Washing machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a washing machine comprising a lid body situated on the front surface of the housing, a lid body covering the door in a way that allows it to be opened, a hook which is situated on the lid body and a joint connecting the lid body in the closed position to the housing, and a locking mechanism (113) situated in the housing and constructed to lock the lid body in the closed position. The washing machine also comprises an actuator which drives the locking mechanism and a control (140) which controls the actuator. The washing machine also comprises a charging / discharging device (144) which transmits a signal from the actuator to the actuator. When the lid body is in the closed position with the hook, the actuator outputs a control signal to the charging / discharging device. When a predetermined number of control signals, such numbers, are fed into the charging / discharging device, the washing machine actuates the actuator to control the locking mechanism and switches between the state in which the lid body is locked in the closed position and the state in which the lid body is unlocked.

Description

washing machine

[0001] The present disclosure relates to washing machines.

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a door switch device for a washing machine that quickly and reliably locks and unlocks the door. This door switch device includes a sliding member that slides when the door is closed and a switch means that is energized by the movement of the sliding member. The door switch device also includes a drive unit that operates when the switch means is energized, and a holding unit that holds the sliding member in a state where the hook does not disengage when the drive unit is operated.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-272293

[0004] The present disclosure provides a washing machine that can suppress malfunctions of the door lock.

[0005] The washing machine of the present disclosure includes a housing, a water tub elastically supported within the housing, a washing tub rotatably disposed within the water tub, an inlet formed on the front surface of the housing opposite the opening of the washing tub, and a lid provided on the front surface of the housing and closably covering the inlet. The washing machine of the present disclosure also includes a hook provided on the lid for engaging the lid with the housing in a closed state, a locking mechanism provided on the housing for locking the lid in the closed state, a drive unit for driving the locking mechanism, and a drive control unit for controlling the drive unit. The washing machine of the present disclosure also includes a charging / discharging unit that transmits a signal from the drive control unit to the drive unit. When the hook keeps the lid in the closed state, the drive control unit outputs a dynamic control signal to the charging / discharging unit. The washing machine of the present disclosure drives the drive unit to operate the locking mechanism and switches between a state in which the lid is locked in the closed state and a state in which the lid is unlocked when a predetermined number of control signals are input to the charging / discharging unit.

[0006] The washing machine of the present disclosure can suppress malfunction of the door lock.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a washing machine according to embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a washing machine according to embodiment 1. FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a hook hole provided in a housing of the washing machine according to embodiment 1. FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing the appearance of a locking mechanism of the washing machine according to embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view showing a hook provided on a lid of the washing machine according to embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit of the washing machine according to embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a graph showing example 1 of a control signal of the washing machine according to embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a graph showing example 2 of a control signal of the washing machine according to embodiment 1. FIG. 8 is a graph showing example 3 of a control signal of the washing machine according to embodiment 1. FIG. 9 is a graph showing an example of operation of a charge / discharge unit of the washing machine according to embodiment 1. FIG. 10 is a graph showing an example of operation of the washing machine according to embodiment 1.

[0008] (Findings that formed the basis of the present disclosure) At the time the inventors arrived at the idea of ​​the present disclosure, there was technology available that could quickly and reliably lock and unlock a door by issuing an operation command to a drive unit when the door hook engages as the door is closed. This allows the door to be quickly and reliably locked and unlocked without being affected by the degree to which the user has closed the door.

[0009] However, it is conceivable that an erroneous signal may be received due to a malfunction of the drive control unit, such as when the drive control unit itself is overloaded and locks in a signal output state, or when external noise propagates to the drive control unit, etc. Even in such cases, the inventors discovered a problem that the door can be locked and unlocked reliably in a short time, and in order to solve this problem, the subject matter of the present disclosure has been constituted.

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

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

[0012] 1 to 10, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. In the following, when washing machine 100 is installed as shown in FIG. 1, the side on which lid 120 is present may be referred to as the front side, and the opposite side may be referred to as the rear side.

[0013] [1-1. Configuration] [1-1-1. Configuration of Washing Machine] FIGS. 1 and 2 are a perspective view and a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the configuration of washing machine 100 in embodiment 1. FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing hook hole 112 provided in housing 110 of washing machine 100. FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing the appearance of locking mechanism 113 of washing machine 100. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view showing hook 121 provided on lid 120 of washing machine 100. In FIGS. 1 to 4, washing machine 100 includes housing 110. Washing machine 100 also includes water tub 130 that is elastically supported inside housing 110. Washing machine 100 also includes washing tub 131 that is rotatably disposed inside water tub 130 and has opening 132 at the front.

[0014] Washing machine 100 also includes an input port 111, a lid 120, a hook 121, and a locking mechanism 113. Input port 111 is formed on the front surface of housing 110 so as to face opening 132 of washing tub 131. A lid 120 is provided on the front surface of housing 110 to cover input port 111 in an openable and closable manner. Lid 120 is rotatable about a pivot (not shown) formed on housing 110. Lid 120 is provided with a hook 121 that engages with housing 110 when lid 120 is closed. Housing 110 is provided with a hook hole 112 for engaging hook 121 and a locking mechanism 113 for maintaining lid 120 in the closed state. That is, locking mechanism 113 locks lid 120 in the closed state. The washing machine 100 is equipped with a sensor (not shown), which can detect that the lid 120 is in the closed state by the hook 121.

[0015] Furthermore, a control unit 140 is provided within the housing 110 .

[0016] 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 140 of the washing machine 100. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 140 includes, in cascade connection, a first drive unit 141 and a second drive unit 142 that drive the locking mechanism 113, and a drive control unit 143 that controls the first drive unit 141 and the second drive unit 142. That is, the washing machine 100 includes the first drive unit 141, the second drive unit 142, the drive control unit 143, and a charge / discharge unit 144. Here, the first drive unit 141 and the second drive unit 142 correspond to an example of a drive unit in the present disclosure. Furthermore, the first drive unit 141 corresponds to an example of one drive unit in the present disclosure, and the second drive unit 142 corresponds to an example of another drive unit in the present disclosure.

[0017] As described above, in washing machine 100, first drive unit 141 and second drive unit 142, which are multiple drive units, are arranged in cascade connection with lock mechanism 113. Second drive unit 142 is directly connected to drive control unit 143 within control unit 140, and charging / discharging unit 144, which transmits signals from drive control unit 143 to first drive unit 141, is connected between first drive unit 141 and drive control unit 143. In other words, charging / discharging unit 144 is connected only to first drive unit 141, which is one of first drive unit 141 and second drive unit 142, which are multiple drive units connected in cascade, and is not connected to second drive unit 142, which is the other drive unit.

[0018] When the lid 120 is in the closed state by the hook 121, the drive control unit 143 outputs a control signal B to the second drive unit 142 and outputs a control signal A to the charge / discharge unit 144, i.e., to the first drive unit 141 via the charge / discharge unit 144. Here, the control signal A is an example of a dynamic control signal of the present disclosure, and the control signal B is an example of a single control signal of the present disclosure. That is, the drive control unit 143 outputs the control signal A, which is a dynamic control signal, to the first drive unit 141, which is one drive unit to which the charge / discharge unit 144 is connected. In addition, the drive control unit 143 outputs the control signal B, which is a single control signal, to the second drive unit 142, which is the other drive unit.

[0019] The drive control unit 143 may be a hardware circuit specially designed to realize the above functions, or may realize the above functions by a processor executing a program stored in memory, that is, by a collaboration of hardware and software.

[0020] The charge / discharge unit 144 is made up of a resistor R1, a capacitor C2, a diode D1, a capacitor C1, resistors R2, resistors R3, and a transistor Q1.

[0021] The first driving section 141 is made up of a resistor R4, a resistor R5, a transistor Q2, and a switch M1. The transistor Q1 is connected to the resistor R4.

[0022] The second drive unit 142 is made up of resistors R6, R7 and a switch M2.

[0023] The switches M1 and M2 are connected to the lock mechanism 113.

[0024] [1-2. Operation] The operation of the washing machine 100 configured as above will be described below.

[0025] [1-2-1. Operation of the driving unit] The operation of the locking mechanism will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 10. Figs. 6 and 7 are graphs showing control signals A and B of the washing machine 100. Fig. 8 is a graph showing control signals A, A', and A'' of the washing machine 100. Fig. 9 is a graph showing an example of the operation of the charging / discharging unit 144 of the washing machine 100. Fig. 10 is a graph showing an example of the operation of the washing machine 100.

[0026] The drive control unit 143 outputs a control signal A shown in Fig. 6 to the first drive unit 141. The drive control unit 143 also outputs a control signal B shown in Fig. 7 to the second drive unit 142.

[0027] In the washing machine 100, a signal is output from the drive control unit 143 to both the first drive unit 141 and the second drive unit 142, and the locking mechanism 113 is activated only when both the first drive unit 141 and the second drive unit 142 are operating.

[0028] 6 shows a waveform of a representative control signal A as an example of a dynamic control signal of the present disclosure. However, this is not limited to this, and input signal specifications such as pulse width, duty ratio, and pulse frequency can be arbitrarily set to specifications previously determined by the charge / discharge unit 144. FIG. 8 shows waveforms of control signal A' and control signal A'', which are some example control signals other than the representative example of FIG. 6, as an example of a dynamic control signal of the present disclosure.

[0029] 7 shows a waveform of a representative control signal B as an example of a single control signal according to the present disclosure. However, this is not limited to this, and any signal can be set as long as it has a high signal duration of at least a predetermined certain time. In other words, the single control signal according to the present disclosure may be any signal that has a high signal duration of at least a predetermined certain time.

[0030] In FIG. 5, the charge / discharge unit 144 operates the first drive unit 141 by operating the transistor Q1.

[0031] When a High signal is output as the control signal A from the drive control unit 143, the charge / discharge unit 144 charges the capacitors C1 and C2 through the resistor R1, the capacitor C2, and the charging unit for the capacitor C1. When the control signal A from the drive control unit 143 goes Low, the charge stored in the capacitor C1 is discharged via the resistors R2 and R3, and the charge stored in the capacitor C2 is discharged via the resistor R1.

[0032] When a predetermined control signal A is input, the transistor Q1 operates when the voltage across the capacitor C1 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage due to the charge stored in the capacitor C1.

[0033] Here, it is necessary to determine the constants of the capacitors C1 and C2 so that the transistor Q1 does not turn on even when a constantly high signal is received.

[0034] Furthermore, by setting the discharge rate of capacitor C1 to be slower than the discharge rate of capacitor C2, when a dynamic signal is input and charging and discharging are repeated, it is possible to raise the voltage across capacitor C1 to the voltage at which transistor Q1 turns ON.

[0035] In addition, since the degree of charging and discharging is determined by the constants of the resistors R1, R2, and R3, it is necessary to set the constants by the control signal A to be output.

[0036] Finally, since the operating voltage of the transistor Q1 is determined by the voltage across the resistor R3, the voltage across the capacitor C1 and the voltage division ratio between the resistors R2 and R3 are also important.

[0037] By setting these conditions for the control signal output from the drive control section 143, the transistor Q1 operates only when the voltage across the capacitor C1 rises to a predetermined voltage, as shown in FIG.

[0038] When the transistor Q1 operates, the collector of the transistor Q1 is connected to the ground line, and the transistor Q2 of the first drive unit 141 operates.

[0039] The first driver 141 includes a resistor R4 for limiting the current flowing to the base of the transistor Q2, and a resistor R5 for preventing the transistor Q2 from malfunctioning due to noise. The operation of the transistor Q2 activates the switch M1.

[0040] On the other hand, when a High signal is output as a control signal B from the drive control unit 143 to the second drive unit 142, the voltage across resistor R7 is determined by the voltage division ratio of resistors R6 and R7, and switch M2 operates when the voltage across resistor R7 exceeds the operating voltage of switch M2.

[0041] When the switches M1 and M2 are operated, the lock mechanism 113 is operated.

[0042] Furthermore, when switch M1 is not operating, the source terminal of switch M2 is undefined. Therefore, when switch M2 is to be operated, switch M1 must be operated and the source terminal of switch M2 must be connected to ground before switch M2 can be operated.

[0043] The locking mechanism 113 operates in the following cases. That is, as shown in FIG. 10 , a control signal A and a control signal B are output from the drive control unit 143 to the first drive unit 141 and the second drive unit 142, respectively. The locking mechanism 113 operates when the control signal A output from the drive control unit 143 to the first drive unit 141 satisfies a specification predetermined by the charge / discharge unit 144. In the case of FIG. 10 , this predetermined specification is when the control signal A goes High five times. This number can be set as appropriate. That is, the first drive unit 141 operates when the control signal A goes High five times, i.e., when a predetermined number of control signals (the fifth High signal of the control signal A) are input to the charge / discharge unit 144. When the control signal B goes High and the second drive unit 142 operates, the locking mechanism 113 operates. In addition, even if the control signal B is High and the second drive unit 142 operates after the control signal A has been High five times and the first drive unit 141 has operated, the lock mechanism 113 will operate.

[0044] On the other hand, when the drive control unit 143 outputs the control signal A only to the first drive unit 141 via the charge / discharge unit 144, the lock mechanism 113 does not operate. Also, when the control signal B is output only to the second drive unit 142, the lock mechanism 113 does not operate. Also, when a signal that is not a preset control signal is output by the charge / discharge unit 144 to be transmitted to the first drive unit 141, the lock mechanism 113 does not operate. In other words, unless the number of times the control signal A has been High reaches five, the lock mechanism 113 does not operate even if the control signal B is High.

[0045] The operation of lock mechanism 113 here means that when lock mechanism 113 is in a locked state, it is unlocked, and when lock mechanism 113 is in an unlocked state, it is locked. In other words, washing machine 100 operates lock mechanism 113 and switches between a state in which lid 120 is locked in the closed state and a state in which it is unlocked only when first drive unit 141 and second drive unit 142, which are multiple cascade-connected drive units, are all driven.

[0046] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in the present embodiment, washing machine 100 includes housing 110, water tub 130 elastically supported within housing 110, and washing tub 131 rotatably disposed within water tub 130. Washing machine 100 also includes input port 111 formed on the front surface of housing 110 so as to face opening 132 of washing tub 131, and lid 120 provided on the front surface of housing 110 and covering input port 111 in an openable and closable manner. Washing machine 100 also includes hook 121 provided on lid 120 for engaging lid 120 with housing 110 in the closed state, and locking mechanism 113 provided on housing 110 for locking lid 120 in the closed state. Washing machine 100 also includes first drive unit 141 that drives locking mechanism 113, and drive control unit 143 that controls first drive unit 141. Washing machine 100 also has charging / discharging unit 144 that transmits a signal from drive control unit 143 to first driving unit 141. When lid 120 is in the closed state by hook 121, drive control unit 143 outputs a dynamic control signal A to charging / discharging unit 144. When a predetermined number of control signals (the fifth High signal of control signal A) are input to charging / discharging unit 144, washing machine 100 drives first driving unit 141 to operate locking mechanism 113 and switches between a state in which lid 120 is locked in the closed state and a state in which it is unlocked.

[0047] As a result, by newly adding charge / discharge unit 144, washing machine 100 can prevent locking mechanism 113 from operating even when a static signal or a single dynamic signal is input. Therefore, washing machine 100 can prevent locking mechanism 113 from operating incorrectly due to a single signal such as a malfunction, and can prevent the door from locking at the wrong time. In other words, washing machine 100 can prevent the door (lid 120) from locking incorrectly.

[0048] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, washing machine 100 may have first drive unit 141 and second drive unit 142 arranged in cascade connection with locking mechanism 113. Furthermore, charging / discharging unit 144 may be connected only to first drive unit 141 of cascade-connected first drive unit 141 and second drive unit 142. Drive control unit 143 may output a dynamic control signal A to first drive unit 141 connected to charging / discharging unit 144, and may output a single control signal B to second drive unit 142. Washing machine 100 may operate locking mechanism 113 to switch between a state in which lid 120 is locked in the closed state and a state in which lid 120 is unlocked only when first drive unit 141 and second drive unit 142 connected in cascade are both operating.

[0049] As a result, by newly adding charge / discharge unit 144, washing machine 100 can prevent locking mechanism 113 from operating even when a static signal or a single dynamic signal is input. Therefore, washing machine 100 can prevent locking mechanism 113 from operating incorrectly due to a single signal such as a malfunction, and can prevent the door from locking at the wrong time. In other words, washing machine 100 can prevent the door (lid 120) from locking incorrectly.

[0050] (Other Embodiments) As described above, the first embodiment has been described as an example of the technology in the present disclosure. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the first embodiment above to create new embodiments.

[0051] Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0052] In the first embodiment, the washing machine 100 has been described as having one first drive unit 141 and one second drive unit 142 connected in tandem with the lock mechanism 113, and the charging / discharging unit 144 connected to only one first drive unit 141 of the tandem connection. However, the configuration of the washing machine of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, there may be a plurality of drive units to which the charging / discharging unit is connected.

[0053] For example, in another embodiment, there may be multiple charge / discharge units, and the washing machine in another embodiment may have multiple drive units arranged in cascade connection with the lock mechanism. In another embodiment, the washing machine may have a different charge / discharge unit connected to each of the multiple drive units among the multiple drive units connected in cascade. The drive control unit may output a control signal to each of the multiple charge / discharge units a predetermined number of times. In another embodiment, the washing machine may operate the lock mechanism and switch between a state in which the lid is locked in the closed state and a state in which the lid is unlocked only when all of the cascade-connected drive units are operating.

[0054] As a result, the washing machine in another embodiment achieves the following effects by adding multiple charge / discharge units and configuring a circuit that prevents the charge / discharge units from turning on at the same time with the same control signal by adjusting the constants of each charge / discharge unit. That is, the washing machine in another embodiment can prevent the locking mechanism from operating even when a static signal or a single dynamic signal is input. Therefore, the washing machine in another embodiment can prevent the locking mechanism from malfunctioning due to a single signal such as a malfunction, and can prevent the door from locking at the wrong time. That is, the washing machine in another embodiment can prevent the door (lid) from malfunctioning.

[0055] In other embodiments, the drive control unit of a washing machine outputs a predetermined number of control signals to each of a plurality of charging / discharging units, and the number of times of the control signals may be the same or different.

[0056] In addition, in the first embodiment, washing machine 100 is described as including first drive unit 141 and second drive unit 142. However, the washing machine of the present disclosure does not have to include second drive unit 142. However, it can be said that including second drive unit 142 and operating lock mechanism 113 only when first drive unit 141 and second drive unit 142 are both driven is more effective in suppressing malfunction of the door (lid body 120) lock. Similarly, all of the multiple drive units in the washing machines of the other embodiments described above may be configured by, for example, first drive unit 141.

[0057] Furthermore, when one charging / discharging unit is connected to each of multiple driving units, one charging / discharging unit may be shared by the multiple driving units, or a different charging / discharging unit may be connected to each of the multiple driving units.

[0058] The present disclosure is applicable to washing machines, specifically, top-loading washing machines, drum-type washing machines, dryers, and the like.

[0059] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Washing machine 110 Housing 111 Insertion port 112 Hook hole 113 Locking mechanism 120 Lid 121 Hook 130 Water tub 131 Washing tub 132 Opening 140 Control unit 141 First driving unit 142 Second driving unit 143 Drive control unit 144 Charging / discharging unit A Control signal A' Control signal A'' Control signal B Control signal C1, C2 Capacitor D1 Diode M1, M2 Switch Q1, Q2 Transistor R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 Resistor

Claims

a water tub elastically supported within the housing; a washing tub rotatably disposed within the water tub; an inlet formed on the front surface of the housing opposite an opening of the washing tub; a lid provided on the front surface of the housing and covering the inlet in an openable and closable manner; a hook provided on the lid for engaging the lid with the housing in a closed state; a locking mechanism provided on the housing for locking the lid in a closed state; a drive unit for driving the locking mechanism; and a drive control unit for controlling the drive unit, wherein the washing machine further comprises a charge / discharge unit for transmitting a signal from the drive control unit to the drive unit, wherein when the lid is in a closed state by the hook, the drive control unit outputs a dynamic control signal to the charge / discharge unit, and when a predetermined number of control signals have been input to the charge / discharge unit, the drive unit is driven to operate the locking mechanism, thereby switching between a state in which the lid is locked in a closed state and a state in which it is unlocked.

2. A washing machine as described in claim 1, wherein a plurality of the drive units are arranged in cascade connection with respect to the locking mechanism, the charging / discharging unit is connected to only one of the plurality of cascade-connected drive units, the drive control unit outputs the dynamic control signal to the one drive unit to which the charging / discharging unit is connected, and outputs a single control signal to the other drive units, and the locking mechanism is operated only when all of the plurality of cascade-connected drive units are operating, switching between a state in which the lid is locked in the closed position and a state in which the lid is unlocked.

3. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the charging / discharging units are multiple, the drive units are arranged in cascade connection with the locking mechanism, one charging / discharging unit is connected to each of the multiple cascade-connected drive units, the drive control unit outputs a control signal to each of the multiple charging / discharging units a predetermined number of times, and only when all of the multiple cascade-connected drive units are operating does the locking mechanism operate, switching between a state in which the lid is locked in the closed position and a state in which the lock is released.

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