Washing machine and method for controlling motor

Abstract

To provide a washing machine enabling new aspect of washing to be materialized.SOLUTION: A washing machine comprises: a water tank; a rotary tub which rotates relative to the water tank; a pulsator arranged in the rotary tub; a motor which has an axially extending shaft and rotating at least one of the pulsator and the rotary tub, has a rotor linked to the shaft and rotating in the circumferential direction, and has a stator fixed to the water tank; and a control portion controlling the motor. The control portion causes the rotor to faintly vibrate, and consequently causes the pulsator to vibrate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a washing machine and a method for controlling a motor. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, washing machines have been used that wash and dehydrate objects by rotating a pulsator or a rotating tub. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3225008 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a washing machine and a method for controlling a motor of the washing machine that can realize a new mode of washing by not only rotating but also vibrating a pulsator or the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The washing machine of this embodiment includes a water tub, a rotating tub that rotates relative to the water tub, a pulsator arranged on the rotating tub, a shaft that extends axially and rotates at least one of the pulsator and the rotating tub, a rotor connected to the shaft and rotating circumferentially, and a stator attached to the water tub, and a control unit that controls the motor, and the control unit vibrates the rotor slightly to generate vibrations in the pulsator. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the front-rear direction of a washing machine according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing washing water in which an oscillating water flow is generated. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing washing water in which an oscillating water flow is generated. [Figure 5] 4 is a diagram showing the repetitive action of the pulsator of the washing machine. [Figure 6] 4 is a time chart showing an example of the washing process of the washing machine. [Figure 7] 4 is a time chart showing an example of a water supply process of the washing machine. [Figure 8] 10 is a time chart showing an example of a washing process of a washing machine according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, a washing machine and a method for controlling a motor of the washing machine according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplicate descriptions of those components may be omitted.

[0008] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the front-rear direction of a washing machine 1 according to this embodiment. In the following description, the installation surface side of the washing machine 1, i.e., the vertically lower side, is referred to as the lower side of the washing machine, and the opposite side of the installation surface, i.e., the vertically upper side, is referred to as the upper side of the washing machine 1. Furthermore, left and right are defined based on the direction in which the washing machine 1 is viewed from a user standing in front of the washing machine 1. Furthermore, the side closer to the user standing in front of the washing machine 1, as viewed from the washing machine 1, is defined as the "front," and the side further away is defined as the "rear." In this specification, the "width direction" refers to the left-right direction defined above. In this specification, the "depth direction" refers to the front-to-back direction defined above. In the drawings, the +X direction is the right direction, the -X direction is the left direction, the +Y direction is the rear direction, the -Y direction is the front direction, the +Z direction is the upward direction, and the -Z direction is the downward direction.

[0009] In the following description, the axial direction of the rotation axis O will be simply referred to as the "axial direction." In this embodiment, the rotation axis O faces vertically. Of the two sides of the axial direction, the upward direction may be referred to as the "one axial side D1," and the downward direction may be referred to as the "other axial side D2." Furthermore, the radial direction centered on the rotation axis O may be simply referred to as the "radial direction." Furthermore, the circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis O may be simply referred to as the "circumferential direction."

[0010] [Washing machine 1] Washing machine 1 includes, for example, housing 11, top cover 12, water tub 13, rotating tub 14, pulsator 15, motor 16, and control unit 9. Washing machine 1 is a so-called vertical axis washing machine in which the rotation axis O of rotating tub 14 is oriented vertically. Note that washing machine 1 is not limited to the vertical axis type, and may be a horizontal axis washing machine, so-called drum type washing machine, in which the rotation axis of the rotating tub is horizontal or inclined downward toward the rear.

[0011] Housing 11 is made of, for example, steel plate and has an overall rectangular box shape. Top cover 12 is made of, for example, synthetic resin and is provided on top of housing 11. Water tub 13 and spin tub 14 function as a washing tub and a spin tub that hold clothes to be washed. Water tub 13 and spin tub 14 are provided inside housing 11. Water tub 13 and spin tub 14 are configured like containers with open tops. Water in water tub 13 flows out from drain port 131 and is drained to the outside via drain valve 132.

[0012] Motor 16 has a flat cylindrical appearance with a diameter smaller than that of water tub 13, and is mounted below water tub 13 so that rotation axis O passes through its center.

[0013] [Motor 16 Configuration] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the motor 16. The motor 16 has a shaft 17, a rotor 20, and a stator 30. The motor 16 is a direct drive motor that directly rotates the shaft 17. The motor 16 is an axial gap motor in which the rotor 20 and the stator 30 are arranged facing each other across a gap in the axial direction. The rotor 20 rotates when an alternating current is passed through the stator coil 35 of the stator 30 to generate a rotating magnetic field. The shaft 17 is connected to the rotor 20 and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the rotor 20. The rotation axis of the shaft 17 coincides with the rotation axis O of the rotating tub 14. The motor 16 is not limited to an axial gap motor and may be a radial gap motor.

[0014] Shaft 17 is connected to rotatable tub 14 and pulsator 15 via a clutch mechanism (not shown). The clutch mechanism selectively transmits the rotation of motor 16 to rotatable tub 14 and pulsator 15. During washing and rinsing, motor 16 and the clutch mechanism transmit the driving force of motor 16 to pulsator 15 while stopping the rotation of rotatable tub 14, directly rotating pulsator 15 forward and backward at a low speed. On the other hand, during spin-drying and other operations, motor 16 and the clutch mechanism transmit the driving force of motor 16 to rotatable tub 14, rotating rotatable tub 14 and pulsator 15 in one direction at high speed.

[0015] The rotor (rotor) 20 is located on the other axial side D2 of the stator 30. The rotor 20 is arranged on the other axial side D2 of the coil 35, which will be described later. The rotor 20 is annular and has a rotation axis O as its center. The rotor 20 is fixed to the shaft 17. The rotor 20 rotates circumferentially together with the shaft 17 around the rotation axis O. The rotor 20 has a back yoke 21, a plurality of magnets 24, and a rotor holding portion 29.

[0016] The back yoke 21 is located on the other axial side D2 of the magnet 24. The rotor 20 is fixed to the shaft 17 at the back yoke 21. The rotor holding portion 29 holds the back yoke 21 and the plurality of magnets 24.

[0017] The multiple magnets 24 are aligned in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis O. The axial direction of the magnets 24 is the magnetic pole direction. The multiple magnets 24 aligned in the circumferential direction are arranged with their north and south poles alternately reversed. The multiple magnets 24 are held by a rotor holding portion 29.

[0018] In this embodiment, the magnet 24 is a ferrite magnet, but the magnet 24 may also be another type of magnet (for example, a rare earth magnet such as a neodymium magnet).

[0019] The magnet 24 may be an anisotropic magnet or an isotropic magnet. When the magnet 24 is an anisotropic magnet, the easy axis of magnetization of the magnet 24 is aligned in the axial direction, thereby increasing the overall magnetic force of the magnet 24 in the axial direction. On the other hand, when an isotropic magnet is used as the magnet 24, the rotor 20 can be manufactured more cheaply than when an anisotropic magnet is used.

[0020] The stator 30 is located on one axial side D1 of the rotor 20. The stator 30 is disposed on one axial side D1 of the magnet 24. The stator 30 is annular and centered on the rotation axis O. The stator 30 has a stator core 31, a plurality of coils 35, and a stator holder 39.

[0021] The stator core 31 has an annular shape along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction and centered on the rotation axis O. The stator core 31 has a plurality of teeth 33.

[0022] The multiple teeth 33 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the rotation axis O. When viewed in the axial direction, the teeth 33 have an isosceles trapezoidal shape. When viewed in the axial direction, two parallel sides of the teeth 33 extend perpendicular to the radial direction of the rotation axis O. Furthermore, of the two parallel sides of the teeth 33 when viewed in the axial direction, the short side is positioned on the rotation axis O side, and the long side is positioned away from the rotation axis O.

[0023] The coils 35 are wound around the tooth portions 33 via insulators (not shown). The insulators (not shown) are, for example, bobbin-shaped. The coils 35 are attached to the multiple tooth portions 33, respectively. The multiple coils 35 are arranged in the circumferential direction. Ends of the coils 35 are drawn out from the stator 30 and connected to a power supply. This allows current to flow through the coils 35. Each coil 35 is wound around an axis parallel to the rotation axis O. Therefore, when current is passed through the coils 35, they form magnetic poles in the axial direction. In other words, the coils 35 form magnetic poles on the rotor 20 side, which faces them in the axial direction.

[0024] Stator holding portion 39 is made of an insulating resin material and holds stator core 31 and multiple coils 35, and also firmly fixes stator 30 to bottom portion 13e of water tank 13.

[0025] The control unit 9 controls the overall operation of the washing machine 1, such as the rotation of the motor 16. The control unit 9 also accepts operation inputs to the washing machine 1 via a touch panel (not shown) or a network. The control unit 9 is equipped with, for example, a computer having a processor such as a CPU, memory, and storage media, and is capable of executing software. The functions of the control unit 9 are realized by the software.

[0026] [Washing machine 1 operation] Next, the operation of the washing machine 1 equipped with the motor 16 will be described.

[0027] 3 and 4 are diagrams showing wash water W in which an oscillating water flow is generated. The control unit 9 vibrates the rotor 20 slightly, causing the pulsator 15 to generate vibrations V at a frequency of approximately 1 Hz to 16 kHz. The vibrations V of the pulsator 15 generate an oscillating water flow (oscillating flow) in the wash water W, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0028] Specifically, the control unit 9 controls the DC excitation current supplied to the coil 35 to switch the direction of the magnetic force, and repeatedly attracts and repels the rotor 20 against the magnet 24, thereby causing the rotor 20 to vibrate slightly and generating vibration V in the pulsator 15 (vibration generating method 1).

[0029] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the repetitive motion of the pulsator 15. As shown in FIG. Specifically, the control unit 9 repeatedly rotates the rotor 20 in the normal and reverse directions within a predetermined vibration angle θ (for example, up to 90 degrees) for several seconds, thereby slightly vibrating the rotor 20 and generating vibration V in the pulsator 15 (vibration generating method 2). As shown in FIG. 5, the pulsator 15 also repeatedly rotates in the normal and reverse directions within the predetermined vibration angle θ (for example, up to 90 degrees) for several seconds. For example, if the control unit 9 generates vibration V in the pulsator 15 with a rotation frequency of 1 Hz and a predetermined vibration angle θ of 90 degrees, the pulsator 15 will repeatedly rotate in the normal direction for 0.25 seconds and in the reverse direction for 0.25 seconds. The control unit 9 continues the operation of repeatedly rotating the pulsator 15 in the normal and reverse directions for approximately several to 10 seconds.

[0030] The predetermined vibration angle θ may be determined based on the arrangement of the coils 35 in the stator 30. For example, the predetermined vibration angle θ may be determined so that the magnets 24 of the rotor 20 reciprocate between different phases (e.g., U phase, V phase, W phase) of the coils 35. As shown in Fig. 2, when the magnets 24 have 12 poles, the predetermined vibration angle θ is 30 degrees.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, by generating large vibrations V at a frequency of, for example, about 1 Hz in the pulsator 15, an oscillating flow with large wave vibrations is generated in the wash water W. In vibration generation method 2, by increasing the predetermined vibration angle θ, an oscillating flow with large wave vibrations can be generated in the wash water W. The large waves gently shift the objects to be washed, making it easier to wash them.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4, by generating small vibrations V with a frequency of, for example, about 2 Hz to 16 kHz in the pulsator 15, a ripple-like vibrating flow is generated in the wash water W. By generating vibrations V with an even smaller frequency in the pulsator 15, it is possible to generate an ultrasonic-like vibrating flow in the wash water W. The ripple-like or ultrasonic-like vibrating flow makes it easy to gently massage the object to be washed.

[0033] The direction of the vibration V generated in the pulsator 15 is not limited to a predetermined direction. The vibration V may be a vertical vibration, a horizontal vibration, a circumferential vibration, or a combination of these.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a time chart showing an example of the washing process of the washing machine 1. In the washing process, the control unit 9 causes the pulsator 15 to perform a forward reversing operation for washing. Furthermore, the control unit 9 temporarily suspends the forward reversing operation for washing of the pulsator 15 and causes the pulsator 15 to generate vibration V. In other words, the control unit 9 causes the pulsator 15 to perform a forward reversing operation for washing and a vibration operation in a time-division manner. This makes it possible to generate a new oscillating flow of the wash water W for the object to be washed in the washing process, thereby improving the washing power, etc.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a time chart showing an example of the water supply process of the washing machine 1. In the water supply step before the washing step, the control unit 9 causes the pulsator 15 to generate vibrations V when the water supply valve supplies wash water W to the water tub 13. This allows the detergent to be suitably dissolved in the wash water W in the water supply step.

[0036] According to the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, by generating vibration V in the pulsator 15, a vibrating flow is generated in the wash water W, thereby realizing a new mode of washing, for example, improving the washing power.

[0037] (Second embodiment) A washing machine 1B of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. In the following description, the same components as those already described will be assigned the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

[0038] Compared to the washing machine 1 of the first embodiment, the washing machine 1B includes a control unit 9B instead of the control unit 9. The control unit 9B is a device similar to the control unit 9, but executes different software.

[0039] FIG. 8 is a time chart showing an example of the washing process of the washing machine 1B. The control unit 9B applies the AM synthesis modulation to the harmonics that generate the micro-vibrations and applies it to the coil 35 to micro-vibrate the rotor 20 that is rotating in the forward and reverse directions for washing, thereby generating vibration V in the pulsator 15 (vibration generating method 3). That is, the control unit 9 causes the pulsator 15 to simultaneously perform the forward and reverse directions for washing and the vibration direction. This allows the control unit 9B to cause the pulsator 15 to perform the forward and reverse directions for washing and to generate vibration V in the pulsator 15.

[0040] When gently washing delicate clothes, a ripple or ultrasonic vibrational flow may be sufficient instead of a large wave vibrational flow. The vibration V that generates such a vibrational flow can also be generated when the pulsator 15 is performing the forward and reverse rotation for washing. In this case, the control unit 9B causes the pulsator 15 to generate the vibration V while performing the forward and reverse rotation for washing.

[0041] According to the washing machine 1B of this embodiment, by generating vibrations V in the pulsator 15, a vibrating flow is generated in the wash water W, thereby realizing a new mode of washing, for example, improving the washing power.

[0042] The programs in the above-described embodiments may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and then loaded and executed by a computer system. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. The term "computer-readable recording medium" may also include media that dynamically store programs for a short period of time, such as communication lines used when transmitting programs via networks such as the Internet or telephone lines, or media that store programs for a fixed period of time, such as volatile memory within a computer system serving as a server or client. The program may also be designed to implement some of the functions described above, or may be capable of implementing the functions described above in combination with a program already stored in the computer system.

[0043] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1, 1B... washing machine, 9, 9B... control unit, 11... housing, 13... water tub, 14... rotating tub, 15... pulsator, 16, 16C... motor, 17... shaft, 18... drive unit, 19... elastic member, 20... rotor (rotor), 30... stator (fixed element), D1... one axial side, D2... other axial side, V... vibration

Claims

1. Aquarium and a rotating tub that rotates relative to the water tub; a pulsator disposed in the rotating tub; a motor having a shaft extending in an axial direction to rotate at least one of the pulsator and the rotary tub, a rotor connected to the shaft to rotate in a circumferential direction, and a stator attached to the water tub; a control unit that controls the motor; Equipped with The control unit causes the rotor to vibrate slightly, thereby generating vibrations in the pulsator. washing machine.

2. the control unit controls DC excitation current to a coil of the stator, and repeatedly performs attraction and repulsion with respect to a magnet of the rotor, thereby causing the rotor to vibrate slightly. The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. the control unit causes the rotor to vibrate slightly by repeatedly rotating the rotor in a forward direction and a reverse direction within a predetermined vibration angle range. The washing machine according to claim 1.

4. The predetermined vibration angle is greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees. The washing machine according to claim 3.

5. the control unit determines the predetermined vibration angle based on the arrangement of the coils in the stator. The washing machine according to claim 3.

6. the control unit slightly vibrates the rotor so that the vibration frequency of the pulsator is 1 Hz to 16 kHz. The washing machine according to claim 1.

7. the control unit temporarily suspends the forward / reverse washing operation of the pulsator and causes the pulsator to generate the vibration. The washing machine according to claim 1.

8. The control unit causes the pulsator to generate the vibration when cleaning water is being supplied to the water tub in the water supplying step. The washing machine according to claim 1.

9. The control unit AM-modulates harmonics that cause micro-vibrations and applies the modulated signals to a coil of the stator, thereby causing the rotor to vibrate micro-vibrations. The washing machine according to claim 1.

10. The control unit causes the pulsator to perform a forward / reverse operation for washing and generates the vibration in the pulsator. The washing machine according to claim 9.

11. A method for controlling a motor having a pulsator, mounted in a washing machine, and having a rotor and a stator, comprising: The rotor is slightly vibrated to generate vibration in the pulsator. How to control a motor.

12. By controlling the DC excitation current applied to the coil of the stator, the rotor is repeatedly attracted to and repelled from the magnet of the rotor, thereby causing the rotor to vibrate slightly. The motor control method according to claim 11.

13. The rotor is rotated in a normal direction and a reverse direction repeatedly within a predetermined vibration angle range, thereby vibrating the rotor slightly. The motor control method according to claim 11.

14. The predetermined vibration angle is greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees. The motor control method according to claim 13.

15. determining the predetermined vibration angle based on the arrangement of the coils in the stator; The motor control method according to claim 13.

16. The rotor is vibrated slightly so that the vibration frequency of the pulsator is 1 Hz to 16 kHz. The motor control method according to claim 11.

17. The forward / reverse washing operation of the pulsator is temporarily suspended to cause the pulsator to vibrate. The motor control method according to claim 11.

18. In the water supply step, the vibration is generated in the pulsator while cleaning water is being supplied to the water tub. The motor control method according to claim 11.

19. The harmonic waves that cause micro-vibrations are AM synthesized and modulated and applied to the coil of the stator, thereby causing the rotor to vibrate micro-vibrations. The motor control method according to claim 11.

20. causing the pulsator to perform a forward / reverse washing operation and generate the vibration in the pulsator; 20. The method of claim 19.

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