Washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine which can be installed easily and suitably.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a housing; a plurality of legs provided at a lower part of the housing; an inclination sensor that detects an inclination of the housing; an inclination correction processing part; and a notification part. When a measurement value of the inclination of the housing detected by the inclination sensor exceeds a threshold value, the inclination correction processing part performs inclination correction processing for calculating adjustment content of the leg height based on the measurement value and for outputting it to the notification part. The notification part reports the adjustment content to a user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The following disclosure relates to washing machines. [Background technology]

[0002] When installing a washing machine, it is extremely important to install it horizontally. Users such as service personnel usually install the washing machine while constantly checking a spirit level that measures the inclination, but installing it horizontally requires high skill and is time-consuming. A fully automatic washing machine with a spirit level installed on the top of the main frame has also been proposed (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-79295 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure aims to provide a washing machine that can be easily and conveniently installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a plurality of legs provided at a lower portion of the housing, a tilt sensor that detects the tilt of the housing, a tilt correction processing unit, and a notification unit. When a measured value of the tilt of the housing detected by the tilt sensor exceeds a threshold value, the tilt correction processing unit performs a tilt correction process that calculates adjustment details for the height of the legs based on the measured value and outputs the adjustment details to the notification unit, and the notification unit notifies a user of the adjustment details. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present disclosure, a washing machine that can be easily and suitably installed can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the external appearance of a washing machine 1. [Figure 2A] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view (front cross-sectional view) illustrating the internal configuration of a washing machine 1. FIG. [Figure 2B] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view (perspective cross-sectional view) illustrating an internal configuration of a washing machine 1. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a washing machine 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an arrangement of a plurality of legs 20. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a tilt correction process. [Figure 6] 13 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a rattle detection process. [Figure 7] 13 is an example of a flowchart for performing tilt correction processing after rattle correction processing is completed. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for simultaneously performing an inclination correction process and a rattle correction process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] (Terminology explanation) In this specification, the term "washing machine" refers to a general device that performs various processes such as washing on the laundry. Examples of the processes for the laundry include washing, drying, deodorizing, and sterilizing. The laundry is not particularly limited. Examples of the laundry include cloth products. Specific examples of the laundry include clothing such as clothes, hats, and gloves; personal belongings such as shoes, bags, handkerchiefs, and towels; curtains; bedding such as blankets, towel blankets, and futon covers; carpets; stuffed toys, and the like.

[0009] The term "vertical washing machine" refers to a washing machine in which, when installed, the axis of rotation of the tub extends substantially vertically.

[0010] A "drum-type washing machine" refers to a washing machine in which, when installed, the rotation axis of the tub extends substantially horizontally or obliquely upward toward the front.

[0011] The terms "comprise" and "comprise at least" mean that other elements may also be included, unless otherwise specified. The term "or" indicates options that can be combined as appropriate, unless otherwise specified. That is, the term "or" includes each listed option separately and in any combination thereof.

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiment, and appropriate design changes can be made within the scope of the configuration of the present invention. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted.

[0013] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the external appearance of the washing machine 1 of this embodiment. FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic cross-sectional views showing the internal configuration of the washing machine 1 of this embodiment. Of these, FIG. 2A is a front cross-sectional view, and FIG. 2B is a perspective cross-sectional view. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the washing machine 1 of this embodiment. These drawings show only the main parts, and for example, the upper part of the housing 10 and the like are omitted in FIG. 2A. The basic configuration of the washing machine 1 of this embodiment has a structure similar to that of a conventional washing machine. The following description will focus on the main parts and the parts related to the invention.

[0014] In this embodiment, a drum type washing machine will be described as an example, but a vertical washing machine may also be used. As shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3, washing machine 1 includes a housing 10, legs 20, a door 30, an operation display unit 40, and various functional units. The functional units are, for example, a detection unit 50, a control unit 60, a notification unit 70, and a drive unit 80. Operation display unit 40 displays various information and also accepts operations from a user. The user refers to an installer or user of the washing machine, and includes a serviceman.

[0015] The housing 10 has an opening 15 on the inside of the door 30. The door 30 can be opened and closed to open or close the opening 15. The housing 10 is made of, for example, metal or synthetic resin, and has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view.

[0016] Housing 10 accommodates water tub 11, washing tub 12, various functional parts, etc. Water tub 11 and washing tub 12 each have a bottomed tubular shape (e.g., bottomed cylindrical shape) with one end of the tubular body open, and are inclined obliquely upward with respect to the horizontal direction. Washing tub 12 is disposed inside water tub 11 and is supported by water tub 11 so as to be rotatable. Water tub 11 is supported by housing 10 so as to be able to swing. Water tub 11 is provided with water supply section 13 for supplying water into water tub 11 and drain section 14 for draining water from water tub 11. Washing tub 12 has a plurality of holes, through which laundry treatment agents (e.g., detergent, fabric softener, etc.), water, and air can flow between the space between water tub 11 and washing tub 12 and the internal space of washing tub 12.

[0017] With door 30 open, the article to be washed is placed into washing tub 12 through opening 15. Driving unit 80 includes a motor and the like, and rotates washing tub 12. As washing tub 12 rotates, water collected at the bottom of water tub 11 passes through holes in washing tub 12 and moves back and forth between washing tub 12 and water tub 11, resulting in the washing of the article to be washed.

[0018] A plurality of legs 20 are provided on the lower part of the housing 10. When the housing 10 is substantially rectangular in plan view, the legs 20 are preferably arranged at each of a plurality of corners of the substantially rectangular shape. Specifically, for example, it is preferable that the washing machine 1 has four legs 20, and each of the legs is arranged at each of the four corners of the bottom surface of the housing 10 (see FIG. 4). FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the arrangement of the plurality of legs 20, and conceptually shows that the four legs 20 are arranged at the four corners of the bottom surface of the housing 10.

[0019] The multiple legs 20 preferably include at least one height-adjustable leg 20a, and more preferably include two or more height-adjustable legs 20a. In this embodiment, the two front legs 20 of the legs 20 are height-adjustable legs (see Figs. 1, 2A, 2B, and 4). The adjustable legs are, for example, screw-type adjustable legs, and the leg height is changed by rotating them. The legs 20 other than the adjustable legs are fixed legs.

[0020] An outline of the installation (also referred to as mounting) operation of the washing machine 1 will be described below mainly with reference to Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the washing machine 1 includes various functional units such as a detection unit 50, a control unit 60, and a notification unit 70.

[0021] Detection unit 50 includes tilt sensor 51. Tilt sensor 51 is a sensor that detects the tilt of housing 10. Tilt sensor 51 is preferably at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor. Among them, from the viewpoint of reducing costs, tilt sensor 51 is more preferably a gravity sensor (i.e., an acceleration sensor that measures gravitational acceleration). If washing machine 1 already has an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor, the sensor can be used as tilt sensor 51. Washing machine 1 has one or more tilt sensors 51.

[0022] The acceleration sensor detects the acceleration of the washing machine 1, and the gyro sensor detects the angular velocity of the washing machine 1. By detecting at least one physical quantity of the acceleration and the angular velocity in this manner, the inclination of the housing 10 can be easily detected. As the measurement value of the inclination of the housing 10 used in the inclination correction process described later, the detected acceleration or angular velocity value may be used as is, or, for example, the inclination angle or height value calculated from the acceleration or angular velocity values ​​detected by the multiple inclination sensors 51 may be used.

[0023] The acceleration sensor and the gyro sensor may each be a one-axis, two-axis, or three-axis sensor, but a three-axis acceleration sensor or a multi-axis gyro sensor (e.g., a three-axis gyro sensor) is preferable from the viewpoint of detecting the tilt more accurately. For example, among the acceleration data in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions obtained by the three-axis acceleration sensor, the acceleration data in the Y-axis direction has a value corresponding to the tilt angle of the housing 10 with respect to the horizontal direction, and the acceleration data in the X-axis and Z-axis directions has a value corresponding to the tilt direction of the housing 10.

[0024] The tilt sensor 51 is attached to the housing 10, the water tank 11, etc. In this case, it is preferable to arrange the tilt sensor 51 so that it is located inside the area surrounded by the multiple legs 20 when the housing 10 is viewed in plan from the top surface of the housing 10. In this way, it is preferable that the tilt sensor 51 is arranged inside the area surrounded by the multiple legs 20. For example, when an acceleration sensor is used as the tilt sensor 51, it is preferable to attach it to the front end of the area facing downward (to the bottom surface) of the side surface of the water tank 11 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B).

[0025] For example, when a two-axis or three-axis acceleration sensor is attached to water tub 11, it is preferable to attach the acceleration sensor so that its Y-axis direction coincides with the front-rear direction parallel to the rotation axis of washing tub 12 when the rotation axis is horizontal, and to attach the acceleration sensor so that it coincides with the front-rear direction in a vertical plane including the rotation axis when the rotation axis is obliquely arranged relative to the horizontal. In this case, the X-direction is the left-right direction of water tub 11. Also, when a one-axis acceleration sensor is used as tilt sensor 51, the sensor can be attached to multiple locations (for example, the front and rear ends of water tub 11).

[0026] The control unit 60 is a functional unit that controls the operation of the washing machine 1, and controls various members and functional units by executing a program stored in a storage device (not shown) provided in the washing machine 1. For example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) is used as the control unit 60. The control unit 60 may be a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, a storage device, etc.

[0027] The control unit 60 includes a tilt correction processing unit 61. The tilt correction processing unit 61 performs tilt correction processing. The tilt correction processing is a process in which, when a measured value of the tilt of the housing 10 detected by the tilt sensor 51 exceeds a threshold value, adjustment details for the height of the legs 20 are calculated based on the measured value and output to the notification unit 70. An overview of this tilt correction processing will be described below with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is an example of a flowchart showing the tilt correction processing.

[0028] Specifically, first, the tilt correction process is started at the time of initial setup immediately after the washing machine 1 is connected to a power source, or based on an instruction from a user. When the tilt correction process is started, the tilt sensor 51 detects the tilt of the housing 10, and the tilt sensor 51 outputs a measurement value of the tilt (also referred to as measurement value A) to the tilt correction processing unit 61. For example, when a three-axis acceleration sensor is used as the tilt sensor 51, the measurement value A corresponds to acceleration data in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions obtained by the acceleration sensor. The tilt correction processing unit 61 reads the measurement value A (step S11), and judges whether or not the housing 10 is tilted based on the measurement value A (step S12). If the measurement value A is equal to or less than a preset threshold value, it is judged that the housing 10 is not tilted (judged as No), and the tilt correction process is terminated. If the measurement value A exceeds the threshold value, it is judged that the housing 10 is tilted (judged as Yes). The threshold value (also referred to as a reference value) is set in advance taking into consideration the weight of the housing 10 and the washing machine 1, etc. The threshold value may be zero.

[0029] If it is determined that there is tilt, it is determined whether or not height adjustment (also simply referred to as "correction") of the leg 20 is necessary (step S13). In this case, too, if the measurement value A is equal to or less than a preset threshold, it is determined that height adjustment is not necessary (determined as No), and the tilt correction process ends. If the measurement value A exceeds the threshold, it is determined that height adjustment is necessary (determined as Yes).

[0030] If it is determined that height adjustment is necessary, the adjustment content of the leg 20 is calculated (step S14). For example, the rotation direction (right / left) and number of rotations of the adjustable leg 20a, and the height of the spacer (also called distant piece) to be placed under which leg 20 are calculated based on the measurement value A. That is, the adjustment content is preferably the rotation direction and number of rotations of the adjustable leg 20a, or the leg on which the spacer is placed and the height of the spacer. The adjustment content may also simply represent the difference in height between the legs 20. FIG. 5 shows an example of the adjustment content. After calculating the adjustment content, the tilt correction processing unit 61 outputs it to the notification unit 70.

[0031] The notification unit 70 notifies the user of the adjustment contents. Examples of the notification unit 70 include the operation display unit 40, a speaker, lighting such as LEDs, a buzzer, and a communication module for communicating with an external device. Examples of the external device include a communication terminal device owned by the user, such as a smartphone, a smart speaker, or a tablet, and the communication module is connected to a network such as the Internet, wireless communication (for example, communication conforming to a communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or WiFi), or a public telephone network.

[0032] The notification unit 70 notifies the user of a message such as "Please rotate the front right leg to the right three times" or "Please insert a spacer with a height of 8 mm under the front left leg" by using text, images, sounds, lights, etc. The user adjusts the height of the legs 20 based on the adjustment contents.

[0033] After outputting the adjustment contents to the notification unit 70, the tilt correction processing unit 61 judges whether or not the tilt of the housing 10 has changed (step S15). Specifically, first, after the adjustment contents are output to the notification unit 70, and after a certain time T1 has elapsed or after the user executes an input, the tilt correction processing unit 61 makes the tilt sensor 51 detect the tilt of the housing 10. The certain time T1 is, for example, 1 to 5 minutes. Examples of the input by the user include operations by the user such as pressing a switch on the operation display unit 40 of the washing machine 1, inputting the end of the work on a communication terminal device owned by the user, etc. The tilt sensor 51 outputs the measurement value A1 of the tilt to the tilt correction processing unit 61. After reading the measurement value A1, the tilt correction processing unit 61 compares this measurement value A1 with the most recently acquired measurement value A to judge whether or not the tilt of the housing 10 has changed (step S15).

[0034] If the difference between the measurement value A1 and the measurement value A is equal to or less than a preset threshold value, it is determined that there is no change in the inclination (determined as No). In this case, the inclination correction processing unit 61 further repeats the process of determining whether or not there is a change in the inclination (step S15) after a certain period of time T1 has elapsed or after the user performs an input.

[0035] If the difference between the measurement value A and the measurement value A1 exceeds the threshold, it is determined that the inclination has changed (determined as Yes). In this case, the inclination correction processing unit 61 performs a process of having the inclination sensor 51 detect the inclination of the housing 10 again (step S11). That is, the detection of the inclination of the housing 10 by the inclination sensor 51 may be repeated multiple times until the inclination of the housing 10 is eliminated. The inclination correction processing unit 61 may calculate different adjustment contents for the height of the legs 20 each time the measurement value of the inclination of the housing 10 is updated. Then, if it is determined that there is no inclination of the housing 10 (determined as No) (step S12) or if it is determined that height adjustment is unnecessary (determined as No) (step S13), the inclination correction processing ends.

[0036] The washing machine 1 of this embodiment can be easily and quickly installed horizontally without the user having to constantly check the level by performing the tilt correction process. In this way, the washing machine 1 of this embodiment can contribute not only to the ease of installation work but also to shortening the time required for installation work. In addition, the control unit 60 may control the washing machine 1 so that various processes such as washing cannot be performed unless the tilt correction process is completed, thereby preventing the washing machine 1 from being used in an unstable state and improving safety.

[0037] (Embodiment 2) In this embodiment, the features unique to this embodiment will be mainly described, and descriptions of contents that overlap with the above-mentioned first embodiment will be omitted.

[0038] The washing machine 1 of this embodiment includes a housing 10, a plurality of legs 20 provided at the bottom of the housing, a tilt sensor 51 that detects the tilt of the housing 10, a tilt correction processing unit 61, a notification unit 70, a rattle correction processing unit 62, and an end detection unit 52. The rattle correction processing unit 62 notifies the user of the pressing of the housing 10 via the notification unit 70, causes the tilt sensor 51 to detect the tilt of the housing 10 until a certain time has passed, and performs a rattle detection process of calculating a maximum value from the measured value of the tilt of the housing 10 detected by the tilt sensor 51 one or more times, and when the maximum value exceeds a threshold value, calculates the adjustment content of the height of the legs 20 based on the maximum value and outputs it to the notification unit 70. The notification unit 70 notifies the user of the adjustment content, and the end detection unit 52 detects the end of the adjustment work by the user based on an input from the user who has been notified of the adjustment content. That is, the washing machine 1 of this embodiment differs from the washing machine 1 of the above-described first embodiment mainly in that it further includes a rattle correction processing unit 62 and an end detection unit 52.

[0039] In this specification, "wobbling" refers to a state in which at least one of legs 20 is raised above the installation location when washing machine 1 is installed. This state can cause washing machine 1 to easily shake when performing various processes such as washing, which can result in loud vibration noise.

[0040] The control unit 60 includes an inclination correction processing unit 61 and a rattle correction processing unit 62. The rattle correction processing unit 62 performs rattle correction processing after performing rattle detection processing one or more times. The inclination correction processing unit 61 may also function as the rattle correction processing unit 62.

[0041] The rattle detection process is a process in which the user is notified via the notification unit 70 that the housing 10 has been pressed, the tilt sensor 51 is caused to detect the tilt until a certain period of time has elapsed, and the maximum value is calculated from the measured value of the tilt of the housing 10 detected by the tilt sensor 51.

[0042] Specifically, first, at the time of initial setup immediately after the washing machine 1 is connected to a power source, or based on an instruction from the user, the rattle correction processing unit 62 outputs a predetermined signal to the notification unit 70. The notification unit 70, which has received this signal, issues a notification to the user to press down on the housing 10 (for example, step S21 in FIG. 6). The notification unit 70 notifies the user, for example, of a message such as "Please press down the front right corner of the washing machine" by using text, images, sounds, lights, or the like. The user presses down on the housing 10 based on this notification.

[0043] After the notification unit 70 notifies the user, the rattle correction processing unit 62 causes the tilt sensor 51 to detect the tilt. This tilt detection is performed until a certain time T2 has elapsed. The certain time T2 is the time during which the tilt sensor 51 detects the tilt when the housing 10 is pressed down, and is, for example, several tens of seconds. The tilt sensor 51 outputs the measurement value of the tilt of the housing 10 to the tilt correction processing unit 61, and the rattle correction processing unit 62 calculates the maximum value (also referred to as maximum value B) within the time T2 from this measurement value (step S22). The maximum value B is the value (absolute value) when the tilt of the housing 10 is the largest among the measurement values ​​of the tilt when the housing 10 is pressed down.

[0044] Fig. 6 is an example of a flowchart showing the rattle detection process. Fig. 6 shows an example in which the rattle detection process is performed four times, that is, four places (front right, front left, rear right, and rear left) of the housing 10 are pressed in order to detect rattle. The rattle detection process is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 6, and the places to be pressed are determined depending on the number and positions of the legs 20, etc.

[0045] The rattle correction processing unit 62 performs rattle correction processing after performing rattle detection processing one or more times. The rattle correction processing is a process in which, when the maximum value B calculated in the rattle detection processing exceeds a threshold value, adjustment details for the height of the leg 20 are calculated based on the maximum value B and output to the notification unit 70. An outline of this rattle correction processing will be described below with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is an example of a flowchart in the case where tilt correction processing is performed after rattle correction processing is completed.

[0046] Specifically, first, the maximum value B is calculated in the rattle detection process, and then the rattle correction process is started. When the rattle correction process is started, the rattle correction processing unit 62 determines whether or not the housing 10 is rattled based on the maximum value B (step S32). If the maximum value B is equal to or less than a preset threshold, it is determined that the housing 10 is not rattled (determined as No), and the rattle correction process ends. If the maximum value B exceeds the threshold, it is determined that the housing 10 is rattled (determined as Yes).

[0047] If it is determined that there is wobble, it is determined whether or not height adjustment of the leg 20 is necessary (step S33). In this case, too, if the maximum value B is equal to or less than a preset threshold value, it is determined that height adjustment is unnecessary (determined as No), and the wobble correction process ends. If the maximum value B exceeds the threshold value, it is determined that height adjustment is necessary (determined as Yes).

[0048] If it is determined that height adjustment is necessary, the adjustment content of the leg 20 is calculated (step S34). For example, the rotation direction (right / left) and number of rotations of the adjustable leg 20a, and the height of the spacer (also called distant piece) to be placed under which leg 20 are calculated based on the maximum value B. That is, the adjustment content is preferably the rotation direction and number of rotations of the adjustable leg 20a, or the leg on which the spacer is placed and the height of the spacer. The adjustment content may also simply represent the difference in height between the legs 20. FIG. 7 shows an example of the adjustment content. After calculating the adjustment content, the rattle correction processing unit 62 outputs it to the notification unit 70.

[0049] The notification unit 70 notifies the user of the adjustment content. The user adjusts the height of the leg 20 based on the notified adjustment content.

[0050] Thereafter, the user inputs to the washing machine 1 that the height adjustment is completed (step S35). The input by the user includes operations by the user such as pressing a switch or the like on the operation display unit 40 of the washing machine 1, inputting the completion of the operation on a communication terminal device owned by the user, etc. Completion detection unit 52 detects the completion of the adjustment operation by the user based on the input from the user (step S35).

[0051] When the end detection unit 52 detects the end, the rattle correction processing unit 62 performs the rattle detection process again (see step S31 and FIG. 6). That is, the rattle detection process may be executed repeatedly multiple times until the rattle disappears. The rattle correction processing unit 62 may calculate different adjustment contents for the height of the legs 20 each time the maximum value B of the housing 10 is updated. Then, when it is determined that there is no rattle in the housing 10 (determined as No) (step S32) or when it is determined that height adjustment is not necessary (determined as No) (step S33), the rattle correction processing ends.

[0052] In this embodiment, it is preferable to carry out the tilt correction process after the rattle correction process is completed (see FIG. 7).

[0053] The washing machine 1 of this embodiment performs not only the tilt correction process but also the wobble correction process, thereby being able to detect floating of the legs 20 that cannot be detected by the tilt correction process alone, and being able to correct not only the tilt of the housing 10 but also the wobble (i.e., the floating of the legs 20).

[0054] (Embodiment 3) In this embodiment, the features unique to this embodiment will be mainly described, and descriptions of contents overlapping with the above-mentioned embodiments 1 and 2 will be omitted.

[0055] In the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the inclination correction processing unit 61 causes the inclination sensor 51 to detect the inclination of the housing 10, and the rattle correction processing unit 62 performs rattle detection processing one or more times. When either or both of the measured value A of the inclination of the housing 10 detected by the inclination sensor 51 acquired by the inclination correction processing unit 61 exceeds a threshold value and the maximum value B calculated by the rattle correction processing unit 62 exceeds a threshold value are satisfied, the adjustment content of the height of the leg 20 is calculated based on the measured value A and the maximum value B, and a correction process is performed to output the calculated adjustment content to the notification unit 70. The notification unit 70 notifies the user of the adjustment content, and the completion detection unit 52 detects the completion of the adjustment work by the user based on an input from the user who has been notified of the adjustment content. In other words, the washing machine 1 of this embodiment differs from the washing machine 1 of the above embodiment 2 in that both the rattle and the inclination of the housing 10 can be corrected at once, that is, the inclination correction process and the rattle correction process are performed simultaneously. FIG. 8 is an example of a flowchart for performing the inclination correction process and the rattle correction process simultaneously.

[0056] In this embodiment, first, at the time of initial setup immediately after the washing machine 1 is connected to a power source, or based on an instruction from a user, the tilt correction processing unit 61 causes the tilt sensor 51 to detect the tilt of the housing 10, and the tilt sensor 51 outputs the measurement value of the tilt (also referred to as measurement value A) to the tilt correction processing unit 61. The tilt correction processing unit 61 acquires the measurement value A of the tilt of the housing 10 from the tilt sensor 51. That is, the measurement value A of the tilt output from the tilt sensor 51 is read (step S41). Meanwhile, the rattle correction processing unit 62 performs rattle detection processing one or more times (step S42). In FIG. 8, the acquisition of the measurement value A by the tilt correction processing unit 61 (step S41) is described first in chronological order, but the acquisition of the measurement value A by the tilt correction processing unit 61 (step S41) and the rattle detection processing by the rattle correction processing unit 62 (step S42) may be performed first, or may be performed simultaneously. Moreover, the inclination correction processing section 61 may also function as the rattle correction processing section 62 .

[0057] Thereafter, the tilt correction processing unit 61 determines whether or not the housing 10 is tilted based on the measurement value A, and the rattle correction processing unit 62 determines whether or not the housing 10 is wobbly based on the maximum value B calculated in the rattle detection process (step S43). If the tilt correction processing unit 61 determines that the housing 10 is not tilted and the rattle correction processing unit 62 determines that the housing 10 is not wobbly, the determination is No, and the correction processing (i.e., the rattle and tilt correction processing) ends.

[0058] If either or both of the following conditions are met: the tilt correction processing unit 61 determines that the housing 10 is tilted, and the rattle correction processing unit 62 determines that the housing 10 is wobbly, then it is determined that there is Yes, and then it is determined whether or not the height of the legs 20 needs to be adjusted (step S44). At that time, if the measured value A is within the threshold value and is within the threshold value of the maximum value B, it is determined that there is no need for height adjustment (determined as No), and the correction processing ends.

[0059] If either or both of the measured value A and the maximum value B exceed the threshold value are satisfied, it is determined that height adjustment is necessary (determined as Yes). If it is determined that height adjustment is necessary, the measured value A and the maximum value B are combined to calculate the adjustment content of the leg 20 (step S45). For example, the rotation direction (right / left) and number of rotations of the adjustable leg 20a, and the height of the spacer to be placed under which leg 20 are calculated by combining the measured value A and the maximum value B. That is, the adjustment content is preferably the rotation direction and number of rotations of the adjustable leg 20a, or the leg on which the spacer is placed and the height of the spacer. The adjustment content may also simply represent the difference in height between the legs 20. FIG. 8 shows an example of the adjustment content. After calculating the adjustment content, the tilt correction processing unit 61 and the rattle correction processing unit 62 output the adjustment content to the notification unit 70.

[0060] The notification unit 70 notifies the user of the adjustment content. The user adjusts the height of the leg 20 based on the notified adjustment content.

[0061] Thereafter, the user inputs to the washing machine 1 that the height adjustment has been completed (step S46). The completion detection unit 52 detects the completion of the adjustment work by the user based on this input from the user (step S46).

[0062] When the end detection unit 52 detects the end, the inclination correction processing unit 61 causes the inclination sensor 51 to detect the inclination of the housing 10 again, while the rattle correction processing unit 62 performs the rattle detection processing again (see steps S41, S42 and FIG. 6). That is, the inclination detection and rattle detection processing may be repeatedly performed multiple times until the inclination and rattle of the housing 10 are eliminated. The inclination correction processing unit 61 and the rattle correction processing unit 62 may calculate different adjustment contents for the height of the legs 20 each time the measurement value A or the maximum value B is updated. Then, when it is determined that there is no inclination or rattle of the housing 10 (determined as No) (step S43) or when it is determined that height adjustment is unnecessary (determined as No) (step S44), the correction processing ends.

[0063] In the above-mentioned embodiment 2, a rattle correction process and an inclination correction process are separately performed, whereas in the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the user can correct both the rattle and the inclination by simply adjusting the height of the legs 20 once, making it easier to install the washing machine 1 horizontally.

[0064] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various aspects without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, the components disclosed in the above embodiments can be modified as appropriate. For example, a certain component among all the components shown in one embodiment may be added to a component of another embodiment, or some components among all the components shown in one embodiment may be deleted from the embodiment.

[0065] In addition, the drawings are mainly schematic illustrations of each component to facilitate understanding of the invention, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual ones due to the convenience of creating the drawings. In addition, the configurations of each component shown in the above embodiment are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible within a range that does not substantially deviate from the effects of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1: Washing machine 10: Housing 11: Aquarium 12: Washing tub 13: Water supply section 14: Drainage section 15: Opening 20: Legs 20a: Adjustable leg 30: Door 40: Operation display section 50: Detection unit 51: Tilt sensor 52: End detection unit 60: Control section 61: Tilt correction processing unit 62: Rattle correction processing section 70:Notification section 80: Drive unit Y: Yes N:No

Claims

1. A housing and A plurality of legs provided on a lower portion of the housing; a tilt sensor that detects the tilt of the housing; A tilt correction processing unit; A notification unit, the tilt correction processing unit performs a tilt correction process in which, when a measured value of the tilt of the housing detected by the tilt sensor exceeds a threshold, an adjustment content of the height of the legs is calculated based on the measured value and output to the notification unit; The notification unit notifies a user of the adjustment content. washing machine.

2. The legs include height-adjustable adjustable legs. The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. The legs include two or more height-adjustable legs. The washing machine according to claim 1.

4. The tilt sensor is disposed inside an area surrounded by the plurality of legs. The washing machine according to claim 1.

5. A rattle correction processing unit; An end detection unit, the rattle correction processing unit notifies a user via the notification unit that the housing has been pressed, causes the tilt sensor to detect the tilt of the housing until a certain time has elapsed, and performs a rattle detection process one or more times to calculate a maximum value from the measured value of the tilt of the housing detected by the tilt sensor, and when the maximum value exceeds a threshold value, performs a rattle correction process to calculate adjustment details for the height of the legs based on the maximum value and output the adjustment details to the notification unit; The notification unit notifies a user of the adjustment content, The end detection unit detects the end of the adjustment work by the user based on an input from the user who has been notified of the adjustment content.

5. The washing machine according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4.

6. After the rattle correction process is completed, the tilt correction process is performed.

6. The washing machine according to claim 5.

7. the tilt correction processing unit causes the tilt sensor to detect the tilt of the housing, and the wobble correction processing unit performs the wobble detection process one or more times, and then, when either or both of the measured value A of the tilt of the housing detected by the tilt sensor and acquired by the tilt correction processing unit exceeds a threshold value, and the maximum value B calculated by the wobble correction processing unit exceeds a threshold value, a correction process is performed to calculate adjustment details for the height of the legs based on the measured value A and the maximum value B and output the adjustment details to the notification unit, The notification unit notifies a user of the adjustment content, The end detection unit detects the end of the adjustment work by the user based on an input from the user who has been notified of the adjustment content.

6. The washing machine according to claim 5.

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