JPS6376B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (a) Industrial application field The present invention determines the water level by performing logical operations on information regarding the laundry, and automatically stops water supply when the determined water level is reached. Regarding automatic washing machines.

(B) Conventional technology As a conventional example, a washing machine that detects the amount of laundry and automatically determines the amount of water to be supplied according to this amount is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 51-62569 (D06F 31/ 00)
and JP-A-53-32976 (D06F 33/00).

(c) Problems to be solved by the invention For example, when it comes to laundry that is delicate and easily damaged, such as wool products, it is necessary to first consider preventing fabric damage. Even small amounts of laundry should be washed with plenty of water.

However, if the amount of water is determined only by the amount of laundry, as in the conventional example, small amounts of laundry, especially perishable items, will be washed with a small amount of water, which may cause fabric damage. However, it cannot be said that the washing is carried out optimally for the laundry.

In view of these conventional problems, the present invention is designed to automatically determine the optimal water level for laundry in an automatic washing machine.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems The automatic washing machine of the present invention has a plurality of water level switches that sequentially close contacts and pass signals as the water level rises, and a laundry load switch that is input by operating a condition key. a microprocessor that determines the water level by performing logical operations on information regarding the amount and type of fiber, and when a signal is input to the microprocessor through a water level switch corresponding to the water level determined by the microprocessor; It is configured to stop the water supply.

(E) Effect: In other words, the user simply inputs information regarding the amount of laundry and the type (quality) of fibers, and the optimum water level for the laundry is determined.

(F) Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 7.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a washing machine, which has a detergent storage section 3 formed in a lid 2, and a microprocessor 5 built into a control box 4 protruding from the rear edge of the top surface.
The front keyboard 6 of this box is equipped with various operation keys and display lamps. The operation keys can be roughly divided into a condition key 7, a special course key 8, and other keys.The condition key 7 includes keys 9, 10, and 11 that are pressed depending on the amount of laundry, and keys that are pressed depending on the type of fiber in the laundry. The special course key 8 includes keys 12, 13, and 14 to be pressed depending on the degree of dirt, and keys 15 and 16 to be pressed depending on the degree of dirt. 18, a key 19 that performs only washing, a key 20 that performs only steps from rinsing to dehydration, and a key 21 that performs only draining and dehydration.
, a key 22 for only draining water, a make-up water key 23 for replenishing water, and a key 24 for adding one rinse. Furthermore, other operation keys include a start key 25 and a stop key 2.
6, and a modification key 27 for modifying the washing course.
It has

On the other hand, the indicator lamp consists of a light emitting diode, and the lamp 28 indicates that prewashing is currently being performed.
Lamp 29, 3 that indicates that the washing operation is in progress
0, 31, lamps 32, 33 indicating that the first rinsing operation is in progress, lamps 34, 35 indicating that the second rinsing operation is in progress, lamp 36 indicating the third rinsing operation, dehydration display lamp 3
7, 38, a lamp 39 that lights up when the drain only key 22 is pressed, and lamps 40, 41, 42 that display the water level. Although details such as the timing of blinking of these indicator lamps will be described later, the lamps are sequentially turned off as washing is performed according to the washing course set by the operation keys. Note that 43 is a power on switch, 44 is an off switch, and 45 is a buzzer volume adjustment knob.

The connections between the various operation keys, display lamps, etc. and the microprocessor are as shown in FIG. In this figure, G indicates a commercial AC power source, and the power supply A in this washing machine is connected to the AC power source via the power on switch 43 and power off switch 44. This power supply device has a commercial frequency signal output terminal 46 and -15 (V) and -8 (V) DC power supply terminals 47 and 48, and the commercial frequency signal output terminal 46 is an input to a clock circuit 49. The -15 (V) DC power supply terminal 47 is connected to the terminal 50 and is connected to the input terminal 5 of the rise detection circuit 51.
1' and the input terminal 53 of the reference pulse generation circuit 52,
It is connected to the input terminal 55 of the buzzer circuit 54, the terminal 57 of the interface 56 of the clock circuit 49, the bias terminal 59 of the encoder 58, and the malfunction prevention terminals 60 of the various operation key groups 9-27, respectively. Furthermore, the -8 (V) DC power supply terminal 48 is connected to an interface 62 of the self-holding relay 61, an interface 63 for lighting the indicator lamp, a bias terminal 67 of the interfaces 64, 65, 66 for various relays, and are respectively connected to malfunction prevention terminals 68 of various contacts.

The rise detection circuit 51 is configured to allow the microprocessor 5 to operate after the voltage is stabilized after the power supply switch 42 is turned on, and the reference pulse generation circuit 52 is configured to generate a 350KHz reference pulse. The pulses are sent to the microprocessor 5 and used to proceed with various calculations. It is used to generate pulses in sequence, and other pulse output terminals 74, 75, 76,
It is used to generate pulses according to the types of operation keys 9 to 24 used from 77 and the progress of the washing process, and also from other pulse output terminals 78, when various operation keys 9 to 27 are pressed. , when an abnormal condition occurs during washing, and when washing is completed, and are used to output pulse signals and sound the buzzer 79, respectively. The width of the pulse used to sound the buzzer varies depending on the displayed content, and the blinking cycle of the buzzer is accordingly changed so that the user can understand what is being displayed.

The clock circuit 49 is used to convert the sine wave of the commercial power supply into a rectangular shape, and superimposes it on the pulse output from the pulse output terminal and inputs it to the input terminal 80 of the microprocessor 5 to measure time. used for.

Furthermore, the operation keys 9 to 27 are arranged in a matrix, and the prewash keys 17 and 27 are connected to the lead wire 81 drawn out from the one pulse output terminal 69.
Pre-spin stop key 18, Wash only key 19, Rinse and spin key 20, Drain and spin key 2
1. Connect the start key 25 and stop key 26, respectively, and connect the key 1 for cotton and thick materials to the lead wire 82 drawn out from the other pulse output terminal 70.
2. Key for synthetic fibers 13. Key for wool and thin materials 1.
4. A key 15 to press when the laundry is normal, a key 16 to press when the laundry is light, a key 9 to press when there is a lot of laundry, and a key 11 to press when there is little laundry are connected, respectively. In addition, a lead wire 83 drawn out from another pulse output terminal 71 has a key 2 for modifying the washing course.
7. A key 10 that is pressed when the amount of laundry is normal, a drain only key 22, a water replenishment key 23, and a rinse addition key 24 are connected. When any of these keys is pressed, a pulse signal enters the encoder 58 from the input terminals 84 to 90, is encoded here, and is sent from the output terminals 91, 92, 93 to the input terminals 94, 95, 95 of the microprocessor 5. It can be placed in 96. Here, the pulse signals coming through the prewash key 17, the cotton and thick material key 12, or the correction key 27, for example, enter the same input terminal 84 of the encoder, but are connected to each key from the lead wires 81, 82, 83. Since the timings of the pulse signals 17, 12, and 27 are shifted as described above, it is possible to identify within the encoder 58 which key the signal has passed through.

97, 98, 99 are water level switches, and as the water level in the washing tub increases, low water level switches 97 and 99 are activated.
The middle water level switch 98 and the high water level switch 99 are closed in sequence. In addition, 100 is a safety water level switch that closes when the water does not stop and the water level becomes abnormally high due to a malfunction in the water supply valve, etc. 101 is a switch for switching between 50Hz and 60Hz, and 102 is a switch that closes when the lid of the washing tub is closed. The closing lid switch 103 is a safety switch that closes when the washing tub vibrates abnormally during spin-drying. When these switches 97 to 103 are closed, pulse signals output from the pulse output terminals 72 and 73 of the microprocessor pass through these switches to the input terminals 80 and 9 of the microprocessor.
4, 95, and 96 to identify which switch is closed, but since the timing of the pulse signals output from the pulse output terminals 72 and 73 and the signal output from the encoder 58 are different from each other, the meaning of the signals is unclear. There will be no confusion.

Further, 104 is an electromagnetic coil for draining, 105a is an electromagnetic coil for water supply on the detergent side, 105b is an electromagnetic coil for water supply on the washing tub side, 106 is a motor for driving a pulsator, and power control units 107, 108 each consisting of a TRIAC, 109 and the output terminals 110, 111, 11 of the microprocessor 5 via the interfaces 64, 65, 66.
2,113,114. Note that the signals output from these output terminals are continuous signals, and when a signal is output from one output terminal 113, the motor 1
06 rotates clockwise, and when a signal is output from another output terminal 114, it rotates counterclockwise. Further, when the electromagnetic coil 105a for water supply on the detergent side is energized, water is supplied from the detergent storage chamber 3 side formed in the lid, and water is supplied into the washing tub while dissolving the detergent previously placed in this chamber. Further, when the washing tub side water supply electromagnetic coil 105b is energized, water is directly supplied to the washing tub.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the signal transmission relationship between the inside of the microprocessor 5 and various external devices, where symbol indicates the flow of data and symbol → indicates the flow of control signals. Reference numeral 115 denotes a control unit mainly composed of an address register and a read-only memory (ROM), in which standard washing courses and other washing contents are stored in advance, and are read out when necessary, and a calculation signal is sent as the washing progresses. - Generates various control signals such as input/output signals, gate on/off signals, and timing signals. A memory group 116 is composed of a data write memory (RAM), and the storage contents of the control section 115 are transferred to this memory group as necessary. 117 is an arithmetic register, 118 is an arithmetic register group including an accumulator, and 119 is an arithmetic unit.The arithmetic unit 119 stores the contents of the memory group 116 into the arithmetic register 117 and the arithmetic register group 118, and performs arithmetic and logical operations. It will be done. 1
20, 121 is the above 63, 64, 65, 66, 5
6 similarly indicates an interface, and under the control of the control section 115, operation keys 9 to 2 are operated.
7 and water level switches 97, 98, 99, 100, etc.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be explained.

First, when the power switch 43 is turned on, a predetermined voltage appears at each terminal 46, 47, and 48 of the power supply A, and a voltage is applied to the microprocessor 5.
From the output terminal 122 to the self-holding relay circuit 6
2, a signal current flows through the power supply switch 43.
Self-holding is achieved by closing the parallel contacts 123.
In addition, the reference pulse generation circuit generates a 350KHz reference pulse, which is input to the microprocessor and used to proceed with various calculations, and is also used to generate a 1 millisecond width pulse signal. Output terminals 67, 70, 71, 72, 7
It is sent out sequentially from 3 onwards. Furthermore, the rising edge detection circuit 5
When the voltage applied to 1 reaches approximately -15 (V),
A signal enters the microprocessor 5 from the initial clear terminal 124 to clear the memory group 116, and at the same time, a code corresponding to the standard washing course is transferred from the control unit 115 to the DS address.
The standard washing course is a course that runs from washing to spin-drying without pre-washing in the case of ``a large amount of washing'', ``cotton or thick items'', and ``normal soiling'', and is No. 1 in the course list in Figure 5. This is the course. When the code for the standard washing course is transferred to the memory group, signals are also output from the pulse output terminals 74, 75, 76, and 77 accordingly, and the display lamp lights up to indicate that the washing course is the standard course. In case of standard washing cycle, indicator lamps 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 3
4, 35, 37, 38, and 40 are lit, and the display lamps 28, 36, 41, and 42 are not lit. Each of the indicator lamps has one pulse output terminal 69, 7.
The light is turned on when the phase of the pulse signal output from the terminals 0, 71, 72 and the pulse signal output from the other pulse output terminal 74, 75, 76, 77 matches. To explain this based on FIG. 6, 1 millisecond pulses are output from the pulse output terminals 69 to 73 in order, but when the standard washing course is set, when the pulse is output from the terminal 69, the terminal Pulses are also output from 74, 75, and 76,
Indicator lamps 29, 30, and 31 light up. Next time a pulse is output from terminal 70, terminals 74, 7
Pulses are also output from 5, 76, and 77, indicating indicator lamp 3.
2, 33, 34, and 35 are lit. Similarly, the display lamps 37, 38, and 40 are turned on in sequence. Each indicator lamp lights up based on this principle, so it only lights up once every 5 milliseconds, but when it blinks at such a short cycle, it appears to the human eye to be on continuously.

When the start key 25 is pressed here, a pulse signal enters the encoder 58 through this key, is converted into a code corresponding to this key, and is passed through the interface 120 to the arithmetic register group 118.
stored in the accumulator. The control unit 115 determines this and learns that the start key 25 has been pressed, outputs a short signal from the pulse output terminal 78, outputs a short beep from the buzzer 79, and starts washing.

When washing other than the standard course, select the course using operation keys 9-27. For example, the operation keys 9 for "Large amount of laundry", "Synthetic fibers", "Light dirt",
When buttons 13 and 16 are pressed, course No. 8 is set in the course list shown in FIG. That is, when one of these operation keys is pressed, the corresponding code is converted and sent to the calculation register group 118, and then the control unit 115
The upper buzzer 7 determines this signal by the calculation unit 119.
9 emits a short beep and transfers the coded contents to memory group 116. As a result, the contents of the standard washing course recorded in the memory group 116 (the No. 1 course shown in the course list in FIG. 5) are changed to the No. 8 course. The difference between No. 1 and No. 8 is that the washing time is short at 6 minutes, the spin-drying is omitted during the second rinsing operation, the spin-drying time is 2 minutes short, and the indicator lamp 29 goes out. , the lit lamps are 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 3
8.40.

When the start key 25 is pressed after pressing the operation keys 9, 13, and 16, this signal is also encoded and transferred to the calculation register group 118. Control device 115
The calculation unit judges this signal, emits a short beep from the buzzer 79, and sends the washing time of 6 minutes, motor rotation time of 15 seconds, and stop time of 4 seconds to the WTM address and ONS address of Momery Group. , respectively, and start operation.

When the operation is started, the control unit 115 first energizes the washing tub side water supply electromagnetic coil 105b for one second,
Open the water supply port on the laundry side to release the air trapped in the water supply pipe. After one second, the electromagnetic coil 105a for water supply on the detergent side is energized to open the water supply port on the detergent side, and the detergent previously placed in the detergent storage chamber 3 of the lid is dissolved and supplied to the washing tub.

The determination of 1 second is performed as follows. That is, when the power on switch 43 is pressed, the memory group 116 is
The number “60” is set at address ₁ (50Hz
After pressing the start key 25, each time a commercial frequency signal arrives from the clock circuit 49, the contents of address _T1 are calculated in the calculation register group 11.
8, the arithmetic unit 119 subtracts "1" written in the arithmetic register 117 from the contents, and the resultant "59" is returned to the _T1 address of the memory group 116. When the commercial frequency signal arrives again, the content "59" at address _T1 is transferred to the arithmetic register group 118, and the arithmetic unit 119 performs subtraction again. When the calculation is repeated in this manner and the number transferred to the calculation register group 118 becomes "0", one second has elapsed.

When water supply continues and the water level in the washing tub rises, the low water level switch 97 and medium water level switch 98 are activated.
are closed sequentially, but in this case the high water level switch 99
Since the gate signal is output only for the low water level switch and the middle water level switch, the gate signal is not output for the low water level switch and the middle water level switch, so even if this switch is closed, the operation of the microprocessor is not affected. When the water level further rises and the high water level switch 97 closes, the signal enters the calculation register group 118 via the interface 121, and the control unit 115 determines this and de-energizes the detergent side water supply electromagnetic coil 105a. The machine issues a signal to stop the water supply and starts washing operation.

When the washing operation starts, a signal is issued from the control section 115, one triax 125 in the power supply control section 109 is brought into conduction, and the motor 106 is first rotated clockwise. This right rotation continues for 15 seconds. That is, "1" is written in the calculation register 117, and "60" is written in the _T1 address and _T2 address of the memory group 116.
(“50” in the 50Hz area), and each time the commercial power frequency signal arrives from the clock circuit 49,
The contents of address _T1 are transferred to the arithmetic register group 118, the subtraction is repeated in the arithmetic unit, and the arithmetic register group 118
One second has passed when the content transferred to becomes "0". When the contents of the arithmetic register group 118 are determined to be “0”, the contents of the memory group 116 are
The content "15" is transferred from the ONS address to the arithmetic register group 118, "1" is subtracted by the arithmetic unit 119, and the result "14" is returned to the ONS address.
At the same time, it became "0" by the above calculation.
Change the content of address T ₁ to "60" and repeat the operation. By repeating the calculation in this way, when the contents of the ONS address in the memory group become "0", it means that 15 seconds have passed, and the operation of the motor 106 is stopped. This stop time is 4 seconds. The counting of 4 seconds is also the same as above. After the 4 second stop time has passed, the control unit 1
15 is the other triax 1 of the power supply control unit 109
26 is turned on and the motor is now rotated to the left. On the other hand, the contents of address _T2 are subtracted every second, and it becomes "0".
When this happens, one minute has passed, so it is subtracted from the content of the WTM address "6". Its content is "0"
When this happens, 6 minutes have passed, so the washing operation ends. In the case of course No. 8, after the washing operation, the rinsing operation is performed twice, and the dehydration operation is further performed for 4 minutes, and after sounding the buzzer 79, all operations are completed.

Since the display lamps 29 are set to go out one after another every two minutes, it is possible to roughly assess how much washing is currently progressing. This will be explained based on FIG. At the beginning of operation, when the pulse is output from terminal 69, pulse a is also output from terminal 76, but after the start of operation, 2
After a minute, this pulse a stops appearing and the indicator lamp 29 goes out. After another 2 minutes have elapsed, the pulse b is no longer output and the indicator lamp 30 goes out. In this way, the display lamps 29... go out every two minutes.

If a special course key 8 such as the pre-wash key 17 or the wash-only key 19 is pressed before pressing the start key 25, the washing courses No. 1 to 1 shown in the list of washing courses shown in FIG. 5 are pressed. No.13 course, No.14～
The content of the special course No. 19 is added or unnecessary steps are deleted and stored in the memory group 116, and operation is performed accordingly.

Next, the parts of the present invention will be explained in detail based on FIG. That is, when the "wool/thin material" key 14 is operated after the power supply switch 43 is turned on, the key signal is encoded by the interface 120 and enters the calculation register group 118, and is sent to the control unit 11.
5 determines this and issues a high water level signal. The key 14 for "Wool/Thin" is not operated, and "Cotton/Thin" key 14 is not operated.
When the "thick material" key 12 or the "synthetic fiber" key 13 is operated, a high water level signal and a high water level signal are generated in accordance with the operation of the keys 9, 10, and 11 for "large", "normal", and "small" amount of laundry, respectively. Issues mid-water level signal or low water level signal. If none of these keys are pressed, it is determined that the washing cycle is standard and a high water level signal is output. At this time, in this embodiment, the determined water level is indicated by an indicator lamp, so the user can see that the water level has been determined by logical calculations within the device, and can use it with confidence. can do.

V, W, and X are AND circuits, and the high water level switch 99, middle water level switch 98, and low water level switch 97 are connected to the input side of each circuit, respectively.
The high water level signal is applied as a gate signal to the AND circuit X connected to the high water level switch, the medium water level signal is applied as a gate signal to the AND circuit W connected to the medium water level switch, and the AND circuit connected to the low water level The low water level signal is applied to the circuit V as a gate signal. These AND circuits V, W, and X are connected to an OR circuit Y, the output of which serves as a water supply stop signal.

Therefore, for example, if the washing machine is operated along the standard washing course without pressing the condition key 7, a high water level signal is generated. When the start key 25 is pressed to start water supply in this state, the low water level switch 97 and the middle water level switch 98 are closed in sequence, but the low water level signal and the middle water level signal are added to the AND circuits V and W as gate signals. Therefore, no output signal is output from the AND circuits V and W. When the water level rises and the high water level switch 99 closes, the AND circuit
Since the signal coming through the high water level switch 99 and the high water level signal are added to the high water level switch 99, an output signal is output from the AND circuit X to stop the water supply.

Also, as a condition key, key 1 for "cotton/thick material"
2. When the key 11 indicating the amount of laundry is "small" is operated, a low water level signal is output, so when the low water level switch 97 is closed by water supply, the water supply is stopped.

(G) Effects of the Invention The present invention not only determines the water level based on the amount of laundry, but also takes into consideration the type of fiber (for example, if the type of fiber is thin wool, it will prevent fabric damage. In order to prevent this, the water level is set at a high level regardless of the amount), so the user does not have to think carefully to determine the water level, and the water supply automatically stops when the determined water level is reached. It is a very easy to use washing machine.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the washing machine according to the present invention;
The figure is a front view of the keyboard, Figure 3 is a connection diagram between the microprocessor and external equipment, Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the signal transmission relationship between the microprocessor and external equipment, and Figure 5 is a washing course diagram. FIG. 6 is a diagram explaining lighting of the display lamp, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart. 97...Low water level switch, 98...Middle water level switch, 99...High water level switch, 40...High water level display lamp, 41...Medium water level display lamp, 42...Low water level display lamp.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of water level switches that sequentially close contacts and pass signals as the water level rises, and logically operate information on the amount of laundry and the type of fiber inputted by operating condition keys. an automatic washing machine comprising a microprocessor for determining a water level, and configured to stop water supply when a signal is input to the microprocessor through a water level switch corresponding to the water level determined by the microprocessor . 2. The automatic washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the automatic washing machine is configured to light up a water level display lamp corresponding to the determined water level.