Washing machine and washing machine control method

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a washing machine and a washing machine control method that can reduce the electricity fee required for a predetermined operation when the predetermined operation is performed in response to a start operation by a user. [Solution] The washing machine disclosed herein is equipped with a control device having an operating condition correction unit that, when the electricity rate time zone change recognition unit recognizes that a change will occur between a first electricity rate time zone in which the electricity unit price is a first unit price and a second electricity rate time zone in which the electricity unit price is a second unit price lower than the first unit price during a predicted specified process time zone, corrects the operating conditions determined by the operating condition determination unit by increasing the output of the power operating unit during the second electricity rate time zone within the predicted specified process time zone and decreasing the output of the power operating unit during the first electricity rate time zone within the predicted specified process time zone.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a washing machine and a washing machine control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for saving energy in a washer-dryer having a warm air drying function using a heat pump by lowering the operating frequency of the compressor that constitutes the heat pump when executing a drying process by scheduled operation compared to normal operation (operation started in response to an operation start operation operation operation start operation operation start operation operation start time). Patent Document 1 also discloses a technology for reducing the electricity charge required for a washing operation by adjusting the start time of the washing operation so that the washing operation is performed during the nighttime power period when the unit price of electricity is low as much as possible when there is a nighttime power period during which the unit price of electricity is low between the time when the scheduled operation is set (current time) and the end time of the scheduled operation set by the user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-51536 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a washing machine and a washing machine control method that can reduce the electricity fee required for a predetermined operation when the predetermined operation is performed in response to a start instruction from a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A washing machine according to the present disclosure is a washing machine including a storage section for storing laundry, an electric power operation section that performs processing according to predetermined steps on the laundry stored in the storage section, and a control device that controls operation of the electric power operation section in the predetermined steps to perform a predetermined operation including the predetermined steps, wherein the control device includes an operation start accepting section that starts the predetermined operation in response to a start instruction from a user of the predetermined operation, an operation condition determining section that determines an operation condition of the electric power operation section in the predetermined step based on predetermined conditions, an electricity rate time period recognizing section that recognizes a first electricity rate time period in which the electricity rate unit price is a first unit price and a second electricity rate time period in which the electricity rate unit price is a second unit price lower than the first unit price, and a control device that starts the predetermined operation in response to the start instruction. an electricity tariff time zone switching recognition unit that recognizes whether a switch between the first electricity tariff time zone and the second electricity tariff time zone will occur during a predicted predetermined process time zone, which is a predicted time zone during which the predetermined process will be executed when operation is started; and an operating condition correction unit that, when the electricity tariff time zone switching recognition unit recognizes that a switch between the first electricity tariff time zone and the second electricity tariff time zone will occur during the predicted predetermined process time zone, corrects the operating conditions determined by the operating condition determination unit by increasing the output of the electric power operating unit during the second electricity tariff time zone within the predicted predetermined process time zone and decreasing the output of the electric power operating unit during the first electricity tariff time zone within the predicted predetermined process time zone.

[0006] A washing machine control method according to the present disclosure is a washing machine control method for controlling, by a computer, a washing machine having a storage section for storing laundry and an electric power operation section for performing a process according to a predetermined step on the laundry stored in the storage section, and for controlling operation of the electric power operation section in the predetermined step to perform a predetermined operation including the predetermined step, the washing machine control method including an operation start receiving step for starting the predetermined operation in response to a start instruction from a user of the predetermined operation, an operation condition determining step for determining an operation condition of the electric power operation section in the predetermined step based on predetermined conditions, an electricity rate time period recognizing step for recognizing a first electricity rate time period in which the electricity rate unit price is a first unit price and a second electricity rate time period in which the electricity rate unit price is a second unit price lower than the first unit price, and and an electricity tariff time zone switching recognition step of recognizing whether a switch between the first electricity tariff time zone and the second electricity tariff time zone will occur in a predicted predetermined process time zone, which is a predicted time zone in which the predetermined process will be performed when the predetermined operation is started. When it is recognized by the electricity tariff time zone switching recognition step that a switch between the first electricity tariff time zone and the second electricity tariff time zone will occur in the predicted predetermined process time zone, the operation condition correction step corrects the operating conditions determined by the operating condition determination step by increasing the output of the electric power operating unit in the second electricity tariff time zone within the predicted predetermined process time zone and decreasing the output of the electric power operating unit in the first electricity tariff time zone within the predicted predetermined process time zone. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the washing machine and washing machine control method of the present disclosure, when a predetermined operation is performed in response to a start instruction from a user, it is possible to reduce the electricity charges required for the predetermined operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Configuration diagram of a washing machine according to an embodiment [Figure 2] Flowchart of correction process of operating conditions in the embodiment [Figure 3]An explanatory diagram of normal operating conditions in an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a first example of correction of operating conditions in the embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a second example of correction of operating conditions in the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a third example of correction of operating conditions in the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a change in the rotation speed of a heat pump during a drying process according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of changes in motor rotation speed during washing, rinsing, and spin-drying processes in an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of heater ON / OFF in a course that uses hot water in an embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a change in the heat pump rotation speed in a course using pre-drying in an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time when the inventors arrived at the present disclosure, there was a technology for saving energy in a washer-dryer having a warm air drying function using a heat pump by lowering the operating frequency of the compressor constituting the heat pump when executing a drying process in a scheduled operation compared to normal operation (operation started in response to an operation start operation operation performed by a user). Also, there was a technology for reducing the electricity charges required for a washing operation by adjusting the start time of the operation so that the washing machine is operated during the nighttime power period when the unit price of electricity is low, if the time period from the time when a user sets up a scheduled operation to the end time of the scheduled operation set by the user falls within the nighttime power period when the unit price of electricity is low.

[0010] With scheduled operation, the washing machine must be completed by the set end time, but the start time of the operation can be adjusted, so as mentioned above, the time period during which the operation is performed can be shifted to a time period with a lower unit price for electricity, as long as the operation is completed by the end time of the scheduled operation, thereby reducing the electricity bill for the washing operation. However, when a washing machine is operated in response to a user's start operation rather than a scheduled operation, the operation starts immediately, making it impossible to adjust the start time. This creates the inconvenience of being unable to shift the time period during which the washing machine is operated to a time period when the unit price of electricity is low and reduce the electricity fee required for the operation. The inventors discovered a problem of how to avoid this problem, and have come to constitute the subject matter of the present disclosure in order to solve this problem. Therefore, the present disclosure provides a washing machine and a washing machine control method that can reduce the electricity fee required for operation when the washing machine is operated in response to a start instruction from a user.

[0011] 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. 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) Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. [1. Washing machine configuration] The configuration of a washing machine 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, a control block of the washing machine 1 is indicated by a balloon B. The washing machine 1 is a drum-type washing machine equipped with a drum 2 (corresponding to a storage section in the present disclosure) for storing laundry, and has a drying function and a warm water washing function.

[0013] A touch-panel operation display unit 3 is provided on the upper front of washing machine 1. User U operates operation display unit 3 to select an operation mode (wash only, wash and dry, dry only, etc.) and issue an instruction to start operation, causing washing machine 1 to perform a predetermined operation according to the operation mode. Washing machine 1 is equipped with a control device 10 that controls the operation of washing machine 1, a communication unit 40 that communicates with an electric power company server 210, a washing machine maintenance server 220, etc. via communication network 200, and with a user terminal 100 used by user U via communication network 200 or by direct communication, a heat pump 50 that generates hot air to be supplied to drum 2 during the drying process, an electric motor 51 that rotates drum 2, and an electric heater 52 that heats water supplied to washing machine 1 to generate hot water. User terminal 100 is a smartphone, mobile phone, tablet terminal, etc.

[0014] The heat pump 50 has a compressor 50a that compresses a refrigerant and discharges the refrigerant into a refrigerant circulation circuit. The electric power company server 210 is a server of the electric power company with which the user U has a contract, and provides electricity rate time period information Eri that indicates electricity rate time periods with different electricity unit prices (daytime periods, nighttime periods, late-night periods, time periods set according to electricity demand, etc.).

[0015] The electricity rate time periods are set, for example, as follows: the first electricity rate time period is 10:00 to 17:00, the second electricity rate time period is 23:00 to 7:00 the next day, and the third electricity rate time period is 7:00 to 10:00 and 17:00 to 23:00, other than the first and second electricity rate time periods. In addition, the electricity rate time periods may be set differently depending on whether it is a weekday, Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday, and the unit price of electricity for each electricity rate time period may be set differently depending on the season. Furthermore, as in the case of electricity rate-based demand response, the unit price of electricity may fluctuate depending on the balance of supply and demand for electricity and the price level in the wholesale electricity market.

[0016] The washing machine maintenance server 220 supports the use of the washing machine 1 by the user U by updating the program of the washing machine 1 and providing information on the use of the washing machine 1. By using the operation app for the washing machine 1 installed on the user terminal 100, the user U can select a washing course and give an instruction to start operation by performing operations similar to those on the operation display unit 3.

[0017] Memory 30 of control device 10 stores a program 31 for controlling washing machine 1, operating condition data 32 for setting operating conditions for each process executed by washing machine 1, etc. Processor 20 reads and executes program 31 to function as an operation start acceptance unit 21, an operating condition determination unit 22, an electricity rate time zone recognition unit 23, an electricity rate time zone switching recognition unit 24, and an operating condition correction unit 25.

[0018] The process executed by operation start accepting unit 21 corresponds to the operation start operation accepting step in the washing machine control method of the present disclosure, and the process executed by operation condition determining unit 22 corresponds to the operation condition determining step in the washing machine control method of the present disclosure. The process executed by electricity rate time zone recognizing unit 23 corresponds to the electricity rate time zone recognizing step in the washing machine control method of the present disclosure, and the process executed by electricity rate time zone switching recognizing unit 24 corresponds to the electricity rate time zone switching recognizing step in the washing machine control method of the present disclosure. The process executed by operation condition correcting unit 25 corresponds to the operation condition correcting step in the washing machine control method of the present disclosure.

[0019] Operation start receiving unit 21 recognizes the operation start instruction for washing machine 1 by detecting an operation start instruction operation on operation display unit 3 or by receiving operation start instruction information transmitted from user terminal 100, and starts operation of washing machine 1. Operation condition determination unit 22 recognizes the operation course selected by user U by detecting an operation course selection operation on operation display unit 3 or by receiving operation course selection information transmitted from user terminal 100. Then, operation condition determination unit 22 refers to operation condition data 32 and determines the operation conditions for predetermined processes (washing process, rinsing process, spin-drying process, drying process, etc.) included in the predetermined operation corresponding to the operation course.

[0020] The electricity rate time zone recognition unit 23 receives and acquires the electricity rate time zone information Eri transmitted from the electric power company server 210, thereby recognizing the electricity rate time zone according to the terms of use that the user U has subscribed to. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the time zones of one day (0:00 to 24:00) are divided into a first electricity rate time zone in which the electricity unit price is a first unit price, and a second electricity rate time zone in which the electricity unit price is a second unit price that is lower than the first unit price. For example, the first electricity rate time zone is set to the time zone from 10:00 to 17:00, and the second electricity rate time zone is set to the time zone from 17:00 to 10:00 the next day, other than the first electricity rate time zone.

[0021] The electricity rate time zone switching recognition unit 24 recognizes a predicted predetermined process time zone, which is a time zone during which a predetermined process included in a predetermined operation corresponding to an operation course for which an operation start instruction has been recognized by the operation start reception unit 21 is predicted to be executed. Then, the electricity rate time zone switching recognition unit 24 recognizes whether a switch between the first electricity rate time zone and the second electricity rate time zone will occur within the predicted predetermined process time zone.

[0022] When the electricity rate time slot switching recognition unit 24 recognizes that a switch between the first electricity rate time slot and the second electricity rate time slot will occur within the predicted predetermined process time slot, the operating condition correction unit 25 corrects the operating conditions of the predetermined process to reduce the electricity fee required to execute the predetermined process. Details of this correction will be described later.

[0023] [2. Correction of operating conditions] The procedure for correcting the operating conditions of a predetermined process executed by the control device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 2. Here, the case where the predetermined process is a drying process will be described.

[0024] 2, operation start receiving unit 21 proceeds to step S2 when it recognizes an instruction to start operation of washing machine 1 from user U. In step S2, operation condition determination unit 22 determines, by referring to operation condition data 32, the operation conditions (normal operation conditions) of the drying process included in the predetermined operation corresponding to the operation course selected by user U.

[0025] S in Figure 3 shows an example of setting operating conditions for normal operation of the drying process, with the horizontal axis set to the time period required for the drying process (0 to 100%) and the vertical axis set to the output ratio (0 to 200%) of compressor 50a relative to the output during normal operation in 5% time segments (0 to 5%, 5 to 10%, ..., 95 to 100%) of the time required for the drying process. Because Figure 3 shows operating conditions S for normal operation, the output ratio for each segment is 100% (reference ratio).

[0026] Under operating conditions S for normal operation, the output of compressor 50a changes depending on the elapsed time from the start of the drying process, and the output adjustment pattern of compressor 50a with respect to the elapsed time is determined as the operating specifications for each drying process of each operating course. After the start of the drying process, these output adjustment patterns are further adjusted based on information obtained from detection signals of various sensors (such as temperature changes at each measurement point), and the operation of compressor 50a is controlled to optimize the required time and power consumption.

[0027] The operating condition S for normal operation may be calculated or acquired by any one of the following (1) to (3). (1) Calculated based on the operating specifications of each operation course of washing machine 1. (2) Calculated based on the operating history of washing machine 1 during normal operation. (3) Acquired from a server such as the washing machine maintenance server 220.

[0028] In the following step S3, electricity rate time zone recognition unit 23 accesses electric power company server 210 to acquire electricity rate time zone information Eri, and refers to electricity rate time zone information Eri to recognize the first electricity rate time zone and the second electricity rate time zone according to the conditions of the contract with user U. In the next step S4, electricity rate time zone switching recognition unit 24 recognizes the current time (the time when user U instructs washing machine 1 to start operation). Electricity rate time zone switching recognition unit 24 recognizes the current time from the timing status of a timing circuit (not shown) provided in control device 10, or by accessing an external server such as washing machine maintenance server 220 to acquire information on the current time.

[0029] In the next step S5, the electricity rate time slot switching recognition unit 24 recognizes the predicted drying process time slot during which the drying process will be performed based on the current time. Then, the electricity rate time slot switching recognition unit 24 recognizes whether a switch between the first electricity rate time slot and the second electricity rate time slot will occur within the predicted drying process time slot.

[0030] In the next step S6, if the electricity rate time slot switching recognition unit 24 does not recognize that a switch between the first electricity rate time slot and the second electricity rate time slot will occur within the predicted drying process time slot, the operating condition correction unit 25 proceeds to step S7. In this case, the operating condition correction unit 25 does not correct the operating conditions for the drying process.

[0031] On the other hand, when the electricity rate time slot switching recognition unit 24 recognizes that a switch between the first electricity rate time slot and the second electricity rate time slot will occur within the predicted drying process time slot, the operating condition correction unit 25 proceeds from step S6 to step S10. In step S10, the operating condition correction unit 25 generates a plurality of correction patterns that reduce the output (operating frequency) of the compressor during the first electricity rate time slot within the predicted drying process time slot compared to the output under normal operating conditions, and increase the output of the compressor 50a during the second electricity rate time slot within the predicted drying process time slot.

[0032] Then, assuming that the drying process is performed using the generated correction patterns, the operating condition correction unit 25 calculates the electricity fee required to perform the drying process using each correction pattern and selects the correction pattern that minimizes the electricity fee. In the following step S11, the operating condition correction unit 25 corrects the operating conditions of the drying process using the selected correction pattern.

[0033] [3. Example of correcting the operating conditions of the drying process] 4 to 6, examples of correction of the operating conditions of the drying process executed by the operating condition correction unit 25 will be described. First, as in FIG. 3, FIGS. 4 to 6 show the operating conditions of the compressor 50a according to the correction example, with the horizontal axis representing the range (0 to 100%) of the time period required for the predicted drying process, and the vertical axis representing the ratio of the output of the compressor 50a in the correction example to the output of the compressor 50a in normal operation, in 5% time segments of the time period required for the drying process. Because the power consumption of the compressor 50a increases or decreases depending on the increase or decrease in the output of the compressor 50a, the electricity fee required for executing the drying process can be calculated based on the output of the compressor 50a.

[0034] First, Figure 4 illustrates a case where a switch occurs from the second electricity rate time period, which has a lower unit price for electricity, to the first electricity rate time period, which has a higher unit price for electricity, when 50% of the predicted drying process time period has elapsed since the start of the predicted drying process time period.

[0035] In C11 of Fig. 4, the output of the compressor 50a in the second electricity rate time slot (0-50%) is corrected to 110%, which is a 10% increase in output for each time slot (0-5%, 5-10%, ..., 45-50%) under the operating conditions S in normal operation shown in Fig. 3. Also, the output of the compressor 50a in the first electricity rate time slot (50-100%) is corrected to 90%, which is a 10% decrease in output for each time slot (50-55%, 55-60%, ..., 95-100%) under the operating conditions S in normal operation shown in Fig. 3.

[0036] In C11, if the total output ratio (reference ratio) for normal operation shown in Figure 3 is 1000, the total output ratio for the second electricity rate time slot is 550, and the total output ratio for the first electricity rate time slot is 450. The electricity fee (comparison electricity fee) required when the drying process is performed under the operating conditions of C11 is EC11, calculated using the following formula (1).

number

[0037] [Table 1] [Table 2]

[0038] The correction patterns in Figures 4 to 6 are set so that the sum of the output ratios of compressor 50a in each time segment during the drying process relative to normal operation is the same as the sum of the output ratios for normal operation shown in Figure 3, thereby suppressing fluctuations in drying capacity during the drying process. This setting corresponds to a configuration in which the operating conditions are corrected within a range in which the difference between the sum of the pre-correction reference ratios for multiple time segments of the present disclosure and the sum of the post-correction ratios of the output of the electrically operated units relative to the reference ratios for multiple previous time segments is equal to or less than a predetermined value, where the predetermined value is zero. Note that the predetermined value may be set to a value other than zero.

[0039] In C12 of Fig. 4, the output of the compressor 50a in the second electricity rate time slot (0-50%) is corrected to 120%, which is a 20% increase in output for each time segment (0-5%, 5-10%, ..., 45-50%) under operating condition S in normal operation shown in Fig. 3. Also, the output of the compressor 50a in the first electricity rate time slot (50-100%) is corrected to 80%, which is a 20% decrease in output for each time segment (50-55%, 55-60%, ..., 95-100%) under operating condition S in normal operation shown in Fig. 3.

[0040] In C12, if the total output ratio for normal operation shown in Figure 3 is 1000, the total output ratio for the second electricity rate time slot is 600, and the total output ratio for the first electricity rate time slot is 400. The electricity cost required when the drying process is performed under the operating conditions of C12 is EC12, calculated using the following formula (2).

number

[0041] In C13 of Fig. 4, the output of the compressor 50a in the second electricity rate time slot (0-50%) is corrected to 130%, which is a 30% increase in output for each time segment (0-5%, 5-10%, ..., 45-50%) under operating condition S in normal operation shown in Fig. 3. Also, the output of the compressor 50a in the first electricity rate time slot (50-100%) is corrected to 70%, which is a 30% decrease in output for each time segment (50-55%, 55-60%, ..., 95-100%) under operating condition S in normal operation shown in Fig. 3.

[0042] In C13, if the total output ratio for normal operation shown in Figure 3 is 1000, the total output ratio for the second electricity rate time slot is 650, and the total output ratio for the first electricity rate time slot is 350. The electricity cost required when the drying process is performed under the operating conditions of C13 is EC13, calculated using the following formula (3).

number

[0043] The operating condition correction unit 25 corrects the operating conditions for the drying process using a correction pattern corresponding to the lowest of the electricity charges EC11, EC12, and EC13 calculated using the above formulas (1) to (3). For example, when EC13 is the lowest, the operating condition correction unit 25 corrects the operating conditions for the drying process using the correction pattern C13.

[0044] Next, Figure 5 shows an example of a case where a switch occurs from the second electricity rate time period, which has a lower unit price for electricity, to the first electricity rate time period, which has a higher unit price for electricity, when 25% has elapsed since the start of the predicted drying process time period.

[0045] In C21 of Fig. 5, the output of the compressor 50a in the second electricity rate time slot (0-25%) is corrected to 130%, which is a 30% increase in output for each time segment (0-5%, 5-10%, ..., 20-25%) under operating condition S in normal operation shown in Fig. 3. Also, the output of the compressor 50a in the first electricity rate time slot (25-100%) is corrected to 90%, which is a 10% decrease in output for each time segment (25-30%, 30-35%, ..., 95-100%) under operating condition S in normal operation shown in Fig. 3.

[0046] In C21, if the total output rate for normal operation shown in Figure 3 is 1000, the total output rate for the second electricity rate time slot is 325, and the total output rate for the first electricity rate time slot is 675. The electricity cost required when the drying process is performed under the operating conditions of C21 is EC21, calculated using the following formula (4).

number

[0047] In C22 of Fig. 5, the output of the compressor 50a in the second electricity rate time slot (0-25%) is corrected to 160%, which is a 60% increase in output for each time segment (0-5%, 5-10%, ..., 20-25%) under operating condition S in normal operation shown in Fig. 3. Also, the output of the compressor 50a in the first electricity rate time slot (25-100%) is corrected to 80%, which is a 20% decrease in output for each time segment (25-30%, 30-35%, ..., 95-100%) under operating condition S in normal operation shown in Fig. 3.

[0048] In C22, if the total output ratio for normal operation shown in Figure 3 is 1000, the total output ratio for the second electricity rate time slot is 400, and the total output ratio for the first electricity rate time slot is 600. The electricity cost required when the drying process is performed under the operating conditions of C12 is EC22, calculated using the following formula (5).

number

[0049] In C23 of Fig. 5, the output of the compressor 50a in the second electricity rate time slot (0-25%) is corrected to 190%, which is a 90% increase in output for each time segment (0-5%, 5-10%, ..., 20-25%) under operating condition S in normal operation shown in Fig. 3. Also, the output of the compressor 50a in the first electricity rate time slot (25-100%) is corrected to 70%, which is a 30% decrease in output for each time segment (25-30%, 30-35%, ..., 95-100%) under operating condition S in normal operation shown in Fig. 3.

[0050] In C23, if the total output ratio for normal operation shown in Figure 3 is 1000, the total output ratio for the second electricity rate time slot is 475, and the total output ratio for the first electricity rate time slot is 525. The electricity cost required when the drying process is performed under the operating conditions of C23 is EC23, calculated using the following formula (6).

number

[0051] The operating condition correction unit 25 corrects the operating conditions for the drying process using the correction pattern corresponding to the lowest of the electricity charges EC21, EC22, and EC23 calculated using the above formulas (4) to (6). For example, when EC23 is the lowest, the operating condition correction unit 25 corrects the operating conditions for the drying process using the correction pattern C23.

[0052] Next, Figure 6 shows an example of a case where a switch occurs from the second electricity rate time period, which has a lower electricity rate, to the first electricity rate time period, which has a higher electricity rate, when 75% of the predicted drying process time period has elapsed since the start of the predicted drying process time period.

[0053] In C21 of Fig. 6, the output of the compressor 50a in the second electricity rate time slot (0-75%) is corrected to 110%, which is a 10% increase in output for each time segment (0-5%, 5-10%, ..., 70-75%) under operating condition S in normal operation shown in Fig. 3. Also, the output of the compressor 50a in the first electricity rate time slot (75-100%) is corrected to 70%, which is a 30% decrease in output for each time segment (75-80%, 80-85%, ..., 95-100%) under operating condition S in normal operation shown in Fig. 3.

[0054] In C31, if the total output rate for normal operation shown in Figure 3 is 1000, the total output rate for the second electricity rate time slot is 825, and the total output rate for the first electricity rate time slot is 175. The electricity cost required when the drying process is performed under the operating conditions of C31 is EC31, calculated using the following formula (7).

number

[0055] In C32 of Fig. 6, the output of the compressor 50a in the second electricity rate time slot (0-75%) is corrected to 120%, which is a 20% increase in output for each time segment (0-5%, 5-10%, ..., 70-75%) under operating condition S in normal operation shown in Fig. 3. Also, the output of the compressor 50a in the first electricity rate time slot (75-100%) is corrected to 40%, which is a 60% decrease in output for each time segment (75-80%, 80-85%, ..., 95-100%) under operating condition S in normal operation shown in Fig. 3.

[0056] In C32, if the total output rate for normal operation shown in Figure 3 is 1000, the total output rate for the second electricity rate time slot is 900, and the total output rate for the first electricity rate time slot is 100. The electricity cost required when the drying process is performed under the operating conditions of C32 is EC32, calculated using the following formula (8).

number

[0057] In C33 of Fig. 6, the output of the compressor 50a in the second electricity rate time slot (0-75%) is corrected to 130%, which is a 30% increase in output for each time slot (0-5%, 5-10%, ..., 70-75%) under operating condition S in normal operation shown in Fig. 3. Also, the output of the compressor 50a in the first electricity rate time slot (75-100%) is corrected to 10%, which is a 90% decrease in output for each time slot (75-80%, 80-85%, ..., 95-100%) under operating condition S in normal operation shown in Fig. 3.

[0058] In C32, if the total output rate for normal operation shown in Figure 3 is 1000, the total output rate for the second electricity rate time slot is 975, and the total output rate for the first electricity rate time slot is 25. The electricity cost required when the drying process is performed under the operating conditions of C33 is EC33, calculated using the following formula (9).

number

[0059] The operating condition correction unit 25 corrects the operating conditions for the drying process using the correction pattern corresponding to the lowest of the electricity charges EC31, EC32, and EC33 calculated using the above formulas (7) to (9). For example, when EC33 is the lowest, the operating condition correction unit 25 corrects the operating conditions for the drying process using the correction pattern C33.

[0060] The correction patterns in Figures 4 to 6 described above all show the case where a switch occurs from the second electricity rate time period, in which the electricity rate is low, to the first electricity rate time period, in which the electricity rate is high, and the operating frequency of the compressor is increased before the switch occurs and then decreased after the switch occurs. In contrast, when a switch occurs from a first electricity rate time period with a high electricity rate to a second electricity rate time period with a low electricity rate, the correction pattern is to decrease the operating frequency of the compressor before the switch occurs and then increase it after the switch occurs.

[0061] [4. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, when user U issues an instruction to start washing machine 1, control device 10 provided in washing machine 1 executes the process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 to determine whether a switch between the first electricity rate time slot and the second electricity rate time slot, which have different electricity unit prices, will occur during the predicted time period in which the drying process, which is included in the process of the operation course, will be executed. If a switch between the first electricity rate time slot and the second electricity rate time slot occurs, the operating conditions for the drying process (output of compressor 50a of heat pump 50) are corrected so that the electricity charge required to execute the drying process is minimized. This allows the electricity charge required for operation to be reduced when washing machine 1 executes operation in response to user U's operation start instruction.

[0062] (Other embodiments) As described above, the above embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the predetermined process of the present disclosure is exemplified as a drying process, and the compressor 50a is exemplified as an electrically operated unit that operates in the predetermined process. However, the predetermined process may be a washing process, a rinsing process, a spin-drying process, or the like other than the drying process. During the washing, rinsing, and spin-drying processes, the electric motor 51 operates to rotate the drum 2. Therefore, when a transition occurs between the first and second electricity rate periods during the predicted time period during which each process is performed, the operating conditions of the electric motor 51 may be corrected using a correction pattern that minimizes the electricity cost required to perform each process, similar to the correction example described above using the correction patterns shown in FIGS. 4 to 6. Furthermore, during the washing process using hot water, the electric heater 52 operates to generate hot water. Therefore, the operating conditions of the electric heater 52 may be corrected in the same manner as the electric motor 51.

[0064] Here, Figures 7 to 10 show examples of operation patterns of the power-operated unit in a predetermined process executed by the washing machine 1, with the vertical axis representing the output of the power-operated unit and the horizontal axis representing the elapsed time of the process.

[0065] C4 in Fig. 7 is an example of the drying process, with the vertical axis representing the rotation speed of the compressor 50a of the heat pump 50. During the drying process, the heat pump operates continuously. Therefore, in the example of C4, if a switch between the first electricity rate time slot and the second electricity rate time slot occurs midway between t11 and t12, the rotation speed of the compressor 50a can be corrected before and after the switch between electricity rate time slots between t11 and t12, as described above with reference to Figs. 3 to 6.

[0066] C5 in Fig. 8 shows an example in which a washing process, a first rinse process, a second rinse process, and a spin-drying process are executed consecutively as major processes, with the vertical axis representing the rotation speed of electric motor 51. t31 to t33 are the washing process, t33 to t35 are the first rinse process, t35 to t37 are the second rinse process, and t37 to t39 are the spin-drying process. The washing process, first rinse process, second rinse process, and spin-drying process each include a minor process.

[0067] The washing process includes, as sub-processes, a water supply process from t31 to t32 and a water supply / agitation process from t32 to t33. The first rinsing process includes, as sub-processes, a drainage / spin-dry process from t33 to t34 and a water supply / agitation process from t34 to t35. The second rinsing process includes, as sub-processes, a drainage / spin-dry process from t35 to t36 and a water supply / agitation process from t36 to t37. The spin-drying process includes, as sub-processes, a drainage / spin-dry process from t37 to t38 and a cloth loosening process from t38 to t39. In each major process, the operation of electric motor 51 changes significantly for each sub-process included.

[0068] Therefore, if the major process is used as the target unit for output correction, it may not be possible to maintain washing performance. For example, in the rinsing process 1, the sub-process of draining / spinning is performed after the sub-process of water supply / agitation. In this case, when switching from the draining / spinning process to the water supply / agitation process, it is not possible to perform a correction that reduces the output of the electric motor 51 in the draining / spinning process and increases the output in the water supply / agitation process in response to the switch from the high-price first electricity rate time slot to the low-price second electricity rate time slot, because this would make it impossible to maintain spinning performance. Therefore, it is possible to use the sub-processes included in the major process as the target unit for output correction, and when a switch occurs between the first electricity rate time slot and the second electricity rate time slot within a sub-process, the output of the electric motor 51 can be corrected before and after the switch in the electricity rate time slot within the sub-process.

[0069] The classification of sub-processes shown in Fig. 8 is an example, and how a large process is divided into sub-processes varies depending on the model of the target washing machine, the operation program, etc. Also, the target unit for output correction may be set in a classification different from that of the sub-process.

[0070] C6 in Fig. 9 is an example of a process using a hot water course, with the vertical axis representing ON / OFF of the electric heater 52. In this case, the periods t41 to t42, t43 to t44, t45 to t46, t47 to t48, t49 to t50, and t51 to t52 during which the electric heater 52 is ON are used as units for output correction, and when a switch between the first electricity rate time slot and the second electricity rate time slot occurs within any of these periods, the output of the electric motor 51 is corrected before and after the switch between the electricity rate time slots within the period. Note that the unit for output correction may be the entire period t41 to t52 during which the electric heater 52 is turned ON / OFF.

[0071] C7 in Fig. 10 is an example of a process using a course that uses pre-drying (a course that heats laundry with warm air at high temperature before washing to combat dust mites, etc.), and the vertical axis is set to the rotation speed of the compressor 50a of the heat pump 50. In this case, the period from t61 to t62 during which the heat pump 50 is operating is set as the unit of output correction, and if a switch between the first electricity rate time slot and the second electricity rate time slot occurs within that period, the output of the compressor 50a can be corrected before and after the switch within that period.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the steps of the washing machine control method of the present disclosure are executed by processor 20 (corresponding to the computer of the present disclosure) of control device 10 provided in washing machine 1, but some or all of the steps of the washing machine control method of the present disclosure may be executed by a computer system external to washing machine 1, such as washing machine maintenance server 220. For example, washing machine maintenance server 220 may communicate with washing machine 1, user terminal 100, and power company server 210 to execute the steps of the washing machine control method and correct the operating conditions of the predetermined process executed by washing machine 1 by transmitting information indicating the corrected operating conditions of the predetermined process to washing machine 1.

[0073] An advantage of using an external computer system to execute some or all of the steps of the washing machine control method of the present disclosure is that it allows for simulation of electricity rate calculations for a greater number of patterns. For example, in the examples of Figures 3 to 6 described above, the time period on the horizontal axis for output correction was set in 5% increments, but by using an external computer system with high computing power, it is possible to perform output correction at higher resolution, such as in 1% increments. Also, with regard to the mode of output correction, in the examples of Figures 4 to 6 described above, the electricity rate was estimated using output correction patterns in three 10% increments, but it is now possible to estimate the electricity rate using output correction patterns in finer increments, such as in 1% increments, and determine the correction pattern to be used.

[0074] The control board provided in the target devices (washing machine 1, user terminal 100, washing machine maintenance server 220) of the present disclosure may be any controller capable of controlling the operation of the target devices of the present disclosure. When describing the subject matter of the invention, the term "control board" may be used in addition to the term "control means," "control unit," or "controller," or similar terms such as "controller." The control board can be realized in various forms. For example, the control board may use a processor as its controlling entity. Using a processor as its controlling entity enables various processes to be performed by loading a program from a storage medium storing the program into the processor and executing the program. This allows the processing content to be changed by modifying the program stored in the storage medium, thereby increasing the flexibility of changing the control content. Examples of processors include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit). Examples of storage media include a hard disk, flash memory, and optical disk. Furthermore, wired logic, which does not allow rewriting of programs, may be used as the controlling entity of the control board. Using wired logic as the controlling entity of the control board is effective in improving processing speed. An example of wired logic is an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). A controller may also be implemented by combining a processor and wired logic. By combining a processor and wired logic to implement the main control of a control board, software design flexibility can be increased while processing speed can be improved. The main control of a control board and a circuit having a different function from the main control may be implemented by a single semiconductor element. An example of a circuit having a different function is an A / D / D / A conversion circuit. The main control may be implemented by a single semiconductor element or multiple semiconductor elements. When multiple semiconductor elements are used, each control described in the claims may be implemented by a different semiconductor element. Furthermore, a control board may be implemented by including a semiconductor element and a passive component such as a resistor or capacitor.

[0075] The communication circuit (communication unit, communication interface) as a communicator provided in the target device of the present disclosure may be any circuit that enables communication between the target devices of the present disclosure. When describing the subject matter of the invention, the term "communicator" may also be used to refer to a communication means, a communication unit, a transmission / reception means, a transmission / reception unit, or similar terms that enable communication between elements constituting the target device of the present disclosure. The communicator can be realized in various ways. Examples of the communicator include a wireless connection with an external device via a base station or a direct wireless connection with an external device. Examples of wireless connection with an external device via a base station include, for example, an IEEE 802.11-compatible wireless LAN that wirelessly communicates with a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) router, a third-generation mobile communication system (commonly known as 3G), a fourth-generation mobile communication system (commonly known as 4G), an IEEE 802.16-compatible WiMax (registered trademark), or a low-power wide area (LPWA) network. The use of a communicator that directly connects the device of the present disclosure to an external device wirelessly is effective in improving the security of communications, and also allows the device of the present disclosure to communicate with external devices even in places where there is no relay device such as a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) router. Examples of communicators that directly connect the device of the present disclosure to an external device wirelessly include communication via Bluetooth (registered trademark), communication via NFC (Near Field Communication) via a loop antenna, and infrared communication.

[0076] 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.

[0077] (Addendum) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0078] (Technology 1) A washing machine including a storage section for storing laundry, an electric power operation section for performing a predetermined process on the laundry stored in the storage section, and a control device for controlling the operation of the electric power operation section in the predetermined process to perform a predetermined operation including the predetermined process, wherein the control device includes an operation start accepting section for starting the predetermined operation in response to a start instruction from a user of the predetermined operation, an operation condition determining section for determining an operation condition of the electric power operation section in the predetermined process based on predetermined conditions, an electricity rate time period recognizing section for recognizing a first electricity rate time period in which the electricity rate unit price is a first unit price and a second electricity rate time period in which the electricity rate unit price is a second unit price that is lower than the first unit price, and a control device for controlling the start instruction of the predetermined operation in response to the start instruction. an electricity rate time zone switching recognition unit that recognizes whether a switch between the first electricity rate time zone and the second electricity rate time zone will occur during a predicted predetermined process time zone, which is a predicted time zone during which the predetermined process will be performed, when the electricity rate time zone switching recognition unit recognizes that a switch between the first electricity rate time zone and the second electricity rate time zone will occur during the predicted predetermined process time zone; and an operating condition correction unit that, when it is recognized by the electricity rate time zone switching recognition unit that a switch between the first electricity rate time zone and the second electricity rate time zone will occur during the predicted predetermined process time zone, corrects the operating conditions determined by the operating condition determination unit by increasing the output of the electric power operating unit during the second electricity rate time zone within the predicted predetermined process time zone and decreasing the output of the electric power operating unit during the first electricity rate time zone within the predicted predetermined process time zone. According to this configuration, when a predetermined operation is performed in response to a start operation by a user, it is possible to reduce the electricity charges required for the predetermined operation.

[0079] (Technology 2) The washing machine according to Technology 1, wherein the operating condition determination unit determines the operating conditions that change the output of the electric power operation unit in the predetermined process, and the operating condition correction unit performs the correction to the operating conditions by dividing the execution time of the predetermined process under the operating conditions into a plurality of time segments, and for each of the plurality of time segments, using the output of the electric power operation unit before the correction as a reference ratio, and increasing or decreasing the ratio of the output of the electric power operation unit from the reference ratio, within a range in which a difference between a total value of the reference ratio before the correction for the plurality of time segments and a total value of a ratio of the output of the electric power operation unit to the reference ratio after the correction for the plurality of time segments is equal to or less than a predetermined value. According to this configuration, fluctuations in the output of the power-operated unit caused by correcting the operating conditions can be suppressed, and the action on the laundry in the predetermined process can be stabilized.

[0080] (Technology 3) The operating condition correction unit, in the correction, sets a degree of increase in the output of the power operation unit during the second electricity rate time period within the predicted predetermined process time period and a degree of decrease in the output of the power operation unit during the first electricity rate time period within the predicted predetermined process time period so that the electricity fee required to execute the predetermined process is minimized. The washing machine described in Technology 1. According to this configuration, the electricity charges required to execute the predetermined process can be reduced.

[0081] (Technology 4) The washing machine according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 3, wherein the washing machine has a drying function, the predetermined process is a drying process, and the power-operated unit is a compressor constituting a heat pump that is a heat source for blowing warm air into the storage unit. This configuration reduces the electricity costs required to perform the drying process. It should be noted that the electricity costs can also be reduced when performing processes other than the drying process, such as a course using pre-drying, that use hot air generated by the heat pump as a heat source.

[0082] (Technology 5) The washing machine according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 3, wherein the predetermined process is one of a washing process, a rinsing process, and a spin-drying process, and the electrically operated unit is an electric motor that rotates the drum, which is the storage unit. This configuration reduces the electricity charges required to perform the washing, rinsing, and spin-drying steps.

[0083] (Technology 6) The washing machine according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 3, wherein the washing machine has a hot water washing function, the predetermined process is a hot water washing process, and the power-operated unit is an electric heater that generates hot water to be supplied to the storage unit. This configuration can reduce the electricity charges required to perform the warm water washing process.

[0084] (Technology 7) A washing machine control method for controlling, by a computer, a washing machine having a storage section for storing laundry and an electric power operation section for performing a predetermined process on the laundry stored in the storage section, and for controlling the operation of the electric power operation section in the predetermined process to perform a predetermined operation including the predetermined process, the method including: an operation start acceptance step for starting the predetermined operation in response to a start instruction from a user of the predetermined operation; an operation condition determination step for determining an operation condition of the electric power operation section in the predetermined process based on predetermined conditions; an electricity rate time period recognition step for recognizing a first electricity rate time period in which the electricity rate unit price is a first unit price and a second electricity rate time period in which the electricity rate unit price is a second unit price lower than the first unit price; and a step for starting the predetermined operation in response to the start instruction. an electricity tariff time zone switching recognition step of recognizing whether a switch between the first electricity tariff time zone and the second electricity tariff time zone will occur in a predicted predetermined process time zone, which is a predicted time zone in which the predetermined process will be executed, when the electricity tariff time zone switching recognition step recognizes that a switch between the first electricity tariff time zone and the second electricity tariff time zone will occur in the predicted predetermined process time zone; and an operating condition correction step of correcting the operating conditions determined in the operating condition determination step by increasing the output of the electric power operating unit in the second electricity tariff time zone within the predicted predetermined process time zone and decreasing the output of the electric power operating unit in the first electricity tariff time zone within the predicted predetermined process time zone, when the electricity tariff time zone switching recognition step recognizes that a switch between the first electricity tariff time zone and the second electricity tariff time zone will occur in the predicted predetermined process time zone. By executing the washing machine control method of Technique 7 by a computer, the same effects as those of the washing machine of Technique 1 can be obtained. [Industrial Applicability]

[0085] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present disclosure is applicable to applications in which, when a predetermined operation is performed in response to a start operation by a user, the electricity charges required for the predetermined operation are reduced. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1 washing machine 2 Drum (storage section) 3 Display operation section 10 Control device 20 processors 21 Operation Start Reception 22 Operation condition determination unit 23 Electricity rate time zone recognition unit 24 Electricity rate time zone change recognition unit 25 Operating condition correction section 30 memory 31 Programs 32 Operating condition data 40 Communication Unit 50 Heat Pump 50a compressor 51 Electric Motor 52 Electric heater 100 user terminals 200 Communication Network 210 Electric Power Company Server 220 Washing Machine Maintenance Server U User

Claims

1. a storage section for storing laundry; an electric power operating unit that performs a predetermined process on the laundry stored in the storage unit; a control device that controls the operation of the power-operated unit in the predetermined step to perform a predetermined operation including the predetermined step; A washing machine comprising: The control device an operation start receiving unit that starts the predetermined operation in response to an instruction to start the predetermined operation from a user; an operating condition determination unit that determines operating conditions of the electric power operation unit in the predetermined step based on predetermined conditions; an electricity rate time period recognition unit that recognizes a first electricity rate time period in which the electricity rate unit price is a first unit price and a second electricity rate time period in which the electricity rate unit price is a second unit price that is lower than the first unit price; an electricity rate time zone switching recognition unit that recognizes whether a switch between the first electricity rate time zone and the second electricity rate time zone will occur during a predicted predetermined process time zone, which is a predicted time zone during which the predetermined process will be executed, when the predetermined operation is started in response to the start instruction; an operating condition correcting unit that, when the electricity rate time slot switching recognizing unit recognizes that a switch between the first electricity rate time slot and the second electricity rate time slot will occur during the predicted predetermined process time slot, corrects the operating conditions determined by the operating condition determining unit by increasing the output of the electric power operating unit during the second electricity rate time slot within the predicted predetermined process time slot and decreasing the output of the electric power operating unit during the first electricity rate time slot within the predicted predetermined process time slot; A washing machine equipped with

2. the operating condition determination unit determines the operating condition for changing the output of the electric power operation unit in the predetermined step; The operating condition correction unit The correction for the operating conditions is Dividing the execution time of the predetermined process under the operating conditions into a plurality of time segments, For each of the plurality of time segments, the output of the electrically operated unit before the correction is set as a reference ratio, and the ratio of the output of the electrically operated unit is increased or decreased from the reference ratio, and this is done within a range in which the difference between the total value of the reference ratio before the correction for the plurality of time segments and the total value of the ratio of the output of the electrically operated unit to the reference ratio after the correction for the plurality of time segments is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. In the correction, the operating condition correction unit sets a degree of increase in the output of the electric power operating unit during the second electricity rate time slot within the predicted predetermined process time slot and a degree of decrease in the output of the electric power operating unit during the first electricity rate time slot within the predicted predetermined process time slot so that the electricity rate required to execute the predetermined process is minimized. The washing machine according to claim 1.

4. The washing machine has a drying function, the predetermined step is a drying step, The electrically operated unit is a compressor that constitutes a heat pump that is a heat source for blowing hot air into the storage unit. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The predetermined step is any one of a washing step, a rinsing step, and a spin-drying step, The power-operated part is an electric motor that rotates the drum that is the storage part. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The washing machine has a hot water washing function, The predetermined step is a warm water washing step, The electrically operated unit is an electric heater that generates hot water to be supplied to the container. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. A washing machine control method for controlling, by a computer, a washing machine having a storage section for storing laundry and an electric power operation section for performing a process according to a predetermined step on the laundry stored in the storage section, the washing machine performing a predetermined operation including the predetermined step by controlling operation of the electric power operation section in the predetermined step, an operation start acceptance step of starting the predetermined operation in response to an instruction to start the predetermined operation from a user; an operating condition determination step of determining operating conditions of the electric power operation unit in the predetermined step based on predetermined conditions; an electricity rate time period recognition step of recognizing a first electricity rate time period in which the electricity rate unit price is a first unit price and a second electricity rate time period in which the electricity rate unit price is a second unit price that is lower than the first unit price; an electricity rate time zone change recognition step of recognizing whether a change between the first electricity rate time zone and the second electricity rate time zone will occur in a predicted predetermined process time zone, which is a predicted time zone in which the predetermined process will be executed when the predetermined operation is started in response to the start instruction; an operating condition correction step, when it is recognized by the electricity rate time zone change recognition step that a change between the first electricity rate time zone and the second electricity rate time zone will occur during the predicted predetermined operation time zone, correcting the operating conditions determined by the operating condition determination step by increasing the output of the electric power operating unit during the second electricity rate time zone within the predicted predetermined operation time zone and decreasing the output of the electric power operating unit during the first electricity rate time zone within the predicted predetermined operation time zone; A washing machine control method including:

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