JP4483913B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A washing machine includes a controller for controlling at least the steps of washing, rinsing, and dehydrating, a speaker (25) for receiving an audio signal supplied from the controller (13) and sounding a voice, an external frame of the washing machine, a front panel placed in the external frame (1) at front and having small openings; and a top plate (5) for covering a top section of the external frame (1). The front panel includes therein: a case (30), whose sectional view shows like a letter "L", having a top opening and a lateral opening on both its ends, and a diaphragm of the speaker (25) mounted at the top opening with its face orienting downward, a speaker mounting case for covering the speaker, and a slit cover held between the lateral opening and the front panel. The lateral opening is placed directing toward the small openings (9).

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine that performs voice notification.

  Conventionally, a washing machine that performs voice guidance and warning of operation has been proposed, and as a conventional example of this type of washing machine, an upper cover configured to cover the upper part of the outer frame of the washing machine, A speaker is installed inside a side panel box constituted by a side panel attached so as to cover the side surface of the clothing insertion opening (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a conventional washing machine described in Patent Document 1, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an upper cover showing a speaker mounting state by disassembling a side panel of the washing machine. FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the side panel portion of the washing machine, and FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the speaker and the resonance box of the washing machine, and the configuration thereof will be described below.

  In FIG. 6, an upper cover 9 having a lid 20 that can be freely opened and closed is placed above the washing machine outer frame 1, and an operation unit 11 is arranged on the front surface of the upper cover 9, and a left side panel box A resonance box 35 containing a speaker is fixed inside 37.

  As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 9, the resonance box 35 has a sound emitting hole 35 a facing the diaphragm of the speaker 25 on the front surface, a front box 35 b that opens the rear surface, and a front surface that opens, It is constituted by a rear box 35d in which a speaker press 35c is erected on the inner side.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the speaker 25 that emits sound is a side that is attached so as to cover the side portion of the clothing insertion opening 5 a formed in the upper cover 9 as shown in FIG. 7 while being built in the resonance box 35. It is installed inside a side panel box 37 formed inside the panel 36.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the resonance box 35 with a built-in speaker is attached to the upper surface of the left side surface portion 5 of the upper cover 9 so as to be accommodated in the side panel box 37. This attachment is performed by screwing an attachment rod 35e formed on the resonance box 35 to an attachment seat formed on the upper cover 9.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, a hook locking hole 36a for hooking a hook when the drainage hose is accommodated is opened on the vertical side surface of the side panel 36. In order to increase the sound emitted from the speaker 25 to the outside of the apparatus, the sound emitting hole 35a of the resonance box 35 is positioned as close as possible to the hook locking hole 36a.

  The speaker 25 is configured to be moisture-proof and waterproof in the resonance box 35, and the generated sound is efficiently emitted from the hook locking hole 36a formed in the side panel 36 to the outside of the machine.

In another conventional example in which the hook locking hole 36a is not formed, sound emission to the outside of the machine is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to use a louder speaker by increasing the size of the speaker 25 and the like. is there.
JP 2002-11274 A

However, in such a conventional voice notification configuration of a washing machine, in order to efficiently notify the voice generated by the speaker 25 to the outside of the machine, the sound emission of the front box 35b constituting the resonance box 35 incorporating the speaker 25 is emitted. The holes 35a and the sound release hook locking holes 36a formed in the side panel 36 must be arranged as close to each other as possible, or the shape of the hook locking holes 36a must be increased. . However, this is because, for example, when cleaning the appearance of the washing machine with a wet towel or the like, if moisture enters inward from the hook locking hole 36a, the linear arrangement or proximity As the arrangement is increased, there is a problem of adversely affecting the waterproofing and moisture-proofing of the speaker, which is an electrical component, and the reliability is not sufficient.

  Further, the small hole such as the hook locking hole may cause a child to insert a finger or a small stick with curiosity or mischief, and the speaker 25 may be damaged from the sound emitting hole 35a. is there. Further, touching the speaker 25 which is a charging member with a conductive rod or the like may cause a risk of electric shock.

  In recent washing machines, a child lock is constructed so that children do not curiously touch the operation unit 2 of the washing machine in operation or the lid 20 of the laundry in and out to malfunction. Is common.

  However, even if a child performs a mischief on the operation unit 11 or the lid 20 of the washing machine, a child lock operation can prevent a malfunction, but the mischief from the small hole such as the hook locking hole 36a is Child lock was difficult.

  On the other hand, as described in the conventional example, in the specification without the hook locking hole 36a, the sound of the speaker is transmitted to the outside of the washing machine even if the intrusion of moisture or the above-mentioned child mischief is solved. It was difficult, and the speaker had to be increased in size, and the voice squeezed inside the side panel box 37 in the aircraft, making it difficult to hear clearly.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, improves the waterproofing and moisture-proofing of the speaker, eliminates the risk of being damaged by children's curiosity and mischief, and arranges the speaker in front of the washing machine panel. The purpose of this invention is to provide a washing machine that can easily secure sound pressure in front of the washing machine regardless of the surrounding installation conditions and can be sufficiently audible even with a small speaker. .

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the voice notification configuration of the washing machine according to the present invention is a front panel having a small opening that covers the front of the outer frame of the washing machine, with a voice-generating speaker receiving a voice signal from the control device. Disposed inside the front panel, a substantially L-shaped case having an upper opening and a side opening at both ends is disposed, and in the upper opening of the substantially L-shaped case, is attached diaphragm of the sound generation of speakers (cone paper) downward, disposed the speaker mounting case so as to cover the speaker, side openings of the substantially L-shaped cross section of the case, the front panel Narrow the cover with a slit shape that opens downwards and has a long slit shape in the horizontal direction. A special clearance is provided between the cover with the slit shape to allow air to pass through without resistance. Place the seat Mounted so as to direct the small opening formed in the front panel, it is obtained by sound in the washing machine forward.

  As a result, the risk of water intrusion from the sound emission hole is reduced, and since the sound generating diaphragm (cone paper) is not directly directed outward, there is no risk of damage from the outside.

  Further, by disposing the speaker in front, it is possible to easily secure sound pressure in front of the washing machine regardless of surrounding installation conditions, and it is possible to use a small speaker.

  According to the voice notification configuration of the washing machine of the present invention, the waterproofness and moisture proofing of the speaker, which is an electrical component, are improved, the risk of being damaged by the curiosity or mischief of the child is eliminated, and the speaker is disposed in front. Therefore, it is possible to easily secure the sound pressure in front of the washing machine regardless of surrounding installation conditions, and it is possible to provide a washing machine that can be sufficiently audible even with a small speaker.

1st invention has arrange | positioned the control apparatus which controls processes, such as washing, a rinse, and spin-drying | dehydration, the audio | voice generation | occurrence | production speaker into which an audio | voice signal is input from the said control apparatus, the washing machine outer frame, and the said outer frame front A front panel having a small opening, and an upper cover covering the upper part of the outer frame, and a substantially L-shaped case having an upper opening and a side opening at both ends inside the front panel; A diaphragm of an audio generating speaker is attached to the upper opening of the case having a substantially L-shaped cross section, the speaker mounting case is disposed so as to cover the speaker, and the case having a substantially L-shaped cross section. side openings of said to hold the cover having an opening long slit shape in the lateral direction downward between the front panel, a gap is formed between the cover provided with the slit-shaped Air passes without resistance and receives liquid Disposed Mel special sheet, mounted so as to direct the small opening formed in the front panel, by which is sounded in the washing machine forward, the risk of penetration of water from the sound emitting hole of the speech Since the vibration generating diaphragm (cone paper) is not directly directed outward, there is no risk of damage from the outside. In addition, water or detergent that has entered through the small opening formed in the front panel is reliably received by the protective sheet, so that the speaker can be configured so that water and detergent do not adhere to it, and a special waterproof function must be added to the speaker. Can be used without Further, by adopting a special sheet that allows air to pass through without resistance and receives the liquid, it is possible to prevent external damage such as water without reducing sound pressure. And by arrange | positioning a speaker ahead, regardless of the surrounding installation condition, sound pressure ensuring in front of a washing machine can be made easy, and use of a small speaker can be enabled.

According to the second invention, the cover having the slit shape of the first invention is provided with a notch at the lower end, and from the gap between the front panel and the joint surface of the speaker mounting case, from the opening of the front panel. By allowing the intruded liquid to be discharged and not to enter the inside of the speaker mounting case, it is possible to smoothly drain the intruded liquid from the small opening on the front panel, and the sound that has entered is silenced. Alternatively, stable voice guidance can be provided without occurrence of sound reduction.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in particular, the front panel of the first or second aspect is provided with a cylindrical rib around the small opening, and an outer peripheral portion of a cover provided with a slit shape inside thereof is inserted, and a speaker is mounted. By sandwiching the cover provided with the slit shape with the peripheral edge of the side opening of the case, the sound passing through the inside of the case having a substantially L-shaped cross section is halfway. Since the sound is emitted from the small opening of the front panel without being leaked, even a small speaker can sufficiently function.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Components having the same configurations as those of the conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partial external perspective view and a partial detail view from the front of the washing machine, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of a speaker mounting method of the washing machine, and FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing a speaker mounting state of the washing machine.

  In the external perspective view of FIG. 1, an upper cover 5 is placed above the washing machine outer frame 1, and a lid 4 is arranged to be openable and closable forward. A front panel 2 for operating and displaying the washing machine is arranged above the front surface of the washing machine outer frame 1, and a water supply hose 3 for supplying washing water is piped at the rear of the upper cover 5, and the wall of the house behind It connects to the tap water faucet 34 installed in 33 grade | etc.,.

  The user inserts and removes clothes from the inside of the washing machine by opening and closing the lid 4, and also inputs an operation signal to the control device, and visually checks an operation state and a setting state by the front panel 2. At this time, since guidance, attention, and the like are notified by voice, the configuration is excellent in usability with few erroneous operations.

  As shown in the front panel configuration diagram of FIG. 2, a speaker 25 for generating sound is arranged inside the front panel 2 configured in front of the upper cover 5, and the small opening 9 is formed on the surface of the front panel 2. The sound is emitted further forward.

  In the detailed view of FIG. 2, the planar arrangement of the speaker 25 and the like will be described. The speaker mounting case 27 to which the speaker 25 is attached has a substantially L-shaped cross section from the rear of the speaker 25 (above the detailed view of FIG. 2). The case 30 fixed to the case 30 is fixed from the inside of the front panel 2 with screws 7 with the side opening 32 directed to the small opening 9 of the front panel 2.

  As shown in the block diagram of the control circuit in FIG. 3, the control device 13 is mainly composed of a microcomputer 14 incorporating peripheral circuits such as a memory and an input / output circuit, and receives input from the input means 15 such as an input switch 15a. It detects and transmits to the load control means 16 which controls a series of processes such as washing, rinsing and dehydration, and also displays the state input to the display means 17 and the progress of the process.

  The load control means 16 controls the power supply of the drive means 18 such as the motor 18a in accordance with a signal from the control device 13.

  The voice notification means 19 reads the voice data of the voice ROM 21 stored in advance in the microcomputer 14 of the control device 13, takes out it as an analog signal by the D / A conversion 22, shapes the waveform by the low-pass filter 23, and then an amplifier (amplifier). ) The electrical signal from 24 is converted into sound waves by the speaker 25.

  Note that the contents of the voice notification enhance the user's convenience by performing a process guide, operation guidance, abnormality notification, and the like based on information from the input means 15.

  The mounting configuration of the speaker 25 will be described below with reference to the partial cross-sectional view of FIG.

  In FIG. 4, a case 30 having a substantially L-shaped cross section having an upper opening 31 located in the upper right part and a side opening 32 located on the left side has a diaphragm (cone paper) of a speaker 25 in the upper opening 31. 26 is oriented in the lower left direction, and the upper opening 31 is fixed with a screw 10 or the like while covering the speaker 25 from the upper right with the speaker mounting case 27.

  Here, the mounting configuration of the speaker 25 and the speaker mounting case 27 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The speaker mounting case 27 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is arranged with the open portion of the U shape facing the lower left, and the open portion. The speaker 25 is attached with its diaphragm (cone paper) 26 facing downward, and the speaker attachment case 27 is formed of, for example, a plastic molded product and is formed on an L-shaped locking piece 29 integrally formed on the peripheral portion. The other end of the speaker 25 is locked by using the elasticity of the L-shaped protrusion 28 having elasticity formed at a position substantially opposed to 180 degrees.

  Thus, the speaker 25 and the speaker mounting case 27 are assembled in the previous step, and then fixed with the screw 10 from the upper opening 31 side as shown in FIG.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, since the speaker 25 is held substantially perpendicular to the front panel 2, the diaphragm (cone paper) 26 is at an angle with the side opening 32 of the case 30 having a substantially L-shaped cross section. Is inclined by approximately 90 degrees.

  On the other hand, the cover 8 provided with a plurality of slit shapes 8 a is attached to the side opening 32 of the case 30 having a substantially L-shaped cross section, the peripheral edge 32 a of the side opening 32, and the small opening 9 of the front panel 2. It is sandwiched and attached to the cylindrical rib 2a integrally formed on the inner periphery. In order to easily attach the cover 8 and ensure the position, the outer peripheral portion 8b of the cover 8 is formed in a cylindrical shape and inserted into the cylindrical rib 2a of the front panel 2. Therefore, the side opening 32 serving as a sound emission hole, the small opening 9 of the front panel 2, and the slit shape 8a of the cover 8 are arranged so as to be oriented in front of the washing machine by matching the planar positions. .

  Further, a notch 40 is provided at the lower end of the cover 8, and the notch 40 is made to correspond to the gap 41 between the cylindrical rib 2 a of the front panel 2 and the peripheral edge 32 a of the side opening 32. In addition, it is set as the water discharge port when entering from the small opening 9.

  A protective sheet 39 is disposed between the case 30 having a substantially L-shaped cross section and the cover 8 provided with the slit shape 8 a so as to be sandwiched between the outer peripheral portion of the cover 8 and the peripheral portion 32 a of the side opening 32. And prevent moisture from entering. For example, the protective sheet 39 is made of a felt material that is waterproof or water-repellent with a water-repellent polymer, and has a property that allows air to pass through without resistance but prevents water droplets from passing therethrough.

  About the washing machine comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  The sound emitted from the diaphragm (cone paper) 26 of the speaker 25 is resonated and amplified when passing along the inside of the case 30 having a substantially L-shaped cross section as shown by the path of arrow A shown in FIG. It is transmitted outside the aircraft.

  Further, since the speaker 25 is installed in the upper opening 31 at the upper right of the case 30 having a substantially L-shaped cross section, the diaphragm (cone paper) 26 has an inclination of 90 degrees with respect to the side opening 32. Since the cover 8 provided with the slit shape 8a is attached to the side opening 32 so as to prevent entry of foreign matter from the outside, the small opening 9 of the front panel 2 is attached. Even if there is an intrusion of water or a sharp thin object, the risk of intrusion into the speaker 25 is extremely small.

  The front panel 2 having the small opening 9 as a sound emitting hole is located in front of the washing machine, but by reducing the hole of the small opening 9 and providing a large number according to the desired sound volume, The risk of mischief when a child or the like inserts a finger or a small stick is extremely small. Further, by attaching the cover 8 having a slit structure, it is possible to obtain an effect of preventing intrusion of powder such as detergent.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the risk of intrusion of water from the sound emitting hole (small opening 9) is reduced, and the sound generating diaphragm (cone paper) 26 faces directly outward. Therefore, there is no risk of damage from the outside, and by arranging the speaker 25 in the front, it is possible to easily secure the sound pressure in front of the washing machine regardless of the surrounding installation conditions. A speaker can be used.

Furthermore, by providing a gap between the case 30 having a substantially L-shaped cross section and the cover 8 provided with the slit shape 8a and disposing the protective sheet 39, water entering from the small opening 9 formed in the front panel 2 is provided. Since the protective sheet 39 securely catches water and detergent, water and detergent can be completely prevented from entering the inside of the case 30 having a substantially L-shaped cross section. And the protective sheet 39 allows air to pass through without resistance,
Since a special sheet that receives liquid is employed, voice notification is possible without reducing the sound pressure.

  Further, by providing a notch 40 at the lower end of the side opening 32 of the case 30 having a substantially L-shaped cross section and the cover 8 provided with a slit shape, the liquid that has entered through the small opening 9 of the front panel 2 can be smoothly removed. It is possible to provide a stable voice guidance without causing the sound to be muted or reduced due to intruded water, and without causing the unsafe situation of insulation deterioration of electrical members such as speakers. it can.

  Further, a cylindrical rib 2a integrally formed around the small opening 9 of the front panel 2 is provided, and the outer peripheral portion 8b of the cover 8 provided with the slit shape 8a is inserted into the cylindrical rib 2a as a cylinder. Therefore, a structure that keeps airtightness becomes possible, and the sound that has passed through the inside of the case 30 having a substantially L-shaped cross section is emitted from the small opening 9 of the front panel 2 without leaving the middle. However, it is sufficient and can function.

  As described above, the voice notification configuration of the washing machine according to the present invention has a speaker placed in front so as to be close to the user, makes it easy for the user to recognize the voice, and prevents the entry of water and foreign matter from the outside. As a result, sufficient sound pressure can be secured even if the speaker is downsized.

  As described above, since the washing machine according to the present invention can prevent a foreign matter from being arranged by arranging the speaker on the front surface of the device, it is also useful for household devices that perform voice notification.

External appearance perspective view of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention Partial external perspective view and partial detail view from the front of the washing machine Block diagram of the control circuit of the washing machine Partial sectional view showing the speaker mounting state of the washing machine Partial sectional view of speaker mounting method of the washing machine Partially cutaway perspective view of a conventional washing machine The perspective view of the upper cover which shows the speaker attachment state of the conventional washing machine An enlarged perspective view of a side panel portion of a conventional washing machine Disassembled perspective view of speaker and resonance box of conventional washing machine

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing machine outer frame 2 Front panel 2a Cylindrical rib 5 Upper cover 8 Cover 9 Small opening part 13 Control apparatus 25 Speaker 26 Diaphragm (cone paper)
27 Speaker mounting case 30 Case with substantially L-shaped cross section 31 Upper opening 32 Side opening 32a Peripheral portion 39 Protection sheet 40 Notch

Claims (3)

A control device that controls a process such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration, a sound-generating speaker that receives a sound signal from the control device, a washing machine outer frame, and a front having a small opening disposed in front of the outer frame A panel and an upper cover covering the upper part of the outer frame, and a substantially L-shaped case having an upper opening and a side opening at both ends inside the front panel, and a substantially L-shaped cross section. At the upper opening of the case, the diaphragm of the sound generating speaker is attached facing downward, the speaker mounting case is disposed so as to cover the speaker, and the side opening of the case having the substantially L-shaped cross section is to hold the cover having an opening long slit shape in the lateral direction downward between the front panel, air was passed through without resistance a gap is formed between the cover provided with the slit-shaped Special sea catching liquid Arranged and mounted so as to direct the small opening formed in the front panel, a washing machine washing machine was sound forward. The slit-shaped cover has a notch at the lower end and discharges liquid that has entered through the opening of the front panel from the gap between the front panel and the joint surface of the speaker mounting case. The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the washing machine can not penetrate into the machine. Front panel, a cylindrical rib provided around the small opening, and inserting the outer peripheral portion of the cover provided with a slit on its inner side, and the slit provided in the peripheral portion of the side opening of the speaker mounting case The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the airtightness is maintained by pinching the cover.