JP2008079951A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To provide a washing machine that can save the trouble of resetting an operation course displayed when the power is turned on and can improve usability.
SOLUTION: A plurality of driving courses according to the state of the laundry are classified into a driving course that frequently uses and a driving course that is not frequently used, and a control device capable of selectively executing them and a driving course can be displayed. The driving course display unit displays the most recent driving course belonging to the “frequently used driving course” among the plurality of driving courses executed by the control device in the past when the power is turned on next time. The configuration.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine capable of displaying the details of operations performed in the past when the power is turned on next time.

As this type of washing machine, for example, a washing machine having a drying function described in Patent Document 1 is known. In the case where only the washing operation is performed last time, only the washing operation is displayed as “standard course” when the power is turned on next time. Further, when the previously executed operation is a washing operation and a drying operation, the washing operation and the drying operation are displayed as a “standard course” when the power is turned on next time.
In addition, the washing machine described in Patent Document 2 corrects and displays the setting contents of the rinsing process and the dehydration process according to the setting contents of the washing process. Further, the setting contents of each process are stored, and the previous setting contents are displayed at the next power-on.
Japanese Patent No. 3777797 JP 2003-284889 A

  According to the washing machine described in Patent Literature 1, even when an operation course other than the “standard course” is executed on a single occasion, the “standard course” is displayed at the next power-on. Therefore, the user who uses the “standard course” on a daily basis does not need to reset the driving course at the next power-on. Further, according to the washing machine described in Patent Document 2, if the washing process is set to an appropriate condition, the setting contents of the rinsing process and the dehydration process are corrected according to the setting contents, so that the setting can be performed quickly. It can be carried out.

  By the way, in a washing machine capable of executing a plurality of driving courses as described above, a driving course frequently used on a daily basis varies depending on the user's home environment. The frequency of executing the “speedy course”, which is shorter than the “course”, is increased.

  However, in the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, even if the user who uses the “speedy course” on a daily basis executes the “speedy course” in the previous operation, the “standard course” is not displayed when the power is turned on next time. It will be displayed. Therefore, users who use driving courses other than the “Standard Course” on a daily basis have to reset the displayed “Standard Course” to a driving course that is frequently used on a daily basis, which is inconvenient. .

  Further, in the washing machine described in Patent Document 2, when the setting contents of the rinsing process and the dehydration process corrected according to the setting contents of the washing process do not match the setting contents desired by the user, It is necessary to reset the setting contents of the process. However, even if the setting contents of each process are reset to the setting contents desired by the user, the setting contents of the rinsing process and the dehydration process are corrected according to the setting contents of the washing process when the power is turned on next time. For this reason, when the power is turned on next time, the setting contents reset last time cannot be used, and the setting contents desired by the user must be set again.

  As described above, in the washing machines described in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, when the power is turned on next time, a driving course that is not suitable for the user's home environment may be displayed, and the user's request is sufficiently satisfied. There is a problem that can not be.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can save the trouble of resetting the operation course displayed when the power is turned on and can improve usability.

  In order to achieve the above object, the washing machine of the present invention is divided into a driving course that frequently uses a plurality of driving courses according to the state of the laundry and a driving course that is not frequently used, and selectively executes them. And a display means capable of displaying the driving course, and the display means is frequently used among the plurality of driving courses executed in the past by the driving execution means at the next power-on. The most recent driving course belonging to the driving course is displayed (invention of claim 1).

  According to the above means, when the power is turned on next time, the most recent driving course belonging to the frequently used driving course among the plurality of driving courses executed in the past by the driving execution means is displayed. The driving course frequently used on a daily basis, that is, the driving course suitable for the home environment can be executed as it is. Thereby, the trouble of resetting the operation course displayed when the power is turned on can be saved, and the usability can be improved.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a washing machine of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing the operation panel 1 provided on the upper part of the washing machine (not shown). The operation panel 1 is connected to a control device (not shown) composed of a microcomputer or the like via a wiring board (not shown) disposed on the back side of the operation panel 1. The control device includes, for example, a storage device including a nonvolatile memory, a drum motor, a hot water heater, a hot air heater, a hot air fan, a hot air fan motor, a water supply valve, a drain valve, a water level sensor, a temperature sensor, etc. (Not shown) are electrically connected to control the overall operation of the washing machine. Note that the control device also functions as an operation execution unit, and the storage device functions as an operation course storage unit, which will be described in detail later in the description of operation.

  The operation panel 1 is provided with a power supply operation unit 2, an operation mode display unit 3, an operation course display unit 4, an operation unit 5, a stroke display unit 6, and a liquid crystal display unit 7. The power operation unit 2 includes a power “ON” key 8 for turning on the washing machine and a power “OFF” key 9 for shutting off the washing machine.

  The operation mode display unit 3 includes a washing operation button 10 in which characters “washing” are written, a washing / drying operation button 11 in which characters “washing” are written, and a drying operation button in which characters “drying” are written. 12 is provided. When the washing operation button 10 is pressed, a washing operation including a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process is selected. When the washing / drying operation button 11 is pressed, a washing / drying operation including a washing process, a rinsing process, a dehydrating process, and a drying process is selected. When the drying operation button 12 is pressed, a drying operation consisting only of a drying process is selected. The washing operation button 10, the washing / drying operation button 11, and the drying operation button 12 are provided with lighting portions 10a, 11a, and 12a, respectively, and the control device connects the lighting portion of the selected operation button to the wiring. It is lit by a light emitting element (not shown) provided on the substrate.

  The driving course display unit 4 functions as display means in cooperation with the above-described control device. This driving course display section 4 has [Standard], [Speedy], [Carefully], [Memory], [Soft finish], [Small amount], [Hot mist], [Dry], [Blanket], [Pollen] , [Bath washing], [Bath drying] are written. Of these, the parts marked with [Standard], [Speedy], [Carefully], and [Memory] are statistically selected and set as “Frequently used driving courses”, “Standard Course”, “Speedy Course”, It is a part that shows "careful course" and "memory course". In addition, the sections marked with [Soft finish], [Small amount], [Hot mist], [Dry], [Blanket], [Pollen], [Cath washing], [Cath drying] “Soft finish course”, “Small course”, “Hot mist course”, “Dry course”, “Blanket course”, “Pollen course”, “Bath cleaning course”, “Bath” It is a part showing "dry course".

  The operation unit 5 includes a dial 13 and a start button 14. The dial 13 is provided around the start button 14 so as to be rotatable around the start button 14. When the dial 13 is operated to rotate, the dial 13 is displayed on the driving course display unit 4 according to the amount of rotation. The listed driving courses are selected in order. In this case, when the driving course is selected, the control device turns on and displays the portion where the selected driving course is written by a light emitting element (not shown) provided on the wiring board. Yes. Each driving course is configured to be selectable depending on the number of times the washing operation button 10, the washing / drying operation button 11, and the drying operation button 12 are pressed. For example, the washing operation button 10 is pressed. Each time, an operation course that can be executed as a washing operation can be selected in order.

  The start button 14 is provided so that it can be pressed from the front side of the operation panel 1. When the start button 14 is pressed, the driving mode display unit 3 is in the driving selected by the driving mode display unit 3. The driving course selected and lit in 4 is started. The start button 14 also functions as a pause button. When the start button 14 is pressed during the operation, the operation being executed is temporarily stopped.

  The controller incorporates the above-mentioned multiple driving courses into “frequently used driving courses” and “frequently used driving courses”, and the executed driving courses belong to the “frequently used driving courses”. In some cases, the executed operation (the operation mode selected in the operation mode display unit 3) is stored in the storage device as the “most recent operation mode”, and the executed operation course (selected in the operation course display unit 4) is stored. The driving course) is stored in the storage device as “the most recent driving course”. On the other hand, if the executed driving course is a driving course belonging to the “frequently used driving course”, the details of the executed driving (the driving mode selected in the driving mode display unit 3 and the driving course display unit 4 are selected). Is not stored in the storage device. Further, when the operation is stopped halfway, the contents of the executed operation are not stored in the storage device.

  The process display unit 6 includes a washing process setting button 15, a rinsing process setting button 16, a dehydration process setting button 17 and a drying process setting for manually setting the contents of the washing process, the rinsing process, the dehydration process, and the drying process. A button 18 is provided so that, for example, the time required for each stroke can be changed in units of minutes, or the number of executions of each stroke can be changed.

  The liquid crystal display unit 7 displays information such as the amount of detergent, remaining time, reserved time, and current time. In addition, the operation panel 1 is closed with a reservation operation key 19 for setting a reservation time, a bath water supply key 20 for using bath water as washing water, and a door (not shown) for opening and closing the laundry entrance / exit. There is provided a door lock display unit 21 for displaying that the door is locked in the state.

  The contents of the plurality of driving courses described above are in accordance with the amount of laundry, the cloth quality, the degree of dirt, and the like. Here, the contents of the “standard course” belonging to the “frequently used driving course” and the “dry course” belonging to the “frequently used driving course” will be described based on the time chart shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a “standard course” and a “dry course” in the washing operation. In this case, the drying process is not executed.

The “standard course” is an operation course that automatically executes an optimum operation according to the amount of laundry. In the “standard course”, the water level (water amount) of the washing water is automatically set between 8 and 30 [L] according to the laundry capacity of 9.0 [kg] or less. Then, a washing process (10 to 20 minutes), a rinsing process (twice), and a dehydration process (4 minutes) are sequentially performed, and the time required for the “standard course” as a whole is about 40 to 60 [minutes].
On the other hand, the “dry course” is an operation course in which delicate clothes are washed with a weak water flow. In this “dry course”, the washing water level is set to 27 [L] for laundry of 1.5 [kg] or less. Then, a washing process (6 minutes), a rinsing process (3 times), and a dehydration process (4 minutes) are sequentially performed, and the time required for the “dry course” as a whole is about 30 to 45 [minutes].

  Although detailed explanation is omitted, “Speedy Course” is a driving course belonging to the “Frequently Used Driving Course” that is frequently used on a daily basis. “Course” is a driving course for washing thick clothes and the like, and “Memory course” is a driving course for storing and executing the setting contents set by the user.

  In addition, as a driving course belonging to the “frequently used driving course”, the “soft finishing course” is a driving course that softens the finish by slowing the rotation of the drum during the drying process when washing towels, etc. The “Small Course” is an operation course that adjusts the rotation of the drum so that the laundry is not offset when washing a small amount of laundry (such as one sheet). The “Hot Mist Course” uses hot water. This is a driving course for washing stubborn dirt. "Pollen course" is an operation course that removes pollen, etc. adhering to clothing by blowing air inside the drum while rotating the drum, and "tank washing course" is for washing water tanks and drums using chlorine bleach etc. The “bath drying course” is an operation course that suppresses mold generation by heating and sterilizing the water tank and drum.

  Further, each of the above-described driving courses is executed with different contents depending on the selected driving mode. For example, in the “Speedy Course” in the washing operation, the time required for each of the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydration process is set to be short, thereby shortening the time required for the entire washing operation. . On the other hand, in “Speedy Course” in washing and drying operation, the time required only for the drying process, which originally takes a long time, is set to be short, so that the process related to the operation of washing the laundry (washing process, rinsing process, dehydration) The time required for the entire washing and drying operation is shortened without reducing the time required for the process.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the contents of control by the control device. When the power is turned on for the first time after the washing machine is installed, the storage device stores “washing and drying operation” as “most recent driving mode” and “standard course” as “most recent driving course”. It is assumed that

  In FIG. 2, when the power “ON” key 8 is pressed and the washing machine is turned on, the control device starts the control operation and corresponds to the “most recent operation mode” stored in the storage device. Turn on the lighting part of the operation button. Moreover, the part corresponding to "the latest driving course" memorize | stored in the memory | storage device among the driving course display parts 4 is lighted (step S1). When the power is turned on for the first time, the control device turns on the lighting unit 11a of the washing / drying operation button 11 and lights up the portion of the driving course display unit 4 where [Standard] is displayed (FIG. 2). State).

  Subsequently, the control device monitors whether or not the dial 13 has been rotated, or whether or not a new setting operation has been performed by monitoring whether or not the operation buttons 10, 11, and 12 have been pressed. Is determined (step S2). When the turning operation of the dial 13 or the pressing operation of the operation buttons 10, 11, 12 is performed (“YES”), the control device is selected (lighted) on the operation mode display unit 3 after a new setting operation. It is determined whether or not the driving mode is a washing operation (step S3). If the driving mode selected on the driving mode display unit 3 is a washing mode (“YES”), then, the driving selected on the driving course display unit 4 after the new setting operation is performed (lighted). It is determined whether or not the course belongs to a “frequently used driving course” (step S4).

  When the driving course selected in the driving course display unit 4 is a driving course belonging to the “frequently used driving course” (“YES”), the control device presses the start button 14 to perform the washing operation. Is started (steps S5 and S6), the operation details (the operation mode selected by the operation mode display unit 3 and the operation course selected by the operation course display unit 4) are stored (step S7). At this time, the control device stores the driving mode selected in the driving mode display unit 3 (in this case, the washing driving) in the storage device as the “most recent driving mode” and is selected in the driving course display unit 4. The driving course (in this case, “standard course”) is stored in the storage device as the “most recent driving course”. Then, when the series of operations ends (step S8), the control device ends this control operation.

  In the above step S4, when the driving course selected in the driving course display unit 4 is a driving course that does not belong to the “frequently used driving course” (“NO”), the control device performs the subsequent washing operation. When the operation is not stored in the storage device (steps S9 to S11) and the series of operations is completed (step S12), the control operation is terminated.

  In the above step S3, when the driving mode selected in the driving mode display unit 3 after the new setting operation is not the washing mode (“NO”), the control device displays the driving mode display unit 3 after the new setting operation. It is determined whether or not the operation mode selected in (1) is a washing / drying operation (step S13). When the driving mode selected on the driving mode display unit 3 is a washing / drying operation (“YES”), the driving course selected on the driving course display unit 4 after the new setting operation is “used frequently”. It is determined whether the driving course belongs to “driving course” (step S14). When the driving course selected in the driving course display unit 4 is a driving course belonging to the “frequently used driving course” (“YES”), the control device stores the driving details in the subsequent washing / drying driving. This is stored in the apparatus (steps S15 to S17), and when a series of operations is completed (step S18), this control operation is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the driving course selected in the driving course display unit 4 is a driving course that does not belong to the “frequently used driving course” (“NO”) in the above step S14, the control device performs subsequent washing. In the drying operation, the operation content is not stored in the storage device (steps S19 to S21), and when a series of operations is completed (step S22), the control operation is terminated.

In the above step S13, when the operation mode selected on the operation mode display unit 3 after the new setting operation is not the washing / drying operation, that is, the operation mode selected on the operation mode display unit 3 is the drying operation. ("NO"), the control device sets the drying operation as the operation mode to be executed (step S23), and does not store the operation content in the storage device in the subsequent drying operation (steps S24 to S26). When the operation is finished (step S27), this control operation is finished.
When a new setting operation is not performed in the above step S2 ("NO"), the control device stores the operation content in the storage device in the subsequent operation (steps S28 to S30), and a series of operation When is finished (step S31), this control operation is finished.

  When the power “ON” key 8 is pressed again to turn on the washing machine, the control device turns on the lighting portion of the operation button corresponding to the “most recent operation mode” stored in the storage device. Let Moreover, the part corresponding to "the latest driving course" memorize | stored in the memory | storage device among the driving course display parts 4 is lighted (step S1). That is, at the next power-on, the control device displays the most recent driving course belonging to the “frequently used driving course” on the driving course display unit 4 (operation panel 1) among the driving courses executed in the past.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the next driving course belonging to the “frequently used driving course” among the plurality of driving courses executed by the control device in the past when the power is turned on next time is the driving course display section. Therefore, it is possible to execute a driving course frequently used on a daily basis, that is, a driving course suitable for the home environment without resetting the driving course. Thereby, the trouble of resetting the operation course displayed when the power is turned on can be saved, and the usability can be improved.

  In addition, the latest driving course belonging to the “frequently used driving course” is displayed together with the “most recent driving mode”. As a result, not only the driving course but also the driving mode is displayed on the driving mode display unit 3 when the power is turned on next time, so it is time and effort to reset the driving mode displayed when the power is turned on. Can be omitted, and usability can be improved.

  Further, among the driving courses executed by the control device, the driving course belonging to the “frequently used driving course” is stored, and the driving course belonging to the “frequently used driving course” is not stored, and the stored driving course is also stored. The course is displayed as the most recent driving course belonging to "Frequently used driving course". As a result, when the power is turned on next time, the driving course belonging to the “frequently used driving course” is not displayed, and the latest driving course belonging to the “frequently used driving course” can be displayed reliably.

  In addition, when a driving course that is not desired by the user is erroneously executed, it is assumed that the driving is stopped halfway in order to reset the driving course. According to the present embodiment, when the driving is interrupted in the middle, the content of the executed driving is not stored in the storage device, so that the driving course not desired by the user is stored in the storage device. Therefore, it is not displayed as a “frequently used driving course” at the next power-on.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the part same as what was described in 1st Embodiment mentioned above, description is abbreviate | omitted, and only a different part is demonstrated hereafter. The second embodiment is different in control contents by the control device.

  The control device lights up the lighting portion of the operation button corresponding to the “most recent driving mode” stored in the storage device among the lighting portions 10a, 11a, and 12a of the operation buttons 10, 11, and 12 when the power is turned on. Then, the part corresponding to the “most recent driving course” stored in the storage device in the driving course display unit 4 is turned on. Then, in the subsequent operation, the control device performs the content of the operation performed (operation mode) regardless of whether or not the operation course selected in the operation course display unit 4 is an operation course belonging to the “frequently used operation course”. And the driving course) are all stored in the storage device.

  Then, the next time the power is turned on, the control device searches the plurality of driving courses stored in the storage device in order from the most recently stored course, so that “ The most recent driving course belonging to “Frequently used driving course” is selected and displayed on the driving course display unit 4.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, all the driving courses executed by the control device are stored in the storage device, and among the plurality of driving courses stored in the storage device when the power is turned on next time, The most recent driving course belonging to the “driving course to be used” is selected and displayed on the driving course display unit 4, so that it is suitable for a driving course frequently used on a daily basis, that is, a home environment without resetting the driving course. Can run a driving course. Thereby, the trouble of resetting the operation course displayed when the power is turned on can be saved, and the usability can be improved.

(Other embodiments)
In addition, this invention is not limited to each embodiment mentioned above, It can deform | transform or expand | deploy as follows.
For example, the classification of “frequently used driving courses” and “frequently used driving courses” is not limited to the classifications described in the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed. The classification of “frequently used driving courses” and “unusually used driving courses” may be performed by the manufacturer of the washing machine, or may be changed and set as appropriate by the user of the washing machine. Also good. In this case, when the category of “Frequently used driving course” and “Unusually used driving course” is changed, multiple driving courses are changed to “Frequently used driving course” and “Not used frequently” depending on the contents after the change. It is built into the “driving course”.

Also, as a built-in means, a memory for storing “frequently used driving course” and a memory for storing “frequently used driving course” are provided, and “frequently used driving course” and “frequently used driving course” are provided. “Course” may be stored in a physically partitioned memory. In addition, the “frequently used driving course” and the “frequently used driving course” are stored together and displayed on the driving course display unit 4 when the “frequently used driving course” and the “frequently used driving course” are displayed. May be displayed separately.
In addition, the washing machine of the present invention can be applied to a drum-type washing machine in which the axial direction of the rotating tub for storing the laundry is horizontal or a vertical type washing machine in which the axial direction of the rotating tub is vertical. The present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the gist of the present invention.

The flowchart which shows the control content of the control apparatus which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention. Front view of the operation panel Time chart to explain the contents of the driving course

Explanation of symbols

  In the drawings, 1 is an operation panel, 4 is an operation course display section (display means), and 5 is an operation section.

Claims (4)

A driving execution means capable of selectively executing a plurality of driving courses according to the state of the laundry by dividing them into driving courses that are frequently used and driving courses that are not frequently used, and
Display means capable of displaying the driving course,
The display means includes
A washing machine that displays the most recent driving course belonging to a frequently used driving course among the plurality of driving courses executed by the driving execution means in the past when the power is turned on next time.   The driving execution means can execute a washing operation, a washing / drying operation and a drying operation based on the driving mode according to the state of the laundry, and the display of the latest driving course belonging to the frequently used driving course is performed together with the driving mode. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein   Of the driving courses executed by the driving execution means, the driving course storage means for storing frequently used driving courses and not storing frequently used driving courses is provided, and the display of the most recent driving course belonging to the frequently used driving course is The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contents stored in the driving course storage means are displayed. Driving course storage means for storing all the driving courses executed by the driving execution means,
Display means
3. The most recent driving course belonging to a frequently used driving course is selected and displayed among the plurality of driving courses stored in the driving course storage means when the power is turned on next time. The washing machine described.

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