WO2023054040A1 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A washing machine in this disclosure includes: a lid that is provided on the front surface of a housing and covers a laundry port in an openable and closable manner; a hook that is provided on the lid and engages the lid with the housing in a closed state; and a locking mechanism that is provided on the housing and intended for locking the lid in a closed state. The washing machine also includes: a drive unit for driving the locking mechanism; and a control unit for controlling the drive unit. The washing machine also includes a charging and discharging unit for transferring a signal from the drive control unit to the drive unit. When the lid is in the closed state by the hook, the drive control unit outputs a dynamic control signal to the charging and discharging unit. When a predetermined multiple number of control signals has been input to the charging and discharging unit, the washing machine drives the drive unit to operate the locking mechanism, thus switching between the state of locking the lid in the closed state and the state of releasing the lock.

Description

washing machine

This disclosure relates to washing machines.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a door switch device for a washing machine that reliably locks and unlocks in a short time. This door switch device includes a sliding member that slides when a hook of the door is engaged when the door is closed, and switch means that is energized and controlled by the movement of the sliding member. Further, the door switch device includes a drive section that is operated by the energization operation of the switch means, and holding means that holds the sliding member in a state in which the hook is not disengaged by the operation of the drive section.

JP-A-10-272293

The present disclosure provides a washing machine capable of suppressing door lock malfunction.

A washing machine according to the present disclosure includes a housing, a water tank elastically supported inside the housing, a washing tank rotatably disposed inside the water tank, and a housing facing an opening of the washing tank. and a lid body provided on the front surface of the housing for freely opening and closing the input port. Further, the washing machine of the present disclosure includes a hook provided on the lid for engaging the lid with the housing in the closed state, a lock mechanism provided on the housing for locking the lid in the closed state, and a lock mechanism. and a drive control unit for controlling the drive unit. Further, the washing machine of the present disclosure has a charging/discharging section that transmits a signal from the driving control section to the driving section. When the lid is closed by the hook, the drive control section outputs a dynamic control signal to the charge/discharge section. The washing machine of the present disclosure drives the drive unit to operate the lock mechanism when the control signal is input to the charging/discharging unit a predetermined number of times, and locks and locks the lid in the closed state. Switch to and from the state to be released.

The washing machine according to the present disclosure can prevent door locking malfunctions.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a hook hole provided in the housing of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing the appearance of the locking mechanism of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view showing a hook provided on the lid of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a graph showing control signal example 1 of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a graph showing control signal example 2 of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 8 is a graph showing control signal example 3 of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 9 is a graph showing an operation example of the charge/discharge unit of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 10 is a graph showing an operation example of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1. FIG.

(Knowledge, etc. on which this disclosure is based)
At the time when the inventors came up with the present disclosure, locking and unlocking can be performed reliably in a short period of time by an operation instruction to the drive unit triggered by the engagement of the hook of the door when the door is closed. There was a technology that could As a result, the door can be securely locked and unlocked in a short time without being affected by the degree of closing of the door by the user.

However, an overload of the drive control unit itself may cause the drive control unit to lock in a signal output state, or an erroneous signal may be input due to a malfunction of the drive control unit such as a noise signal propagating due to external noise to the drive control unit. can be considered. The inventors have discovered the problem that the door can be locked and unlocked reliably in a short time even in such a case, and have come to constitute the main subject of the present disclosure in order to solve the problem.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters or redundant descriptions of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following description from becoming more redundant than necessary and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to allow those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter of the claims.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. FIG. In the following description, when the washing machine 100 is installed as shown in FIG. 1, the side on which the lid 120 is present may be referred to as the front side, and the opposite side may be referred to as the rear side.

[1-1. composition]
[1-1-1. Configuration of washing machine]
1 and 2 are a perspective view and a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of washing machine 100 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing hook hole 112 provided in housing 110 of washing machine 100. FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing the appearance of lock mechanism 113 of washing machine 100. FIG. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view showing hook 121 provided on cover 120 of washing machine 100. As shown in FIG. 1 to 4, the washing machine 100 has a housing 110. As shown in FIG. Washing machine 100 also has water tub 130 elastically supported inside housing 110 . The washing machine 100 also has a washing tub 131 rotatably disposed inside the water tub 130 and having an opening 132 at the front.

Washing machine 100 also includes inlet 111 , lid 120 , hook 121 and lock mechanism 113 . An inlet 111 is formed on the front surface of the housing 110 so as to face the opening 132 of the washing tub 131 . A lid 120 is provided on the front surface of the housing 110 to openably and closably cover the inlet 111 . The lid body 120 is rotatably formed by a rotation shaft (not shown) formed in the housing 110 . The lid 120 is provided with a hook 121 that engages the housing 110 when the lid 120 is closed. The housing 110 is provided with a hook hole 112 for hooking a hook 121 and a lock mechanism 113 for keeping the lid closed when the lid 120 is closed. That is, the lock mechanism 113 locks the lid body 120 in the closed state. Washing machine 100 includes a sensor (not shown), which can detect that lid 120 is closed by hook 121 .

Also, a controller 140 is provided inside the housing 110 .

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 140 of the washing machine 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 140 includes a first driving unit 141 and a second driving unit 142 for driving the lock mechanism 113, and a first driving unit 141 and a second driving unit 141, which are connected in cascade. A drive control unit 143 for controlling 142 is provided. That is, the washing machine 100 includes a first drive section 141 , a second drive section 142 , a drive control section 143 and a charging/discharging section 144 . Here, the first driving section 141 and the second driving section 142 correspond to an example of the driving section of the present disclosure. Also, the first driving section 141 corresponds to an example of one driving section of the present disclosure, and the second driving section 142 corresponds to an example of another driving section of the present disclosure.

As described above, in washing machine 100 , first driving section 141 and second driving section 142 , which are a plurality of driving sections, are arranged in cascade connection with lock mechanism 113 . The second drive section 142 is directly connected to the drive control section 143 in the control section 140, and the signal from the drive control section 143 is transmitted between the first drive section 141 and the drive control section 143. to the first drive unit 141 is connected. That is, the charging/discharging unit 144 is connected only to the first driving unit 141, which is one of the first driving unit 141 and the second driving unit 142, which are a plurality of cascaded driving units, It is not connected to the second driving section 142, which is another driving section.

The drive control unit 143 outputs the control signal B to the second drive unit 142 and outputs the control signal A to the charging/discharging unit 144 when the lid 120 is in the closed state by the hook 121. Output to the first drive unit 141 via the discharge unit 144 . Here, control signal A is an example of a dynamic control signal of this disclosure, and control signal B is an example of a single control signal of this disclosure. That is, the drive control section 143 outputs the control signal A, which is a dynamic control signal, to the first drive section 141, which is one drive section to which the charging/discharging section 144 is connected. Further, the drive control section 143 outputs a control signal B, which is a single control signal, to the second drive section 142, which is another drive section.

The drive control unit 143 may be a specially designed hardware circuit that realizes the above functions, or may be implemented by a processor executing a program stored in a memory. The above functions may be realized through cooperation.

The charging/discharging section 144 is composed of a resistor R1, a capacitor C2, a diode D1, a capacitor C1, a resistor R2, a resistor R3 and a transistor Q1.

The first driving section 141 is composed of a resistor R4, a resistor R5, a transistor Q2 and a switch M1. Transistor Q1 and resistor R4 are connected.

The second driving section 142 is composed of a resistor R6, a resistor R7 and a switch M2.

Then, the switch M1 and the switch M2 are connected to the lock mechanism 113.

[1-2. motion]
The operation of washing machine 100 configured as described above will be described below.

[1-2-1. Operation of drive unit]
The operation of the lock mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10. FIG. 6 and 7 are graphs showing control signal A and control signal B of washing machine 100. FIG. FIG. 8 is a graph showing control signal A, control signal A', and control signal A'' of washing machine 100. Referring to FIG. FIG. 9 is a graph showing an operation example of charging/discharging section 144 of washing machine 100 . FIG. 10 is a graph showing an operation example of washing machine 100 .

The drive control unit 143 outputs the control signal A shown in FIG. Further, the drive control section 143 outputs the control signal B shown in FIG. 7 to the second drive section 142 .

In washing machine 100, drive control unit 143 outputs signals to both first drive unit 141 and second drive unit 142, so that both first drive unit 141 and second drive unit 142 operate. The lock mechanism 113 is operated only when it is.

FIG. 6 shows the waveform of a representative control signal A as an example of the dynamic control signal of the present disclosure. However, the input signal specifications such as pulse width, duty ratio, and pulse frequency can be arbitrarily set to specifications previously determined by the charging/discharging section 144 . FIG. 8 shows waveforms of control signal A′ and control signal A″, which are part of an example control signal other than the representative example of FIG. 6, as an example of the dynamic control signal of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 describes the waveform of a representative control signal B as an example of a single control signal of the present disclosure. However, it is not limited to this, and can be arbitrarily set as long as the High signal time is equal to or longer than a predetermined certain time. That is, the single control signal of the present disclosure may be a signal having a High signal time longer than or equal to a predetermined certain period of time.

In FIG. 5, the charging/discharging section 144 operates the first driving section 141 by operating the transistor Q1.

When a High signal is output as the control signal A from the drive control unit 143, the charging/discharging unit 144 charges the capacitors C1 and C2 by the charging units of the resistor R1, the capacitor C2, and the capacitor C1. Then, when the control signal A from the drive control unit 143 becomes Low, the charge charged in the capacitor C1 is discharged through the resistors R2 and R3, and the charge accumulated in the capacitor C2 flows through the resistor R1. discharged through

When the control signal A specified in advance is input, the transistor Q1 operates when the voltage across the capacitor C1 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage due to the charge accumulated in the capacitor C1. .

Here, it is necessary to determine the constants of the capacitors C1 and C2 so that the transistor Q1 does not turn ON even when a constantly high signal is received.

Further, by setting the discharge speed of the capacitor C1 to be slower than the discharge speed of the capacitor C2, a dynamic signal is input, and when the charging and discharging are repeated, the voltage across the capacitor C1 is turned on by the transistor Q1. It is possible to increase the voltage to

In addition, since the degree of charging and discharging is determined by the constants of the resistors R1, R2, and R3, it is necessary to set the constants by the output control signal A.

Finally, since the operating voltage of the transistor Q1 is determined by the voltage across the resistor R3, the voltage division ratio between the voltage across the capacitor C1 and the resistors R2 and R3 is also important.

By setting these conditions for the control signal output from the drive control unit 143, as shown in FIG. 9, the transistor Q1 operates only when the voltage across the capacitor C1 rises to a predetermined voltage. do.

By operating the transistor Q1, the collector of the transistor Q1 is connected to the ground line, thereby operating the transistor Q2 of the first driving section 141.

The first drive unit 141 has the resistor R4 for the purpose of limiting the current flowing through the base of the transistor Q2, and the resistor R5 has the purpose of preventing the transistor Q2 from malfunctioning due to noise. The operation of the transistor Q2 causes the switch M1 to operate.

On the other hand, when a High signal is output from the drive control unit 143 to the second drive unit 142 as the control signal B, the voltage across the resistor R7 is determined by the voltage division ratio of the resistor R6 and the resistor R7. The switch M2 operates when the voltage exceeds the operating voltage of the switch M2.

When the switch M1 and the switch M2 are operated, the lock mechanism 113 is operated.

When the switch M2 is not operated, the source terminal of the switch M2 is undefined. need to let

Then, the lock mechanism 113 operates in the following cases. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the control signal A and the control signal B from the drive control section 143 are output to the first drive section 141 and the second drive section 142, respectively. In addition, when the control signal A output from the drive control unit 143 to the first drive unit 141 meets the specifications predetermined by the charge/discharge unit 144, the lock mechanism 113 operates. In the case of FIG. 10, this predetermined specification is when the control signal A goes High for the fifth time. This number of times can be set appropriately. That is, when the number of times the control signal A goes High reaches the fifth time, that is, when the control signal is input to the charge/discharge unit 144 a predetermined number of times (the fifth time the control signal A goes High), The first driving section 141 operates. Then, when the control signal B is High and the second drive unit 142 operates, the lock mechanism 113 operates. Note that even if the control signal B goes High and the second driving unit 142 operates after the control signal A reaches the fifth High and the first driving unit 141 operates, the lock mechanism 113 operates. .

On the other hand, when the control signal A is output from the drive control section 143 only to the first drive section 141 via the charge/discharge section 144, the lock mechanism 113 does not operate. Also, when the control signal B is output only to the second drive unit 142, the lock mechanism 113 does not operate. Further, when a signal other than the preset control signal is output by the charge/discharge unit 144 to be transmitted to the first drive unit 141, the lock mechanism 113 does not operate. That is, unless the number of times the control signal A goes High reaches the fifth time, the lock mechanism 113 does not operate even if the control signal B is High.

The operation of the lock mechanism 113 here is to unlock when the lock mechanism 113 is in the locked state, and to lock when the lock mechanism 113 is in the unlocked state. That is, the washing machine 100 operates the lock mechanism 113 to close the lid 120 only when the first driving unit 141 and the second driving unit 142, which are a plurality of cascaded driving units, are all driven. Toggles between a locked state and an unlocked state.

[1-3. effects, etc.]
As described above, in the present embodiment, washing machine 100 includes housing 110, water tub 130 elastically supported inside housing 110, and washing tub 131 rotatably disposed inside water tub 130. And prepare. The washing machine 100 also includes an inlet 111 formed on the front surface of the housing 110 so as to face the opening 132 of the washing tub 131, and a lid provided on the front surface of the housing 110 for freely opening and closing the inlet 111. a body 120; Washing machine 100 also includes hook 121 provided on lid 120 for engaging lid 120 with housing 110 in the closed state, and a lock mechanism provided on housing 110 for locking lid 120 in the closed state. 113 and. Washing machine 100 also includes first drive unit 141 that drives lock mechanism 113 and drive control unit 143 that controls first drive unit 141 . Washing machine 100 also has charge/discharge unit 144 that transmits a signal from drive control unit 143 to first drive unit 141 . The drive control unit 143 outputs a dynamic control signal A to the charging/discharging unit 144 when the lid 120 is closed by the hook 121 . Washing machine 100 drives first drive unit 141 to operate lock mechanism 113 when the control signal is input to charging/discharging unit 144 a predetermined number of times (control signal A is High at the fifth time). to switch between a state in which the lid body 120 is locked in the closed state and a state in which the lock is released.

As a result, washing machine 100, by adding charging/discharging unit 144, operates lock mechanism 113 even when a static signal or a single dynamic signal is input. can be prevented. Therefore, the washing machine 100 can prevent the lock mechanism 113 from malfunctioning due to a single signal such as a malfunction, and can prevent the door from being locked at an erroneous timing. That is, the washing machine 100 can suppress malfunction of locking the door (lid 120).

In addition, in the present embodiment, washing machine 100 may arrange first drive unit 141 and second drive unit 142 in cascade connection with lock mechanism 113 . Alternatively, the charging/discharging section 144 may be connected only to the first driving section 141 of the first driving section 141 and the second driving section 142 that are cascaded. The drive control unit 143 outputs a dynamic control signal A to the first drive unit 141 to which the charging/discharging unit 144 is connected, and further outputs a single signal to the second drive unit 142. A control signal B may be output. Washing machine 100 activates lock mechanism 113 only when all of cascade-connected first drive unit 141 and second drive unit 142 are driven, and locks lid 120 in the closed state. You may make it switch the state to cancel|release.

As a result, washing machine 100, by adding charging/discharging unit 144, operates lock mechanism 113 even when a static signal or a single dynamic signal is input. can be prevented. Therefore, the washing machine 100 can prevent the lock mechanism 113 from malfunctioning due to a single signal such as a malfunction, and can prevent the door from being locked at an erroneous timing. That is, the washing machine 100 can suppress malfunction of locking the door (lid 120).

(Other embodiments)
As described above, Embodiment 1 has been described as an example of the technique of the present disclosure. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can also be applied to embodiments with modifications, replacements, additions, omissions, and the like. Also, it is possible to combine the constituent elements described in the first embodiment to form a new embodiment.

Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

In Embodiment 1, washing machine 100 has one first drive unit 141 and one second drive unit 142 arranged in cascade connection with lock mechanism 113, and one of the cascaded drive units 141 and 142 arranged in cascade connection. The configuration in which the charge/discharge unit 144 is connected only to one drive unit 141 has been described. However, the configuration of the washing machine of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, there may be a plurality of driving units to which the charging/discharging units are connected.

For example, in another embodiment, there are a plurality of charging/discharging units, and in a washing machine according to another embodiment, a plurality of driving units may be arranged in cascade connection with respect to the lock mechanism. In a washing machine according to another embodiment, one charging/discharging unit different from each other may be connected to each of a plurality of cascaded driving units. The drive control unit may output the control signal a predetermined number of times to each of the plurality of charging/discharging units. In another embodiment of the washing machine, only when all the cascaded drive units are driven, the lock mechanism is operated to switch between the state where the lid is locked in the closed state and the state where the lock is released. may

As a result, the washing machine according to another embodiment has a circuit configuration in which a plurality of charging/discharging units are added and the constants of the respective charging/discharging units are adjusted so that the same control signal is not turned on at the same timing. It has an effect like That is, the washing machine according to another embodiment can prevent the lock mechanism from operating even when a static signal or a single dynamic signal is input. Therefore, the washing machine according to another embodiment can prevent the lock mechanism from malfunctioning due to a single signal such as malfunction, and can suppress the locking operation of the door at an erroneous timing. That is, the washing machine according to another embodiment can suppress malfunction of locking the door (lid).

It should be noted that the number of predetermined control signals output by the drive control unit of the washing machine according to another embodiment to each of the plurality of charging/discharging units may be the same or different. good too.

Further, in Embodiment 1, washing machine 100 has been described to include first driving section 141 and second driving section 142 . However, the washing machine of the present disclosure does not have to include the second drive unit 142 . However, it is better to provide the second drive section 142 and operate the lock mechanism 113 only when both the first drive section 141 and the second drive section 142 are all driven. It can be said that the effect of suppressing the malfunction of is higher. Similarly, all of the plurality of drive units in the washing machine according to the other embodiments described above may be configured by the first drive unit 141, for example.

Further, when one charging/discharging unit is connected to each of a plurality of driving units, one charging/discharging unit may be shared by the plurality of driving units, or a different charging/discharging unit may be connected to each of the plurality of driving units. may be connected.

The present disclosure is applicable to washing machines. Specifically, the present disclosure is applicable to vertical washing machines, drum-type washing machines, dryers, and the like.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 washing machine 110 housing 111 inlet 112 hook hole 113 lock mechanism 120 lid 121 hook 130 water tank 131 washing tub 132 opening 140 control section 141 first drive section 142 second drive section 143 drive control section 144 charging and discharging Part A Control signal A' Control signal A'' Control signal B Control signal C1, C2 Capacitor D1 Diode M1, M2 Switch Q1, Q2 Transistor R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 Resistor

Claims (3)

a housing;
a water tank elastically supported inside the housing;
a washing tub rotatably arranged inside the water tub;
an inlet formed on the front surface of the housing so as to face the opening of the washing tub;
a lid provided on the front surface of the housing and covering the input port so as to be openable and closable;
a hook provided on the lid for engaging the lid with the housing in a closed state;
a locking mechanism provided in the housing for locking the lid in a closed state;
a drive unit that drives the lock mechanism;
A drive control unit that controls the drive unit,
a charge/discharge unit that transmits a signal from the drive control unit to the drive unit;
When the lid is in the closed state by the hook,
The drive control unit outputs a dynamic control signal to the charge/discharge unit,
When the control signal is input to the charging/discharging unit a predetermined number of times,
driving the drive unit to operate the lock mechanism to switch between a state in which the lid is locked in a closed state and a state in which the lock is released;
washing machine. arranging a plurality of the drive units in cascade connection with respect to the lock mechanism;
the charging/discharging unit is connected only to one of the plurality of cascaded driving units,
The drive control unit outputs the dynamic control signal to one of the drive units to which the charge/discharge unit is connected, and outputs a single control signal to the other drive units. and
Only when all of the plurality of cascaded driving units are driven, the locking mechanism is operated to switch between a state in which the lid is locked in a closed state and a state in which the lock is released;
The washing machine according to claim 1. The charging/discharging unit is plural,
arranging a plurality of the drive units in cascade connection with respect to the lock mechanism;
one charging/discharging unit is connected to each of a plurality of driving units out of the plurality of cascaded driving units;
The drive control unit outputs a control signal a predetermined number of times to each of the plurality of charging/discharging units,
Only when all of the plurality of cascaded driving units are driven, the locking mechanism is operated to switch between a state in which the lid is locked in a closed state and a state in which the lock is released;
The washing machine according to claim 1.

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