JP3963864B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly to a washing machine including a lid lock mechanism that prevents the lid provided at a laundry insertion opening from being opened.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a washing machine, the washing / dehydration tub (drum in the case of a drum-type washing machine) rotates at high speed during dehydration, so if a user accidentally opens the lid and puts his / her hand in the washing / dehydration tub An accident may occur. Therefore, for example, a washing machine is known that quickly stops the rotation of the laundry dewatering tank when the lid is opened during such operation. However, if it is difficult to stop the rotation of the washing and dehydration tank quickly, or if you want to ensure higher safety, keep the lid closed so that the lid does not open easily during operation. 2. Description of the Related Art A washing machine provided with a lid lock mechanism is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Utility Model No. 2551021
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-162088 A
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In general, the lid lock mechanism as described above uses a drive device such as a solenoid, but it cannot be unlocked in the locked state due to a temporary cause such as a failure or temporary heating. Or, conversely, the lock operation cannot be performed in the unlocked state. In the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, for example, when the operation is temporarily stopped during operation and the lock is not released to release the lid lock, the operation cannot be resumed and the operation is interrupted. In that case, the laundry in the middle of washing is left in the laundry dewatering tank. Therefore, even if the malfunction of the lock mechanism is temporary and a state in which the lock can be released after a short time has passed, washing must be performed from the middle or from the beginning.
[0007]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a malfunction of the lid lock mechanism in a washing machine provided with a lid lock mechanism that prevents the lid from being opened. It is to improve the usability in the case of occurrence of the above.
[0009]
[Means for solving the problems and effects]
A first invention made to achieve the first object includes a lid for closing a laundry slot, and a locking means for preventing a user from opening the lid. In the washing machine
a) Locking control means for controlling the locking means to release the lock during a period during which the operation can be performed and the user can permit the opening of the lid, and when the period ends,
b) determining means for determining whether or not the locking can be released during the unlocking operation by the locking means;
c) An operation for controlling the locking means to release the locking after continuing the driving until the final driving end time of the determined driving course when it is determined by the determining means that the locking cannot be released. Control means;
It is characterized by having.
[0010]
In the washing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation control means is an operation that is determined without stopping the operation even if the operation cannot be released when the lock (lid lock) should be released by the locking means. Continue until the end of the course. Here, the “final driving end point of the determined driving course” is, for example, the end point of the dehydration process if the driving course in which only washing, rinsing, and dehydration washing is set at the beginning, In addition, if the washing machine has a drying function and an operation course for performing drying after washing is set at the beginning, and if a soft finishing process is not set after the drying process, it is the end of the drying process. If a soft finishing stroke is set after the stroke, it is the end point of the soft finishing stroke.
[0011]
In this case, there is a possibility that there is some trouble in the locking means, but if it is a trouble that the locking cannot be released, there is no risk that the user will open the lid while the laundry dewatering tank is rotating, ensuring safety it can. Then, after the operation is finished, the locking means is controlled to release the locking again. If the malfunction of the locking means is temporary, it may be possible to release the lock when attempting to release the lock after the end of operation. In such a case, since the driving has been completed to the end, for example, the laundry that has been washed or dried can be taken out as when no trouble has occurred.
[0012]
As described above, according to the washing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, even when the lid lock release failure occurs during the operation, the operation is completed to the end, so the lid lock release failure is resolved at the end of the operation. In this case, the operation can be completed normally. Moreover, even when the unlocking failure of the lid lock is not resolved at the end of the operation, it is possible to prevent the laundry from remaining in the laundry dewatering tub in a halfway state. Thereby, for example, in a washing machine that performs drying, it is possible to prevent the laundry from being left in the laundry dewatering tub in a wet state, and it is possible to prevent or reduce the occurrence of fabric damage or mold on the laundry.
[0013]
In addition, the washing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention further includes a notification unit that performs error notification when the determination unit determines that the lock cannot be released when the lock is released after the operation is completed. Is preferred.
[0014]
According to this configuration, since the error is notified when the lid lock cannot be released after the operation is completed, the user can recognize the malfunction of the unlocking and promptly take measures such as requesting repair.
[0015]
When the locking means has a drive mechanism such as a solenoid, operation failure may occur due to heating if the locking and unlocking are repeated frequently. In such a case, if it is left without being energized, there is a high possibility that the temperature will drop and the malfunction will be solved.
[0016]
For this reason, in the washing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, when it is determined by the determination means that the lock cannot be released with respect to the unlocking operation performed during the operation, the operation control means determines It is preferable that the control of the locking control means is prohibited so that the unlocking is not attempted even when there is a period during which the opening of the lid can be permitted until the end of the final driving operation.
[0017]
According to this configuration, once a malfunction of unlocking occurs, the unlocking operation is not performed until the operation is completed (that is, the drive mechanism such as a solenoid is not energized). In this case, there is a high possibility that the normal state can be restored at the end of the operation. In addition, since unnecessary power is not supplied to the locking means during operation, power saving is also achieved.
[0018]
In addition, as one aspect of the washing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, the washing machine according to the first aspect of the invention further includes operation means operated by a user to release locking by the locking means, and the locking control means is operated when the operating means is operated The locking means is controlled so as to release the lock unconditionally, and when the lock cannot be released with respect to the release operation, the notification means can perform error notification.
[0019]
In this configuration, the operation means is operated when the user wants to open the lid. Even when the unlocking is prohibited as described above, the locking control means tries to release the lock according to the operation of the operating means. If the lock cannot be released, an error is notified to the user.
[0020]
As described above, if the lock cannot be released even if it is a malfunction of the locking means, there is no possibility that the lid can be easily opened by the user, so there is a problem in terms of safety even if the operation is continued. There is no. However, if the problem is that locking is not possible, the lid may be easily opened by the user, so it is not preferable in terms of safety to continue driving.
[0021]
Therefore, in the washing machine according to the first aspect, the determination unit also determines whether or not the locking is performed during the locking operation by the locking unit, and the operation control unit determines that the locking cannot be performed by the determination unit. In such a case, the operation may be stopped and an error notification may be performed by the notification means.
[0022]
According to this configuration, even if there is a problem with the same locking means, if there is a problem in terms of safety as described above, the operation is immediately stopped, so that high safety can be ensured. In addition, since an error is notified when the operation is stopped, the user can recognize a malfunction of the locking operation and promptly take a response such as requesting a repair.
[0027]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a drum type washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0028]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the drum type washing machine of the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a side view showing an upper lid opening / closing structure of the upper part of the outer box of the drum type washing machine.
[0029]
In this drum-type washing machine, the outer box 1 is formed in an inclined part that has a slightly rounded corner between the upper surface and the front surface and is forwardly lowered, and a large laundry inlet from the inclined part to the rear thereof. 3 is formed. The laundry input port 3 is supported by two horizontal shafts 2a and 2b and can be opened and closed by an upper lid 2 that can stand in a folded state as shown in FIG. At the front part of the outer box 1, a lid lock mechanism part 23 is installed for preventing the opening when the upper lid 2 is closed. A detergent container 4 that can be pulled forward is provided on the left side of the upper lid 2, and an operation panel 5 is provided on the right side that extends in the front-rear direction. The operation panel 5 has various operation keys for setting the driving course, reservation time, etc., and lights according to these settings, notifies the progress of the washing process, or the remaining time for reservation and driving Various displays for displaying such as are appropriately distributed.
[0030]
The internal configuration of the drum type washing machine of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a front longitudinal sectional view of the main internal part, and FIG. 3 is a left side view of the internal main part. In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the outer box 1 forming the outer shape is not shown.
[0031]
On the pedestal 6, the outer tub 10 whose peripheral surface is substantially cylindrical and whose both end surfaces are substantially closed is suspended and supported from above the left and right sides with the end surfaces facing the left and right side surfaces of the outer box 1. The two springs 11 and the damper 12 that supports the lower portion of the outer tub 10 in the front-rear direction are held so as to be appropriately swingable. Inside the outer tub 10, a horizontal drum 13 in which both end surfaces of a substantially cylindrical peripheral surface with a large number of water passage holes are substantially closed is rotated around a horizontal axis C extending in the left-right direction. It is provided freely.
[0032]
The main shaft 14 fixed to the center of the left end surface of the drum 13 is supported by a bearing 17 held by a first bearing case 16 made of aluminum die casting that is fixed to the left end surface of the outer tub 10. On the other hand, the auxiliary shaft 15 fixed to the center of the right end surface of the drum 13 is supported by a bearing 19 held by a second bearing case 18 fixed to the right end surface of the outer tub 10. A horizontal axis C is formed by the main shaft 14 and the auxiliary shaft 15.
[0033]
A rotor 202 of a drum motor 20 that is an outer rotor type DC motor is fixed to the tip of the main shaft 14 that protrudes laterally from the left end surface of the outer tub 10, while the first bearing case 16 that also serves as a motor base is fixed to the first bearing case 16. The stator 201 of the drum motor 20 is fixed. When a driving current is supplied to the stator 201 from a control unit, which will be described later, the rotor 202 rotates accordingly, and the drum 13 is driven to rotate at the same rotational speed as the rotor 202 via the main shaft 14.
[0034]
An outer tub opening 101 for taking in and out the laundry is provided at a position coinciding with the laundry input port of the outer box from the upper part of the outer peripheral surface of the outer tub 10 to the diagonally forward direction. It can be opened and closed freely. A drum opening 131 for taking in and out the laundry is also provided on the peripheral surface of the drum 13, and the drum opening 131 can be opened and closed by a drum door 132 composed of two door bodies having front and rear opening structures. Since the drum 13 is rotatable, a drum lock mechanism portion 21 is provided below the stator 201 so that the drum 13 maintains a stopped state at a position where the drum opening 131 coincides with the outer tank opening 101 in the radial direction. The drum 13 is fixed at a predetermined position by engaging the engagement pin that advances from the drum lock mechanism 21 into the engagement groove 22 formed on the outer edge of the rotor 202.
[0035]
Although not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a heating / blower device including a fan motor and a drying heater is provided outside the right side surface of the drum 13 in order to send drying air into the drum 13. ing.
[0036]
FIG. 5 is an electric system configuration diagram of a main part of the drum type washing machine of the present embodiment. The control unit 30 is mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, timer, and the like. Each process of washing, rinsing, dehydration and drying as described later is performed based on a control program stored in the ROM. Various controls for performing the driving operation are executed.
[0037]
The control unit 30 receives a key input signal from an operation unit 5a provided on the operation panel 5 in order for the user to give various settings and instructions, and detects the water level stored in the outer tub 10. A water level sensor 32, a temperature sensor 33 for detecting the temperature of the water stored in the outer tub 10 or detecting the temperature of the drying air during the drying operation, incorporated in the drum lock mechanism 21, and in a drum locked state A detection signal is input from a drum lock detection unit 21b for detecting whether the lid is locked or the lid lock mechanism unit 23, and a lid lock detection unit 23b for detecting whether the lid is locked or released. The The operation unit 5a is provided with a lid opening key 5b that is operated to open the upper lid 2 in the closed state.
[0038]
Further, a load driving unit 31 is connected to the control unit 30, and the drum motor 20, the fan motor 35 and the drying heater 37 included in the heating / blowing device, and the inside of the outer tub 10 are connected via the load driving unit 31. Built in the water heater 36 for heating the water stored in the tank, the water supply valve 38 for controlling the water supply into the outer tub 10, the drain valve 39 for controlling the drainage from the outer tub 10, and the drum lock mechanism 21. The drum motor and the torque motor 21a, which is a drive source for releasing the drum lock, and the lid lock mechanism 23, which are built in, control the operation of the solenoid 23a, which is the drive source for releasing the lid and the lock. Furthermore, the control unit 30 sends a display signal to the display unit 5c to perform a display according to the operation of the operation unit 5a and a display for notifying the progress of driving, and rings the buzzer 5d to give some notification to the user. Let
[0039]
Next, an outline of the washing / drying operation in the drum type washing machine will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a standard process flow of the drum type washing machine.
[0040]
When the user accommodates the laundry in the drum 13 and starts the operation with the operation unit 5a, the control unit 30 opens the water supply valve 38 and stores a predetermined amount of detergent water in the outer tub 10, The drum motor 20 is driven to rotate the drum 13 at a predetermined rotation speed, thereby executing a washing process using detergent water (step S1). Thereafter, the water in the outer tub 10 is discharged by the drain valve 39, and the intermediate dehydration process is executed by rotating the drum 13 at a high speed (step S2).
[0041]
Next, the rinsing process is performed twice with the intermediate dehydration process in between (steps S3 to S5), and the dehydration process is performed after the second rinsing process to squeeze out water contained in the laundry (step S6). Thereafter, the drying heater 37 is energized and the fan motor 35 is driven to rotate the drum 13 at a predetermined rotational speed while feeding heated air into the outer tub 10 to stir the laundry. Execute (Step S7).
[0042]
When the predetermined drying operation time ends, the basic process ends. However, if the laundry is left in the drum 13 as it is after the drying process, it causes wrinkling and the laundry becomes stiff. Therefore, in order to prevent the wrinkle and finish the laundry comfortably, the soft finishing process is executed by alternately repeating the rotation and stationary of the drum 13 until the laundry is taken out by the user. Step S8). However, if the soft finishing process lasts too long, power is wasted, and even if the laundry is not taken out from the drum 13, the entire soft finishing operation time (120 minutes in this case) ends when all the operations are completed. Shut down the power completely.
[0043]
Next, a control method of the drum motor 20 during the soft finishing process in the drum type washing machine will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a timing waveform diagram showing a sequence of one cycle of drum stationary / rotation during the soft finishing process, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing control parameters at this time.
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 7, the lid lock is released so that the upper lid 2 can be opened (that is, the lid lock detection signal is off) during the period in which the drum 13 is kept stationary for the stationary time ta. . At this time, the drum lock is applied so that the drum 13 does not rotate (that is, the drum lock detection signal is on). When the predetermined stationary time ta ends, the control unit 30 energizes the lid locking solenoid 23a via the load driving unit 31 and locks the lid to prevent the upper lid 2 from being opened. As a result, the lid lock detection signal changes from off to on. After the lid is locked, the torque motor 21a is driven this time to release the drum lock. When the drum lock is released by this operation, the drum lock detection signal changes from on to off.
[0045]
Thereafter, the control unit 30 drives the drum motor 20 via the load driving unit 31 and controls the drum 13 to rotate at a rotation speed of about 50 rpm for a predetermined rotation time tb. When the rotation time tb ends, the drum motor 20 is driven to adjust the position of the drum 13 (strictly, the position of the rotor 202) to apply the drum lock, and when the drum 13 reaches the predetermined lock position, the torque The drum is locked by driving the motor 21a. As a result, the drum lock detection signal changes from off to on. Then, the lid lock solenoid 23a is energized again to release the lid lock so that the upper lid 2 can be opened.
[0046]
During the soft finishing process, the above sequence is repeated until the lid opening key 5b is turned on. As shown in FIG. 8, the rotation time tb (10 seconds) in the sequence and the drum 13 at this time are shown. Although the rotation speed (50 rpm) does not change, the stationary time ta is set to increase stepwise in accordance with the elapsed time t from the end of the drying process (that is, the start of the soft finishing process).
[0047]
During the rotation time tb of the drum 13, the laundry is agitated, and the crease is stretched along with it, and air is included between the laundry and the cloths. As a result, wrinkling can be prevented and the feeling of wrinkling in the laundry can be eliminated. When the laundry after drying is left in the drum 13, the wrinkle of the laundry becomes more severe as the temperature increases, but the temperature in the drum 13 decreases as the elapsed time t becomes longer (room temperature However, even if the stationary time ta is increased stepwise as described above, the effect of preventing wrinkling of the laundry is not impaired.
[0048]
On the other hand, the stationary time ta increases stepwise with the elapsed time t, so that the ratio of the rotation time tb to the stationary time ta decreases stepwise. Therefore, power consumption is reduced, which is effective for power saving. Furthermore, as described above, the solenoid 23a and the torque motor 21a are driven before and after the stationary time ta, respectively. However, the stationary time ta increases stepwise with the elapsed time t, so that the solenoid 23a and the torque are increased. The number of driving times (driving time) of the motor 21a within the unit time also decreases stepwise. In general, such mechanical parts are often stipulated in terms of the number of operations, so that the failure tends to occur quickly when the operation frequency is high. However, in the drum type washing machine of this embodiment, the solenoid 23a and torque during the soft finishing process By reducing the number of driving times (driving time) of the motor 21a, it is effective for extending the service life.
[0049]
In the above description, the stationary time ta is extended according to the elapsed time from the end of the drying process. However, in order to achieve the same purpose, for example, the temperature sensor 33 monitors the temperature change in the drum 13. However, the resting time ta may be extended gradually or stepwise as the temperature decreases. Further, the same effect can be obtained even if the stationary time ta is increased gradually or stepwise according to the number of repetitions of the drum stationary / rotating sequence as described above, not the elapsed time from the end of the drying process. Is obvious.
[0050]
One of the features of the drum type washing machine is a control operation in the case where a malfunction of the lid lock mechanism unit 23 occurs during the washing / drying operation as described above. In this regard, the control during the soft finishing process will be described as an example. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the main routine of the upper lid lock control operation repeatedly executed during the soft finishing process, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the lid opening key detection process in FIG. 9, and FIG. 10 is a motor operation instruction in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of a process.
[0051]
First, the lid opening key detection process will be described with reference to FIG. In the lid opening key detection process, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the lid opening key 5b is pressed and turned on in the operation unit 5a (step S60). When the lid opening key 5b is turned on, the soft finishing end instruction flag F2 is set (step S61). On the other hand, when the lid opening key 5b is not turned on, no processing is performed (FIG. 9). Return to).
[0052]
Next, the motor operation instruction process will be described with reference to FIG. In the motor operation instruction process, the control unit 30 advances the time measurement of the operation time from the start of the soft finishing stroke operation by the timer (step S40), and the operation time has reached a predetermined soft finishing operation time (120 minutes here). It is determined whether or not the operation time to be executed has ended (step S41). If the soft finishing operation time has not ended, it is determined whether or not the soft finishing end instruction flag F2 is set (step S42). As described above, the flag F2 is set when the lid opening key 5b is operated by the user. At this time, the process proceeds to step S43 as in the case where it is determined in step S41 that the soft finishing operation time has ended.
[0053]
The process proceeds to step S43 in any case where it is necessary to stop the rotation of the drum 13 so that the upper lid 2 can be opened. Therefore, first, the soft finishing end execution flag F3 is set, and then it is determined whether or not the drum motor 20 is stopped (step S44). If the drum motor 20 is stopped, the motor operation command is changed to OFF if the drum motor 20 is not stopped, or if the drum motor 20 is already OFF, the OFF state is continued (step). S45), returning to the main routine.
[0054]
If the flag F2 is not set in step S42 (that is, the lid opening key 5b is not operated), it is determined whether or not the motor operation command is on (step S46). If the motor operation command is ON, the time of the ON operation time timer of the drum motor 20 is updated (step S47), and it is determined whether or not the motor ON period has ended by determining whether or not the predetermined motor ON time has been reached. It is determined whether or not (step S48). If the motor-on period has not ended, the process directly returns to the main routine. On the other hand, when it is the end of the motor-on period, the motor-on operation time timer is reset (step S49), the motor operation command is changed from on to off (step S50), and then the process returns to the main routine.
[0055]
If the motor operation command is not on in step S46, that is, if it is in the off state, the time count of the off operation time timer of the drum motor 20 is updated (step S51), and it is determined whether or not a predetermined motor off time has been reached. Thus, it is determined whether or not the motor-off period is over (step S52). If the motor off period has not ended, the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, when it is the end of the motor off period, the motor off operation time timer is reset (step S53), and the motor operation command is changed from off to on (step S54), and then the process returns to the main routine.
[0056]
Next, a main routine including the lid opening key detection process and the motor operation instruction process will be described with reference to FIG. First, the controller 30 sequentially executes a lid opening key detection process and a motor operation instruction process (steps S20 and S21), and then determines whether or not the motor operation command is on (step S22). When the motor operation command is ON, it is necessary to drive the drum motor 20 to rotate the drum 13 if the drum 13 is rotating or if the drum 13 is not rotating. At this time, the lid lock detector 23b determines whether or not the lid is unlocked (step S23). If the lid is locked, the drum motor 20 should already be operating, so that the step S20 is continued. Return to.
[0057]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S23 that the lid is unlocked, it is necessary to lock the lid during the rotation period of the drum 13, so the lid locking operation is executed by energizing the solenoid 23a (step S23). S24). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the lid is locked by the lid lock detector 23b (step S25). If the lid is locked, the drum 13 is rotated by turning on the drum motor 20 (step S35). Return to step S20. On the other hand, if the lid is not locked even though the lid locking operation is performed, there is a possibility that the operation of the lid locking mechanism unit 23 may be defective. Therefore, the warning indicator lights on the display unit 5c and the buzzer 5d A lid lock closing error is notified by ringing (step S26) and the operation is stopped. The lid lock closing error is an error meaning that the lock cannot be executed without the upper lid 2 being locked.
[0058]
If it is determined in step S22 that the motor operation command is not on, that is, it is in an off state, it is next determined whether or not the drum motor 20 is stopped (step S27). The drum motor 20 is turned off (step S28), and the process returns to step S20.
[0059]
If it is determined in step S27 that the drum motor 20 is in the stopped state, it is next determined whether or not the soft finishing end execution flag F3 is set (step S29). If the flag F3 is not set, the lid lock detector 23b then determines whether or not the lid is locked (step S30). If the lid is locked, the lid lock release prohibition flag is next set. It is determined whether F1 is set (step S31). The flag F1 will be described later. If the lid lock is released in step S30, and if the flag F1 is set even if the lid lock is applied, the process directly returns to step S20.
[0060]
When the flag F1 is not set, the solenoid 23a is energized to perform the lid unlocking operation so that the user can open the top lid 2 (step S32), and then the lid lock detection unit 23b. Whether or not the lid lock is released is determined (step S33). If the lid lock is released, the process returns to step S20. However, if the lid lock is not released even though the lid lock release operation is executed, the lid lock release prohibition flag F1 is set. (Step S34), the process returns to Step S20. Note that the flags F1, F2, and F3 are all reset at the start of the soft finishing process.
[0061]
As described above, according to steps S32 to S34, the lid lock release prohibition flag F1 is set when the lid lock is not released despite the execution of the lid lock release operation. However, even in that case, the operation is continued without being stopped. After the flag F1 is set once, when the process reaches step S31 thereafter, the process returns from S31 to S20. Therefore, once the flag F1 is set, the lid unlocking operation in step S32 is not executed.
[0062]
As described above, when the lid opening key 5b is operated even before the soft finishing operation time ends, or when the soft finishing operation time ends without operating the lid opening key 5b, the soft finishing end execution flag F3 is set. Set. Therefore, thereafter, when step S29 is reached for the first time, the process proceeds from S29 to S36, and it is determined whether or not the lid is locked at that time based on the detection signal from the lid lock detector 23b. At this time, if the lid lock is released, the soft finishing process is finished as it is. In this state, since the rotation of the drum 13 is already stopped and the lid lock mechanism 23 is not locked, the user can immediately open the upper lid 2 and take out the laundry from the drum 13. it can.
[0063]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S36 that the lid is locked, the solenoid 23a is energized to perform a lid lock release operation (step S37), and then the lid lock detector 23b releases the lid lock. It is determined whether or not a state has been reached (step S38). If the lid lock is released, the soft finishing process is finished as it is, but if the lid lock is not released, it is determined that there is a possibility that the lid lock releasing operation may be defective. In that case, a lid unlocking error is notified by turning on the warning indicator on the display unit 5c or ringing the buzzer 5d (step S39), and the operation is stopped. The lid unlocking error is an error meaning that the upper lid 2 remains locked and cannot be unlocked.
[0064]
Thus, even if the lid lock cannot be released during the soft finishing stroke, the soft finishing stroke will continue until the end of the stroke, and the lid will be unlocked again at the end of the stroke. If the lid cannot be unlocked, the operation is stopped while notifying an error. Therefore, even if the upper lid 2 cannot be opened during the operation, the desired operation itself is completed to the end, and the operation does not stop during the operation.
[0065]
On the other hand, when the lid lock operation cannot be performed from the lid unlock state during operation, there is a problem in terms of safety if the drum 13 is rotated without performing the lid lock. Therefore, in this case, as shown in steps S24 to S26, even during operation (that is, even when the soft finishing operation time has not elapsed or the lid opening key 5b is not operated). ), Immediately stop the operation and notify the error. Thereby, high safety can be ensured.
[0066]
Although the above description is an example of a soft finishing process, the same method can be adopted in all processes described with reference to FIG. That is, during the execution of each of these steps, when the lid lock is to be automatically released (that is, not according to the operation of the lid opening key 5b), the solenoid 23a is energized to try to release the lid lock. If the operation cannot be canceled regardless of the above steps, the operation is not stopped there, but at the time when the operation of all the set strokes (for example, until the end of the dehydration stroke in the case of a course without drying) is completed, the above steps What is necessary is just to perform the process of S36-S39.
[0067]
For example, the solenoid 23a may temporarily stop operating due to factors such as an abnormal increase in ambient temperature. In such a case, even if the lid lock cannot be released during the operation, the function of the lid lock mechanism unit 23 may be restored at the end of the operation and the lid lock can be released. At that time, since the operation has already been completed, the laundry that has been washed and dried can be taken out from the drum 13 as it is. Of course, if an error notification is finally given, there is a high possibility that the lid lock mechanism unit 23 is out of order, so the user may contact a service representative and request repairs.
[0068]
Another feature of the drum type washing machine is the buzzer sound output control during the lid lock release operation by energizing the solenoid 23a of the lid lock mechanism 23 as described above. As described above, the lid unlocking operation is performed roughly according to whether the user operates the lid opening key 5b or automatically during the operation or at the end of the operation regardless of the user's intention. This is two cases.
[0069]
In the former case, of course, it is assumed that the user is in the vicinity of the present washing machine and wants to immediately open the upper lid 2 when the lid lock is released. Therefore, it is convenient to sound the buzzer 5d at the time of performing the lid unlocking operation and inform the user that the operation has been performed. On the other hand, in the latter case in which the lid lock is automatically released, the user is not always in the vicinity of the washing machine, and if the buzzer 5d rings in response to the lid lock release, the user has some trouble. If the buzzer 5d rings at a high frequency, it is troublesome. Therefore, control as shown in FIG. 12 is executed.
[0070]
That is, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the lid unlocking operation is performed (step S10). When the lid unlocking operation is executed, it is determined whether or not the lid opening key 5b is operated (step S11). ). Then, when the lid opening key 5b is operated, the buzzer 5d is activated (step S12). On the other hand, even if the lid unlocking operation is executed, if the lid opening key 5b is not operated, that is, if the lid unlocking operation is automatic, the process is terminated without passing through step S12. Therefore, in this case, the buzzer 5d does not ring and does not bother the user.
[0071]
The above-described embodiment is an example of the present invention, and it is obvious that changes, modifications, or additions can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a drum-type washing machine, but the present invention has a function of locking a lid (not necessarily located above) that opens and closes a laundry inlet. If it is a washing machine which has, it is natural that it is applicable to a spiral washing machine.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a drum type washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front longitudinal sectional view of an essential part of the drum type washing machine according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a left side view of an essential part of the drum type washing machine according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the upper part of the drum type washing machine according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an electric system configuration diagram of a main part of the drum type washing machine according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a standard process flow of the drum type washing machine according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a timing waveform diagram showing a sequence for one cycle of drum stationary / rotation during a soft finishing stroke.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating control parameters in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a main routine of a lid lock control operation during a soft finishing process in the drum type washing machine according to the present embodiment.
10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of motor operation instruction processing in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of lid opening key detection processing in FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of lid lock release sound output control processing.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Outer box
2 ... Upper lid
3 ... Laundry slot
10 ... Outer tank
13 ... Drum
14 ... Spindle
15 ... Auxiliary shaft
16, 18 ... Bearing case
17, 19 ... Bearing
20 ... Drum motor
21 ... Drum lock mechanism
22 ... engaging groove
23. Lid lock mechanism
23a ... Solenoid
23b: Lid lock detector
30 ... Control unit
31 ... Load drive unit
5a: Operation unit
5b ... lid open key
5c: Display unit
5d ... Buzzer

Claims (5)

In a washing machine comprising: a lid for closing a laundry input port; and a locking means for preventing a user from opening the lid,
a) Locking control means for controlling the locking means to release the lock during a period during which the operation can be performed and the user can permit the opening of the lid, and when the period ends,
b) determining means for determining whether or not the locking can be released during the unlocking operation by the locking means;
c) An operation for controlling the locking means to release the locking after continuing the driving until the final driving end time of the determined driving course when it is determined by the determining means that the locking cannot be released. Control means;
A washing machine comprising:   The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that performs error notification when the determination unit determines that the lock cannot be released when the lock is released after the operation is completed.   When it is determined that the unlocking cannot be released by the determination unit, with respect to the unlocking operation performed during the operation, the operation control unit, until the final operation end time of the determined driving course, The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein control of the locking control means is prohibited so that unlocking is not attempted even when there is a period during which the lid can be opened.   The system further comprises operating means operated by a user to release locking by the locking means, and the locking control means controls the locking means so as to release the lock unconditionally when the operating means is operated. 4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein when the unlocking operation cannot be unlocked, the notification means performs an error notification.   The determination means also determines whether or not locking is possible during the locking operation by the locking means, and the operation control means stops operation when the determination means determines that locking is not possible, and the notification means The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein an error notification is performed.

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