JP5938806B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine having an operation unit equipped with a liquid crystal display.

  Conventionally, an operation display device of this type of washing machine is configured as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 12 shows a front view of an operation display device of a conventional washing machine, and FIG. 13 shows a front view of a control device of the operation display device of the conventional washing machine.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the operation display panel 1 is formed by insert-molding a panel sheet 2 made of a sheet material on the upper surface. The operation display panel 1 includes a display unit 3 and an operation unit 4, a liquid crystal panel 5 is disposed at a position corresponding to the display unit 3, and an operation button unit 6 is disposed at a position corresponding to the operation unit 4.

  By pressing the stroke button 6a, the operation time and setting conditions for washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying displayed on the liquid crystal panel 5 can be changed, and the operation course displayed on the liquid crystal panel 5 by pressing the course button 6b. The mist can be switched only by washing, washing to drying, and drying by pressing the washing / drying switching button 6c.

  A power-on button 6d for turning on the power, a power-off button 6e for cutting off the power, and a start button 6f for starting the operation of the washing machine are provided on the washing machine body.

  A control device in which a button-type electric switch 7 provided at a corresponding position of the operation button unit 6 of the operation display panel 1, an LED element 8 for notifying that the operation button unit 6 is pressed, and the liquid crystal panel 5 are stacked. 9 is fixed to the resin case 10.

  A screw hole 11 is provided around the resin case 10, and an operation display device is formed by fixing it to the operation display panel 1 with screws (not shown) from the back side.

JP 2008-66163 A

  However, such a conventional washing machine operation display device has a problem that it is difficult to know what operation the user should perform next. Moreover, in the liquid crystal panel of the conventional operation display device, the liquid crystal panel and the operation unit are provided separately, and there is a problem that it is difficult to perform operation guidance that is easy for the user to understand.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a washing machine of the present invention includes a main body having a water tub disposed therein, a rotating drum rotatably disposed in the water tub, and a front portion constituting the front surface of the main body. a frame body, the upper portion of said front frame, and an operation display panel which is disposed inclined, wherein the operation display opening formed in the panel, an electrode is formed on the back surface of the transparent plate, the human and a touch panel display unit for detecting a change in electrostatic capacity and configuration Ru stacked liquid crystal panel when a finger touches, configured to view the display of the liquid crystal panel through the touch panel display unit, the touch panel after power on In the display screen of the liquid crystal panel before the first input to the display unit is performed, a message notifying the user of an operation procedure for proceeding to the next step is displayed at a position below the display screen. thing A.

  As a result, a touch panel display unit in which the liquid crystal panel and the operation unit are integrally formed is provided, and on the touch panel display unit, what operation the user should perform next is displayed. Operation guidance that is very easy to understand for the user can be performed, and the operability is greatly improved.

  The washing machine of the present invention can improve operability because of the operation guidance to the next step on the touch panel display.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Same perspective view of washing machine Same as above, a plan view of the operation display section of the washing machine (A) Same as AA sectional view in FIG. 3, (b) Same as DD sectional view in FIG. BB sectional view in FIG. CC sectional view in FIG. (A) The figure which shows the 1st screen of the liquid crystal panel of the operation display part of a washing machine, (b) The figure which shows the 2nd screen, (c) The figure which shows the 3rd screen, (d) The same (E) Same as the fifth screen, (f) Same as the sixth screen, (g) Same as the sixth screen, (g) Same as the seventh screen, (h) Same as the fifth screen Figure showing 8 screens The circuit diagram of the touch panel display of the washing machine Same as above, side sectional view of touch panel display of washing machine The figure which shows the detection state at the time of touch detection of the touchscreen display part of a washing machine similarly (A) The figure which shows the detection state when water adheres to the touch-panel display part of a washing machine, (b) The figure which shows the detection state when liquid detergent adheres, (c) The same, Touch with a finger Figure showing the detection status when Front view of conventional washing machine operation display device Front view of control device of operation display device of conventional washing machine

The first invention includes a main body in which a water tank is disposed, a rotating drum rotatably disposed in the water tank, a front frame that forms the front surface of the main body, and an upper portion of the front frame. And an operation display panel disposed at an inclination, and an electrode formed on the back surface of the transparent plate is formed in the opening formed in the operation display panel so that a change in capacitance when a human finger touches is formed. and a touch panel display unit for detecting the configuration Ru stacked liquid crystal panel, via the touch panel display unit configured to view the display of the liquid crystal panel, before the first input to the touch panel display unit after power-on is performed In the display screen of the liquid crystal panel, a message notifying the user of the operation procedure for proceeding to the next step is displayed at a lower position of the display screen, whereby the liquid crystal panel and the operation unit are integrally configured. T A panel display is provided, and this touch panel display displays what operation the user should perform next. Is greatly improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  1 and 2, a water tub 13 is suspended in a body 12 of a washing machine, and a rotating drum 14 formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape in the water tub 13 has its axial direction from the front to the back. It is tilted downward toward the side and is rotatably arranged.

  A clothing doorway 15 leading to the opening end of the rotary drum 14 is formed on the front side of the water tank 13, and a charging opening provided on an upward inclined surface formed at the front portion of the front frame body 16 constituting the front surface of the main body 12. By opening the door 18 that opens and closes the portion 17, the laundry in the rotary drum 14 can be taken in and out through the clothing entrance 15.

  Since the door 18 is provided on the upward inclined surface, the work for putting in and out the laundry can be carried out without bending the waist, and compared with the drum type washing machine for taking in and out the laundry from the opening provided horizontally horizontally. Sex is getting better.

  A large number of through holes 19 communicating with the inside of the water tank 13 are formed on the peripheral surface of the rotating drum 14, and are driven to rotate in the forward and reverse directions by a motor 20 attached to the back side of the water tank 13. A water injection pipe 21 and a drain pipe 22 are connected to the water tank 13, and water is poured and drained into the water tank 13 by controlling the water injection valve 23 and the drain valve 24.

  An operation display panel 25 is arranged at the upper part of the front frame body 16, and a detergent charging case 26 is arranged at the lower part of the front frame body 16 so that it can be pulled out forward. Prior to driving, the user puts the detergent into the detergent case 26 and operates the operation display panel 25 as necessary to set the desired driving content, start driving, pause, and the driving progress state. Can be recognized.

  When the door 18 is opened and the laundry is put into the rotating drum 14 and the operation is started, the water injection valve 23 is opened, water is poured into the detergent charging case 26, and the detergent that has been poured therein is poured with water. However, a predetermined amount of water is injected into the water tank 13 through the water injection pipe 21.

  When the predetermined water level is reached, the rotary drum 14 is driven to rotate by the motor 20 and the washing process is started. The laundry in the washing process is laundered by repeating the stirring operation in which the laundry is lifted and dropped by the rotation of the rotating drum 14.

  After the required washing time, the drain valve 24 opens, the dirty washing liquid is discharged from the drain pipe 22, and the washing liquid contained in the laundry is dehydrated by a dehydrating operation that rotates the rotating drum 14 at a high speed.

  Thereafter, the drain valve 24 is closed, and water is injected into the water tank 13 from the water injection pipe 21 to carry out a rinsing process. Also in the rinsing process, the laundry is rinsed by repeating the stirring operation by the rotation of the rotating drum 14.

  3 is a plan view of the operation display unit of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG.

  3, 4, 5, and 6, the operation display panel 25 is disposed above the front frame 16 and the top plate 27. The surface of the transparent resin portion 28 is covered with a panel sheet 29 made of a PET film insert-molded in the transparent resin portion 28. The panel sheet 29 has a decorative surface that has been colored and printed, and the transparent resin portion 28 and the panel sheet 29 are provided with an opening 30 having a substantially rectangular shape at the center thereof.

  The opening 30 is an area where neither transparent resin nor film is present, and a transparent plate 31 made of transparent glass is attached to the operation display panel 25 via an elastic body 32 on the back surface of the opening 30. The elastic body 32 is fixed while being pressed between the periphery of the opening 30 in the transparent resin portion 28 and the transparent plate 31.

  A touch panel display unit 38 is formed on the back surface of the transparent plate 31 by bonding a transparent electrode 33 with a transparent double-sided tape 37 called OCA. Therefore, the touch panel display unit 38 is transparent and translucent.

  In addition, a liquid crystal panel 34 is attached to a liquid crystal mounting base 35 below the back surface of the touch panel display unit 38. Further, on the opposite side of the liquid crystal mounting base 35 to the liquid crystal panel 34 mounting surface, transparent electrodes 33 and A main control board 36 for controlling the liquid crystal panel 34 is attached.

  In this way, the transparent plate 31, the transparent double-sided tape 37, the transparent electrode 33, the liquid crystal panel 34, and the main control board 36 are stacked in this order, and from the front side of the operation display panel 25, a transparent touch panel display unit 38 is formed. Through the plate 31, the transparent double-sided tape 37, and the transparent electrode 33, it is possible to visually recognize pictures and characters displayed on the liquid crystal panel 34. Note that a lighting device having a planar shape is arranged on the back side of the liquid crystal panel 34, that is, on the side opposite to the touch panel display unit 38, and the pattern or characters displayed on the liquid crystal panel 34 are irradiated by irradiating the liquid crystal panel 34. Visibility can be further enhanced.

  On the main control board 36, a touch panel dedicated IC 40 that determines whether or not a person has performed a touch operation by inputting / outputting a signal to / from the touch panel display unit 38 and transmits a determination signal to the microcomputer 39 is mounted.

  On the back side of the transparent plate 31, there are electrical components such as the liquid crystal panel 34 and the main control board 36, which require waterproofing. Therefore, the outer periphery of the substantially rectangular transparent plate 31 is covered with a frame-shaped elastic body 32, and attached to the back surface of the substantially rectangular opening 30 via the elastic body 32.

  Around the upper side 41 and the lower side 42 of the opening 30, the elastic body 32 holds the three directions of the front surface side, the back surface side, and the end surface side of the transparent plate 31. Waterproofness is ensured by pressing between the panel 25 and the liquid crystal mounting base 35.

  Further, around the left side 43 and the right side 44 of the opening 30, the two directions of the back surface side and the end surface side of the transparent plate 31 are brought into contact with the elastic body 32, and the elastic body 32 and the transparent plate 31 are connected to the operation display panel. 25 and the liquid crystal mounting base 35 are pressed against each other to ensure waterproofness.

  Here, although the waterproof structure around the left side 43 and the right side 44 of the opening 30 and the waterproof structure around the upper side 41 and the lower side 42 of the opening 30 are exemplified, the left side 43 of the opening 30 is exemplified. Even if the waterproof structure around the right side 44 is the same as the waterproof structure around the upper side 41 and the lower side 42 of the opening 30, a good effect can be obtained.

On the back surface of the operation display panel 25, bosses 45 are provided at the four corners of the opening 30, and the liquid crystal mounting base 35 and the back cover 46 are fastened with screws 47. The back cover 46 is made of a resin member that covers the main control board 36 from the back.

  In the screw fastening state, the elastic body 32 is pressed against the liquid crystal mounting base 35, and the elastic body 32 is in close contact with the transparent plate 31 and the operation display panel 25, so that the waterproof property around the opening 30 is ensured. Therefore, even if the user accidentally spills water or liquid detergent into the opening 30, water does not adhere to the electrical components such as the liquid crystal panel 34 and the main control board 36 inside, and the reliability of the components is ensured. Failure and malfunctions are prevented.

  Moreover, since the transparent plate 31 is attached to the back surface of the opening part 30 via the elastic body 32, the impact applied from the outside can be relieved and glass can be prevented from being damaged by the impact. For example, when the user drops something or when the product is delivered to the user's home in a packaged state, an impact force is applied to the transparent plate 31 when it falls or falls over from the loaded state. . At that time, the elastic body 32 is arranged on the outer periphery of the transparent plate 31 to reduce the impact, and damage can be prevented even if an impact is applied from the outside.

  The operation display panel 25 is provided with a start button 54, a power-on button 52, a power-off button 53, and a return button 55 that are separated and independent from the touch panel display unit 38.

  The start button 54 is used by the user to instruct the start of the operation of the washing machine after completing various settings such as the operation course of the washing machine. The power-on button 52 and the power-off button 53 are for the user to turn on and off the washing machine. The return button 55 is used to give an instruction to return to the previous display screen when the user operates the touch panel display unit 38.

  The start button 54, the power-on button 52, the power-off button 53, and the return button 55 are provided in the operation display panel 25 separately from the touch panel display unit 38.

  The pressing operation buttons such as the start button 54, the power on button 52, the power off button 53, and the return button 55 are configured in the same manner. The sub-control board 50 on which the switch 49 is loaded is fixed to the back cover 46 so as to be provided inside the operation display panel 25, and the operation member 51 for pressing the switch 49 can be pressed from the outside of the operation display panel 25. As described above, the operation display panel 25 is provided with a button opening 80, and the button opening 80 is closed by a panel sheet 29 integrally formed on the surface of the operation display panel 25. This prevents water from entering the inside from the button opening 80.

  As described above, the operation member 51 is provided so as to be held between the operation display panel 25 and the back cover 46, and the pressing operation button portion 48 does not have the transparent resin portion 28 and only the panel sheet 29 exists. The user presses the panel sheet 29 to deform the panel sheet 29 and presses the switch 49 via the operation member 51.

  Thus, the user can operate the switch 49 with a light operating force. When the user presses the switch 49, an input signal of the switch 49 is transmitted from the sub control board 50 to the microcomputer 39 of the main control board 36.

  In addition, the panel sheet 29 prevents water from entering the operation display panel 25 from the pressing operation button portion 48 and ensures waterproofness. In other words, the start button 54, the power-on button 52, the power-off button 53, and the return button 55 that are separated and independent from the touch panel display unit 38 are ensured to be waterproof.

  FIGS. 7A to 7H are diagrams illustrating display contents displayed on the liquid crystal panel of the operation display unit of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The operation of the washing machine will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.

  7A to 7H show screens in which display contents displayed on the liquid crystal panel 34 can be seen through the transparent electrode 33, the transparent double-sided tape 37, and the transparent plate 31, respectively. By touching the top of the board 31 with a finger, the screen is switched or the setting content is changed. In this way, touch-type setting buttons are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 34.

  When the user first supplies power to the washing machine main body by pressing the power-on button 52 on the operation display panel 25, the liquid crystal panel 34 is turned on, and FIG. 7A is displayed.

  FIG. 7A shows the first screen after the power is turned on. On the screen, the washing touch button 56a for switching between washing and drying, the washing to drying touch button 56b, and the drying touch button 56c select the washing / drying mode. It is arranged as a setting button.

  In addition, in each washing and drying mode, the Omakase touch button 57a, which is considered to be used frequently by the user, is located in the center of the screen, the personal touch button 57b is located on the left side of the screen, and other courses that summarize other courses. A total of three touch buttons are arranged on the right side of the screen with the touch buttons 57c.

  In addition, a menu touch button 58 that summarizes contents that can be useful information for the user is arranged as a setting button at the bottom of the screen.

  In FIG. 7A, when the user does not know what operation should be performed next, the user performs the next operation for a while while viewing the first screen of FIG. 7A. You should think about what to do. That is, the first screen in FIG. 7A is left for a while.

  Therefore, in order to guide the user to the next operation, when the input to the touch panel display unit 38 is not performed and the washing condition and various setting buttons are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 34 for a predetermined time, FIG. A message 71 for informing the user of an operation procedure for proceeding to the next step is displayed on the first screen of), and the second screen shown in FIG. For example, if there is no input for 7 seconds on the touch panel display unit 38, the first screen shown in FIG. 7A is switched to the second screen shown in FIG. 7B.

  In the second screen of FIG. 7B, a message 71 for notifying the user of the operation procedure for proceeding to the next step is displayed. For example, the message 71 may be “Check contents and press start”. The user performs the operation guidance by specifically displaying the next operation to be performed by the user.

  As a result, the user can understand what operation should be performed next, and proceeds to the next step according to the message 71.

  In order to attract the user's attention, the characters constituting the character string of the message 71 are scroll-displayed so as to appear sequentially from right to left, and the next step is displayed on the liquid crystal panel. By informing the user, the user can understand what operation should be performed next without hesitation.

  Here, the message 71 consists of Japanese notation, English notation, etc. In the case of Japanese notation or English notation, the user understands the contents by reading the character string of the message 71 from left to right. . Therefore, the characters constituting the character string of the message 71 are scroll-displayed on the touch panel display unit 38 so as to appear sequentially from right to left, thereby not only alerting the user but also unreasonably the message. The contents of 71 can be read.

  A message 71 shown on the second screen in FIG. 7B for notifying the user of the operation procedure for proceeding to the next step is displayed for about 7 seconds, and this operation is repeated until there is an input.

  In FIG. 7A, the user sets the course after selecting the washing / drying mode. In the present embodiment, an operation example in which the display is switched to the display of FIG. 7C by touching the washing touch button 56a and then touching the automatic touch button 57a will be described.

  FIG. 7C is a third screen that transitions when the Omakase touch button 57a is touched in FIG. 7A, and a touch button indicating each process time is set at the approximate center in the vertical direction of the screen. A washing touch button 59a indicating the washing time, a rinsing touch button 59b indicating the number of times of rinsing, and a dehydrating touch button 59c indicating the dehydrating time are arranged in order from the left side of the screen.

  Further, touch buttons indicating other detailed setting contents in operation are arranged at the bottom of the screen, a water level touch button 60a indicating a water level setting method, a bath water touch button 60b indicating whether or not to use bath water, and performing a reserved operation. Whether or not the reservation touch button 60c is arranged as a setting button.

  In FIG. 7C, when the user does not know what operation should be performed next, the user performs the next operation for a while while viewing the third screen in FIG. 7C. You should think about what to do. That is, the third screen in FIG. 7C is left for a while.

  Therefore, in order to guide the user to the next operation, when the input to the touch panel display unit 38 is not performed and the washing condition and various setting buttons are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 34 for a predetermined time, FIG. The message 71 for informing the user of the operation procedure for proceeding to the next step is displayed on the third screen of), and the fourth screen shown in FIG. For example, if there is no input for 7 seconds on the touch panel display unit 38, the screen is switched from the third screen shown in FIG. 7C to the fourth screen shown in FIG.

  In the fourth screen of FIG. 7D, a message 71 is displayed for notifying the user of the operation procedure for proceeding to the next step. The message 71 is, for example, “Check the contents and press start”. The user performs the operation guidance by specifically displaying the next operation to be performed by the user.

  As a result, the user can understand what operation should be performed next, and proceeds to the next step according to the message 71.

  In order to attract the user's attention, the characters constituting the character string of the message 71 are scroll-displayed so as to appear sequentially from right to left, and the next step is displayed on the liquid crystal panel. By informing the user, the user can understand what operation should be performed next without hesitation.

  A message 71 for informing the user of the operation procedure for proceeding to the next step shown on the fourth screen in FIG. 7D is displayed for about 7 seconds, and this operation is repeated until there is an input.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user changes the washing time, and an operation example that switches to FIG. 7E by touching the washing touch button 59a will be described.

  FIG. 7 (e) shows a fifth screen that transitions when the washing touch button 59a is touched in FIG. 7 (a). The washing slide button 61 that changes the washing time is set as a setting button at the approximate center of the screen. The decision touch button 62 for instructing the decision of the changed time is arranged at the bottom of the screen.

  The user changes the washing time by moving the washing slide button 61 in the left-right direction, and confirms the changed washing time by pressing the decision touch button 62. When the enter touch button 62 is pressed, the screen transitions again to the third screen in FIG. However, on the third screen in FIG. 7C, the display content of the washing time of the washing touch button 59a is displayed as the changed content.

  FIG. 7 (f) is a sixth screen that transitions when the other course touch button 57c of FIG. 7 (a) is touch-operated. The night touch button 63a, the house cleaning touch button 63b, the high cleaning deodorizing touch button 63c, the blanket touch button 63d, the careful finishing touch button 63e, and the tank cleaning touch button 63f that can be used as a course are arranged as setting buttons. The user selects the course by pressing each touch button, and the screen transitions again to the third screen in FIG. 7C by pressing each touch button.

  FIG. 7 (g) shows a seventh screen that transitions when the menu touch button 58 in FIG. 7 (a) is touched. As shown in FIG. 7G, the screen is provided with touch buttons for excerpting part of the contents of the instruction manual and explaining how to use it to the user. The course explanation touch button 64b for explaining the course and the care method touch button 64c for explaining the maintenance method of the washing machine are arranged as setting buttons. In addition, a setting change touch button 64d in which setting contents that do not change the basic once set are arranged.

  In the first screen to the seventh screen shown in FIGS. 7A to 7G, when the setting of the operation content is completed, the user operates by pressing the start button 54 provided on the operation display panel 25. Start. At this time, the screen transitions to an eighth screen, which is an operation display screen for displaying the operation status, shown in FIG.

  Note that the operation can be paused and resumed by pressing the start button 54 when it is desired to pause the operation during the operation and by pressing the start button 54 again when it is desired to be resumed.

  FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of the touch panel display unit 38 of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the touch panel display unit of the operation display unit of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is shown.

  In FIG. 8, highly transparent indium tin oxide called ITO is vapor-deposited on a glass substrate 65 and etched to form the transparent electrode 33. In the transparent electrode 33, several tens of X electrodes 66 are formed in a matrix in the vertical direction at intervals of about 5 to 6 mm, and several tens of Y electrodes 67 are formed in the horizontal direction at intervals of about 5 to 6 mm. The X electrode 66 and the Y electrode 67 are electrically connected to the touch panel dedicated IC 40, and the touch panel dedicated IC 40 is electrically connected to the microcomputer 39 via the wiring portion 68.

  In FIG. 9, a shield electrode 69 on which ITO is deposited is formed on the back surface of the transparent electrode 33. The shield electrode 69 is connected to the GND line of the main control board 36 via the FPC wiring 70 to increase power noise resistance and prevent malfunction of the touch panel display unit 38 due to switching noise from the liquid crystal panel 34 disposed below. To do.

  The transparent electrode 33 is bonded and fixed to the transparent plate 31 with a transparent double-sided tape 37.

  Here, the change in capacitance is determined by the dielectric constant of the material touched by the finger, and the larger the dielectric constant, the larger the change in capacitance and the higher the sensitivity. High sensitivity means that the position pressed by the finger can be recognized quickly and accurately, for example, it is less likely to cause false detection due to the touch of a finger when a drop of water is attached, or due to the influence of external noise. Say. For example, the dielectric constant of glass is about 9, ABS resin or PET resin is about 3, and the change in capacitance is inversely proportional to the thickness. Therefore, if the material touched by the finger is a glass plate, ABS resin or Even if the thickness is three times that of PET resin, the sensitivity can be made equivalent.

  In addition, although the transparent electrode was made into the glass base material in a present Example, the same effect is acquired even if it comprises with a resin sheet like PET. Further, in order to reduce the cost, the X electrode and the Y electrode are formed on one side of the transparent electrode. However, even if the X electrode and the Y electrode are separately formed on both sides of the transparent electrode, the same performance can be obtained.

  A detection mechanism at the time of a touch operation will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.

  There is a very small capacitance component (about 2 to 3 PF) between the X electrode and the Y electrode formed on the transparent electrode 33, and the touch panel dedicated IC 40 always has a certain cycle with respect to the X electrode 66. The voltage is applied repeatedly.

  The Y electrode 67 always outputs a voltage applied from the X electrode 66 and passes through the electrostatic capacitance component, and returns a voltage signal to the touch panel dedicated IC 40, so that the voltage at the electrostatic capacitance component always present in the touch panel display unit 38 is obtained. Monitor changes.

  When a person touches the transparent plate 31, it is electrically connected from the person's finger to the transparent plate 31, the transparent double-sided tape 37, and the transparent electrode 33, and the electrostatic capacitance component (generally about 100 to 150 PF) possessed by the person. As a result, the voltage of the electrostatic capacitance component existing in the touch panel display unit 38 detected by the touch panel dedicated IC 40 changes greatly. The touch panel-dedicated IC 40 confirms that the touch operation has been performed by this change, and transmits a confirmation signal to the microcomputer 39.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a detection state at the time of touch detection of the touch panel display unit 38 of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a diagram of the touch panel display unit 38 of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a simplified diagram showing a detection state at the time of touch detection.

  FIG. 10 shows data displayed so that the touch signal detected by the touch panel dedicated IC 40 can be confirmed on a personal computer (not shown). 10, the X-axis direction indicates the long side of the transparent plate 31, the Z-axis direction indicates the short side of the transparent plate 31, the Y-axis direction indicates touch sensitivity when a touch operation is performed, and the Y-axis direction. This shows that the more you move on the screen, the higher the sensitivity when you perform a touch operation.

  Generally, a threshold value S for determining a touch operation is set in the touch panel dedicated IC 40, and whether or not the touch operation is performed is determined by whether or not the height H of the touch signal exceeds the threshold value S.

  In FIG. 11, FIG. 11C illustrates the sensitivity height when the finger touches the transparent plate 31, that is, when the transparent plate 31 is touched with the finger, and FIG. FIG. 11B illustrates the high sensitivity when the liquid detergent adheres to the transparent plate 31.

  11 (a) to 11 (c), the sensitivity height Ha of water having low conductivity with respect to the sensitivity height is equal to or less than the threshold value S, but if the sensitivity height Hb of a highly conductive liquid detergent is used. It turns out that it may become more than the threshold value S, and a misdetection may occur and it may malfunction.

  In order to solve such a problem, for example, when the threshold value S is set to be equal to or higher than the sensitivity height Hb of the liquid detergent, if the threshold value S is increased too high, the sensitivity height Hc when a touch operation is performed with a finger. And the threshold value S becomes small, the responsiveness and detection accuracy at the time of a touch operation with a finger are deteriorated, and there is a possibility that the operability is lowered and erroneous detection occurs.

  FIG. 11C shows an example of the high touch sensitivity by the touch operation with the finger. However, since the area where the finger touches the transparent plate 31 affects the capacitance, the size of the finger and when the touch is made. The touch sensitivity height Hc changes depending on the instantaneous touch area, which leads to a decrease in responsiveness and detection accuracy.

  In order to prevent such erroneous detection, in addition to setting the threshold value S, the touch area, the touch time, and the like are excluded to remove other than the finger, but the false detection is not performed completely. It ’s difficult.

  In this way, a touch panel display unit that can set the washing machine by directly touching the switch pattern displayed on the liquid crystal panel through the transparent plate is provided, and the touch panel display unit overlaps the operation unit and the display unit. By configuring it integrally, intuitive operation is possible, usability is improved, and the size of the switch pattern etc. is changed according to the setting contents, thereby improving visibility and improving universal design. Can do.

  Unlike pressure-sensitive touch panels, it detects the presence or absence of an operation by detecting a change in capacitance, enabling touch operations by simply touching the transparent glass plate. Can be operated easily.

  In addition, a touch panel display unit with a liquid crystal panel and an operation unit integrated is provided, and this touch panel display unit displays what operation the user should perform next. It is possible to perform operation guidance that is very easy for a person to understand, and operability is greatly improved.

  As described above, the operation display device of the washing machine according to the present invention can improve the operability by the operation guidance by the character display when the user does not know how to proceed to the next step. The present invention can be applied to various devices having parts.

25 Operation display panel 29 Panel sheet 30 Opening 31 Transparent plate 32 Elastic body 33 Transparent electrode 34 Liquid crystal panel 38 Touch panel display section 48 Press operation button section 49 Switch 51 Operation member 52 Power-on button 53 Power-off button 54 Start button 55 Return button 80 button opening

Claims (1)

A body with a water tank inside;
A rotating drum rotatably disposed in the water tank;
A front frame constituting the front surface of the main body;
An operation display panel disposed at an angle on the upper part of the front frame,
The operation display opening formed in the panel, the electrode is formed on the back surface of the transparent plate, and a touch panel display unit and the configuration Ru stacked liquid crystal panel for detecting a change in capacitance when touched by a person's finger, the Configured to visually recognize the display of the liquid crystal panel via a touch panel display unit,
On the display screen of the liquid crystal panel before the first input to the touch panel display unit after the power is turned on, a message notifying the user of the operation procedure for proceeding to the next step is displayed at a position below the display screen. A washing machine characterized by

Images