JP7579745B2 - Washing machine and external information device connected to it - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine with a scheduled operation function and an external information device connected to the washing machine.

Washing machines are equipped with an operation time calculation means for calculating the time required to complete operations from washing to spin-drying or drying, and a means for displaying the remaining time and end time after an operation course or setting is selected. Washing machines may also be equipped with a reservation means for setting the end time of an operation and then operating the machine. When using a reservation operation, the end time of the operation is usually set later than the calculated operation time, so there is a waiting time after the start button is pressed.

However, there is a trade-off between performance such as washing performance, power consumption, quietness, and operating time. Washing machine controls are generally designed to balance these performance factors, so they may not always be what the user desires. For example, if a design prioritizes operating time, power consumption and quietness may deteriorate.

For example, Patent Document 1 is a background technique for solving this problem. Claim 1 of Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine that includes a washing machine body having an input unit that allows the user to input a desired time for the end of the wash, a washing tub arranged inside the washing machine body, and a motor that applies a driving force for rotating the laundry contained in the washing tub, and that is capable of performing a reservation operation to complete a plurality of steps for washing the laundry by the scheduled time. The washing machine is characterized in that it includes a time acquisition means that acquires the remaining time until the target end time set based on the scheduled time before the start of the first step of the plurality of steps, and a mode determination means that determines, based on the remaining time acquired by the time acquisition means, whether each of the plurality of steps is to be performed in a normal reservation mode in which the average rotation speed of the motor is set to a predetermined value and the plurality of steps is performed for a predetermined execution time, or in a special reservation mode in which the average rotation speed of the motor is set to a lower value and the execution time is set to a longer time than in the normal reservation mode. According to this invention, the remaining time until the target end time is acquired when the reservation is set, and the mode determination means applies a special operation mode in which the average rotation speed of the motor is set to a lower value than in the normal reservation mode based on the remaining time, thereby reducing damage and wrinkles on the laundry.

JP 2016-120014 A

In the technology described in Patent Document 1, damage and wrinkling of laundry is suppressed by operating the motor at a low rotation speed according to the remaining time, and reduced cleaning power is compensated for by extending the operating time.

However, priorities for performance such as washing performance, spin-drying performance, power consumption, and quietness vary depending on the user and the laundry, and it is not always desirable to prioritize damage and wrinkles on the laundry.

The object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine and an external information device connected to it that allow the user to select the performance to be improved when the operation time for scheduled operation is short compared to the scheduled time.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the washing machine of the present invention comprises a washing/spin-drying tub for storing clothes, an outer tub containing the washing/spin-drying tub, a housing for accommodating the outer tub, a drive mechanism for rotating the washing/spin-drying tub, and a control device for controlling the drive mechanism, and is equipped with a reservation operation function for performing a reservation operation by setting an end time or a time until the end of operation, and is equipped with an emphasis point input unit for selecting an emphasis point to be emphasized during the reservation operation, and a reservation operation management unit for changing the control content during the reservation operation based on the emphasis point input from the emphasis point input unit, and is characterized in that the emphasis point input unit displays emphasis points that can be set without changing the reservation time and emphasis points that require a change in the reservation time in a distinguished manner .

The present invention provides a washing machine and an external information device connected thereto that allow the user to select the performance to be improved when the operation time for a scheduled operation is short compared to the scheduled time.

1 is an external perspective view showing a drum type washer-dryer 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a right side cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of a drum type washer/dryer 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with a part of the housing cut away. FIG. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the drum type washer-dryer 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a flowchart showing a control method for performing a reserved operation in the prior art. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation control of the drum type washer-dryer 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a diagram showing the operation time of the conventional technology and the operation time of the reserved operation management unit 201 of the first embodiment when the washing and drying operation is performed so as to end in 5 hours. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an important point input screen 300 of an important point input unit 3a according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an important point input screen 300 of an important point input unit 3a according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an important point input screen 300 of an important point input unit 3a according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation control of the drum type washer-dryer 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an important point input screen 300 of an important point input unit 3a according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation control of a control device 7 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a control block diagram showing a relationship between a drum type washer-dryer 410 and an external information device 400 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Similar components are given similar reference numerals and similar descriptions will not be repeated.

The various components of the present invention do not necessarily have to be independent entities, and it is permissible for one component to be made up of multiple members, for multiple components to be made up of one member, for one component to be part of another component, or for part of one component to overlap with part of another component.

In the following examples, the left-right, up-down, and front-back directions are defined from the user's viewpoint when the user is using the drum type washer-dryer 100. In addition, although each example is described using a drum type washer-dryer, it is also acceptable to use a vertical washer-dryer or a washing machine without a drying function. In this example, drum type washer-dryer and vertical washer-dryer are considered to be included in the concept of a washing machine.

<Drum type washer-dryer 100>
The structure of a drum type washer-dryer 100 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is an external perspective view showing a drum type washer-dryer 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a right side cross-sectional view showing the drum type washer-dryer 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention with a part of the housing cut away to show the internal structure of the drum type washer-dryer 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the housing 1 constituting the outer shell of the drum-type washer-dryer 100 is attached to the base 1a and is composed of left and right side panels 1b, a front cover 1c, a rear cover, a top cover 1d, a top cover panel 1e, and a front lower cover 1f. The left and right side panels 1b are joined to a U-shaped upper reinforcement, a front reinforcement, and a rear reinforcement, and together with the base 1a, form a box-shaped housing 1 that has sufficient strength. The housing 1 contains an outer tub 9. The door 2 is for closing the opening for putting in and taking out clothes, which is provided approximately in the center of the front cover 1c, and is supported by a hinge so that it can be opened and closed. The upper center of the housing 1 is provided with an operation/display unit 3 and a power switch 4. The operation/display unit 3 is electrically connected to a control device 7 provided on the upper part of the housing 1. In addition, rubber feet 1h are provided at the lower four corners of the base 1a.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drum 8 (inner tub) which serves as a washing and spin-drying tub for storing clothes is enclosed in the outer tub 9 and supported for rotation. The outer wall and bottom wall of the drum 8 have numerous through holes for water passage, and an opening 8a is provided at the front end face for loading and unloading clothes. A fluid balancer 8b is provided integral with the drum 8 on the outside of the opening 8a. A number of lifters 8c extending in the axial direction are provided on the inside of the outer wall, and when the drum 8 rotates during washing and drying, the clothes are lifted along the outer wall by the lifters 8c and centrifugal force, and then fall due to gravity, repeating this motion. The rotation axis Az of the drum 8 is approximately horizontal or inclined so that the opening 8a side is slightly higher.

The cylindrical outer tub 9 contains the drum 8 coaxially, and a drive mechanism 10 for rotating the drum 8 is provided at the center of the outer side of the rear end face of the outer tub 9. The shaft 10a of the drive mechanism 10 passes through the outer tub 9 and is connected to the drum 8. The outer tub 9 has an opening 9a at the center of the front side for inserting and removing clothes. The drive mechanism 10 is also provided with a rotation speed sensor 10b for detecting the rotation speed. A front auxiliary spring 9c and a rear auxiliary spring 9d are provided in the front-rear direction at the top of the outer tub 9 to support the outer tub 9 so that it does not fall in the front-rear direction. A vibration-proof support structure 20 is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 9 to support the weight of the outer tub and suppress vibration of the outer tub. The vibration-proof support structure 20 is composed of a spring 20a and a damper 20b.

The opening 9a of the outer tub 9 and the opening in the housing 1 are connected by a rubber bellows 11, and the outer tub 9 is sealed with water by closing the door 2. The drain port 9b is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 9 and is connected to the internal drain hose 12. The internal drain hose 12 is connected to the external drain hose 14 via a lint collection box 13 for collecting lint. The lint collection box 13 is provided with a circulation pump 15 for circulating the washing water, and the water is sprayed into the drum 8 through the circulation path 15a. The external drain hose 14 is provided with a drain valve 14a, and the drain valve 14a is closed to supply water to store water in the outer tub 9, and the drain valve 14a is opened to discharge the water in the outer tub 9 outside the machine. A vibration sensor 16 is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 9 to measure the amplitude of the outer tub 9. The amplitude is compared with a preset threshold, and if the amplitude is large, the rotation of the drum 8 is stopped, and the rotation speed is increased only when the vibration falls below the threshold, thereby preventing excessive vibration.

A drying unit is provided at the top of the housing, and is connected to a duct provided at the rear of the housing 1 and to the front of the outer tub 9. The drying unit has a drying fan and a heater, and during drying operation, the heater heats the air and the drying fan is driven to blow warm air onto the clothes, thereby drying the clothes.

<Control Block>
3 is a control block diagram of the drum type washer-dryer 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The drum type washer-dryer 100 according to the first embodiment has a reservation operation function for setting the end time of a washing course, such as from washing to spin-drying or from washing to drying, or the time until the end of operation.

The control device 7 of the drum type washer-dryer 100 is composed of an operation control unit 200 and a reservation operation management unit 201, and controls the drum type washer-dryer 100 based on information input to the operation and display unit 3. The operation and display unit 3 is a means for inputting settings such as operation courses such as washing, wash time, and number of rinses. The operation and display unit 3 includes an emphasis point input unit 3a, which is used to select and input emphasis points that should be emphasized during reservation operation, etc.

During each process of washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and drying, the control device 7 controls the drive mechanism 10 based on the output of the rotation speed sensor 10b. Water supply and drainage are controlled by controlling the water supply valve 17 and drain valve 14a, and when supplying water, the amount of water poured is controlled while detecting the water level with the water level sensor 21. During the washing and rinsing processes, the washing water and rinsing water are circulated by the circulation pump 15, while the drive mechanism 10 rotates the drum 8 to operate. Furthermore, during the spin-drying process, the output of the vibration sensor 16 is compared with a pre-recorded threshold value to prevent excessive vibration, and if it is determined that the vibration is too large, the rotation of the drum 8 is controlled to stop.

<Operation flow>
The control method will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. Figure 4 is a flow chart showing a control method for performing a reserved operation in the prior art.

As shown in FIG. 4, after pressing the power button, in step S101, the user selects a course such as wash, dry, or wash-and-dry (wash-and-dry), as well as settings such as wash time, number of rinses, and spin-dry time.

In step S102, the operating time required to implement the selected settings is calculated.

In step S103, the reservation time for ending the operation is set. At this time, only the times at which the operation can be ended are displayed, and the user can select from these.

In step S104, the start button is pressed to start operation. Then, in step S105, the system waits until the waiting time calculated from the reservation time and operation time has elapsed.

After the waiting time has elapsed, in step S106, processes such as washing are carried out, and operation is completed by the scheduled time.

Figure 5 is a flow chart showing the operation control of the drum type washer-dryer 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The control device 7 is composed of an operation control unit 200 and a reservation operation management unit 201. The reservation operation management unit 201 operates to change the control content during reservation operation based on the priority points input from the priority point input unit 3a as shown below.

As shown in FIG. 5, after pressing the power button, in step S201, the user selects a course such as wash, dry, or wash-and-dry, as well as settings such as wash time, number of rinses, and spin-dry time.

In step S202, the operating time required to implement the selected settings is calculated.

In step S203, the reservation time at which the operation will end is set.

In step S204, the reservation operation management unit 201 displays the priority points, and in step S205, the user selects the priority points that he or she wishes to improve from among the performance (for example, the performance that the user wishes to prioritize, such as "I want to improve dirt removal" or "I want to reduce electricity costs").

In step S204, by displaying only priority points that can be set without changing the reservation time, it is possible to prevent the selection of priority points that require a change in the reservation time.

The driving control unit 200 changes the driving control content according to the priority point selected in step S206 and determines the waiting time.

In step S207, the start button is pressed to start operation, and the machine waits for the standby time calculated in step S208. Here, the operation time is extended to improve the performance selected as the priority point, so the standby time in Example 1 is shorter than the standby time in the conventional technology. After the standby time has elapsed, a process such as washing is performed in step S209, and operation is completed by the reserved time.

<Operating time>
The control method by the reserved operation management unit 201 in this embodiment will be described using the operation time for each process during reserved operation shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the operation time of the conventional technology and the operation time of the reserved operation management unit 201 in the first embodiment when a washing and drying operation is performed to end after 5 hours.

Figure 6 (a) shows the operation time in the conventional technology. When a user sets the washing and drying operation, the operation time is calculated. If the operation time is calculated as three hours, there will be two hours of leeway five hours after the end time. Therefore, a two-hour waiting period is generally set, and the washing process and other operations start two hours later.

Figures 6(b) to 6(e) are diagrams showing the operation times of the reservation operation management unit 201 in Example 1.

Figure 6(b) shows the operating time when the priority point of "I want to remove dirt well" is selected. Washing performance can be improved by extending the wash time. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6(b), washing performance can be improved by extending the wash time to the extent that operation can be completed by the scheduled time.

Next, Fig. 6(c) shows the operation time when the priority point "I want to operate quietly" is selected. During washing, spin-drying, and drying operations, the operation noise can be reduced by lowering the rotation speed of the drive mechanism 10 and the drying fan. However, since the cleaning power decreases when the rotation speed of the drive mechanism 10 is lowered during washing, the washing time is extended to maintain the cleaning performance. Furthermore, since the dehydration rate decreases when the rotation speed of the drive mechanism 10 is lowered during spin-drying, the dehydration rate is maintained by extending the spin-drying time. Similarly, since the drying speed of the drying fan is lowered during drying, the drying speed of the clothes decreases, the drying time is extended to maintain the dryness of the clothes. In this way, by lowering the rotation speed of the drive mechanism 10 and the drying fan and extending the operation time of each process accordingly, the operation can be completed by the end time while reducing the operation noise.

In addition, during the spin cycle, if the clothes are significantly unevenly distributed, the vibrations become stronger, and the operating noise increases accordingly. Generally, excessive vibrations are prevented by detecting them using a vibration sensor or the like. Here, by lowering the threshold value detected by this vibration sensor, the maximum vibration generated decreases, and the operating noise decreases. However, as the allowable amount of uneven distribution of clothes decreases, it may take longer to redo the process until the uneven distribution is reduced, and the operating time may be extended. Therefore, by setting aside the spin cycle time in advance to account for the redo time, the noise caused by vibrations during spin cycles can be reduced without changing the end time.

Next, Fig. 6(d) shows the operation time when the priority point "I want to reduce water usage" is selected. Rinsing is performed by injecting water into the drum to dilute the detergent contained in the clothes, thereby reducing the amount of detergent contained in the clothes. In conventional technology, the more rinses are performed, the longer the operation time becomes, so it is common to perform the rinse process one to three times in one operation. The amount of water used during rinsing can be reduced while maintaining rinsing performance by reducing the water used in one rinse and increasing the number of rinses. For example, assume that the amount of water contained in the clothes after spin-drying is 5L, and the amount of detergent remaining after washing is 5g. If this is rinsed with 20L of water, the amount of remaining detergent will be reduced to 1/5. If this process is performed three times, 60L of water will be used and the amount of remaining detergent will be reduced to 0.04g.

In contrast, the reservation operation management unit 201 of the first embodiment conserves water by reducing the amount of water used per rinse and increasing the number of rinses. When rinsing with 5 L of water per rinse, the amount of remaining detergent is halved. Repeating this seven times reduces the amount of remaining detergent to 0.04 g, which is the same as the conventional technology. The amount of water used in this case is 35 L, which means that the amount of water used is reduced by 25 L compared to the conventional technology. However, the number of rinse steps and spin-dry steps included in the rinse step increases, so the time required for the rinse step increases. As shown in FIG. 6(d), by extending the time of the rinse step and shortening the standby time accordingly, it is possible to reduce the amount of water used and finish operation by the reserved time.

Finally, Figure 6 (e) shows the operation time when the priority point "I want to keep electricity costs down" is selected. In the drying operation, power consumption is reduced by lowering the input of the drying heater or shortening the time the heater is on. However, this alone will lower the temperature of the hot air, making it difficult to promote drying of the clothes, so the clothes will not dry in the same operation time. Therefore, the specified dryness level is maintained by extending the operation time accordingly.

If a waiting time occurs during a scheduled operation, the scheduled operation management unit 201 changes the control content as much as possible based on the priority points input in advance, without changing the scheduled time. According to the first embodiment, the scheduled operation management unit 201 can improve the performance that is desired to be prioritized, without deteriorating the operation end time or other performance.

<Display screen>
7 to 9 are diagrams showing an example of an important point input screen 300 of the important point input unit 3a in the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the priority point input screen 300, six buttons 301 to 306 are assigned with priority points, namely "improved dirt removal," "thorough rinsing," "reduced electricity bills," "reduced water use," "improved spin-drying," and "quiet operation." In addition, a confirmation button 307 for the selected content and a back button 308 for returning to the previous screen are displayed. Only one of the six priority point buttons can be selected, and if another button is selected while a certain button is selected, the originally selected item becomes unselected.

In addition, if the difference between the scheduled end time after the operation time calculated by setting the course, washing time, etc. and the set reservation time is small, depending on the priority point, if the control content is changed, the operation may not be completed by the set reservation time. In such a case, the priority points where the control content can be changed without changing the reservation time and the priority points where the reservation time needs to be changed are displayed in a distinguishable manner using colors, layout, etc. For example, if the priority points "I want to reduce electricity bills" or "I want to reduce water consumption" are selected and the operation will not be completed by the reservation time, the color of the item is changed as shown in FIG. 8(a) instead of the display shown in FIG. 7 to indicate that it cannot be selected, thereby preventing the user from selecting a priority point that cannot be implemented. Also, as shown in FIG. 8(b), only the priority points where the control content can be changed without changing the reservation time may be displayed, and items that cannot be set may not be displayed.

Here, the display of the priority points does not necessarily have to be predetermined, and usability can be improved by rearranging the priority points in order of frequency of use with reference to past selection history, or by allowing the user to change the arrangement. For example, in the display of FIG. 6, if "I want to rinse thoroughly" and "I want to improve spin-drying" are not used and "I want to run quietly" is used frequently, usability can be improved by changing the display as shown in FIG. 9 so that "I want to rinse thoroughly" and "I want to improve spin-drying" are not displayed, or by placing "I want to run quietly" at the top. Although only one priority point can be set, it is not necessary to have only one, and multiple points can be selected. In this way, the priority point input unit 3a makes it possible to change the way in which the selectable priority points are displayed.

In addition, in the first embodiment, only the priority points are displayed, but the effect of setting the priority points may also be displayed. For example, for "I want to reduce my electricity bill," the reduction in power consumption and the electricity bill may be displayed when the priority points are set.

In the first embodiment, the priority points are set before the start button is pressed, but this is not necessarily the timing. The priority points that can be set may be displayed on the operation and display unit 3 of the drum type washer-dryer 100 even after the operation has started, allowing the user to change the settings.

In the first embodiment, a drum-type washer/dryer is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be any washing machine that can perform scheduled operation, such as a drum-type washing machine or a vertical washer/dryer.

According to the first embodiment, when the operation time for a scheduled operation is short compared to the scheduled time, the user can select the performance that he or she wants to improve.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. Note that a duplicate description of points common to the first embodiment will be omitted. In the first embodiment, the priority points that can be set are displayed after setting a reserved operation, and the user can select one of them, but it is not necessary to select one of them every time the operation is performed. By selecting and recording the priority points in advance, it is possible to omit the need to select one of them every time the operation is performed.

In other words, in the second embodiment, after the reservation time is set from the operation and display unit 3, the operation course and washing time can be changed to the control content for realizing the preselected priority points without changing the reservation time.

Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the operation control of the drum type washer-dryer 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

After pressing the power button, in step S301, the user selects a course such as wash, dry, or wash-and-dry, as well as settings such as wash time, number of rinses, and spin-dry time.

In step S302, the operating time required to implement the selected settings is calculated.

In step S303, the reservation time for the operation to end is set.

In step S304, the start button is pressed to start operation (Step 305).

In step S306, the driving time required to achieve the preselected priority points is calculated.

The scheduled end time after the operation time calculated in step S307 has elapsed is compared with the reservation time, and if the operation will be completed by the end time even with the operation time after the control change, proceed to step S308, change the settings, and start operation.

In step S307, if changing the settings will mean that operation will not be completed by the scheduled time, operation will begin without changing the settings.

The number of priority points registered does not have to be just one, and priority orders can be set for priority points. In this way, if there is time before the reservation time, the control can be changed to realize multiple priority points.

You can register one type of event and apply it every time, or you can separate it for daytime and nighttime events, or for each day of the week.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of the emphasis point input screen 300 of the emphasis point input unit 3a in Example 2 of the present invention.

The priority point input screen 300 has a daytime priority point selection button 310 and a nighttime priority point selection button 311. When the daytime priority point selection button 310 or the nighttime priority point selection button 311 is pressed, multiple priority points are displayed and the user can select from among them, and when no operation is performed, the selected priority point is displayed. In this way, according to the second embodiment, the user can record the desired settings in advance, thereby eliminating the need to select priority points each time.

The operation and display unit 3 may display whether or not the setting has been changed. Also, when the operation is finished, the effect such as the reduction in power consumption may be displayed.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 12. Note that a duplicated description of the points common to the first embodiment will be omitted.

In conventional technology, a scheduled operation is set after inputting an operation course such as wash, dry, or wash-and-dry, and settings such as the wash time and number of rinses. This is because the operation time differs depending on the operation course and settings, and so the settable reservation time changes. However, if you try to set a reservation time after inputting an operation course, it may not be completed by the desired reservation time. In that case, you have to start over by inputting the operation course, etc.

In the third embodiment, when setting a reserved operation, the reserved time is input first, and then the operation course, etc. are input. Because the reserved time is input first, the selectable operation courses and settings are limited to those that are completed by the reserved time, but this eliminates the need to re-input information when the desired reserved time cannot be set.

Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the operation control of the control device 7 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 12, after turning on the power, if a reservation time is set in step S401 (Yes in step S401), the operation course to be completed by the reservation time, settings such as time, and important points are displayed in step S402.

In step S403, the user selects one of the priority points from the displayed settings and presses the start button to begin operation (step S404).

On the other hand, if the reservation time was not set in step S401 (No in step S401), all operation courses, times, etc. are displayed (step S405). Select one of the important points from the settings displayed in step S403 and press the start button to start operation.

As described above, when changing settings or priority points such as the operating course after setting the reservation time, the operation/display unit 3 is configured to display only priority points or settings that do not require a change to the reservation time. In addition, the operation/display unit 3 may be configured to separately display priority points or settings that do not require a change to the reservation time from priority points or settings that require a change to the reservation time.

According to the third embodiment, it is possible to eliminate the need to re-enter a course after setting it because the desired reservation time cannot be set.

In addition,

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 13. Note that the points in common with the first embodiment will not be described again. In the first embodiment, the reservation operation management unit 201 is one of the components of the drum type washer-dryer 100, but in this embodiment, the reservation operation management unit is provided in the external information device 400.

Figure 13 is a control block diagram showing the relationship between a drum type washer-dryer 410 and an external information device 400 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The external information device 400 includes an external information device reservation and operation management unit 401, an operation and display unit 402, and an external information device communication means 403. The operation and display unit 402 includes an important point input unit 402a.

Meanwhile, the drum type washer-dryer 410 is also provided with communication means 411, enabling communication with the external information device 400. The user sets up the drum type washer-dryer 410 using the operation/display unit 402 of the external information device 400. If scheduled operation is selected at this time, the external information device scheduled operation management unit 401 compares the operation time with the scheduled time, and if it determines that there will be a sufficient waiting time, it displays priority points that can be selected without changing the scheduled time.

When the user selects one of the priority points, the external information device reservation operation management unit 401 changes the control and transmits the control method to the control device 7 of the drum type washer-dryer 410 via the communication means. In this way, according to the fourth embodiment, there is no need to provide the external information device reservation operation management unit 401 in the drum type washer-dryer 410, and the external information device 400 manages the reservation operation. In this way, there is no need to display the priority points on the operation/display unit 3 of the drum type washer-dryer 410, making it possible to reduce the cost of the operation/display unit 3.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, but includes various modifications. The above-mentioned embodiment is described in detail to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and is not necessarily limited to having all of the configurations described.

1...Housing, 2...Door, 3...Operation and display unit, 3a...Important points input unit, 7...Control device, 8...Drum, 9...Outer tub, 100...Drum-type washer-dryer, 200...Operation control unit, 201...Scheduled operation management unit, 300...Important points input screen, 400...External information device, 401...External information device scheduled operation management unit, 402...Operation display unit, 402a...Important points input unit, 403...External information device communication means, 410...Drum-type washer-dryer, 411...Communication means

Claims (7)

The washing and dehydrating machine includes a washing and dehydrating tub for accommodating clothes, an outer tub containing the washing and dehydrating tub, a housing for accommodating the outer tub, a drive mechanism for driving the washing and dehydrating tub to rotate, and a control device for controlling the drive mechanism,
A washing machine equipped with a reservation operation function for setting the end time or the time until the end of operation,
An important point input unit for selecting an important point to be emphasized during reserved operation, and a reserved operation management unit for changing the control content during reserved operation based on the important point input from the important point input unit ,
The washing machine is characterized in that the priority point input unit displays priority points that can be set without changing the reservation time and priority points that require a change in the reservation time in a distinguished manner . The washing machine according to claim 1,
The washing machine is characterized in that the reservation operation management unit changes control contents that can be implemented based on the important points input in advance, without changing the reservation time. The washing machine according to claim 1,
The washing machine, wherein the emphasis point input unit is capable of changing a display method of selectable emphasis points. The washing machine according to claim 1,
The washing machine, wherein the emphasis point input unit changes a display method of selectable emphasis points based on a past selection history. The washing machine according to claim 1,
The washing machine is characterized in that the emphasis point input unit displays an effect when an emphasis point is selected. The washing and dehydrating machine includes a washing and dehydrating tub for accommodating clothes, an outer tub containing the washing and dehydrating tub, a housing for accommodating the outer tub, a drive mechanism for driving the washing and dehydrating tub to rotate, and a control device for controlling the drive mechanism,
A washing machine equipped with a reservation operation function for setting the end time or the time until the end of operation,
It is equipped with an operation and display unit that allows you to set operation courses, washing times , and operation timers.
After the reservation time is set from the operation and display unit, the operation course and washing time can be changed to the control content for realizing the preselected priority points without changing the reservation time ,
The operation and display unit is characterized in that, when setting or changing an operation course after setting a reservation time, it separately displays important points or settings that do not require a reservation time change from important points or settings that require a reservation time change . An external information device having an external information device communication means capable of communicating with the communication means of the washing machine,
a priority point input unit for selecting a priority point to be prioritized when the washing machine is scheduled to be operated; and a reservation operation management unit for changing a control content during the reservation operation based on the priority point input from the priority point input unit ,
The external information device is characterized in that the priority point input unit displays priority points that can be set without changing the reservation time and priority points that require a change to the reservation time in a distinguished manner .

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