JPH08112488A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To allow the user or service person to take more appropriate action when an abnormality occurs during operation. [Composition] Abnormality that occurred during operation can be corrected by the user, such as forgetting to open the faucet of the water supply, forgetting to put down the drain hose, forgetting to close the lid, biasing the laundry in the dehydration tank, etc. If so, the contents of the abnormality are displayed on the display unit. On the other hand, if the user cannot correct the error such as a motor failure, the display on the display unit is deleted and the latter is due to the failure. Therefore, the user is clearly notified. Also, even if the operation is restarted after an error that can be corrected by the user occurs, if the same error occurs, the cause is the failure of the water supply valve, the failure of the drain valve, the failure of the lid switch, etc. Since it is impossible for the user to correct it, the display on the display section is erased so that the user can clearly know that the cause is different.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine having a function of displaying occurrence of abnormality during operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a washing machine has been provided in which when an abnormality occurs during operation, it is displayed by a display device and the operation is stopped.

[0003]

Abnormalities that occur during operation of the washing machine can be corrected by the user due to forgetting to open the faucet of the water supply, forgetting to drop the drain hose, forgetting to close the lid, etc. Some are possible and some are not modifiable by the user due to motor failure or the like. With respect to both of these abnormalities, the conventional washing machine displays both of them and the user distinguishes them.

For this reason, while the content of the abnormality cannot be corrected by the user, the user misunderstands that it can be corrected and restarts the operation, resulting in a failure. There was something that made it worse. Even if the content of the abnormality is displayed as something that can be corrected by the user, the true cause may be different, and in this case, the conventional washing machine cannot correct the content of the abnormality by the user. In order to keep displaying as possible, the user sometimes repeats driving many times to make the trouble worse.

Further, after the occurrence of the abnormality, the user shuts off the power supply and the control device of the washing machine is reset, so that it takes time for the service person to identify the defective portion. there were. In addition, when an abnormality occurs, the display is generally made as described above, and the buzzer is operated to notify the user of the abnormality, which is mistaken for the end of driving. There was also a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and therefore an object thereof is to allow a user or a service person to take more appropriate measures against the occurrence of an abnormality during driving. To provide the machine.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the washing machine of the present invention comprises a display means and an abnormality judging means for judging an abnormality during operation. If the contents can be corrected by the user, the abnormal contents are displayed on the display means to stop the operation, and if the contents cannot be corrected by the user, the display on the display means is erased. The feature is that the operation is stopped.

In this case, even if the operation is restarted after the occurrence of an abnormality that can be corrected by the user, if the same abnormality occurs, the display on the display means may be erased to stop the operation. good. Further, when an abnormality that cannot be corrected by the user occurs, the content of the abnormality may be stored, and the stored content of the abnormality may be displayed on the display means by a specific operation thereafter.

Further, when an abnormality that cannot be corrected by the user occurs, the normal start operation may not be accepted until a specific operation is performed. Further, it is also possible to have a non-volatile storage means for continuing to store the content of the abnormality even after the power is cut off, or not to notify by sound when the abnormality occurs.

[0010]

According to the above means, if the content of the abnormality that occurred during driving can be corrected by the user, the content of the abnormality is displayed on the display means, whereas the correction by the user is impossible. If so, the display on the display means is erased, so that the display can be erased to clearly inform the user that the latter is due to a failure.

In this case, in particular, even if the operation is restarted after the occurrence of an abnormality that can be corrected by the user, when the same abnormality occurs, the display of the display means is erased and the operation is stopped. However, it is possible to clearly inform the user that the cause is different by deleting the display.

Further, when an abnormality that cannot be corrected by the user occurs, the content of the abnormality is stored, and the stored content of the abnormality is displayed on the display means by a specific operation thereafter. Then, even if the display is erased, it can be displayed later, which is useful for the service person to identify the location of the failure.

Further, in the case where the normal start operation is not accepted until a specific operation is performed when an abnormality that cannot be corrected by the user occurs, the user mistakenly restarts the operation. It helps to prevent the accident.

In the case of having a non-volatile storage means for continuing to store the content of the abnormality even after the power is cut off, after the occurrence of the abnormality, the user cuts off the power supply, and then the service person finds the location of the failure. Helps to identify. In addition, in the case where the sound is not notified when the abnormality occurs, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of the abnormality from being mistaken for the end of the operation.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the entire washing machine. A water tank 2 is provided in an outer box 1, a dehydration tank 3 is provided in the water tank 2, and a stirring member 4 is provided at the bottom of the dehydration tank 3. Are arranged respectively. Further, below the outside of the water tank 2, a motor 5 for stopping the dehydration tank 3 to rotate the stirring body 4 at the time of washing and rinsing and rotating the dehydration tank 3 together with the stirring body 4 at the time of dehydration.
In addition to disposing a drive mechanism 6 mainly composed of, a drain valve 7 and a drain hose 8 for draining the water from the water tank 2 are disposed.

On the other hand, FIG. 5 shows an operation panel 10 provided on the front upper surface of the top cover 9 on the outer box 1, and includes a switch 11 for "start / pause" and a selection for "course". Switch 12, "wash", "rinse",
Switches 13, 14, 15 for selecting the process of "dehydration",
It has a switch 16 for "reservation", a switch 17 for selecting "favorite rinse", a switch 18 for selecting "water level", and various display sections 19 to 24 corresponding to the switch 12 for "course" selection and below. have. Of these, the display unit 21 includes a display element 21a having 7 segments,
It has a number of digits and functions as a display means capable of displaying an abnormality during operation by content as described later.

FIG. 6 shows a microcomputer 25 provided on the back side of the operation panel 10 (inside the top cover 9) and functioning as an abnormality judging means and a control means.
To this, a power on / off signal is input from the power switch 26, various operation signals are input from various operation switches 11 to 18 of the operation panel 10, and a lid switch for detecting opening / closing of a lid (not shown). A lid opening / closing detection signal from 27, a water level detection signal from a water level sensor 28 that detects the water level in the water tank 2, and a rotation detection signal from a rotation sensor 29 that detects the rotation of the motor 5 are the water tank 2 (dehydration tank 3). An abnormal vibration detection signal is input from the abnormal vibration detection switch 30 for detecting the abnormal vibration of the.

Then, based on those inputs and the control program stored in advance, the microcomputer 25 gives a drive signal to each of the various display units 19 to 24 and the buzzer 31 which is a sound notifying means, and A drive control signal is supplied to a water supply valve 32 for supplying water into the water tank 2 through the dehydration tank 3, a drain valve 7, and a drive circuit 33 for driving the motor 5. In addition,
The microcomputer 25 has a storage device 34 as a non-volatile storage means that continues to store the details of the abnormality that occurred during operation even after the power supply was cut off.

Therefore, the operation of the function of the microcomputer 25 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 1, the microcomputer 25 sets the count value T of time and the count value N of the number of times of occurrence of abnormality to the initial value "0" at the beginning of the operation (start). Step S1).

Next, the water supply valve 32 is opened to start water supply into the water tank 2 (step S2). In this state, whether the counted time T (count value) is the set time T0 or more, that is, Then, it is judged whether or not it takes more than the set time T0 to supply water (step S3). At this time, if it is determined that the counted time T is not longer than the set time T0 (it does not require time longer than the set time T0 for water supply), the water level in the water tank 2 is detected by the water level detection signal from the water level sensor 28. It is judged whether or not the set water level has been reached (step S4), and water supply is continued until it is judged that the set water level has been reached.

On the other hand, the time T counted in step S3 is equal to or longer than the set time T0 (set time T0 for water supply).
If it is determined that the above time is required), it is determined whether or not the count value N of the number of occurrences of abnormality is "0" (step S5), and at the time when it is determined to be "0", "E1" is displayed on the display unit 21 (step S6), the operation is stopped (step S7), and "1" is added to the count value N of the number of abnormal occurrences (step S8).

Thereafter, it is judged whether or not there is a restart operation (step S9), and when it is judged that there is a restart operation, the time count value T is returned to "0" (step S1).
0), and returns to step S2. Here, the previous step S3
The reason why the counted time T is equal to or longer than the set time T0 (the time required for water supply is equal to or longer than the set time T0) is generally considered to be due to forgetting to open the tap. Assuming that this is the real cause, if the user makes a correction to open the tap of the water supply and performs a restart operation, the time T counted in step S3 after step S2 returned is counted.
Is not determined to be the set time T0 or more, so that in step S4, it is determined that the water level in the water tank 2 has reached the set water level, and the water supply is stopped.

On the other hand, if the failure to open the water tap is not the cause, but the disconnection of the water supply valve 32 is the cause,
Even if the restart operation is performed and the process returns to step S2, the time T counted again is determined to be equal to or longer than the set time T0 in step S3, and therefore the process proceeds to step S5 again, where the addition in step S8 is performed. Since it is determined that the count value N of the number of abnormality occurrences is not "0", the display on the display unit 21 is erased (step S11), and the operation is stopped (step S12).

Then, after that, the switch 1 for selecting a stroke of a specific operation, for example, "wash", "rinse", and "dehydration".
It is determined whether or not 3, 14, and 15 are simultaneously operated (step S12), and when it is determined that the simultaneous operation is performed, the display unit 21 displays "F1" different from the above (step S14), and an abnormality occurs. The count value N of the number of times is returned to "0" (step S15). After this, as soon as there is a restart operation, the operation is restarted from water supply or the operation is restarted from the beginning.

After step S4, the microcomputer 25 sets the count value R of the rotation number of the motor 5 to the initial value "0" (step S16). Then, the motor 5 is activated to wash the stirring body 4 for washing (step S17), and in this state, the rotation speed R (count value) of the motor 5 is set by the rotation detection signal from the rotation sensor 29. It is determined whether R0 or more, that is, whether the motor 5 is rotating normally (step S3).

In step S16, the motor 5
The reason why it is determined that the rotation speed R of the motor is not equal to or higher than the set rotation speed R0 (the motor 5 is not rotating normally) is considered to be the lock or connection failure of the motor 5, which can be corrected by the user. Is unlikely. Therefore, this step S
If it is determined in 16 that the rotation speed R of the motor 5 is not equal to or higher than the set rotation speed R0, the display on the display unit 21 is immediately erased (step S19) and the operation is stopped (step S2).
0).

Then, thereafter, the switches 13, 14, 1 for selecting the above-mentioned "washing", "rinsing", and "dehydration" steps.
It is judged whether or not there is a specific operation for operating 5 at the same time (step S21), and when it is judged that there is,
The display section 21 displays "F6" different from the above (step S22). Even after this, as soon as there is a restart operation, the operation is restarted from washing, or the operation is restarted from the beginning.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S16 that the rotation speed R of the motor 5 is equal to or higher than the set rotation speed R0 (the motor 5 is rotating normally), as shown in FIG.
Both the time count value T and the abnormality occurrence count value N are returned to "0" (step S23), the drain valve 7 is opened, and drainage from the water tank 2 is started (step S2).
4) In this state, the counted time T is the set time T1
It is determined whether or not the above is the case, that is, in this case, whether or not the draining time requires the set time T1 or more (step S25). At this time, if it is determined that the counted time T is not longer than the set time T1 (it does not take time longer than the set time T1 to supply water), the water level in the water tank 2 is detected by the water level detection signal from the water level sensor 28. It is determined whether or not the water level has dropped to the set water level (step S26), and drainage is continued until it is determined that the water level has dropped.

On the other hand, the time T counted in step S25 is not less than the set time T1 (the set time T for water supply is T).
If it is determined that 1 or more time is required), it is determined whether or not the count value N of the number of abnormal occurrences is “0” (step S27), and at the time when it is determined to be “0”, , "E2" is displayed on the display unit 21 (step S28),
The operation is stopped (step S29), and "1" is added to the count value N of the number of abnormal occurrences (step S30).

Thereafter, it is judged whether or not the restart operation is performed (step S31), and when it is judged that the restart operation is performed, the process returns to step S24. Here, the previous step S
In 25, the cause of the counted time T being the set time T1 or more (draining required the set time T1 or more) is generally caused by forgetting to drop the drain hose 8 or the drain hose 8 It is possible that the exit is blocked or too high. If this is the real cause and the user corrects the drain hose 8 and restarts it,
In step S25 after returning step S24, it is not judged that the counted time T is longer than the set time T1. Therefore, in step S26, it is judged that the water level in the aquarium 2 has dropped to the set water level, and the drainage Is stopped.

On the other hand, when the drain hose 8 has no cause and the drain valve 7 has a broken wire or the like, even if a restart operation is performed and the process returns to step S24, it is again returned to step S25. Since it is determined that the counted time T is equal to or longer than the set time T1, the process proceeds to step S27 again, and here it is determined that the count value N of the number of abnormality occurrences is not "0" due to the addition in step S30. The display on the display unit 21 is erased (step S32), and the operation is stopped (step S33).

Then, after that, the switches 13, 14, 1 for selecting the above-mentioned "washing", "rinsing", and "dehydration" steps.
It is determined whether or not there is a specific operation for operating 5 at the same time (step S34), and when it is determined that there is,
Differently from the above, "F2" is displayed on the display unit 21 (step S35), and the count value N of the number of abnormal occurrences is "0".
(Step S36). Even after this, as soon as there is a restart operation, the operation is restarted from water supply or the operation is restarted from the beginning.

Further, after step S26, the microcomputer 25 resets the count value N of the number of abnormal occurrences to "0" as shown in FIG. 3 (step S37), activates the motor 5 and makes three rotations of the dehydration tank. Dehydration is performed (step S38). Further, at this time, it is judged by the lid opening / closing detection signal from the lid switch 27 whether or not the lid is opened (step S39). If it is judged that the lid is opened, the count value N of the number of abnormality occurrences is " It is determined whether or not it is "0" (step S40), and when it is determined to be "0", "E3" is displayed on the display unit 21 (step S41), and the operation is stopped ( Step S4
2) Add "1" to the count value N of the number of times of occurrence of abnormality (step S43).

Thereafter, it is judged by the lid opening / closing detection signal from the lid switch 27 whether or not the lid is closed (step S44). When it is determined that the lid is closed, the process returns to step S38. Here, as a cause of the determination that the lid is opened in the previous step S39, it is generally considered that the lid is forgotten to be closed. If this is the real cause, and the user makes a correction to close the lid, after step S44, step S3 after step S38 returned.
In 9, it is determined that the lid is not opened, so the process proceeds to the next step S45.

On the other hand, if forgetting to close the lid is not the true cause but the failure of the lid switch 27 is the true cause, the lid is closed and the restart operation is performed, and thereafter, even if the process returns to step S38, Since it is determined in step S39 that the lid is opened again, the process proceeds to step S40 again, and it is determined here that the count value N of the number of abnormality occurrences is not "0" due to the addition in step S43. The display on the display unit 21 is erased (step S46), and the operation is stopped (step S47).

Then, after that, the switches 13, 14, 1 for selecting the above-mentioned "wash", "rinse" and "dehydration" steps.
It is determined whether or not there is a specific operation for operating 5 at the same time (step S48), and when it is determined that there is,
The display section 21 displays "F3" different from the above (step S49), and the count value N of the number of abnormality occurrences is "0".
(Step S50). Even after this, as soon as there is a restart operation, the operation is restarted from water supply or the operation is restarted from the beginning.

In addition, in step S45 after it is determined that the lid is not opened in step S39, it is determined whether or not abnormal vibration is generated in the water tank 2 by the abnormal vibration detection signal from the abnormal vibration detection switch 30. If it is determined that it is not present, the process proceeds to the next step, but if it is determined that it is present, "E4" is displayed on the display unit 21 (step S51) and the operation is stopped (step S5).
2).

Thereafter, it is judged by the lid opening / closing detection signal from the lid switch 27 whether or not the lid is opened and closed (step S53). When it is determined that the lid is opened and closed, the process returns to step S45. Here, in the previous step S45,
The cause of the determination that the abnormal vibration has occurred in the water tank 2 is considered to be the deviation of the laundry in the dehydration tank 3. Therefore, if the user opens the lid to correct the bias of the laundry in the dehydration tub 3 and closes the lid, after step S53,
In the returned step S45, it is determined that no abnormal vibration has occurred in the water tank 2, so the process proceeds to the next step.

As described above, according to the present configuration, the content of the abnormality that occurred during operation is caused by forgetting to open the faucet of the water supply, forgetting to drop the drain hose 8, forgetting to close the lid, or a piece of laundry in the dehydration tub 3. If it can be corrected by the user, such as leaning,
The contents of the abnormality are displayed on the display unit 21.
If the user cannot correct the motor 6, such as a malfunction, the display on the display unit 21 is erased.
By deleting the display, it is possible to clearly inform the user that the latter is due to a failure, and therefore, while the content of the abnormality cannot be corrected by the user, the user corrects it. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of an error such as misunderstanding that this is possible and restarting the operation to aggravate the failure.

Further, even if the operation is restarted after the occurrence of an abnormality that can be corrected by the user, if the same abnormality occurs, the cause is the failure of the water supply valve 32, the failure of the drain valve 7, the lid. The switch 27 is considered to be uncorrectable by the user, and the display on the display unit 21 is erased to stop the operation. Therefore, the cause may be different depending on the erase of the display. If so, the user can be clearly notified, and the problem of worsening of the failure due to the above-mentioned misunderstanding can be more surely solved.

Furthermore, when an abnormality which cannot be corrected by the user occurs, in which the display of the display section 21 is erased to stop the operation, the content of the abnormality is stored and the subsequent "wash",
Switches 13, 1 for selecting "rinse" and "dehydration" strokes
The contents of the stored abnormality are displayed on the display section 21 by a specific operation of operating 4 and 15 at the same time.
Even if the display is erased as described above, it can be displayed later, which is useful for the service person to identify the failure location, and the failure location can be identified quickly.

Moreover, in this case, since the normal start operation is not accepted until a specific operation is performed, it is possible to more reliably prevent the user from accidentally restarting the operation. .

In addition, since the microcomputer 25 has the storage device 34 as a non-volatile storage means for continuing to store the contents of the abnormality even after the power is cut off, after the occurrence of the abnormality, the user inserts the plug from the power outlet. Even when the power is cut off by pulling it out or the like, the service person can quickly identify the failure location after that. Further, since no sound is notified when each abnormality occurs, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of abnormality from being mistaken for the end of the operation.

[0044]

The washing machine of the present invention is as described above, and has the following effects. First, the display means and an abnormality determination means for determining an abnormality during operation are provided, and if the content of the abnormality can be corrected by the user from the determination result, the abnormality content is displayed on the display means. By displaying it and stopping the operation, and if it cannot be corrected by the user, by deleting the display of the above-mentioned display means to stop the operation, the latter is told to the user that it is due to a failure. It is possible to clearly inform the user, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an error, such as a mistake in which the user mistakenly thinks that something that cannot be corrected can be corrected and restarts the operation, resulting in a serious failure. it can.

Secondly, even if the operation is restarted after the occurrence of an abnormality that can be corrected by the user, when the same abnormality occurs, the display on the display means is erased to stop the operation. As a result, the user can be clearly informed that the cause is different, and the problem of worsening of the failure due to the above misunderstanding can be solved more reliably.

Thirdly, when an abnormality that cannot be corrected by the user occurs, the content of the abnormality is stored, and the stored content of the abnormality is displayed on the display means by a specific operation thereafter. As a result, even if the display is erased,
This can be displayed later, which is useful for the service person to specify the failure point, and the failure point can be specified quickly.

Fourth, when an abnormality that cannot be corrected by the user occurs, the normal start operation is not accepted until a specific operation is performed, so that the user mistakenly restarts the operation. It can be more surely prevented from starting.

Fifth, by having a non-volatile storage means for continuously storing the contents of the abnormality even after the power is cut off, the power is cut off by the user pulling the insertion plug from the power outlet after the occurrence of the abnormality. Even if it happens, the service person can quickly identify the failure location. Sixth, by not making a sound notification when an abnormality occurs, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of the abnormality from being mistaken for the end of operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of an embodiment of the present invention, part 1

FIG. 2 is a flowchart 2

FIG. 3 is a flowchart 3

FIG. 4 is a side view of the entire fracture.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the operation panel.

FIG. 6 is a schematic electrical configuration diagram.

[Explanation of symbols]

5 is a motor, 7 is a drain valve, 11 is a "start / stop" switch, 13, 14 and 15 are stroke selection switches, 21 is a display section (display means), and 25 is a microcomputer (abnormality determination means). , Control means), 28 is a water level sensor, 29 is a rotation sensor, 30 is an abnormal vibration detection switch, 31 is a buzzer (sound notification means), 32 is a water supply valve, and 34 is a storage device (nonvolatile storage means). .

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A display means and an abnormality determination means for determining an abnormality during operation, and if the content of the abnormality can be corrected by the user from the result of the determination, the abnormality is displayed on the display means. A washing machine comprising a control means for displaying the contents to stop the operation, and if the operation cannot be corrected by the user, erases the display on the display means to stop the operation. . 2. The control for stopping the operation by deleting the display of the display means when the same abnormality occurs even if the operation is restarted after the abnormality which can be corrected by the user has occurred. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The control means, when an abnormality that cannot be corrected by the user occurs, stores the content of the abnormality and causes the display means to display the stored content of the abnormality by a specific operation thereafter. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing machine is controlled. 4. The control means, when an abnormality that cannot be corrected by the user occurs, performs control such that a normal start operation is not accepted until a specific operation is performed. Washing machine. 5. A non-volatile storage means for continuing to store the content of the abnormality even after the power is cut off.
The described washing machine. 6. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein no sound notification is given when an abnormality occurs.