JPH0696065B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a washing machine.

(B) Conventional technology Conventionally, multiple types of course programs with different process times and partial course programs that perform partial washing operations such as washing → dehydration, washing → rinsing are provided to improve the quantity and quality of laundry. A washing machine for washing and executing these programs together is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-39399 (D06F 33/02).

And since such fully automatic washing machines have become popular in recent years and the operability of washing machines has improved, even those who are not very familiar with the operation of washing machines can perform everything from washing to dehydration with the push of a button. It can be done automatically.

However, it is still difficult for a person who is not familiar with the operation of the washing machine to wash a program suitable for the state of the laundry from a large number of programs in the washing machine.

Therefore, as means for solving such a problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
There is a washing machine that automatically sets a frequently used program immediately after the power is turned on, as shown in JP-A-22889 (D06F 33/22). However, in this washing machine, the automatic setting of the program is effective only for the first washing, and the power must be turned off before the next washing,
Moreover, it cannot be said that the program specified by the manufacturer is frequently used in all households.

Further, it is conceivable to display the previously executed program as it is, but in the case of a washing machine provided with a special program such as a partial course program, it would rather cause confusion.

(C) Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the present invention, when a predetermined course determined by the manufacturer is frequently used by the user, the predetermined course can be easily performed without re-turning on the power sequentially. It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine that can be repeated and can be easily repeated if the user wants to repeat a course that he or she has set independently as a frequently used one.

(D) Means for Solving the Problems A washing machine of the present invention is a set course setting means for automatically setting a set program program setting key, a specific key, and a predetermined program predetermined based on power-on. And a changed course setting means for changing and setting a course program other than the predetermined course program based on the operation of the setting key after power-on, a predetermined course program automatically set by the predetermined course setting means, or the changed course Execution means for executing the course program changed and set by the setting means, and after the execution of the course program by the execution means, it is determined whether the previous operation state of the specific key is the first or second operation state. Determining means and, when the determining means determines the first operation state,
A first resetting means for automatically resetting the predetermined course program, and the determining means for determining a second operation state,
A second resetting means for automatically resetting the immediately preceding course program executed by the executing means.

(E) Action That is, if the user's will is that the predetermined course specified by the manufacturer is frequently used, the predetermined course is set after the course is finished, and the frequency of use is also set. If the value is low, use the key to select a course with a high frequency repeatedly.

(F) Example An example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 shows a fully automatic washing machine. (1) is a machine frame, (2) is a dehydration and washing tub installed in an outer tub (not shown), and (3) is placed on the upper end of the machine frame (1). Is a top plate made of synthetic resin. The top plate (3) includes a frame (3a) that forms the clothes inlet (4) and an operation unit (3b) that stores electrical components and the like.
And a water supply section (3c) in which a water supply device is installed. (5) is a power switch.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a washing machine control mechanism centering on a microcomputer (6) (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) built in the operation section (3b). CPU (7), RAM (8), ROM (9), timer (10), system bus (11) and input / output port (1
2) to (17). The CPU (7) includes a control unit (18) and a calculation unit (19), and the control unit (1
8) fetches and executes instructions, and the arithmetic unit (1
In the instruction execution stage, 9) performs arithmetic processing such as binary addition, logical operation, increase / decrease, and comparison on the data given from the input device or the memory by the control signal from the control section (18). The RAM (8) is for storing data relating to the washing machine, and the ROM (9) is a means for operating the washing machine in advance, setting conditions for judgment,
The rules for processing various information are loaded.

The input ports (12) to (14) have an input key circuit (20) composed of the various operation setting keys, a detection circuit (21) such as a water level detector and an upper lid safety switch interlocked with opening and closing of the upper lid, A signal is input from a time reservation setting circuit (22) or the like that sets the laundry to be automatically started at a time desired by the user, and based on this information, the output ports (15) to ( 17) control signals from the LED group to the LED drive circuit (23), the process end notification or abnormality notification buzzer circuit (24), the load drive circuit (25) composed of a bidirectional thyristor, etc. Is sent. The load drive circuit (25), according to a control signal from the microcomputer (6), a left / right rotation circuit (26) (27) of a rotor blade drive motor (not shown), a water supply solenoid valve drive circuit (28) and drainage. Controls the operation of the solenoid valve drive circuit (29). (30) is a power supply circuit for supplying a voltage to the microcomputer (6), and (31) is a reset signal generating circuit.

The operation panel (32) on the front of the operation section (3b) has various operation setting keys and a light emitting diode (LED) as shown in FIG.
Are arranged.

That is, (33) is a display section for displaying the operation setting state of the washing machine, which is the water level (high, medium, low, low) (34), water flow intensity (strong, normal, soft) (35), process progress state. (Washing, rinsing, dehydration) (36), course setting state (about 18 minutes, standard,
(Favorite, Doronko, Wool, Blanket) (37), Selection state of keeping and rinsing with water (38) (39), Display of current time or remaining time of process (40), Display of reserved time for washing (4)
1), display whether the program is set repeatedly (4
2) And the buzzer display (43) is announced by blinking the LED.

(44) is a setting area in which various operation setting keys are integrated, and (45), (46) and (47) are for individually changing the washing and dehydration process time and the number of rinses when the favorite course is selected. When the time change key is pressed, the change time (number of times) is displayed on the process time display (40).
(48) is a pre-washing selection key for selecting the necessity of the step of immersing the laundry in the washing liquid without rotating the rotary blade for a predetermined time before the washing step, and the pre-putting display is displayed each time it is pressed (38). Turns off. (49) is a water-pouring rinsing selection key for selecting whether or not the rinsing step is performed while water is being supplied, and the water-pouring rinsing display (39) is turned off and turned on each time the key is pressed. (50) is a water flow intensity selection key, and each time the key is pressed, the water flow intensity display (35) is turned on / off cyclically.
(51) is a buzzer key for selecting whether or not a notification buzzer is required at the end of the program, and the buzzer display (43) is turned on and off each time the program is pressed. Although (52) will be described later, it automatically returns to the initial setting state after the program ends (the washing machine of this embodiment is automatically set to "about 18 minutes course" immediately after turning on the power) or It is a specific key for selecting whether to automatically set the contents of the programmed program again, that is, the repeating key. Each time the key is pressed, the repetitive display (42) is turned on and off, and when the program is turned off, the program is initialized. Return to the state. (53) and (54) are keys for selecting whether to change the current time or set the laundry reservation time, and (55) and (56) are hour and minute change keys, which are used to display the current time (4
It is possible to change the display (41) of 0) and the reserved time for selection end. (57) is a completion key which is pressed at the end of the time changing operation.

The operation setting keys (45) to (57) are provided with a main blend switch (58) on the bottom surface thereof,
When pressed, the corresponding contacts of the main blend switch (58) are closed, and the closing signal is input to the microcomputer (6).

The setting area (44) is shielded by an openable / closable lid (59), and four operation keys (60) to (63) are arranged on the lid (59). Each of these operation keys (60) to (63) is composed of a flexible piece that is partially continuous with the lid body (59), and bends downward when pressed.
It returns when released. Then, on the lower surface of each operation key (60) to (63), when the lid body (59) is closed, two operation keys (45) to (57) are selected. The projections (64) ... Abutting on or closely facing each other are vertically provided.

That is, the operation key (60) is for changing the water level, and when the lid (59) is pressed in the closed state, the current time change selection key (53) and the laundry reservation time setting are set. The selection key (54) can be pressed simultaneously. Then, each time a signal is simultaneously inputted from the selection keys (53) (54), the microcomputer (6) accepts the change of the water level and simultaneously turns on and off the water level display (34) cyclically. Similarly, with the lid (59) closed, the operation key (61) is for changing the course, and when pressed, the minute change key (56) and the completion key (57). ) And can be pressed simultaneously.
Then, every time a signal is input from these keys (56) (57) at the same time, the microcomputer (6) accepts the change of course, and at the same time, the course setting state display (37), water flow intensity display (35) and Turn on / off the water level display (34) to the corresponding state.

Figure 7 shows the program contents of each course. In the figure, when set to each course of "Doronko", "Wool", and "Blanket", all the water flow indicators (35) go out, but this is a special one as shown in Fig. 8 for each course. Since it is washed with a stream of water and is unique to each course, it is represented by turning off all LEDs without installing a new dedicated display LED. Therefore, the cost does not increase. still,
In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents the rotational speed of the rotary blade.

Also, when the "Doronko" course is selected, the water level indicator (34) is also turned off, but this is only washed by the "Doronko" course at a water level lower than the low water level, so this can be expressed by turning off all LEDs. There is.

In addition, when the "favorite" course is selected, the standard water flow and the high water level are automatically set. The water flow of the "Doronko", "Wool" and "Blanket" courses and the water level of the "Doronko" course are not accepted, and the rest can be freely changed.

The operation key (62) is for performing reserved washing, and by pressing it, the putting key (48) and the water rinsing key (49) can be pressed at the same time. Then, when signals are simultaneously inputted from these keys (48) (49), the microcomputer (6) calculates backward from the time displayed on the reserved time display (41) before the time required for the set course. Wait until, and run the washing machine to finish the course at the reserved time.

The operation key (63) is for starting a course, and by pressing the water flow key (50) and the buzzer key (51),
When signals are simultaneously input from these keys (50) (51), the microcomputer (6) immediately starts the setting course.

A waterproof sheet (65) is attached to the upper surfaces of the operation setting keys (45) to (57) and the operation keys (60) to (63), and on the sheet (65). Display corresponding to various keys is given.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by pressing two specific operation setting keys at the same time, another operation setting can be performed. Therefore, the number of operation setting keys is reduced by that amount and space is reduced. You can also design with plenty of room. Moreover,
Since the operation keys for simultaneous operation are provided on the lid (59), the keys for complicated operation settings are shielded by the lid (59) so that the minimum operation can be performed with the operation keys. You can also do this, so that even an unfamiliar person can easily operate it. Note that the number of simultaneously pressing the operation setting keys is not limited to two.

Finally, the operation of the washing machine of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the power switch (59) is turned on, first, the microcomputer (6) automatically sets the operating state of the washing machine to the "about 18 minutes" course, and at the same time, displays the course corresponding to the "about 18 minutes". (37a), high water level display (34a) and strong water flow display (35
a) is turned on respectively (S-1: Corresponding to the predetermined course setting means of the present invention).

If the user wants to change this operation state, he / she uses the operation setting keys and operation keys (assuming that the operation is changed to the "standard" course), and further, this change course (the "standard" course) is changed. If you plan to repeat repeatedly more than once,
The repeat key (52) is operated to keep the repeat display (42) lit (S-2: equivalent to the change course setting means of the present invention). Next, the program is executed by pressing the reserved washing start operation key (62) or the start operation key (63) (S-3) (S-4: equivalent to the executing means of the present invention). Then, when the course program ends, the microcomputer (6) determines whether or not the repetitive display (42) is lit based on the operation state of the repeat key (52) (that is, the second or first operation state). It is determined (S-5: equivalent to the determination means of the present invention), and if it is lit, the operating state is automatically set to the current course (“standard” course), and at the same time, the “standard” course display (37b), The standard water flow display (35b) and the high water level display (34a) are turned on (steps below S-5: corresponding to the second resetting means of the present invention). If the repetitive display (42) is not lit, the operating state is automatically set and displayed in the initial setting state of "about 18 minutes" course (S-1: This step is 1 corresponds to the resetting means).

In this way, if the repeat key (52) is operated and the repeated display (42) is lit, in (S-2),
If you change the course to "favorite" and set each process time to, for example, zero washing time and zero rinsing times and only dehydration is performed, set this dehydration only course again at each end. There is no need to repair, start operation key (6
It can be repeated many times only by the operation of 3). Further, even if the frequently used course is not the "about 18 minutes" course, the course can be repeated many times by simply changing to the frequently used course.

(G) Effect of the Invention In the washing machine of the present invention, if the predetermined course defined by the manufacturer is frequently used in the household at the intention of the user, the predetermined period after the course is completed. Use the keys so that the course is set automatically, and if it is used infrequently, a frequently used course or a course to be repeated is automatically set repeatedly after the course ends. It is possible to omit the setting work when the course is repeated, and it is excellent in operability.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 (a) and (b) are front views of the operating portion of the washing machine according to the present invention when the lid is opened and closed, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part of FIG. 1 (b), and FIG. Is a plan view of the lid, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the washing machine, FIG. 5 is a block circuit diagram of the control mechanism, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the washing machine, and FIG. 7 shows the contents of each course program. FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the water flow pattern. (6) …… Microcomputer (control device), (33)
…… Display, (52) …… Repeat key (key).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A setting key for setting a course program, a specific key, a predetermined course setting means for automatically setting a predetermined course program which is predetermined based on turning on the power, and an operation of the setting key after turning on the power. Based on the change course setting means for changing and setting a course program other than the predetermined course program, the predetermined course program automatically set by the predetermined course setting means, or the course program changed and set by the change course setting means is executed. Executing means, determining means for determining whether the previous operating state of the specific key is the first or second operating state after the execution of the course program by the executing means, and the determining means for operating the first operating state. When it is determined, the first resetting means for automatically resetting the predetermined course program and the determining means When it is determined the second operating state, a washing machine, characterized in that a second resetting means for automatically resetting the immediately preceding course program that executed by the execution unit.