JPH11244575A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a washing machine capable of easily confirming an operation state even from a distance and reducing unnecessary work. SOLUTION: An outer box 1 in which a rotating tub 26 is housed so that a rotating shaft is horizontal is provided with a round door 4 on a front side surface thereof for opening and closing a laundry door, and a frame portion of the door 4. In accordance with the respective steps, such as turning on the green color in order to sequentially rotate in the forward / reverse direction in accordance with the forward / reverse rotation of the rotary tank during the washing operation, or turning on the red light during the dehydration operation, along the frame direction at 38, The light emitters 43a that light in different lighting modes,
43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, and 43f are provided in a ring shape.
2, the driving situation can be intuitively known even from a remote place.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine in which a door for a laundry door is provided on a front side of an outer box.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a washing machine in which a rotating shaft is provided horizontally in the front-rear direction, laundry is put in a rotating tub housed in an outer box, and washing and drying steps are performed, It has a front opening for taking in and out laundry that is open on the front side,
A laundry loading / unloading opening is formed on the front side surface of the outer box corresponding to the front opening. Further, on the front side of the outer box, a door having a hinge on one side and a handle having a locking hook on the other side is provided to open and close a laundry entrance with a handle, which is opened forward. Further, if the door is opened during the spin-drying operation, there is a possibility that the laundry may jump out.Therefore, a lock mechanism is provided in the outer box, and a lock mechanism is provided to prevent the door from opening during the spin-drying operation. The locking hook is restrained and the door is locked.

[0003] In addition, an operation unit for operating the washing machine and displaying the operation details and operation status is provided on the upper front side of the outer box. And each process of washing and drying,
The operation is started by operating the operation unit to execute desired steps, and predetermined washing and drying steps are executed. At this time, the operation content and the progress of the process are displayed by turning on and off the light emitting display provided on the operation unit. The rotating state of the rotating tank is monitored by a permanent magnet attached to the rotating shaft and radially magnetized with S and N poles and a sensor.

However, in the above prior art,
A lock mechanism is provided to prevent the door from opening during the spin-drying operation, and the door is locked so that there is no risk of the laundry jumping out when the door is opened. If the machine is in an unbalanced state during the spin-drying operation, reduce the amount of laundry in the rotating tub to eliminate the unbalanced state. Or shorten the
There are many opportunities to open the door. On the other hand, since the rotation axis of the rotating tub is horizontal, the outer box has a relatively small height dimension, and a laundry entrance is provided at a relatively low position in the middle portion of the front side, and the door is provided. When you open the laundry and put the laundry in and out of the rotating tub, you will bend down.

Similarly, the operation section is also provided at a relatively low position. In this case, if the characters or the like written on the operation section are small, it is difficult to read, and a light emitting display is provided. However, it is difficult to confirm the details of the ongoing process. In addition, the noise of the washing machine has been reduced due to a desire to improve the living environment and advances in technology, and it has become difficult to easily grasp the operation state from the operating sound of the washing machine.
Furthermore, although the inside of the rotating tank is usually made visible through a window provided at the center of the door, the inside of the tank cannot be grasped unless it is approached because the inside of the tank is dark. For this reason, a situation arises where the user frequently comes near the washing machine and checks the driving situation. As a result, it is desired that the stroke state can be checked more easily and from a distance so as to improve the usability, and that unnecessary work can be avoided.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and makes it easier to drive the vehicle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a washing machine that can be checked even from a distance, so that useless work can be reduced as much as possible.

[0007]

A washing machine according to the present invention comprises an outer box in which a rotating tub having a rotating shaft provided substantially horizontally is housed, and a laundry inlet / outlet provided on a front side surface of the outer box. A door that opens and closes, and a light-emitting display unit having at least one light-emitting device that is provided on the door and that displays a status of a process to be performed. Has a light emitting device provided near a handle for opening and closing the door, and a lighting mode of the light emitting device is changed in accordance with each process. A plurality of light-emitting devices arranged around the door window portion, and displaying different lighting modes by the light-emitting devices corresponding to each step, and further comprising a plurality of light-emitting devices. Lighting corresponds to the forward and reverse rotation of the rotating tank, and the direction of the door window It is characterized in that the light-emitting devices are turned on simultaneously when touching a handle to open a door during a washing or spin-drying process. Further, the light-emitting display unit is capable of emitting light of a plurality of colors, and is characterized by performing light-emitting display in different colors during the washing process and the dehydration process, and further, the light-emitting display unit is When the process including dehydration is started with the door kept open, the whole blinks. Further, a permanent magnet is attached to the rotating tank and the magnetic force of the permanent magnet is detected. A plurality of reed switches are provided in the outer box, the rotation state of the rotary tub in each of the washing and dehydration steps is detected based on the detection results of the reed switches, and the light emitting device provided on the door corresponding to the rotation state is provided. Control lighting status At the same time, the operation mode is changed so that the unbalance state of the laundry in the rotating tub is determined and the imbalance is corrected, and the light emission display unit switches the light emission mode. In addition, the rotary tank is characterized in that the rotation speed is changed by a stepless change control, and the luminance of the light emitting display unit changes in response to the rotation speed change. Further, when the handle is touched to open the door during the washing or dehydration process, the light emitting display unit performs a predetermined visual display and sounds or sounds by the informing means provided. It is characterized by performing a predetermined notification.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a perspective view, FIG. 2 is a front view of an operation unit, FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view from the front side, FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view from the side side, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the handle portion, FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a lighting state of the light emitting display unit, FIG.
(B) is a diagram showing the time of washing, rinsing, and drying, FIG.
(C) is a view showing drainage, FIG. 6 (d) is a view showing dehydration, FIG. 6 (e) is a view showing a handle operated during dehydration, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a washing process. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the dehydration process.

1 to 8, reference numeral 1 denotes an outer box having an opening on the front side, and a front cover 2 is attached to the opening of the outer box 1 so as to close the opening. . The front lid 2 is provided with a laundry door 3 in the center and a round door 4 for opening and closing the laundry door 3. Further, on the upper part of the front lid 2, an operation unit 5 for inputting operation details for executing a desired washing and drying process and the like and displaying the same is provided. A back plate 6 is provided on the rear surface of the outer box 1, and a bottom plate 7 is provided at a lower portion of the outer box 1, and legs 7 a are fixed to four corners of the bottom plate 7.

A door 4 provided on the front cover 2 is mounted on one side so as to open forward by a hinge (not shown), and is engaged with the front cover 2 when closed on the other side of the door 4. A handle 9 having a stop hook 8 is provided. The handle 9 is attached so as to rotate about a support shaft 10, and when the door 4 is opened, the hook 1 of the handle 9
By pulling 1 forward, the locking hook 8 is disengaged from the engaging portion 12 of the front lid 2. When the door 4 is closed, the locking hook 8 is engaged with the engaging portion 12 of the front lid 2 by an automatic return force in the engaging direction by the urging of a spring or the like (not shown). Further, on the back side of the hook portion 11, a contact sensor that detects contact of a finger or the like with a portion of the worker's finger or the like, or a pressure-sensitive sensor that detects a pressing force of the finger or the like when operating the handle 9 or the like. A handle sensor 13 is provided.

The front cover 2 is provided with a lock mechanism 14 near the engaging portion 12. The lock mechanism 14 is provided with a lock member 16 that moves back and forth from the mechanism main body 15. When the lock mechanism 14 is locked, the lock member 16 extends from the mechanism main body 15 and The movement is restricted, the hook 11 of the handle 9 cannot be pulled forward, and the door 4 remains closed. When the lock operation of the lock mechanism 14 is released, the lock member 16 retreats into the mechanism main body 15, and by operating the handle 9, the locking hook 8 comes off from the engagement portion 12.

Further, inside the outer box 1, an annular front side wall 1 is provided.
7 and a cylindrical water tank 19 provided with rear wall 18 at both ends
However, the circular opening portion 20 of the front side wall 17 is aligned with the laundry entrance 3 of the front lid 2, and is laterally provided so that the cylinder axis is horizontal. The mounting of the water tank 19 in the outer box 1 is performed by using a mounting shaft 23 of a damper mechanism 22 that stands on the inner surface of the bottom plate 7 with a tip end extending laterally of a holding member 21 fixed to a lower part of the water tank 19. This is done by fixing to the tip and elastically holding it. Further, inside the water tank 19, a cylindrical rotating tank 26 having an annular front wall 24 and a rear wall 25 provided at both ends is provided with a circular front opening 27 of the front wall 24 centered on the circular opening portion 20 of the water tank 19. And the rear wall 25
A rotary shaft 28 fixed so as to extend rearward is horizontally mounted on a bearing 29 fixed to the rear side wall 18 of the water tank 19 so as to be horizontally supported. A plurality of baffle plates (not shown) for stirring the loaded laundry are provided inside the rotary tub 26.

Further, a large-diameter pulley 30 is fixed to a tip end of a rotating shaft 28 extending rearward of the bearing 29, and the large-diameter pulley 30 is attached to a motor 31 mounted on the bottom plate 6. Small diameter pulley 33 fixed to rotating shaft 32
Are driven to rotate by a belt 34 stretched between them.
Then, as the large-diameter pulley 30 rotates, the rotary tank 26 rotates in the water tank 19. In addition, the electric motor 31 is a motor support base 35.
It is attached to the inner surface part of the bottom plate 7 by the.

In the water tank 19, reed switches 36a and 36b are respectively attached to the upper part of the outer surface of the cylinder and the side part turned by about 90 degrees in the circumferential direction. On the other hand, the rotary tub 26 is located at a position where magnetic force is detected by the reed switches 36a and 36b of the water tub 19 when the rotary tub 26 rotates, and at a position where the outer surface of the cylinder is equally distributed in the circumferential direction by four. Magnets 37a, 37b, 37c, 37
d is attached.

The door 4 provided on the front cover 2 comprises a substantially circular ring-shaped frame portion 38 and a window portion 39 provided on the inner side of the frame portion 38. The light emitting display section 42 is provided in the frame section 38 constituted by. The light-emitting display section 42 is built in a space between the front frame 40 and the rear frame 41, and lights up and displays the positions at which the front frame 40 is equally arranged in six directions in the annular direction. Six light-emitting devices 43a and 43 each composed of a light-emitting diode that emits color light
3b, 43c, 43d, 43e and 43f. The window 39 is formed by providing transparent glass or plastic so that the inside of the rotary tank 26 can be seen from the outside.

On the other hand, an operation unit 5 provided on the upper part of the front lid 2
Has an electronic unit 44 for operation control, a power button 45, a wash button 46 for inputting operation control contents and the like in a desired washing and drying process, a rinse button 47,
A dehydration button 48, a drying button 49, a start button 50 for starting operation, and light emitters 43a, 43 provided on the door 4.
b, 43c, 43d, 43e, 43f when unnecessary
A door light emitting button 51 for setting the state to the F state and a light emitting display 52 for displaying the operation control contents and the like on the liquid crystal are provided. The electronic unit 44 includes a contact detection signal from the handle sensor 13 and the permanent magnets 37a and 37 attached to the rotating tank 26.
Magnetic force detection signals are input from reed switches 36a and 36b which operate by detecting the magnetic forces of 7b, 37c and 37d.

In the apparatus configured as described above, first, the power is turned on by operating the power button 45, and the power is supplied to the electronic unit 44 to start the control circuit. Then, the door 4 is opened and the laundry is put into the rotating tub 26, and the detergent corresponding to the amount of the laundry is put. Then, the door 4 is closed, and the operation settings of the required washing and drying processes are set to the washing button 46, the rinsing button 47,
The dehydration button 48, the drying button 49, and the operation are performed while confirming the contents such as the operation time and the number of times displayed on the light emitting display 52 in response to these operations. Incidentally, the contents of the process of the light emitting display 52 shown in FIG. 2 are such that the washing operation is 12 minutes, the rinsing operation is twice, the dehydration operation is 6 minutes, and the drying operation is 30 minutes. After the operation setting of each process is completed, the start button 50 is operated. Thus, the required process is started under the control of the electronic unit 44.

When only the washing operation or a process including the washing operation is selected and the operation is started, first, water supply to the rotary tank 26 is started. When the water supply is started, according to the flowchart of FIG. 7, during the water supply in step S1, only the light emitter 43a at the top of the light emitting display section 42 of the door 4 is green as shown in FIG. 6 (a). Blinks with. If it is determined in step S2 that the water level in the water tank 19 has reached the predetermined water level, it is determined in next step S3 whether the door light emission button 51 is not operated and the light emission mode is ON, and light emission is performed. When the mode is ON, the light emitting device 43a stops blinking at the same time when the water supply is stopped, and the green light is continuously turned on.

Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S4, in which the rotating tank 26 which has entered the washing operation and started to rotate is rotated in the same direction.
A light emitting device 43a arranged annularly in the frame portion 38 of the door 4,
43b, 43c, 43d, 43e and 43f correspond to FIG.
As shown in (b), the light is sequentially turned on in green in the direction of arrow A or arrow B. This sequential lighting is performed by the light emitting devices 43a and 43.
b, 43c, 43d, 43e, and 43f are performed while changing adjacent combinations in the rotational direction while simultaneously lighting two adjacent ones. When the rotation direction of the rotating tub 26 is reversed, the lighting direction is sequentially changed accordingly. In step S3, the door light emission button 51 is operated to determine that the light emission mode is OFF, and the light emitters 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 4 in the same direction as the rotation direction of the rotary tub 26 in step S4.
The sequential lighting of 3e and 43f is omitted and the light is turned off, and the rotating tank 26 is rotated in the light-off state.

While the rotary tub 26 is rotating and the washing operation is being performed, the lock mechanism 14 is locked in step S5 to restrict the movement of the locking hook 8 of the handle 9 and maintain the locked state. In step 6, handle sensor 1
In step 3, it is determined whether contact has been detected or pressing force has been detected. If there has been no detection, the process proceeds to step S7,
The light emitters 43a, 43b,
43c, 43d, 43e and 43f are sequentially lit in green. When the user touches the handle 9 to open the door 4 in step 6, the handle is detected by the handle sensor 13, and when the detection is determined, the process proceeds to step S8, where the buzzer of the not-shown notification means provided in the operation unit 5 is provided. Is turned on, a buzzer sound is issued and a warning is issued, and at the same time, all the light emitters 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, and 43f simultaneously blink green in green, not shown.

Further, the process proceeds to step S9, where the rotating tank 26
When the rotation of is stopped and the washing is completed, and the drainage is started in the next step S10, while the drainage continues, only the light emitter 43d arranged at the bottom is green as shown in FIG. 6 (c). Blinks with. If the initially selected washing process is only the washing operation, the drainage is completed and step S11 is performed.
To stop the operation, and at the same time, the locking operation of the locking mechanism 14 is released. The locking member 16 retreats into the mechanism main body 15 and operates the handle 9 to move the locking hook 8 to the engaging portion 12.
From the light emitting display unit 4 of the door 4.
2 light emitters 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e,
43f goes out. If the initially selected washing process is not only the washing operation, the process proceeds to the next process via the rinsing process of step S12 or to the next process, for example, the drying process via the dehydration process of step S13.

On the other hand, when the operation is started by selecting only the spin-drying operation or a stroke including the spin-drying operation, first, when the spin-drying operation is started, the light emitting display section 42 (not shown) indicates that the door 4 is kept open. Light emitters 43a, 43b, 43
All of c, 43d, 43e and 43f blink simultaneously in red as shown in FIG. Then, when the door 4 is in the closed state, according to the flowchart of FIG.
In step S21, it is determined whether or not the door light emission button 51 is operated and the light emission mode is ON, and if the light emission mode is ON, only the light emitter 43a at the top is lit continuously in red.

Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S22, in which the light emitting device 43 annularly disposed on the frame portion 38 of the door 4 in the same direction as the rotation direction of the rotary tub 26, which started the dehydration operation and started high-speed rotation.
a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e and 43f correspond to FIG.
As shown in (d), the lamps are sequentially turned on in red in the direction of arrow C or arrow D so as to rotate at high speed. This sequential lighting,
Light emitters 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, 43
f is performed while changing adjacent combinations in the rotation direction at a high speed while simultaneously lighting two adjacent ones. When the rotation direction of the rotating tub 26 is reversed,
The lighting direction is sequentially changed accordingly. If the light emission mode is OFF by operating the door light emission button 51 in step S21, the light emitters 43a, 43b, 43b in the same direction as the rotation direction of the rotary tub 26 in step S22.
The sequential lighting of 43c, 43d, 43e, and 43f is omitted and the light is turned off, and the rotary tank 26 rotates in the light-off state.

While the rotating tub 26 is rotating and the spin-drying operation is being performed, the lock mechanism 14 is locked in step S23, the movement of the locking hook 8 of the handle 9 is regulated, and the locked state is maintained. In step 24, the handle sensor 1
In step 3, it is determined whether a contact or a pressing force has been detected. If no touch has been detected, the process proceeds to step S25.
As in step S22, the light emitting devices 43a, 43b,
43c, 43d, 43e, and 43f are sequentially turned on in red so as to rotate at high speed. When the user touches the handle 9 to open the door 4 at step 24, the handle 9 is detected by the handle sensor 13. When the detection is determined, the process proceeds to step S26, where the buzzer of the not-shown notification means provided in the operation unit 5 is provided. Is turned on, a buzzer sound is issued and a warning is issued, and at the same time, the light emitters 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, 43
f simultaneously flashes all in red as shown in FIG. 6 (e).

Further, the flow proceeds to step S27 to complete the dehydration. In the following step S28, the rotation of the rotary tub 26 is stopped, and at the same time, the locking operation of the lock mechanism 14 is released, and the lock member 16 retreats into the mechanism main body 15. By operating the handle 9, the locking hook 8 can be released from the engaging portion 12, and further, the light emitting devices 43 a, 43 of the light emitting display portion 42 of the door 4.
b, 43c, 43d, 43e, 43f are turned off.

Although the description is omitted, the light emitting devices 43a, 43b, 4 of the light emitting display section 42 of the door 4 are used in the rinsing process and the drying process in which the rotary tub 26 rotates similarly to the washing process.
3c, 43d, 43e, and 43f rotate in the same direction as the rotation direction of the rotary tub 26, for example, when the rotary tub 26 repeats forward and reverse rotations, as in the above-described washing process. As described above, the light emitter 43a or the light emitter 43d blinks green in water supply or drainage during the rinsing operation. Further, the warning notification performed when the handle 9 is touched to open the door 4 during the washing operation or the dehydration operation is not limited to the buzzer sound, and may be a word based on a synthesized voice.

Further, regarding the rotation of the rotary tub 26, the permanent magnet 37 fixed to the cylindrical outer surface of the rotary tub 26 is used.
The electronic unit 44 detects changes in the magnetic force of the a, 37b, 37c, and 37d due to the rotation status as changes in the magnetic force detection signals detected by the reed switches 36a and 36b fixed to the outer surface of the cylinder of the water tank 19. Based on the input magnetic force detection signal, it is determined whether or not the electronic unit 44 is rotating, or the rotation speed, the variation in the rotation speed, and the like. The light emitting devices 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, 43f of the light emitting display unit 42 are distinguished from rotation.
Switch between green and red, and lock mechanism 1
The lock operation and release of the rotating tub 4 and the determination that the laundry in the rotating tub 26 is in an unbalanced state are performed. , And the rotation control of the electric motor 31 based on the contents programmed in advance so that the operation mode is unbalanced is performed.

As described above, the light emitting device 43 of the light emitting display section 42
The display colors of a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, 43f are changed between a washing operation or the like and a dehydration operation,
Further, when the display is set to match the rotation direction of the rotary tub 26 and the rotation speed, and the spinning operation is started with the door 4 open or the door 4 is opened while the rotary tub 26 is rotating, Everything blinks, and furthermore, the movement of the handle 9 is locked so that the door 4 cannot be opened during rotation. This eliminates the risk of starting the spin-drying operation with the door 4 open, allows the user to intuitively understand the rotational state of the rotary tub 26, easily determine whether or not the rotary tub 26 is rotating, and furthermore, determines whether the rotary tub 26 is rotating. 4 never open. In addition, when the light emitting mode is turned off by operating the door light emitting button 51, the light emitting device 4 of the light emitting display unit 42
Since the lamps 3a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, and 43f are not turned on, power consumption can be reduced.

As a result, the operating state of the washing machine is determined by the lighting state of the light-emitting display unit 42 provided on the door 4 to determine what the contents of the process currently in progress from a distant position are. Even if there is, the user can easily and surely check the inside of the rotary tub 26 without looking through the window 39. In addition, it is not necessary to frequently come near the washing machine to check the operation status, and it is easy to use because less unnecessary work is required.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 is a perspective view, FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a main part of the door, FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a washing process, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a dehydrating process. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The configuration of the present embodiment that is different from the first embodiment will be described.

9 to 12, reference numeral 61 denotes a round door, which opens and closes a laundry door (not shown) provided at the center of the front cover 2 attached to the outer box 1 by the door 61. The door 61 is attached so that one side is opened forward by a hinge (not shown). When the door 61 is closed on the other side of the door 4, the door 61 is engaged with an engaging portion (not shown) of the front cover 2 (not shown). A handle 9 having a hook is provided. Note that a lock mechanism that has the same configuration and operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment is provided near the engagement portion. further,
At the upper part of the front cover 2, an operation unit 62 is provided which incorporates an operation control electronic unit (not shown) for inputting operation contents for executing a desired washing and drying process and displaying the operation contents. I have.

Although not shown, a cylindrical water tank is horizontally provided inside the outer box 1 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and inside the water tank is a cylindrical water tank rotated by an electric motor. Are horizontally arranged in a state where they are supported by a horizontal rotating shaft. Although not shown, the water tank has reed switches attached to the upper portion of the outer surface of the cylinder and the side portions which are turned by about 90 degrees in the circumferential direction from the outer surface of the cylinder. On the other hand, in the rotating tank,
Permanent magnets are attached at positions where magnetic force is detected by the reed switch of the water tank when the rotary tank rotates, and at positions where the outer surface of the cylinder is equally spaced in the circumferential direction by four.

The door 61 provided on the front cover 2 is composed of a substantially circular ring-shaped frame 63 and a window 39 provided on the inner side of the frame 63, in the vicinity of the handle 9 of the frame 63. Is provided with a light-emitting display unit 64. This light emitting display section 64
The light emitting device 65 includes a light emitting diode which is built in the frame portion 63 and emits, for example, two colors of red and green light.
A red mark 66 and a green mark 67, which are the lighting colors of No. 5, and corresponding explanations 68 for "dehydration" and "washing" are provided.

On the other hand, an operation unit 6 provided on the upper part of the front lid 2
2 has an electronic unit and a power button 45,
Wash button 46, rinse button 47, dehydration button 48,
A drying button 49, a start button 50, a door light emitting button 51 for turning off a light emitting device 65 provided on the door 61 when not needed, and a light emitting display 52 are provided. In addition,
The electronic unit receives a contact detection signal from the handle sensor 13 and a magnetic force detection signal from a reed switch that operates by detecting the magnetic force of a permanent magnet attached to the rotating tank.

In the above configuration, first, the power is turned on by operating the power button 45, and the power is supplied to the electronic unit to start the control circuit. Then, the door 61 is opened and the laundry is put into the rotating tub, and the detergent corresponding to the amount of the laundry is put. Then, the door 61 is closed, and the required operation settings for the washing and drying processes are set to the washing button 46, the rinsing button 47, the dehydration button 48, the drying button 49, and the operation displayed on the light-emitting display 52 corresponding to these operations. Perform while checking the contents such as time and number of times. After the operation setting of each process is completed, the start button 50 is operated. Thus, the required process is started under the control of the electronic unit.

When the operation is started by selecting only the washing operation or a process including the washing operation, first, water supply to the rotary tank is started. When the water supply is started, the light emitter 65 of the light emitting display unit 64 of the door 61 blinks in green while the water supply is being performed in step S31 according to the flowchart of FIG. In the following step S32, when it is determined that the water level in the water tank has reached the predetermined water level, in the next step S33, it is determined whether or not the door emission button 51 is not operated and the emission mode is ON. When the light emission mode is ON, the light emitter 65 stops blinking simultaneously with the stop of water supply, and the green light is turned on continuously.

Subsequently, the routine proceeds to step 34, where the light emitter 65 is lit in green at a luminance corresponding to the rotation speed of the rotating tub that has started to rotate in the washing operation, for example, is lit at a slightly higher luminance than when water is supplied. Further, while the rotating tub is rotating and the washing operation is being performed, the lock mechanism is locked in step S35,
The movement of the locking hook of the handle 9 is regulated to maintain the locked state. If it is determined in step S33 that the door light emission button 51 has been operated and the light emission mode is in the OFF state, the green light of the light emitter 65 in step S34 is omitted and the light is turned off. Rotate.

Further, in step 36, the handle sensor 13
It is determined whether or not contact has been detected or whether or not a pressing force has been detected. If there is no detection, the process proceeds to step S37, and the light emitter 65 is turned on at a luminance corresponding to the rotation speed of the rotary tank as in step S34. Lights green. Step 36
When the user touches the handle 9 to open the door 61, the handle sensor 13 detects the touch, and when the detection is determined, the process proceeds to step S38, in which the light emitter 65 repeats alternate lighting in green and red.

Further, the process proceeds to step S39, where the rotation of the rotary tank is stopped and the washing is completed. When the drainage is started in the next step S40, the light emitter 65 blinks green while the drainage is continued. . If the initially selected washing process is only the washing operation, when drainage is completed, step S41 is performed.
To stop the operation, at the same time, the locking operation of the lock mechanism is released, and the handle 9 can be operated to release the locking hook from the engaging portion.
The light emitter 65 of No. 4 goes out. If the initially selected washing process is not only the washing operation, the process proceeds to the next process via the rinsing process in step S42 or to the next process, for example, the drying process via the dehydration process in step S43.

On the other hand, when the operation is started by selecting only the spin-drying operation or the stroke including the spin-drying operation, the door 61
When the is open, the light emitter 65 of the light emitting display unit 61 blinks red (not shown) to call attention. When the door 4 is in the closed state, the spin-drying operation is started according to the flowchart of FIG. 12, and first, in step S51, it is determined whether or not the door emission button 51 is not operated and the emission mode is ON. When the light emission mode is ON, the light emitter 65 is continuously lit in red.

Subsequently, proceeding to step S52, when the rotary tub starts to rotate at high speed after the spin-drying operation is started, the light emitter 65 is illuminated in red at a luminance corresponding to the rotation speed of the rotary tub that has started to rotate. Lights with high brightness. Further, while the rotating tub is rotating and the spin-drying operation is being performed, the locking mechanism is locked in step S53, the movement of the locking hook of the handle 9 is regulated, and the locked state is maintained. In step S51, the door emission button 51 is operated and the emission mode O
If it is determined that the state is the FF state, the lighting of the light emitting device 65 in red in step S52 is omitted, the light is turned off, and the dehydration operation is performed in the light-off state.

Further, in step 54, the handle sensor 13
It is determined whether or not the contact has been detected or whether or not the pressing force has been detected. If there is no detection, the process proceeds to step S55, and the light emitter 65 is turned on at the luminance corresponding to the rotation speed of the rotary tank as in step S52. Lights red. Step 54
When the handle 9 is touched with the handle 9 to open the door 61, the handle sensor 13 detects the touch. When the detection is determined, the process proceeds to step S56, and the light emitting device 65 repeats the alternate lighting of green and red.

Further, the flow proceeds to step S57 to complete the dehydration. In the following step S58, the rotation of the rotary tub is stopped, and at the same time, the locking operation of the locking mechanism is released. The light emitting device 65 of the light emitting display unit 64 of the door 61 is turned off.

Although not described, in the rinsing step and the drying step in which the rotary tub rotates similarly to the washing step,
The light emitter 65 of the light emitting display unit 64 of the door 61 is illuminated in green in the same manner as in the above-described washing process, for example, when the rotating tank repeatedly rotates forward and backward, changing the brightness according to the rotating speed of the rotating tank. However, the light emitter 65 blinks green when supplying or draining water during the rinsing operation.

Further, with respect to the rotation of the rotary tub, a change with the rotation state of the magnetic force of the permanent magnet fixed to the rotary tub is determined by the electronic unit as a change in a magnetic force detection signal detected by a reed switch fixed to the water tub. Catch Based on the input magnetic force detection signal, it is determined whether the electronic unit is rotating or not, or the rotation speed, the variation in the rotation speed, etc., and the rotation during the operation such as washing and the high speed rotation during the dehydration operation are performed. When the light emitting device 65 of the light emitting display unit 64 is switched between green and red, the locking mechanism is unlocked or unlocked, and the laundry in the rotating tub is in an unbalanced state. Although not shown, a warning is displayed on the operation unit 62 or the light-emitting display unit 64, the rotation of the electric motor based on the contents programmed in advance to continue the predetermined rotation, and to correct the imbalance in the operation mode. Control is performed.

As described above, the light emitting device 65 of the light emitting display section 64
The lighting state of the display is changed between a washing operation or the like and a dehydration operation, a display color is changed, and the brightness is changed according to the rotation speed of the rotating tub, and a display is performed. If the door 61 is to be opened while the rotating tub is rotating, the light emitters 65 are alternately turned on in green and red, and furthermore, the movement of the handle 9 is locked so that the door 61 cannot be opened during rotation. I have to. Thereby, the door 61
There is no danger of starting the spin-drying operation with the door open, the rotating state of the rotating tub can be intuitively understood, it can be easily determined whether or not the rotating tank is rotating, and the door 61 is not opened during the rotating. For example, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

In each of the above embodiments, the rotation speed of the rotary tub 26 during the washing operation, the dehydration operation, and the like is constant, but the rotation speed is changed steplessly. And the light emitting display units 42, 6 at this time.
4 light emitters 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e,
If the brightness of 43f, 65 is synchronized with the change of the rotation speed of the rotating tub 26, the brightness is increased at a high speed, and the brightness is reduced at a low speed. It will be.

[0049]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the operating state of the traveling process can be easily and reliably performed even from a remote position by the lighting condition of the light emitting display unit provided on the door. Can be easily checked, and it is not necessary to frequently come to the vicinity of the washing machine to check, and an advantage is obtained such that the useless work can be performed with less wasteful work.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an operation unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view from the front side of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view from the side of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a handle portion according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining a lighting state of the light emitting display unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 6A shows a state during water supply, and FIG. 6B shows a state during washing and rinsing; , A diagram showing when dry,
FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating a drainage time, FIG. 6D is a diagram illustrating a dehydration time, and FIG. 6E is a diagram illustrating a time when a handle is operated during the dehydration.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a washing process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a dehydration process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a main part of a door according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a washing process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a dehydration process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Outer box 3 ... Laundry entrance 4, 61 ... Door 5 ... Operating part 9 ... Handle 13 ... Handle sensor 26 ... Rotating tub 28 ... Rotating shaft 36a, 36b ... Reed switch 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d ... Permanent magnet 38, 63: Frame 39: Window 42, 64: Light emitting display 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e, 43f, 6
5. Light emitter 44 ... Electronic unit 51 ... Door light emission button

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An outer box in which a rotating tub having a rotating shaft provided substantially horizontally is housed, a door provided on a front side surface of the outer box for opening and closing a laundry inlet / outlet, and an executor provided on the door. A light-emitting display unit having at least one light-emitting device for displaying a status of a process to be performed. 2. The light-emitting display section includes a light-emitting device provided near a handle for opening and closing a door, and a lighting mode of the light-emitting device changes according to the content of each step. The washing machine according to Item 1. 3. The light-emitting display section includes a plurality of light-emitting devices disposed around a door window, and displays different lighting modes by the light-emitting devices in accordance with the content of each step. The washing machine according to the first item. 4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of light emitters are turned on sequentially in the forward and reverse directions around the door window in accordance with the forward and reverse rotation of the rotary tub. Machine. 5. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of light emitters flash simultaneously when touching a handle to open a door during washing or dehydration. 6. The light emitting display section is capable of emitting light of a plurality of colors,
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein light emission is displayed in different colors during washing and dehydration. 7. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the whole of the light emitting display unit flashes when a process including dehydration is started with the door kept open. 8. A plurality of reed switches are provided in an outer case so that a permanent magnet is attached to the rotating tank and the magnetic force of the permanent magnet is detected, and the rotation at the time of washing and spinning is performed according to the detection result of the reed switch. The rotation mode of the tub is detected, and the lighting state of the light emitter provided on the door is controlled in accordance with the detected rotation state, and the operation mode is determined by determining the unbalance state of the laundry in the rotation tub. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing machine is changed so as to perform imbalance correction. 9. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting display section is capable of switching a light emitting mode. 10. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation speed of the rotating tub is changed by a stepless change control, and the luminance of the light emitting display unit changes in response to the rotation speed change. Washing machine. 11. When the handle is touched to open the door at the time of washing or spin-drying, the light-emitting display unit performs a predetermined visual display and performs a predetermined notification by a sound or a sound by the provided notification means. The washing machine according to the first item.