KR101251806B1 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a washing machine capable of detecting a failure of a suspension having a damper using a magnetic viscous fluid. The washing machine of the present embodiment is a washing machine having a water tank which is rotationally driven in an outer box. A plurality of suspensions to be damped, failure detection means, and control means for controlling washing operation, wherein the suspension includes a shaft moving integrally with the water tank, a cylinder moving relatively to the shaft, The coil is held in the cylinder and energized to generate a magnetic field, the yoke provided on both sides of the coil, and the shaft, the coil and the filling space of the yoke are filled, the viscosity is changed by the magnetic field of the coil Has a damper with a magnetic viscous fluid that increases the damping force between the shaft and the yoke; The field detecting means detects a failure of the suspension, and the control means determines the failure of the suspension based on a detection result of the failure detecting means.

Description

Washing machine {WASHING MACHINE}

This embodiment relates to a washing machine with a suspension having a damper using a magnetic viscous fluid.

Conventionally, in the washing machine, mechanical or electrical problems may occur from the viewpoint of durability, design, and the like, leading to failure. Moreover, even if a mechanical or electrical operation part is normal, there exists a possibility that it may leak, for example by damage, abrasion, etc. of rubber parts, such as a packing, and resin parts, such as a cover. Such damage or abrasion of such a part is hard to be noticed by a user, and there is a concern that the use of the washing machine may be continued until a failure due to damage or abrasion of the part is recognized by the user.

So, for example, in the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, before the above-mentioned problem occurs, the user is informed that the end of the service life of the main functional part such as a motor or a heater is near, and the user is urged to check or maintain the washing machine. It is being studied that.

For example, in the drum type washing machine, the internal water tank is elastically supported by a plurality of suspensions having dampers that damp vibrations installed in the bottom of the casing to reduce vibrations due to drum rotation.

In recent drum washing machines, there is an idea of using a damper having a variable damping force, and a functional fluid such as a magnetic viscous fluid is used as the working fluid.

The magnetic viscous fluid is, for example, a dispersion of ferromagnetic particles such as iron and carbonyl iron in oil, and when the magnetic field is applied to the magnetic viscous fluid, the ferromagnetic particles form chain clusters to increase the viscosity (Patent Document 2). .

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-172143 Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2010-104578

In the damper using such a magnetic viscous fluid, there is a possibility that a problem such as a damping force is lowered due to a failure. However, the detection of a failure with this damper has not been studied yet.

In addition, a damper using such a magnetic viscous fluid may also cause a situation in which the damping force cannot be changed due to disconnection of a coil for applying a magnetic field, for example. However, nothing tells us how to deal with such problems.

Thus, a washing machine capable of detecting a problem (failure) of a suspension having a damper using magnetic viscous fluid is provided. Moreover, even if a problem arises in the suspension which has a damper using a magnetic viscous fluid, the washing machine which can ensure an appropriate operation | movement is provided.

The washing machine of this embodiment is equipped with the water tank which is rotationally driven in an outer box, WHEREIN: It is equipped with the some suspension which attenuates the vibration of the said water tank, fault detection means, and the control means which controls washing operation. . The suspension includes a shaft moving integrally with the water tank, a cylinder moving relatively to the shaft, a coil held inside the cylinder and energized to generate a magnetic field, a yoke provided at both sides of the coil, and the shaft. And a damper having a magnetic viscous fluid filled in the filling space of the coil and the yoke, the viscosity of which is changed by the magnetic field of the coil to increase the damping force between the shaft and the yoke. The failure detecting means is for detecting a failure of the suspension, and the control means determines the failure of the suspension based on a detection result of the failure detecting means.

Moreover, in the washing machine of this embodiment, the said failure detection means is a current detection means which detects the electric current which flows in the said coil, The said control means judges the failure of the said suspension based on the detection result of the said current detection means, It is determined whether the current flowing in the coil is within a preset current value range, and when the current is larger than an upper limit of the current value range, at least the current supply to the coil is stopped, and the current value is within the current value range. When it is smaller than the lower limit, the washing operation is continued.

According to this embodiment, the washing machine which can detect the problem (failure) of the suspension which has a damper using magnetic viscous fluid can be provided.

Moreover, even if a problem arises in the suspension which has a damper using magnetic viscous fluid, the washing machine which can ensure an appropriate operation | movement can be provided.

1 is a flowchart of a first failure detection process showing the first embodiment;
2 is a longitudinal side view of the drum type laundry dryer;
3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the suspension body;
4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration;
5 is a time chart showing the control contents of the previous stroke;
6 is a flowchart of a second failure detection process showing the second embodiment;
7A is a diagram showing a change in damping force based on control of energization to coils when energization to coils is not performed in a washing stroke;
FIG. 7B is an equivalent to FIG. 7A in the case where electricity is supplied to the coil in the washing stroke;
8 is a flowchart of a third failure detection process showing the third embodiment;
9 is a flowchart of a failure detection process showing the fourth embodiment;
10 is a longitudinal side view of a drum type laundry dryer,
11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the suspension unit;
12 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a part of the suspension;
13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system;
14 is a diagram for explaining correspondence between a current flowing through a coil and a type of error;
FIG. 15A is a diagram for explaining the generation timing of coil power in the power generation circuit;
Fig. 15B is a diagram for explaining the generation timing of the coil power supply in the power generation circuit;
FIG. 15C is a diagram for explaining the generation timing of the coil power supply in the power generation circuit, and illustrates an entire stroke of the reservation (dry) operation; FIG.
16A and 16B are diagrams for explaining the driving timing of the switching element, an excerpt of the acceleration and deceleration of the drum,
16C and 16D are diagrams for explaining the driving timing of the switching element, an excerpt of the weight sensing in the dry state and the water state;
16E is a view for explaining the driving timing of the switching element, an excerpt of the washing stroke;
17 corresponds to FIG. 13 showing a fifth embodiment;
18 shows the relationship between the current flowing through each coil and the damping force in the suspension, and
FIG. 19 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 13 showing a sixth embodiment. FIG.

≪ First Embodiment >

Hereinafter, this embodiment is described with reference to FIGS. 1-5.

First, FIG. 2 shows the overall structure of a drum type laundry dryer (hereinafter referred to as a washing machine), and a laundry entrance 2 is formed in a substantially central portion of the front surface portion (right side in the drawing) of the outer box 1, and A door 3 for opening and closing the laundry entrance 2 is pivoted in the outer box 1. Moreover, the operation panel 4 is provided in the upper part of the front surface part of the outer box 1, and the operation control control apparatus 5 is provided in the back surface side (in the outer box 1).

Inside the outer box 1, a horizontal cylindrical cylinder 6 in which the axial direction is directed back and forth is provided. The water tank 6 is inclined and elastically supported on the bottom plate 1a of the outer box 1 by the suspension 7a and 7b of the left and right pairs (only one side in FIG. 2). The detailed tank of the suspensions 7a and 7b will be described later.

The outer rotor-type motor 8 which consists of a brushless motor of DC, for example is attached to the distribution of the water tank 6. Although the detailed illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the rotating shaft attached to the center of the rotor 8a is inserted into the inside of the water tank 6 through the bearing housing 9 in the motor 8.

A drum 10 is provided inside the water tub 6. [ The drum 10 also has a horizontal cylindrical shape whose axial direction is forward and backward. The drum 10 is attached to the distal end of the rotational shaft of the motor 8 at the center of the rear portion, thereby rising forward concentrically with the water tank 6. It is tilted so that it is supported.

In addition, the drum 10 is rotated by the motor 8, so that the drum 10 is a rotating tub, and the motor 8 is comprised so that it may function as a drum drive apparatus which rotates the drum 10. FIG.

A large number of small holes 11 are formed throughout the entire body, which is a circumferential side of the drum 10. In addition, both the drum 10 and the water tank 6 have openings 12 and 13 in the front face portion, and an annular bellows 14 is formed between the opening 13 of the water tank 6 and the laundry entrance 2. ) Is connected.

The laundry entrance 2 is connected to the inside of the drum 10 through the bellows 14, the opening 13 of the water tank 6, and the opening 12 of the drum 10.

The drain pipe 15 is connected to the rear part of the bottom part which becomes the lowest part of the water tank 6 via the drain valve 15a. In addition, a drying unit 16 is provided above and forward from the distribution of the water tank 6.

The drying unit 16 has a dehumidifier 17, a blower 18, and a heater 19, and dehumidifies the air in the water tank 6, and then heats it to perform a circulation to return to the water tank 6. It is made to dry laundry.

The vibration sensor 20a, 20b is provided in the front part and the back part of the upper part of the water tank 6, respectively. The vibration sensors 20a and 20b are all made of, for example, acceleration sensors, and when there is an unbalance when the drum 10 rotates, the water tank 6 vibrates in accordance with the vibration of the drum 10, thereby causing the water tank 6 ) To detect vibration.

That is, the vibration sensors 20a and 20b function as vibration detection means for detecting the unbalance at the time of rotation of the drum 10 by the vibration of the water tank 6, and correspond to a failure detection means.

Here, the detailed structures of the suspensions 7a and 7b will be described. The suspensions 7a and 7b have dampers 21, and the dampers 21 are main members, as shown in Fig. 3, and a shaft 23 made of magnetic material in the same way as the cylinder 22 made of magnetic material. ).

Among them, the cylinder 22 has a connecting member 24 at its lower end, and the connecting member 24 is attached to the attachment plate 25 provided on the bottom plate 1a of the outer box 1 as shown in FIG. It is passed downward from above and fastened with the nut 27 through the elastic seat plate 26 etc., and is attached to the bottom plate 1a of the outer box 1.

On the other hand, the shaft 23 has the connection part 23a in the upper end part, and the said connection part 23a is similarly shown in FIG. 2 to the attachment plate 28 provided in the water tank 6 from below to upward. It passes through the elastic seat plate 29, etc., and is fastened with the nut 30, and is attached to the water tank 6. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper portion of the inside of the cylinder 22 has a ring-shaped upper yoke 31, a rubber lip seal 32, a ring-shaped upper bearing 33, and friction. The ring 34 is inserted in the state accommodated in the inner peripheral part of the bracket 35 of a single cylinder shape, and is fixed and hold | maintained.

Among them, the upper yoke 31 and the bracket 35 are made of a soft magnetic material, and the upper bearing 33 is made of, for example, a sintered metal. The friction ring 34 is made of polyurethane.

At the position just below the upper yoke 31 in the interior of the cylinder 22, the upper coil 36 is inserted in the state wound around the upper bobbin 37, and is fixed. In addition, a ring-shaped intermediate yoke 38 is fitted between the lower bobbin 40 of the lower coil 39 described later and fixed to a position just below the upper bobbin 37 inside the cylinder 22. The intermediate yoke 38 is made of soft magnetic material.

In addition, the lower coil 39 is inserted and held in a state in which the lower coil 39 is wound around the lower bobbin 40 at a position just below the middle yoke 38 inside the cylinder 22. And the lower yoke 41 is press-fitted and fixed in the position just under the lower bobbin 40 inside the cylinder 22.

The lower yoke 41 is made of a soft magnetic material, is formed in a single cylinder shape having a space 42 below the inner circumferential portion, and the magnetic viscous fluid 52 described later leaks into the space 42. The seal 43 made of rubber (NBR) and the ring-shaped lower bearing 44 for prevention are accommodated and held. The lower bearing 44 is made of, for example, a sintered metal.

A seal 45 is provided between the upper yoke 31 and the upper bobbin 37, and a seal 46 is provided between the upper bobbin 37 and the middle yoke 38. A seal 47 is provided between the middle yoke 38 and the lower bobbin 40, and a seal 48 is provided between the lower bobbin 40 and the lower yoke 41. These seals 45-48 are comprised by O-rings, for example.

Then, the shaft 23 has an upper bearing 33, a seal 32, an upper yoke 31, an upper bobbin 37, an intermediate yoke 38, and a lower bobbin from the upper opening 49 of the cylinder 22. 40, the lower yoke 41, the seal 43, and the lower bearing 44 are sequentially inserted into the cylinder 22.

The inserted shaft 23 is supported by the upper bearing 33 and the lower bearing 44, while the upper bearing 33, the seal 32, the upper yoke 31, the upper bobbin 37 and the middle yoke ( 38, the lower bobbin 40, the lower yoke 41, the seal 43, and the lower bearing 44 are relatively capable of axial reciprocating motion.

In addition, the lower part of the lower yoke 41 of the cylinder 22 becomes the cavity 50, and the shaft 23 has the lower end part reaching the cavity 50, and is prevented from falling out by the fixing ring 51. .

In addition, the respective spaces between the shaft 23 and the upper bobbin 37 and the lower bobbin 40, and the shaft 23 and the upper yoke 31, the middle yoke 38, and the lower yoke 41, which are in the vicinity of the shaft 23. Each space of the cavity (these spaces are called a filling space) is filled with a functional fluid, in this case a magnetic viscous fluid (MR fluid) 52.

As described above, the magnetic viscous fluid 52 is obtained by dispersing ferromagnetic particles such as iron and carbonyl iron in oil, and when the magnetic field is applied, the ferromagnetic particles form a chain-shaped cluster so that the viscosity (viscosity) Is raised, and the seal 32 and the seals 45 to 46 have a function of inhibiting leakage of the magnetic viscous fluid 52 to the cylinder 22 side.

In this way, the damper 21 is comprised, and the spring support 53 is fitted and fixed to the upper part of the shaft 23 located above the cylinder 22 of the damper 21, and the said spring support ( Between the 53 and the upper end of the cylinder 22 is mounted a coil spring 54 consisting of a compression coil spring for the shaft 23.

Thereby, suspension 7a, 7b is comprised, and suspension 7a, 7b is inserted between the water tank 6 and the bottom plate 1a of the outer box 1, and the bottom plate 1a of the outer box 1 is carried out. The water tank 6 is elastically supported on the surface.

The upper coil 36 and the lower coil 39 provided in each of the above-described suspensions 7a and 7b are connected in series with each other, and a driving circuit outside the damper 21 via a lead wire (not shown) (see FIG. 4). It is connected to and energized.

The current sensors 55a and 55b, which are current detection means for detecting the energization amount of the upper and lower coils 36 and 39, are provided in the suspensions 7a and 7b, respectively.

The current sensors 55a and 55b are of a direct current type and are based on a structure in which an iron core and a Hall element as a magnetic sensor are combined.

When the current sensors 55a and 55b are attached to the coils 36 and 39, magnetic flux proportional to the current flowing through the coils 36 and 39, which are the wires to be measured, flows through the iron core and penetrates the hole element inserted into the gap of the iron core. And the hall voltage due to the Hall effect is generated. The current value flowing through the coils 36 and 39 may be measured based on the hall voltage.

In FIG. 4, the block diagram shows the electrical structure centering on the control device 5 for operation control provided in the inner side (inside of the outer box 1) of the upper part of the front side part of the outer box 1. As shown in FIG. The control apparatus 5 consists of a microcomputer, for example, and is comprised so that it may function as a control means which controls general operation | movement including washing operation of a drum type washing dryer as mentioned later.

The control device 5 has a ROM 56a and a RAM 56b and, for example, has an EEPROM 56c as nonvolatile storage means. In detail, as described later, the ROM 56a stores control programs and various data for controlling overall operation, and the EEPROM 56c includes information on problems such as failure of the suspensions 7a and 7b (damper 21). Is made to be remembered.

The control device 5 is configured to input various operation signals from the operation unit 58 made of various operation switches included in the operation panel 4. In addition, the control device 5 is supplied with a water level detection signal from the water level sensor 59 provided to detect the water level in the water tank 6, and a current sensor provided to detect the amount of energization of the upper and lower coils 36 and 39 ( 55a, 55b are input current detection signals.

The rotation detection signal is input to the control apparatus 5 from the rotation sensor 57 provided so that the rotation of the motor 8 may be detected, and from the vibration sensors 20a and 20b provided so as to detect the vibration of the water tank 6. The vibration (unbalanced) detection signal is input.

The control apparatus 5 performs calculation which divides the rotation speed of the motor 8 (drum 10) by the detection required time based on the detection signal from the rotation sensor 57, and based on the calculation, the drum 10 ) Detect the rotation speed. Moreover, the control apparatus 5 calculates an amplitude (vibration value) based on the detection value of the vibration sensor 20a, 20b.

In the ROM 56a, Z1 (see step S4 in FIG. 1) corresponding to the normal mode described later and Z2 corresponding to the failure mode are stored as threshold values for the amplitude caused by the vibration of the water tank 6.

And the control apparatus 5 displays the setting part etc. based on the input, the detection result, and the control program and data previously memorize | stored in ROM56a or EEPROM56c, and the user is notified of a fault. Blower 63 of the blower 18 in the buzzer 63, the water supply valve 61, the motor 8, the drain valve 15a, and the drying unit 16, which are installed to feed water into the water tank 6. Motor 18b (see FIG. 2) for driving 18a (see FIG. 2), heater 19a (see FIG. 4) of heater 19 in copper drying unit 16, and suspensions 7a, 7b The drive control signal is provided to the drive circuit 62 which drives the up-down coils 36 and 39 provided in each of the top and bottom coils.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.

First, when a user turns on the power switch (not shown) of the operating part 58 of the washing machine, and performs the setting operation of the washing operation, the control apparatus 5 washes, for example, as shown in FIG. Dewatering stroke, rinsing stroke… Run in the following order.

5 schematically shows an example of an outline of the stroke in the normal mode of the standard washing operation, energization to the upper and lower coils 36 and 39, suspensions 7a and 7b (damping force of the damper 21, and the like). It is.

In the washing process, a laundry amount detection operation for first detecting the amount of laundry contained in the drum 10 is performed.

For example, the laundry amount detection operation requires a time required to rotate the drum 10 to a predetermined rotation speed, and then stops driving the drum 10 to inertia rotates the drum 10. From the time required for the rotational speed of 10 to fall to a predetermined rotational speed, the amount of laundry is detected by the rotational load of the motor 8.

In other words, the rotation sensor 57 and the control device 5 function as laundry amount detection means, and are configured to detect the weight of the laundry.

Subsequently, the control device 5 acquires the required time TO (see FIGS. 5 and 8) of the whole stroke in the washing operation corresponding to the detected laundry weight. Specifically, for example, in the ROM 56a, a laundry weight and an estimated time table (not shown) to which the time required for each stroke is associated are stored, and the control device 5 detects the driving time estimated means. The expected running time is read out based on the weight of the laundry.

In addition, in this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the required time (TO ′) from the weight detection in the washing stroke to the washing stroke to the dehydration stroke is read, and the dryness is also detected in the weight detection in the subsequent drying stroke. The required time TO (TO '+ TO ″) is obtained by reading the time TO ″ required for the stroke.

In the weight detection in the washing stroke or the drying stroke, a predetermined DC voltage is applied to the series circuits of the upper and lower coils 36 and 39 of each of the suspensions 7a and 7b, and a current of a predetermined value, for example, 1.0 [A], is applied. Turn on the electricity.

In the present embodiment, the suspension is energized even in a stroke other than the washing stroke and the drying stroke, for example, a current of 1.0 [A] or 0.5 [A] (set to the set current value IO (see Fig. 5)). A large damping force is given to 7a and 7b, and the amplitude of the water tank 6 is damped. Here, the dehydration stroke will be described in detail with respect to the action of the suspensions 7a and 7b.

In the dehydration stroke, the drum 10 is rotated and its rotational speed is gradually increased to discharge the water remaining in the laundry by centrifugal force. In the dehydration stroke, the water tank 6 vibrates mainly in the vertical direction as the drum 10 rotates.

In response to the vertical vibration of the water tank 6, in the suspensions 7a and 7b, the shaft 23 attached to the water tank 6 vibrates the inside of the cylinder 22 in the vertical direction while stretching the coil spring 54. .

As such, when the shaft 23 vibrates the inside of the cylinder 22 in the vertical direction, the filling space between the shaft 23 and the upper yoke 31, the middle yoke 38, and the lower yoke 41 is determined. The magnetic viscous fluid 52 filled in each space imparts damping force to the suspensions 7a and 7b with frictional resistance due to the viscosity, and attenuates the amplitude of the water tank 6.

At the beginning of the dehydration stroke (at the start of the dehydration stroke, until the rotation of the drum 10 reaches, for example, 400 [rpm]), the control device 5 includes the coils of each of the suspensions 7a and 7b ( When a constant DC voltage is applied to the series circuits 36 and 39 and energized, for example, 1.0 [A], a magnetic field is generated to give a magnetic field to the magnetic viscous fluid 52, and the magnetic viscous fluid 52 The viscosity of becomes high.

Specifically, by energizing the coils 36 and 39, the shaft 23-magnetic viscous fluid 52-upper yoke 31-bracket 35-cylinder 22-intermediate yoke 38-magnetic viscous fluid The magnetic circuit of the shaft (52) -shaft (23) takes place and also the shaft (23) -magnetic viscous fluid (52) -middle yoke (38) -cylinder (22) -lower yoke (41) -magnetic viscous fluid (52) The magnetic circuit of the shaft 23 is generated, and the viscosity of the magnetic viscous fluid 52 in the portion through which the magnetic flux passes is increased.

In particular, each magnetic viscous fluid 52 between the shaft 23 and the upper yoke 31 having a high magnetic flux density and between the middle yoke 38 and the shaft 23 and between the lower yoke 41 and the shaft 23. The viscosity increases and the frictional resistance increases.

In this way, the damping force is increased by increasing the frictional resistance when the shaft 23 vibrates in each of the above components, especially the upper yoke 31, the middle yoke 38, and the lower yoke 41 in the up-down direction.

Thus, the damping force of the damper 21 is increased in the resonance region at the start of the dehydration stroke in which the resonance of the water tank 6 appears (until the rotation of the drum 10 reaches 400 [rpm], for example). The occurrence of resonance of the water tank 6 is avoided, and the starting performance of the rotation of the drum 10 is improved.

After the rotational speed of the drum 10 reaches 400 [rpm], the rotational speed of the drum 10 is maintained at the 400 [rpm] for a predetermined time. The damping force of the damper 21 is made small by reducing the energization of the damper 21 to the upper and lower coils 36 and 39 and finally disconnecting the power in the situation where the drum 10 is constant.

Then, while the damping force of the damper 21 is reduced, the drum 10 (motor 8) is raised to the normal rotational speed. After a predetermined time, the rotational drive of the drum 10 is stopped and the rotational speed is zero. Lower.

As described above, the damping force of the suspensions 7a and 7b can minimize the vibration in the dehydration stroke. For example, when the washing of the laundry occurs in the drum 10 during dehydration in the normal mode of the washing operation described above, and the amplitude of the water tank 6 exceeds the first threshold value Z1, the control device 5 After the motor 8 is stopped, the unwinding operation is performed to eliminate the unbalanced state, and the rotation speed of the motor 8 is increased again.

The suspensions 7a and 7b are capable of detecting a failure by the current sensors 55a and 55b as the failure detection means. The first failure detection process using the current sensors 55a and 55b will be described with reference to FIG. 1 as well.

The control apparatus 5 performs the 1st failure detection process shown in FIG. 1, for example at the time of electricity supply to the coils 36 and 39 in washing operation (at the time of the operation of the damper 21).

In the first failure detection process, first, current values flowing through the series circuits of the upper coils 36 and the lower coils 39 of the suspensions 7a and 7b are measured by the current sensors 55a and 55b (step ( S1)].

Subsequently, the control device 5 judges whether or not the detected current value is 0 [A], and when it is 0 [A] (YES in step S2), all the coils 36 of the suspensions 7a and 7b. , And enters the failure mode (39) (steps S3, S4).

That is, in the failure mode of the present embodiment, when a problem such as disconnection of the coils 36 and 39 occurs, washing operation corresponding to the failure of the suspensions 7a and 7b is performed. For example, all the coils 36 , 39), the first threshold value is lowered from Z1 to the second threshold value Z2 (Z2 < Z1), and the rotational speed of the drum 10 in the dehydration stroke is relatively lower than the normal mode. Carry out the set washing operation (lower than normal rotation speed).

For this reason, even when only one of the suspensions 7a and 7b, for example, the damper 21 of the suspension 7a, fails to change the damping force, the damping force due to the operation of the other suspension 7b alone. The occurrence of unbalance due to the deviation of can be prevented, and the minimum damping force required is obtained by the friction between the friction ring 34 and the shaft 23.

In addition, since the second threshold value Z2 in the failure mode and the rotational speed of the drum 10 at the time of dehydration are both set relatively low, the unbalanced state is eliminated before the vibration increases in the dewatering stroke, and the unbalanced state is eliminated. It can be prevented that the vibration state which is not so far is not expected.

Then, the control device 5 stores in the EEPROM 56c that the transition to the failure mode, that is, the suspensions 7a and 7b has failed (step S5), and ends the first failure detection process.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the current value is not 0 [A], it is judged whether or not the current value as the detected value is a value within a range of a predetermined lower limit IL and an upper limit IH ( Step S6). Here, when smaller than the lower limit IL (for example, 0 <IL <set current value IO) or larger than upper limit IL (for example, twice the value of set current value IO), the coil ( The process proceeds to the step S3 of interrupting energization to 36, 39).

That is, the upper limit value IH and the lower limit value IL corresponding to the set current values IO of 1.0 [A] and 0.5 [A] are stored in advance in the ROM 56a, and the coils 36 and 39 are insulated. If a problem such as breakdown or short circuit occurs and the current value flowing through the coils 36 and 39 falls below the lower limit value IL (or exceeds the upper limit value IH), it is determined as a failure and the system enters the failure mode.

If it is determined in step S6 that the current value as the detected value is within the range between the lower limit value IL and the upper limit value IH, the washing operation in the normal mode is continued as it is (step S7), and the above current value is Unless detected, steps S1, S2, S6, S7, and S8 are repeated until the energization to the coils 36 and 39 ends (NO in step S8).

Said 1st failure detection process is performed at the time of electricity supply to the coils 36 and 39 in each stroke from a washing stroke to a drying stroke, and a washing operation is complete | finished by finishing a drying stroke.

Then, in advance of the washing operation (that is, the next washing operation) to be performed, for example, when the power switch is turned on by the user, the control device 5 controls the failure of the suspensions 7a and 7b from the EEPROM 56c. Read the information. Here, when there is a failure in the suspensions 7a and 7b, that is, when it is determined as NO in step S2 or step S6 in the last washing operation, the control device 5 is, for example, a buzzer as a notification means. The failure of the suspensions 7a and 7b is notified by the operation of 63 and the display of the display unit 60, and the operation in the failure mode is also performed in the subsequent washing operation.

The suspension 7a, 7b demonstrated above has the damper 21 which damps the vibration of the water tank 6, and the damper 21 can change a damping force. And since the drum type laundry dryer of this embodiment is equipped with the fault detection means for the said suspensions 7a and 7b, the failure of the suspension 7a and 7b is assured by the control apparatus 5 based on the detection result. Can be judged.

When it determines with the failure of suspension 7a, 7b based on the said detection result, the control apparatus 5 switches to the failure mode corresponding to a failure from the normal mode in the said washing operation. Therefore, even if the suspensions 7a and 7b fail, the driving can be continued in a form corresponding to the failure without stopping the washing operation.

In the failure mode of the present embodiment, all the coils 36 and 39 are set to the disconnection state. For this reason, even if only one damper 21 of the suspensions 7a and 7b fails and the damping force cannot be changed, it is possible to save the power consumption by avoiding the continuous energization and to further reduce the damping force of the suspensions 7a and 7b. The occurrence of unbalance due to the deviation of can be prevented.

In this case as well, the minimum damping force required is obtained by the friction between the friction ring 34 and the shaft 23, so that even when the coils 36 and 39 are disconnected, the vibration state which is not normal can be prevented as much as possible. Can be.

The control device 5 controls the rotation of the drum 10 so that the amplitude at the time of vibration generated in the water tank 6 does not exceed the first preset threshold Z1, and in the failure mode, the first threshold value ( The rotation of the drum 10 is controlled so as not to exceed the second threshold value Z2 set separately from Z1).

For this reason, even if the suspensions 7a and 7b fail, the washing operation can be performed so that the amplitude of the water tank 6 does not exceed the second threshold value Z2. Can be prevented.

The failure detecting means has current sensors 55a and 55b for detecting current flowing through the coils 36 and 39, and the control device 5 is based on the detection result of the current sensors 55a and 55b. Determine the failure of 7b).

Therefore, it is possible to reliably determine the failure of the suspensions 7a and 7b due to insulation breakdown, short circuit, or the like of the coils 36 and 39.

The current sensors 55a and 55b are provided for each of the suspensions 7a and 7b in correspondence with the coils 36 and 39. Therefore, in the washing machine having a plurality of suspensions 7a and 7b, failures relating to the coils 36 and 39 of the respective suspensions 7a and 7b can be detected more reliably, and the coils in the normal mode and the failure mode can be detected. Pre-disconnection control of (36, 39) can be performed suitably.

Unlike the present embodiment, it may be informed by the notification means at the same time as the failure during the washing operation. However, since the operation can be continued even when the failure occurs as described above, the user does not need to stop the washing in the middle.

On the other hand, the control apparatus 5 of this embodiment informs the failure of the suspension 7a, 7b by the notification means, such as the buzzer 63 and the display part 60, when carrying out the next washing operation. For this reason, during the next washing operation, the user can recognize the transition to the failure mode, and the user or the serviceman can take more appropriate measures such as contacting the serviceman with the failure of the suspensions 7a and 7b. .

The first failure detection process is performed at the time of energizing the coils 36 and 39 in each of the strokes from the washing stroke to the drying stroke, but may be performed in any of the strokes (for example, the washing stroke). .

In contrast, the second failure detection processing described below is performed during the washing stroke or at the beginning of the dehydration stroke, and the third failure detection processing is performed at the end of the washing operation. It is possible to execute two or all of the failure detection processes among the first to third failure detection processes.

&Lt; Second Embodiment >

6, 7A, and 7B show a second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In the washing stroke, water is supplied from the water supply valve 61 (see FIG. 4) into the water tank 6, and then the motor 8 is operated and the drum 10 accommodating the laundry alternates in both forward and reverse directions at a low speed. Is rotated.

In the 2nd failure detection process of this 2nd embodiment, the rotation of the drum 10 is raised until it reaches 170 [rpm] once, for example in the middle of the said washing stroke. And the energization control of the coils 36 and 39 and the vibration by the vibration sensors 20a and 20b are performed in the state which raised the rotation speed of the drum 10. FIG.

That is, in the second failure detection process, in step S11 of FIG. 6, while the rotational speed of the drum 10 is maintained at, for example, 170 [rpm], as shown in FIG. The power supply of A] is cut off once. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7B, the control device 5 includes three points of time TA before powering off the coils 36 and 39, time of power loss TB, and time TA ′ when power is resumed. The detection values A, B, and A 'of the vibration sensors 20a and 20b are acquired at four viewpoints.

Here, FIG. 7B shows the change of the damping force based on the control of energization to the coils 36 and 39 in step S11 in the washing stroke. In addition, unlike the above-mentioned embodiment, the electric current of 0.5 [A] does not need to be supplied to the coils 36 and 39 in the washing stroke, and FIG. 7A shows the coil 36 in step S11 in the case where the electric current is not performed. , 39 shows the change of the damping force based on the control of energization.

The ROM 56a includes vibration sensors 20a and 20b as a ratio of the vibration at the time of energization to the coils 36 and 39 and the vibration at the time of power cut when the coefficient C, that is, the suspensions 7a and 7b is normal. The coefficient C obtained by the experiment based on the detected values A, B, and A 'is stored.

The control device 5 judges whether the suspensions 7a and 7b are functioning normally using the coefficient C (step S12). Specifically, when A ≒ A 'and B> A / C are satisfied, it is determined that the suspensions 7a and 7b are not functioning normally (YES in step S12), and all the suspensions 7a and 7b. ) Coils 36 and 39 are put into a disconnected state, and the state of failure is shifted to the above-described failure mode (steps S13 to S15).

The suspensions 7a and 7b function normally, but in the case of not satisfying the A'A '(i.e., when the detection value by the vibration sensors 20a and 20b is assumed to be unstable and lacking reliability), the normal mode is left as it is. The washing operation in E is continued (step S16), and the steps S11, S12, S16 and S17 are repeated until the condition of A'A 'is satisfied.

As described above, the control device 5 controls the energization of the coils 36 and 39 in the washing stroke, and detects the results of the vibration sensors 20a and 20b during energization of the coils 36 and 39 and in the non-energization state. The failure of the suspensions 7a and 7b is determined based on the detection results of the vibration sensors 20a and 20b.

According to this, the failure with respect to suspension 7a, 7b can be grasped | discovered by vibration sensors 20a, 20b before a dehydration stroke. That is, for example, the vibration sensors 20a and 20b detect not only the failure of the coils 36 and 39 but also the leakage of the magnetic viscous fluid 52 and the failure of the damper 21 and the like. This makes it possible to determine the failure more accurately.

&Lt; Third Embodiment >

8 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of the present invention and showing the flow of the third failure detection process.

The third failure detection process is executed at the end of the above washing operation, so that the control device 5 starts from the estimated time required T0 of the previous stroke based on the laundry amount detection operation and, for example, from the start of the washing stroke. The actual operating time T required until the end of the drying stroke is acquired (steps S21 and S22).

Subsequently, the control device 5 determines whether the difference between the estimated time required T0 and the actually required driving time T has not elapsed, for example, 30 minutes or more, by the predetermined time difference T1 (step S23). Here, when it is determined that the actual driving time T took longer than the normal scheduled time difference T1, for example, 30 minutes or more, it is counted as the washing operation in the failure state of the suspensions 7a and 7b (step ( S24)].

That is, when the suspensions 7a and 7b do not function normally as described above, the vibration suppressing effect cannot be sufficiently exhibited, and the driving time T becomes relatively long, such as an increased chance of loosening operation during dehydration. Therefore, this is accumulated (counted up) as the count value N1 each time the washing operation is performed and stored in the EEPROM 56c (step S27).

When the count value N1 reaches a predetermined number N (for example, three times), [YES in step S25], it is determined that the suspensions 7a and 7b are broken, and the reason is EEPROM ( 56c) (step S26).

If it is determined in step S23 that the delay has not been delayed more than 30 minutes, the count value N1 is reset (step S28). In other words, as long as the washing operation is not delayed for 30 minutes or more in succession three times, it is not judged as a failure, thereby ensuring the reliability of the judgment.

If it is determined that the failure has occurred in the third failure detection process (YES in step S25), the process shifts to the failure mode in the washing operation after the next time.

Thus, the control apparatus 5 is comprised as driving time estimation means which anticipates the time T0 required in washing | cleaning operation, and is based on the anticipated time T0 and the actual operating time T in the said washing operation. The failure of the suspensions 7a and 7b is judged based on this.

Therefore, similarly to the 2nd failure detection process, it can grasp | discover without causing the failure regarding suspension 7a, 7b.

In addition, in this embodiment, although it applied and demonstrated to the drum type washing machine, it is not limited to this, For example, it may be a drum type washing machine which does not have a drying function, or it has a washing tank which combined the dehydration tank which can rotate around a longitudinal axis, and has a bottomed tub. The so-called vertical washing machine provided with a water tank of a shape can also be applied.

In addition, only the energization to the coils 36 and 39 of the damper 21 of the side judged to be a failure among the left and right suspensions 7a and 7b may be made into the disconnection state. In this case, the damping force by the magnetic viscous fluid 52 is only one suspension 7a or 7b, but by appropriately controlling the damping force in accordance with the load being loaded, the damping force necessary for suppressing vibration can be obtained without any deviation. Can be.

When it is judged that the suspensions 7a and 7b are faulty, the damping force may be obtained by changing the application specification of the voltage, instead of bringing the upper and lower coils 36 and 39 into a disconnected state.

In addition, the suspensions 7a and 7b do not have both the upper coil 36 and the lower coil 39, and are suspensions in which the damping force is controlled by one coil, and the damping force is controlled by three or more coils. System suspension may be sufficient.

Thereby, by setting the number of coils (bobbins) and yokes that meet the purpose of use, such as washing capacity, the vibration damping force can be made appropriate to the purpose of use.

&Lt; Fourth Embodiment &

Hereinafter, this embodiment is described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 16A to 16E.

First, FIG. 10 shows the overall structure of a drum type washing machine, and a laundry entrance 2 is formed at the center of the front face (right side of the box) of the box-shaped outer box 1 forming the outer shell. The door 3 which opens and closes) is pivoted in the outer box 1. Moreover, the operation panel 4 is provided in the upper part of the front surface part of the outer box 1, and the control apparatus 5 for operation control is provided in the inside.

The water tank 6 is provided inside the outer box 1. The water tank 6 has a horizontal cylindrical shape whose axial direction is front and rear, and a pair of left and right suspensions 7a and 7b on the bottom plate 1a of the outer box 1 (only one is shown in FIG. It is elastically supported in the inclined state ascending to the front side (described later).

The outer rotor type motor 8 which consists of a brushless motor of DC is attached to the back part of the water tank 6, for example. The motor 8 has a rotating shaft (not shown) attached to the center of the rotor 8a inserted through the bearing bracket 9 into the water tank 6.

A drum 10 is provided inside the water tub 6. [ The drum 10 also has a transverse cylindrical shape whose axial direction is forward and backward, and is attached to the distal end of the rotational shaft of the motor 8 at the center of the rear portion, thereby supporting it in an inclined form that rises concentrically with the water tank 6. It is. Also, as a result, the drum 10 is configured to be rotated by the motor 8, so that the drum 10 is a rotating tub and the motor 8 is configured to function as a drum drive device for rotating the drum 10.

Further, a large number of small holes 11 through which water flows and can be ventilated are formed in the trunk portion, which is the circumferential side of the drum 10, throughout the entire region. Both the drum 10 and the water tank 6 are provided with openings 12 and 13 in the front face portion, and among them, an annular bellows between the opening 13 of the water tank 6 and the laundry entrance 2. 14) is mounted. Thereby, the laundry entrance 2 is continued inside the drum 10 via the bellows 14, the opening 13 of the water tank 6, and the opening 12 of the drum 10. As shown in FIG.

The drain pipe 15 is connected to the lowest part of the water storage tank 6 via the drain valve 15a. The drying unit 16 is provided from the back side of the said water tank 6 up and forward. The drying unit 16 is composed of a circulating duct 17 including a blower 18, a heating device 19, a dehumidifying means (not shown), and the like, and moisture in the air discharged from the water tank 6. It is made to dry the laundry in the drum 10 by dehumidifying and then heating and performing circulation which returns to the water tank 6.

The vibration sensor 20a, 20b is provided in the front part and the back part of the upper part of the water tank 6, respectively. The vibration sensors 20a and 20b are all made of, for example, acceleration sensors, and if there is an unbalance when the drum 10 rotates, the vibration of the water tank 6 due to the vibration of the drum 10 is detected. It is made to That is, the vibration sensors 20a and 20b function as vibration detection means which detects the unbalance at the time of rotation of the drum 10 by the vibration of the water tank 6.

Here, the configuration of the suspensions 7a and 7b will be described in detail. Suspensions 7a and 7b are provided with dampers 121. The dampers 121 reciprocate within the cylindrical cylinder 122 and the cylinder 122 as main members, as shown in FIG. The shaft 24 is provided.

The cylinder 122 has a cylinder connecting portion 122a attached to the lower end thereof, and the connecting portion 122a is attached to the attachment plate 25 of the bottom plate 1a through an elastic seat plate 126 such as rubber. It is attached to the attachment plate 25 (refer FIG. 10) by the side of the bottom plate 1a by fastening with the.

On the other hand, the shaft 124 is composed of a shaft main portion 124a made of a magnetic member inserted into the cylinder 122, and a shaft connecting portion 124b made of a magnetic member integrally connected to an upper end thereof. 124b is fastened to the attachment plate 28 of the water tank 6 with the nut 129 through the elastic seat plate 128 or the like, so as to be integrally vibrated in the up and down direction according to the vibration of the water tank 6. .

A coil spring 125 is provided between the shaft 124 and the cylinder 122. The coil spring 125 is mounted with the elastic force accumulated so that the lower end is supported by the upper end of the cylinder 122 and the upper end is supported by the disk-shaped spring receiving plate 30 disposed on the upper part of the shaft 24. have.

That is, the coil spring 125 is arrange | positioned in the state which applies the force so that the shaft 124 may be pulled upward from the cylinder 122. FIG.

In the cylinder 122, a pair of upper and lower bearing means 123 supporting the shaft 124 is provided, and a magnetic viscous fluid 136, a coil bobbin unit 137 as a magnetic field generating means, etc. It is accepted.

As shown in FIG. 12, the bearing means 123 on the upper side is a hollow cylindrical upper bearing case 131 fixed to the upper end of the opening of the cylinder 122, and is fitted and fixed in the press-fitting state therein. For example, a single bearing 32 made of a sintered-containing metal is provided, and the upper half side of the shaft 124 is axially supported in a slidable manner.

The spring bearing part 148 mentioned later is integrally protruded and installed in the upper part of the upper bearing case 131. As shown in FIG. 11, the bearing means 123 of the lower side is fitted with the hollow cylindrical lower bearing case 133 fixed to the substantially middle part of the up-down direction of the cylinder 122 in the press-in state. One bearing 32 made of fixed sintered metal is provided.

The shaft 124 inserted into the cylinder 122 by the upper and lower bearing means 123 is linearly supported to reciprocate in the vertical direction. Since the shaft 124 exerts a force upward in the state in which the coil spring 125 is knitted, the shaft 124 is fixed to the lower bearing case 133 by a stop ring 134 installed at the lower end of the shaft 124 to prevent the shaft from falling out. It is.

The lower side of the lower bearing case 133 in the cylinder 122 is a cavity 135 having a size in consideration of the lower stroke of the shaft 124.

The coil bobbin unit 137 has the structure which wound the coil 139 which generate | occur | produces a magnetic field (magnetic field) in the cylindrical bobbin 138. As shown in FIG. In the coil 139 of the present embodiment, the upper coil 139U and the lower coil 139D connected in series are wound up and down in two stages, for example.

The coil bobbin unit 137 is positioned above, below, and in the middle of the bobbin 138, on which the coil 139 is wound, to place the yokes 140, 142, and 141 by a resin mold (FIG. 11). Of the mold portion 147].

The coil bobbin unit 137 is provided in the cylinder 122 by fitting the outer peripheral surface of the mold portion 147 to the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 122.

The cylindrical hollow part of the installed coil bobbin unit 137 forms the narrow annular space | gap G used as the filling space in which the magnetic viscous fluid mentioned later is filled between the outer peripheral surface of the inserted shaft 124. As shown in FIG. In addition, an annular fluid seal 143 is disposed on the upper surface side of the upper yoke 140 at the upper end of the coil bobbin unit 137.

The fluid seal 143 is fixed by the indentation of the rigid part around its outer periphery, and the inner periphery of the lip shape is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 124 and sealed. In addition, a fluid seal 143 similar to the above is press-fitted and sealed to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft 124 on the lower surface side of the lower yoke 41 on the lower side.

Therefore, the respective fluid seals 143 are mounted in the bearing cases 131 and 133 so as to be fitted from the outside, so that the fluid seals 143 are mounted in an anti-separation state. A cylindrical space is formed.

In the void G, a magnetic viscous fluid 136 (shown in white in Figs. 11 and 12) is filled. The void G is a cylindrical space, but in particular, the gap corresponding to each of the yokes 140, 141, and 142 is formed to be the narrowest, and the magnetic seal fluid 136 is not leaked by the fluid seal 143. have.

The magnetic viscous fluid 136 (MR fluid) is obtained by dispersing ferromagnetic particles such as iron and carbonyl iron in oil, for example, and when the magnetic field is applied, the ferromagnetic particles form chain clusters so that the apparent viscosity increases. It has a characteristic and the viscosity characteristic changes according to the intensity of the magnetic field (magnetic field).

As described above, the magnetic viscous fluid 136 belongs to a functional fluid in which rheological properties, such as viscosity, are functionally changed by controlling a physical quantity applied from the outside, and viscosity is changed by application of electrical energy. Therefore, instead of the magnetic viscous fluid 136, an electric viscous fluid (ER fluid) whose viscous characteristics change depending on the strength of the electric field (electric field) may be used.

As shown in FIG. 12, the spring receiving portion 148 is formed integrally with the upper surface side by using the upper bearing case 131, and has a cylindrical portion 148a having a small diameter forming a cylindrical shape. 122) It is formed to protrude from the upper end.

The cylindrical portion 148a and the upper bearing case 131 have different diameters (diameters) in size, and the boundary portion between the cylindrical portion 148a and the upper bearing case 131 forms a stepped portion 149. The cylindrical part 148a is formed small in diameter as it goes to the upper part, and is fitted and supported so that the lower end part of the coil spring 125 may not move freely in the step part 149 side.

The spring receiving part 148 has a recessed part 150 formed in the inner peripheral part so as to be recessed in the radial direction outer side of the shaft 124. The recessed part 150 is formed over substantially the same length (up-down dimension) as the cylindrical part 148a, and accommodates the two-ring-shaped sealing member 151 fitted from upper direction.

The recessed part 150 forms the groove-shaped part 152 which consists of an annular clearance gap | interval of the sealing member 151 in the state which the sealing member 151 was arrange | positioned up and down. Each seal member 151 is an oil seal with a spring inserted therein, for example, has two sets of lips 151a and 151b.

The lip 151a on the groove-shaped portion 152 side functions as a seal in close contact with the shaft 124 via the spring 151c, and the other lip 151b mainly serves as a dust lip to prevent intrusion of dust. In addition, any of the ribs 151a and 151b is in close contact with the shaft 124 and is sealed in a liquid tight manner.

The groove-shaped portion 152 is filled with, for example, a semisolid grease 153 (indicated by dashed hatching in FIG. 12). Therefore, the groove-shaped portion 152 functions as a grease pool, and the grease 153 is always in surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft 124 with a predetermined width.

The hardness of the grease 153 is a urea having a roughness up to JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard (s)) Nos. 0 to 3 in consideration of the frictional force based on the contact between the grease 153 and the shaft 124. By employing a grease, satisfactory damping action is achieved while achieving quieting in the suspensions 7a and 7b.

As shown in FIG. 11, the lead wire 144 drawn out from the upper and lower coils 139U and 139D connected in series is led to the outside through the bush 145 attached to the cylinder 122. The lead wire 144 is coated with a tube 146 for protection.

The damper 121 is equipped with a coil spring 125 above the cylinder 122, whereby the suspensions 7a and 7b are configured, and the suspensions 7a and 7b are formed of the water tank 5 and the outer box 1, respectively. It is knitted between the bottom plates 25 and elastically supports the water tank 6 on the bottom board 1a of the outer box 1.

13 shows a block diagram of the control system. The control apparatus 5 consists of a microcomputer, for example, and functions as a control means which is in charge of control of the whole operation | movement including washing operation of a drum type washing dryer.

The control device 5 has a ROM 156a and a RAM 156b and has, for example, an EEPROM 156c as nonvolatile storage means. In detail, as described later, the ROM 156a stores control programs and various data for controlling the overall operation, and the EEPROM 156c stores information on failures of the suspensions 7a and 7b.

The control device 5 has various operation signals from the operation unit 158 made up of various operation switches of the operation panel 4, and rotation detection signals from the rotation sensor 157 provided to detect rotation of the motor 8. And a vibration detection signal from the vibration sensors 20a and 20b provided to detect the vibration of the water tank 6 are input.

The control apparatus 5 performs calculation which divides the rotation speed of the motor 8 (drum 10) by the detection required time based on the detection signal from the rotation sensor 157, and based on the calculation, the drum 10 ) Detect the rotation speed.

Moreover, the control apparatus 5 calculates an amplitude (vibration value) based on the detection value of the vibration sensor 20a, 20b. In the ROM 156a, A1 (see step S41 in Fig. 9) corresponding to the normal mode described later and A2 corresponding to the non-normal mode are stored as threshold values for the amplitude caused by the vibration of the water tank 6.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, the control apparatus 5 has the code | symbol of each coil 139 of the suspension 7a, 7b (henceforth, the coil 139 of the suspension 7a being "139a", and suspension The power generation circuit 160 for supplying a 36V DC power supply is connected to the coil 139 of FIG. 7b as "139b."

A diode 161, a MOSFET 162, and a shunt resistor 163 are connected in series between the DC power supply and the ground, and a gate of the MOSFET 162 is connected to the control device 5.

The coil 139a is connected in parallel with the diode 161 via the connector 165a, and the coil 139b is also connected in parallel with the diode 161 via the connector 165b.

One current detection circuit 166 is connected to the connection point between the MOSFET 162 and the shunt resistor 163 to detect the total current of the current flowing through the respective coils 139a and 139b. The current detection signal is input from the current detection circuit 166.

In this way, the current detecting circuit 166 corresponds to one current detecting means for detecting the total current using the shunt resistor 163. In addition, both coils 139a and 139b are connected in parallel to each other and share the MOSFET 162 (switching element) as one drive circuit.

Then, the control device 5 displays a display unit 167a for displaying the setting contents and the like on the basis of the above-described input signal or detection signal and the control program and data stored in the ROM 156a or the EEPROM 156c in advance. The buzzer 167b, the motor 8, the drain valve 15a and the like for notifying or warning are driven and controlled.

In addition, the control apparatus 5 performs on-off control of the power supply generation circuit 160 for suspensions 7a and 7b, and also performs on-off control of the MOSFET 162.

In this case, the DC power is generated by the power generating circuit 160 and the MOSFET 162 is turned on, thereby simultaneously energizing the coil 139a of the suspension 7a and the coil 139b of the suspension 7b.

The total current of the current flowing through each of the coils 139a and 139b is energized so that a predetermined value, for example, 0.70 A, is applied. A large damping force is given to 7a and 7b).

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the ROM 156a stores in advance a current value range serving as a reference for determining disconnections, shorts, and the like of the coils 139a and 139b. Specifically, the "detection current" shown in FIG. 14 corresponds to the detection value (the total current) of the current detection circuit 166. For example, each current value of 0.53A, 0.87A, and 1.07A is stored. have.

Among them, 0.53 to 1.07A is the first current value range, 1.07A of the upper limit is a current value for judging a short due to deterioration of the coil insulator, for example, and 0.53A of the lower limit is at least both coils 139a. 139b) is a current value for determining the disconnection of one of the coils.

Here, &quot; disconnecting coils &quot; refers to all disconnections related to the coils 139a and 139b, and the coils 139a and 139b and the lead wires 144 are both soldered portions P (see Fig. 13). The disconnection of the circuit for energizing the coils 139a and 139b, such as the case where it is separated or the lead wire 144 is removed from the connectors 165a and 165b, is also included.

0.53-0.87A become a 2nd electric current value range, and the electric current in the said range is suitable as a detection value of the current detection circuit 166. The range of 0.87 to 1.07A is defined as a rare short before the short.

Further, the range of 0.53 to 1.07A in which the second current value range and the first current value range are matched may be defined as a range of an appropriate current value without providing the above-mentioned rare short range.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.

First, when a user turns on the power switch (not shown) of the operation part 158 of the washing machine, and performs the setting operation of the washing operation, the control apparatus 5 washes, for example, as shown in FIG. 15A, Perform rinsing, dehydrating, drying, and softkeeping.

Here, FIG. 15A shows the outline of the stroke in the normal mode of the washing operation and the generation timing of the DC power by the power generation circuit 160.

In the washing stroke, first, dry laundry weight sensing for detecting the amount of dry laundry contained in the drum 10 is performed. In dry laundry weight sensing, as shown in FIG. 16C, the drum 10 is rotated to a target rotational speed (for example, 250 rpm), and the time required thereafter, and then the driving of the drum 10 is stopped, thereby the drum 10 ), The amount of laundry is detected by the rotational load of the motor 8 from the time required for the drum 10 to rotate to the predetermined rotation speed.

In this way, the control device 5 functions as the laundry amount detection means together with the rotation sensor 157, and executes the washing operation in accordance with the weight of the laundry. In addition, in the initial stage of a drying process, the wet laundry weight sensing which detects the quantity of the laundry in the water-containing state which went through the washing process etc. is performed.

In wet laundry weight sensing, as shown in FIG. 16D, the target rotational speed of the drum 10 is, for example, 170 rpm, and the amount of laundry is detected by the rotational load of the motor 8 as described above.

As shown in FIG. 15A, the control device 5 is a 36V direct current power source in the power generation circuit 160 while the dry laundry weight sensing in the washing process starts until the wet laundry weight sensing in the drying process is finished. Creates.

Here, the washing operation of the present embodiment refers to a driving operation including not only the washing operation shown in FIG. 15A but also any of the administrations of the washing administration to the softkeeping operation. Various washing operations, such as a reservation operation (see FIG. 15B) which finishes a softkeeping operation, and a reservation operation (see FIG. 15C) which complete | finishes a drying operation and a softkeeping operation until a reservation end time, are included.

In the reserved operation shown in Fig. 15B, the same DC power is generated by the power generation circuit 160 as described above during the start to the end of the dry laundry weight sensing, which is performed in advance, and after being turned off in the air, washing is performed. DC power is again generated by the power generation circuit 160 from the start of the stroke until the wet laundry weight sensing of the dry stroke is finished.

In the reserved operation shown in FIG. 15C, the same DC power source is generated by the power generation circuit 160 during the start to the end of the wet laundry weight sensing performed beforehand.

On the other hand, the control device 5 turns on the MOSFET 162 on the premise that the DC power supply is generated, that is, during the on period shown in Figs. 15A, 15B, and 15C. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16C, in the dry laundry weight sensing, the MOSFET 162 is turned on from the start of rotation of the drum 10, and after the rotation speed reaches 250 rpm, the predetermined speed ( Continue until it descends to 70 rpm, for example.

In the wet laundry weight sensing shown in FIG. 16D, the MOSFET 162 is turned on from the start of rotation of the drum 10, and after the rotation speed reaches 170 rpm, the predetermined speed (for example, 70 rpm) is turned on. Continue until you descend.

Further, as shown in Fig. 16A, at the time of acceleration in the dehydration stroke or the rinse stroke, for example, the MOSFET 162 is turned on during the start of the rotation of the drum 10 until the rotation speed reaches 400 rpm. do.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 16B, in the case where the rotational speed of the drum 10 is lowered from the normal rotational speed to zero, for example, until the rotational speed drops to 400 to 70 rpm, the MOSFET 162 is used. Come on.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 16E, during the normal and reverse rotation of the drum 10 (motor 8) in the washing stroke, the rotational speed is relatively increased in the period shown as the active water flow operation in the same figure, and relatively strong water flow is achieved. During the period of generation, the MOSFET 162 is turned on.

The period for generating the DC power by the power generation circuit 160 and turning on the MOSFET 162 is set in correspondence with the period during which the vibration of the water tank 6 increases during the washing operation, and is applied to each coil 139a and 139b. For example, a current of 0.35 A flows, and a great damping force is applied to the suspensions 7a and 7b, and the amplitude of the water tank 6 is attenuated. Here, the action of the suspensions 7a and 7b will be described taking the acceleration time of the dewatering stroke of FIG. 16A as an example.

In the dehydration process, the rotational speed of the drum 10 is increased step by step, and water remaining in the laundry is discharged by centrifugal force, but the water tank 6 vibrates mainly in the vertical direction as the drum 10 rotates. do. In response to the up and down vibration of the water tank 6, the suspensions 7a and 7b expand and contract the coil spring 125 through the shaft 124 integrally connected to the water tank 6, while the shaft 124 is the cylinder 122. ) It reciprocates in up and down direction.

On the other hand, in the cylinder 122, since the magnetic viscosity fluid 136 is filled in the space G between the inner circumferential side of the coil bobbin unit 137 and the outer circumferential surface of the shaft 124, the viscosity reciprocates the shaft 124. The frictional resistance is given to the movement, and the vibration amplitude of the water tank 6 is rapidly attenuated.

In addition, in the cylindrical portion 148a of the spring receiving portion 148, since the semi-solid grease 153 stored therein is in contact with the shaft 124 at all times, the shaft 124 reciprocates. The predetermined frictional force is obtained and functions as a friction damper means which acts to damp the vibration of the water tank 6.

At the beginning of the dehydration stroke, as described above, the coil 139 is energized to generate a magnetic field from the start of rotation of the drum 10 until the rotation speed reaches 400 rpm. As a result, a magnetic path is formed around the upper and lower coils 139U and 139D constituting the coils 139a and 139b (strictly each of the coils 139a and 139b). The viscosity becomes high.

The magnetic viscous fluid 136 is a fluid damper means, in particular at a narrow void G between each yoke 140, 141, 142 with a high magnetic flux density and the shaft 124, resulting in a rapid increase in viscosity and Increase resistance to

In this way, the damping force of the damper 121 is increased in the resonance region (the region up to 400 rpm in FIG. 15A) at the start of the dehydration stroke in which the resonance of the water tank 6 occurs, and the occurrence of resonance of the water tank 6 is avoided. The starting performance of the rotation of 10) is improved.

After the rotational speed of the drum 10 reaches 400 rpm, the rotational speed of the drum 10 is maintained at that 400 rpm for a predetermined time. The damping force of the damper 121 is reduced by interrupting the energization to the coils 139a and 139b in a situation where the rotational speed of the drum 10 is constant. And the damping force of the damper 121 is made small, and the drum 10 (motor 8) is raised to normal rotational speed.

As described above, the vibration in the dehydration stroke can be extremely suppressed by the damping force of the suspensions 7a and 7b. For example, when the washing of the laundry occurs in the drum 10 during dehydration in the normal mode of the washing operation, and the amplitude of the water tank 6 exceeds the threshold value A1, the control device 5 Unwinding operation is performed after stopping the drum 10 (motor 8), thereby eliminating the unbalanced state, and increasing the rotational speed of the drum 10 again.

The suspensions 7a and 7b are capable of detecting failures such as disconnection and shorts with respect to the coils 139a and 139b by one current detection circuit 166. The failure detection process using the current detection circuit 166 will be described with reference to FIG. 9 as well.

For example, when the washing operation is started, the control device 5 executes the failure detection process shown in FIG. 9. In the failure detection process, first, whether or not the DC power is generated and the MOSFET 162 is turned on, that is, whether or not a power supply command to the coils 139a and 139b is judged (step S31). If there is no energizing command to the coils 139a and 139b here (NO in step S31), the parallel circuit of the coils 139a and 139b is based on the detection result of the current detection circuit 166, for example, 0.16. It is determined whether or not a current equal to or greater than A flows (step S32).

Here, even though there is no power supply command to the coils 139a and 139b, when a current of 0.16A or more is flowing (YES in step S32), a failure occurs in the circuit for energizing the coils 139a and 139b. It is determined that it has occurred, and the washing operation is immediately stopped (steps S33 and S34).

Then, the control device 5 notifies the circuit failure by the notification operation of the buzzer 167b as the notification means and the display of the display unit 167a (step S35).

The detection process of the current value in the step S32 is repeatedly executed in a period in which there is no power supply command to the coils 139a and 139b (NO in step S31, and NO in step S32).

Here, for example, when an energization command is made to the coils 139a and 139b by an active water flow operation being started in the washing process (YES in step S31), the control device 5 includes the current detection circuit 166. Based on the detection result, it is determined whether the detected current does not exceed 1.07A of the upper limit of the first current value range (step S36).

For example, when the detected current exceeds 1.07A due to deterioration of the coil insulator, it is determined that a short has occurred (step S37), the operation is stopped at that time, and the operation of the buzzer 167b is performed. The abnormality is notified by the display of the display unit 167a (steps S34 and S35).

In addition, even if the detection current does not exceed 1.07A (NO in step S36), the control device 5 is not smaller than 0.53A, which is the lower limit of the first current value range, or 0.87 to 1.07A. It is judged whether or not it is in the range (step S38).

If the detected current is smaller than 0.53A, it is determined that disconnection with respect to the coils 139a and 139b has occurred, and both the power generation circuit 160 and the MOSFET 162 are turned off (steps S39 and S40). .

Thereby, the power supply instruction | command to the coils 139a and 139b of all the suspensions 7a and 7b is stopped, and it transfers to a non-normal mode (step S41). In the case where the detection current is in the range of 0.87 to 1.07A, it is determined that a rare short regarding the coils 139a and 139b is occurring. The process proceeds to (steps S39 to S41).

In the non-normal mode, when a problem such as disconnection or rare short regarding the coils 139a and 139b occurs, the washing operation corresponding to the failure of the suspensions 7a and 7b (that is, the damping force is invariant) is performed. For example, the power supply command to the coils 139a and 139b is stopped, the threshold value is raised from A1 to A2 (A1 &lt; A2), and washing operation is performed.

Therefore, even when only one damper 121 of the suspensions 7a and 7b cannot change the damping force due to disconnection or rare short, it is caused by the deviation of the damping force due to the operation of only the other side of the suspensions 7a and 7b. Unbalance can be prevented from occurring, and a certain damping action (damper action) can be ensured by the friction damper means.

In addition, since the threshold value A2 of the non-normal mode is set relatively higher than that of the normal mode, the washing operation is performed so that the loosening operation is not frequent by allowing vibration of the water tank 6 above the normal state in the situation where the fluid damper does not function. It can carry out continuously.

In addition, in step S41, the control apparatus 5 memorize | stores in EEPROM 156c that generation | occurrence | production of the disconnection or rare short regarding the coils 139a and 139b, ie, it transferred to the non-normal mode.

If it is determined in step S38 that the detected current is not smaller than 0.53A and not in the range of 0.87 to 1.07A (NO in step S38), or if operation in the non-normal mode is continued, a circuit failure and a short [ Unless detected (steps S33 and S37), steps S31, S32, S36, S38, S42 are repeated until it is determined that all the strokes have been completed in step S42.

The failure detection process is performed over the entire process from, for example, the washing stroke to the softkeeping stroke shown in Fig. 15A, and the washing operation is finished by ending the softkeeping stroke (YES in step S42).

At this time, the control device 5 reads the information on the failures of the suspensions 7a and 7b from the EEPROM 156c, and if the effect of the transition to the non-normal mode is stored, the operation of the buzzer 167b and the display unit ( The display of 167a notifies of the occurrence of disconnection or rare short regarding the coils 139a and 139b (YES in step S43, step S44).

As described above, in the washing machine of the fourth embodiment, the control device 5 has a current flowing through the coils 139a and 139b based on the detection result of the current detection circuit 166 within a preset current value range (for example, It is judged whether or not it is in the range of 0.53 to 1.07A, and when the detected current value is larger than the upper limit value (for example, 1.07A), the washing operation is stopped and the current value is a lower limit value (for example, 0.53). If it is smaller than), continue the washing operation.

By detecting the current flowing through the coils 139a and 139b in this manner, problems such as disconnection and shorts related to the coils 139a and 139b can be reliably detected. In addition, when overcurrent exceeding the current value range is detected, the operation is stopped, thereby increasing safety.

On the other hand, even if the detection current falls below the lower limit due to disconnection or the like and the damping force of the suspensions 7a and 7b cannot be increased, the washing operation can be continued, and in general, proper operation in the washing operation can be ensured.

When the control device 5 determines that the current flowing through the coils 139a and 139b is smaller than the lower limit of the current value range and disconnection has occurred in the coils 139a and 139b, the coil 139a, The power supply of 139b) is stopped, and it switches to the non-normal mode which performs washing | cleaning operation corresponding to the state which the damping force of suspension 7a, 7b was unchanged.

According to this, even if the damping force cannot be increased even when the coils 139a and 139b are energized by the disconnection of the coils 139a and 139b, the operation can be continued in the form corresponding to the failure and the energization can be avoided. Can save power consumption.

In addition, even when the operation is continued in this manner, since a certain damping force can be ensured by the friction damper means, the minimum damping force required is obtained. Thus, even when the energization to the coils 139a and 139b is stopped, an abnormal vibration state is maintained. Can be prevented.

Unlike the present embodiment, the notification means may be notified at the same time as the occurrence of disconnection during the washing operation, but as described above, the operation can be continued even if the disconnection occurs, so that the user does not need to interrupt the washing in the middle. .

On the other hand, when the control apparatus 5 of this embodiment performs the washing operation in a non-normal mode, after the washing operation is complete | finished, disconnection generation | occurrence | production is produced by the notification means, such as the buzzer 167b and the display part 167a. To warn you.

For this reason, at the end of the washing operation, the user can recognize the transition to the non-normal mode and can take more appropriate measures for the user or the serviceman, such as notifying the serviceman of the occurrence of disconnection.

In addition, the control device 5 informs the abnormality when the current flowing through the coils 139a and 139b exceeds the upper limit of the current value range. In such a case, when an overcurrent exceeding the current value range occurs, the user can be notified immediately by the notification means, and a safe and appropriate procedure can be taken, such as contacting a serviceman quickly.

The current detection circuit 166 is constituted by one current detection means for detecting the total current of the current flowing through the respective coils 139a and 139b of the plurality of suspensions 7a and 7b. For this reason, the number of components of a current detection means can be reduced, and the structure of an electric circuit can be simplified.

In addition, by appropriately setting the current value ranges, the current amount of all the coils 139a and 139b can be monitored, and the abnormal current related to one of them can be reliably detected.

In the plurality of suspensions 7a and 7b, the respective coils 139a and 139b are connected in parallel to share one MOSFET 162 (drive circuit). For this reason, the electric circuit structure can be made simpler while reducing the number of parts.

&Lt; Embodiment 5 >

17 and 18 show the fifth embodiment, the same parts as those already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted, and different points will be described below.

The power generation circuit 160 'of the present embodiment is configured such that the generated voltage can be changed by the control device 5 as the voltage changing means, and can be set to any voltage value of 36 V or less, for example. Between the DC power supply and the coils 139a and 139b, a variable resistor 170 (for example, a digital trimmer) whose resistance value is variable based on a control signal from the control device 5 is provided.

The controller 5 adjusts the current flowing through the coils 139a and 139b by varying the generated voltage of the power generation circuit 160 'or the resistance value of the variable resistor 170, thereby adjusting the suspensions 7a and 7b. The damping force is varied steplessly.

That is, FIG. 18 shows the relationship between the current value flowing through each of the coils 139a and 139b corresponding to the value of half of the total current and the damping force F of each of the suspensions 7a and 7b.

As shown in the figure, the damping force F of the suspensions 7a and 7b is increased by increasing the current value from the disconnection state OA to 0.35A by the control device 5, so as to adjust the current. It can be seen that the desired damping force F is obtained.

In addition, when the current value exceeds 0.35A, the rate of increase of the damping force F is lowered, and the damping force F becomes unsteady. In addition, it is understood that the suspensions 7a and 7b can ensure a predetermined damping force even in a disconnected state.

In the above configuration, the control device 5 can vary the damping force of the suspensions 7a and 7b steplessly by adjusting the current flowing through the coils 139a and 139b. For this reason, the damping force of the suspensions 7a and 7b can be varied to an appropriate value in response to the vibration of the water tank 6 in the washing operation, and the vibration and the noise can be extremely suppressed.

Sixth Embodiment

FIG. 19 shows a sixth embodiment, and the same components as in the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted, and different points will be described below.

Between the DC power supply and the shunt resistor 163, a series circuit in which the diode 161a for the coil 139a and the MOSFET 162a are connected in series, and the diode 161b for the coil 139ab and the MOSFET 162b in series are connected. The series circuit is connected in parallel.

The coil 139a is connected in parallel to the diode 161a via the connector 165a, and the disconnection is conducted by the control device 5 connected to the gate of the MOSFET 162a. Similarly, the coil 139b is connected in parallel to the diode 161b via the connector 165b, and the disconnection is conducted by the control device 5 connected to the gate of the MOSFET 162b.

In the washing machine which performs the forward / backward rotation of the drum 10 as mentioned above, the force acting on the one suspension 7a and the force acting on the other suspension 7b differ with each other according to the rotation direction.

Therefore, according to the sixth embodiment, when the drum 10 is rotated counterclockwise, for example, by the control device 5 with respect to the pair of left and right suspensions 7a and 7b, the left suspension ( On the other hand, the MOSFETs 162a and 162b are separately on-off controlled so as to increase only the damping force of 7a) and to increase only the damping force of the right suspension 7b when rotating clockwise.

As a result, the damping force of the suspensions 7a and 7b can be varied from left to right along the rotational direction of the drum 10, and the effect of suppressing vibration and noise can be further enhanced.

In addition, according to the structure of this 6th Embodiment, even if a disconnection etc. generate | occur | produce, for example in the coil 139a of one suspension 7a, only the other suspension 7b will be rotated etc. as mentioned above. Therefore, variable control of damping force can be performed, and it can be made more useful in ensuring the appropriate operation | movement in a washing machine.

In this embodiment, since the suspensions 7a and 7b attach the shaft 124 side to the water tank 6 and the cylinder 122 side is provided on the outer box 1 side, the cylinder which leads the lead wire 144 ( Although it is advantageous from the point which can suppress the vibration which generate | occur | produces on the 122 side, it is also possible to set it as the reverse arrangement which attaches the cylinder 122 side to the water tank 6. In addition, these cylinders 122 and the shaft 124 may be in a relatively reciprocating relationship.

As the suspensions 7a and 7b, the embodiment using the frictional resistance between the shaft 124 and the magnetic viscous fluid 136 has been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, a plurality of orifices for the functional fluid filled in the cylinder. A piston valve having a hole may be reciprocated in accordance with vibration to control the viscosity of the functional fluid passing through the orifice hole.

In the above washing operation, when the detection current of the current detection circuit 166 is larger than the upper limit of the first current value range, at least the energization of the coils 139a and 139b may be stopped, and the washing operation may be continued. .

Specifically, for example, when the control device 5 determines that the detection current of the current detection circuit 166 exceeds the upper limit of the first current value range in the above steps S36 and S37, the power generation circuit ( Both the 160 and the MOSFET 162 are turned off, and the operation of the buzzer 167b and the display of the display portion 167a indicate that an overcurrent has occurred.

For example, the washing operation may be continued in the non-normal mode as in the case of disconnection.

1: outer box
5: Control means (fault detection means, driving time estimation means)
6: tank 7a, 7b: suspension
10: drum
20a, 20b: vibration detection means (failure detection means)
21, 121: damper 22, 122: cylinder
23, 124: shaft 36: upper coil (coil)
39: lower coil (coil) 52: magnetic viscous fluid
55a, 55b: current detecting means (failure detecting means)
56c: nonvolatile memory means (memory means)
60, 63: notification means 136: functional fluid
139 (139a, 139b): coil 162: drive circuit
166: current detection means 167a, 167b: notification means

Claims (19)

In the washing machine provided with a water tank which is driven to rotate in an outer box,
A shaft moving integrally with the water tank, a cylinder moving relatively to the shaft, a coil held in the cylinder and energized to generate a magnetic field, a yoke provided at both sides of the coil, the shaft and the coil And a damper having a magnetic viscous fluid which is filled in the filling space of the yoke and whose viscosity is changed by the magnetic field of the coil to increase the damping force between the shaft and the yoke, and which damps vibration of the water tank.
Failure detection means for detecting a failure of the suspension, and
And control means for controlling the washing operation,
And the control means determines the failure of the suspension based on a detection result of the failure detection means. The method of claim 1,
The control means shifts from the normal mode in the washing operation to the failure mode in which the washing operation corresponding to the failure of the suspension is performed, when it is determined that the suspension is broken based on the detection result of the failure detecting means. Washing machine. The method of claim 1,
When the control means determines that the suspension of the suspension is based on the detection result of the failure detecting means, the control means continues the operation in the normal mode in the washing operation, and responds to the failure of the suspension in the washing operation after the next time. The washing machine shifts to the failure mode which performs one washing operation, or performs operation in a normal mode. The method of claim 1,
And a plurality of suspensions for attenuating vibration of the water tank, and the control means sets the coil of only the suspension determined as the failure in the failure mode to the disconnection state. The method of claim 1,
And a plurality of suspensions for damping vibrations of the water tank, and the control means sets the coils of all the suspensions including the suspensions determined as failures in the failure mode to a disconnection state. The method of claim 1,
The control means controls the rotation of the drum accommodated in the tank so that the amplitude at the time of vibration generated in the tank does not exceed the first threshold value, and in the failure mode, the control means is set separately from the first threshold value. Washing machine, characterized in that for controlling the rotation of the drum not to exceed the threshold value. The method of claim 1,
The failure detecting means includes current detecting means for detecting a current flowing in the coil,
And said control means determines the failure of said suspension based on a detection result of said current detecting means. The method of claim 7, wherein
And a plurality of suspensions for damping vibrations of the water tank, and the current detecting means is provided for each of the suspensions in correspondence with the coils. The method of claim 1,
The failure detecting means includes vibration detecting means for detecting vibration occurring in the tank,
The control means controls the energization of the coil in the washing stroke of the washing operation, and determines the detection result of the vibration detection means when energizing the coil and the detection result of the vibration detection means when non-energization of the coil. The washing machine, characterized in that for determining the failure of the suspension based on. The method of claim 1,
The control means includes vibration detection means for detecting vibration occurring in the water tank, to control the energization of the coil in the dehydration stroke of the washing operation, and to detect the vibration detection means at the time of energization of the coil. And the failure of the suspension is determined based on a detection result of the vibration detecting means at the time of non-energization of the coil. The method of claim 1,
The failure detecting means is provided with driving time estimation means for estimating the time required in the washing operation,
And said control means determines the failure of said suspension based on the required time estimated by said driving time estimation means and the actual operating time in said laundry operation. The method of claim 1,
Notification means for notifying occurrence of a failure of the suspension;
Storage means for storing occurrence of a failure of the suspension;
And the control means notifies the failure of the suspension by operating the notification means when the failure of the suspension is stored in the storage means when the next washing operation is performed. The method of claim 1,
The failure detecting means is current detecting means for detecting a current flowing in the coil,
The control means judges the failure of the suspension on the basis of the detection result of the current detecting means and determines whether the current flowing in the coil is within a preset current value range, and the current is an upper limit value of the current value range. The washing machine can carry out washing operation | movement if it is larger than this, at least the electricity supply to the said coil is stopped, and if the said electric current value is smaller than the lower limit of the said electric current value range. The method of claim 13,
The control means stops the driving of the coil from the normal mode in the washing operation when the current flowing through the coil is smaller than the lower limit of the current value range and the disconnection of the coil occurs. The washing machine characterized by switching to the non-normal mode which performs the washing operation corresponding to the state which changed to the constant. 15. The method of claim 14,
Notification means for informing that the current flowing in the coil is outside the current value range,
And when the washing operation is performed in the non-normal mode, the control means warns the occurrence of disconnection by operating the notification means after the washing operation is finished. The method of claim 15,
Notification means for informing that the current flowing in the coil is outside the current value range,
And the control means stops the energization to the coil and informs the abnormality by the notification means and stops the washing operation when the current flowing through the coil has the upper limit value of the current value range. The method of claim 13,
And a plurality of suspensions for attenuating the vibration of the water tank, and the current detecting means is configured with one current detecting means for detecting the total current of the current flowing through each of the coils of the plurality of suspensions. The method of claim 13,
And a plurality of suspensions for damping vibrations of the water tank, wherein the plurality of suspensions are connected in parallel with each of the coils to share one drive circuit. The method of claim 13,
And the control means varies the damping force of the suspension steplessly by adjusting the current flowing through the coil.

Images