Washing machine fault diagnosis system

Abstract

To provide a failure diagnosis system capable of accurately diagnosing failure of a vibration-proof part of a washing machine.SOLUTION: A failure diagnosis system for washing machine includes: a housing; an outer tub for storing water; an inner tub in the outer tub and for storing clothing; a drive part for driving the inner tub; a vibration proof part provided in the outer tub; a physical quantity detection part for detecting physical quantity during an operation; and a failure diagnosis part for diagnosing the failure of the vibration proof part based on the detection result of the physical quantity detection part. In a state where a detachable tool for diagnosis is mounted in the inner tub, the drive part drives the inner tub, and the physical quantity detection part detects the physical quantity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fault diagnosis system for a washing machine. [Background technology]

[0002] When the inner tub of a washing machine is spinning at high speed to spin the water, the vibration and noise can become abnormally loud. There are two main reasons for this.

[0003] The first cause is a problem with how the washing machine is being used. A common problem with how the washing machine is used is when the user places the clothes in the inner tub in a way that makes it difficult to distribute them evenly around the inner surface. If the clothes are placed in this state, a large imbalance occurs during the spin cycle, increasing centrifugal force and resulting in increased vibration. Problems with how the washing machine is used can be solved by the user placing the clothes in the machine properly.

[0004] The second cause is when a part that affects vibrations, etc., among the parts that make up the washing machine, breaks down, and the part that most frequently causes this is the vibration-damping part. An example of a vibration-damping part failure is an oil leak from the oil damper. An oil leak occurs when the seal breaks due to aging or other factors, and when the oil leaks, the damping force due to the viscosity of the oil decreases, so when the inner tub is rotating at a speed that causes the outer tub to resonate during spin-drying, vibrations, etc., become abnormally large.

[0005] Therefore, when vibrations are large, it is effective to use physical quantities detected by sensors installed to control the washing machine to diagnose whether or not there is a malfunction in the vibration isolation unit, and to provide advice on how to use the unit, replace the part, etc. Patent documents 1 and 2, for example, are cited as examples of technologies for diagnosing malfunctions in vibration isolation units.

[0006] Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine service system in which, if the user notices unsteady or unusual vibrations or noises in the washing machine while it is running a wash cycle, a diagnostic command is sent from the user's information terminal to the washing machine's data communication means, and the washing machine's control means receives and interprets the command, and the equipment is controlled and driven in accordance with the diagnostic sequence stored in the diagnostic sequence unit.

[0007] Patent document 2 discloses a drum-type washing machine equipped with a suspension having a damper using a magnetorheological fluid whose viscosity changes depending on the magnetic field of a coil, and which determines whether the suspension has failed based on the detection results of a current sensor that detects the current flowing through the coil. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-50910 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5546956 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 detect physical quantities during the spin cycle with clothes stored in the inner tub and diagnose whether there is a malfunction based on the detection results. However, because the detected physical quantities vary depending on the uneven distribution of clothes during the spin cycle, it is difficult to accurately diagnose a malfunction in the vibration-damping unit.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide a fault diagnosis system that can accurately diagnose faults in the vibration isolation section of a washing machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The fault diagnosis system for a washing machine of the present invention comprises a housing, an outer tub for storing water, an inner tub located inside the outer tub for storing clothes, a drive unit for driving the inner tub, a vibration-damping unit provided in the outer tub, a physical quantity detection unit for detecting physical quantities during operation, and a fault diagnosis unit for diagnosing a fault in the vibration-damping unit based on the detection results of the physical quantity detection unit, and is characterized in that, with a detachable diagnostic jig attached inside the inner tub, the drive unit drives the inner tub and the physical quantity detection unit detects the physical quantities. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fault diagnosis system that can accurately diagnose faults in the vibration isolation part of a washing machine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a right side cross-sectional view showing a part of the housing cut away to show the internal structure of the washing machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fault diagnosis system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 6 is a graph showing the transition of a physical quantity detected by a physical quantity detection unit when the vibration isolation unit is normal and when it is faulty. [Figure 5] 10 is a graph showing the distribution of a representative value V1 of vibration displacement and a representative value V2 of the slope of vibration displacement when a fault diagnosis operation is performed on a plurality of washing machines including normal and faulty products. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for fault diagnosis in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Graph showing the distribution of the representative value V of vibration displacement when a washing machine with a faulty vibration isolation unit is running in a spin cycle. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for fault diagnosis in the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a fault diagnosis system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fault diagnosis system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a fault diagnosis system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fault diagnosis system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fault diagnosis system according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0015] First, the structure of the washing machine will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is an external perspective view showing the washing machine, and Figure 2 is a right side cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the washing machine with part of the housing cut away.

[0016] 1, a detergent dispenser 12 into which detergent is dispensed and an operation panel (display unit 14) for displaying the operation status and for operating various settings are provided at the upper front surface of housing 101 of washing machine 1. Although not shown, a control board including a control unit for controlling the operation of washing machine 1 is provided inside housing 101. This control board also includes sensor information storage unit 11a, diagnostic information storage unit 11b, and fault diagnosis unit 32, which will be described later.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, a cylindrical outer tub 102 that holds wash water coaxially encloses an inner tub 103 that stores laundry, and the front is open. The inner tub 103 and outer tub 102 are either substantially horizontal or tilted so that the front is higher, and the outer tub 102 is connected to the housing 101 via vibration-isolating parts (suspension 105 and hanging spring 106). Here, the suspension 105 is composed of a spring 105a, a damper 105b, and rubber bushings 105c located at both ends. The suspension 105 suppresses vibration of the outer tub with the damping force of the damper 105b, and the hanging spring 106 suppresses vibration of the outer tub 102 from transmitting to the housing 101. A vibration sensor 107 is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 102 to detect vibrations in the left-right, up-down, and front-back directions.

[0018] The inner tub 103 is a cylindrical washing and spin-drying tub rotatably supported relative to the outer tub 102. Its outer and bottom walls have multiple through-holes for water and ventilation, and an opening is formed in its front end face for loading and unloading clothes. A motor 104 (drive unit) that drives the inner tub 103 is installed in the center of the outer side of the rear end face of the outer tub 102, and the rotating shaft 104a of the motor 104 penetrates the outer tub 102 and is connected to the inner tub 103. A rotation sensor 108 is provided on the motor 104 to detect its rotation speed. When the rotating shaft of the motor 104 is directly connected to the inner tub 103, the rotation speed of the motor 104 detected by the rotation sensor 108 is the rotation speed of the inner tub 103. A fluid balancer 103a is attached to the outer diameter side of the opening of the inner tub 103. The inner diameter side of the outer circumferential wall of the inner tub 103 is provided with multiple lifters 103b extending in the axial direction, and when the inner tub 103 rotates during washing, the clothes are lifted by the lifters 103b and centrifugal force, and then fall due to gravity, repeating this motion. The rotation axis Az of the inner tub 103 is approximately horizontal or inclined so that the opening side is slightly higher.

[0019] During dehydration operation, as the rotation speed of inner tub 103 gradually increases, the outer tub 102 begins to vibrate more strongly when it reaches a rotation speed range where it resonates. At this time, the control unit compares the output of vibration sensor 107 with a pre-recorded threshold value, and if the output exceeds the threshold value, controls the rotation of inner tub 103 to stop so that the vibration does not become excessive.

[0020] In addition, in washing machine 1 of this embodiment, suspension 105 is installed in a substantially vertical direction, and therefore, the damping force of damper 105b can reduce vertical vibration of outer tub 102. In this specification, the substantially vertical direction in which suspension 105 is installed may be referred to as the installation direction of the vibration-isolating part.

[0021] If damper 105b constituting suspension 105 is an oil damper, the damping force will decrease if an oil leak occurs. Therefore, in a washing machine with an oil leak in damper 105b, vibrations will be greater during the spin cycle at a rotational speed where outer tub 102 resonates vertically compared to when damper 105b is normal. However, because the uneven distribution of clothes that causes vibrations differs for each spin cycle, the centrifugal force (load) generated in inner tub 103 also differs for each spin cycle. In other words, it is difficult to accurately diagnose a malfunction in the vibration-damping section when running a normal spin cycle with clothes still stored in inner tub 103.

[0022] Therefore, in this embodiment, a weight 200 of predetermined size and material is attached inside the inner tank 103, and the degree of vibration is compared under a constant load to accurately diagnose failures in the vibration-proof section.

[0023] The weight 200 is a removable diagnostic tool that is attached to the inside of the inner tub 103 in place of clothing by a user or maintenance personnel only when diagnosing a malfunction in the vibration isolation unit. The weight 200 is preferably rust-resistant and can be easily attached to a predetermined position inside the inner tub 103 without using special fixing tools such as adhesive tape or screws. For example, if the weight 200 is made of an elastic material such as rubber that is slightly larger than the axial dimension from the bottom wall of the inner tub 103 to the fluid balancer 103a, the weight 200 can be easily attached and detached to an area of ​​the inner diameter side of the inner tub 103 where the lifter 103b is not present.

[0024] A specific fault diagnosis method using the weight 200 will be described below using Examples 1 to 5 as examples. [Example]

[0025] The first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 6. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fault diagnosis system according to the first embodiment. The fault diagnosis system 500 of the present embodiment performs fault diagnosis on a washing machine 1 alone.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the washing machine 1 of this embodiment includes a physical quantity detection unit 13, a sensor information storage unit 11a, a diagnostic information storage unit 11b, a fault diagnosis unit 32, and a display unit 14. The physical quantity detection unit 13 detects physical quantities during operation of the washing machine 1, and is, for example, the vibration sensor 107 or the rotation sensor 108 shown in FIG. 2. The sensor information storage unit 11a temporarily stores physical quantity data acquired by the physical quantity detection unit 13 and is, for example, a memory. The diagnostic information storage unit stores fixed data such as thresholds required for fault diagnosis. The fault diagnosis unit 32 diagnoses a fault in a vibration isolation unit (e.g., a suspension 105) based on the detection results of the physical quantity detection unit 13 stored in the sensor information storage unit 11a and the thresholds and the like stored in the diagnostic information storage unit 11b. The display unit 14 displays the diagnosis results obtained by the fault diagnosis unit 32 and is, for example, an operation panel.

[0027] In this embodiment, unlike normal washing and spin-drying operations, the diagnostic operation mode is executed with no clothes stored in the inner tub 103 and with a weight 200 attached to the inner tub 103. The motor 104 drives the inner tub 103 and the vibration sensor 107 detects vibration displacement. In normal washing and spin-drying operations, the rotation speed of the inner tub 103 increases or decreases so that the rotation speed range at which the outer tub 102 resonates is quickly passed. However, in the diagnostic operation mode, the rotation speed of the inner tub 103 is essentially maintained within the resonating rotation speed range. Note that, due to the control of the motor 104, the rotation speed of the inner tub 103 in the diagnostic operation mode may not be maintained at the specific value at which the outer tub 102 resonates. Therefore, the rotation speed may be within a rotation speed range that has a certain width around that value. The control unit controls the motor 104 using the detection results from the rotation sensor 108 to maintain the inner tub 103 within the predetermined rotation speed range.

[0028] Fig. 4 is a graph showing the transition of the physical quantity (vibration displacement) detected by the physical quantity detection unit (vibration sensor) when the vibration isolation unit (damper) is normal and when it is faulty. Note that when obtaining the graph shown in Fig. 4, the rotation speed of the inner tank 103 is maintained within a rotation speed range in which the outer tank 102 resonates in the installation direction (vertical direction) of the vibration isolation unit.

[0029] It can be seen that if the vibration isolation unit is normal, the vertical vibration displacement (PP) of the outer tank 102 increases until time T1, but stabilizes after time T1. On the other hand, if the vibration isolation unit is faulty, the vibration displacement (PP) becomes larger at time T1 than when it is normal, and continues to increase after time T1. In this embodiment, fault diagnosis is performed based on two indices: the vibration displacement at time T1 (representative value V1) and the slope of the vibration displacement from time T1 to time T2, a predetermined time after time T1 has elapsed (representative value V2).

[0030] Fig. 5 is a graph showing the distribution of the representative value V1 of vibration displacement and the representative value V2 of vibration displacement slope when a fault diagnosis operation is performed on multiple washing machines, including multiple normal and faulty products. The first threshold is a threshold that serves as a guideline for determining a fault with respect to the representative value V1 of vibration displacement, and the second threshold is a threshold that serves as a guideline for determining a fault with respect to the representative value V2 of vibration displacement slope. Fig. 5 shows that the representative values ​​V1 and V2 of normal products are distributed in the lower left region of the four regions separated by the thresholds.

[0031] Next, the procedure of fault diagnosis will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of fault diagnosis in the first embodiment.

[0032] First, a user or maintenance person attaches weight 200, which is a diagnostic tool, to inner tub 103 of the washing machine without placing any clothes inside (Step S101). Next, the user or maintenance person operates the operation panel to start the fault diagnosis mode (Step S102). Then, the control unit controls motor 104 so that inner tub 103 rotates within a rotational speed range in which outer tub 102 resonates, and physical quantity detection unit 13 detects the physical quantity at this time (Step S103). The physical quantity data detected by physical quantity detection unit 13, specifically, the vibration displacement detected by vibration sensor 107 and the rotational speed detected by rotation sensor 108, are stored in sensor information storage unit 11a (Step S104). Note that since inner tub 103 is maintained within the aforementioned rotational speed range during the fault diagnosis mode, the rotational speed does not need to be stored.

[0033] Next, the fault diagnosis unit 32 extracts the vibration displacement data at time T1 and time T2 from the physical quantity data stored in the sensor information storage unit 11a, and calculates the representative values ​​V1 and V2 (step S105). Here, if the vibration displacements at time T1 and time T2 are Y1 and Y2, respectively, the representative values ​​V1 and V2 are expressed by the following equations.

[0034] V1=Y1...(Formula 1) V2 = (Y2 - Y1) / (T2 - T1) (Equation 2) The fault diagnosis unit 32 reads out predetermined first and second threshold values ​​from the diagnosis information storage unit 11b and compares the representative values ​​V1 and V2 calculated by (Equation 1) and (Equation 2) with the read-out threshold values. Specifically, the fault diagnosis unit 32 first determines whether the relationships of representative value V1 > first threshold value and representative value V2 > second threshold value hold (step S106). If these relationships hold, the fault diagnosis unit 32 determines that there is a fault in the vibration isolation unit. If these relationships do not hold, the fault diagnosis unit 32 then determines whether the relationships of representative value V1 ≦ first threshold value and representative value V2 ≦ second threshold value hold (step S107). If these relationships hold, the fault diagnosis unit 32 determines that the vibration isolation unit is normal. If these relationships do not hold, the fault diagnosis unit 32 determines that the vibration isolation unit is in a borderline region that does not correspond to either a normal product or a faulty product. If it is determined to be a boundary area, a maintenance worker or the like will carry out a detailed check.

[0035] In the example shown in FIG. 6, a condition for determining a borderline region is set, but this condition may not be set and the product may always be assigned to either a normal product or a faulty product. In this case, thresholds and relational expressions different from those described above are determined in advance based on the distribution of the representative values ​​of the sample data. In the example shown in FIG. 5, when the representative value V1 is greater than the first threshold and the representative value V2 is less than or equal to the second threshold, and when the representative value V1 is less than or equal to the first threshold and the representative value V2 is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the product is assigned to a faulty product rather than to a borderline region. [Example]

[0036] Example 2 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. In this example, fault diagnosis is performed using the spin-drying operation mode, which is a normal operation mode, rather than the special fault diagnosis mode. In the spin-drying operation mode, the rotation speed of the inner tub 103 increases and decreases so that the rotation speed range in which the outer tub 102 resonates passes in a short time. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain sufficient data on the vibration displacement in the resonating rotation speed range in a single operation. Therefore, in this example, the spin-drying operation mode is performed multiple times, and fault diagnosis is performed using the vibration displacement data detected at each operation. Furthermore, by changing the mounting position of the diagnostic jig each time the spin-drying operation mode is performed, highly reliable fault diagnosis is possible.

[0037] FIG. 7 is a graph showing the distribution of representative values ​​V of vibration displacement when a washing machine with a faulty vibration isolation unit is subjected to a spin-drying operation. In this embodiment, fault diagnosis unit 32 extracts data from the vibration displacement detected by vibration sensor 107 when the rotation speed of inner tub 103 is within the aforementioned rotation speed range, while referencing the detection results of rotation sensor 108. In FIG. 7, the representative value V, which is the average value of the vertical vibration displacement (PP) of outer tub 102 extracted when the spin-drying operation mode is performed multiple times, is indicated by a solid line, and the representative value V, which is the median value, is indicated by x. The third threshold is a threshold for distinguishing between a faulty product and a borderline product, and the fourth threshold is a threshold for distinguishing between a borderline product and a normal product.

[0038] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of fault diagnosis in the second embodiment.

[0039] First, the washing machine determines whether the number of executions of the spin-drying operation mode exceeds a predetermined lower limit (step S201). For the first execution, the number of executions is 1, which does not exceed the lower limit. Therefore, the user or maintenance personnel attaches weight 200, a diagnostic tool, to a predetermined position in inner tub 103 without placing any clothes inside (step S202). Next, the user or maintenance personnel operates the operation panel to start the spin-drying operation mode, which performs only spin-drying without washing or rinsing (step S203). The control unit then gradually increases the rotation speed of inner tub 103, controlling motor 104 until the rotation speed reaches a predetermined spin-drying rotation speed that is higher than the rotation speed band in which outer tub 102 resonates. Physical quantity detection unit 13 detects the physical quantity during this period (step S204). Specifically, the vibration displacement detected by vibration sensor 107 and the rotation speed detected by rotation sensor 108 are stored in sensor information storage unit 11a (step S205).

[0040] Next, 1 is added to the number of executions (step S206), and the process returns to step S201. If the lower limit value is not exceeded in step S201, the user or maintenance person shifts the weight 200 to a different position from the previous time and sets it down. Thereafter, the same procedure as described above is repeated up to step S206. If the lower limit value is exceeded in step 201, the fault diagnosis unit 32 extracts data on vibration displacement in the resonating rotation speed band from the physical quantity data stored in the sensor information storage unit 11a, and calculates a representative value V (step S207). As described above, the representative value V may be an average value or a median value of multiple vibration displacements.

[0041] The fault diagnosis unit 32 reads out predetermined third and fourth threshold values ​​from the diagnosis information storage unit 11b and compares them with the calculated representative value V. Specifically, the fault diagnosis unit 32 first determines whether the relationship of representative value V > third threshold value holds (step S208). If this relationship holds, the fault diagnosis unit 32 determines that there is a fault in the vibration isolation unit. If this relationship does not hold, the fault diagnosis unit 32 then determines whether the relationship of representative value V ≦ fourth threshold value holds (step S209). If this relationship holds, the fault diagnosis unit 32 determines that the vibration isolation unit is normal. If this relationship does not hold, the fault diagnosis unit 32 determines that the product is in a borderline region that does not correspond to either a normal product or a faulty product. If it is determined to be in a borderline region, a detailed check is performed by a maintenance technician or the like.

[0042] In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, it is necessary to operate the washing machine multiple times by shifting the position of the spindle 200, but highly accurate fault diagnosis is possible even for washing machines that do not have a special fault diagnosis mode. [Example]

[0043] Example 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. Fig. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a fault diagnosis system according to Example 3, and Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fault diagnosis system according to Example 3. Fault diagnosis system 501 of this example is composed of washing machine 1, server 3, user terminal 2, maintenance staff terminal 4, and communication network 6, and fault diagnosis is performed by server 3 connected to washing machine 1 via communication network 6.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 10 , the washing machine 1 in this embodiment includes a physical quantity detection unit 13, a sensor information storage unit 11a, a display unit 14, a main body information storage unit 11c, an information transmission unit 18, and an information receiving unit 19. The physical quantity detection unit 13, the sensor information storage unit 11a, and the display unit 14 are the same as those in the first embodiment. The main body information storage unit 11c stores data such as the model and product number required for fault diagnosis of the washing machine. The information transmission unit 18 transmits the data stored in the sensor information storage unit 11a and the main body information storage unit 11c to the server 3 or the like via the communication network 6. The information receiving unit 19 receives the diagnosis results and various information from the server 3 or the like via the communication network 6.

[0045] The server 3 is a computer managed by a remote monitoring center 30 that remotely monitors the washing machine 1, and includes an information receiving unit 39, a received information storage unit 31a, a diagnostic information storage unit 31b, a fault diagnosis unit 32, a notification determination unit 33, an information transmitting unit 38, and a maintenance information storage unit 36. The information receiving unit 39 receives data stored in the sensor information storage unit 11a and the main body information storage unit 11c from the washing machine 1, and receives requests from the user terminal 2 or the maintenance staff terminal 4. The received information storage unit 31a temporarily stores data received from the washing machine 1. The diagnostic information storage unit 31b stores threshold values ​​for each model, etc., required for fault diagnosis. The fault diagnosis unit 32 diagnoses a fault in the vibration isolation unit based on the detection results of the physical quantity detection unit 13 stored in the received information storage unit 31a and the threshold values, etc., stored in the diagnostic information storage unit 31b. The notification determination unit 33 determines whether to notify the user terminal 2 or the maintenance staff terminal 4 of the fault diagnosis results. The information sending unit 38 sends the notification determined by the notification determining unit 33. The maintenance information storage unit 36 ​​stores the results of the fault diagnosis and maintenance history (such as repair requests from users and history of repaired parts).

[0046] User terminal 2 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by a user who uses washing machine 1, and includes display unit 24, information input unit 25, information transmission unit 28, and information receiving unit 29. Display unit 24 is a display that outputs information such as the results of a fault diagnosis. Information input unit 25 is used to input information such as a request to start a fault diagnosis or a request to transmit the diagnosis results, and is, for example, a touch sensor provided on the surface of the display. Information transmission unit 28 transmits the information input by information input unit 25 to server 3 via communication network 6. Information receiving unit 29 receives information such as the results of the fault diagnosis performed by server 3 from server 3 via communication network 6. Note that user terminal 2 does not have to be located where washing machine 1 is installed, as long as it can be connected to communication network 6.

[0047] Maintenance staff terminal 4 is a mobile terminal owned by a maintenance staff member belonging to service center 40 that performs maintenance service for washing machine 1, and includes display unit 44, information input unit 45, information transmission unit 48, and information reception unit 49. The configuration of maintenance staff terminal 4 is the same as that of user terminal 2, but the maintenance staff communicates with the user or remote monitoring center 30 using maintenance staff terminal 4 as necessary.

[0048] In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the fault diagnosis unit 32 is provided in the server 3, not in the washing machine 1. Therefore, the detection result of the physical quantity detection unit 13, together with identification information capable of identifying the model, etc., of the washing machine 1 to be diagnosed, is transmitted from the information transmission unit 18 to the server 3 via the communication network 6. The fault diagnosis unit 32 of the server 3 diagnoses a fault in the vibration-damping unit based on a threshold value corresponding to the model, etc., of the washing machine 1. If a fault is diagnosed, a notification determined by the notification determination unit 33 of the server 3 is sent from the information transmission unit 38 to the user terminal 2 or the maintenance staff terminal 4 via the communication network 6. After confirming the notification, the user or maintenance staff uses their own mobile terminal to display the diagnosis result on the display unit. The notification or diagnosis result may be displayed on the display unit 14 of the washing machine 1. Even if a normal diagnosis is made, the notification determined by the notification determination unit 33 of the server 3 may be sent from the information transmission unit 38 to the user terminal 2, etc. via the communication network 6. [Example]

[0049] Example 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. Fig. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a fault diagnosis system according to Example 4, and Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fault diagnosis system according to Example 4. In fault diagnosis system 502 of this example, a physical quantity detected in washing machine 1 is transmitted to server 3 of remote monitoring center 30 by a mobile terminal device of a maintenance worker or the like at diagnosis target machine installation site 10, and server 3 performs fault diagnosis.

[0050] 12, washing machine 1 in this embodiment only includes physical quantity detection unit 13 and display unit 14. The configurations of server 3, user terminal 2, and maintenance staff terminal 4 are the same as those in the third embodiment.

[0051] In this embodiment, unlike the third embodiment, the washing machine 1 does not include an information transmitting unit or an information receiving unit, and therefore the washing machine 1 cannot directly transmit the detection result of the physical quantity detection unit 13 to the server 3. Therefore, the washing machine 1 of this embodiment displays, on the display unit 14, the physical quantity data necessary for fault diagnosis, among the physical quantity data acquired by the physical quantity detection unit 13.

[0052] The maintenance technician uses information input unit 45 of maintenance technician terminal 4 to input identification information that can identify the model and the like, in addition to the physical quantity data displayed on display unit 14 of washing machine 1. Information transmission unit 48 of maintenance technician terminal 4 transmits the information input by information input unit 45 to server 3 via communication network 6. Fault diagnosis unit 32 of server 3 performs a fault diagnosis of the vibration isolation unit of washing machine 1 based on the information received from the maintenance technician terminal and information such as thresholds stored in diagnosis information storage unit 31b, and stores the diagnosis results in maintenance information storage unit 36. Furthermore, information transmission unit 38 of server 3 transmits the diagnosis results stored in maintenance information storage unit 36 ​​to maintenance technician terminal 4 via communication network 6. Maintenance technician terminal 4 displays the diagnosis results received by information receiving unit 49 on display unit 44, allowing the maintenance technician to check the diagnosis results at the installation location of washing machine 1.

[0053] In addition, when a user inputs a request to send diagnostic results using the information input unit 25 of the user terminal 2, the request is sent to the server 3 by the information sending unit 28, and the diagnostic results are received from the server 3 by the information receiving unit 29 and displayed on the display unit 24.

[0054] In this embodiment, the description is given assuming a washing machine that does not have an information transmitting unit or an information receiving unit, but even in a washing machine that has an information transmitting unit or an information receiving unit, fault diagnosis can be performed in a similar manner if it is not connected to communication network 6. Furthermore, the input of physical quantity data to be displayed on the display unit of the washing machine and transmission of the data to the server may be performed by a user using user terminal 2, rather than by a maintenance technician. [Example]

[0055] A fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11 and Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fault diagnosis system according to the fifth embodiment. A fault diagnosis system 503 of the present embodiment performs fault diagnosis using a mobile terminal device of a maintenance worker or the like based on physical quantities detected in a washing machine 1.

[0056] 13, server 3 in this embodiment only includes information transmission unit 38, information reception unit 39, and maintenance information storage unit 36. On the other hand, maintenance staff terminal 4 in this embodiment includes display unit 44, information input unit 45, information transmission unit 48, and information reception unit 49, as well as diagnostic information storage unit 41b and fault diagnosis unit 32. The configurations of washing machine 1 and user terminal 2 are the same as those in the fourth embodiment.

[0057] The maintenance technician inputs the physical quantity data displayed on display unit 14 of washing machine 1 as well as identification information that can identify the model, etc., using information input unit 45 of maintenance technician terminal 4. Fault diagnosis unit 32 of maintenance technician terminal 4 performs fault diagnosis of the vibration isolation unit of washing machine 1 based on the input information and information such as thresholds stored in diagnosis information storage unit 31b. The diagnosis results are displayed on display unit 44 of maintenance technician terminal 4 and confirmed by the maintenance technician.

[0058] The diagnosis results by the fault diagnosis unit 32 of the maintenance staff terminal 4 are also transmitted to the server 3 by the information transmission unit 48 and recorded in the maintenance information storage unit 36. If the maintenance staff wishes to check the results of the fault diagnosis later, they input a transmission request for the diagnosis results using the information input unit 45 of the maintenance staff terminal 4. The transmission request is transmitted to the server 3 by the information transmission unit 48, and the server 3 transmits the diagnosis results stored in the maintenance information storage unit 36 ​​to the maintenance staff terminal 4 by the information transmission unit 38.

[0059] The user can also input a request to send a diagnostic result using the information input unit 25 of the user terminal and have the request sent to the server 3 by the information sending unit 28, so that the diagnostic result can be received by the information receiving unit 29 and displayed on the display unit 24. Furthermore, if the user terminal 2 is equipped with a fault diagnosis unit and a diagnostic information storage unit, the user terminal 2 may perform the fault diagnosis.

[0060] The above-described embodiments have been described in detail to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to systems having all of the described configurations. For example, the washing machines to be diagnosed in the above-described fault diagnosis system include not only drum-type washing machines but also vertical washing machines. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, vertical vibration displacement is used for fault diagnosis, but vibration displacement in another direction may be used depending on the installation direction of the damper and suspension spring. Furthermore, in the above-described third to fifth embodiments, a system in which both a user terminal 2 and a maintenance technician terminal 4 exist is described, but a system in which only one of the mobile terminals exists may also be used.

[0061] It is also possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment.Furthermore, it is also possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1... washing machine, 2... user terminal, 3... server, 4... maintenance staff terminal, 6... communication network, 10... location of device to be diagnosed, 11a... sensor information storage unit, 11b... diagnosis information storage unit (washing machine), 11c... main body information storage unit, 13... physical quantity detection unit, 14... display unit (washing machine), 18... information transmission unit (washing machine), 19... information reception unit (washing machine), 24... display unit (user terminal), 25... information input unit (user terminal), 28... information transmission unit (user terminal), 29... information reception unit (user terminal), 30... remote monitoring center, 31a... received information storage unit, 31b... diagnosis information storage unit (server), 32... fault diagnosis unit, 33... notification determination unit, 36... maintenance information storage unit, 38... Information transmission unit (server), 39...information reception unit (server), 40...service center, 44...display unit (maintenance staff terminal), 45...information input unit (maintenance staff terminal), 48...information transmission unit (maintenance staff terminal), 49...information reception unit (maintenance staff terminal), 41b...diagnosis information storage unit (maintenance staff terminal), 101...casing, 102...outer tank, 103...inner tank, 103a...fluid balancer, 103b...lifter, 104...motor, 104a...rotating shaft, 105...suspension, 105a...spring, 105b...damper, 105c...bush, 106...hanging spring, 107...vibration sensor, 108...rotation sensor, 200...weight, 500, 501, 502, 503...fault diagnosis system

Claims

1. The housing and An outer tank for storing water, an inner tub located within the outer tub for storing clothes; a drive unit that drives the inner tank; a vibration-isolating portion provided in the outer tank; a physical quantity detection unit that detects a physical quantity during operation; a fault diagnosis unit that diagnoses a fault in the vibration isolation unit based on a detection result of the physical quantity detection unit, When a diagnostic operation mode is executed in a state in which a detachable weight is attached to the inner diameter side of the inner tank by a user or a maintenance person, The drive unit maintains the rotation speed of the inner tank within a rotation speed range in which the outer tank resonates, the physical quantity detection unit detects a physical quantity, A fault diagnosis system for a washing machine, characterized in that the fault diagnosis unit diagnoses a fault in the vibration-damping unit based on physical quantities detected when the inner tub is rotating within the rotation speed range.

2. The washing machine has a dehydration operation mode in which only dehydration is performed without washing or rinsing, The failure diagnosis unit diagnoses a failure of the vibration isolation unit based on a physical quantity detected when the inner tub is rotating in a rotation speed range in which the outer tub resonates in the dehydration operation mode, 2. The fault diagnosis system for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the spin-drying operation mode is executed a plurality of times with the attachment position of the weight changed.

3. 3. The washing machine fault diagnosis system according to claim 1, wherein the outer tub resonates in the direction in which the vibration isolator is installed in the rotation speed range.

4. 2. The fault diagnosis system for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the fault diagnosis unit diagnoses a fault in the vibration isolation unit based on a plurality of vibration displacements detected at different times in the diagnostic operation mode.

5. 2. The fault diagnosis system for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the fault diagnosis unit and the display unit for displaying the diagnosis result of the fault diagnosis unit are provided in a main body of the washing machine.

6. an information transmitting unit that transmits the detection result is provided in the washing machine body, 2. The failure diagnosis system for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein an information receiving unit that receives the detection result and the failure diagnosis unit are provided in a server.

7. a display unit that displays the detection result is provided on the washing machine body, an information input unit that inputs the detection result, an information transmission unit that transmits the detection result, an information reception unit that receives the diagnosis result of the fault diagnosis unit, and a display unit that displays the diagnosis result, 2. The washing machine fault diagnosis system according to claim 1, wherein the information receiving unit that receives the detection result, the fault diagnosis unit, and the information transmitting unit that transmits the diagnosis result are provided in a server.

8. a display unit that displays the detection result is provided on the washing machine body, 2. The washing machine fault diagnosis system according to claim 1, wherein an information input unit that inputs the detection results, the fault diagnosis unit, and a display unit that displays the diagnosis results of the fault diagnosis unit are provided in a mobile terminal device.

9. a plurality of lifters extending in the axial direction are provided on the inner diameter side of the outer peripheral wall of the inner tank, 2. The fault diagnosis system for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the weight is made of an elastic member and is attached to an area of ​​the inner tub where no lifter is present on the inner diameter side of the inner tub.

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