JP3317610B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine having means for detecting the degree of fluctuation in the number of revolutions of a motor or a rotating tub.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a washing machine has a well-known rotary tub for washing and dewatering, and has a stirring body inside the rotary tub, and further drives the stirring body and the rotary tub. It has a motor for In this apparatus, during the washing operation, the stirrer is rotated forward and backward at a low rotation speed, and during the dehydration operation, the stirrer and the rotary tank are integrally rotated at a high rotation speed.

Recently, however, in order to detect a washing situation, for example, an imbalance occurrence state during a dehydration operation,
A rotation speed detecting means for detecting the rotation speed of the motor or the rotation tub is provided. When the motor and the rotation tub rotate at a steady speed, the rotation speed detection means detects the rotation speed, and the degree of fluctuation of the rotation speed (rotation speed) (The number varies)
It has been considered to determine the imbalance occurrence state by detecting. The result of detecting the degree of change in the number of revolutions is used not only for determining the imbalance occurrence state, but also for determining the quality of the laundry, and controlling the washing operation for washing and dehydrating according to the result of the determination. It is also possible.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the degree of change in the number of revolutions is detected in a situation where the motor and thus the rotating tub are rotating steadily. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes time to start the detection operation. In particular, since the rise time from the start of the motor drive to the time when the motor or the rotating tub enters a steady rotation state varies, it is necessary to set a longer standby time between the start of the motor drive and the start of the detection operation. It takes a long time to obtain the rotational speed fluctuation degree detection data, which causes a problem that the determination or setting of the appropriate operation control data is delayed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to enable speedy rotation speed fluctuation degree detection data to be obtained, and therefore, appropriate operation control to be promptly performed. To provide a washing machine that can be used.

[0006]

A first means comprises a motor for driving a rotating tub for washing and dewatering and a stirring body provided inside the rotary tub, and detecting the number of revolutions of the motor. Rotation speed detection means, rotation speed fluctuation degree detection means for detecting the rotation speed fluctuation degree based on the detection result by the rotation speed detection means at the time of rotation start of the motor, and rotation speed fluctuation degree detection means And operation control means for controlling the operation based on the operation (the invention of claim 1).

A second means includes a motor for driving a rotating tub for washing and dewatering and a stirring member provided inside the rotating tub, and a sensor for generating a signal in accordance with the rotation of the rotary tub. A rotation speed detecting means for detecting the rotation speed of the rotary tub based on the signal generation cycle, and a rotation speed detecting means for detecting a degree of rotation speed fluctuation based on a detection result from the rotation speed detection means when the rotation tub rises. It is configured to include a number fluctuation degree detecting means and a dehydration operation control means for controlling a dehydration operation based on a detection result by the rotation speed fluctuation degree detecting means (invention of claim 2).

[0008] The third means is characterized in that in the first or second means, the motor and the rotary tub are directly connected (the invention of claim 3). A fourth means is such that in the second means, the rotation speed fluctuation degree detecting means detects the rotation speed fluctuation degree based on a detection result from the rotation speed detecting means when the rotation of the rotary tank rises in the resonance rotation speed region. (The invention of claim 4).

A fifth means is the second means, wherein the rotation speed detecting means includes a sensor for generating a signal of 10 pulses or more per one rotation of the rotary tub, and a rotation period of the rotary tub is determined by a generation cycle of the signal. The present invention is characterized in that the number of rotations is detected (the invention of claim 5).

In a sixth aspect, in the second aspect, the dehydration operation control means determines the occurrence of imbalance in the rotary tub based on the result of detection by the rotational speed fluctuation degree detection means. The present invention is characterized in that the number of revolutions is controlled to be low (the invention of claim 6).

A seventh means is the second means, wherein the dehydration operation control means determines the occurrence of imbalance in the rotary tub based on the result of detection by the rotation speed fluctuation degree detecting means. The invention is characterized in that the dehydration operation is temporarily stopped, the cloth loosening operation is executed, and the dehydration operation is controlled to be restarted (the invention of claim 7).

Eighth means is the second means, wherein the dehydration operation control means determines the occurrence of imbalance in the rotary tub based on the result of detection by the rotational speed fluctuation degree detection means. The invention is characterized in that the number of rotations is reduced and the dehydration time is controlled so as to be extended (the invention of claim 8).

A ninth means is the dehydration operation control means according to any one of the sixth, seventh and eighth means, wherein the degree of fluctuation of the rotational speed detected when the rotation of the rotary tub rises under no load condition is determined. The present invention is characterized in that it compares the degree of change in the number of revolutions detected at the time of rising of the rotation of the rotary tank in a load state, and determines the imbalance occurrence state based on the comparison result. ).

In a tenth aspect, in any one of the sixth, seventh, and eighth means, the laundry amount detecting means is provided, and the dehydration operation control means controls the imbalance in accordance with the detection result of the laundry amount detecting means. The present invention is characterized in that a reference value for occurrence status determination is changed (the invention of claim 10).

[0015]

In the first means, the degree of rotation speed fluctuation is detected by detecting the rotation speed of the motor when the rotation of the motor rises, so that the rotation speed fluctuation degree can be detected before the motor enters a steady rotation state. Accordingly, it is possible to quickly obtain the fluctuation degree detection data of the rotation speed of the motor, and it is possible to perform appropriate dehydration operation control quickly.

In the second means, when the rotation of the rotary tub rises, the rotation speed of the rotary tub is detected to detect the degree of fluctuation of the rotation speed. As a result, it is possible to quickly obtain the fluctuation degree detection data of the rotation speed of the rotary tub, so that appropriate dehydration operation control can be performed quickly.

The third means has a structure in which the motor and the rotary tub are directly connected to each other, so that the rotary force of the motor is transmitted to the rotary tub via a belt transmission mechanism or a gear reduction mechanism. Unlike this, the number of rotation speed detection error factors such as slip and friction in the rotation transmission path from the motor to the rotating tub are extremely reduced, which can contribute to improvement in detection accuracy.

In the fourth means, the rotation speed fluctuation degree detecting means detects the rotation speed fluctuation degree based on the detection result from the rotation speed detecting means when the rotation of the rotary tank rises in the resonance rotation speed region. Therefore, the state of occurrence of imbalance is reflected in the result of detection of the degree of change in the rotational speed, that is, the state of occurrence of imbalance can be determined.

In the fifth means, the rotational speed detecting means comprises:
Since there is provided a sensor for generating a signal of 10 pulses or more per one rotation of the rotary tank, the number of rotations of the rotary tank is detected based on the generation cycle of the signal. Can detect the degree well,
This is effective for determining imbalance occurrence status.

In the sixth means, the dewatering operation control means determines the occurrence of unbalance in the rotary tub based on the result of detection by the rotation speed fluctuation degree detecting means, and lowers the dehydration rotation speed as the imbalance increases. As a result, the increase in imbalance can be suppressed.

In the seventh means, the dehydration operation control means determines the occurrence of imbalance in the rotary tub based on the result of detection by the rotation speed fluctuation degree detection means, and temporarily stops the dehydration operation when the imbalance is large. Since the control is performed to restart the dewatering operation by executing the cloth loosening operation, when the imbalance occurs, the laundry is loosened to eliminate the cause of the imbalance occurrence, and it is possible to eliminate the imbalance occurrence when the dehydration operation is restarted. Dehydration operation becomes possible.

In the eighth means, the dehydration operation control means determines the occurrence of imbalance in the rotary tub based on the result of detection by the rotational speed fluctuation degree detecting means, and the dehydration rotational speed decreases as the imbalance increases. In addition, since the dehydration time is controlled to be extended, the dehydration operation can be continued while suppressing an increase in imbalance, and a predetermined dehydration rate can be obtained.

In the ninth means, the dehydration operation control means determines the degree of fluctuation of the rotation speed detected when the rotation of the rotary tub rises with no load, and the rotation speed detected when the rotation of the rotary tub rises with a load. Since the imbalance occurrence state is determined based on the comparison result with the fluctuation degree, accurate imbalance determination can be expected for each washing machine. That is, since the washing machines vary during manufacturing and assembly, the rotating characteristics of the rotating tubs may differ from one another. If the reference value for the unbalance determination is uniquely set, it is determined that an imbalance has occurred in some washing machines even though the imbalance has not occurred, or in another certain washing machine, the imbalance has occurred. There is a possibility that it is determined that imbalance does not occur despite the occurrence.

According to the ninth means, however, by detecting the degree of fluctuation of the rotation speed of the rotary tank when there is no load,
In the washing machine, rotation speed fluctuation degree data corresponding to no occurrence of imbalance is obtained. By comparing this with the rotation speed fluctuation degree under a load, the determination of the imbalance occurrence state becomes accurate.

In the tenth means, a laundry amount detecting means is provided, and the dehydration operation control means changes the reference value for determining the unbalance occurrence status according to the detection result of the laundry amount detecting means. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine the state of imbalance occurrence regardless of the amount of laundry.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, in FIGS. 2 and 3, an outer tub 2 is provided inside an outer box 1 via an elastic suspension mechanism 2a, and a rotary tub 3 is provided therein. In the center of the outer bottom of the outer tub 2, a variable speed motor 4 comprising an outer rotor type brushless motor
Is mounted via a bracket 5, and a shaft 7 connected to a rotating shaft portion 6 of the motor 4 is inserted into and supported by a hollow shaft 8 supported by the bracket 5.

The upper portion of the shaft 7 is inserted from the outer tank 2 to the bottom of the rotary tank 3 and a stirrer 9 is attached to the inserted end. A clutch float 10 is inserted into a portion of the shaft 7 directly below the stirring body 9 so as to be vertically movable. The clutch float 10 is configured to rotate integrally with the shaft 7 by a serration joint structure. The clutch float 10 meshes with the internal teeth 11 provided at the upper end of the hollow shaft 8 by the external teeth 10a, and floats on water. When they are out of engagement.

On the other hand, the rotary tank 3 is mounted on the upper part of the hollow shaft 8, and a detent float 12 is inserted so as to be vertically movable. This non-rotating float 12 is
Are meshed by the teeth 13 and the lower teeth 14 provided at the bottom of the body, and the meshing is continued even when floating on water. Upper teeth 15 are provided on the upper surface of the non-rotatable float 12, and mesh with teeth 16 provided on the hollow shaft 8 when floating on the water.

The rotary tub 3 has a dewatering hole 17 as an opening for dewatering only at the upper part, and the inside is a bottom drain port 19 having a drain valve 18 of the outer tub 2 from around the center of the bottom (rotation axis).
The two floats 10 and 12 are located in the water channel.

Therefore, at the time of washing, water is stored in the rotary tub 3 from the above-mentioned water channel and the outer tub 2
No water is stored inside. At this time, when the water fills the water channel, the detent float 12 and the clutch float 10 float in order, and the detent float 12 engages the upper teeth 15 with the teeth 16 of the hollow shaft 8 to move the rotary tank 3 to the outer tank 2. The rotating tank 3 is prevented from rotating. The clutch float 10 separates the external teeth 10a from the internal teeth 11 of the hollow shaft 8 so that the rotation of the shaft 7 by the motor 4 is not transmitted to the rotary tank 3. Therefore, in this case, the rotation of the shaft 7 is transmitted only to the stirring body 9, and the stirring is performed in a state where the rotation of the rotating tank 3 is stopped. In addition, at the time of this washing,
The motor 4 is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed.

On the other hand, at the time of the dehydrating operation, the water in the above-mentioned water channel and the rotary tank 3 is discharged by opening the drain valve 18, so that the clutch float 10 and the detent float 12 are both lowered, and the clutch float 10 Makes the external teeth 10a mesh with the internal teeth 11 of the hollow shaft 8 so that the rotation of the shaft 7 is transmitted to the rotary tank 3. In addition, the non-rotatable float 12 releases the upper teeth 15 from the teeth 16 of the hollow shaft 8, releases the rotary tub 3 from the outer tub 2, and releases the detent of the rotary tub 3. Therefore, in this case, the rotation of the shaft 7 is directly transmitted to the rotary tank 3 together with the stirring body 9, and these are rotated to perform dehydration. During the spin-drying operation, the motor 4 is rotated at a higher rotation speed than during washing.

A water supply valve 22 is provided inside an upper cover 21 provided on the upper part of the outer box 1.
A water level sensor 23 for detecting the water level in the rotating tub 3 is provided. Further, an operation panel 24 shown in FIG. 4 is provided at a front portion of the upper cover 21, and a control unit 25 is provided at a back side thereof.

The operation panel 24 is provided with various switches 26 such as a course selection switch for switching an operation course, a start switch also serving as a temporary stop switch, a water level setting switch, and various indicators 27. I have. The various displays 27 include an extended display 27a composed of an LED corresponding to a notification unit.

Next, the electric circuit configuration will be described with reference to FIG. First, a power supply circuit for the motor 4 will be described. A rectification / smoothing circuit 29 is connected to the commercial AC power supply 28, and an output side of the rectification / smoothing circuit 29 is connected to an inverter main circuit 30.
Drives the motor 4. The inverter main circuit 30 and the inverter control circuit 31 constitute a motor drive control circuit 32. Inverter control circuit 31
The output voltage and the energizing timing of the inverter main circuit 30 are based on the position detection signals supplied from the position detection elements 4a, 4b, 4c of the motor 4 and the voltage data Sd supplied from the control circuit 33 for controlling the entire washing operation. Is controlled.

The control circuit 33 includes a microcomputer and various A / D converters, to which a clock pulse is supplied from an oscillation circuit 34 and an initialization signal is supplied from an initialization circuit 35. It has become. The control circuit 33 responds to inputs from various switches 26 and a pulse generation circuit 36,
The motor drive control circuit 32 is controlled in accordance with the washing operation program, the various indicators 27 (27a) are controlled, and the water supply valve 22 and the drain valve 18 are controlled via the triacs 37 and 38. The pulse generating circuit 36 generates 12 pulses per one rotation of the motor 4 based on detection signals from the position detecting elements 4a, 4b, 4c of the motor 4. Is used for the determination.

The output side of the rectifying / smoothing circuit 29 is connected to a constant voltage circuit 39 for outputting a control power supply for an electronic circuit. The water supply valve 22 and the drain valve 18
A power switch 40 is provided in the power supply circuit to
Although not shown, the open / close state is detected, and a detection signal is provided to the control circuit 33.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The rotation number detecting means 4 corresponds to the upper end portion of the rotation shaft portion 6 of FIG.
1 is provided. That is, the rotation speed detecting means 4
Reference numeral 1 denotes a disk 42, a photosensor 43 serving as a sensor, a sensor circuit 43a, and the above-described control circuit 33. The disk 42 rotates integrally with the upper end of the rotating shaft 6 of the motor 4. It is provided with 1
A slit 42a for obtaining 10 pulses by rotation is formed. A photo sensor 43 is provided so as to face the rotation locus of the slit 42a. As shown in FIG. 9, the photo sensor 43
and outputs a high-level pulse corresponding to
The output is set to a low level corresponding to the interval a (shielded portion). In this case, the duty ratio of the pulse time width to the time width of the high-level pulse and the time width of the low-level portion is 1/2. The sensor circuit 43a outputs a signal Ss synchronized with the rising and falling changes of the signal from the photo sensor 43 and supplies the signal Ss to the control circuit 33. This control circuit 33
The number of rotations is detected by measuring the generation cycle of this signal Ss.

The control circuit 33 constitutes a rotational speed detecting means by the disk 12, the photo sensor 43 and the sensor circuit 43a, and detects a rotational speed fluctuation degree detecting means, a dehydrating operation controlling means, a laundry amount determining means. First, the laundry amount determining means will be described. The control circuit 33 turns on the motor 4 for, for example, 0.2 seconds while the laundry is stored in the rotating tub 3 and a predetermined amount of water required for floating the floats 10 and 12 is supplied. , For 0.8 seconds, the stirrer 9 is rotated forward and backward, and this forward and reverse rotation is performed twice. At this time, the number of pulses output from the pulse generation circuit 36 is counted,
When the pulse count value is “1500 or more” as shown in FIG. 6, it is determined that “the laundry amount is small” (less than 2 kg) and “less than 1500, 750 or more” (2 kg or more and 4 k or more).
g), it is determined that “the laundry amount is medium” and “7.
If it is less than 50, it is determined that the laundry amount is large (4 kg or more).

Next, the functions of the control circuit 33 as the rotational speed fluctuation degree detecting means and the dehydrating operation controlling means will be described. In the present embodiment, the degree of rotation speed fluctuation is detected when there is no load and when there is a load during normal use. Now, FIG. 10 shows a state of control for detecting the degree of change in the number of revolutions when there is no load. in this case,
Water and laundry are not stored in the rotating tub 3.
Therefore, in this case, the motor 4 and the rotating tub 3 are directly connected.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, the power switch 40 is turned on while the special switch is operated, for example, the course selection switch is operated (this may be performed by the manufacturer or the user). In step S1, the motor 4 is driven so as to sequentially start up to a rotation speed exceeding a resonance rotation speed (in this embodiment, the resonance rotation speed is around 250 rpm). In step S2, the photo sensor 43
Is read, and in step S3, the number of rotations of the motor 4 and the rotating tub 3 is detected based on the generation cycle of this signal. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the photo sensor 43 generates a signal of 10 pulses for one rotation of the rotary tub 3, and the sensor circuit 43a outputs 20 pulses of the signal corresponding to the rise and fall of the signal of 10 pulses. Signal Ss
Is generated by one rotation of the rotary tank 3. The control circuit 33 measures the generation period of the signal Ss of the sensor circuit 43a, and detects the rotation speed of the rotary tub 3. For example, the generation cycle is 30 msec
In this case, it is detected that the speed is 100 rpm.

Here, the reason why the number of pulses generated by the photosensor 43 is set to 10 per rotation of the rotary tank is as follows.
That is, as shown in FIG. 7, when the rotation of the rotary tank 3 is started up, the rotation speed may fluctuate due to the occurrence of imbalance as shown by the characteristic line Lh in FIG. It shows an ideal case with no number fluctuations).
In this case, imbalance tends to occur in the resonance rotation speed region. Assuming that the cycle of the rotation speed fluctuation to be detected is 80 msec, six times (about 13 mse
c) It is considered that the fluctuation degree C can be detected satisfactorily if there is about a detection opportunity. Therefore, if the detection opportunity is obtained from the rising and falling of 10 pulses, there are 20 detection opportunities in one rotation. That is, when the detection opportunity is 250 rpm, it is 12 msec. Therefore, the fluctuation cycle is 80 m
In the case of sec, more than six detection opportunities are obtained.

The rotational speed variation is used as a reference value for determining imbalance, and the relationship between the rotational speed variation and the unbalance occurrence state is shown in Table 1.
Is shown in

[0043]

[Table 1]

The unbalance determination reference values 5r.pm and 10r.pm are set based on the experimental data shown in FIG. "◆" shown in the figure,
"△" and "○" indicate the first, second and third
As shown in the characteristic lines plotting the experimental data, the unbalanced weight of 0.7 kg, which is considered to be not so large as the unbalance, indicates that the degree of fluctuation of the rotation speed is 5r. .pm
In the case of a 1.5 kg unbalanced weight considered to be large, it indicates 10 rpm.

In step S4, it is determined whether or not the rotational speed detected at this time has exceeded the resonance rotational speed 250 rpm. If the rotational speed has not reached the rotational speed, the process proceeds to step S5, and FIG. The variation C of the rotation speed is obtained by the following equation: C = B + (AB) (t / T). The vertices k1, k2, and k3 are detected by sequentially comparing the rotation speeds obtained at each detection opportunity. In the case where there is no rotation speed fluctuation, it becomes as shown by the characteristic line Lr in FIG. In this case, since the operation is the no-load operation, characteristics close to the characteristic line Lr can be obtained. However, there is a variation depending on each washing machine, and a slight change in the rotation speed may be observed.

When the rotating tub 3 exceeds 250 rpm, the process proceeds to step S6, in which the driving of the motor 4 is stopped, and in the next step S7, for example, the maximum value of the fluctuation degree C, which is the fluctuation degree detected in step S5. Is stored in, for example, a nonvolatile memory included in the control circuit 33. The fluctuation degree data is referred to as Cm.

Next, FIG. 11 shows a case where the spin-drying operation is performed in a loaded state, that is, in a state in which laundry is stored in the rotating tub 3. Steps R1 to R5 correspond to steps S1 to S in FIG.
The operation is the same as the operation up to 5. That is, in step R1, the motor 4 is driven so as to sequentially start up to a rotation speed exceeding the resonance rotation speed 250 rpm. Step R
In step 2, the signal from the photo sensor 43 is read, and in step R3, the number of rotations of the motor 4 and thus the rotating tub 3 is detected based on the generation cycle of this signal.

Then, in step R4, it is determined whether or not the rotational speed detected at this time has exceeded the resonance rotational speed 250 rpm, and if not, the process proceeds to step R5, and as described above. The degree of fluctuation C of the rotational speed is detected.

Thereafter, the flow shifts to step R6 to determine whether 30 seconds have elapsed since the start of the spin-drying operation. If not, the flow returns to step R2. The purpose of the determination in step R6 is to determine that the rotation will not rise thereafter if the resonance speed does not exceed 30 seconds after the start of operation. If it is determined that has elapsed, step R
Then, the operation of the motor 4 is stopped to stop the spin-drying operation.

If the resonance speed is exceeded before the lapse of 30 seconds, the flow shifts to step R8 to subtract the fluctuation degree data Cm at no load from the fluctuation degree C detected in step R5. This subtraction value Cg is calculated in step R
9. As shown in step R10, comparison is made with reference values 5r.pm and 10r.pm, which are reference values for imbalance determination. That is, whether the subtraction value Cg is equal to or less than 5 r.pm or not.
Judge whether it is more than m and less than 10r.pm. If the subtraction value Cg is equal to or less than 5 rpm, as shown in step R11, it is determined that imbalance has not occurred or the imbalance is "small" even if there is, and step R12 is performed.
The dehydration rotation speed is set to 950 rpm and the dehydration time is set to 6 minutes.

When the above-mentioned subtraction value Cg exceeds 5 rpm, 1
If it is 0 r.pm or less, as shown in step R13,
It is determined that the imbalance is “medium”, the process proceeds to step R14, the spinning speed is set to 850 rpm in this case, which is lower than the above case, and the spinning time is longer than in the above case. Set to minutes.

Further, the subtraction value Cg is 10 rpm.
Is exceeded, as shown in step R15, it is determined that the imbalance is "large", the process proceeds to step R16, the drive of the motor 4 is stopped, and the loosening operation is performed in step R17, and the process proceeds to step R1. Return. In this loosening operation, a predetermined amount of water is supplied into the rotating tub 3 and then the stirrer 9 is rotated forward and reverse to loosen laundry to correct the deviation. After Step R12 or Step R14, when the set dehydration time has expired (determined in Step R18), Step R1 is executed.
As shown in FIG. 9, the driving of the motor 4 is stopped and the spin-drying operation is ended.

In this embodiment, the rotating tank 3
Since the rotation speed of the rotary tub 3 is detected and the rotation speed fluctuation degree C is detected when the rotation rises, the fluctuation degree C can be detected before the rotary tub 3 enters the steady rotation state.
It becomes possible to quickly acquire the fluctuation degree detection data of the rotation speed of the rotating tub 3, so that appropriate dehydration operation control can be quickly performed.

Further, since the motor 4 and the rotary tub 3 are directly connected to each other, unlike the configuration in which the rotational force of the motor 4 is transmitted to the rotary tub via a belt transmission mechanism or a gear reduction mechanism, Rotational speed detection error factors such as slip and friction in the rotation transmission path from the motor 4 to the rotary tub 3 are extremely reduced, which can contribute to improvement in detection accuracy.

Further, according to this embodiment, when the rotation of the rotary tank 3 rises in the resonance rotation speed region, the degree of rotation speed fluctuation is detected based on the detection result from the rotation speed detection means 41. The imbalance state is reflected in the rotation speed fluctuation degree detection result, that is, the imbalance state can be determined from the rotation speed fluctuation degree.

Further, the rotation speed detecting means 41 includes a photosensor 43 for generating a signal of 10 pulses per rotation of the rotation tub 3, and detects the rotation speed of the rotation tub 3 based on a generation cycle of the signal. Therefore, the rotation speed detection opportunity in the resonance rotation speed region can be sufficiently obtained, and the degree of rotation speed fluctuation can be detected satisfactorily, which is effective for determining the imbalance occurrence state. In this case, the slit 42 of the disc 42
The number of pulses generated by the photo sensor 43 may be further increased by increasing the number a.

Moreover, the state of occurrence of imbalance in the rotating tub 3 is determined based on the result of detection of the degree of fluctuation in the number of rotations, and the control is performed so that the larger the imbalance, the lower the dehydration rotation speed. Can be suppressed.

Further, the state of occurrence of imbalance in the rotating tub 3 is determined on the basis of the result of detection of the degree of fluctuation in the number of revolutions. When the imbalance is large (imbalance is "large"), the dehydrating operation is temporarily stopped, Since the unwinding operation is executed to control the dehydration operation to be restarted, when an imbalance occurs, the cause of the unbalance occurrence can be removed by loosening the laundry, and the unbalance can be eliminated when the dehydration operation is resumed. Dehydration operation is possible.

Furthermore, the larger the unbalance of the rotary tub 3 is, the lower the spinning speed is and the longer the spinning time is, so that the spinning operation can be continued while preventing the unbalance from increasing. Dehydration rate can be obtained.

Furthermore, the degree of fluctuation of the rotational speed detected when the rotation of the rotary tub 3 rises in a no-load state is compared with the degree of fluctuation of the rotational speed detected when the rotation of the rotary tub 3 rises in a loaded state. Since the imbalance occurrence state is determined based on the result, an accurate imbalance occurrence state can be determined for each washing machine individually.

That is, since the washing machines vary during manufacture and assembly, the rotation characteristics of the rotating tubs 3 may differ from one another. If the reference value for the unbalance determination is uniquely set, in one washing machine, it is determined that unbalance has occurred even though the imbalance has not occurred, or in another certain washing machine, There is a possibility that it is determined that no imbalance has occurred despite the occurrence of imbalance. However, according to the present embodiment, by detecting the degree of change in the number of revolutions of the rotating tub 3 when there is no load, data on the degree of change in the number of revolutions corresponding to the occurrence of unbalance can be obtained. By comparing the degree of rotation speed fluctuation, the determination of the imbalance occurrence state becomes accurate.

FIG. 12 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, as can be understood from Table 2 below, the reference value of the unbalance determination is changed according to the detection result of the laundry amount.

[0063]

[Table 2]

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, steps P1 to P8 are the same as steps R1 to R8 in the first embodiment, and the steps from step P9 will be described. Step P9, Step P1
As shown by 0, it is determined whether the detection result of the laundry amount is 2 kg or less, or whether it is more than 2 kg and 4 kg or less. For example, when the laundry amount is relatively small, the reference value for the unbalance determination is set as shown in Table 2 in Step P11. That is, the reference value for the determination of no unbalance or “unbalanced” is “4”.
rpm or less ", the reference value for the determination of imbalance" medium "is" more than 4 r.pm to 8 r.pm or less ", and the reference value for the determination of imbalance" large "is" more than 8 r.pm ".

If the laundry amount is more than 2 kg and not more than 4 kg, the reference value for the unbalance determination is changed and set in step P12. That is, the reference value for the determination of no imbalance or “unbalanced” is “5r.
pm or less ", the reference value for the determination of imbalance" medium "is" greater than 5 r.pm to 10 r.pm or less ", and the reference value for the determination of imbalance" large "is" greater than 10 r.pm ".

Further, when the laundry amount exceeds 4 kg, the reference value of the unbalance determination is changed and set in step P13. That is, the reference value for the determination of no imbalance or “unbalanced” is “6r.pm or less”, and the reference value for the determination of “unbalanced” is “6r.pm”.
over pm to 12 r.pm or less ", and the reference value for determination of unbalance" large "is" over 12 r.pm ".

After Step P11, Step P12 or Step P13 is executed, Step P1
The process proceeds to any one of Steps P4 to P19 to compare the rotation speed fluctuation degree Cg with the reference value, and determine whether no imbalance has occurred or whether the imbalance is “small” according to the comparison result (Step S19). P20), it is determined whether the imbalance is “medium” (step P21) or the imbalance is “large” (step P22).

After the determination of the imbalance, steps P23 to P19 which are the same control as steps R12, R14, R16, R17, R18 and R19 in the first embodiment.
Step P28 is executed.

According to the second embodiment, since the reference value for judging the imbalance occurrence state is changed in accordance with the result of detection of the amount of laundry, the occurrence of imbalance occurs regardless of the amount of laundry. The situation can be accurately determined.

The present invention may be arranged as follows. At the time of washing, the rotation speed fluctuation degree detecting means detects the rotation speed fluctuation degree at the start of rotation of the motor, and the rotation speed fluctuation degree may be used to determine, for example, the quality of the cloth. The operation of the entire washing may be controlled. Also in this case, it is possible to detect the degree of rotation speed fluctuation before the motor enters a steady rotation state, and thus to quickly obtain the rotation speed fluctuation degree detection data, thereby performing appropriate operation control quickly. Can be. Further, a position detecting element provided in the motor may be used as the rotation speed detecting means. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a magnet having a suitable number of magnetic poles is provided so as to rotate integrally with the motor or the rotating tub, and a magnetic sensor is provided at a stationary portion facing the magnet.

[0071]

As apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the rotation of the motor rises, the rotation speed of the motor is detected to detect the rotation speed fluctuation degree. Therefore, the rotation speed fluctuation degree can be detected before the motor enters a steady rotation state,
Thus, the detection data of the degree of change in the rotation speed of the motor can be obtained quickly, and appropriate dehydration operation control can be performed quickly.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the rotation of the rotary tub rises, the rotation speed of the rotary tub is detected to detect the degree of rotation speed fluctuation. The degree of rotation can be detected, and thus, the detection data of the degree of change in the rotation speed of the rotary tub can be obtained quickly, and appropriate dehydration operation control can be performed quickly.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the motor and the rotary tub are directly connected, the number of rotation speed detection error factors is extremely reduced, which can contribute to improvement of detection accuracy. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the rotational speed fluctuation degree detecting means includes:
Since the degree of fluctuation of the rotation speed is detected based on the detection result from the rotation speed detecting means when the rotation of the rotary tub rises in the resonance rotation speed region, it is possible to determine the imbalance state. In the means of claim 5,
Since the rotation speed detecting means includes a sensor for generating a signal of 10 pulses or more per rotation of the rotation tub, the rotation speed of the rotation tub is detected based on a generation cycle of the signal. The degree of change in the number of revolutions in the region can be detected satisfactorily, which is effective for determining the imbalance occurrence state.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the dehydration operation control means determines the state of occurrence of imbalance in the rotary tub based on the detection result by the rotational speed fluctuation degree detecting means. Since control is performed so as to lower the level, increase in imbalance can be suppressed. According to the invention of claim 7, the dewatering operation control means determines the occurrence of imbalance in the rotary tub based on the detection result by the rotational speed fluctuation degree detection means, and temporarily stops the dehydration operation when the imbalance is large. Since the cloth loosening operation is executed to control the dehydration operation to be restarted, imbalance can be eliminated when the dehydration operation is restarted, and a good dehydration operation can be performed.

According to the invention of claim 8, the dehydration operation control means determines the occurrence of imbalance in the rotary tub based on the detection result by the rotation speed fluctuation degree detection means. Since the dehydration time is controlled to be lowered and the dehydration time is extended, the dehydration operation can be continued while suppressing an increase in imbalance, and a predetermined dehydration rate can be obtained. According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the dehydration operation control means detects the degree of rotation speed fluctuation detected at the time of rising of the rotation of the rotary tub in a no-load state and the rotation speed fluctuation detected at the time of rising of the rotation of the rotary tub in a loaded state. Since the degree is compared with the degree and the state of occurrence of imbalance is determined based on the comparison result, an accurate state of occurrence of imbalance can be determined for each washing machine. According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the laundry amount detecting means is provided, and the spin-drying operation control means changes the reference value for determining the unbalance occurrence status according to the detection result of the laundry amount detecting means. Thus, the occurrence of imbalance can be accurately determined regardless of the amount of laundry.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electrical configuration showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway side view of the washing machine.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a mechanism section.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an operation panel.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an unbalanced weight and a rotation speed variation degree;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between a laundry amount and a pulse count value.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state of a change in the number of rotations during a dehydration operation.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state of rotation speed fluctuation.

FIG. 9 is a waveform diagram of a pulse.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing control contents.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing control contents.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing control contents according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 is a rotary tank, 4 is a motor, 4a, 4b and 4c are position detecting elements, 9 is a stirrer, 10 is a clutch float, 12 is a non-rotating float, 33 is a control circuit (rotational speed fluctuation degree detecting means, dehydration operation control Means, laundry amount determining means), 41
Is a rotational speed detecting means, 42 is a disk, 43 is a photo sensor,
3a shows a sensor circuit.

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yutaka Inagaki 2-33-10 Meishi, Nishi-ku, Nagoya-shi Toshiba Abu E Co., Ltd. Nagoya Office (56) References JP-A-5-15694 (JP, A) JP-A-5-253388 (JP, A) JP-A-60-132598 (JP, A) JP-A-61-8094 (JP, A) JP-A-58-195589 (JP, A) JP-A-55-40542 ( JP, A) JP-A-8-294598 (JP, A) JP-A-7-204383 (JP, A) JP-A-63-125983 (JP, U) JP-A-6-58884 (JP, U) 63-63797 (JP, B1) Jikku 63-37032 (JP, Y1) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) D06F 33/02

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. A motor for driving a rotating tub for washing and dewatering, and a stirrer provided inside the rotating tub, a rotational speed detecting means for detecting a rotational speed of the motor, Rotation speed fluctuation detection means for detecting a rotation speed fluctuation degree based on a detection result by the rotation speed detection means at the time of rotation rise; operation control means for controlling operation based on the detection result by the rotation speed fluctuation detection means; A washing machine comprising: 2. A motor for driving a rotating tub for washing and dewatering, a stirrer provided inside the rotating tub, and a sensor for generating a signal in accordance with the rotation of the rotating tub. Rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed of the rotary tub according to the occurrence cycle of the rotation tub, and rotation speed fluctuation degree detection for detecting the rotation speed fluctuation degree based on the detection result from the rotation speed detection means at the time of rising of the rotation of the rotary tub. And a dehydration operation control means for controlling the dehydration operation based on the detection result by the rotation speed fluctuation degree detection means. 3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the motor and the rotary tub are directly connected. 4. The rotation speed fluctuation degree detecting means detects the rotation speed fluctuation degree based on a detection result from the rotation speed detecting means when the rotation of the rotary tank rises in a resonance rotation speed region. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein 5. The rotation number detecting means includes a sensor for generating a signal of 10 pulses or more per rotation of the rotation tank, and detects the rotation number of the rotation tank based on a generation cycle of the signal. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein: 6. The dewatering operation control means determines an unbalance occurrence state of the rotary tub based on a detection result by the rotation speed fluctuation degree detection means, and controls the dehydration rotation speed to be lower as the imbalance is larger. The washing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: 7. The dewatering operation control means determines the occurrence of imbalance in the rotating tub based on the detection result of the rotation speed fluctuation degree detection means, and temporarily stops the dewatering operation and executes the cloth loosening operation when the imbalance is large. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the washing machine is controlled so as to be executed to restart the spin-drying operation. 8. The dehydration operation control means determines the occurrence of imbalance in the rotary tub based on the result of detection by the rotation speed fluctuation degree detection means, and the larger the imbalance, the lower the dehydration rotation speed and the longer the dehydration time. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the washing machine is controlled to perform the washing. 9. A dehydration operation control means, comprising: a rotation speed fluctuation degree detected when the rotation of the rotary tub rises in a no-load state;
8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein an unbalance occurrence state is determined based on a comparison result of a rotation speed fluctuation degree detected when the rotation of the rotary tub rises in a loaded state. 9. The washing machine according to any one of 8. 10. A laundry amount detecting means, wherein said dehydration operation control means changes a reference value for determining an unbalance occurrence state according to a detection result of said laundry amount detecting means. The washing machine according to any one of claims 6, 7, and 8.