JPS5996A - Timer apparatus of washer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a time limit device for a washing machine, and relates to a configuration for displaying the progress of a stroke in conjunction with time limit control.

Traditionally, time switches for electric washing machines and other devices were generally clockwork-type mechanical timers, which mechanically opened and closed electrical contacts, and the display device was a single numerical scale. . Therefore, there is a drawback that the operability is poor, and the timer is very difficult for the user to operate as the timer operates every moment.

The present invention provides a timer for a washing machine which eliminates the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks and greatly improves display function and operability.Examples thereof will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example in which a timer according to the present invention is installed in an electric washing machine. An outer shell 1 of the washing machine is composed of a casing 2, a lid 3, and an operation panel 4. Inside the housing 2, a washing tub, a dehydration tub, a motor, a pulsator, etc. are arranged in a well-known manner.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the operation panel 4, which is equipped with input switches and a display.

In detail, there is a water flow selector switch 6 that changes the strength of the water flow in the washing tub, a stop switch 6 that temporarily stops the washing timer, a washing switch 7 that sets the washing time and operates the washing timer, and a washing switch 7 that sets the rotation time of the spin-drying tub. A dehydration switch 8 that operates a dehydration timer, and a water flow display device 50. It has a washing time display device 70 and a dehydration time display device 80.

And the respective display devices 60, 70, . Reference numeral 80 is composed of a light indicator, and when the water flow selector switch 5 is set to "strong" water flow, the indicator corresponding to the character "strong" on the water flow display device 5o lights up. When the washing time is set to 10 minutes with the washing switch 7, the indicator corresponding to the number 10'' on the washing time display device 7o lights up.Also, when a certain time is set with the spin-drying switch 8, the display corresponding to this time is set. A light emitting diode or a liquid crystal display is suitable as the display for each display device 50, 70, 80 described above.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the display method of the washing time display device 7° of the washing timer. First, in the initial state when the power switch is turned on, the display does not light up and the timer is barely operating. Next, if you keep pressing the washing switch 7, the short-time display will start with a, then b, then c.

For example, when the display d lights up as shown in Figure 3 and 4, when the washing switch 7 is released, the display d blinks and the time indicated by the display d is displayed. ,do laundry. That is, by using the washing switch 7, the washing timer can start counting at the same time as setting the washing time. In the washing time display device 7o, the display corresponding to the remaining time blinks to indicate the passage of time, and the situation is shown in FIG. 3(B), (
C).

In Figure 3 (q), the display corresponding to the remaining time blinks, and then the display a (remaining time, for example, 3 minutes) also lights up.Finally, the lit display disappears. The blinking of the display is performed in the same way in the dehydration time display device 8o, so a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 4 shows another example of the display form. To set the washing switch 7 to the time indicated on the display d (for example, 10 minutes), press the washing switch 7 four times, and the settings will be a, b, c,
The display lights up in the order of d, and when the washing switch 7 is released, the display d lights up with it, and the display shows c, b, 'a,
c, b, a (7) blink in order. In other words, Fig. 4, (
b), (The state of C1 is repeated in sequence, and at the remaining time C, the display d goes out and the display C remains lit, b,
The display repeats blinking in the order of a, b, a. Additionally, as a method of setting the washing time using the washing switch 7, as described above, when the washing switch 7 is held down, the display will show a, b, c, d, and e.

f lights up in order, then all indicators go out, then,
A, b, c, d, . . . are lit again in this order.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the timer, and the input switch 4o consists of the water flow changeover switch 6, stop switch 6, washing switch 7, and dewatering switch 8 described above.

The input switch 40, a timer including a clock, a counter, a time setting circuit, etc., a control device 9 for controlling input and output, and a display including the aforementioned display devices 50, 70, and 80 made of light emitting diodes. Device 1
A timer is constituted by output switching devices 14, 15, and 16 such as bidirectional thyristors that control the rotation of the washing motor 12 having a phase advance capacitor 11 and the dehydration motor 13.

The control device 9 can be easily realized by a programmable LSI such as a microcomputer, which has become widely used these days.

As described above, according to the present invention, a signal from an input switch such as a push button switch is inputted, and a display device and an output switching device such as a bidirectional thyristor are outputted.
In addition, a control device having a timer and an input/output control section is provided, and in particular, a plurality of parallel displays forming a display device display the set time of at least one of the washing time and the spin-drying time. Compared to the conventional timer display structure, it is easier to set the time, and the progress of the process can be easily and accurately known, which makes washing work easier. Also, the maximum setting times for the washing process are 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 7 minutes, and 10 minutes.

12 minutes and 16 minutes, and by associating each indicator with each time, a highly practical display structure can be achieved.Similarly, the maximum setting time in the dehydration process is 0.
Since the time periods are 5 minutes, 1 minute, 3 minutes, and 6 minutes, by making the display correspond to each time, it is possible to provide a highly practical structure.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a washing machine equipped with a timer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of its operation panel, and FIG. Diagrams explaining the operation of the device, Figures 4 (A), (B), (C1 is another diagram explaining the operation of the display device, and Figure 5 is a block diagram of the timer. 9... Control Device. 10...Display device,
14゜15.16...Output switching device,
4o... Input switch. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person No. 1
Figure 2 Figure 0 (8)
(Figure C1 (8) (B+
CC) Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] (]) A control device including a time setting input switch, a timer unit that operates in response to an input from the input switch, and a display device that is controlled by the control device and performs a display operation. and an output switching device that opens and closes the current to the load for executing the washing operation, and the display device has a plurality of displays arranged in parallel, and displays the time set by the input switch as the washing time and the dehydration time. A timer for a washing machine that sequentially displays at least one of the times on the display. (2) The display device shows 3 minutes, 6 minutes, 7 minutes, and 10 minutes. 2. A washing machine timer according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of indicators that operate in response to washing times of 12 minutes and 15 minutes. (3) A timer for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the display device has a plurality of indicators that operate in accordance with dehydration times of 0.6 minutes, 1 minute, 3 minutes, and 5 minutes. .