JPH08168587A - Automatic washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To provide a method for detecting whether or not there is a cloth imbalance, which is the cause of abnormal vibration during dehydration, at any time in the state of water remaining before drainage after the "rinsing step". . [Structure] An outer tank containing a dehydration tank having stirring blades, an outer frame for supporting the outer tank via a suspension, and a motor for driving the stirring blades and the dehydration tank are provided, and the dehydration tank is fixed. In a washing machine that performs a "washing step", a "rinsing step" 702 of rotating a stirring blade, and a "dewatering step" of draining the water in the outer tub and rotating the dewatering tub, a vibration detecting means for detecting a shake of the outer tub. And the detection value 703 detected by rotating the dehydration tank in the drainage 703 of the "dehydration step".
Is compared with a threshold value registered in advance to detect the 704 cloth bias.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic washing machine which can continuously and automatically perform all steps including a washing step, a rinsing step, a dehydrating step and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of automatic washing machine drains water due to uneven fabric distribution (hereinafter abbreviated as “cloth unbalance”) to rotate the dehydration tub at high speed to remove moisture from the laundry. During discharge (hereinafter abbreviated as dehydration), the dehydration tub may collide with the outer frame to cause abnormal vibration. When this abnormal vibration is detected, the method of stopping the rotation of the dehydration tank and restarting the dehydration after performing the cloth unbalance correction process of water supply, stirring, and draining again in order to correct the cloth imbalance Has been.

In addition, the "correction process" for loosening the cloth unbalance by reversing the stirring blades for a short period of time is used as a preventive measure against the occurrence of abnormal vibration, regardless of the presence or absence of cloth unbalance.
It is common to always perform a certain period of time at the end of the "rinsing step".

[0004]

However, since the probability of cloth imbalance actually occurring is low, the method of always performing the "correction step" results in extension of the washing time when there is no cloth imbalance. In addition, even when the "correction process" is performed, if the cloth unbalance cannot be loosened due to insufficient time, or the user inputs an auxiliary agent such as a softening agent,
There is a problem in that abnormal vibrations that occur when the laundry is forcibly transferred to the "dehydration step" during the "rinsing step" or when the floating laundry sinks unevenly with the drainage cannot be prevented.

As described above, in the conventional construction, the presence or absence of the cloth imbalance can be judged only by providing an extra step so as not to generate the cloth imbalance from the beginning or by generating the abnormal vibration after the start of the dehydration. Even if it is determined that there is a cloth imbalance, in order to correct it, water supply, stirring,
It was necessary to repeat the draining procedure again, and there were problems that the washing time was extended and the amount of water used increased.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems. Whether or not there is a cloth imbalance, which is the cause of abnormal vibration during dehydration, is checked at any time after the "rinsing step" with the water remaining before draining. Provide a way to detect. With this method, it is possible to eliminate unnecessary "correction process" when there is no cloth unbalance,
The washing time can be shortened, and if there is a cloth imbalance, the "correction step" can be performed without supplying water again, and it is possible to prevent the time from being extended and the amount of water used to increase.

A first object of the present invention is to predict the cloth unbalance from the shaking amount of the tank detected by rotating the dehydration tank during the drainage after the "rinsing step" and before the "dewatering step", It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic washing machine in which abnormal vibration during dehydration does not occur by performing a “correction process” while there is a balance and draining and starting dehydration when the cloth unbalance is resolved.

The second purpose is to predict the cloth imbalance from the load variation in the circumferential direction detected by rotating the dehydration tank during drainage, and perform the "correction step" while the cloth imbalance is present. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic washing machine in which abnormal vibration during dehydration does not occur by draining water and starting dehydration when the imbalance is resolved. In particular, compared to the first purpose, it is possible to detect by rotating the dehydration tank at a lower speed,
It is to provide a method in consideration of water splash prevention, reduction of motor load, and user safety.

The third purpose is to rotate the dehydration tank without draining water, and in addition to the second purpose, it is possible to perform accurate detection while reducing the influence of weight change due to drainage. Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic washing machine in which the cloth imbalance is more accurately predicted and detected from the load variation and the abnormal vibration during dehydration does not occur.

A fourth object is to predict the cloth unbalance from the cloth unbalance from the load fluctuation in the circumferential direction of the tank detected by rotating the agitating blades to rotate the article to be washed in the circumferential direction. While there is an imbalance, perform the “correction process”,
An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic washing machine in which abnormal vibration during dehydration does not occur by draining and starting dehydration when the cloth imbalance is resolved.

A fifth object is to predict cloth unbalance from variations in loads on a plurality of suspensions, perform a correction process while there is cloth unbalance, and drain and dehydrate when cloth unbalance is resolved. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic washing machine in which abnormal vibration during dehydration does not occur. In particular, compared to the first to fourth objects, since it is possible to detect the water constantly without having to rotate the dehydration tank, a method with high accuracy in addition to prevention of water splash, reduction of motor load, user safety, etc. To provide.

A sixth object is to judge whether or not there is a cloth unbalance by a peak difference which is a difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the detected values, and thus a simple process suitable for microcomputer processing of a washing machine can be performed. By performing the calculation method, if there is a cloth imbalance, perform the “correction process”, drain the water when the cloth imbalance is resolved, and start dewatering. To provide.

A seventh object is to optimize the time for rotating the dehydration tub according to the water level at the time of detection or the weight of the object to be washed in the first and third aspects of the invention so that the total weight of the tub affects the vibration. By suppressing it, improve the detection accuracy of the vibration detection means or the weight detection means, perform the "correction process" while there is a cloth imbalance, drain the water when the cloth imbalance is resolved, and start the dehydration rotation. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic washing machine in which abnormal vibration does not occur during dehydration.

An eighth object is to provide, in the first and second objects, another method for more accurately determining whether or not there is a cloth imbalance. For this purpose, the vibration detection means or the weight detection means determines whether or not to move to the dehydration step by a correction determination value that takes into consideration the influence of the water level at the time of determination or the weight of the object to be washed in advance. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic washing machine in which abnormal vibration during dehydration does not occur by performing a “correction process” while there is a balance, draining water when the cloth unbalance is resolved, and starting dehydration rotation.

A ninth object is to smoothly drive the washing machine by appropriately eliminating the unevenness of the cloth detected by each abnormality detecting means.

[0016]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A first means for achieving the first object is a "washing step" in which a stirring blade is rotated.
In a washing machine that performs a "rinsing process" and a "dehydration process" in which the water in the outer tub is drained and the dehydration tub is rotated, a vibration detection unit that detects shake of the outer tub is provided, The detection value detected by rotating the dehydration tub is compared with a threshold value registered in advance to detect a cloth bias, determine when there is no cloth imbalance, and drain water to start dehydration.

The second means for achieving the second object is a "washing step" in which the dehydration tank is fixed and the stirring blades are rotated.
In the washing machine that performs the "rinsing process" and the "dehydration process" in which the water in the outer tub is drained to rotate the dehydration tub, a weight detection means for detecting the load applied to the suspension is provided.
A configuration that detects the fabric deviation by comparing the detection value detected by rotating the dehydration tank during the "dehydration process" with a pre-registered threshold value, determines when there is no fabric imbalance, and starts draining and dehydration. Has become.

The third means for achieving the third object is a "washing step" in which the dehydration tank is fixed and the stirring blades are rotated.
In the washing machine that performs the "rinsing process" and the "dehydration process" in which the water in the outer tub is drained to rotate the dehydration tub, a weight detection means for detecting the load applied to the suspension is provided,
During the "dehydration process", the drainage is stopped once and the detection value detected by rotating the dehydration tank is compared with a pre-registered threshold to detect cloth bias, and compared with the pre-registered threshold to detect cloth bias. It is designed to drain water and start dehydration, judging when there is no cloth imbalance.

The fourth means for achieving the fourth object is a "washing step" in which the dehydration tank is fixed and the stirring blades are rotated.
In a washing machine that performs a "rinsing process" and a "dehydration process" in which the water in the outer tub is discharged and the dehydration tub is rotated, a weight detection unit that detects the load applied to the suspension is provided to stir during the "dehydration process". The detected value detected while rotating the wing by the specified angle in the same direction is compared with the threshold value registered in advance to detect the cloth bias and determine the time when there is no cloth imbalance,
It is configured to drain water and start dehydration.

A fifth means for achieving the fifth object is a "washing step" in which the dehydration tank is fixed and the stirring blades are rotated.
In a washing machine that performs a "rinsing step" and a "dewatering step" in which water in the outer tub is discharged and the dewatering tank is rotated, the washing machine has a weight detection means for detecting loads on the plurality of suspensions. The degree of variation in the detected value between the suspensions detected during the period is compared with a threshold value registered in advance to detect a cloth bias, a time when there is no cloth imbalance is determined, and drainage and dehydration are started. ing.

A sixth means for achieving the sixth object is that the vibration detecting means or the weight judging means judges whether or not to move to the dehydration step, which is a peak which is a difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the detection result. The difference is compared with the judgment value.

A seventh means for achieving the seventh object is a vibration detecting means or a weight detecting means for making a judgment while draining water, and rotating the dehydration tub depending on the water level at the time of judgment or the weight of the object to be washed. By changing the time, it is possible to correct the weight change of the tank due to drainage and generate a certain level of vibration to enable more accurate detection, shorten the time until dehydration, and at the same time with the commercially available drain valve. A washing machine with an integrated dewatering rotation clutch can be used.

An eighth means for achieving the eighth object is a vibration detecting means or a weight detecting means for making a judgment while draining water, and in consideration of the influence of the water level at the time of judgment or the weight of the object to be washed in advance. By changing the threshold value for whether to start dehydration based on the corrected determination information, the change in the vibration level due to the change in the weight of the tank due to drainage is corrected to enable more accurate detection, and the time to dehydration is shortened. At the same time, a washing machine in which a drain valve and a dehydration rotation clutch, which are generally commercially available, are integrated can be used.

The ninth means for achieving the ninth object is to temporarily suspend the drainage during the "dewatering step" when detecting a cloth bias which is compared with a threshold value and determines that abnormal vibration occurs. It is configured to perform a “correction process” for correcting the cloth deviation as it is or by supplying water and rotating the stirring blade.

[0025]

The first means of the present invention inhibits the rotation of the dehydration tank by rotating the dehydration tank during the drainage of the "dehydration step" and detecting the shake of the tank in proportion to the magnitude of the cloth unbalance. If it is possible to detect with reduced influence of bubbles, and if the detected shake is below the threshold value, it is judged that there is no cloth imbalance, and drainage is started as it is to start dewatering and washing by an unnecessary "correction process". By preventing the extension of time, and when it is larger than the threshold value, it is judged that there is a cloth imbalance, and the “correction process” and the detection are repeated until the detection result becomes less than the judgment value. Is what you can do. Furthermore, by performing the dehydration rotation while performing the drainage, it is possible to reduce the bubbles that inhibit the rotation of the dehydration tank during washing by the drainage, and it is possible to shorten the time to complete the drainage and shift to dehydration, It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic washing machine which is effective in that it is possible to use a washing machine having a structure in which a large number of commercially available drainage valves and dehydration tub fixing clutches are integrated.

The second means of the present invention is to rotate the dehydration tub while draining water during the "dehydration step", and detect the load variation width applied to the rod in proportion to the magnitude of the cloth imbalance. It is possible to detect by reducing the influence of bubbles that hinder the rotation of the cloth, and if the detected load variation width is less than the threshold value, it is judged that there is no cloth imbalance, and it is unnecessary by immediately draining and starting dehydration. It is possible to prevent the extension of the washing time by the "correction process", and if it is larger than the threshold value, it is judged that there is a cloth imbalance, and the "correction process" and the detection are repeated until the detection result becomes less than the judgment value. It is possible to perform good dehydration with little vibration.

The third means of the present invention detects and detects the variation width of the load applied to the rod in proportion to the magnitude of the cloth imbalance by once stopping the drainage and rotating the dehydration tank during the "dehydration step". If the load variation width is less than the threshold value, it is judged that there is no cloth imbalance, drainage is immediately started, and dehydration is started to prevent unnecessary extension of the washing time due to the "correction process", and if it is greater than the threshold value. Is a method in which it is determined that there is a cloth imbalance, and the "correction step" and the detection are repeated until the detection result becomes equal to or less than the determination value, whereby good dehydration with small vibration can be reliably performed.

In the fourth means of the present invention, during the "dewatering step", the dehydration tank is rotated and the stirring blades are rotated in the same direction to move the object to be washed in the circumferential direction, which is proportional to the magnitude of the cloth imbalance. Detecting the load variation width on the rod, if the detected load variation width is less than the threshold value, determine that there is no cloth imbalance, drain the water as it is, and start dehydration rotation. The extension of the washing time due to the above is prevented, and when it is larger than the threshold value, it is judged that there is a cloth imbalance, and the “correction step” and the detection are repeated until the detection result becomes less than the judgment value. It is capable of dehydration.

The fifth means of the present invention is to simultaneously detect loads on a plurality of rods supporting the outer tank during the "dehydration step",
The load variation width between the rods that is proportional to the cloth unbalance is detected. If the detected load variation width is less than the threshold value, it is determined that there is no cloth unbalance, drainage is performed as it is, and the spin-drying rotation is started. Unnecessary correction process
The extension of the washing time by the above is prevented, and when it is larger than the threshold value, it is judged that there is a cloth imbalance, and the “correction process” and the detection are repeated until the detection result becomes less than the judgment value. It can be dehydrated.

The sixth means of the present invention is peculiar to a washing machine by judging the detection result of the shaking of the tub and the variation of the load and the threshold value by the peak difference which is the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value. It is possible to detect the influence of the usage conditions such as the inclined installation of the product or the operation being started in the condition that the tub is tilted with the laundry being put in advance.If this judgment result is less than the threshold value, the cloth unbalance is detected. It is judged that there is no such thing, draining the water as it is and starting the dehydration rotation prevents the extension of the washing time by an unnecessary "correction step", and if it is larger than the threshold value, it is judged that there is a cloth imbalance, By the method of repeating the "correction step" and the detection until the detection result becomes equal to or less than the determination value, good dehydration with small vibration can be performed.

The seventh means of the present invention is to rotate the dewatering tub while draining water during the "dehydration step", regardless of the load on the dewatering tub depending on the water level at that time or the weight of the laundry. By setting the energization time of the motor that can obtain the speed and performing detection, it is possible to compare with the same threshold regardless of the water level or news of the laundry, and if the detected load variation width is less than the threshold, cloth imbalance It is judged that there is no such thing, draining the water as it is and starting the dehydration rotation prevents the extension of the washing time by an unnecessary "correction step", and if it is larger than the threshold value, it is judged that there is a cloth imbalance,
By the method of repeating the "correction step" and the detection until the detection result becomes equal to or less than the determination value, good dehydration with small vibration can be performed.

The eighth means of the present invention is to rotate the dehydration tub while draining water during the "dehydration step", detect the shake of the tub proportional to the magnitude of the cloth unbalance, and compare the detected result with a threshold value. In this case, by comparing the detection result with the threshold value corrected using a calculation formula according to the water level at that point or the weight of the laundry, and the threshold value set in the table for each condition such as water level, more accurate If the judgment result is less than the threshold value, it is judged that there is no cloth imbalance, draining the water as it is and starting the spin-drying rotation prevents the unnecessary extension of the washing time by the “correction process”. When the judgment result is larger than the threshold value, it is judged that there is cloth unbalance, and the method of repeating the “correction step” and the detection until the detection result becomes equal to or smaller than the judgment value makes it possible to perform good dehydration with less vibration. Thing .

The ninth means of the present invention incorporates the "correction configuration" while detecting the unevenness of the cloth, thereby reliably eliminating the unevenness of the cloth and then starting the high-speed rotation of the dehydration tank in the "dewatering step". As a result, it is possible to reliably and smoothly drive the washing machine without causing abnormal vibration of the dehydration tub.

[0034]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First to seventh embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a power transmission mechanism 21 including a clutch is fixed to the bottom of the outer tub 20. The power transmission mechanism 21 includes a motor 22 fixed to the bottom of the outer tank 20.
And connect with a belt. The stirring blade 24 is fixed to the stirring blade shaft 24 inside the power transmission mechanism 21. A fluid balancer 27 is provided on the upper portion of the dehydration tank 26 so that the dehydration tank 26 can smoothly rotate. The outer tub 20 is elastically suspended and supported from the upper four corners of the outer frame 28 via suspensions 29. 31
Is a control unit for controlling the washing machine, and is composed of a microcomputer or the like. Reference numeral 30 denotes a vibration or weight sensor that detects cloth imbalance from the shake of the outer tub 26 and the deviation of the load, and is composed of ultrasonic, optical, mechanical, or other detection elements.

Next, the entire circuit of the washing machine including the control section 31 is shown in FIG. The central processing circuit 311 is composed of a microcomputer, has a storage unit 320 for storing a program for controlling the process of the washing machine, and a calculation unit 321, and detects an input switch 317 for operating the washing machine and the water level of the dehydration tub 26. The output signals of the water level sensor 318 and the vibration sensor 319 for detecting the shaking of the outer tub 20 are input. Further, the drive circuit 312 including a power transistor or the like drives the motor 313, the water supply valve 314, and the clutch 315 by the instruction signal of the central processing circuit 311. Clutch 31
By driving 5, the drain valve is opened, the stirring blades 24 are cut off, and the dehydration tank 26 is connected, and the dehydration tank 26 is rotated by the drive of the motor. Currently, commercially available washing machines mainly employ such a combination clutch 315 for spin-drying rotation and drainage valve, which is driven by the same instruction signal, from the viewpoint of cost. Therefore, when the stirring blade 24 is stopped and the dehydration tank 26 is rotated, the drain valve is opened to drain water.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the vibration sensor 30 for detecting the rolling of the outer tub 20. 300 is a rod 32
It is a magnetic material that is penetrated through the
A wound E-shaped core material 301 is placed. Core material 3
For 01, a material such as ferrite which is a magnetic material, metal, or resin is used. Reference numeral 330 is an oscillation circuit for detecting the change in the inductance amount at the oscillation frequency. The central control circuit 311 of FIG.
It is input as a digital value through 2 and processed as a detection value of the vibration sensor 30.

Next, the principle of detecting vibration of the outer tub 20 by the vibration sensor 30 will be described. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a shake of the outer tub 20 and a change in oscillation frequency in the vibration sensor 30. The number of magnetic fluxes and the amount of inductance induced in the coil 301a are proportional to the square of the relative distance between the magnetic material 300 and the core material 301, and the oscillation circuit 330
The oscillation frequency oscillated at is inversely proportional to the square root of the amount of inductance. Therefore, the change of the oscillation frequency in the oscillation circuit 330 is proportional to the swing of the outer tub 20. Here, when the outer tub 20 supported by the rod 32 moves in a direction away from the outer frame 28, the magnetic material 300 approaches the core material 301 with the position where the rod 32 is fixed to the outer frame 28 as a fulcrum, and thus the oscillation frequency. Becomes smaller as shown in FIG. On the contrary, the outer tank 20
The oscillation frequency increases as is moved toward the outer frame.

Since the centrifugal force applied to the outer tub 20 is proportional to the magnitude of the cloth unbalance of the article to be washed, there is a correlation between the shaking or oscillation frequency of the outer tub 20 and the cloth unbalance as shown in FIG. When the deflection of the outer tub 20 becomes large, the outer frame 2
Since it collides with the No. 8, large noise and vibration are generated, and abnormal vibration that the main body of the washing machine moves occurs. Therefore, the outer frame 20
When the detected oscillation frequency exceeds the threshold Fdt, the operation is stopped and the abnormal vibration due to the cloth unbalance is stopped.

Conventionally, a vibration sensor of such a principle is used to
A method has been proposed in which the cloth imbalance is detected from the shaking of the outer tub 20 caused by the reversal of the stirring blades 24 during rinsing. However, this method has a problem that it is practically difficult to detect because the shaking of the outer tub 20 is extremely small.

By the way, when the dewatering tank 26 is filled with water and is rotated at a low speed while draining, the shaking of the outer tank 20 is
There is a correlation shown in FIG. 5 with the shaking of the outer tub 20 when the dehydration tub 26 is rotated after draining from that state. In this embodiment, from this correlation, the abnormal vibration during dehydration after drainage is predicted in advance in a state where water is contained at the time of rinsing.

The horizontal axis of FIG. 5 indicates the vibration sensor 3 when the outer tub 20 is rotated during drainage (hereinafter abbreviated as drainage detection rotation).
The maximum change width Fw of the oscillation frequency of 0 is represented, and the vertical axis represents the maximum change width Fd of the oscillation frequency when the dehydration tank 26 is rotated after drainage. For example, in the drainage detection rotation Fw = F
It means that when the dewatering tank is rotated after the stirring vane is stopped from the state showing the sway of the wa and the cloth is drained without changing the state of the cloth unbalance, the sway of Fd = Fda is generated. Therefore, the threshold Fwt is set as a condition for causing abnormal vibration.
The abnormal oscillation is predicted and stopped depending on whether the detected oscillation frequency Fw exceeds the threshold value Fwt.

However, the correlation of FIG. 5 is established only in the drainage detection rotation in which detection is performed while draining. One of the reasons is that when the cloth unbalance is below the surface of the water as shown in FIG. 14A, the cloth unbalance is canceled by the effect of the weight balance of water, and the detection accuracy deteriorates. In view of this, in the present invention, drainage detection rotation is performed and the cloth unbalance is detected on the water surface as shown in FIG. Another reason is that in actual washing, bubbles generated during rinsing are accumulated between the outer tub 20 and the dewatering tub 26, so that the bubbles become viscous resistance and disappear during short-time motor energization. The water tank 26 hardly rotates, and the outer tank 2
This is because 0 does not shake sufficiently. However, when the drainage detection rotation is performed as in the present embodiment, bubbles are discharged together with the drainage, and the bubbles on the water surface lower the water level and the dehydration tank 26 and the outer tank 2
Since it diffuses during 0, the dehydration tank 26 rotates smoothly.

Next, in this embodiment, a "correction step" for reversing the stirring blades 24 in a short time period, which is a general method for changing the state of cloth unbalance, is performed. However, in such a “correction step”, although there is an effect of reducing it over time, the cloth imbalance temporarily increases or decreases. Therefore, if it is simply stopped in the “correction step” for a certain period of time, the drainage may shift to the dehydration with the cloth unbalance just left, and abnormal vibration may occur.

From the above matters, the washing machine having the construction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used to control the flow chart shown in FIG. That is,
When the washing is started, the “washing process” and the “rinsing process” are performed, and the drainage detecting process is performed at the final point of the “rinsing process” 702. Oscillation frequency Fw detected in the wastewater detection process
Is compared with the threshold value Fwt, and if it is equal to or less than Fwt, the process proceeds to the “dehydration step”, drainage and dehydration are performed, and washing is completed. If it is larger than the threshold value Fwt, abnormal vibration is predicted to occur, and therefore the cloth unbalance is corrected in the “correction step”. When the "correction process" is completed, the drainage detection process and subsequent steps are repeated until the threshold value becomes equal to or lower than the threshold value Fwt.

As described above, in the structure of this embodiment, in order to reliably predict the abnormal vibration during the washing process, the abnormal vibration is detected only when there is no water at the time of dehydration after draining as in the conventional case. The amount of washing water and the washing time can be saved much more than when water is supplied again to perform the “correction process”.

Furthermore, since the probability of cloth imbalance actually occurring is low, the method of performing the “correction step” regardless of the presence or absence of cloth imbalance often results in a substantial extension of the washing time. According to the invention, since the detection is performed during the drainage period in the conventional "dehydration step", the washing time can be shortened.

Further, even when the "correction process" is performed, the cloth unbalance cannot be loosened due to lack of time, or the user is forced to "in the middle of the" rinsing process "in which the auxiliary agent such as the softener is stirred. Dehydration process "and" correction process "
Even when jumping over, abnormal vibration can be reliably prevented by detecting the cloth imbalance during drainage which is the first step of the “dehydration step”.

In the present embodiment, if the drainage detection process is performed more than a certain number of times, the effect of the "correction process" may be reduced due to the influence of the water level, and the correction may take longer than usual. Therefore, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which a process of replenishing an appropriate amount of water is added every time the drainage detection step is performed an appropriate number of times.

Next, as a second embodiment of the present invention, the outer tank 2
A configuration example using a weight sensor that detects a load applied to 0 is shown. The washing machine and the entire circuit have the same configuration as in the first embodiment. The reference numeral 300 in FIG. 7 is a magnetic material as in FIG. 3, and is sandwiched between the rod upper plate 302 and the spring 304. Also,
Reference numeral 301 denotes a core material which encases the magnetic material 300 in a cylindrical shape, and a coil 301a wound around the core material. 303 is spring 3
A spring tray 330 that supports 04 is an oscillation circuit that oscillates the amount of inductance of the coil 301a and converts it into a change in frequency.

The principle of detecting the cloth imbalance by the weight sensor 30 will be described. When the load applied to the rod 32 increases, the magnetic material 30 passes through the rod upper plate 302.
At 0, the spring 304 contracts and the magnetic material 300 moves relatively downward. In this case, the facing area between the magnetic material 300 and the core material 301 increases, the amount of inductance of the coil 301a increases, and the oscillation frequency decreases. On the contrary, when the load applied to the rod 32 becomes lighter, the spring 304 expands and the magnetic material 300 moves relatively upward, the facing area between the magnetic material 300 and the core material 301 decreases, and the oscillation frequency increases.

In FIG. 8, a load inversely proportional to the relative distance between the four rods supporting the outer tank and the load point of the cloth unbalance 504 is applied. For example, if the dehydration tank 26 is a cloth unbalance 5
When the cloth unbalance 504 reaches the position B closest to the rod of the sensor, the oscillation frequency becomes the minimum and the position D is farthest from the sensor position. The oscillation frequency becomes maximum when it comes. This change is illustrated in FIG. 9A with reference to the oscillation frequency at the position A. Actually, the amount of water discharged during the drainage detection rotation is reduced by the amount of Fww.
A deviation amount shown in Fig. 2 is generated, which is a constant value according to the amount of drainage, and is corrected by subtracting Fww from the change width.

When there is no cloth unbalance, the load point is located at the center position of the outer tank, and the relative distance between the rod and the load point does not change even if the dehydration tank 26 is rotated. Therefore, the oscillation frequency hardly changes as shown in FIG. That is, the variation width Fpp of the oscillation frequency and the magnitude of the cloth imbalance have the relationship shown in FIG. In this embodiment, as in the flow chart of FIG.
pp is detected and compared with a threshold value Ft that causes abnormal vibration. If the threshold value is less than or equal to the threshold value, the process proceeds to the drainage process, and if the threshold value is exceeded, the correction process is performed.

As described above, in the structure of this embodiment, since the abnormal vibration is surely predicted and corrected during the washing process, the abnormal vibration is detected only in the state where there is no water after draining as in the conventional case.
The amount of washing water and the washing time can be saved much more than when water is supplied again to perform the correction process.

In the first embodiment, a certain rotation speed is necessary because of the principle of detecting the shaking of the tank by the centrifugal force. In the second embodiment, however, the drainage detection rotation is slower. Good. Therefore, in addition to reducing the load on the motor, it is possible to prevent splashing of washing water due to the impact when starting the rotation of the spin-drying tank, and to increase the safety when the user inadvertently puts his / her hand, etc. There is.

As a third embodiment, the second embodiment is shown in FIG.
This is realized by the configuration of the washing machine of FIG.
In the present embodiment, unlike the second embodiment, the drive circuit 312 is
Therefore, the drain valve 316 and the dehydration tank fixed clutch 317 are driven by separate control signals. The cloth unbalance detection principle is realized by the same method as in the second embodiment. However, in this embodiment, as compared with the second embodiment, the rotation of the dehydration tank 26 and the clutch of the drain valve have different configurations, so the drain valve 316 is used.
It is detected by rotating the dehydration tub 26 with the clutch 315 without opening. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to correct the load deviation Fww corresponding to the drainage amount shown in FIG. 9, and the detection accuracy is high.

As a fourth embodiment, another configuration example using a weight sensor for detecting the load on the outer tub 20 as in the second and third embodiments will be described. In this embodiment, the dehydration tank 2
Instead of rotating 6, the stirring blade 24 is gradually rotated in the same direction as a detection method. In this detection method, the object to be washed rotates in synchronization with the stirring blades 24 due to contact with the stirring blades 24, and the cloth imbalance also rotates in the circumferential direction of the dehydration tub 26. Therefore, as in the second and third embodiments, the presence or absence of cloth unbalance is detected by the change width Fpp of the oscillation frequency caused by the change in the relative distance between the load point of cloth unbalance and the weight sensor 30.

In the structure of the present embodiment, as shown in the overall circuit of FIG. 2, the rotation of the stirring blade 26 is independently controlled by the motor 313, so that the load equivalent to the drainage amount can be accurately detected without deviation Wpp.

As a fifth embodiment, a structure in which the weight sensor described in the second to fourth embodiments is attached to a plurality of rods will be described. For example, four rods each have a weight sensor 30
Attached to each weight sensor 30, and in FIG.
Oscillation frequency values Fa, Fb, F corresponding to positions B, C, D
c and Fd are detected at the same time. In this case, similar to the principle described in the second to fourth embodiments, when there is cloth unbalance, the difference Fpp between the maximum value and the minimum value among Fa to Fd becomes large, and there is no cloth unbalance. In this case, Fa to Fd have almost the same value, and Fpp becomes small. Therefore, the weight sensor 30 at each time point is input to the central control circuit 311, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is calculated as Fpp, and this Fpp is compared with the threshold value Ft that causes abnormal vibration, to the dehydration step. Determine migration.

In the configuration of this embodiment, unlike the first to fourth embodiments in which the dewatering tank 26 and the stirring blades 26 are rotated at regular intervals to intermittently perform the detection process, during the rinsing and the correction process. Since detection is always performed, detection accuracy can be improved.

As a sixth embodiment, in the first to fourth embodiments, the comparison processing of the variation width of the oscillation frequency and the threshold value commonly performed by the central control circuit 311 is performed by comparing the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the frequency change. A method of determining the peak difference will be described. As a phenomenon peculiar to a washing machine, depending on how to load items to be washed,
Various conditions that determine the initial value of the sensor such as the static friction of the suspension of the rod 32 change. For this reason, accurate detection cannot be performed by the method of determining the amount of change from the initial value at the time of rest such as when the power is turned on. However, in the washing machine, since the influence of such static friction is corrected by the reaction of the movement of the dehydration tub 26 due to the dehydration rotation, the peak difference can be detected stably regardless of the initial value, and the accurate cloth unbalance can be detected. Can be detected.

In a commercially available washing machine, the central control circuit 3
A configuration is adopted in which control is performed by a microcomputer mounted as 11. For this reason, since only the maximum value and the minimum value are always held and realized by a simple subtraction calculation, it is easy to realize in that a large data memory capacity or calculation amount such as dispersion is not required.

As a seventh embodiment, a configuration which enables more accurate detection in the first and second embodiments will be described. In a predetermined cloth unbalanced state, the swing amplitude of the outer tub 20 in the low-speed rotation region until the steady rotation is proportional to the rotation speed of the outer tub 20 that produces a centrifugal force. The rotation speed is
It is inversely proportional to the total weight of the outer tub 20 and proportional to the on time of the motor. Therefore, when the water level drops from the water level Wh to the water level Wm, the rotation speed at which the weight of the outer tub 20 becomes lighter increases at the same motor energization time, and the correlation in FIG. 4 is shown by the solid curve 501 to the solid curve 502 in FIG. Shift. At the same time, the determination threshold also changes from Fwt to Fwt ′.

In the present embodiment, either of the following two configurations is adopted as a method of correcting this. One is a configuration that refers to a threshold table for each water level, and the central control circuit 311
In accordance with the water level input from the water level sensor 318, the water level Wh is compared with the threshold Fwt, and the water level Wm is compared with the threshold Fwt ′. Similarly, for other water levels, comparison judgment with a threshold value according to the water level is performed.

On the other hand, the motor energization time table for each water level is referred to. Outer tank 20 when the water level drops
If the motor energization time is shortened by the amount of lightening, the rotation speed can be controlled to be constant regardless of the water level. Therefore, the water level Wh
In case of, energization time Th, in case of water level Wm, energization time Tm
Such an energization time table is created, the motor is rotated according to the energization time table, and the detected oscillation frequency and the threshold value are compared and determined.

With this configuration, it is possible to accurately detect the cloth unbalance while reducing the influence of the change in the water level due to drainage, and it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of abnormal vibration.

Note that these tables do not have to be created for all water levels, and other table values can be calculated from relational expressions at typical water levels.

Lastly, in the first to fourth embodiments, the embodiments in which the sensor is individually attached to the corner on the left back side have been described, but the installation corner can be changed and a plurality of sensors can be attached. It is also possible to improve the detection accuracy by the majority vote. It is also possible to use the vibration and weight sensors of different configurations as in the first and third embodiments together, or to use the sensors of different systems together.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the cloth unbalanced amount that has been offset by water may be detected as the water level lowers. Therefore, a method of changing the water level and performing detection a plurality of times, It is also possible to lower the water level to a certain level according to the amount of cloth before detection.

[0070]

As described above, the first means is
By rotating the dehydration tank during the drainage of the "dehydration process" and detecting the shake of the tank in proportion to the size of the cloth unbalance, it is possible to detect the effect of bubbles that impede the rotation of dehydration, and only when necessary. Since the washing time can be shortened by performing the "correction process", and even when the "correction process" is required, it is possible to detect the cloth imbalance in advance in the state where the effective water of the "correction process" remains. The effect of detecting unbalance of cloth for the first time after drainage and eliminating waste of re-feeding water, stirring correction, and drainage is improved, and good dehydration with small vibration can be performed.

The second means rotates the dehydration tub during drainage in the "dehydration step" and detects the load variation in the circumferential direction of the tub which is proportional to the magnitude of the cloth unbalance, and therefore bubbles that impede the dehydration rotation. It is possible to detect by reducing the influence of, and the washing time can be shortened by performing the “correction process” only when necessary, and even when the “correction process” is required, the effective water of the “correction process” remains Since it is possible to detect the cloth unbalance in advance, it is possible to detect the cloth unbalance for the first time after drainage and eliminate the waste of re-doing water supply, stirring correction, and drainage, and also performing good dehydration with less vibration. There is.

The third means is to rotate the dewatering tank during the "dehydration step" and detect the load variation in the circumferential direction of the tank in proportion to the magnitude of the cloth imbalance, thereby reducing the influence of the change in the water amount. Since it is possible to detect the cloth imbalance in advance with the effective water remaining in the “correction process”, it is possible to detect the cloth imbalance for the first time after dewatering after drainage and correct water supply and stirring. There is an effect that wastefulness of re-draining is eliminated and good dehydration with small vibration can be performed.

The fourth means is to rotate the stirring blades in the same direction during the "dewatering step" to move the object to be washed in the circumferential direction, and to vary the load in the circumferential direction of the tank in proportion to the magnitude of the cloth unbalance. By detecting this, it is possible to detect the cloth imbalance in advance in the state where the effective water in the “correction process” remains. There is an effect that correction and drainage are not wasted again, and good dehydration with small vibration can be performed.

The fifth means detects a variation in the load applied to each rod by a plurality of weight detecting means, thereby detecting the cloth imbalance in advance in a state where effective water remains in the "correction step". Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the waste of re-supplying water, stirring and compensating and draining water by detecting the cloth imbalance only after dehydration after drainage, and it is possible to perform good dehydration with less vibration.

The sixth means is to judge the fluctuation of the outer tub or the variation of the load by the peak difference which is the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value. Since the influence can be reduced, it is possible to detect the cloth imbalance more accurately in advance in the state where the effective water in the "correction process" remains. There is an effect that wastefulness of re-supplying water, stirring correction, and drainage is eliminated, and good dehydration with small vibration can be performed.

The seventh means is to rotate the dewatering tank while draining water during the "dewatering process" to detect the shake and load variation of the tank in proportion to the size of the cloth unbalance, and to determine the motor energization time. By adjusting the value, it is possible to perform accurate detection while reducing the effect of changes in water volume.
The washing time can be shortened by performing the above, and even if the "correction process" is required, it is possible to detect the cloth imbalance in advance in the state where the effective water of the "correction process" remains, so after the drainage. The effect of detecting unbalance of cloth for the first time when water is removed, waste of re-doing water supply, stirring correction, and drainage is eliminated, and good water removal with small vibration can be performed.

The eighth means is to rotate the dewatering tank while draining water until the dewatering step to detect fluctuations in the tank and load variations proportional to the magnitude of the cloth unbalance, and to detect the water level and the load on the article to be washed. By using a threshold value that considers the load on the motor for each amount, it is possible to detect with reduced influence of changes in water volume, and the washing time can be shortened by performing the "correction process" only when necessary, and the "correction process" Even if it is necessary, it is possible to detect the cloth imbalance in advance in the state that the effective water in the “correction process” remains, so the cloth unbalance is detected for the first time after dehydration after drainage, and water supply and stirring correction are performed. There is an effect that wastefulness of re-draining is eliminated and good dehydration with small vibration can be performed.

The ninth means is to introduce the "correction configuration" while detecting the unevenness of the cloth, thereby reliably eliminating the unevenness of the cloth and then starting the high-speed rotation of the dehydration tank in the "dewatering step". It is possible to reliably and smoothly drive the washing machine without causing abnormal vibration of the dehydration tub.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the entire circuit of the washing machine in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a sensor that detects rolling of the outer tub in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a fluctuation of an outer tank of the sensor and a change in oscillation frequency.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a correlation between a cloth unbalance before and after drainage and a frequency change of a vibration sensor.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control method of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a sensor for detecting the weight of the tank in the embodiment of the second or third invention of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a cloth unbalance detection method of the same sensor.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of changes in oscillation frequency due to movement of cloth unbalance in the sensor.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an entire circuit of the washing machine in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a relational diagram between cloth unbalance before and after drainage, frequency change of vibration sensor, and water level.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the correlation between the shaking of the outer tub and the cloth unbalance amount.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the correlation between the variation width of the oscillation frequency detected by the weight sensor and the cloth unbalance amount.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing a state of unbalanced cloth in the dehydration tank.

[Explanation of symbols]

 20 Outer Tank 24 Stirring Blade 26 Dehydration Tank 28 Outer Frame 29 Suspension 30 Vibration or Weight Sensor

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Naoaki Ishimaru 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Masafumi Sadahira, 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. 72) Inventor Ikuko Kai 1006, Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An outer tank containing a dehydration tank having a stirring blade,
An outer frame that supports this outer tank through a suspension, a motor that drives a stirring blade and a dehydration tank, and a "washing step" and a "rinsing step" that fix the dehydration tank and rotate the stirring blade; In a washing machine that performs a "dehydration process" that drains water from the outer tub and rotates the dehydration tub, a vibration detection unit that detects shake of the outer tub is provided to rotate the dehydration tub during drainage in the "dehydration process". An automatic washing machine that detects the unevenness of the cloth by comparing the detected value detected by the method with a threshold value registered in advance. 2. An outer tank containing a dehydration tank having a stirring blade,
An outer frame that supports this outer tank via a suspension, a motor that drives a stirring blade and a dehydration tank, and a "washing step" and a "rinsing step" that fix the dehydration tank and rotate the stirring blade; In a washing machine that performs a "dehydration process" in which the water in the outer tub is drained and the dewatering tub is rotated, a weight detection means for detecting the load applied to the suspension is provided, and during or immediately after the drainage of the "dehydration process". An automatic washing machine which detects a cloth bias by comparing a detection value detected by rotating the dehydration tub with a threshold value registered in advance. 3. An outer tank containing a dehydration tank having a stirring blade,
An outer frame that supports this outer tank through a suspension, a motor that drives a stirring blade and a dehydration tank, and a "washing step" and a "rinsing step" that fix the dehydration tank and rotate the stirring blade; In a washing machine that performs a "dehydration process" in which the water in the outer tub is drained and the dewatering tub is rotated, a weight detection unit that detects the load applied to the suspension is provided to temporarily stop drainage during drainage during the "dehydration process". An automatic washing machine that detects a cloth bias by comparing a detection value detected by rotating the dehydration tub with a threshold value registered in advance. 4. An outer tank containing a dehydration tank having a stirring blade,
An outer frame that supports this outer tank through a suspension, a motor that drives a stirring blade and a dehydration tank, and a "washing step" and a "rinsing step" that fix the dehydration tank and rotate the stirring blade; In a washing machine that performs a "dewatering process" in which water in the outer tub is drained and the dewatering tub is rotated, a weight detection unit that detects a load applied to the suspension is provided to discharge water during the "dehydration process" or end drainage. Immediately after that, the automatic washing machine detects the unevenness of the cloth by comparing the detection value detected while rotating the stirring blade in the same direction by a predetermined angle with a threshold value registered in advance. 5. An outer tank containing a dehydration tank having a stirring blade,
An outer frame that supports this outer tank through a suspension, a motor that drives a stirring blade and a dehydration tank, and a "washing step" and a "rinsing step" that fix the dehydration tank and rotate the stirring blade; In a washing machine that performs a "dehydration process" in which the water in the outer tub is drained and the dewatering tub is rotated, the washing machine has a plurality of weight detection means for detecting the load on the suspension, and during or during drainage during the "dehydration process". An automatic washing machine that detects the unevenness of the cloth by comparing the degree of variation in the detected values between the plurality of weight detection means detected immediately afterwards with a threshold value registered in advance. 6. A comparison between a detected value and a threshold value registered in advance is judged by a peak difference which is a difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the detected values. Automatic washing machine. 7. The rotation time of the dehydration tub, which is performed at the time of drainage during the "dehydration step" or immediately after the completion of drainage, is changed depending on the water level at the time of detection or the weight of the object to be washed. Automatic washing machine as described. 8. A threshold value for comparing whether or not to move to a dehydration step according to the determination correction information such as the water level at the time of detection or the weight of the object to be washed, and the threshold value is calculated based on the determination correction information. The automatic washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the automatic washing machine is calculated from a formula or a correction table. 9. When a cloth deviation that is judged to cause an abnormal vibration by comparing with a threshold value is detected, the drainage during the "dehydration step" is temporarily interrupted, and the cloth deviation is kept as it is or water is supplied to rotate the stirring blade. The "correction step" for correcting is performed, and drainage is restarted after confirming that the unevenness of the cloth has been resolved.
The automatic washing machine according to the item.