CN120537101A - Washing machine and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a washing machine and a control method thereof. Provided is a washing machine capable of suppressing an inrush current flowing at the moment when driving power starts to be supplied from an AC power supply to a load. The washing machine is provided with a load which performs a washing-related operation, and a power supply control unit which controls the supply of drive power from an AC power supply to the load. The power supply control unit includes a first rectifying/smoothing circuit connected between the ac power supply and the load and including a first smoothing capacitor, a first switching circuit that switches on or off a first connection path that connects the ac power supply and the first rectifying/smoothing circuit, a phase detection circuit that detects a phase of an ac voltage output from the ac power supply, and a first control circuit. The first control circuit causes the first switching circuit to turn on the first connection path at a zero-crossing timing of the alternating voltage based on the phase detected by the phase detection circuit.

Description

Washing machine and control method thereof

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a washing machine and a control method thereof.

Background

A washing machine according to the related art is disclosed in patent document 1, for example. The washing machine includes a main microcomputer (the "microcomputer" of the present disclosure means a microcontroller), an operating load, a sub-microcomputer (sub microcomputer), a communication unit, a power supply device, and a power supply control unit. In the communication mode in which the communication unit performs communication, a power supply voltage is always supplied from the power supply device to the sub-microcomputer, the communication unit, and the power supply control unit. In the power saving mode in which the communication mode is performed and the operation load is not controlled, the power supply control unit stops the supply of the power supply voltage from the power supply device to the main microcomputer and the operation load.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1 Japanese patent application laid-open No. 2015-159989

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

According to the washing machine disclosed in patent document 1, no countermeasure is taken against an inrush current flowing at the moment when the supply of the power supply voltage from the power supply device to the operation load is started.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a washing machine capable of suppressing an inrush current flowing at the moment when driving power starts to be supplied from an ac power supply to a load, and a control method thereof.

Solution for solving the problem

A washing machine according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a load that performs a washing-related operation, and a power supply control unit that controls supply of drive power from an AC power supply to the load, wherein the power supply control unit includes a first rectifying/smoothing circuit connected between the AC power supply and the load and including a first smoothing capacitor, a first switching circuit that switches on or off a first connection path that connects the AC power supply and the first rectifying/smoothing circuit, a phase detection circuit that detects a phase of an AC voltage output by the AC power supply, and a first control circuit that causes the first switching circuit to turn on the first connection path at a zero-crossing timing of the AC voltage based on the phase detected by the phase detection circuit.

The control method of a washing machine according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a load that performs a washing-related operation, and a power supply control unit that controls supply of drive power from an ac power supply to the load, the power supply control unit including a first rectifying/smoothing circuit connected between the ac power supply and the load and including a first smoothing capacitor, a first switching circuit that switches on or off a first connection path that connects the ac power supply and the first rectifying/smoothing circuit, a phase detection circuit that detects a phase of an ac voltage output by the ac power supply, and a first control circuit that acquires the phase detected by the phase detection circuit, and that causes the first switching circuit to turn on the first connection path at a zero-crossing timing of the ac voltage based on the acquired phase.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress an inrush current flowing at the moment when the supply of driving power from the ac power supply to the load is started.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a circuit configuration of the washing machine according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3A is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the rectifying/smoothing circuit.

Fig. 3B is a circuit diagram showing another circuit configuration example of the rectifying and smoothing circuit.

Fig. 3C is a circuit diagram showing another circuit configuration example of the rectifying and smoothing circuit.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a first operation performed by the washing machine according to the embodiment in a case where the start button is pressed in the standby mode.

Fig. 5 is a timing chart showing a first operation performed by the washing machine according to the embodiment in a case where the start button is pressed in the standby mode.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a second operation performed by the washing machine according to the embodiment in a case where the start button is pressed in the standby mode.

Fig. 7 is a timing chart illustrating a second operation performed by the washing machine according to the embodiment in a case where the start button is pressed in the standby mode.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing operations performed by the washing machine according to the embodiment when washing is completed in the operation mode.

Fig. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a circuit configuration of a washing machine according to a first modification.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a first operation performed by the washing machine according to the first modification, in a case where the switch is turned on with the power of the washing machine turned off.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing a second operation performed by the washing machine according to the first modification, in a case where the switch is turned on in a state where the power of the washing machine is turned off.

Detailed Description

(Insight underlying the present disclosure)

The washing machine according to the related art includes a load such as a drive motor for rotating a washing tub or a drum, a rectifying/smoothing circuit connected between an ac commercial power supply and the load, a relay circuit for switching on and off a connection path between the commercial power supply and the rectifying/smoothing circuit, and a control circuit such as a microcomputer. The rectifying/smoothing circuit has at least one diode and a smoothing capacitor having a large capacitance.

When the user presses the power switch of the washing machine, charging of the smoothing capacitor by the commercial power supply is started by a current flowing in a path through the current limiting resistor. When the charging voltage of the smoothing capacitor rises above the threshold value after a certain time has elapsed, the control circuit is started. The control circuit controls the relay circuit to conduct the connection path between the commercial power supply and the rectifying/smoothing circuit. In order to avoid energy loss during load driving, no current limiting resistor is connected to the connection path.

At the moment when the relay circuit turns on the connection path, a large inrush current flows due to the uncharged capacitance charged in the smoothing capacitor. In particular, when the connection path is turned on near the peak of the waveform of the ac voltage outputted from the commercial power supply, the inrush current becomes a very large current. As a result, excessive heat generation, malfunction of the circuit element, and the like are caused, and there is a possibility that the washing machine may malfunction.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present inventors have found out and have made the present disclosure that the inrush current can be suppressed by matching the timing of turning on the connection path by the relay circuit with the zero-crossing timing of the waveform of the ac voltage output from the commercial power supply.

Next, various aspects of the present disclosure will be described.

The washing machine according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a load that performs a washing-related operation, and a power supply control unit that controls supply of drive power from an ac power supply to the load, wherein the power supply control unit includes a first rectifying/smoothing circuit that is connected between the ac power supply and the load and includes a first smoothing capacitor, a first switching circuit that switches on or off a first connection path that connects the ac power supply and the first rectifying/smoothing circuit, a phase detection circuit that detects a phase of an ac voltage output by the ac power supply, and a first control circuit that causes the first switching circuit to turn on the first connection path at a zero-crossing timing of the ac voltage based on the phase detected by the phase detection circuit.

According to the first aspect, the phase detection circuit detects the phase of the ac voltage output from the ac power supply, and the first control circuit turns on the first connection path at the zero-crossing timing of the ac voltage based on the phase detected by the phase detection circuit. This can suppress an inrush current flowing at the moment when the supply of drive power from the ac power supply to the load is started.

In the washing machine according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the first control circuit preferably inputs a control signal for causing the first switching circuit to turn on the first connection path to the first switching circuit, and the first control circuit preferably controls timing of outputting the control signal based on the phase detected by the phase detection circuit and a delay time from outputting the control signal until the conduction of the first connection path is completed.

According to the second aspect, the first control circuit controls the timing of outputting the control signal based on the phase detected by the phase detection circuit and the delay time from the output of the control signal until the conduction of the first connection path is completed. This makes it possible to match the timing of the completion of the conduction of the first connection path with the zero-crossing timing of the ac voltage with high accuracy. As a result, the inrush current can be more effectively suppressed.

The washing machine according to the third aspect of the present disclosure preferably further includes a second switching circuit that switches on or off a second connection path that connects the ac power supply and the first rectifying/smoothing circuit via a current limiting resistor, and a voltage detection circuit that detects a charging voltage of the first smoothing capacitor, the first connection path connecting the ac power supply and the first rectifying/smoothing circuit so as to bypass the current limiting resistor, the first control circuit starting charging the first smoothing capacitor by the ac power supply by switching on the second switching circuit by switching on the second connection path, the first control circuit switching on the first connection path at the zero-crossing timing after the charging voltage becomes equal to or higher than a threshold value based on the charging voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit and the phase detected by the phase detection circuit.

According to the third aspect, the first control circuit causes the first switching circuit to turn on the first connection path at a zero-crossing timing after the charging voltage of the first smoothing capacitor becomes equal to or higher than the threshold value. This can reduce the uncharged capacitance of the first smoothing capacitor at the moment when the first switching circuit is made to conduct the first connection path. As a result, the inrush current can be more effectively suppressed.

In the washing machine according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the third aspect, the washing machine preferably further includes a second rectifying/smoothing circuit connected between the ac power supply and the first control circuit, and the second rectifying/smoothing circuit includes a second smoothing capacitor having a smaller capacitance than the first smoothing capacitor.

According to the fourth aspect, since the capacitance of the second smoothing capacitor included in the second rectifying and smoothing circuit is smaller than the capacitance of the first smoothing capacitor, the leakage current from the second smoothing capacitor can be suppressed as compared with the first smoothing capacitor. As a result, even when the first control circuit is always driven by the second rectifying/smoothing circuit, the power consumption of the washing machine can be suppressed.

In the washing machine according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, preferably, in the fourth aspect, the washing machine further includes an operation unit including a second control circuit connected to the first control circuit, and the power supply control unit supplies driving power from the ac power supply to the first control circuit and the second control circuit via the second rectifying/smoothing circuit in a standby state in which the first switching circuit cuts off the first connection path and the second switching circuit cuts off the second connection path.

According to the fifth aspect, the first control circuit and the second control circuit can be driven at all times by the second rectifying and smoothing circuit while suppressing power consumption of the washing machine in a standby state in which driving of the first rectifying and smoothing circuit and the load is stopped.

In the washing machine according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in the fifth aspect, the operation unit further includes an operation button, and the second control circuit preferably inputs a control signal for causing the second switching circuit to turn on the second connection path to the first control circuit by acquiring operation information indicating that the operation button is operated from the operation button.

According to the sixth aspect, the second control circuit can start driving the first rectifying and smoothing circuit and the load by electronic control triggered by the acquisition of the operation information from the operation button.

In the washing machine according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, in the fifth or sixth aspect, the operation unit preferably further includes a communication circuit that receives a remote operation signal, the communication circuit waits for the remote operation signal to be received in the standby state, and the second control circuit receives, from the communication circuit, remote operation information indicating that the communication circuit received the remote operation signal, and inputs a control signal for causing the second switching circuit to turn on the second connection path to the first control circuit.

According to the seventh aspect, the driving of the first rectifying and smoothing circuit and the load can be started by electronic control triggered by the acquisition of the remote operation information from the communication circuit. In addition, in the standby state in which the communication circuit waits for receiving the remote operation signal, the driving of the first rectifying and smoothing circuit and the load is stopped, so that the power consumption of the washing machine can be suppressed.

A control method of a washing machine according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure is a control method of a washing machine including a load that performs a washing-related operation, and a power supply control unit that controls supply of driving power from an ac power supply to the load, the power supply control unit including a first rectifying/smoothing circuit connected between the ac power supply and the load and including a first smoothing capacitor, a first switching circuit that switches on or off a first connection path that connects the ac power supply and the first rectifying/smoothing circuit, a phase detection circuit that detects a phase of an ac voltage output by the ac power supply, and a first control circuit that acquires the phase detected by the phase detection circuit, and that causes the first switching circuit to switch on the first connection path at a zero-crossing timing of the ac voltage based on the acquired phase.

According to the eighth aspect, the phase detection circuit detects the phase of the ac voltage output from the ac power supply, and the first control circuit turns on the first connection path at the zero-crossing timing of the ac voltage based on the phase detected by the phase detection circuit. This can suppress an inrush current flowing at the moment when the supply of drive power from the ac power supply to the load is started.

The present disclosure can also implement the respective characteristic structures included in such a method or apparatus as a program for causing a computer to execute, or a system that acts through the program. It is needless to say that such a computer program can be circulated via a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a communication network such as the internet.

(Embodiments of the present disclosure)

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Elements labeled with the same reference number in different figures denote the same or corresponding elements. The components, arrangement positions, connection modes, and orders of operations of the components shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. The present disclosure is limited only by the claims. Therefore, the components of the following embodiments, which are not described in the independent claims and which represent the uppermost concepts of the present disclosure, are not necessarily required to achieve the objects of the present disclosure, but are described as components constituting more preferable embodiments.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example shown in fig. 1, the washing machine 1 is a drum type washing machine having a drum, but may be a vertical type washing machine having a washing tub. A display 63 using a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence: electro luminescence) display, or the like, and various operation buttons to be pressed by a user are disposed on the upper portion of the front surface of the washing machine 1. The operation buttons include a start button 64, an end button 65, and a remote button 66. The start button 64 is pressed at the start of washing. The end button 65 is pressed when the operation of the washing machine 1 is forcibly ended. The remote button 66 is pressed when the washing machine 1 is set to the remote operation mode. In the remote operation mode, the user can start washing with the washing machine 1 by performing a remote operation using a smart phone or the like.

Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a circuit configuration of the washing machine 1. The washing machine 1 includes a load 12 that performs a washing-related operation, a power supply control unit 13 that controls supply of drive power P1 from an ac power supply 11 such as a commercial power supply to the load 12, and an operation unit 14 that includes the various operation buttons and the like. For example, in a drum type washing machine, the load 12 includes a driving motor for rotating the drum, and in a vertical type washing machine, the load 12 includes a driving motor for rotating the washing tub. In the case where the washing machine 1 is a washing and drying machine having a drying function, the load 12 includes a heater, a blower fan, and the like.

The power supply control unit 13 includes a first rectifying/smoothing circuit 21, a second rectifying/smoothing circuit 22, a first control circuit 23, a phase detection circuit 24, a voltage detection circuit 25, a current limiting resistor 26, a first connection path 31, a second connection path 32, a first relay circuit 41, a second relay circuit 42, a first relay driving circuit 51, and a second relay driving circuit 52. The current limiting resistor 26 may also be a resistive element or an NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient: negative temperature coefficient) thermistor, or the like.

The first rectifying and smoothing circuit 21 is connected between the ac power source 11 and the load 12. The first rectifying and smoothing circuit 21 rectifies and smoothes the ac voltage V0 output from the ac power supply 11 to supply the dc driving power P1 to the load 12.

The second rectifying and smoothing circuit 22 is connected between the alternating-current power supply 11 and the first control circuit 23. The second rectifying and smoothing circuit 22 rectifies and smoothes the ac voltage V0 output from the ac power supply 11 to supply the dc driving power P2 to the first control circuit 23. The first control circuit 23 is configured to include a microcontroller and the like.

Fig. 3A to 3C are circuit diagrams showing a circuit configuration of the rectifying/smoothing circuit. Fig. 3A shows a rectifying and smoothing circuit that performs full-wave rectification, fig. 3B shows a rectifying and smoothing circuit that performs voltage doubler rectification, and fig. 3C shows a rectifying and smoothing circuit that performs half-wave rectification. As shown in fig. 3A to 3C, the rectifying and smoothing circuit includes at least one diode D and at least one smoothing capacitor C. As the first rectifying and smoothing circuit 21 that supplies the high-voltage driving power P1 to the load 12, a rectifying and smoothing circuit that performs voltage doubler rectification is preferably used. As the second rectifying and smoothing circuit 22 that supplies the low-voltage driving power P2 to the first control circuit 23, a rectifying and smoothing circuit that performs full-wave rectification or half-wave rectification is preferably used. The capacitance of the smoothing capacitor C (hereinafter referred to as "first smoothing capacitor") included in the first rectifying and smoothing circuit 21 is larger than the capacitance of the smoothing capacitor C (hereinafter referred to as "second smoothing capacitor") included in the second rectifying and smoothing circuit 22.

The phase detection circuit 24 detects the phase of the ac voltage V0 output from the ac power supply 11. The phase detection circuit 24 inputs a signal S13 indicating the detection result of the phase of the ac voltage V0 to the first control circuit 23.

The voltage detection circuit 25 detects a charging voltage corresponding to the charge accumulation amount of the first smoothing capacitor. The voltage detection circuit 25 inputs a signal S12 indicating the detection result of the charging voltage of the first smoothing capacitor to the first control circuit 23.

The first rectifying and smoothing circuit 21 is connected to the ac power supply 11 via the first connection path 31 or the second connection path 32. The second relay circuit 42 and the high-resistance current limiting resistor 26 are connected to the second connection path 32. The first relay circuit 41 is connected to the first connection path 31. That is, the second connection path 32 connects the ac power supply 11 and the first rectifying and smoothing circuit 21 via the current limiting resistor 26, and the first connection path 31 bypasses the current limiting resistor 26 to connect the ac power supply 11 and the first rectifying and smoothing circuit 21. The first relay circuit 41 and the second relay circuit 42 are configured using a mechanical relay or the like having a coil portion and a contact portion.

The first relay driving circuit 51 controls the opening and closing operations of the first relay circuit 41 based on the control signal S14 input from the first control circuit 23. The first relay driving circuit 51 closes the first relay circuit 41, whereby the first connection path 31 is turned on. The first relay driving circuit 51 turns off the first relay circuit 41, whereby the first connection path 31 is cut off. The first relay circuit 41 and the first relay driving circuit 51 constitute a first switching circuit for switching on or off of the first connection path 31.

The second relay driving circuit 52 controls the opening and closing operations of the second relay circuit 42 based on the control signal S11 input from the first control circuit 23. The second relay driving circuit 52 closes the second relay circuit 42, whereby the second connection path 32 is turned on. The second relay driving circuit 52 turns off the second relay circuit 42, whereby the second connection path 32 is cut off. The second relay circuit 42 and the second relay driving circuit 52 constitute a second switching circuit for switching on or off the second connection path 32.

The operation unit 14 includes a second control circuit 61, a communication circuit 62, a display 63, a start button 64, an end button 65, and a remote button 66. The second control circuit 61 is connected to the first control circuit 23. The second control circuit 61 is configured to include a microcontroller and the like. The driving power P2 is supplied from the ac power supply 11 to the second control circuit 61 via the second rectifying and smoothing circuit 22 and the first control circuit 23. The communication circuit 62 is configured to include a communication module supporting any wireless communication standard such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

The washing machine 1 has an operation mode, a standby mode, and a remote operation mode.

The operation mode is a mode in which the load 12 performs an operation related to washing by supplying the driving power P1 from the ac power source 11 to the load 12 via the first rectifying and smoothing circuit 21. In the operation mode, the second control circuit 61 controls the load 12 in accordance with the program or the setting information such as the menu selected by the user, thereby sequentially executing the washing-related operations such as washing, rinsing, and dehydrating. In the operation mode, the driving power P2 is supplied from the ac power supply 11 to the first control circuit 23 and the second control circuit 61 via the second rectifying/smoothing circuit 22.

The standby mode is a mode in which the washing machine 1 is in a state of low power consumption standby (standby state). In the standby mode, the supply of the driving power P1 to the load 12 is stopped, and the supply of the driving power P2 to the first control circuit 23 and the second control circuit 61 is continued.

The remote operation mode is a mode in which the reception of remote operation is further permitted in the standby state. In the remote operation mode, as in the standby mode, the supply of the driving power P1 to the load 12 is stopped, and the supply of the driving power P2 to the first control circuit 23 and the second control circuit 61 is continued.

In this way, the driving power P2 is continuously supplied to the first control circuit 23 and the second control circuit 61 in any one of the operation mode, the standby mode, and the remote operation mode. Since the electrostatic capacity of the second smoothing capacitor included in the second rectifying and smoothing circuit 22 is very small (several tens of μf), power consumption due to leakage current from the second smoothing capacitor is also very small. Thereby, the constant driving of the washing machine 1 is realized with low power consumption.

Fig. 4 and 5 are a flowchart and a timing chart, respectively, showing a first operation performed by the washing machine 1 in the case where the start button 64 is pressed in the standby mode.

When the start button 64 is pressed by the user at time T1, the second control circuit 61 acquires a signal S21 from the start button 64, the signal S21 being operation information indicating that the start button 64 is pressed.

The second control circuit 61 inputs a control signal S10 for instructing a transition from the standby mode to the operation mode to the first control circuit 23 at time T2. The control signal S10 for instructing the transition from the standby mode to the operation mode corresponds to a control signal for causing the second switching circuit to turn on the second connection path 32.

Further, in the case where the remote operation signal is received by the communication circuit 62 in the remote operation mode, the second control circuit 61 acquires the signal S24 as remote operation information from the communication circuit 62. In this case, the second control circuit 61 may input a control signal S10 for instructing a transition from the remote operation mode to the first control circuit 23 at time T2.

In step SP11, the first control circuit 23 inputs a control signal S11 for instructing to close the second relay circuit 42 to the second relay drive circuit 52 at time T3. The second relay driving circuit 52 closes the second relay circuit 42. Thereby, the second connection path 32 is turned on, and the charging of the first smoothing capacitor included in the first rectifying and smoothing circuit 21 is started by the charging current limited by the current limiting resistor 26. In the standby mode, the phase detection circuit 24 stops operating, and the first control circuit 23 starts the phase detection circuit 24 at time T3.

In step SP12, the first control circuit 23 acquires a signal S12 indicating the detection result of the charging voltage of the first smoothing capacitor from the voltage detection circuit 25.

In step SP13, the first control circuit 23 determines whether or not the charging voltage indicated by the signal S12 is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold Vt 1.

When the charge voltage indicated by the signal S12 is smaller than the threshold value Vt1 (step SP13: no), the first control circuit 23 determines in step SP14 whether or not the time elapsed from the time T3 at which the control signal S11 is output exceeds a predetermined upper limit value.

If the time-out is not performed (no in step SP 14), the first control circuit 23 repeatedly executes the processing in steps SP13 and SP 14.

If the time-out has elapsed (yes in step SP 14), the first control circuit 23 inputs a signal S15 indicating that the operation of the washing machine 1 is defective to the second control circuit 61 in step SP 15. The second control circuit 61 displays an error message S25 indicating that the washing machine 1 has failed on the display 63, thereby displaying an error.

The charge voltage of the first smoothing capacitor gradually increases after starting charging, and reaches the threshold value Vt1 at time T4.

When the charge voltage indicated by the signal S12 is equal to or higher than the threshold value Vt1 (step SP13: yes), the first control circuit 23 acquires a signal S13 indicating a detection result of the phase of the ac voltage V0 from the phase detection circuit 24 in step SP 16.

In step SP17, the first control circuit 23 determines whether the current time point is the zero-crossing timing of the ac voltage V0 based on the signal S13. The zero-crossing timing is a timing at which the ac waveform of the ac voltage V0 crosses the time axis of the horizontal axis, that is, a timing at which the voltage value of the ac voltage V0 is zero. The zero crossing timing may be a constant time width when the voltage value of the ac voltage V0 is substantially zero, as well as the instant when the voltage value of the ac voltage V0 is zero.

In the case where the current time point is not the zero-crossing timing (step SP17: "no"), the first control circuit 23 repeatedly executes the processing of step SP17 at intervals shorter than 1/2 of the period of the waveform of the alternating-current voltage V0.

In the case where the current time point is the zero-crossing timing (step SP17: "yes"), in step SP18, the first control circuit 23 outputs a control signal S14 for instructing to close the first relay circuit 41 at time T5. The control signal S14 output from the first control circuit 23 is input to the first relay driving circuit 51. The first relay driving circuit 51 closes the first relay circuit 41. Thereby, the first connection path 31 is turned on, and the first smoothing capacitor is charged with a large charging current that is not limited by the current limiting resistor 26.

In step SP19, the first control circuit 23 inputs a control signal S11 for instructing to turn off the second relay circuit 42 to the second relay drive circuit 52. The second relay driving circuit 52 turns off the second relay circuit 42. Further, the first control circuit 23 may execute the process of step SP18 and the process of step SP19 at the same time. Alternatively, the first control circuit 23 may execute the process of step SP18 after the process of step SP19 within a range of a time difference in which the leakage current from the first smoothing capacitor does not become a problem.

Through the above-described processing, the transition from the standby mode to the operation mode is completed, and in step SP20, the washing machine 1 starts the operation mode. In the operation mode, the second control circuit 61 controls the load 12 in accordance with the program or the setting information such as the menu selected by the user, thereby sequentially executing the washing-related operations such as washing, rinsing, and dehydrating.

Fig. 6 and 7 are a flowchart and a timing chart, respectively, showing a second operation performed by the washing machine 1 in the case where the start button 64 is pressed in the standby mode.

In the second action, the first control circuit 23 executes the processing of step SP17A instead of the processing of step SP17 in the first action.

In step SP17A, the first control circuit 23 calculates the control timing of the output control signal S14 based on the signal S13 indicating the detection result of the phase of the ac voltage V0 and the delay time of the first relay circuit 41.

In a mechanical relay having a coil portion and a contact portion, a magnetic field needs to be generated to move a movable contact during relay operation. Accordingly, a delay time occurs from the output of the control signal S14 by the first control circuit 23 until the relay operation is completed (the conduction of the first connection path 31 is completed). For this delay time, there is an individual difference for each relay circuit used. Therefore, the first control circuit 23 calculates the delay time of the first relay circuit 41 mounted to the washing machine 1 based on the past operation results of the plurality of times. Then, the first control circuit 23 calculates, as a control timing of the output control signal S14, a timing (timing T6) which is shifted back by the delay time of the first relay circuit 41 from the zero-crossing timing (timing T5) subsequent to the current time point. In addition, when the delay time of the first relay circuit 41 varies due to environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, the first control circuit 23 may calculate the delay time of the first relay circuit 41 based on the last operation result or the latest operation result of a plurality of times.

In step SP18, the first control circuit 23 outputs a control signal S14 for instructing to close the first relay circuit 41 at a time T6 corresponding to the control timing calculated in step SP 17A. Thereby, the timing at which the conduction of the first connection path 31 is completed coincides with the zero-crossing timing subsequent to the current point in time.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing operations performed by the washing machine 1 in the case where washing is completed in the operation mode. As described above, the second control circuit 61 controls the load 12 in accordance with the program or the setting information such as the menu selected by the user, thereby sequentially executing the washing-related operations such as washing, rinsing, and dehydrating. The second control circuit 61 acquires information indicating that these series of actions have been completed from the load 12, whereby the washing machine 1 shifts from the active mode to the standby mode. In addition, even when the end button 65 is pressed in the operation mode, the washing machine 1 shifts from the operation mode to the standby mode.

The second control circuit 61 inputs a control signal S10 for instructing a transition from the active mode to the standby mode to the first control circuit 23. The control signal S10 for instructing the transition from the active mode to the standby mode corresponds to a control signal for causing the first switching circuit to cut off the first connection path 31.

In step SP31, the first control circuit 23 outputs a control signal S14 for instructing to turn off the first relay circuit 41. The control signal S14 output from the first control circuit 23 is input to the first relay driving circuit 51. The first relay driving circuit 51 turns off the first relay circuit 41. Thereby, the first connection path 31 is cut off, and the first smoothing capacitor starts to discharge.

In step SP32, the first control circuit 23 acquires a signal S12 indicating the detection result of the charging voltage of the first smoothing capacitor from the voltage detection circuit 25.

In step SP33, the first control circuit 23 determines whether the charging voltage indicated by the signal S12 is smaller than a predetermined threshold Vt2.

When the charge voltage indicated by the signal S12 is equal to or higher than the threshold value Vt2 (step SP33: no), the first control circuit 23 determines whether or not the time elapsed from the time point at which the control signal S11 is outputted exceeds a predetermined upper limit value in step SP 34.

If the time-out is not performed (no in step SP 34), the first control circuit 23 repeatedly executes the processing in steps SP33 and SP 34.

If the time-out has elapsed (yes in step SP 34), the first control circuit 23 inputs a signal S15 indicating that the operation of the washing machine 1 is defective to the second control circuit 61 in step SP 35. The second control circuit 61 displays an error message S25 indicating that the washing machine 1 has failed on the display 63, thereby performing an error display.

The charge voltage of the first smoothing capacitor gradually decreases from the start of discharge.

If the charging voltage indicated by the signal S12 is smaller than the threshold value Vt2 (yes in step SP 33), the first control circuit 23 starts the standby mode of the washing machine 1 in step SP 36.

According to the present embodiment, the phase detection circuit 24 detects the phase of the ac voltage V0 output from the ac power supply 11, and the first control circuit 23 turns on the first connection path 31 at the zero-crossing timing of the ac voltage V0 based on the phase detected by the phase detection circuit 24. This can suppress the inrush current flowing at the moment when the supply of the driving power P1 from the ac power supply 11 to the load 12 is started.

Further, according to the processing shown in fig. 6 and 7, the first control circuit 23 controls the timing of the output control signal S14 based on the phase detected by the phase detection circuit 24 and the delay time from the output control signal S14 until the conduction of the first connection path 31 is completed. This makes it possible to match the timing of the conduction completion of the first connection path 31 with the zero-crossing timing of the ac voltage V0 with high accuracy. As a result, the inrush current can be more effectively suppressed.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the first control circuit 23 turns on the first connection path 31 at a zero-crossing timing after the charging voltage of the first smoothing capacitor is equal to or higher than the threshold value Vt 1. This can reduce the uncharged capacitance of the first smoothing capacitor at the moment when the first switching circuit is made to conduct the first connection path 31. As a result, the inrush current can be more effectively suppressed.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the capacitance of the second smoothing capacitor included in the second rectifying and smoothing circuit 22 is smaller than the capacitance of the first smoothing capacitor, the leakage current from the second smoothing capacitor can be suppressed as compared with the first smoothing capacitor. As a result, even when the first control circuit 23 is always driven by the second rectifying/smoothing circuit 22, the power consumption of the washing machine 1 can be suppressed.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the first control circuit 23 and the second control circuit 61 can be driven at all times by the second rectifying and smoothing circuit 22 while suppressing the power consumption of the washing machine 1 in the standby state in which the driving of the first rectifying and smoothing circuit 21 and the load 12 is stopped.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the second control circuit 61 can start driving of the first rectifying and smoothing circuit 21 and the load 12 by electronic control triggered by the acquisition of the operation information from the start button 64.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the driving of the first rectifying and smoothing circuit 21 and the load 12 can be started by electronic control triggered by the acquisition of the remote operation information from the communication circuit 62. In addition, in the standby state in which the communication circuit 62 waits for the reception of the remote operation signal, the driving of the first rectifying and smoothing circuit 21 and the load 12 is stopped, so that the power consumption of the washing machine 1 can be suppressed.

(First modification)

Fig. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a circuit configuration of the washing machine 1 according to the first modification. In the washing machine 1 according to the first modification, the second rectifying and smoothing circuit 22, the second relay driving circuit 52, the communication circuit 62, the start button 64, the end button 65, and the remote button 66 are omitted from the circuit configuration shown in fig. 2. In addition, a switch 70 such as a physical switch is provided instead of the second relay circuit 42 shown in fig. 2. In the washing machine 1 according to the first modification, the standby mode and the remote operation mode are omitted from the washing machine 1 according to the embodiment. In the washing machine 1 according to the first modification, the function of always driving is omitted from the washing machine 1 according to the embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a first operation performed by the washing machine 1 in a case where the switch 70 is turned on in a state where the power of the washing machine 1 is turned off.

When the user turns on the switch 70 in a state where the power of the washing machine 1 is turned off, the second connection path 32 is turned on, and charging of the first smoothing capacitor included in the first rectifying and smoothing circuit 21 is started by the charging current limited by the current limiting resistor 26. In addition, the phase detection circuit 24 is activated.

The first control circuit 23 is activated by the charging voltage of the first smoothing capacitor included in the first rectifying/smoothing circuit 21 gradually rising from the start of charging and the charging voltage indicated by the signal S12 rising to a predetermined value or more.

In step SP41, the first control circuit 23 acquires a signal S13 indicating the detection result of the phase of the ac voltage V0 from the phase detection circuit 24.

In step SP42, the first control circuit 23 determines whether the current time point is the zero-crossing timing of the alternating voltage V0 based on the signal S13.

In the case where the current time point is not the zero-crossing timing (step SP42: "no"), the first control circuit 23 repeatedly executes the processing of step SP42 at intervals shorter than 1/2 of the period of the waveform of the alternating-current voltage V0.

In the case where the current time point is the zero-crossing timing (step SP42: "yes"), the first control circuit 23 outputs a control signal S14 for instructing to close the first relay circuit 41 in step SP 43. The control signal S14 output from the first control circuit 23 is input to the first relay driving circuit 51. The first relay driving circuit 51 closes the first relay circuit 41. Thereby, the first connection path 31 is turned on, and the first smoothing capacitor is charged with a large charging current that is not limited by the current limiting resistor 26.

In step SP44, the washing machine 1 starts the operation mode.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing a second operation performed by the washing machine 1 in a case where the switch 70 is turned on in a state where the power of the washing machine 1 is turned off.

In the second action, the first control circuit 23 executes the processing of step SP42A instead of the processing of step SP42 in the first action.

In step SP42A, the first control circuit 23 calculates the control timing of the output control signal S14 based on the signal S13 indicating the detection result of the phase of the alternating-current voltage V0 and the delay time of the first relay circuit 41. The first control circuit 23 calculates a delay time of the first relay circuit 41 mounted to the washing machine 1 based on the result of the past operation. Then, the first control circuit 23 calculates, as a control timing of the output control signal S14, a timing that is shifted back by the delay time of the first relay circuit 41 from the zero-crossing timing subsequent to the current point in time. In addition, when the delay time of the first relay circuit 41 varies due to environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, the first control circuit 23 may calculate the delay time of the first relay circuit 41 based on the last operation result or the latest operation result of a plurality of times.

In step SP43, the first control circuit 23 outputs a control signal S14 for instructing to close the first relay circuit 41 at the control timing calculated in step SP 42A. Thereby, the timing at which the conduction of the first connection path 31 is completed coincides with the zero-crossing timing subsequent to the current point in time.

According to the present modification, as in the above embodiment, the phase detection circuit 24 detects the phase of the ac voltage V0 output from the ac power supply 11, and the first control circuit 23 turns on the first connection path 31 at the zero-crossing timing of the ac voltage V0 based on the phase detected by the phase detection circuit 24. As a result, as in the above embodiment, the inrush current flowing at the moment when the supply of the driving power P1 from the ac power supply 11 to the load 12 is started can be suppressed.

(Second modification)

In the above-described embodiment, the driving of the phase detection circuit 24 is stopped in the standby mode and the remote operation mode, but the phase detection circuit 24 may be driven at all times including the standby mode and the remote operation mode by using the phase detection circuit 24 with low power consumption.

In this case, when the control signal S10 for instructing the transition from the standby mode or the remote operation mode to the operation mode is input from the second control circuit 61, the first control circuit 23 acquires the signal S13 indicating the detection result of the phase of the ac voltage V0 from the phase detection circuit 24. In step SP11, the first control circuit 23 may input a control signal S11 for instructing to close the second relay circuit 42 to the second relay driving circuit 52 at the zero-crossing timing.

According to the present modification, the first control circuit 23 turns on the second connection path 32 at the zero-crossing timing of the ac voltage V0 based on the phase detected by the phase detection circuit 24. This suppresses the current flowing at the moment when the supply of the driving power P1 from the ac power supply 11 to the load 12 is started, and reduces the energy loss by reducing the resistance value of the current limiting resistor 26.

Industrial applicability

The present disclosure can be widely applied to a vertical washing machine, a drum type washing machine, or the like.

Description of the reference numerals

1, Washing machine, 11, AC power supply, 12, load, 13, power supply control part, 14, operation part, 21, first rectifying and smoothing circuit, 22, second rectifying and smoothing circuit, 23, first control circuit, 24, phase detection circuit, 25, voltage detection circuit, 26, current limiting resistor, 31, first connecting path, 32, second connecting path, 41, first relay circuit, 42, second relay circuit, 51, first relay driving circuit, 52, second relay driving circuit, 61, second control circuit, 62, communication circuit, 63, display part, 64, start button, 65, end button, 66, remote button, 70, switch.

Claims (8)

1. A washing machine is provided with:

a load for performing a washing-related action, and

A power supply control unit that controls supply of drive power from an AC power supply to the load,

Wherein the power supply control unit includes:

A first rectifying and smoothing circuit connected between the ac power source and the load, including a first smoothing capacitor;

a first switching circuit that switches on or off a first connection path that connects the ac power supply and the first rectifying/smoothing circuit;

a phase detection circuit for detecting the phase of the AC voltage output by the AC power supply, and

The first control circuit is configured to control the first control circuit,

The first control circuit causes the first switching circuit to turn on the first connection path at a zero-crossing timing of the alternating voltage based on the phase detected by the phase detection circuit.

2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein,

The first control circuit inputs a control signal for causing the first switching circuit to turn on the first connection path to the first switching circuit,

The first control circuit controls timing of outputting the control signal based on the phase detected by the phase detection circuit and a delay time from outputting the control signal until conduction of the first connection path is completed.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

a second switching circuit for switching on or off a second connection path connecting the AC power source and the first rectifying/smoothing circuit via a current-limiting resistor, and

A voltage detection circuit that detects a charging voltage of the first smoothing capacitor,

The first connection path connects the alternating current power supply with the first rectifying and smoothing circuit in a manner of bypassing the current limiting resistor,

The first control circuit starts charging the first smoothing capacitor by the alternating current power supply by making the second switching circuit turn on the second connection path,

The first control circuit causes the first switching circuit to turn on the first connection path at the zero-crossing timing after the charging voltage becomes a threshold value or more based on the charging voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit and the phase detected by the phase detection circuit.

4. A washing machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein,

The power supply circuit further includes a second rectifying/smoothing circuit connected between the ac power supply and the first control circuit, and the second rectifying/smoothing circuit includes a second smoothing capacitor having a capacitance smaller than that of the first smoothing capacitor.

5. The washing machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein,

The control device further comprises an operation part, wherein the operation part is provided with a second control circuit connected with the first control circuit,

The power supply control unit supplies driving power from the ac power supply to the first control circuit and the second control circuit via the second rectifying/smoothing circuit in a standby state in which the first switching circuit cuts off the first connection path and the second switching circuit cuts off the second connection path.

6. The washing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein,

The operation part is also provided with an operation button,

The second control circuit receives, from the operation button, operation information indicating that the operation button has been operated, and inputs, to the first control circuit, a control signal for causing the second switching circuit to turn on the second connection path.

7. The washing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein,

The operation section further has a communication circuit that receives a remote operation signal,

The communication circuit waits in the standby state for receiving the remote operation signal,

The second control circuit inputs a control signal for causing the second switching circuit to turn on the second connection path to the first control circuit by acquiring remote operation information indicating that the communication circuit received the remote operation signal from the communication circuit.

8. A control method of a washing machine, wherein the washing machine comprises a load for performing a washing-related operation, and a power supply control unit for controlling the supply of drive power from an AC power supply to the load, the power supply control unit comprising a first rectifying/smoothing circuit connected between the AC power supply and the load and including a first smoothing capacitor, a first switching circuit for switching on or off a first connection path connecting the AC power supply and the first rectifying/smoothing circuit, a phase detection circuit for detecting the phase of an AC voltage output from the AC power supply, and

A first control circuit, in the control method of the washing machine,

The first control circuit acquires the phase detected by the phase detection circuit,

The first control circuit turns on the first connection path at a zero-crossing timing of the alternating voltage based on the acquired phase.