JP2005218662A - Electric washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

【Task】
The operability of the switch in the electric washing machine is improved and the external force acting on the outer lid (opening / closing mechanism) is reduced by operating the switch.
[Solution]
In the electric washing machine provided with an outer lid 10 that is electrically opened and closed to cover the clothes insertion opening 8a, the outer lid 10 includes a rear half 10a that is undulated and attached to the top cover 8 by a base hinge 9, and a front edge of the latter half The operation display panel section 11 is mounted on the front half section 10c, and the power switch 12 and the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13 are mounted on the front edge section 8c of the top cover 8. The detergent amount detection instruction switch 14 is mounted.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric washing machine.

  The electric washing machine includes an outer frame, an outer tub for storing washing water provided so as to be suspended in the outer frame via a vibration isolation mechanism, and a washing / dehydrating tub provided rotatably in the outer tub. An inner tub, a rotating disk positioned at the bottom of the inner tub and rotatably provided; a drive mechanism for selectively rotating the inner tub and / or the rotating disk; and washing water in the outer tub. A water supply mechanism for supplying water, a drainage mechanism for draining the wash water in the outer tub, a wash water level detection means for detecting the water level of the wash water in the outer tub, and the wash water collected at the bottom of the outer tub And a washing water circulation mechanism that circulates from above the inner tub so as to descend into the inner tub, and a control device that controls the drive mechanism, the water supply mechanism, the drainage mechanism, and the washing water circulation mechanism.

  The electric washing machine with a drying function (washing and drying machine) sucks out the air in the outer tub from the bottom of the outer tub, cools and dehumidifies the electric washing machine as described above, and heats the dehumidified air. In this configuration, a dry air circulation system for blowing into the washing and dewatering tub is attached.

  In such an electric washing machine, it is desirable that the various switches are installed at positions that are easy to operate. However, in an electric washing machine having an operation display panel on the outer lid, the power switch is connected to the rear edge of the top cover. In an electric washing machine that is installed in a part and the outer lid is electrically opened and closed, the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch is proposed to be installed at the lower front portion of the outer frame. Other instruction switches are generally installed on the operation display panel.

JP-A-9-131495 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-164288 JP-A-5-168794

  The outer lid opening / closing instruction switch installed at the lower front part of the outer frame of the electric washing machine with the outer lid being electrically opened / closed is operated with the toe of the foot, but in a dark installation environment, the visibility is poor. In addition to poor operability, there is a risk of incorrect operation.

  Further, in an electric washing machine provided with an operation display panel on the outer lid, the power switch installed at the rear edge portion of the top cover is located far away from the operator, so that the operability is poor. In addition, since the pressing force for operating the switch provided on the operation display panel acts as an external force on the opening / closing mechanism (hinge or drive mechanism) of the outer lid, the strength components that can withstand the components that make up these mechanisms In particular, it is necessary to have a strength capable of withstanding a large external force acting from a switch operated when the outer lid is in an open state. Further, the switch provided on the operation display panel installed on the outer lid may be erroneously touched when the outer lid is opened and closed.

  An object of the present invention is to realize an electric washing machine capable of improving the operability of a switch and reducing an external force acting on an outer lid (opening / closing mechanism) by operating the switch.

  Another object of the present invention is to realize an electric washing machine capable of preventing a switch provided on an operation display panel from being erroneously operated.

The present invention provides an electric washing machine in which a power switch, an operation display panel, an outer lid opening / closing instruction switch, and an outer lid for electric opening / closing drive are provided on a top cover attached so as to be positioned at an upper end portion of an outer frame.
The operation display panel is mounted on the outer lid,
The power switch and the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch are mounted on a front edge portion of the top cover.

  Furthermore, a detergent amount detection instruction switch and a detergent inlet are provided at the front edge portion of the top cover.

  In addition, the outer lid includes a rear half part attached to a top cover by a base hinge so as to be raised and lowered, and a front half part that is refractably coupled to the front edge of the rear half part by an intermediate hinge, and the operation display panel includes the outer lid It is characterized by being mounted in the first half.

  In addition, the outer lid includes a rear half part attached to a top cover by a base hinge so as to be raised and lowered, and a front half part that is refractably coupled to the front edge of the rear half part by an intermediate hinge, and the operation display panel includes the outer lid It was implemented in the latter half of

  In the electric washing machine of the present invention, the operation display panel is mounted on the outer lid, and the power switch and the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch are mounted on the switch mounting surface, which is the front edge portion of the top cover. The external force acting on the outer lid (opening / closing mechanism) can be reduced by improving and operating the switch.

  Further, it is possible to prevent a switch provided on the operation display panel unit from being erroneously operated.

The best mode for carrying out the electric washing machine of the present invention is that a power switch, an operation display panel, an outer lid opening / closing instruction switch, and an electric lid driving outer lid are mounted on a top cover mounted so as to be positioned at the upper end of the outer frame. In the electric washing machine with
The outer lid includes a rear half part attached to a top cover by a base hinge so as to be raised and lowered, and a front half part that is refractably coupled to the front edge of the rear half part by an intermediate hinge,
The operation display panel is mounted on the front half of the outer lid,
The power switch and the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch are mounted on the front edge portion of the top cover,
In this configuration, a detergent amount detection instruction switch and a detergent inlet are provided at the front edge of the top cover.

  The electric washing machine of this embodiment is an electric washing machine having a drying function. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the electric washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a vertically cut state. FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the rotating disk, FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing the upper part of the electric washing machine with the outer lid closed, and FIG. 5 is a state with the outer lid opened. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal side view of the outer lid portion, FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the electric washing machine configured as described above, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a control system of the electric washing machine, FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a basic control processing program executed by the microcomputer in the controller, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the outer lid opening / closing control processing program executed by the microcomputer in the controller.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a rectangular tubular side frame that constitutes an outer shell. 2 is a washing / dehydrating tub constituting an inner tub, having a small hole 2a for water passage and ventilation on its peripheral wall, a fluid balancer 3 on its upper edge, and being rotatable inside the bottom. A turntable 4 is installed. Reference numeral 5 denotes an outer tub containing the washing / dehydrating tub 2, and a washing / dehydrating driving device 7 is attached to the outside of the bottom via a steel plate mounting base 6. Although not shown in the figure, the outer tub 5 has four support rods that are suspended from the corner plates provided at the four corners of the upper end portion of the side frame 1 and are suspended through a buffer device. These four directions are engaged and supported uniformly to be suspended from the central portion of the side frame 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rotating disk 4 is placed on the upper surface of the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and rotated into the washing / dehydrating tub 2 so as to be put on the rotating disk 4. Are provided with a plurality of inclined convex surfaces 4a inclined in the rotational direction and a large number of drain holes 4b so as to generate a washing force that repeatedly applies an upward component force to the laundry placed on the laundry.

  The washing / dehydrating drive device 7 incorporates a washing / dehydrating drive motor using a reversible rotation type capacitor phase-separated single-phase induction motor or an inverter-driven motor, an electromagnetic operation clutch mechanism, and a planetary gear reduction mechanism. By controlling the operation clutch mechanism, the agitation drive mode in which the rotating disk 4 is repeatedly rotated in the forward and reverse directions (reciprocating) while the washing / dehydrating tank 2 is stationary, and the washing / dehydrating tank 2 and the rotating disk 4 are integrated. It has a drive function for selectively executing the dehydration drive mode for rotating in the same direction.

  The top cover 8 formed with the outer garment insertion port 8a is fitted into the upper opening edge so as to cover the upper opening of the side frame 1 and fixed to the side frame 1 with an attaching screw. The top cover 8 is configured by combining a plurality of members as necessary. The outer garment insertion port 8 a formed in the top cover 8 is covered with an outer lid 10 attached to the top cover 8 by a base hinge 9 so as to be freely opened and closed.

  The top cover 8 has an upper surface of the outer lid 10 and left and right edges of the top cover 8 that are not covered by the outer lid 10 when the outer lid 10 falls down to close the outer garment insertion port 8a. The outer peripheral edge of the outer garment insertion port 8a with which the front, rear, left and right edges of the outer lid 10 abut is formed as a contact surface 8b so that no step is generated on the upper surface of the part, and the front side of the contact surface 8b is closed. The switch mounting surface 8c is formed so as not to be covered by the outer cover 10 in a state of being inclined and inclined to the front surface position of the outer frame 1 downward from the corresponding contact surface with the same width as the corresponding contact surface 8b. ing.

  The outer lid 10 is constituted by a rear half part 10a attached to the top cover 8 by the base hinge 9 so as to be raised and lowered, and a front half part 10c that is refractably coupled to a front edge of the rear half part 10a by an intermediate hinge 10b. The electric opening / closing drive mechanism for driving the opening / closing of the outer lid 10 will not be described in detail. However, as is already known, the latter half is configured so that the latter half 10a is raised and lowered with the base hinge 9 as a fulcrum. The rear end portion of 10a is driven by an opening / closing drive motor and the front half portion 10c is driven to open / close in a mountain fold (open) / flat (closed) state, or the latter half at the position of the intermediate hinge 10b. It can be configured to open and close by bending and extending with an open / close drive motor so that the coupled state of the portion 10a and the front half 10c is a mountain fold / flat state. Further, as will be described later, an outer lid full open detection sensor and an outer lid full closure detection sensor (described later) for detecting whether the outer lid 10 is fully open or fully closed are provided. In addition, the electric opening / closing drive mechanism for opening / closing the outer lid 10 takes into account the form of the opening / closing drive motor or prevents power transmission so as not to cause a large mechanical load resistance when the outer lid 10 is manually opened / closed. It is desirable to interpose a clutch mechanism in the system.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the front half portion 10c of the outer lid 10 has a handle portion 10d formed by recessing the rear end portion of the front half portion 10c so as to insert a fingertip for manually opening and closing the outer lid 10. And a handle lid 10e that is positioned so as to close the opening of the handle portion 10d and that is pushed backward with a fingertip so that the fingertip can be inserted into the handle portion 10d, and a front side of the handle portion 10d. An operation display panel unit 11 is provided so as to be located at the rear end portion so as to be continuous.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the operation display panel unit 11 is positioned on the upper surface of the front half 10 c of the outer lid 10 and is operated with an instruction input button switch 11 a that is operated mainly with the outer lid 10 closed. The display panel 11b is mounted, and the panel control circuit board 11c is mounted inside as shown in FIG. Further, the operation display panel unit 11 positions the display panel 11b so as to be continuous with the front side of the handle portion 10d of the outer lid 10, and positions the instruction input button switch 11a so as to be continuous with the front side of the display panel 11b. By arranging the instruction input button switch 11a so as to be far away from the handle portion 10d, when the handle portion 10d is grasped by a hand and the outer lid 10 is manually opened and closed, the hand is moved to the instruction input button switch 11a. Configure to be difficult to touch.

  Also, a powder detergent charging box 8d for charging powder detergent is formed on the left front edge portion of the contact surface 8b of the top cover 8, and a push button type power switch 12 and an outer lid are formed on the switch mounting surface 8c. An open / close instruction switch 13, a power auxiliary switch (described later) that closes in conjunction with the outer lid open / close instruction switch 13, and a detergent amount detection instruction switch 14 are mounted. The bottom surface of the powder detergent charging box 8d is formed in such a manner that the charged powder detergent smoothly flows down to the powder detergent charging port described later.

  A gap between the outer tub 3 and the washing / dehydrating tub 2 is provided by attaching an outer tub upper cover 15 having an inner clothing inlet 15a to the upper open end of the outer tub 5 containing the washing / dehydrating tub 2. cover. The inner garment insertion port 15a formed in the outer tub upper cover 15 is configured to be freely opened and closed by an inner lid, but the illustration of the inner lid is omitted here. The outer tub upper cover 15 is provided with a water spout 16 and an air outlet 17 so as to open into the washing / dehydrating tub 2, and toward the gap between the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the outer tub 5. A detergent inlet 18 and a water supply port 19 are attached so as to open. The detergent inlet 18 is connected to the powder detergent inlet box 8d via the bellows tube 20.

  The outer tub 5 is formed with an air trap 5a for detecting the water level on the lower side wall thereof, connected to a pressure-sensitive water level detection sensor 22 which is a water level detection means via an air tube 21, and drained at the bottom. A cum exhaust port 5b is provided.

  The drainage / exhaust port 5 b is connected to each water inlet of the drainage electromagnetic valve 25 and the electric circulation pump 26 via the bellows tube 23 and the internal pipe 24. The drainage electromagnetic valve 25 and the electric circulation pump 26 are installed on a fixing member related to the outer frame 1, the outlet of the drainage electromagnetic valve 25 is connected to the external drainage hose 27, and the outlet of the electric circulation pump 26 is The sprinkling port 16 is connected via an internal pipe 28, a bellows pipe 29 and an internal pipe 30. A lint filter 31 is detachably installed in the middle of the internal pipe 30.

  Here, the drainage / exhaust port 5b, the bellows pipe 23, the internal pipe 24, the electric circulation pump 26, the internal pipes 28 and 30, the bellows pipe 29, and the water spout 16 constitute a washing water circulation mechanism.

  A water-cooled dehumidifying mechanism 32 is installed inside the rear side surface of the outer frame 1. As is already known, the basic structure of the water-cooled dehumidifying mechanism 32 is to reduce the relative humidity by sucking the moist air in the outer tub 5 from the drainage / exhaust port 5b and heating it after water-cooling and dehumidifying. Thus, a part of the dry air circulation system configured to blow into the washing / dehydrating tub 2 from above the washing / dehydrating tub 2 is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the water-cooled dehumidifying mechanism 32 includes a water-cooled dehumidifying air passage 34 connected to the drainage / exhaust port 5 b via a bellows tube 33, and a water-cooled dehumidifying plate 35 is provided in the water-cooled dehumidifying air passage 34. The lint filter 36 and the electric blower 37 are provided on the way. The water-cooled dehumidifying air passage 34 is provided with the water-cooled dehumidifying plate 35 in an ascending air passage 34 a provided so as to extend upward from the bellows tube 33. A descending air passage 34b that is folded back from the upper end portion of the ascending air passage 34a and extends downward is provided, and the yarn waste filter 36 is detachably installed in the folded portion. A humidity sensor 38 that is sensitive to the humidity of the air flowing in the descending air passage 34b is installed in the descending air passage 34b. An intake port of the electric blower 37 is connected to a lower end portion of the descending air passage 34b, and an updraft passage 34c extending upward from an exhaust port of the electric blower 37 is provided.

  The tip of the ascending air passage 34c is connected to the blowing port 17 via an air heating pipe 39 and a bellows pipe 40, and a PTC heater 41, which is an electric heater for heating the circulating air, is provided in the air heating pipe 39. .

  An overflow pipe 42 discharges the washing water to the external drainage hose 27 through the rising air passage 34a of the water-cooled dehumidifying air passage 34 when the washing water level in the outer tub 5 rises abnormally.

  A rear storage box 8e is formed at the rear part of the top cover 8, and the water level detection sensor 22 is installed in the rear storage box 8e, and a water inlet 43 from the water supply or a bath water (remaining hot water) water absorption pump (not shown) ) And a water supply mechanism 44 such as a washing water supply electromagnetic valve for controlling the water supply to the water spray port 16 and the water supply port 19 and a cooling water supply electromagnetic valve for supplying cooling water to the water-cooled dehumidifying plate 35.

  In the control system of this electric washing machine, as shown in FIG. 8, the instruction input button switch 11a provided on the operation display panel unit 11 includes a switch group for setting various washing courses, and the display panel 11b is set. The washing course is displayed, the progress of each process (processing) and the detected amount of detergent are displayed.

  The controller 45 includes a microcomputer 45a, a load driving circuit 45b, an internal power supply circuit 45c, and a power supply self-holding relay 45d, and the power switch 12 is turned on or the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13 is pressed to turn the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch. When the power auxiliary switch 13a linked with the power supply switch 13 is closed, the internal power supply circuit 45c functions, and the microcomputer 45a is activated to execute the control processing program, whereby the load driving circuit 45b, the power supply self-holding relay 45d, and the display panel 11b are connected. Configure to control. The controller 45 is mounted in a space in the top cover 8 or a space in the outer frame 1.

  The microcomputer 45a in the controller 45 includes an instruction input button switch 11a, an outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13, a detergent amount detection instruction switch 14, a water level detection sensor 22, a humidity sensor 38, and an outer lid full open detection mounted on the operation display panel unit 11. The sensor 46 and the outer lid full-closed detection sensor 47 are connected to and input signals therefrom, and the load drive circuit 45b is connected to the washing / dehydrating driving motor 7a, the electromagnetically operated clutch mechanism 7b in the washing / dehydrating driving device 7, and the outer The open / close drive motor 10f in the electric open / close drive mechanism for opening / closing the lid 10, the drain electromagnetic valve 25, the electric circulation pump 26, the electric blower 37, the PTC heater 41, the washing water electromagnetic valve 44a and the rinsing water supply in the water supply mechanism 44. Solenoid valve 44b, bath water absorption pump 44c and cooling water supply solenoid valve 44d are connected. To control the power supply to these.

  The microcomputer 45a is configured to start when the power switch 12 is pressed and the power is turned on during washing / drying, and to execute a basic washing / drying control processing program as shown in FIG. .

Step S101
The power supply self-holding relay 45d is closed to secure the power supply, and the state confirmation and initial setting are performed. In the state confirmation, the presence / absence of an instruction input signal from the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13 is confirmed. Here, it is assumed that there is no instruction input signal from the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13 and the outer lid 10 is fully closed.

Step S102
The process branches depending on the presence / absence of an instruction input signal from the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13. Here, since there is no instruction input signal from the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13, the process branches to execute the washing / drying control process described below. When there is an instruction input signal from the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13, the process branches to execute an outer lid opening / closing control process which will be described later with reference to FIG.

Step S103
The display panel 11b of the operation display panel unit 11 is lit up and a washing course is set according to an instruction input from the instruction input button switch 11a. When no instruction is input, the standard washing course or the previous washing course is automatically set.

Step S104
The processing branches after confirming the detection signals from the outer lid full open detection sensor 46 and the outer lid full closure detection sensor 47.

Step S105
An instruction input signal from the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13 is monitored.

Step S106
When an instruction is input from the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13, the opening / closing drive motor 10f is operated so as to open the outer lid 10. This outer lid opening drive operation is performed until the lid full open detection sensor 46 operates.

Step S107
An instruction input signal from the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13 or the detergent amount detection instruction switch 14 is monitored, and the process branches in accordance with the instruction input. When the outer lid 10 is opened, the user opens the inner lid and puts the laundry into the washing and dewatering tub 2 or throws the laundry into the detergent detergent box 8d and puts the inner lid on. close up. When only the laundry is put in, the detergent amount detection instruction switch 14 is operated to know an appropriate amount of the detergent to be put in, and when the laundry and the detergent are put in, the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13 is closed to close the outer lid 10. Manipulate.

Step S108
When an instruction is input from the detergent amount detection instruction switch 14, a detergent amount detection process is executed. This detergent amount detection is based on the amount of load acting on the rotating disk 4 when the rotating disk 4 is rotated in one direction with the washing / dehydrating tub 2 stationary in the dry cloth state before supplying the washing water. The laundry dehydration drive motor 7a and the electromagnetic operation clutch mechanism 7b in the laundry dewatering drive device 7 are controlled so as to detect the amount of laundry based on the laundry, and an appropriate amount of detergent (detergent amount) is obtained based on the detected amount of cloth. Do by. Specifically, the detection of the amount of cloth was cut off in a state in which the washing / dehydrating drive motor 7a was powered up to the saturation rotation speed in the configuration using the capacitor phase-separated single-phase induction motor as the washing / dehydrating drive motor 7a. This is performed by detecting the inertial rotation speed reduction characteristic later, and in a configuration using an inverter drive motor as the washing / dehydrating drive motor 7a, detecting the ultimate rotational speed when power is supplied for a predetermined time to rotate the washing / dehydrating drive motor 7a. Do by. And a preferable detergent amount is calculated | required by referring the contrast table of the cloth amount and detergent amount which were preset.

Step S109
The determined amount of detergent is displayed on the display panel 11b in the operation display panel unit 11. The user operates the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13 after putting the displayed amount of the powder detergent into the powder detergent charging box 8d. The powder detergent charged in the powder detergent charging box 8 d falls from the detergent charging port 18 to the bottom of the outer tub 5 through the bellows tube 20.

Step S110
An instruction input from the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13 is monitored.

Step S111
When an instruction is input from the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13, the opening / closing drive motor 10f is operated so as to close the outer lid 10. This outer lid opening drive operation is performed until the lid full-closed detection sensor 47 operates.

Step S112
When the outer lid 10 is fully closed, the detergent is dissolved and water is supplied. In the washing machine of this embodiment, the rotating disk 4 is rotated forward and backward (reciprocating) while circulating a high-concentration detergent solution (wash water) generated by dissolving powder detergent with a small amount of detergent-dissolved water so as to fall on the laundry. ) It is configured to perform a push-washing mode in which the upward washing force is repeatedly applied to the laundry so that the amount of the detergent-dissolved water supplied from the rotating disk 4 located at the bottom of the outer tub 5 is While referring to the detection signal of the water level detection sensor 22 so as to flow to the bottom of the outer tub 5 from the water supply port 19 through the space between the outer tub 5 and the washing / dehydrating tub 2 up to the height of the back surface (washing water level h). When the wash water electromagnetic valve 44a is controlled to open and tap water is supplied and the remaining hot water (bath water) is used, the bath water absorption pump 43c is operated to supply water. In this example, the amount of water supplied by dissolving the detergent was set to a constant value of about 8 liters irrespective of the amount of laundry (powder detergent). Such a detergent-dissolved water amount is also suitable for dissolving powdered soap and producing a high-concentration detergent solution.

Step S113
The washing and dewatering tub 2 and the turntable 4 are integrally rotated in one direction so that the washing and dewatering tub 2 is used to carry out the detergent dissolution in which the detergent-dissolved water and the powder detergent are stirred, and then diluted by about 8 liters. Water is supplied to produce wash water with high detergent concentration. The agitation in dissolving the detergent is performed by rotating the washing and dewatering tub 2 and the rotating disk 4 in one direction while maintaining the laundry in a substantially dry cloth state. It can be performed stably in a balanced state. The rotation speed of the washing / dehydrating tub 2 in dissolving the detergent is preferably 70 to 100 rpm in consideration of avoiding vibration and foaming. The detergent concentration of the wash water produced by this detergent melt and diluted water supply is about 5 times the standard concentration. Here, the standard concentration is defined as 20 grams of powder detergent / 30 liters of washing water.

Step S114
The electric circulation pump 26 is operated while rotating the rotating plate 4 forward and backward while the washing / dehydrating tub 3 is stationary, and the washing water (high concentration detergent solution) at the bottom of the outer tub 5 is bellows from the drain / exhaust port 5b. Pre-washing is performed by sucking through the pipe 23 and the internal pipe 24 and discharging and circulating through the internal pipe 28, the bellows pipe 29 and the lint filter 31 from the water spout 16 to the laundry on the rotating disk 4. The forward / reverse rotation time (forward rotation time, rest time, reverse rotation time) and the washing time of the turntable 4 in this pre-washing are set according to the previously detected laundry cloth amount and the set washing course.

Step S115
Since a part of the washing water dropped on the laundry by the pre-washing is absorbed by the laundry, the amount of the washing water accumulated at the bottom of the outer tub 5 is reduced. This amount of water reduction depends on the amount of cloth and the quality of the laundry, but is greatly affected by the quality of the cloth. Since the amount of cloth has already been detected, the water level is detected with reference to the detection signal output from the water level detection sensor 22 after the pre-washing is completed, and the water reduction amount is obtained based on the detected water level. The cloth quality is detected (estimated) based on the amount of water reduction. Then, with reference to the detection signal output from the water level detection sensor 22, the flush water supply electromagnetic valve 44 a is controlled to open to supply water to a predetermined flush level h. The amount of makeup water is about 20 liters.

Step S116
The main washing similar to the pre-washing is started. The forward / reverse rotation time (forward rotation time, rest time, reverse rotation time) and the washing time of the turntable 4 in the main washing are set according to the amount of cloth, the quality of the laundry, and the set washing course. To do. And the replenishment water of the said step S115 is performed suitably many times also during this main washing as needed. The detergent concentration of the wash water after makeup water is about 2-3 times the standard concentration.

Step S117
When the set main washing is completed, the washing water is drained and dewatered. In this washing water drainage, the drainage electromagnetic valve 25 is opened so that the washing water in the outer tub 5 flows out from the drainage / exhaust port 5b to the external drainage hose 27 through the bellows tube 23, the internal piping 24, and the drainage electromagnetic valve 25. Do. The washing water dehydration is performed by controlling the washing / dehydrating driving device 7 so that the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the rotating disk 4 are integrally rotated at a high speed in one direction. A high dehydration rate (about 60%) is realized by setting the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub 2 and the rotating disk 4 during the dehydration of the washing water in the same manner as the rotation speed (about 1000 rpm) in the final dehydration described later.

Step S118
The first rinsing water supply is performed. In this rinsing water supply, the drainage electromagnetic valve 25 is closed, the rinsing water supply electromagnetic valve 44b is opened, and the tap water or bath water absorption pump 44c is operated so that the remaining hot water in the bath is transferred from the water spout 16 to the laundry on the turntable 4. This is done by discharging it so that it falls. The amount of rinsing water at this time is approximately 25 liters (equivalent water level).

Step S119
A first rinsing water circulation rinse is performed. In this circulation rinsing, as in the case of the main washing, the electric circulation pump 26 is operated while rotating the rotating plate 4 in the forward and reverse directions while the washing / dehydrating tub 3 is stationary, and the rinsing water at the bottom of the outer tub 5 is sucked in. This is performed by discharging the water from the water spout 16 to the laundry on the turntable 4 and circulating it. The forward / reverse rotation time (forward rotation time, rest time, reverse rotation time) and the rinsing time of the turntable 4 in this circular rinsing are set according to the amount of laundry, the quality of the laundry, and the set washing course.

Step S120
The first rinse water drainage / dehydration is executed. Rinsing water drainage is performed by controlling the drainage electromagnetic valve 25 to open. Then, the rinsing water dehydration is performed by controlling the washing / dehydrating driving device 7 so that the washing and dewatering tub 2 and the rotary disk 4 are integrally rotated at a high speed in one direction, similarly to the washing water dehydration. A high dewatering rate (about 60%) is realized by setting the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub 2 and the rotating disk 4 during the dewatering of the rinsing water in the same manner as the rotation speed in the final dewatering described later.

Step S121
A second rinsing water supply is performed. In this rinsing water supply, the drain electromagnetic valve 25 is closed and the rinsing water electromagnetic valve 44b is opened to drop tap water from the water spout 16 onto the laundry on the turntable 4 in the same manner as the first rinsing water supply. This is done by discharging. The amount of rinsing water at this time is approximately 25 liters (equivalent water level).

Step S122
A second rinsing water circulation rinse is performed. Similarly to the main washing, this circulating rinsing also operates the electric circulation pump 26 while rotating the rotating plate 4 forward and backward with the washing / dehydrating tub 3 stationary, and sucks the rinsing water at the bottom of the outer tub 5 to disperse it. This is performed by discharging the water from the water port 16 onto the laundry on the rotating disk 4 and circulating it. The forward / reverse rotation time (forward rotation time, rest time, reverse rotation time) and the rinsing time of the turntable 4 in this circular rinsing are set according to the amount of laundry, the quality of the laundry, and the set washing course.

Step S123
A second rinse water drain is performed. This rinsing water drainage is performed by controlling the drainage electromagnetic valve 26 to open.

Step S124
Perform final dehydration. In the final dehydration, the washing and dehydration driving device 7 is operated so that the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the rotating disk 4 are integrally rotated at a high speed of about 1000 rpm in one direction with the drain electromagnetic valve 25 kept open. The laundry in the washing and dewatering tank 2 is centrifugally dehydrated. The time required for the final dehydration is a time for obtaining a desired dehydration rate.

Step S125
Perform drying. In this drying, the drainage electromagnetic valve 25 is kept open, and the electric blower 37 provided in the middle of the water-cooled dehumidifying air passage 34 is operated to remove the air in the outer tub 5 from the drainage / exhaust port 5b. The water-cooled dehumidifying air passage 34 is sucked into the water-cooled dehumidifying air passage 34, and when passing through the rising air passage 34a in the water-cooling dehumidifying air passage 34, the water-cooling dehumidifying plate 35 installed in the ascending air passage 34a and the surface of the water-cooled dehumidifying plate 35 flow down. After being dehumidified by being brought into contact with cooling water, the yarn waste is collected through the yarn waste filter 36, heated by the PTC heater 41 provided in the air heating pipe 39, and then fed into the air outlet 17 through the bellows pipe 40. This is performed by blowing into the washing and dewatering tub 2 from the blowing port 17.

  The cooling water flowing down the surface of the water-cooled dehumidifying plate 35 is supplied with tap water by opening the cooling water supply electromagnetic valve 44d, and the cooling water flowing down the water-cooled dehumidifying plate 35 includes the bellows pipe 33 and the drainage / exhaust port 5b. The drainage hose 27 is drained through the bellows tube 23, the internal pipe 24, and the drainage electromagnetic valve 25.

  This drying control is executed while monitoring the detection signal output from the humidity sensor 38 that is sensitive to the humidity of the air after water-cooled dehumidification, and ends when the humidity is lowered to a predetermined humidity.

Step S126
From the end of the drying control until the elapse of a predetermined time, the system waits in the power consumption state while monitoring the presence of the instruction input signals from the instruction input button switch 11a and the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13 of the operation display panel unit 11. Power auto-off waiting control is executed for the next control process.

Step S127
After the elapse of a predetermined time in the power auto-off waiting control, the power self-holding relay 45d is opened and the power auto-off control for shutting off the power is executed to set the power non-consumption standby state.

Step S128
Washing and drying are finished, and the apparatus enters a power-free consumption standby state.

  Next, opening and closing of the outer lid 10 that is realized when the power switch 12 is not pressed and is in a power-free consumption standby state will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13 is pressed, the auxiliary power switch 13a is closed, so that the microcomputer 45a is activated in the same manner as when the power switch 12 is turned on, and the process branches to the execution of the lid opening / closing control processing program. The processes common to the basic washing / drying control processing program described above will be described as the same processing steps.

Step S101
In the same manner as when the power switch 13 is pushed and the power is turned on, the power self-holding relay 45d is closed to secure the power, and the state confirmation and initial setting are performed. In the state confirmation, the presence / absence of an instruction input signal from the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13 is confirmed. Here, it is assumed that there is an instruction input signal from the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13 and the outer lid 10 is fully closed.

Step S102
The process branches depending on the presence / absence of an instruction input signal from the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13. Here, since there is an instruction input signal from the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13, the process branches to execute an outer lid opening / closing control process described below.

Step S201
The processing branches after confirming the detection signals from the outer lid full open detection sensor 46 and the outer lid full closure detection sensor 47.

Step S202
When the detection signal indicating that the outer lid 10 is in the fully closed state is output from the outer lid full-closed detection sensor 47, the opening / closing drive motor 10f is controlled to open the outer lid so as to drive the outer lid 10 to be fully opened. The display panel 11b of the operation display panel unit 11 remains off and is not displayed.

Step S203
An instruction input signal from the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13 until a predetermined time elapses after the outer lid opening drive control is finished or after the detection signal from the outer lid full opening detection sensor 46 is confirmed in step S201. While waiting for power consumption while monitoring the presence or absence of power supply, power auto-off waiting control is executed in preparation for the next control process. The display panel 11b of the operation display panel unit 11 is kept off.

Step S204
An instruction input signal from the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13 is monitored during the automatic power OFF waiting control.

Step S205
When an instruction input signal is input from the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13, detection signals from the outer lid full open detection sensor 46 and the outer lid full closure detection sensor 47 are confirmed.

Step S206
An outer lid opening / closing drive control process is executed in accordance with detection signals from the outer lid full open detection sensor 46 and the outer lid full closure detection sensor 47. When a full open detection signal is output from the outer lid full open detection sensor 46, the open / close drive motor 10f is controlled to be closed so that the outer lid 10 is driven to be fully closed. When the signal is output, the opening / closing drive motor 10f is controlled to open the outer lid so that the outer lid 10 is fully opened.

Step S207
After the elapse of a predetermined time in the power auto-off waiting control, the power self-holding relay 45d is opened and the power auto-off control for shutting off the power is executed to set the power non-consumption standby state.

Step S208
Ends and enters a power-free consumption standby state.

  In the electric washing machine thus configured, the operation display panel unit 11 is mounted on the outer lid 10, and the power switch 12 and the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch 13 are mounted on the switch mounting surface 8 c that is the front edge portion of the top cover 8. Thereby, the operability of the switch can be improved and the external force acting on the outer lid (opening / closing mechanism) can be reduced by operating the switch.

  Further, it is possible to prevent the switch 11a provided in the operation display panel unit 11 from being erroneously operated.

  Further, when the rotating disk 4 rotates on a rotating disk 4 that is positioned at the bottom of the washing / dehydrating tank 2 that is an inner tank and rotates, the upward component force is applied to the laundry on the rotating disk 4. The water supply mechanism 44 is configured to flow wash water between the outer tub 5 and the washing and dewatering tub 2, and the controller 45, which is a control device, executes a washing control program. Accordingly, the detergent-dissolved water is supplied to control the water supply mechanism 44 while referring to the water level detection signal output from the water level sensor 22 so that the detergent-dissolved water is accumulated in the outer tub below the bottom surface of the rotating disk. The detergent-dissolving driving device 7 is operated so as to rotate the washing-and-dehydrating tub 2 so that the washing-and-dehydrating tub 2 is rotated, and the rotating disk 4 is moved with the washing and dehydrating tub 2 stationary. Round trip The washing / dehydrating drive device 7 is operated so that the washing water accumulated in the bottom of the outer tub 5 is circulated to control the washing water circulation mechanism, and the washing / dehydrating drive device is operated during the washing. 7 and the wash water circulation mechanism are controlled to stop the rotation of the turntable 4 and the circulation of the wash water, and refer to the water level detection signal output from the water level sensor 22 to refer to the wash water level at the bottom in the outer tub 5. Is configured to execute the replenishing water that controls the water supply mechanism 44 so that the position of the rotating disk 4 is located, and to resume the washing after the replenishing water. An electric washing machine having a relatively simple configuration that can be obtained can be realized.

  FIG. 11 is an external perspective view showing the upper part of the electric washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention with the outer lid closed, and FIG. 12 is an external perspective view showing the outer lid opened.

  The electric washing machine of the first embodiment is installed with the operation display panel unit 11 positioned at the rear end portion of the front half 10c of the outer lid 10, but the electric washing machine of the second embodiment is shown in FIGS. As shown, the operation display panel unit 11 is installed at the front end portion of the rear half 10a of the outer lid 10. Other configurations can be carried out in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and thus redundant description is omitted.

  Even in such an electric washing machine, the same operational effects as the electric washing machine of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  The present invention can be similarly applied to an electric washing machine having no drying function (means).

It is a schematic diagram of the side surface shown in the state which cut through the electric washing machine of Example 1 of this invention vertically. 3 is a perspective view of a rotating disk in the electric washing machine of Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a rotating disk in the electric washing machine of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the upper part of the electric washing machine of Example 1 in the state which closed the outer cover. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the upper part of the electric washing machine of Example 1 in the state which opened the outer cover. It is a vertical side view of the outer lid part in the electric washing machine of Example 1. It is a functional block diagram of the electric washing machine of Example 1. It is a block diagram of the control system of the electric washing machine of Example 1. It is a flowchart of the basic control processing program which the microcomputer in the controller of the electric washing machine of Example 1 performs. 6 is a flowchart of an outer lid opening / closing control processing program executed by a microcomputer in the controller of the electric washing machine according to the first embodiment. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the upper part of the electric washing machine of Example 2 of this invention in the state which closed the outer cover. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the upper part of the electric washing machine of Example 2 of this invention in the state which opened the outer cover.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Side frame, 2 ... Washing and dewatering tank, 4 ... Rotating disk, 4a ... Inclined convex surface, 5 ... Outer tank, 5b ... Drainage / exhaust port, 7 ... Washing / dehydration drive device, 8 ... Top cover, 8a ... Outer clothing Input port, 8b ... contact surface, 8c ... switch mounting surface, 8d ... powder detergent input box, 10 ... outer lid, 10a ... second half part, 10c ... front half part, 10d ... handle part, 11 ... operation display panel part, 11a ... instruction input button switch, 11b ... display panel, 12 ... power switch, 13 ... outer lid opening / closing instruction switch, 14 ... detergent detection detection switch, 16 ... water spout, 17 ... fountain outlet, 18 ... detergent inlet, 19 ... Water supply port, 22 ... Water level detection sensor, 25 ... Drain solenoid valve, 26 ... Electric circulation pump, 27 ... External drain hose, 32 ... Water cooling dehumidification mechanism, 37 ... Electric blower, 38 ... Humidity sensor, 41 ... PTC heater, 44 ... Water supply mechanism, 45 ... Controller, 45a ... micro computer, 46 ... outer lid fully open detection sensor, 47 ... outer lid before closing detecting sensor.

Claims (4)

In an electric washing machine provided with a power switch, an operation display panel, an outer lid opening / closing instruction switch, and an electric lid driving outer lid on a top cover attached to be positioned at the upper end of the outer frame,
The operation display panel is mounted on the outer lid,
The electric washing machine, wherein the power switch and the outer lid opening / closing instruction switch are mounted on a front edge portion of the top cover.   2. The electric washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a detergent amount detection instruction switch and a detergent inlet at a front edge portion of the top cover. The outer cover according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a rear half part that is undulatingly attached to a top cover by a base hinge, and a front half part that is refractably coupled to a front edge of the rear half part by an intermediate hinge,
The electric washing machine, wherein the operation display panel is mounted on a front half of the outer lid. The outer cover according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a rear half part that is undulatingly attached to a top cover by a base hinge, and a front half part that is refractably coupled to a front edge of the rear half part by an intermediate hinge,
The electric washing machine, wherein the operation display panel is mounted on a rear half of the outer lid.

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