JPH03224594A - Controller of washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To set a water level corresponding to cloth quantity in accordance with user's choice and to simply cope with even a variation of a cloth quantity detecting signal caused by a change of the lapse of time by constituting the controller of washing machine so that a cloth quantity deciding level can be changed simply by a special operation from an operation input means. CONSTITUTION:In a controller 2, a cloth quantity detecting means 23 counts the number of terminal voltage pulses of a phase advance capacitor 4 of a motor 3 and detects an inertial rotation at the time when a motor electric conduction is stopped in the course of washing and stirring. That is, the stirring control is executed, the number of pulses of the phase advance capacitor 4 at the time when the motor 3 is turned off is counted and accumulated, and by the sum total of the number of pulses, the cloth quantity is decided. In this case, a threshold corresponding to a water level for deciding cloth is set in advance and stored in a memory of a microcomputer in a signal control means 20 or a memory in a storage means 25. However, when it is not always an optimal value due to a change with the lapse of time or user's choice, etc., a setting change can be executed by an operation display means 21. In such a way, it is possible to cope simply with the change of a detecting signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a laundry amount detection device for a washing machine, and in particular to a washing machine control device that can easily change the judgment level of the laundry amount detection device by a special operation. Regarding.

2. Description of the Related Art Many load detection devices for washing machines have been provided in the past, and for example, there is a load detection device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-185292. Such a load amount detection device is a method that determines the load amount by supplying a small amount of water to the washing tub, controlling the stirring blades alternately in positive and reverse directions, and measuring the inertial rotation speed when the motor is off. However, in the conventional configuration, the amount of cloth is determined based on the weight applied to the stirring blade, so when blankets or synthetic fiber clothing have a light specific gravity and the cloth is bulky, there is a tendency to judge the amount of cloth as less. In addition, there is a problem in that the amount of cloth can be detected inaccurately due to variations in the contact between the cloth and the stirring blade, variations in the speed reduction mechanism that drives the stirring blade from the motor via the pulley belt, and changes in tension.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine control device that can change the setting of the laundry amount determination level.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a cloth amount detection means, six means for changing the cloth amount judgment level by key operation, and a storage means. Accordingly, the cloth amount determination level is set to an appropriate value.

Effects According to the above configuration, even if the belt tension changes due to aging or the like and the cloth amount determination becomes lower, the cloth amount determination level can be changed to an appropriate value. Furthermore, since the cloth amount determination level can be set and changed using the operation input means, there is no need to remove the control board and change parts, and there is no risk of damaging the control board at that time. Further, since it has a memory means, there is no need to change the setting every time a washing operation is performed, and the setting can be changed simply by operating the - degree key.

Example Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a washing machine control device according to the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is an AC power supply, 2 is a control device, and washing motor 3. Water supply valve5. Controls the drain valve 6, etc. 4 is motor 3
This is a phase advance capacitor. 7 is a power switch. The control device 2 controls the motor by signals from the signal control means 20, which is made up of a microcomputer; 3
．． power switching means 22 for controlling the water supply valve 5 and the like;
Cloth amount detection means 23. Water level detection means 24. storage means 25,
It is composed of dirt detection means 26. The cloth amount detection means 23 counts the number of terminal voltage pulses of the phase advancing capacitor 4 of the motor 3, and is of a type that detects inertial rotation when the motor is stopped energizing during washing and agitation. When the motor 3 is rotated and energization is stopped, the terminal voltage of the phase advance capacitor 3 exhibits the attenuation characteristic shown in FIG. 2, where A is when the amount of cloth is large, the number of attenuation pulses is small, and the attenuation time td+ is also short. B is a case where the amount of cloth is small, the number of attenuation pulses is large, and the attenuation time td2 is long.

Since there is no capacitor pulse when the motor 3 stops rotating, this is basically the same as inertial rotation speed detection. FIG. 3 shows a method of controlling the energization of the motor 3 when detecting the placement. Water is supplied to a very small water level, the stirring control shown in FIG. 3 is performed, the number of pulses of the phase advancing capacitor 4 when the motor 3 is off is counted and accumulated, and the arrangement is determined by the sum of the number of pulses. FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the amount of cloth and the number of voltage pulses. For example, the frequency distribution is shown when a large amount of cloth (for example, 5 kg constant) is placed in the washing tub and the number of voltage pulses is measured, and the frequency distribution is shown when the number of voltage pulses is measured by placing a large amount of cloth (for example, 3.5 kg), a small amount, and a very small amount. Nl, N2. N3 and N4 are thresholds for determining the water level as high, medium, low, or small water level. The threshold values (Nl, N2, N3) for determining the placement according to the number of cloth amount pulses are preset values and are stored in the memory (ROM) of the microcomputer in the signal control means 20 or the memory in the storage means 25. remembered. However, since the values are not necessarily optimal due to changes over time, user preferences, variations in equipment, etc., the settings can be changed using an operation display means as shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows the operations and displays in the service check mode. Water level key 21
If the power switch 7 is pressed while pressing 0a and the water flow key 210b at the same time, the system enters the service check mode instead of the normal operation. 210C is a wool key, 210d is a sensor key, and 210e is a start/stop key. 211a, 211b, 211c, and 211d are setting indicators for the water level key 210a, water flow key 210b, and the like. 212 is a clock or a numeric display that displays the remaining time. 213 is a clock mode indicator for morning/afternoon, and 214 is a time mode indicator from reservation mode to remaining time display. Water level key 2 in service check mode
When 10a is pressed, the number display 212 displays LO3, indicating that the determination level of the cloth amount sensor is set to 03. At this time, the determination level can be changed by pressing the sensor course key 210d. If it is 00, the cloth amount determination threshold value is the standard value, and if it is 03, it is the threshold value that increases the water level by one rank.

When you press the start/-stop key, the value is memorized and
The change in the cloth amount determination level setting is stored.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a flowchart for changing the cloth amount determination level according to the present invention. The program starts when the power switch 7 is turned on, and after pressing the key at 201, the program starts at 202.
Determine whether it is in service check mode.

If it is in the service check mode, the service check mode is displayed in step 203 and the keys are pressed manually for a certain period of time.

If there is a correction input from the cloth amount sensor in 206, the determination level is shifted in 207. After that, the key is manually operated at 208, and if there is a memory key input signal at 209, 209'
The storage is completed in the storage means. Effects of Stirrup 7 Hu As described above, according to the present invention, the cloth amount determination level can be easily changed by a special operation from the operation input means, so the water level can be adjusted according to the cloth amount according to the user's preference. It can be set high or low, and there is no need to change the electronic components of the control board or the microcontroller. Furthermore, it is possible to easily deal with changes in the cloth amount detection signal due to aging. Furthermore, if the content of the cloth amount determination level is displayed using a numerical display, it is possible to change the determination level in more detail, and the content is displayed in numbers, making it easier to understand.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a washing machine control device according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a waveform diagram of the phase advance capacitor voltage when the motor is off, showing the principle of cloth amount detection according to the present invention, Figure 3 is a diagram of the energization pattern of the motor when the same amount of cloth is detected, and Figure 4 is the same cloth amount detection pulse. A graph showing the relationship between the number and placement, FIG. 5 is a front view of the operation display panel showing the operation change of the same cloth amount judgment level,
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for changing the cloth amount determination level. 20... Signal control means, 21... Operation display means, 23... Cloth amount detection means, 25...
...Memory means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] It consists of a signal control means consisting of a microcomputer, a cloth amount detection means for detecting the amount of washing cloth, an operation input means for inputting an operation, and a storage means. A control device for a washing machine, characterized in that it is possible to change the setting of the cloth amount determination level of the amount detecting means.