Washing machine

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a washing machine capable of efficiently controlling illumination in a tub by combining detection information from door opening / closing detection means and vibration detection means.SOLUTION: A washing machine according to the present disclosure includes a housing, a water tub supported inside the housing in a vibration-proof manner, a washing tub rotatably disposed inside the water tub, a loading port provided in the housing and through which laundry is loaded into and unloaded from the washing tub, a rotation shaft fixed to a bottom portion of the washing tub, a motor that rotationally drives the washing tub via the rotation shaft, a lighting device that illuminates an inside of the washing tub, a door that opens and closes the loading port, a door opening and closing detection means that detects opening and closing of the door, and a vibration detection means that detects vibration of the housing and / or the water tub. And a control means for controlling the washing operation by controlling the motor, the illumination device, etc., and the control means controls the ON / OFF of the illumination device by the detection information from the door opening / closing detection means and the vibration detection means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine equipped with an illumination lamp. This washing machine is characterized by the illumination lamp that illuminates the inside of the washing and spin-drying tub and is turned on when a specific switch that is operated at the start of washing is turned on. The specific switch turns off a certain time after the washing is completed, and the illumination lamp goes out a certain time after the washing is completed. The illumination lamp goes out when the lid is opened after the washing is completed and it is determined that the lid is then closed.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a washing machine equipped with an illumination lamp. This washing machine has a means for setting a mode in which the illumination lamp is turned on or off in accordance with the opening and closing of the door. When the mode in which the illumination lamp is turned on is set, the illumination lamp is turned on, and when the mode in which the illumination lamp is not knocked over is set, the illumination lamp can be controlled to remain off regardless of the opening and closing of the door. Furthermore, even in the mode in which the illumination lamp is turned on, the illumination lamp can be controlled to remain off during certain hours, such as during the day. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-263279 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-190186 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present disclosure provides a washing machine that efficiently controls the ON / OFF of a lighting device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The washing machine of the present disclosure comprises a housing, a water tub supported in a vibration-isolating manner inside the housing, a washing tub rotatably arranged inside the water tub, an inlet provided in the housing for loading and unloading laundry into the washing tub, a rotating shaft fixed to the bottom of the washing tub, a motor that rotates the washing tub via the rotating shaft, a lighting device that illuminates the inside of the washing tub, a door that opens and closes the inlet, a door opening / closing detection means that detects the opening and closing of the door, a vibration detection means that detects vibrations of the housing and / or the water tub, and a control means that receives detection information from the door opening / closing detection means, the vibration detection means, etc., and controls the motor, the lighting device, etc. to control the washing operation, and the control means controls the lighting device to turn on and off based on the detection information from the door opening / closing detection means and the vibration detection means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The washing machine according to the present disclosure can efficiently control the on / off of the lighting device according to the situation of each individual user by combining the detection information from the door open / close detection means and the vibration detection means, thereby providing a washing machine that efficiently controls the on / off of the lighting device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the front side of a drum-type washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a drum-type washing machine according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a front side of a water tub unit of a drum type washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a rear side of a water tub unit of a drum type washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Figure 5] Control block diagram of a drum-type washing machine according to the first embodiment [Figure 6] Flowchart of illumination lamp control of drum type washing machine in embodiment 1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) When the inventors came up with the idea for the present disclosure, they discovered a problem in that the lighting device was controlled to turn on and off only by detecting whether the door is open or closed and the elapsed time, and that the lighting time could not be changed to an appropriate time for each user and the circumstances at the time, such as the time it takes to put laundry in or take it out, or forgetting to close the door, and therefore the lighting device could not be controlled efficiently to turn on and off.In order to solve this problem, the inventors came up with the subject matter of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure provides a washing machine that efficiently controls the ON / OFF of a lighting device.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known matters or redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0011] The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0013] [1-1.Configuration] [1-1-1. Washing machine configuration] The washing machine in this embodiment is configured as a drum type washing machine 100.

[0014] In FIG. 1, water tub 102 is disposed inside washing machine housing 110. Water tub 102 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom that opens to the front, and is configured to be able to store water inside. A water supply path (not shown) that supplies tap water and a drain path 112 that drains water from inside water tub 102 are connected to water tub 102. Water is supplied to water tub 102 via the water supply path when a water supply valve (not shown) is open, and water is drained via drain path 112 when a drain valve (not shown) is open.

[0015] Rotating drum 101 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom that opens forward, and is contained within water tub 102 so as to face the opening of water tub 102. Rotating drum 101 is configured to be rotated inside water tub 102 by drum drive motor 108, which will be described later.

[0016] A bearing case 103 having bearings 104 supporting rotating shaft 105 is provided at the bottom on the rear side of water tub 102. Rotating shaft 105 is provided at the rotation center of rotating drum 101, with its axis tilting downward from the front side to the rear side. A drum pulley 106 is provided at the bottom on the rear side of water tub 102, where rotating shaft 105 is located, and a drum drive motor 108 is provided below water tub 102. Drum drive motor 108 is connected to rotating shaft 105 via belt 107 and drum pulley 106, and drives rotating drum 101 to rotate in both forward and reverse directions.

[0017] Rotating drum 101, water tub 102, drum drive motor 108, bearing case 103, belt 107, drum pulley 106, etc. constitute water tub unit 109. Water tub unit 109 is a vibrating body that vibrates integrally with water tub 102 as it vibrates.

[0018] An illumination lamp 123 is attached to the upper front surface of water tank unit 109, and is configured to illuminate the inside of rotating drum 101 (dotted chain line).

[0019] Water tub unit 109 is elastically supported within washing machine housing 110 by a plurality of suspensions 111. The lower ends of suspensions 111 are connected to the top of water tub 102, and the upper ends of suspensions 111 are connected to the top of washing machine housing 110.

[0020] Base 113, which is the lower part of washing machine housing 110, has housing connectors 114 provided at four locations. Water tub unit 109 is connected to base 113 by two first dampers 115 and two second dampers 116, that is, four dampers. In this embodiment, water tub connectors 118 and housing connectors 114 at four locations are arranged downward toward the rear side. The four dampers connect water tub connectors 118 and housing connectors 114 to suppress vibration of water tub unit 109.

[0021] Furthermore, installation legs 117 are provided at the four corners of the bottom of base 113 at the bottom of washing machine housing 110.

[0022] 2 and 3, a water tank cover 119 is attached to the front side of water tank 102. A vibration detection device 120 is attached to the top of water tank cover 119.

[0023] [1-1-2. Door lock device configuration] As shown in Fig. 4, a laundry entrance 127 that is open for loading and unloading laundry into and from the rotating drum 101 is provided on the front surface of the washing machine housing 110. A door 125 that can be opened and closed is provided at the laundry entrance 127, and the door 125 is connected to the washing machine housing 110 on the left side of the laundry entrance 127 via a connecting member 128. A door lock device 121 is attached to the right side of the laundry entrance 127 of the washing machine housing 110.

[0024] Door lock device 121 is provided with door open / close detection device 122, and when door 125 is closed, hook 126 of door 125 engages only when it is completely housed in door open / close detection device 122. Therefore, by detecting the engagement state of hook 126 of door 125 in door open / close detection device 122, it is possible to detect whether door 125 is in an open state or a closed state.

[0025] [1-1-3. Control Unit Configuration] A plurality of electronic components (not shown), each made up of a circuit block as shown in FIG. 5, are mounted on a printed circuit board to form the device control unit 133, which is disposed inside the panel cover 124 (see FIG. 4). The device control unit 133 is equipped with a control unit 131 that stores a program for operating the drum type washing machine 100, and various processes can be performed by executing the program. The control unit 131 is connected to the vibration detection device 120, which detects vibrations in three directions of the X, Y, and Z axes, via a communication means 135. The control unit 131 is also connected to a drive means 132, and controls the forward rotation, reverse rotation, and stop of the drum drive motor 108.

[0026] The control unit 131 is connected to the illumination lamp 123 and controls the turning on and off of the illumination lamp 123 .

[0027] The control unit 131 is also connected to a memory 134, which stores modes and courses set by the user.

[0028] [1-2. Operation] The operation of the drum type washing machine 100 configured as above will be described below.

[0029] [1-2-1. Washing operation] The washing operation will be described below.

[0030] When the washing operation starts, the washing cycle is first performed. In the washing cycle, water is supplied into the water tub 102, followed by an agitation operation in which the rotating drum 101 rotates forward, stops, reverses, and stops repeatedly for a predetermined period of time. In the agitation operation, the laundry contained in the rotating drum 101 is lifted in the direction of rotation by several protruding plates for agitating the laundry and then dropped from the lifted height. This causes the laundry contained in the rotating drum 101 to be beaten. Then, the spin-drying operation is performed. In the spin-drying operation, the drain valve is opened, and water in the water tub 102 is drained to the outside via drain path 112. With the drain valve open, the rotating drum 101 is rotated at high speed for a predetermined period of time. As a result, the water contained in the laundry is dehydrated by centrifugal force and drained via drain path 112. In the spin-drying cycle, the water tub unit 109 vibrates violently.

[0031] The rinse cycle is then performed. In the rinse cycle, similar to the wash cycle, a water supply operation is performed, followed by an agitation operation for a predetermined time. This dilutes the detergent components contained in the laundry and rinses them away.

[0032] After that, the dehydration process is performed. In the dehydration process, the final dehydration operation is performed. After the final dehydration operation is completed, the washing operation ends.

[0033] In the case of a drum-type washing machine having a drying function, the drying process may be performed after the spin-drying process is completed. After the drying process is completed, the washing and drying operation is completed.

[0034] [1-2-2. Operation flow of lighting lamp] The operation flow of the illumination lamp 123 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0035] When the main body power supply is OFF, the control unit 131 is always in a powered state.

[0036] The control unit 131 constantly monitors the states of the vibration detection device 120 and the door opening / closing detection device 122 .

[0037] In vibration detection device 120, communication means 135 communicates data with control unit 131 using SPI serial peripheral interface communication, and control unit 131 acquires acceleration information for each of the X, Y, and Z axes. If the acquired acceleration information is equal to or exceeds a predetermined threshold, it can detect that laundry has been placed in or removed from rotating drum 101.

[0038] The door open / close detection device 122 detects the open / close state of the door 125 via an input port of the control unit 131. This makes it possible to detect whether the user has opened the door 125 or not.

[0039] As described above, when the states of the vibration detector 120 and the door open / close detector 122 satisfy certain conditions, the control unit 131 sends a signal to the illumination lamp 123 to turn it on or off.

[0040] The control unit 131 and memory 134 perform I2C serial communication to read information set by the user.

[0041] Next, Fig. 6 shows a flowchart of the lighting lamp control.

[0042] After turning off the power to the main unit in step S1, control unit 131 detects that door 125 has been opened in step S2, and then determines in step S3 whether aquarium unit 109 has vibrated as specified. In this determination, a hysteresis width may be provided to the threshold value so that illumination lamp 123 does not repeatedly turn on and off at the vibration threshold boundary. Alternatively, a time count for maintaining the state may be included.

[0043] If it is detected in step S3 that water tub unit 109 has vibrated in a predetermined manner (Y), then in step S4, illumination lamp 123 is turned ON. Thereafter, unless it is detected in step S6 that door 125 has closed (Y) (N), it continues to determine whether water tub unit 109 has vibrated in a predetermined manner, and illumination lamp 123 is controlled to be illuminated ON / OFF, thereby providing an appropriate illumination time according to the individual laundry loading and unloading status of the user. Next, if it is detected in step S6 that door 125 has closed (Y), then it is determined in step S7 whether operation has ended.

[0044] If the operation has not ended (N) and the user has set the automatic power ON (Y) (Y in step S8), the set mode / course previously recorded in memory 134 is read (step S9), and the main unit is powered ON with that setting (step S11).

[0045] This allows the user to turn on the power to the washing machine body simply by opening and closing door 125 and putting laundry in and out without pressing the power button.

[0046] If the operation has ended, the sterilization and deodorization mode is executed in step S10, and after the sterilization and deodorization mode ends, the power of the main body is turned off (step S12).

[0047] The sterilization and deodorization mode in step S10 may be omitted.

[0048] If water tub unit 109 does not vibrate as specified in step S3 (N), illumination lamp 123 is turned off in step S5, and then the main body power is turned off in step S12.

[0049] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, drum type washing machine 100 comprises washing machine housing 110, water tub 102 supported in a vibration-isolating manner inside washing machine housing 110, rotating drum 101 rotatably disposed inside water tub 102, laundry entrance / exit 127 provided in washing machine housing 110 for loading and unloading laundry into and from rotating drum 101, rotating shaft 105 fixed to the bottom of rotating drum 101, drum drive motor 108 for driving and rotating rotating drum 101 via rotating shaft 105, illumination lamp 123 for illuminating the inside of rotating drum 101, and laundry exit / exit 127. The washing machine includes a door 125 for opening and closing an entrance 127, a door opening / closing detection device 122 for detecting the opening and closing of the door 125, a vibration detection device 120 for detecting vibrations of the washing machine housing 110 and / or the water tub 102, and an equipment control unit 133 for obtaining detection information from the door opening / closing detection device 122, the vibration detection device 120, etc., and controlling the drum drive motor 108, the lighting lamp 123, etc. to control the washing operation, and the equipment control unit 133 controls the ON / OFF of the lighting lamp 123 based on the detection information from the door opening / closing detection device 122 and the vibration detection device 120.

[0050] As a result, the drum-type washing machine 100 can detect that laundry has been put into or collected from the rotating drum 101 without the need for a separate dedicated detection means, and by linking the control of the illumination lamp 123 with the user's actions of putting laundry in and taking it out, it is possible to control the illumination lamp 123 in a way that is more in line with the user's actions.

[0051] As in the present embodiment, the drum type washing machine 100 may be configured such that the device control unit 133 controls the ON / OFF of the illumination lamp 123 in conjunction with the user's laundry loading / unloading actions based on the detection information of the door opening / closing detection device 122 and the vibration detection device 120.

[0052] This allows the user to efficiently control the lighting of the tub interior lighting, as the user does not need to worry about the on / off times of the illumination lamp 123 when putting laundry in or taking laundry out, and the lamp can be turned on only when working. Therefore, for example, even if the user finishes collecting laundry quickly and forgets to close the door, the illumination lamp will immediately turn off, thereby keeping power consumption low. In addition, because this can be achieved without using any new detection means, the lighting of the tub interior can be controlled with high precision using a relatively inexpensive configuration.

[0053] As in the present embodiment, the drum type washing machine 100 may be configured such that the device control unit 133 controls the power supply to be turned on for the main body of the drum type washing machine 100 when operation has not yet ended, based on the detection information from the door opening / closing detection device 122 and the vibration detection device 120.

[0054] This means that if the operation has not finished, by detecting the door closing after the laundry has been put in, it will know that the user intends to start washing, and the unit's power can be turned on without pressing the power switch, eliminating the need to press the power switch as in the past.

[0055] As in this embodiment, the drum type washing machine 100 may have a function in which the device control unit 133 automatically turns on the power according to the mode or course set by the user.

[0056] This allows the power to be automatically turned on in the mode or course that the user has previously set, further reducing the amount of effort required for operation.

[0057] As in the present embodiment, the drum type washing machine 100 may be configured so that the appliance control unit 133 executes the sterilization and deodorization mode when the operation is finished.

[0058] This allows the inside of the tub to be kept clean after operation has finished. Also, if the user intentionally leaves laundry in the tub, the laundry can be disinfected and deodorized as well.

[0059] As in this embodiment, drum-type washing machine 100 is configured such that water tub unit 109 is composed of rotating drum 101, water tub 102, drum drive motor 108, rotating shaft 105, etc., and vibration detection device 120 may be attached to water tub unit 109.

[0060] This allows vibrations to be detected with high accuracy not only during the washing operation, but also during the operation of putting laundry in and taking it out.

[0061] (Other embodiments) As described above, the first embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the first and second embodiments to create new embodiments.

[0062] Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0063] In the first embodiment, a drum-type washing machine has been described as an example of a washing machine. The washing machine is not limited to a drum-type washing machine as long as it generates vibrations when the door is opened and closed and when laundry is put in and taken out. The washing machine may also be a vertical washing machine.

[0064] In the first embodiment, the door opening / closing detection means and the vibration detection device are each combined individually, but it is also possible to use a configuration in which multiple vibration detection devices are attached to various locations and the detection information is combined to detect the putting in and taking out of clothes.

[0065] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. [Industrial Applicability]

[0066] The present disclosure is applicable to washing machines in which vibrations occur when the door is opened and closed and when laundry is put in and taken out. Specifically, the present disclosure is applicable to drum-type washing machines, vertical washing machines, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 100 Drum type washing machine (washing machine) 101 Rotating drum (washing tub) 102 Aquarium 103 Bearing case 104 Bearings 105 Rotational Axis 106 Drum pulley (pulley) 107 Belt 108 Drum drive motor (motor) 109 Aquarium Unit 110 Washing machine housing (housing) 111 Suspension 112 Drainage route 113 Base 114 Housing connection part 115 First Damper (Damper) 116 Second Damper (Damper) 117 Installation legs 118 Water tank connection part 119 Aquarium Cover 120 Vibration detection device (vibration detection means) 121 Door lock device 122 Door opening / closing detection device (door opening / closing detection means) 123 Lighting lamps (lighting devices) 124 Panel Cover 125 doors 126 Hook 127 Laundry entrance / exit (loading opening) 128 Connecting member 131 Control Section 132 Driving means 133 Equipment control section 134 memory 135 Means of communication

Claims

1. The housing and a water tank supported inside the housing in a vibration-proof manner; a washing tub rotatably disposed inside the water tub; An inlet provided in the housing for putting laundry into and taking laundry out of the washing tub; A rotating shaft fixed to the bottom of the washing tub; a motor that rotates the washing tub via the rotation shaft; a lighting device for illuminating the inside of the washing tub; a door for opening and closing the insertion port; a door opening / closing detection means for detecting the opening / closing of the door; a vibration detection means for detecting vibrations of the housing and / or the water tank; a control means for receiving detection information from the door opening / closing detection means, the vibration detection means, etc., and controlling the motor, the lighting device, etc., to control the washing operation; the control means controls the ON / OFF of the lighting device based on detection information from the door opening / closing detection means and the vibration detection means. washing machine.

2. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the ON / OFF of the lighting device in conjunction with a user's actions of putting laundry in or taking laundry out based on detection information from the door opening / closing detection means and the vibration detection means.

3. 3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the power supply to be turned on for the washing machine body when the washing machine has not yet finished operating, based on the information detected by the door opening / closing detection means and the vibration detection means.

4. 3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means has a function of automatically turning on the power according to the mode or course set by the user.

5. 3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means executes a sterilization and deodorization mode at the end of operation.

6. 3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing tub, the water tub, the motor, the rotary shaft, etc. constitute a water tub unit, and the vibration detection means is attached to the water tub unit.

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