JPS6324397B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (A) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a coin-operated washing machine that starts operating when the amount of coins inserted reaches a set amount.

(b) Prior art Conventionally, in a coin-operated washing machine as seen in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 56-63397, a coin detection switch is designed to close instantaneously when a coin is inserted. When the coin storage box is full and overflowing with coins, the inserted coins will remain on the actuator of the coin detection switch and will not fall into the coin storage box.
The coin detection switch sometimes remained closed, and there was no way to detect this from the outside. Therefore, even if a coin is inserted, it may not be detected, causing trouble between the washing machine user and the administrator.

(C) Purpose of the Invention The present invention detects and notifies when the coin storage box becomes full and the coin detection switch no longer operates properly. If an abnormality is detected in the coin detection switch before the set amount is reached, the system will notify you immediately, and if an abnormality is detected after the set amount has been reached, the system will perform fully automatic operation and notify you after this operation is completed.
The purpose of this is to ensure that there is no loss to users and to prevent trouble between users and administrators.

(d) Structure of the Invention In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a signal generating means for generating a signal when a coin passes in a coin-operated washing machine that starts operating when the amount of coins inserted reaches a set amount. and a notification means for notifying an abnormality, and the notification means is activated immediately when the signal from the signal generating means continues for a predetermined period of time before the amount of coins inserted reaches the set amount, When the operation continues for a predetermined period of time after reaching the amount of money, the operation is made to start after the end of the operation.

(E) Embodiment Figure 1 is a front view of a coin-operated washing machine, where 1 is a machine frame, 2 is a control box, and the front plate has a coin slot 4 into which a 100 yen coin is inserted.
A four-digit display device 5 (consisting of light emitting diodes (LEDs)) for displaying the remaining time and input amount and for reporting an abnormal state of the coin detection switch, and three process display devices 6 (consisting of LEDs) for displaying the progress of the process. )
and are provided. 3 is a return slot for returning coins other than 100 yen coins when they are inserted.

FIG. 3 is a block circuit diagram of the control section, in which a microcomputer 8 is used in this embodiment. 9
is an AC power supply, 10 is a DC power supply circuit that obtains the DC voltage (VDD) necessary to operate the microcomputer 8, and 11 is for retaining data in the memory (RAM) in the microcomputer 8 when the AC power supply is cut off. 12 is a charging resistor for charging the backup power source 11; 13 is a charging resistor for charging the backup power source 11;
14 is a reference voltage generation power supply, and 14 is a comparison circuit that compares the reference voltage and the backup voltage. When the backup voltage becomes lower than the reference voltage, it is determined that the data in the memory (RAM) cannot be retained.
Resets the contents of memory. Reference numeral 15 denotes a reset signal generating circuit which operates when the power is turned on and resets the data in the RAM.

Reference numeral 16 denotes an amount setting switch which predetermines the amount to be deposited.After power is turned on, the microcomputer 8 judges the signal from this switch 16 and stores it in the RAM as the set amount. 18 is a coin detection switch that outputs a signal when a 100 yen coin is inserted into the coin slot 4. As shown in Fig. 2, the coins inserted through the coin slot 4 are sorted by the coin sorter 7 and 100 yen coins are selected. Only the yen coin is dropped in the direction of the arrow, and the actuator 17 of the coin detection switch 18 is pressed to close the switch 18 momentarily. The fallen coins are stored in the coin storage box 30. Coins other than 100 yen are returned through the return slot 3.

Reference numeral 19 indicates a group of switches other than these switches 16 and 18 that input signals to the microcomputer 8, such as a water level switch for detecting the liquid level in the washing tub and a top lid switch that is linked to the opening and closing of the top lid.

20 is a clockwise rotation drive circuit for the motor, 21 is a left rotation drive circuit for the motor, 22 is a drain valve and clutch drive circuit, and 23 is a water supply valve drive circuit, and signals are output from output terminals A to D of the microcomputer 8, respectively. At this time, it is activated via the drive circuits 24-27. 5 and 6 are the display devices, respectively.

Next, the operation will be explained based on the flowchart shown in FIG. After the power is turned on, the set amount is first stored in the RAM. The RAM has a "switch ON" flag. This becomes "1" when the coin detection switch 18 changes from open (OFF) to closed (ON), and returns to "0" when it changes from ON to OFF. Initially, the "switch ON" flag is "0", so when a 100 yen coin is inserted and the coin detection switch 18 is turned ON, the "switch ON" flag is set to "1" and the contents of the input amount memory are changed.
Add 100 (yen). Since the coin detection switch 18 returns from ON to OFF immediately under normal conditions, the "switch ON" flag returns to "0". "Switch
Only when the "ON" flag is "0", 100 (yen) is added to the contents of the inserted amount memory each time a 100 yen coin is inserted.

If the contents of the input amount memory do not reach the set amount, the contents of the input amount memory are displayed on the display device 5 as shown in FIG. In the figure, LED28 lights up as follows.
The displayed content at that time indicates the amount invested, and the figure shows 200 yen.

When the content of the input amount memory exceeds the set amount, the "Driving" flag is set to "1". Then, the input amount memory is cleared, fully automatic operation is started, and the remaining time of fully automatic operation is displayed on the display device 5 as shown in FIG. In diagram
The lighting of the LED 29 indicates that the displayed content at that time is the remaining time, which is 30 minutes in the figure.

In fully automatic operation, first, a signal is output from the output terminal D to operate the water supply valve drive circuit 23 to supply water.
When the specified water level is reached and a signal is received from the water level switch 19, the water supply is stopped, and signals are alternately output from the output terminals A and B, and the left and right drive circuits 21 and 20 are alternately activated to drive the rotor. Perform the washing process by rotating left and right alternately. When the washing process is finished, a signal is output from the output terminal C, and the drive circuit 2
Activate 2 to open the drain valve and drain water. After draining, a rinsing process is performed, similar to washing.
When the rinsing process is finished, a signal is sent from terminals A and C, which opens the drain valve and activates the clutch, transmitting the clockwise rotation of the motor not only to the rotary blades but also to the washing and dehydrating tank, which runs the dehydrating tank at high speed. Rotate to the right,
Perform dehydration.

During such fully automatic operation, the process display device 6 flashes an LED corresponding to the process being operated.
When fully automatic operation is completed, the "running" flag is returned to "0".

The above is a case where the coin detection switch 18 operates normally, but when the coin storage box 30 becomes full, the inserted coin will be detected by the coin detection switch 18.
If the actuator 17 is held down, it may not fall, and the coin detection switch 18 may remain in the ON state and not return to OFF. Therefore, in the present invention, if the coin detection switch remains ON for 3 seconds or more, the display device 5 displays "888" as shown in FIG. 7, provided that the "driving" flag is not "1". It is designed to blink to notify you of an abnormal situation.

In other words, when coins are being inserted and the amount inserted has not reached the set amount (the "Driving" flag is "0"), "888" will immediately flash to notify you, but the amount inserted has not reached the set amount. At the same time, if the coin detection switch 18 does not return to the OFF state (the "Driving" flag is "1"), first perform full automatic operation, then flash "888". It's summery.

Therefore, there is no possibility that the vehicle will not start driving even after inserting a set amount of coins, and there is no possibility that "888" will flash during fully automatic operation and cause the user to feel uneasy. Coin detection switch 18 again
Even if the coin remains closed for more than 3 seconds, the coin may fall from the actuator 17 due to vibration during dewatering, etc., and the detection switch 18 returns to the open position, but in this case, "888" will not flash.

(F) Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, an abnormality in the coin detection switch can be detected by
If the coin input occurs before the set amount is reached, the user will be notified immediately, and if the coin occurs after the set amount has been reached, the user will be notified after fully automatic operation is completed. This allows notifications to be made from the standpoint of the user and prevents trouble between the user and the administrator.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show a coin-operated washing machine according to the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a front view, Fig. 2 is an internal structure diagram of a coin detection part,
FIG. 3 is a block circuit diagram of the control section, FIG. 4 is a flowchart, and FIGS. 5 to 7 are front views showing different states of the display device. 18... Coin detection switch (signal generation means),
5...Display device (notification means), 8...Microcomputer.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A coin-operated washing machine that starts operating when the amount of coins inserted reaches a set amount, comprising a signal generating means for generating a signal when a coin passes, and a notification means for notifying an abnormality, the notifying means is activated immediately when the signal from the signal generating means continues for a predetermined time before the amount of coins inserted reaches the preset amount, and operates after the end of the operation when the signal continues for a predetermined time after reaching the preset amount. An abnormality alarm device for a coin-operated washing machine, characterized in that it is configured to