JPS629967B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] This invention provides a fully automatic washing machine that washes, rinses,
This invention relates to a program timer used in washing machines that performs operations such as spin-drying according to settings set in advance using individual setting knobs.

The purpose of this product is to have a structure that has the above functions, but it also has a structure that has the functions described above.
Regarding the process, it is an object of the present invention to provide a program timer that can be operated in the same manner as the knob of a conventional washing machine.

The drawings showing the embodiments of the present application will be described below. The first diagram showing an example of the operation panel in the washing machine.
In the figure, 1 is an operating process display dial, 2 is a pointer thereof, and 3 and 4 are process indicators and scales indicated by the pointer 2, respectively. Next, 5 is a start switch. Next, 6 is a setting knob for the washing process, 7 is a pointer therefor, and 8 is a setting scale, so that instructions are given by the pointer 7. Next, reference numeral 9 is a rinsing process setting knob, 10 is a pointer thereof, and 11 is a setting display, so that instructions are given by the pointer 10. Next, 12 is the dehydration process setting knob, 13 is the indicator,
Reference numeral 14 indicates a setting display.

Next, in FIG. 2 schematically showing the main mechanical parts of the timer, 15 is a main shaft, 16 is a program cam attached to the main shaft 15, and a plurality of cam elements 17
(only some of which are shown). As is well known, the outer periphery of these cam elements 17 has a large number of protrusions and depressions carved therein for program instructions (not shown).
Reference numerals 18 and 19 are contacts that are movably brought into contact with each cam element 17. (Only a part is shown in the figure.) These contacts are designated by the symbol T ₁ in Figure 4.
~ Shown at T ₁₁ . The switching or opening/closing operations of these contacts are shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, the hatched portion indicates the closed state of the contacts.
Next, 20 is a first timer motor, which is connected to the main shaft 15 through a reduction gear train 21 so as to be able to drive the main shaft 15. Reference numeral 22 denotes a one-way clutch mechanism interposed in the gear train 21, which transmits the rotational force of the motor 20 to the main shaft 15, but prevents the influence of the rotation of the main shaft 15 from being transmitted to the motor 20. 23 is a drive motor, which has a gear train 24 connected to the main shaft 15.
The main shaft 15 is drivably connected via the main shaft 15.
The gear train 24 has a smaller reduction ratio than the gear train 21, so that the main shaft 15 can be rotated at a high speed (fast forwarding). A one-way clutch mechanism 25 is used for the same purpose as the one-way clutch mechanism 22.

Next, in FIG. 3 showing the setting mechanism for the washing process, 30 is a case, inside of which there is a cam for setting the washing time and a switch (indicated by reference numeral S ₁ in FIG. ) is provided. 3
Reference numeral 1 denotes a rotation shaft, and the cam is mounted inside the case 30. Further, the setting knob 6 is provided on the outside of the case. 32 is a second timer motor, which is connected to the rotation shaft 31 so as to rotate it at a constant speed.

Next, in FIG. 4 showing the timer and the connection state between the timer and each mechanism in the washing machine, 35 is a commercial power source, 36 is a relay, and has a well-known structure including contacts 37 and a coil 38. 39 is a rinse setting switch, consisting of switches _S2 and _S3 .
These switches S ₂ and S ₃ are operated by a setting knob 9 shown in FIG. 1 to open and close as shown in FIG. 5. (In Fig. 5, 〇 indicates closed and × indicates open. The same applies to Fig. 6.) 40 is a dehydration setting switch, switch S ₄
Consisting of ~S ₆ . These switches S ₄ to _{S 6} are operated by the setting knob 12 shown in FIG. 1 to open and close as shown in FIG. 6. Next, numerals 41 to 47 indicate well-known mechanisms in a washing machine; 41 is a buzzer, 42 is a float switch, 43 is a water supply valve, 44 is a lid switch, 45 is a drain valve, 46 is a motor, and 47 is a reversing switch. are shown respectively.

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

(A) When operating all courses (1) Set the pointer 7 of the washing process setting knob 6 to the maximum scale (10 minutes in this example) of the setting scale 8, and set the pointer 10 of the rinsing process setting knob 9 to the setting display. 11, and also set the pointer 13 of the dehydration process setting knob 12 to the 5 minute scale on the setting display 14.

(2) Press start switch 5. At this point, the seventh
This is the point indicated by (a) in the figure. Therefore, the circuit as shown by the solid line in FIG. 8 is energized, and immediately thereafter self-holding is performed by the contact 37 of the relay 36 as shown by the broken line. As a result, the drive motor 23 rotates, and the main shaft 15
is rotated at high speed, and the cam 16 moves to the "washing" process shown in FIG.

(3) In the washing process, electricity is first applied to the circuit shown by the solid line in FIG. 9 to supply water, and when water supply is completed, electricity is applied to the circuit shown by the broken line in FIG. This causes the washing machine to perform normal washing operations. Further, the first and second timer motors 20 and 32 rotate in a timed manner, and the hands 2 and 7 sequentially indicate the scales 4 and 8, respectively. (In Figure 1, pointer 2 is clockwise, pointer 7 is
is counterclockwise. ) (4) When the time limit set by the washing process setting knob 6 has passed, the switch in the washing process setting mechanism is activated.
_S1 is closed and the drive motor 23 is driven,
The cam 16 is rapidly forwarded to the next process. Further, the pointer 2 of the dial 1 indicates the corresponding process display 3. In this case, since the time precision of the first and second timer motors 20 and 32 is not so high, the time limit _T1 (for example, 10 minutes) of the maximum setting scale by the pointer 7 is determined by the first timer motor 20. The time limit _T2 for the washing process of the driven cam 16 is set to be slightly longer (for example, 11 minutes). Therefore, even if the washing time setting is maximized, the transition to the next process is performed in the above-mentioned fast-forward state in the section (b). Incidentally, if both timer motors 20 and 32 have high precision, or if they can be rotated synchronously, there is no need to provide the above-mentioned difference.

(5) Next, processes such as draining, dewatering, and rinsing are performed in the same way as in conventional systems of this type, with each contact being opened/closed or switched as shown in Figure 7 by the rotation of the cam 16 in the timer. . Therefore, detailed explanation will be omitted.

(6) Once the above operations are completed, each contact T ₁ to _{T 11} will be connected to the seventh
The state returns to the state shown in FIG. A, that is, the state shown in FIG. 4, and the operation stops.

(B) When operating the saving mode (1) Set the washing time to a slightly shorter time, for example 7 minutes,
Set the rinse to 1 time and the spin to 3 minutes.

In cases (2) and (3), the same operations as in case (A) above are performed.

In (4), when the 7 minute time limit elapses, switch S ₁
is closed, and the cam 16 is rapidly moved to the next process. Naturally, the pointer 2 of the display dial 1 also moves in fast forward motion to instruct the next process display 3.

(5) Next, in the section indicated by C in Figure 7,
The circuit shown by the solid line in FIG. 11 is energized, and the cam 16 is fast-forwarded by the drive motor 23, so that the washing machine does not operate in this section C. Further, the instruction 2 is also fast-forwarded together with the cam 16.

(5)' Next, in section 2, the same operation as in the case (A) is performed.

(5)''Next, in the section E, the circuit shown by the broken line in FIG. Not possible.

(5) Next, in the section (f), the dehydration operation is performed in the same manner as in the case (A) above.

The operation in (6) is the same as in (A) above.

(C) When only doing laundry (1) Set the setting knob 6 at the desired time, and turn the knobs 9 and 1 at the desired time.
2 are both set to "off".

In cases (2) and (3), the same operations as in case (A) above are performed.

In (4), when the set time period has elapsed, the same operation as in case (B) is performed.

(5) In the entire section indicated by G in FIG. 7, electricity is supplied through the circuit indicated by a solid line or a broken line in FIG. 12, and the cam 16 is rapidly moved by the drive motor 23. As a result, none of the steps in this interval are performed.

The operation (6) is performed in the same manner as in the case (A) above.

As described above, since the present invention is provided with the setting knob 6 for the washing process, the setting knob 9 for the rinsing process, and the setting knob 12 for the dehydration process, each of these operations can be set individually. It has the advantage of being able to carry out efficient laundry work with no waste. Moreover, even though each operation is individually set using each knob, there is an operation process display dial separate from those knobs, so the effect is that you can accurately know the operating status. There is. Furthermore, in the present invention, when setting the washing time, it is possible to select any washing time within a continuous time range by rotating the knob for setting the washing process. This has the effect of making it possible to set the time in accordance with the actual situation, such as "this is the amount of time it will take for this type of laundry."

Moreover, even if the washing time can be set at any time among such continuous times, that is, the time width of the display provided on the operation process display dial 1 Even if the time range selected by the user is often different from the time range selected by the user, if the display dial is still in the middle of the washing process display when the set time ends, the above settings will be applied. It has the feature that as soon as the time ends, the washing process is quickly moved to the next process, and an indication that the next process has proceeded is immediately displayed.

In this way, the present invention enables energy-saving operation by allowing individual settings for ``wash'', ``rinse'', ``spin'', etc. using the respective knobs, and furthermore, the operation status is displayed on the operation process display dial 1. Even if it is made to appear, it is a breakthrough that allows you to use it in the same way as before when it comes to ``washing'', that is, in accordance with the conventional practice of selecting an arbitrary time from the total washing time. It has a positive effect.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present application, and Fig. 1 is a front view of the operation panel, Fig. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the main parts of the timer, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the washing time setting mechanism, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the washing time setting mechanism. The figure is a circuit diagram, Figure 5 is a diagram showing the opening/closing relationship of the rinse setting switch, Figure 6 is a diagram showing the opening/closing relationship of the dehydration setting switch, Figure 7 is a time chart showing the opening/closing and switching operation states of the contacts, and Figure 7 is a diagram showing the opening/closing relationship of the rinse setting switch. 8 to 12 are diagrams showing energizing circuits. 1...Operation process display dial, 6...Washing process setting knob, 9...Rinse process setting knob, 12...
Dehydration process setting knob, 16...Program cam, 2
0...First timer motor, 32...Second timer motor, 23...Drive motor.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A program cam with irregularities for program instructions on its outer periphery, a plurality of contacts that are movably opposed to the program cam, and an operation that is linked to the program cam to display the operation steps of the program operation, respectively. It includes a process display dial, a first timer motor linked to the program cam so as to rotate the cam in a timed manner, and a setting knob for a washing process, a setting knob for a rinsing process, and a setting knob for a dehydration process. In the program timer in which the program of the operation process can be selected by setting the three setting knobs, the program cam is set to the first one.
A drive motor that can be rotated in fast forward rotation with priority over the timer motor is connected, and a cam for setting the washing time, a switch that is placed in opposition to the cam so that it can be driven by the cam, and a timer motor that can be set to set the washing time. A second timer motor is provided which is connected to the motor so that it can be rotated, and the setting knob for the washing process is linked to the cam for setting the washing time, and the setting knob for the washing process is also connected to the cam for setting the washing time. On the other hand, the switch is connected to the drive motor so that the drive motor can be rotated when the switch is activated, and the washing process setting knob is turned in the setting direction to start washing. After setting the time, the washing time setting cam is rotated by the second timer motor, and when the set time has elapsed, the drive motor is rotated by the operation of the switch. A program timer characterized in that the program cam moves to the next process in fast forward mode.