JP4627329B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an inner door and an outer door that are provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to each of the laundry inlets formed so as to communicate with each of the water tub in which the laundry is accommodated and the main body housing on the outside thereof. The present invention relates to a washing machine equipped with.

In general, a washing machine includes a water tub for storing laundry (clothing, etc.) and a main body housing on the outside thereof, each of which has a laundry inlet formed so that they communicate with each other. Has been. Further, many of the water tanks have a double structure in which a rotating tank is further provided inside. Here, some washing machines such as drum-type washing machines are provided with double doors of an inner door and an outer door that can be opened and closed with respect to each of the inner water tank and the outer body housing. There is. In a drum-type washing machine or the like, since the loading port for the laundry is disposed on the front surface, it is necessary to seal the water tank during operation, and thus an inner door is provided. In addition, the water tank vibrates due to the rotation of the drum (rotary tank) inside it, and in a washing machine equipped with a drying function, the water tank (which functions as a drying chamber at this time) becomes hot, thus preventing danger. An outside door is provided in view of the above.
Here, since the water tank in operation vibrates due to the rotation of the drum (rotating tank), it is necessary to prevent the risk of the user touching the vibrating water tank by opening the outer door during the operation. On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a drum type washing and drying machine provided with a mechanism for locking an outer door (outer lid) in a closed state.
Patent Document 2 discloses a mechanism for locking the door of a laundry machine to a closed state by a solenoid, a circuit for detecting the locked state, and a control device for shifting to automatic operation when a normal lock is detected by the circuit. Specific examples are shown. As a result, the operation is started without the door being normally locked in the closed state, and it is possible to prevent leakage during washing and leakage of hot air during drying.

On the other hand, the door lock mechanism in a washing machine is a component that is frequently operated and locked and unlocked multiple times for each operation, and is a very important component in terms of safety. Electric actuators such as solenoids that are used are consumable parts that deteriorate with the number of operations. For this reason, in order to maintain the safety of the device for a longer period of time, it is desirable that the number of operations of the lock mechanism be as small as possible.
JP-A-7-88279 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-272289

However, in a washing machine having a double door structure, even if a lock mechanism for the outer door is provided as shown in Patent Document 1, water leakage or high temperature air leakage due to the opening of the inner door to the water tank due to vibration during operation or the like. There was a problem that it could not be prevented.
In addition, in the case of a washing machine having a double door structure, the frequency of occurrence of door lock failure due to pinching of clothes, etc. increases (theoretically, it is about twice that of a single door). On the other hand, if a lock mechanism is provided for each of the inner door and the outer door, and each of them is controlled independently (regardless of the other state), one lock that has been normally locked is replaced with a lock failure that has occurred on the other. In this case, it is necessary to redo (unlock → re-lock), and the lock mechanism is likely to deteriorate due to an increase in the number of times the lock is retried.
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to prevent dangers such as a user touching a vibrating water tank by opening the outer door during operation, and during operation. Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can achieve both prevention of water leakage due to the opening of the inner door due to vibration of the water tank and the like, and further reduce the number of times of re-locking due to defective lock in the door locking mechanism.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to each of the laundry input ports formed so as to communicate with each of the water tub in which the laundry (clothing etc.) is accommodated and the main body casing on the outside. Applied to a washing machine having an inner door and an outer door provided to be openable and closable, an inner door locking means and an outer door locking means for locking the inner door and the outer door in a closed state, Individual lock detecting means for individually detecting whether each of the inner door and the outer door is normally locked by the inner door locking means and the outer door locking means, and locking the door by the inner door locking means A sequential lock control means for performing a door locking operation by the outer door lock means when the normal lock is detected by the individual lock detection means; and the sequential lock control An outer door re-lock control means that re-executes only the locking operation by the outer door locking means when a lock failure is detected for the outer door by the individual lock detecting means when the door lock control is performed by a step; , Are provided.
As a result, it is possible to achieve both the prevention of danger such as the user opening the outer door during operation and touching the vibrating water tank, and the prevention of water leakage due to the opening of the inner door due to vibration of the water tank during operation, etc. .
In addition, if a lock failure occurs in the locking operation of the first (inner door) executed previously by the sequential lock control means, the locking operation of the other (outer door) is not performed. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which one lock that has been normally locked is redone due to a lock failure occurring in the other (lock release → relock), and the deterioration of the lock mechanism can be suppressed by reducing the number of lock redoes.

In addition, when a lock failure is detected for the outer door, only the lock operation by the outer door lock means is re-executed, so there is no need to re-lock the normally locked inner door, and the lock mechanism Deterioration (frequency of redoing locks) can be further suppressed.
In addition, the normal lock of the door is based on the premise that the door is in a closed state, and it is useless to perform the lock operation in a state where one of the inner door and the outer door is not in the closed state.
Therefore, the inner door locking means and the outer door locking means are configured such that the locking operation is prohibited when at least one of the inner door and the outer door is not closed, or the inner door and the outer door Whether or not both outer doors are closed is detected, and the inner door locking means only when it is detected in the sequential lock control that both the inner door and the outer door are closed. And, it is preferable that the lock operation by each of the outer door lock means is executed so that a useless lock operation can be avoided.
On the other hand, when unlocking the door by each of the inner door locking means and the outer door locking means, it is preferable that both unlocking operations are executed almost simultaneously so that the lock can be released quickly.
Further, when a lock failure is detected for at least one of the inner door and the outer door when the sequential lock control is performed, whether the lock failure is detected for either the inner door or the outer door. If the notification is made in a distinguishable manner, it is easy for the user to easily grasp which door the clothes are caught or the like.
On the other hand, when a normal lock is detected for both the inner door and the outer door, it is sufficient to display that effect on one display unit.
Thereby, it is not necessary to provide a separate display unit, and the configuration of the display unit can be simplified.
Further, the inner door and the outer door should not be operated regardless of which lock failure occurs. Therefore, if a lock failure is detected for at least one of the inner door and the outer door, it is dangerous or defective if the door is opened during the predetermined operation related to washing, for example, washing too much or drying. It is desirable to perform control so as to prohibit the operation in which this occurs.

According to the present invention, in the washing machine having a double door structure, since the means for locking the inner door and the outer door in a closed state is provided, it is possible to prevent a user from opening the outer door during operation. , It is possible to achieve both prevention of water leakage caused by opening the inner door due to vibration of the water tank.
Further, it is individually detected whether each of the inner door and the outer door is normally locked, and when the inner door is locked first and the normal lock is detected, the outer door is detected. The above-mentioned sequential lock control is performed to perform the locking operation, so that the lock on one side (inner door) that has been locked normally is redone due to a lock failure occurring on the other (outer door) (unlock → relock). This prevents the lock mechanism from deteriorating by reducing the number of lock re-executions.
In addition, the outer door is locked after the inner door is locked first, and only the outer door is locked when the outer door lock failure is detected. Thus, it is not necessary to redo the inner door that has been normally locked, and deterioration of the locking mechanism (frequency of redoing the lock) can be further suppressed.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the present invention can be understood. The following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of the entire washing machine X according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the main part of the washing machine X, and FIG. 3 is a display operation unit of the washing machine X. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a door lock process procedure in the washing machine X, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a door lock release process procedure in the washing machine X.

First, the schematic configuration of the entire washing machine X according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described using the cross-sectional view shown in FIG.
The washing machine X is a drum-type washing machine having an inner door for the inner water tank and an outer door for the main body housing on the outer side, and having a washing function and a drying function.
As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine X includes a water tub 2 in which a laundry (clothing) is accommodated and a main body housing 1 that forms an exterior on the outer side. Are provided with an inner door 15 and an outer door 16 that are openable and closable with respect to each laundry input port formed by communicating them. The inner door 15 has a structure in which the water tank 2 is sealed by packing or the like when the inner door 15 is closed.
The water tank 2 functions as a water tank for temporarily storing the washing liquid or tap water supplied (injected) from the water supply unit 8 when washing or rinsing is performed. On the other hand, the water tank 2 is drained through the drainage duct 10 after the end of washing and rinsing, and when the laundry is dried, the hot air supplied through the air duct 7 is passed through to dry the laundry. It functions as a drying chamber.

The washing liquid supplied from the water supply unit 8 is a liquid in which the detergent is dissolved in the tap water when the tap water passes through a laundry case (not shown) in which the detergent is stored in advance. The main water supply valve 12 controls the water supply to the water tank 2 through the water supply unit 8 and the shutoff thereof. Further, drainage from the water tank 2 through the drainage duct 10 and stoppage thereof are controlled by a drainage pump 9, and the wastewater is dedusted by a lint filter 11 and discharged to the outside.
On the other hand, the hot air supplied from the air duct 7 is circulated to the air duct 7 from a circulation port 17 provided in the lower part of the water tank 2 by the blower fan 6, and after the air is heated by the drying heater 5, the hot air is supplied. The air is blown into the water tank 2. Here, cooling water is injected through the drying water supply valve 14 on the upstream side in the air circulation direction from the blower fan 6 and the drying heater 5 in the air duct 7. This cooling water cools and dehumidifies (condenses) the high-temperature and high-humidity air circulated from the water tank 2. The injected cooling water is discharged out of the apparatus through the drainage duct 10.

Further, the water tank 2 further includes a drum 3 on the inner side thereof, which is rotatably supported around a rotating shaft 3a extending in a substantially horizontal direction or slightly tilted upward therefrom and in which laundry is accommodated. Has a heavy structure.
The drum 3 is made of stainless steel or the like, and has a large number of small holes on its entire peripheral wall so that washing liquid and tap water can be supplied and drained during washing, rinsing and dehydration, and hot air can pass through when drying. 4 is provided and is driven to rotate by a motor 13.
Here, the water tank 2 is suspended from above by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown) and elastically supported by being supported by a vibration damping damper (not shown) from below, and has a vibration absorbing structure. ing. Thereby, the vibration generated by the rotation of the drum 3 is absorbed.

Next, the structure of the main part of the washing machine X is demonstrated using the block diagram of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the washing machine X includes an inner door that locks the inner door 15 and the outer door 16 in a closed state in addition to the motor 13, the water supply valves 12 and 14, the drainage pump 9, and the like. The lock mechanism 31 and the outer door lock mechanism 32, and the lock mechanisms 63 and 64, which will be described later, individually detect whether or not the inner door 15 and the outer door 16 are normally locked by the lock mechanisms. A door lock switch (SW) 71, an outer door lock switch 72, various operation details of the washing machine X, a display operation unit 40 for receiving an operation input from the user, and a washing and drying operation course for the user. Is further provided with a buzzer 73 for sound notification that the operation has ended or an abnormality has occurred, a control circuit 60 for controlling each device provided in the washing machine X, and the like.
The control circuit 60 includes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 50 and various peripheral circuits 61 to 68. The microcomputer 50 includes a CPU 51, a RAM 52, a ROM 53, a clock circuit 54, a plurality of I / O ports 55, and the like. Yes.
The microcomputer 50 operates when a constant voltage is applied from the power circuit 67 to the power terminals Vdd and Vss, and is reset when a reset signal is input from the reset circuit 62 to the RESET terminal.
The clock circuit 54 measures the time and transmits the current time to the CPU 51.
The CPU 51 reads out a program and setting data stored in advance in the ROM 53 through the bus 56, expands the program and setting data in the RAM 52, and executes the program to perform various calculations and controls.
Various control commands output from the CPU 51 are transmitted to the peripheral circuits 62, 65, and 66 through the bus 56 and the I / O port 55, and the peripheral circuits 62, 65, and 66 control them according to the control target device. This is converted into a signal, and each of the devices to be controlled 40, 73, 9, 12-14, 31, 32 is controlled.
Further, the operation input from the display operation unit 40 and the states of the lock switches 71 and 72 are detected by the peripheral circuits 61, 63 and 64, and the detection signal is sent to the CPU 1 through the I / O port 55 and the bus 56. Is transmitted.
Hereinafter, the description that the signal transmission between the CPU 51 and the peripheral circuits 61 to 66 is performed through the bus 56 and the I / O port 55 is omitted.

The display operation unit 40 has an appearance as shown in FIG. 3A, for example, and a display unit 42 in which various operation keys 41 for starting, pausing, selecting a course, etc., and a 7-segment LED are arranged. And receiving an operation input to the operation keys 41, and displaying the current time, the execution state of the selected course, and the like on the display unit 42. The 7-segment LED of the display unit 42 usually displays a preset reservation time of the driving course, or each process (washing process, rinsing process, dehydrating process, drying process) constituting the set driving course. Is used to display the execution time (minutes) and the number of executions, but it is also used for notifying the lock failure of the doors 15 and 16 described later.
An operation input to the display operation unit 40 is detected by a key input circuit 61 provided in the control circuit 60, and an operation input signal as a detection result is transmitted to the CPU 51. The CPU 51 outputs a predetermined display command and an operation command for each load, and the display command and the operation command are transmitted to the display drive circuit 62 and the load drive circuit 66, respectively. While a display signal is output to the display operation unit 40 in accordance with display information from the CPU 51, the load driving circuit 66 outputs a control signal to each load.
For example, when an operation input for starting a predetermined washing course is made from the display operation unit 40, the operation input is detected by the key input circuit 61, and the detection signal is transmitted to the CPU 51.
The CPU 51 operates / stops the motor 13 and the drainage pump 9 according to the selected course, opens / closes the main water supply valve 12 and the drying water supply valve 14, respectively, the inner door lock mechanism 31 and the A control command relating to locking / unlocking of the outer door lock mechanism 32 is output at any time, and the control command is transmitted to the display drive circuit 62 and the load drive circuit 66.
In response to the control command, the load driving circuit 66 controls the operations of the loads 9, 12 to 13, 31, 32, and the display driving circuit 62 displays the operation state so that the display state is displayed. The display state of the operation unit 40 is controlled.
At that time, the CPU 51 controls the operation time of the motor 13 and the water supply valves 12 and 14 corresponding to the selected course based on the time measurement result of the clock circuit 54.
When the process corresponding to the washed course is completed, the CPU 1 outputs a buzzer notification command indicating the end of the process, and the command is transmitted to the buzzer drive circuit 65. The buzzer drive circuit 65 outputs a predetermined buzzer drive signal. Is output to the buzzer 73. As a result, the buzzer 73 gives an acoustic notification indicating the end of the course.
Note that a load other than the load shown in FIG. 2, for example, the drying heater 5 and the blower fan 6 is connected to the load driving circuit 66 and controlled by the CPU 51.

The inner door locking mechanism 31 and the outer door locking mechanism 32 are in a state in which the inner door 15 and the outer door 16 are closed before starting operations such as washing and rinsing or drying. It is locked by an electric actuator such as a solenoid.
This prevents the user from touching the water tank 2 that vibrates by opening the outer door 16, and prevents water leakage due to the opening of the inner door 15 due to vibration of the water tank 2 during operation. Can be compatible.
When the CPU 51 outputs a control command for locking or unlocking each of the lock mechanisms 31 and 32, the control command is transmitted to the load drive circuit 66, and the load drive circuit 66 causes each lock mechanism 31 to be transmitted. , 32 is controlled to be locked / unlocked by controlling energization / non-energization of the solenoids.
In addition, the inner door lock switch 71 and the outer door lock switch 72 respectively indicate whether the corresponding inner door 15 and outer door 16 are in a closed state (closed position), and the corresponding inner door lock. It is a switch that detects whether each of the mechanism 31 and the outer door lock mechanism 32 is in a locked state (a state where an actuator such as a solenoid is displaced to a lock side position).
For example, the closed state of the door is detected by a switch that detects the displacement state of the displacement portion when the displacement portion elastically biased in the direction toward the inner surface of the door contacts and displaces the door in the closed state. , And the lock state detection of the lock mechanism is detected using a switch or the like for detecting the displacement state of an actuator portion (displacement portion) such as a solenoid as the detection end.
Each of the inner door lock detection circuit 63 and the outer door lock detection circuit 64 is normal when the corresponding door 15 or 16 is closed and the corresponding lock mechanism 31 or 32 is locked. It is detected that it is locked, otherwise it is detected that it is not locked normally. The detection result is transmitted to the CPU 51.

Here, the normal lock of the inner door 15 and the outer door 16 is based on the premise that both the doors 15 and 16 are in the closed state, and the lock operation is executed in a situation where one of the doors 15 and 16 is not in the closed state. It is useless to let them do.
Therefore, the load driving circuit 66 (an example of the inner door locking means and the outer door locking means) that drives the inner door locking mechanism 31 and the outer door locking mechanism 32 is provided at least on the inner door 15 and the outer door 16. When one is not in the closed state, the lock operation of both the lock mechanisms 31 and 32 is prohibited.
For example, in the current supply lines for the solenoids of the inner lock mechanism 31 and the outer lock mechanism 32, the closed state detection switches of the inner door 15 and the outer door 16 (switches that become conductive when closed) Such a lock operation prohibition circuit can be configured by connecting them in series. In this case, a switch having two contact outputs for each current supply line of the inner lock mechanism 31 and the outer lock mechanism 32 is used as the closed state detection switch.

Next, the procedure of the lock process of each of the inner door 15 and the outer door in the washing machine X will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. In the following, S1, S2,... Represent identification codes of processing procedures (steps), and each processing is a predetermined control previously stored in the ROM 53 by the CPU 51 in the microcomputer 50 (hereinafter referred to as the microcomputer 50). This is done by executing the program.
This lock process is started when a predetermined operation start command is issued.
The operation start command is detected when the key input circuit 61 detects that a predetermined operation start operation (for example, operation of a “start / pause” button shown in FIG. 3) is performed from the display operation unit 40. Or, the time measured by the clock circuit 54 is issued by the CPU 51 when the preset operation start time or the operation start time calculated backward from the preset operation end time has elapsed.
First, the microcomputer 50 outputs a lock command to the inner door lock mechanism 31, and the inner door 15 is locked (S1).

Next, the microcomputer 50 determines whether the inner door 15 is normally locked by the inner door lock switch 71 and the inner door lock detection circuit 63 (S2).
Here, if it is determined by the microcomputer 50 that a normal lock has been detected, the process proceeds to step S5, which will be described later, but otherwise (if it is determined that a lock failure has been detected). The display operation unit 40 and the buzzer 73 notify that the lock error (lock failure) of the inner door 15 has occurred without performing the locking process of the outer door 16, and the inner door lock mechanism 31. An unlocking operation is performed (S3).
Then, the microcomputer 50 is put into a waiting state until an operation for issuing a predetermined operation start command from the display / operation unit 40 is performed again (S4), and when the operation start command is operated. The process proceeds to step S1 described above.
As described above, when the locking operation (S5) of the outer door 16 is performed after the locking operation (S2) of the inner door 15 is performed first, the locking failure of the outer door 16 is detected (in S6). (N side) re-executes only the locking operation of the outer door 16 (S8 → S5) (an example of processing of the outer door re-locking means), thereby re-locking the inner door 15 that has been normally locked. There is no need to perform this, and the deterioration of the locking mechanism (frequency of re-locking) can be further suppressed.

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the display operation unit 40 when displaying that the inner door 15 has a lock failure. This is an example in which “In door Error” is simplified and displayed by lighting a plurality of 7-segment LEDs on the display unit 42. The display content blinks in a predetermined cycle and a predetermined alarm is transmitted through the buzzer 73. Make a sound.
As a result, the user can quickly grasp that a lock failure has occurred in the inner door 15 and can respond quickly.
In addition, since the outer door 16 is not locked due to the fact that the locking failure is detected when the inner door 15 is locked first, useless locking operation of the outer door 16 is avoided. In addition, since the lock control of the inner door 15 is performed first, the user can open the outer door 16 without performing the unlocking operation, and take measures such as removing clothes caught between the inner doors 15. It can be done quickly.

On the other hand, when the normal lock of the inner door 15 is detected, the microcomputer 50 locks the outer door 16 by the outer door lock mechanism 32 (S5), as in steps S1 to S4. A lock state detection (normal lock or lock failure) is determined (S6). When it is determined that the lock is defective, the lock error notification of the outer door 16 and the unlocking of the outer door 16 (S7), In addition, the process shifts to the above-described step S5 after waiting for the operation start command.
FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the display operation unit 40 when displaying that the outer door 16 has a lock failure. Similarly to FIG. 3B, the “Out door Error” is displayed in a simplified manner by lighting a plurality of 7-segment LEDs in the display unit 42. The display content blinks at a predetermined period, and A predetermined alarm is sounded through the buzzer 73.
In this way, a lock failure is detected for at least one of the inner door 15 and the outer door 16 by the lock switches 71 and 72 of both doors and the lock detection circuits 63 and 64 of both doors (an example of individual lock detection means). In this case, the display / operation unit 40 distinguishes and notifies (displays) which of the inner door 15 and the outer door 16 has detected a lock failure (S3, S7; an example of a lock failure distinction notification unit). Therefore, it is easy for the user to grasp the situation, and quick response is possible.
In addition, since the lock control of the outer door 16 is performed later, the user can take measures such as removing clothes caught in the outer door 16 without performing the unlocking operation of the inner door 15. It can be done quickly.

When normal locking is detected for both the inner door 15 and the outer door 16 (Y side of S6), the microcomputer 50 “is locked”, which is one display unit in the display operation unit 40. When the LED lamp 42a (see FIG. 3) is lit in green, an indication that both doors 15 and 16 are normally locked is made (S9), and then the designated driving operation (washing, rinsing, Operation such as drying) is started.
As described above, when a normal lock is detected for both the inner door 15 and the outer door 16, it is sufficient to display the fact on the one display unit 42a. There is no need to provide a portion, and the structure of the display portion can be simplified.
As described above, one door is locked by the inner door lock mechanism 31 first (S1), and the normal lock is performed by the inner door lock switch 71 and the inner door lock detection circuit 63 (individual lock). One lock that is normally locked by performing control (sequential lock control) to perform the lock operation (S5) of the other door by the outer lock mechanism 32 when detected by an example of the detection means) Thus, it is possible to avoid the situation of redoing (unlocking → relocking) due to a lock failure occurring on the other side, and to suppress the deterioration of the locking mechanism by reducing the number of times of redoing the lock.
Further, when a lock failure is detected in at least one of the inner door 15 or the outer door 16 by the lock detection circuits 63 and 64 and the lock switches 71 and 72 (individual lock detection means) (N side of S2 or S6). On the N side), the microcomputer 50 prohibits the operation related to washing (e.g., easy washing, drying, etc., after S9) (an example of processing of the operation prohibiting means). The risk of opening is prevented.

Next, the procedure for unlocking the inner door 15 and the outer door in the washing machine X will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Each process is performed in the microcomputer 50 by the CPU 51 executing a predetermined control program stored in the ROM 53 in advance.
This unlocking process is started when a predetermined unlocking command is issued.
When the key input circuit 61 detects that the unlock command is a predetermined unlock operation (for example, operation of the “power on / off” button shown in FIG. 3) from the display operation unit 40. In addition, when the operation according to the designated driving course is finished, the CPU 51 emits it.
First, the microcomputer 50 outputs a command to cause the outer lock mechanism 32 to perform the unlocking operation (S11), and subsequently outputs a command to cause the inner door lock mechanism 31 to perform the unlocking operation (S11). S12).
Thereby, the unlocking operation of the door by each of the inner door locking mechanism 31 and the outer door locking mechanism 32 is executed almost simultaneously (an example of the unlocking control means).
Next, the microcomputer 50 determines whether or not the outer door lock switch 72 and the outer door lock detection circuit 64 have detected normal unlocking of the outer door 16 (S13).
Here, if it is determined by the microcomputer 50 that normal unlocking has been detected, the process proceeds to step S15, which will be described later, but it is not (determined that an unlock failure has been detected). ), The display operation unit 40 and the buzzer 73 notify that the unlock error (unlock failure) has occurred (S14), and then the process proceeds to step S15.
Next, in step S15, the microcomputer 50 determines whether normal unlocking of the inner door 15 is detected by the inner door lock switch 71 and the inner door lock detection circuit 63 (S15). .
Here, if it is determined by the microcomputer 50 that normal unlocking has been detected, the processing is terminated as it is, but if not (determined that unlocking failure has been detected), The display operation unit 40 and the buzzer 73 notify that an unlock error has occurred (S16), and the process is terminated.
As a result, the lock is quickly released.

In the embodiment described above, the inner door locking mechanism 31 and the outer door locking mechanism 32 are configured such that the locking operation is prohibited when at least one of the inner door 15 and the outer door 16 is not closed. An example has been given, but this is not a limitation.
For example, the microcomputer 51 detects whether or not both the inner door 15 and the outer door 16 are in the closed state through the closed state detection switch (an example of both door closed state detection means), as shown in FIG. In the lock control processing (sequential lock control processing) in step S1 and step S5, the inner door lock mechanism 31 is only when it is detected that both the inner door 15 and the outer door 16 are closed. It is also conceivable to perform a locking operation by each of the outer door locking mechanisms 32.
Even with such a configuration, useless locking operation can be avoided. Of course, such a configuration is not an essential configuration, and even if it is not present, when the lock failure occurs in the previous lock, the same effect is achieved that the useless next lock is not performed. .

  The present invention can be used in a washing machine.

The schematic sectional drawing of the whole washing machine X which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a main part of a washing machine X. FIG. FIG. 3 is an external view illustrating an example of a display operation unit of the washing machine X. The flowchart showing the procedure of the door lock process in the washing machine X. The flowchart showing the procedure of the door lock release process in the washing machine X.

Explanation of symbols

X ... Washing machine 1 ... Main body casing 2 ... Water tank 3 ... Drum 7 ... Air duct 8 ... Water supply part 10 ... Drain duct 13 ... Motor 15 ... Inner door 16 ... Outer door 31 ... Inner door lock mechanism 32 ... Outer door lock mechanism 40 ... display operation unit 50 ... microcomputer (microcomputer)
60 ... Control circuit 63 ... Inner door lock detection circuit 64 ... Outer door lock detection circuit 71 ... Inner door lock switch 72 ... Outer door lock switch

Claims (6)

A washing machine comprising an inner door and an outer door that are openable and closable with respect to each of the laundry input ports formed in each of the water tub in which the laundry is stored and the main body housing on the outside thereof,
An inner door locking means for locking the inner door in a closed state;
Outer door locking means for locking the outer door in a closed state;
Individual lock detection means for individually detecting whether each of the inner door and the outer door is normally locked by the inner door lock means and the outer door lock means,
A sequential lock control means for performing the door locking operation by the outer door locking means when the door locking operation by the inner door locking means is performed first and the normal lock is detected by the individual lock detecting means; ,
When the door lock control is performed by the sequential lock control means, when the lock failure is detected for the outer door by the individual lock detection means, only the outer door re-execution is performed again. Lock control means;
A washing machine comprising:   The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the inner door locking means and the outer door locking means are configured to be prohibited from locking when at least one of the inner door and the outer door is not closed. Comprising both door closed state detecting means for detecting whether both the inner door and the outer door are closed;
The sequential lock control means is configured so that each of the inner door lock means and the outer door lock means only when both the door closed state detection means detect that both the inner door and the outer door are closed. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a locking operation is performed by the washing machine.   The lock release control means which performs both releasing operation | movement substantially simultaneously when releasing the lock | rock of the door by each of the said inner door lock means and the said outer door lock means is provided in any one of Claims 1-3. Washing machine.   When the door lock control is performed by the sequential lock control means, when a normal lock is detected for both the inner door and the outer door by the individual lock detection means, the fact is displayed on one display unit. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising normal lock display means.   6. An operation prohibiting means for prohibiting a predetermined operation related to washing when a lock failure is detected for at least one of the inner door or the outer door by the individual lock detecting means. The washing machine as described in.

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