JPH0436720B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a washing machine driving device that operates a drain pot, a clutch, a brake, etc. to open and close the drain pot, switch the clutch, and apply the brake.

Conventional technology The conventional driving device for this type of washing machine generally uses a solenoid, and the plunger of the solenoid directly pulls the operating elements such as the drain kettle, clutch, brake, etc. to operate each operating element. It was hot.

A washing machine equipped with a solenoid for operating an operating body such as a drain pot will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

In FIG. 1, a plurality of outer receiving portions 2 are provided on the upper part of an outer frame 1, and a hanging rod 4 having a slider 3 attached to its upper end is provided on the outer receiving portion 2 via the slider 3. . A shock absorber 5 with a built-in anti-vibration spring (not shown) is attached to the lower end of the hanging rod 4.
The buffer body 5 slides between the outer tank receiving part 6 and elastically suspends and supports an outer tank 7 made of plastic or the like which also functions as a water tank. Further, a substrate 8 is fixed to the bottom of the outer tank 7,
A clutch case 9 is fixed to the substrate 8 so as to be watertight to the outer tank 7. Inside the clutch case, there is a brake device, an agitation blade that receives rotation from a motor 10 for driving the washing machine, and a stirring blade inside the outer tank 7. Dehydration tank 7a
It has a clutch that switches and transmits the transmission. 1
1 is a washing machine driving device consisting of a solenoid that pulls a clutch and the like.

FIG. 2 shows details of the washing machine drive device. Below the clutch case 7 is a clutch boss 1 which is a part of the clutch that switches the rotation transmission of the motor 10.
3 is located, and the clutch pawl 12 is engaged with this clutch boss 13. When the clutch pawl 12 is engaged with the clutch boss, the rotation of the motor 10 is not transmitted to the dehydration tank 7a, but when the solenoid 14 operates and the clutch pawl 12 is disengaged from the clutch boss 13, the rotation of the motor 10 is transmitted to the dehydration tank 7a. This is transmitted and the dehydration tank 7a rotates. The action (pulling action) of the solenoid 14 opens the clutch pawl 12 as well as the drainage pot 15 arranged at the bottom of the outer tank 7, and releases the braking of the brake device 16 arranged inside the clutch case 9, allowing the clutch to escape. The water tank 7a is placed in a rotating state.

Further, the electric circuit of the washing machine will be explained based on FIG. 3.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 17 denotes a power supply, which connects the loads such as the motor 10, solenoid 14, water supply valve 20, and buzzer 26 through the contacts of the automatic time switch 18.
is powered by the 19 is a pressure switch, and when the water level in the outer tank 7 reaches a predetermined water level, the contact is turned to NO.
Switches to the NC side. 23 is a timer motor which switches each contact point T1 to T9 of the automatic time switch according to the program chart shown in FIG. 2
2 is a lid switch, which opens and closes according to the opening and closing of the lid. Reference numeral 24 denotes a rinse changeover switch for setting whether to perform overflow rinsing, hard rinsing, or rinsing. Reference numeral 25 is a drain/dehydration stop switch, which is used to set whether to perform drain/dehydration or omit drain/dehydration.

Next, the operation of the washing machine will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

During the washing process, contact T of automatic time switch 18
1 is on the a side, power from the AC power supply 17 is supplied from the NC side of the pressure switch 19 to the water supply valve 20 via the a side of the contact T5, and water is supplied into the outer tank 7. When the water reaches the predetermined water level, pressure switch 1
9 switches to the NO side, and the automatic time switch 18 contacts T4 a side → T6 a side → T8
(automatic reversing contact) to capacitor 21, motor 1
Power is applied to 0 and washing begins.

Next, in the drainage step, each contact point of the automatic time switch 18 is switched as shown in FIG. Therefore, the solenoid 14 is energized through the a side of the contact T1 → the NO side of the pressure switch 19 → the a side of the contact T4 → the b side of the contact T6, the drain pot 15 is opened, and the draining operation is started. When drainage begins and the water level in the outer tank 7 decreases, the contacts of the pressure switch 19 switch to NC.
Switch to the side. At this point, the solenoid 14 is continuously energized via the b side of the contact T5 → the lid switch 22 → the contact T6, and the draining operation continues.

When this drainage process is completed, the process moves to the dewatering process shown in FIG. This dehydration process is a so-called intermittent dehydration process in which the dehydration tank 7a is rotated intermittently. In this intermittent dehydration process, the a side of the contact T1 of the automatic time switch 18 → the NC of the pressure switch 19
side → b side of contact T5 → lid switch 22 → contact T4
The motor 10 is energized via the b side of the contact T9 → the a side of the contact T9 (automatic reversal contact) → the a side of the contact T2. During this intermittent dewatering process, the contact T6 is on the b side, so the solenoid 14 also continues to be energized, and the drain pot 15
is kept in the open state, the braking of the brake device 16 is released, the clutch boss 13 and the clutch pawl 12 are kept in the disengaged state (a state in which rotation is transmitted to the dehydration tank 7a), and the motor 10 is intermittently energized via the automatic reversal contact T9. Then, the dehydration tank 7a is driven intermittently. Note that the automatic reversal contacts T8 and T9 switch to the a side and the b side at regular intervals.

Next, the rinsing process is almost the same as the washing process, but the difference is that the rinsing switch 2
4 is turned on, an overflow rinse is performed, and when the rinse changeover switch 24 is not turned on, a preliminary rinse is performed. That is, when the rinse changeover switch 24 is turned on, the water supply valve 20 is operated regardless of the pressure switch 19, and the water supply operation is continued even when a predetermined water level is reached, and rinsing is performed while overflowing. When the rinse changeover switch 24 is not turned on, the water supply valve 20 is no longer energized when the pressure switch 19 is switched to the NO side, the water supply operation is stopped, and preliminary rinsing is performed.

As described above, the program proceeds as follows: washing → draining → spin-drying → rinsing, and if the drain/spin-stop switch 25 is not turned on at the end of the final rinse, the program will be paused at the end of the rinse. On the other hand, if the drain/spin-stop switch 25 is turned on, the process proceeds to the next drain and spin-drying, and the buzzer 26 sounds before the spin-dry ends, and the washing → spin-drying process ends.

Contact point T of automatic time switch 18 during the dehydration process
The time A during which the a side of 2 is turned off indicates the time period during which the power to the motor 10 is cut off and the dehydration tank 7a is rotated by inertial force, thereby improving reliability when applying braking next time. The water supply for the rinsing process is from the dehydration tank 7a.
This prevents it from scattering due to the rotation of the

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the structure in which the solenoid 14 operates the drain cock 15, the clutch boss 13 operated to switch the clutch, and the brake device 16, the plunger of the solenoid 14 is activated when the solenoid 14 is energized. The problem was that it was suddenly sucked in and collided with the core of the solenoid, producing extremely loud noise.

In order to solve the above problems, in recent years, a configuration has been proposed in which a small electric motor is used instead of a solenoid, and an operating body such as a drain pot is operated by the rotation of the small electric motor.

Specifically, in order to move an operating object such as a drain pot using the small electric motor mentioned above, it is necessary to reduce the rotation of the small electric motor using a reduction mechanism to generate a high torque rotational force. It takes time to do so. For example, when performing a dewatering process, a small electric motor is energized to operate the drain kettle, brake device, and clutch operation body before the dewatering process, but the small electric motor is completely turned off within the time of this draining process. When the operating body cannot be brought into operation, for example, when the power supply voltage to a small electric motor has decreased, the operation body cannot be brought into full operation within the time required for the drainage process.
The washing machine drive motor is energized with the drain pot partially open, the brake system partially released, and the clutch partially switched, putting an excessive load on the washing machine drive motor. The problem was that it was dangerous and unsafe. It is also conceivable to set a predetermined delay time from the start of the dewatering process to ensure sufficient time for the small electric motor to completely bring the operating body into operation. This has the problem of increasing the time required for the dehydration process.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to improve safety in a washing machine drive device using a small electric motor that can reduce noise without setting the operating time of the small electric motor to be long.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a small electric motor, a reduction gear group for decelerating the rotation of this small electric motor, and a deceleration rotation by this reduction gear group, and the rotational operation of the reduction gear causes drainage water to be removed. , an output shaft that operates operating elements such as clutches and brakes, a cam that rotates with this output shaft, a switch that opens and closes with this cam, and a washing machine drive that drives a dehydration tank that also serves as a washing tub. a motor, and a control unit that controls energization of the motor for driving the washing machine, and when the output shaft reaches a rotation angle that makes the operating body fully operational, the cam opens and closes the switch. The switch is configured to cut off power supply to the motor by the control section by opening and closing the switch.

Operation According to the above configuration, when the operating bodies of the drain pot, brake, and clutch are fully operated, the switch opens and closes, and if the switch does not open or close, the control unit energizes the motor for driving the washing machine. Even if you try, the power will be cut off. Therefore, the motor is not energized unless the operating body is in a fully operating state, and the motor is prevented from being energized when the operating body is in a half-operated state. In addition, since the switch is opened and closed by a cam rotated by the output shaft, when the output shaft fully operates the operating body, the power cutoff to the motor can be immediately released.

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 5 to 7. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the same components as those in the conventional FIGS. 1 to 4 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted.

A feature of the present invention is that a small electric motor is used in place of the conventional solenoid 14, and that the complete operating state of an operating body such as a drain pot is detected by a switch.

First, the driving device of the washing machine will be explained with reference to FIG. In the same figure, 27 is a switch, and 28 is a washing machine drive device that includes a built-in switch 27, a small electric motor 29, and a group of reduction gears 30. On the side are a reduction gear group 30, a main plate 42, and a switch 27.
are arranged one on top of the other, and the open end surface is covered with a lid 43. Driving device 2 of the above washing machine
8 is attached directly to the bottom of the outer tank 7 or to the substrate 8. The rotation of the small electric motor 29 is transmitted to the output shaft 31 by a reduction gear group 30, and a cam 32 fixed to this output shaft 30 rotates.
The contact plate 33 in contact with the cam surface 32a is the contact plate 3
7 as a fulcrum, and the contact 36 provided on the contact plate 33 is closed to the contact 35 of the contact plate 34. Note that the switch 27 has contact plates 33, 34, and contact 3.
5, 36, and a contact board 37. The cam 32 rotates in the direction shown by arrow B in FIG. 7A, and the contact plate 3 of the switch 27 is inserted into the notched portion 32b
3 is located, the contacts 35 and 36 of the switch 27
When the cam 32 rotates to an angle that closes the switch 27, the operating body such as the drain pot becomes fully operational.

Now, the transmission cam 38 fixed to the output shaft 31 is rotated, and the rotation of the transmission cam 38 pulls the wire 39 shown in FIG. The clutch pawl 12, which engages with the drainage pot 15 attached to the brake device 16, the brake device 16, and the clutch boss 13 for switching the clutch, is operated. That is, the output shaft 31
rotates and pulls the wire 39, the drain cock 15 is released, the braking of the brake device 16 is released, and the clutch pawl 12 and clutch boss 13 are disengaged, causing the motor 10 for driving the washing machine to rotate. The clutch is switched so as to transmit the water to the dehydration tank 7a. In this case, in order to completely open the drain pot 15, the output shaft must rotate by a predetermined angle, and the wire 3
9 needs to be pulled sufficiently, but when the drain pot 15 is completely opened, the switch 27 is closed by the cam 32 fixed to the output shaft 31. Similar to the drainage pot 15, the brake device 16
When the output shaft 31 rotates until the switch 27 is closed, the braking state is completely released, and the clutch pawl 12 and clutch boss 13 are also completely disengaged, resulting in a state in which the clutch is completely switched. In this way, it is confirmed that the drain pot 15, the brake device 16, and the clutch operating body are fully operational when the switch 27 is closed.

Next, an automatic time switch 18 that controls the power supply to the switch 27 and the motor 10 for driving the washing machine.
(control section) will be explained with reference to FIG. That is, the switch 27 is the automatic time switch 18.
The automatic time switch 18 enters the dewatering process and closes the contact T2 to energize the motor 10, but if the switch 27 is not closed, the motor 10 is not energized. will be blocked. In this way, the switch 27 cuts off the power to the motor 10 until the operating body such as the drain pot 15 is fully operational, so the voltage supplied to the small electric motor 29 decreases and the operating body is turned off within a predetermined time. Even if it is not possible to bring the motor into a complete operating state, the automatic time switch 18, which is a control unit, can cut off the power to the motor 10, prevent overloading the motor 10, and ensure safety. Also, if you open the washing lid 1a and open the lid switch 22 during spin-drying, and then close the washing lid 1a again and close the lid switch 22, the rotation speed of the output shaft 31 of the drive device 28 of the washing machine is slow. A drain pot 15, a brake device 16, and a motor 10 for driving the washing machine when the clutch is not fully operated.
Automatic time switch 18 operates to energize. To explain in detail, when the lid switch 22 is opened, the power supply to the small electric motor 29 is cut off, the tensile force of the wire 19 is lost, the wire 19 is pulled back, the drain pot 15 is in the closed state, the brake device 16 is in the braking state, The clutch is not switched. When the lid switch 22 is closed again in this state, the automatic time switch 18 starts energizing the small electric motor 29 and attempts to energize the motor 10 as well. However, since the switch 27 does not close until the small electric motor 29 rotates and the output shaft 31 brings the operating body into a fully operational state, it is possible to prevent the motor 10 from being erroneously energized, thereby increasing safety. .

The drive device of the washing machine is composed of a small electric motor 29, a reduction gear group 30, and a switch 27.The case 40 that houses each of the above components is made of a synthetic resin having electrical insulation properties, such as glass reinforced polypropylene, glass Molding with thermoplastic molding materials such as reinforced polyester, polyacetal, or nylon improves productivity and provides not only electrical insulation but also waterproof and moisture-proof effects.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the description of the embodiments above, according to the present invention, the switch opens and closes when the operating bodies of the drain cock, brake, and clutch are fully operated, and the switch does not open or close. Even if the control unit attempts to energize the washing machine drive motor, it will cut off the power, so unless the operating body is fully operational, the motor will not be energized, and the operating body will not be energized when the operating body is in a semi-operational state. It is possible to prevent the motor from being energized and improve safety. In addition, since the switch is opened and closed by a cam that is rotated by the output shaft, as soon as the output shaft becomes fully operational, the power to the motor can be immediately disconnected, making it safer than before. It is not necessary to take a long time to operate a small electric motor in order to ensure performance, and the dehydration process can be completed in a short time.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a conventional general washing machine, Fig. 2 is a top view showing the relationship among the drive unit, drain pot, brake, and clutch of the washing machine, Fig. 3 is an electric circuit diagram of the washing machine, Figure 4 is a program chart showing the operation program of the automatic time switch.
The figure is an electric circuit diagram of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
Figure 7 is a top view showing the relationship between the brake and clutch, Figure 7 shows the drive device of the washing machine, Figure A is a top view with the lid removed, Figure B is the top view with the lid attached. FIG. 10... Motor for driving the washing machine, 12... Clutch pawl, 13... Clutch boss, 15... Drainage cock, 16... Brake device, 18... Automatic time switch (control unit), 27... Switch, 29
...Small electric motor, 30...Reduction gear group, 31...
Output shaft, 32...cam.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A small electric motor, a group of reduction gears that decelerates the rotation of this small electric motor, and an output shaft that is decelerated and rotated by this group of reduction gears, and whose rotational action operates an operating body such as a drain pot, clutch, brake, etc.
Controls the cam that rotates by this output shaft, the switch that opens and closes with this cam, the motor that drives the washing machine that drives the dehydration tank that also serves as a washing tub, and the energization of the motor that drives this washing machine. the cam opens and closes a switch when the output shaft reaches a rotation angle that brings the operating body into a fully operational state, and the switch energizes the motor by the control unit by the opening/closing operation. A washing machine drive device configured to shut off.