JPH0779904B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application 1 The present invention is a microcomputer type washing machine that performs various steps such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration under program control, and has a test mode. It is about.

(B) Conventional Technology A microcomputer-type washing machine having an inspection mode already exists as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-84797. This is because the washing wing can be rotated without supplying water and the inspection can be simplified in the manufacturing process. Therefore, if a special switch to enter the inspection mode is provided, the cost will increase accordingly, so in this washing machine, operate the existing switches and keys such as the water flow changeover switch and the start switch, and use the combination to enter the inspection mode. I am trying to put it in.

(C) Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the conventional microcomputer type washing machine having the inspection mode, when the operator has no intention to select the inspection mode, for example, when performing normal washing. However, the user may accidentally operate the inspection mode by combining the operations of the existing switches. If you unintentionally select the inspection mode, the washing machine behaves differently from normal washing, which may give the illusion that it is broken. In addition, the washing wings may move without water, which may damage the clothes.

Further, in order to prevent such malfunction, it may be possible to complicate the combination of the switch operations, but in such a case, it takes a lot of time for the inspection in the manufacturing process.

An object of the present invention is to make it difficult to unintentionally select an inspection mode even if the switch operation for the inspection mode is a simple combination of operations of existing switches.

(D) Means for Solving the Problems In the present invention, a washing mode is provided which is provided with a memory capable of holding write information by a switch operation and which is combined with an operation of an existing switch for a washing process, setting of washing conditions, and the like. Use the machine. In order to achieve the above object, the control device is configured so as not to enter the inspection mode when the number of operations of a specific switch among existing switches exceeds a predetermined number stored in advance in the memory.

Nonvolatile memory such as EEPROM, and memory backed up by batteries and capacitors are examples of the memory that can hold the written information by the switch operation. Further, even in the case where the control board is energized regardless of the operation of the power switch, the write information by the switch operation can be retained.

A start switch is effective as the specific switch. This is because, among the many switches, the start switch is a switch that has a lot of opportunities to make contact. In addition, since the number of times the start switch is pushed increases due to my interest especially at the beginning of use, if this switch is used as a specific switch, even if the switch is touched unexpectedly, the number of times the switch is pressed is remembered as above. This is because the probability of exceeding the number of operations is extremely high.

Further, it goes without saying that the specific switch may be set to any other switch, or may be a plurality of switches.

(E) Operation In the washing machine configured as described above, the user accidentally performs a combination operation of the existing switches set as the inspection mode, and contrary to the intention, the specific switch described above is operated. Even if there is such a case, if the number of operations exceeds the predetermined number of operations stored in advance, the inspection mode is not entered.

(F) Embodiment Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 are examples of an operation panel of a washing machine. It is provided with a switch for changing the water flow, a switch for changing the water level, a switch for changing the washing time, the number of times of rinsing, a dehydration time, and a start switch for starting the operation.

FIG. 3 is a control circuit diagram of the washing machine of the present invention. The load is a washing motor, a drain valve driving solenoid and the like 2, a power supply circuit 3, a reset circuit 4, a power supply voltage level detection circuit 5 centering on the microcomputer 1. , A display LED 6, a key input circuit 7, an EEPROM 8 and the like are connected. The EEPROM 8 is a PROM that can be electrically rewritten and is a non-volatile memory. Data is transferred between the EEPROM 8 and the microcomputer 1 by serial transfer. That is, the control mode and the data transmission to the EEPROM are output from the serial out (SO) of the microcomputer 1, and the data from the EEPROM are input from the serial input (SI) of the microcomputer 1. The transfer timing is performed by the serial clock (SCK), and is output from the microcomputer 1. EE
Whether to access PROM8 or not is output from the microcomputer by outputting a chip select signal (CS). A-A 'is for clearing the data in the EEPROM 8 in the board manufacturing process, and when it is connected, a control code for clearing the data stored therein is transferred from the microcomputer 1 to the EEPROM 8.

In the control device having this control circuit, the microcomputer 1 accesses the memory built therein and, when detecting that the power supply voltage has dropped, transfers the data stored in the built-in memory to the EEPROM 8. Of. Then, when the power is turned on, after the microcomputer reset is released, the data is first read from the EEPROM 8 and stored in the memory in the microcomputer 1. Then, the memory stores in advance a predetermined number of times of operation of a specific switch, such as a start switch, which is frequently contacted. The number of times is preferably such that the number of operations required for the inspection by the inspection operator has some allowance, and the number of operations is exceeded by the user performing an operation based on his or her interest in the beginning of use. Further, the actual number of times the specific switch is operated is added to the memory and stored in the memory.

FIG. 4 is another control circuit diagram of the washing machine of the present invention,
A washing motor centered on the microcomputer 9.
Load 10 such as solenoid for driving drain valve, power supply circuit 11, reset circuit 12, display circuit 13, key input circuit 14 and notification circuit
15 mag is connected. In this example, the outlet is kept in use also for moving the clock on the operation panel of FIG. 2 (operating the display circuit 13).
The power switch 16 here is for turning on / off the power to the load 10, and turning on / off the power switch 16 to the control board,
It is always energized regardless of whether it is turned off or not. Therefore, since the microcomputer 9 is always energized, the data stored therein is not lost, and there is little possibility that the user accidentally enters the inspection mode when using the washing machine. Then, the fod coupler 17 determines whether the power switch 16 is on or off.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the washing machine control of the present invention. When the water level switch and the water flow switch are pressed three times at the same time, the inspection mode is entered. The specific switch is a start switch here, and when the total number of times the start key is pressed exceeds a predetermined number stored in advance in the memory, the inspection mode is not entered thereafter. Of course, the number of times of setting is set to be slightly larger than the number of times the start switch is pressed for inspection of the manufacturing line.

(G) Effect of the Invention Since the present invention is configured as described above,
The following effects are achieved.

That is, the number of times of operation of a specific switch that has many opportunities
The number of times stored in advance is immediately exceeded by the inspection operator's operation at the time of inspection and the user's interest-based operation at the beginning of use, so when the general user tries to wash or the child mischief In this case, the possibility of accidentally activating the inspection mode can be greatly reduced. In particular, it is very effective when the specific switch is used as the start switch.

Since the present invention is provided with such a malfunction prevention means for the inspection mode, it is not necessary to prevent malfunction by complicating the combination of switch operations. Can be a simple combination of.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 and 2 are views of the operating panel of the washing machine, FIG. 3 is a control circuit diagram of the washing machine of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is another control circuit diagram of the washing machine of the present invention, FIG. FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the washing machine control of the present invention. 1 ... Microcomputer, 8 ... EEPROM, 9 ...
Microcomputer, 16 ... power switch

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A washing machine equipped with a memory capable of holding writing information by a switch operation and entering an inspection mode by a combination of operations of existing switches for a washing process, setting of washing conditions, etc. A washing machine provided with a control device for preventing an inspection mode from being entered when the number of operations exceeds a predetermined number stored in advance in the memory.