presence or absence of water. become. However, the inspection control of the electric circuit described above can be applied even if the detection unit does not use an electrode (the one using a so-called float switch or the one using a humidity sensor).

The inspection means 77 short-circuits the terminals 38 and 39 which are a pair of electrodes during the inspection,
Since the state of the terminal 9 is the same as the state of operation with water, the state of the terminals 38 and 39 is changed to the state of operation with water with a relatively simple configuration (a structure in which the photocoupler 71 is provided). Can be controlled to the same state.

Further, the detecting section is constituted by a generally used connector 36 for electric wire connection.
Since the terminals 38 and 39 included in are used as electrodes, it is possible to contribute to a reduction in manufacturing cost. In this case, since the connector 36 is a female connector,
8 and 39 are covered by the exterior body 37,
Water is not inadvertently applied to the terminals, and erroneous detection factors can be reduced. Furthermore, since the connector 36 is provided in the horizontal orientation, it is possible to further prevent the water from being carelessly sprayed.

According to the present embodiment, step S in FIG.
2. As shown in step S7, the inspection is performed by the inspection means 77 from when the power is turned on (step S1) to when the first drainage process (step S8) is completed. The time will be necessary and sufficient. That is, if a drainage failure or the like has occurred in the waterproof pan 78, it is predicted that a large amount of water will accumulate in the waterproof pan 78 when the drainage process of the washing operation is completed. In other words, it is better to perform the water presence detection by the time the drainage process is completed, and therefore, it is more convenient to perform the inspection by the time the drainage process is completed for proper water presence detection.
The inspection execution time in this embodiment is necessary and sufficient.

Further, when the inspection result of the abnormality is obtained by the inspection means 77, the buzzer 42 is notified and the washing operation is not stopped, so that it is possible to recognize that the inspection result is abnormal. In addition, the electric circuit can be inspected and repaired promptly, and the washing operation is continued, the washing is completed as scheduled, and there is no problem that the washing operation is restarted. Furthermore, since the outlet 36 serving as the detecting unit is covered and accommodated by the accommodating portion 35 formed on the leg 28 of the washing machine, the presence / absence of water can be detected well in the lower portion of the washing machine. No water is splashed, and the number of erroneous detection factors can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the inspection means 77
In performing the inspection, the state of the electrodes 38 and 39 as the detection unit is set to the same state as the operation state with water, but may be set to the same state as the operation state without water. If the result of the detection by the means 77 indicates that there is water, it can be said that the inspection result is abnormal.

[0051]

As apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the presence or absence of an abnormality in an electric circuit including a detection unit and a detection circuit for detecting the presence or absence of water can be inspected. If an abnormality is detected, the electric circuit is inspected and repaired. It is possible to eliminate erroneous detection of water presence / absence detection. According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the detecting section is constituted by a pair of electrodes, the failure of the detecting section itself is reduced as compared with a case where the detecting section is constituted by a switch contact or the like which operates depending on the presence or absence of water. Can be reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the pair of electrodes are connected to the detection circuit, and the inspection means short-circuits the pair of electrodes as the detection unit at the time of inspection, and changes the state of the detection unit to the operation state with water. Therefore, the state of the detection unit can be controlled to the same state as the operation state with water with a relatively simple configuration.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the detecting section is constituted by a connector for electric wire connection, and the terminal of the connector is used as an electrode, it is possible to contribute to a reduction in manufacturing cost. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the connector is a female connector, the terminal of the connector is covered with the exterior body, so that the terminal is not inadvertently exposed to water, and a cause of erroneous detection. Can be reduced. Claim 6
According to the invention, since the connector is provided in the horizontal orientation, it is possible to further prevent the connector from being accidentally exposed to water.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the inspection by the inspection means is performed after the power is turned on and before the first drainage process is completed. Becomes According to another aspect of the present invention, a notifying unit is provided, and when an inspection result indicating an abnormality is obtained by the inspecting unit, the notifying unit is caused to perform an informing operation and the washing operation is not stopped, so that the inspection result is abnormal. As a result, the electric circuit can be inspected and repaired promptly, and there is no problem that the washing is completed as scheduled and the washing operation is restarted.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the detecting section is accommodated by being accommodated in the accommodating section formed on the leg of the washing machine, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of water at the lower portion of the washing machine,
In addition, the detection unit is not inadvertently exposed to water, and the number of erroneous detection factors can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an electric circuit configuration of a water presence / absence detection device showing one embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 3 is a partially broken perspective view of a leg portion.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal side view of a leg portion.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the entire electrical configuration.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing control contents of a main routine.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing control contents of a subroutine.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 is an outer tank, 4 is a rotary tank, 5 is a stirring body, 17 is a motor,
8 is a leg, 32 is a leg member, 35 is a housing, 36 is a connector (detector), 38 and 39 are terminals (electrodes), 40 is a control circuit, 42 is a buzzer (notifying means), and 44 is the presence or absence of water. Apparatus, 45 is a detection circuit, 61 is a photocoupler, 70 is an inspection circuit, 71 is a photocoupler, 77 is inspection means, and 78 is a waterproof pan.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A detection unit provided to detect the presence or absence of water at an installation site where a washing machine is installed, and the detection unit converts an electric change generated due to the presence or absence of water into an electric signal. A detection circuit for detecting the presence or absence of water, and an inspection unit for inspecting an electric circuit including the detection unit and the detection circuit by setting the state of the detection unit to the same operation state as either the presence or absence of water. A device for detecting the presence or absence of water in a washing machine provided. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit includes a pair of electrodes. 3. A pair of electrodes are connected to a detection circuit, and the inspection means short-circuits the pair of electrodes serving as a detection unit at the time of inspection so that the state of the detection unit is the same as the operation state with water. The water presence / absence detection device for a washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the water presence / absence detection device is provided. 4. The water detecting device for a washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the detecting section comprises a connector for electric wire connection, and uses a terminal of the connector as an electrode. 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the connector is a female connector. 6. The water detecting device for a washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the connector is provided in a horizontal configuration. 7. The water detecting device for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the inspection by the inspection means is performed from when the power is turned on to when the first drainage process is completed. 8. A notifying means, wherein when an inspection result indicating an abnormality is obtained by the inspecting means, the notifying means performs an informing operation and the washing operation is not stopped. A water presence / absence detection device for a washing machine according to the above description. 9. The water detecting device for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the detecting portion is housed by being covered by a housing portion formed on a leg of the washing machine.