JP6706027B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a washing machine.

Since the generation of detergent bubbles in the dehydration process causes the remaining detergent, it is preferable to detect the generation of bubbles and perform an appropriate operation such as a bubble discharging operation. When bubbles are generated in the dehydration process, the bubbles impede the rotation of the dehydration tank, and the motor rotation speed is hard to increase, so that the motor current increases. Conventionally, there is known a washing machine that detects foam generation based on the number of rotations of a motor and a motor current by using the above principle.

However, since the rotation of the dehydration tub is also hindered by the imbalance of the clothes, the conventional configuration may erroneously detect that bubbles are generated when the imbalance of the clothes occurs.

JP, 2008-279120, A

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can accurately detect the occurrence of bubbles regardless of whether or not there is an imbalance in the clothes.

To achieve the above object, the washing machine of the embodiment has an outer box forming an outer surface of a main body, a water tub elastically held in the outer box, and a rotary tub rotatably provided in the water tub. A motor for rotationally driving the rotary tank, a vibration detecting means for detecting the magnitude of vibration of the water tank, and a rotation resistance detecting means for detecting resistance to rotation of the rotary tank, wherein the number of rotations of the motor is A rotation sensor that detects the unbalance and the magnitude of the unbalance are determined based on the detection by the vibration detection unit by controlling the inclination of the rotation speed increase of the motor to be a command inclination during the dehydration process. An unbalance determination is performed, and a threshold value is set for the ratio of the slope of the increase in the number of rotations of the motor to the command slope according to the size of the determined imbalance. The threshold value for the ratio of the rising slope to the commanded slope is set small, and the smaller the unbalance is, the larger the threshold value for the ratio of the rising speed of the motor to the commanded slope is set. comprising a tilt of several rising, by comparing, with a threshold value related to ratio the instruction tilt of rotation increase speed of inclination of the motor, and control means for foam generation determination, the.

External perspective view of the washing machine of the first embodiment from the front side The partially transparent side view of the washing machine of 1st embodiment. Functional block diagram showing the control system of the first embodiment The figure which shows the washing course in 1st embodiment The figure which shows the control in the bubble discharge operation of 1st embodiment. The flowchart which shows the control in the dehydration process of 1st embodiment. The figure which shows the rotation speed control of the motor in the dehydration operation of 1st embodiment. The figure which shows the command inclination of the rotation speed of the motor in the dehydration operation of 1st embodiment. The flowchart which shows the imbalance determination of 1st embodiment. The figure which shows the determination method of the threshold value used for the imbalance determination of 1st embodiment. Flowchart showing the bubble generation determination of the first embodiment Flowchart showing the bubble generation determination of the second embodiment The figure which shows the command rotation speed of the motor in the dehydration operation of 2nd embodiment. Flowchart showing the bubble generation determination of the third embodiment The flowchart which shows the control in the rinse process of 4th embodiment. The figure which shows the control in the bubble discharge operation of other embodiment. The figure which shows the control in the bubble discharge operation of other embodiment. The figure which shows the control in the bubble discharge operation of other embodiment.

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, in the plurality of embodiments, substantially the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.
<First embodiment>
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11.

First, the mechanical configuration of the washing machine of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
As shown in FIG. 1, the outer box 100 forms the outer surface of the washing machine of this embodiment, and includes a top cover 101, a side wall 111, and a bottom plate 110.

The top cover 101 forms the uppermost surface of the outer box 100, and an operation panel 105, an outer lid 103, and a rear cover 104 are provided on the upper end of a rectangular frame body 102. Although not shown, the frame 102 is provided with a recess for installing the operation panel 105 on the front side when viewed from the front side (right front in FIG. 1, left in FIG. 2) of the outer box 100, and the back side immediately behind the recess. Is provided with a clothing insertion opening which is opened and closed by the outer lid 103, and a rear cover 104 is installed and closed at a further back of the clothing insertion opening (the innermost portion of the outermost box 100). The operation panel 105, the outer lid 103, and the rear cover 104 are installed at these positions.

Hereinafter, when describing the positional relationship of each part, unless otherwise specified, the front side of the outer box 100 is “front” and the rear side of the outer box 100 is “back” to express the direction, and similarly, “left”, "Right" also represents the left and right as viewed from the front side of the outer box 100 unless otherwise specified. Further, “upper” and “lower” represent the upper and lower sides in the vertical direction.

The operation panel 105 is formed in a rectangular plate shape that is long in the left-right direction. The operation panel 105 includes an operation unit that receives an operation by the user and a display unit that gives various notifications to the user. The operation panel 105 is connected to a control device 300 (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; see FIG. 3) in a power unit 229 provided on the back side thereof.

Although not shown, the outer lid 103 has its rear end connected to the frame 102 by a hinge, and when the handle 112 provided on the front side of the upper surface of the outer lid 103 is lifted up, this hinge serves as a fulcrum. The outer lid 103 can be rotated to open and close the clothing slot. Further, the outer lid 103 is formed by connecting two horizontally long rectangular plates made of synthetic resin connected to the front and back through a hinge different from the hinge, and the outer lid 103 uses this other hinge as a fulcrum. It can be rotated and folded into a mountain fold.

The rear cover 104 is formed in a rectangular plate shape that is long in the left-right direction, and is provided with a water supply port 107 and a bath water supply port 108. Although not shown, the water supply port 107 is connected to an external water supply via an external water supply hose so that the water in the water supply can be taken into the inside of the machine. On the other hand, the bath water supply port 108 can take in the bath water into the machine by using a bath water pump and a bath water hose (not shown).

The side wall 111 is formed of a steel plate in a rectangular tubular shape having open upper and lower ends, and forms a side surface portion of the outer box 100. The bottom plate 110 is mainly made of synthetic resin and forms the bottom of the outer box 100.
As shown in FIG. 2, a water tank 201 is accommodated inside the outer box 100 while being elastically supported by a suspension rod 208 and a suspension 209. The water tank 201 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and its open end faces upward. The suspension rods 208 are provided at a total of four places on the left and right sides on the front side and the back side, respectively, and the upper end thereof is supported by a support portion (not shown) provided near the upper end of the side wall 111, and the lower end thereof is The water tank 201 is supported via the suspension 209. Further, a motor 203 that rotationally drives the rotary tank 200 and the agitator 202 is provided outside the bottom surface of the water tank 201. The motor 203 is a brushless DC motor, and the rotation sensor 302 (see FIG. 3) can measure the number of rotations of the motor 203. Further, the current sensor 303 (FIG. 3) provided in the power unit 229 is used. The value of the current flowing through the motor 203 can be measured by the reference (see). In the present embodiment, the rotation sensor 302 functions as a rotation resistance detection unit that detects resistance to rotation of the rotary tank 200.

The rotary tank 200 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and is rotatably housed in the water tank 201 with its open end facing upward. An agitator 202 is rotatably provided at the bottom of the rotary tank 200. The stirring body 202 is directly connected to the drive shaft of the motor 203, while the rotary tank 200 is connected to the drive shaft of the motor 203 via the clutch mechanism 207. That is, when the clutch mechanism 207 is connected, both the rotary tank 200 and the agitator 202 are rotationally driven, but when the clutch mechanism 207 is disconnected, only the agitator 202 is rotationally driven. Further, on the side surface of the rotary tank 200, a large number of holes 206 that allow water and air to pass are provided.

Although not shown, a water supply device including a water supply valve 204 (see FIG. 3) and a water injection case is provided in the upper part of the outer box 100, and according to opening and closing of the water supply valve 204, tap water is supplied to the rotary tank 200 and It is introduced into the water tank 201.

A drainage port 220 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 201, and a drainage valve 205 is provided immediately below the drainage port 220. One end of an in-machine drainage hose 222 is connected to the outlet side of the drainage valve 205. The other end of the in-machine drainage hose 222 is exposed to the outside of the machine and is connected to an external drainage hose (not shown). When the drain valve 205 is opened, the water in the water tank 201 is discharged to the outside of the machine through the drain port 220, the in-machine drain hose 222, and the external drain hose.

An acceleration sensor 301 is provided on the upper portion of the outer surface of the water tank 201 on the inner side, and the diametrical component of the water tank 201 in the acceleration generated in the water tank 201 can be measured. The acceleration sensor 301 functions as a vibration detection unit that detects the vibration of the water tank 201. Further, an air trap 227 is provided at the lowermost portion on the outer side surface of the water tank 201, and the air trap 227 is provided with a water level sensor 304 (shown in FIG. 2 in FIG. 2) provided above the outer box 100 via an air tube 228. (Not shown, see FIG. 3). As a result, the water level sensor 304 can measure the water level in the water tank 201 through the pressure change of air.

In the power unit 229 provided on the back side of the operation panel 105, in addition to the control device 300 and the current sensor 303, drive circuits 305a to 305d for applying a drive voltage to each electric component are housed.

The washing machine of this embodiment includes the control system shown in FIG. The control device 300 is mainly configured by a microcomputer, and functions as a control unit that controls various controls including vibration suppression control described later. The control device 300 determines the control content based on the input from the operation unit of the operation panel 105, the acceleration sensor 301, the rotation sensor 302, the current sensor 303, and the water level sensor 304, and a control program provided in advance, and the operation panel The display unit 105, the motor 203, the water supply valve 204, the drain valve 205, and the clutch mechanism 207 are controlled. The operation panel 105, the acceleration sensor 301, the rotation sensor 302, and the water level sensor 304 are connected to the control device 300 via a lead wire 306, and the control device 300 controls operation based on inputs from these. The motor 203, the water supply valve 204, the drain valve 205, and the clutch mechanism 207 are connected to the control device 300 via drive circuits 305a to 305d and lead wires 306, and a drive voltage according to a control signal from the control device 300 is applied. To be done.

The washing machine of this embodiment performs, for example, the washing course shown in FIG. In the dehydration process during the rinse operation, the generation of bubbles is detected by the method described below, and when the generation of bubbles is detected, the bubbles are discharged from the water tank 201 by the control shown in FIG. The control in the dehydration process during the rinse operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 11.

The dehydration process during the rinsing operation is performed according to the flowchart of FIG. First, the rough flow of the dehydration process will be described with reference to FIG.
When the dehydration process is started (S1), the dehydration operation is started and the motor 203 is driven (S2). During the dewatering operation, the motor 203 is controlled so as to have the rotation speed shown in FIG. 7 when there is no imbalance or the generation of bubbles. The dehydration operation is continuously performed until the unbalance correction operation S6, the bubble discharge operation S9, or the dehydration operation end S10, and the unbalance determination S4 and the bubble generation determination S7 are performed in parallel with the dehydration operation.

If the predetermined time for dehydration has not elapsed (No in S3), the unbalance determination is performed while continuing the dehydration operation (S4). As will be described later in detail, the magnitude of the imbalance is evaluated based on the detection by the acceleration sensor 301, and four of "unbalanced", "unbalanced", "unbalanced", and "unbalanced". Classify into. In the case of "unbalanced" (Yes in S5), the dehydration operation is interrupted, the water is supplied to the water tank 201, and then the pulsator 202 is rotated (unbalance correction operation) (S6), and the dehydration operation is performed again. Start (S2). On the other hand, if it is not "large unbalance" (No in S5), the bubble generation determination is performed based on the inclination of the rotation speed of the motor 203 (S7). As will be described later, in the bubble generation determination S7, the presence/absence of bubbles is detected, and when a large amount of bubbles are generated, it is determined that "bubbles are generated". When it is determined in the bubble generation determination S7 that “foam is generated” (Yes in S8), the dehydration operation is interrupted, and the water supply valve 204 is opened while the drain valve 205 is opened so that the bubbles in the water tank 201 are watered. Then, the operation for discharging and discharging (foam discharging operation) is performed (S9), and the dehydration operation is started again (S2). When it is determined in the bubble generation determination S7 that "no bubble is generated" (No in S8), the dehydration operation is continued, and the process returns to the determination (S3) whether a predetermined time has elapsed.

When the predetermined time for dehydration has elapsed (Yes in S3), the dehydration operation is terminated (S10), and the dehydration process is terminated (S11).
The control of the motor 203 during the dehydration operation will be further described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. In the dehydration operation, control is performed so that the number of rotations of the motor 203 rises in each of the four sections P1 to P4 with the inclination shown in the graph of FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the section P1 is a section for 5 seconds, and the inclination of the rotation speed is set to 30 [rpm/s]. P2 is a section for 15 seconds, and the rotation speed is kept constant at 150 [rpm]. P3 is a section for 34 seconds and is set so that the inclination of the rotation speed is 20 [rpm/s]. P4 is a section for 10 seconds and is set so that the inclination of the rotation speed is 10 [rpm/s]. The inclination of the rotational speed set for P1, P3, and P4 is referred to as a command inclination below.

The imbalance determination S4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the imbalance determination is started (S12), the control device 300 acquires the value of the acceleration sensor 301 (S13). The control device 300 stores the table shown in FIG. 10, and sets predetermined values 1 to 3 according to the weight of the loaded clothes.

When the value of the acceleration sensor 301 is larger than the predetermined value 1 (Yes in S14), the "unbalanced large" determination is made (S15), and the unbalanced determination ends (S21). When the value of the acceleration sensor 301 is less than or equal to the predetermined value 1 (No in S14), the value of the acceleration sensor 301 is compared with the predetermined value 2 (S16).

When the value of the acceleration sensor 301 is larger than the predetermined value 2 (Yes in S16), it is determined that "unbalanced" (S17), and the unbalanced determination ends (S21). When the value of the acceleration sensor 301 is less than or equal to the predetermined value 2 (No in S16), the value of the acceleration sensor 301 is compared with the predetermined value 3 (S18).

When the value of the acceleration sensor 301 is larger than the predetermined value 3 (Yes in S18), the "unbalanced small" determination is made (S19), and the unbalanced determination ends (S21). When the value of the acceleration sensor 301 is less than or equal to the predetermined value 3 (No in S18), "no imbalance" is determined (S20), and the imbalance determination is finished (S21).

Subsequently, the bubble generation determination S7 will be described. When the resistance against the rotation of the rotary tub 200 increases due to the imbalance of the thrown clothes and the generation of bubbles, the rotation speed of the motor 203 does not increase due to the command inclination. Utilizing this principle, the rotation sensor 302 functions as a rotation resistance detection unit that detects resistance to rotation of the rotary tank 200.

In the present embodiment, by evaluating the inclination of the rotation speed of the motor 203 using a threshold value according to the magnitude of the unbalance determined by the unbalance determination S4, the contribution due to the unbalance is offset and the bubble generation is detected. ..

The bubble generation determination S7 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the bubble generation determination is started (S22), the control device 300 acquires the inclination of the rotation speed of the motor 203 by the rotation sensor 302 (S23).

When it is determined in the imbalance determination S4 that "the balance is being imbalanced" (Yes in S24), the inclination obtained in S23 and a value of 30% of the command inclination (for example, 9 [rpm/s in the case of the section P1] ])) is compared (S25). When the inclination acquired in S23 is equal to or less than the value of 30% of the command inclination (Yes in S25), it is determined that "foam is generated" (S26), and the foam generation determination is ended (S32). On the other hand, when the inclination acquired in S23 is larger than the value of 30% of the command inclination (No in S25), the "bubble occurrence" determination is not made and the bubble generation determination ends (S32). If the unbalance determination S4 does not determine "unbalanced" (No in S24), it is determined whether the result of the unbalance determination S4 is "unbalanced" (S27).

When the "unbalanced small" determination is made in the unbalance determination S4 (Yes in S27), the inclination acquired in S23 is compared with the value of 40% of the command inclination (S28). When the inclination acquired in S23 is equal to or less than the value of 40% of the command inclination (Yes in S28), it is determined that "foaming has occurred" (S29), and the foaming determination is ended (S32). On the other hand, when the inclination acquired in S23 is larger than the value of 40% of the commanded inclination (No in S28), the "bubble occurrence" determination is not made and the bubble generation determination ends (S32). When it is not determined as "unbalanced" in the unbalance determination S4 (No in S27), the inclination acquired in S23 is compared with the value of 50% of the commanded inclination (S30). When the inclination acquired in S23 is less than or equal to 50% of the command inclination (Yes in S30), it is determined that "foaming has occurred" (S31), and the foaming determination is ended (S32). On the other hand, if the inclination acquired in S23 is larger than the value of 50% of the command inclination (No in S30), the "bubble occurrence" determination is not made and the bubble generation determination ends (S32).

According to the above-described control of the dehydration process, the control device 300 sets the threshold value (30%, 40% or 50% of the command inclination) regarding the inclination of the rotation speed of the motor 203 according to the detection by the acceleration sensor 301, and The bubble generation determination is performed by comparing the inclination of the rotation speed of the motor 203 with a threshold value related to the inclination of the rotation speed of the motor 203.

Although omitted in the drawing, the bubble generation determination S7 is not performed in the section P2.
According to the first embodiment, since the inclination of the rotation speed of the motor 203 is evaluated by the threshold value set according to the detection of the acceleration sensor 301, the contribution of the unbalance of the clothes is offset in the detection of the bubble generation. You can

<Second embodiment>
The second embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 focusing on the parts different from the first embodiment.
When the resistance against the rotation of the rotary tub 200 increases due to the imbalance of the thrown clothes and the generation of bubbles, the rotation speed of the motor 203 does not increase with the command inclination, so the actual rotation speed of the motor 203 is the command rotation speed (command inclination). Therefore, the rotation speed of the motor 203 becomes lower than the rotation speed when the rotation speed of the motor 203 increases. In the present embodiment, the contribution due to the imbalance is offset by evaluating the difference between the actual rotation speed of the motor 203 and the command rotation speed using the threshold value according to the magnitude of the unbalance determined by the unbalance determination S4. To detect the occurrence of bubbles.

The bubble generation determination S7 in this embodiment is performed according to the flowchart of FIG. When the bubble generation determination is started (S22), the control device 300 calculates the command rotation speed (S33), and subsequently acquires the actual rotation speed from the rotation sensor 302 (S34). The command rotation speed has a value shown in FIG. 13, for example.

In the unbalance determination S4, when it is determined that "unbalanced" (Yes in S35), the difference between the actual rotation speed acquired in S34 and the command rotation speed calculated in S33 is compared with 30 [rpm] ( S36). When the difference between the actual rotation speed acquired in S34 and the command rotation speed calculated in S33 is 30 [rpm] or more (Yes in S36), it is determined that "foaming has occurred" (S37), and foaming is determined. Is finished (S32). On the other hand, when the difference between the actual rotation speed acquired in S34 and the command rotation speed calculated in S33 is less than 30 [rpm] (No in S36), the "bubble occurrence" determination is not made and the bubble generation determination is made. Is finished (S32). If it is not determined "Unbalanced" in the unbalance determination S4 (No in S35), it is determined whether the result of the unbalance determination S4 is "Unbalance small" (S38).

If the unbalance determination S4 determines "unbalanced" (Yes in S38), the difference between the actual rotation speed acquired in S34 and the command rotation speed calculated in S33 is compared with 20 [rpm] ( S39). When the difference between the actual rotation speed acquired in S34 and the command rotation speed calculated in S33 is 20 [rpm] or more (Yes in S39), it is determined that "foaming is occurring" (S40), and the foaming is determined. Is finished (S32). On the other hand, when the difference between the actual rotation speed acquired in S34 and the command rotation speed calculated in S33 is less than 20 [rpm] (No in S39), the “foaming occurrence” determination is not made and the bubble occurrence determination is made. Is finished (S32). When it is not determined as "unbalanced" in the unbalance determination S4 (No in S38), the difference between the actual rotation speed acquired in S34 and the command rotation speed calculated in S33 is compared with 10 [rpm]. (S41). When the difference between the actual rotation speed acquired in S34 and the command rotation speed calculated in S33 is 10 [rpm] or more (Yes in S41), it is determined that "foaming is occurring" (S42), and foaming is determined. Is finished (S32). On the other hand, when the difference between the actual rotation speed acquired in S34 and the command rotation speed calculated in S33 is less than 10 [rpm] (No in S41), the “foaming occurrence” determination is not made and the bubble occurrence determination is made. Is finished (S32).

According to the control of the dehydration process, the control device 300 sets the threshold value (30 rpm, 20 rpm or 10 rpm) regarding the difference between the actual rotation speed of the motor 203 and the command rotation speed according to the detection by the acceleration sensor 301, and The bubble generation determination is performed by comparing the difference between the actual rotation speed of 203 and the command rotation speed with a threshold value related to the difference between the actual rotation speed of the motor 203 and the command rotation speed.

According to the second embodiment, since the value of the rotation speed of the motor 203 is evaluated by the threshold value set according to the detection of the acceleration sensor 301, the contribution of the unbalance of the clothes is offset in the detection of the bubble generation. You can

<Third embodiment>
The third embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 14, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.
If the resistance against the rotation of the rotary tub 200 increases due to the imbalance of the thrown clothes or the generation of bubbles, the rotation speed of the motor 203 becomes difficult to increase, so that the load on the motor 203 increases and the current value also increases. Utilizing this principle, the current sensor 303 is caused to function as a rotation resistance detection unit that detects resistance to rotation of the rotary tank 200.

In the present embodiment, the current value of the motor 203 is evaluated using a threshold value according to the magnitude of the unbalance determined by the unbalance determination S4, thereby canceling the contribution due to the unbalance and detecting the occurrence of bubbles.

The bubble generation determination S7 in this embodiment is performed according to the flowchart of FIG. When the bubble generation determination is started (S22), the control device 300 measures the current value of the motor 203 by the current sensor 303 (S43) and calculates the difference (that is, the amount of change) from the current value one second ago. (S44).

In this embodiment, the q-axis current is used as the current value. Although detailed description is omitted, the q-axis current value is a component of the current flowing through the motor 203, which corresponds to torque. The control according to the present embodiment can be implemented by using the total current value or the like instead of the q-axis current.

If it is determined in the imbalance determination S4 that "the balance is being imbalanced" (Yes in S45), the threshold value is set to 2 [A], and the process proceeds to the evaluation of the change amount (S50). On the other hand, if it is not determined "unbalanced" in the unbalance determination S4 (No in S45), it is determined whether the "unbalanced" is determined in the unbalance determination S4 (S47). When it is determined in the unbalance determination S4 that the "unbalance is small" (Yes in S47), the threshold value is set to 1.5 [A], and the process proceeds to the evaluation of the change amount (S50). On the other hand, if it is not determined as "unbalanced" in the unbalance determination S4 (No in S47), the threshold value is set to 1 [A], and the process proceeds to the evaluation of the change amount (S50).

When the amount of change in the current value calculated in S44 is equal to or greater than the threshold value set in S46, S48 or S49 (Yes in S50), the value of the count variable increases by 1 (S51), and the value of the count variable is evaluated. Proceed to (S53). Here, the count variable is an integer variable having an initial value of 0, and is a variable for counting the number of times that the amount of change in the current value continuously becomes equal to or more than the threshold value in S50. If the value of the count variable is 3 (Yes in S53), it is determined that "foaming has occurred" (S54) and the bubble generation determination ends (S32), but if the value of the count variable is not 3 (S53). No), the bubble generation determination ends without the "bubble generation" determination (S32).

On the other hand, when the amount of change in the current value calculated in S44 is less than the threshold value set in S46, S48, or S49 (No in S50), the value of the count variable is reset and the initial value 0 is substituted ( S52).

According to the above-described control of the dehydration process, the control device 300 sets the threshold value (2A, 1.5A or 1A) regarding the amount of change in the output value of the current sensor 303 according to the detection by the acceleration sensor 301, and the current sensor 303. The bubble generation determination is performed by comparing the amount of change in the output value of 1 with the threshold value regarding the amount of change in the output value of the current sensor 303.

According to the third embodiment, since the current value of the motor 203 is evaluated by the threshold value set according to the detection of the acceleration sensor 301, the contribution of the unbalance of the clothes can be offset in the detection of the bubble generation. ..
In addition, erroneous detection can be prevented by detecting the bubble generation only when the current value of the motor 203 exceeds the threshold value three times consecutively.

<Fourth Embodiment>
The fourth embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 15, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.
In the washing machine of the present embodiment, in a setting in which rinsing and agitation are performed twice in the rinsing operation, in the dehydration process during the rinsing operation, when “foaming” is determined, the rinsing frequency is increased by one. ..

The rinse operation is performed according to the flowchart of FIG. Only the main points of the flowchart of FIG. 15 will be described.
When the "foaming" determination is performed at least once during the dehydration step of S56 (Yes in S57), three rinse stirring steps of S72, S76, and S80 are performed.

If "foaming" is not determined during the dehydration step of S56 (No in S57), but "foaming" is determined at least once during the dehydration step of S61 (Yes in S62), S59, Three rinse stirring steps of S66 and S70 are performed.

According to the fourth embodiment, when bubbles are generated in the water tank 201, the bubbles in the water tank 201 are firmly removed by not only performing the bubble discharging operation during the dehydration process but also increasing the number of rinses. be able to.

<Other embodiments>
The first to fourth embodiments are so-called vertical washing machines in which the rotary shaft of the rotary tub 200 is oriented in the vertical direction, but so-called drum type washing machines in which the rotary shaft of the rotary tub 200 is oriented in the horizontal or diagonal direction. It is also applicable to.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the acceleration sensor 301 detects the vibration of the water tank 201, but the vibration of the water tank 201 can be detected by various other methods. For example, a mechanical switch is provided inside the outer box 100 so that the switch is pushed by the water tank 201, or a proximity sensor is provided inside the outer box 100 to detect that the water tank 201 approaches the proximity sensor. The vibration can also be detected by providing a piezoelectric element on the support portions of the hanging rods 208 at the four corners of the vertical washing machine or the left and right anti-vibration suspensions of the drum type washing machine and measuring a load change.

The generation of bubbles can be detected from the value of the rotation sensor 302 by a method other than those shown in the first and second embodiments. For example, it is possible to measure the time required to reach a predetermined rotation speed and provide a threshold value for the time according to the detection by the acceleration sensor 301.

In the first to third embodiments, the bubble discharging operation is performed by the control shown in FIG. 5, but other than this, for example, the bubble discharging operation by the control shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 may be performed. According to the control of FIG. 16, water can be evenly spread in the rotary tank 200 by slowly rotating the rotary tank 200 during the bubble discharging operation. According to the control in FIG. 17, by appropriately closing the water supply valve 204 without leaving it open, it is possible to prevent a new bubble from being generated due to insufficient drainage capacity during the bubble discharging operation. These controls may be combined as shown in FIG.

According to at least one embodiment described above, during the dehydration process, the vibration detection means detects the vibration of the water tank, the rotation resistance detection means detects the rotation resistance of the rotation tank, and the vibration detection means detects the rotation resistance. By performing the bubble generation determination based on both the detection by the detection unit, it is possible to accurately detect the generation of bubbles regardless of whether or not the clothes are unbalanced.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the scope equivalent thereto.

In the drawings, 100 is an outer box, 200 is a rotary tank, 201 is a water tank, 203 is a motor, 204 is a water supply valve, 205 is a drain valve, 300 is a control device (control means), 301 is an acceleration sensor (vibration detection means), Reference numeral 302 denotes a rotation sensor (rotational resistance detection means), and 303 denotes a current sensor (rotational resistance detection means).

Claims (7)

An outer box that forms the outer surface of the main body,
A water tank elastically held in the outer box,
A rotating tank rotatably provided in the water tank,
A motor for rotationally driving the rotary tank,
Vibration detection means for detecting the magnitude of vibration of the water tank,
A rotation resistance detecting means for detecting the resistance to rotation of the rotating tub, a rotation sensor for detecting the rotational speed of the motor,
During the dehydration process, the inclination of the increase in the number of rotations of the motor is controlled to be the instruction inclination,
Performs unbalance determination to determine the presence or absence of imbalance and the magnitude of unbalance based on the detection by the vibration detection means,
Setting a threshold value for the ratio of the slope of the increase in the rotation speed of the motor to the command slope according to the magnitude of the determined unbalance,
Set to a small threshold value for the ratio to said command the inclination of the inclination of the rotational speed increase of the motor as the magnitude of the imbalance, for the command inclinations of the rotational speed increase of the motor the smaller the size of the unbalance Set a large threshold for the ratio,
The inclination of the rotational speed increase of the motor, by comparing a threshold value for the ratio to said command the inclination of the inclination of the rotational speed increase of the motor, and control means for foam generation determination,
A washing machine equipped with. An outer box that forms the outer surface of the main body,
A water tank elastically held in the outer box,
A rotating tank rotatably provided in the water tank,
A motor for rotationally driving the rotary tank,
Vibration detection means for detecting the magnitude of vibration of the water tank,
A rotation resistance detecting means for detecting the resistance to rotation of the rotating tub, a rotation sensor for detecting the rotational speed of the motor,
During the dehydration process, the motor rotation speed is controlled to be the command rotation speed,
Performs unbalance determination to determine the presence or absence of imbalance and the magnitude of unbalance based on the detection by the vibration detection means,
Set a threshold value for the difference between the actual rotation speed of the motor and the command rotation speed according to the magnitude of the determined imbalance,
The larger the amount of unbalance, the larger the threshold value related to the difference between the actual rotation speed and the command rotation speed, and the smaller the unbalance value, the larger the threshold value related to the difference between the actual rotation speed and the command rotation speed. Set it small,
A controller that performs the bubble generation determination by comparing a difference between the actual rotation speed and the command rotation speed of the motor and a threshold value regarding a difference between the actual rotation speed and the command rotation speed, and a control unit.
A washing machine equipped with. An outer box that forms the outer surface of the main body,
A water tank elastically held in the outer box,
A rotating tank rotatably provided in the water tank,
A motor for rotationally driving the rotary tank,
Vibration detection means for detecting the magnitude of vibration of the water tank,
A rotation resistance detection unit that detects resistance to rotation of the rotary tank, and a current sensor that detects a current value of the motor,
During the dehydration process,
Performs unbalance determination to determine the presence or absence of imbalance and the magnitude of unbalance based on the detection by the vibration detection means,
Set a threshold value for the amount of change in the current value according to the magnitude of the determined imbalance,
As the magnitude of the unbalance is larger, the threshold for the amount of change in the current value is set larger, and as the magnitude of the unbalance is smaller, the threshold for the amount of change in the current value is set smaller.
Change amount of the current value, and a threshold value regarding the change amount of the current value to perform the bubble generation determination by comparing, control means,
A washing machine equipped with. An outer box that forms the outer surface of the main body,
A water tank elastically held in the outer box,
A rotating tank rotatably provided in the water tank,
A motor for rotationally driving the rotary tank,
Vibration detection means for detecting the magnitude of vibration of the water tank,
Rotational resistance detection means for detecting resistance to rotation of the rotary tank,
During the dehydration process, a control means for performing bubble generation determination based on both the detection by the vibration detection means and the detection by the rotation resistance detection means,
The control means is
Performs unbalance determination to determine the presence or absence of imbalance and the magnitude of unbalance based on the detection by the vibration detection means,
The larger the determined imbalance, the larger the contribution due to the imbalance to the resistance to the rotation of the rotary tank, and the smaller the contribution due to the generation of bubbles,
Small to assess the contribution due to imbalance of the resistance to rotation of about the determined unbalance was small the rotating tub, and greatly assess the contribution due to the generation of bubbles,
The bubble generation determination is performed by setting a threshold value related to a value based on the detection by the rotation resistance detection unit according to the result of the unbalance determination, and comparing the value based on the detection by the rotation resistance detection unit with the threshold value. I do,
Washing machine. The said control means is a washing machine as described in any one of Claim 1 to 4 which determines whether the operation|movement which discharges the foam in a water tank is performed based on the result of the said foam generation determination . Based on the result of the unbalance determination, the control unit determines whether or not to perform the operation of correcting the imbalance, and based on the result of the bubble generation determination, performs the operation of discharging the foam in the water tank. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which determines whether or not it is . 7. The control unit determines whether to perform an operation of discharging bubbles in a water tank based on a plurality of bubble generation determination results obtained by performing the bubble generation determination a plurality of times. The washing machine according to any one of claims.

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