JP2018134259A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a user-friendly operation display panel of a washing machine which can easily discriminate an operable operation part and a display part corresponding to it in a display screen.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a washing machine body; an operation display panel provided at an upper part of the washing machine body, and having a substantially rectangular opening part; a transparent plate for covering an opening part of the operation display panel; a control device provided in the opening part of the operation display panel; a liquid crystal panel provided on the control device, and for displaying a setting condition such as dewatering and the like and residual time and the like; and a touch panel operation part mounted on a position other than the upper part of the liquid crystal panel on the rear side of the transparent plate. The touch panel operation part includes: a printed part which is mounted on the rear side of the transparent plate, and on which characters and figures are printed; and an electrode sensor mounted on the rear side of the printed part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine equipped with a liquid crystal panel that displays in response to an operation of a touch panel operation display unit.

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

  FIG. 12 is a front view of an operation display panel of a conventional washing machine described in Patent Document 1, and FIG. 13 is a detail view of a main part of a control device for the operation display panel of the washing machine.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the operation display panel 101 is insert-molded with a panel sheet 102 made of a sheet material on the upper surface. The operation display panel 101 is provided with a display unit 103. A liquid crystal panel 105 is used for the display unit 103. A push-type operation unit 106 is used for the operation display panel 101. The operation unit 106 includes a process button 106a, a course button 106b, and the like.

  By pressing the process button 106a, it is possible to change the operation time, setting conditions, and the like of washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying. The driving course can be changed by pressing the course button 106b. By pressing the washing / drying switching button 106c, the mist can be switched only for washing, washing to drying, and drying. In addition to the above, the operation unit 106 includes a power-on button 106d for turning on the power of the washing machine body, a power-off button 6e for turning off the power of the washing machine body, and a start button 106f for starting the operation of the washing machine.

  As shown in FIG. 13, a button type electric switch 107 and an LED element 108 for notifying that the operation unit 106 is pressed are provided at a position corresponding to the operation unit 106 of the operation display panel 101. A control device 109 loaded with the liquid crystal panel 105 is fixed to the resin case 110.

JP 2008-66163 A

  However, in the configuration of the operation display panel of the conventional washing machine, since the operation unit and the display unit are separated from each other, it is difficult to confirm the content set in the operation unit on the display unit, and it is difficult to operate. . In order to solve the above problems, if the display unit is configured to be touch-operable, it is difficult to distinguish between the operation unit that can be operated and the display unit on the display screen, and a part that is not the operation unit may be accidentally pressed. It was.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and provides a washing machine in which setting contents can be easily confirmed on a display unit, and an operation unit and a display unit that can be operated in a display screen can be easily distinguished. .

In order to solve the conventional problems, a washing machine of the present invention includes a washing machine body, an operation display panel provided above the washing machine body and having a substantially rectangular opening, and the operation display panel. A transparent plate covering the opening, a control device provided in the opening of the operation display panel, a liquid crystal panel provided on the control device and displaying setting conditions such as dehydration and remaining time, and the transparent plate A touch panel operation unit attached to a position other than above the liquid crystal panel on the back side of the liquid crystal panel, the touch panel operation display unit attached to the back side of the transparent plate and printing characters and figures, and the printing unit The electrode sensor attached to the back side of the touch panel allows the liquid crystal panel and the touch panel operation unit to be disposed in the vicinity and allows touch operation. Since a liquid crystal panel can not work unit and touch operation can be easily discriminated, thereby improving the operability.

  The washing machine of the present invention can arrange the display unit by the liquid crystal panel and the touch panel operation display unit in the vicinity, and can easily distinguish the place where the touch operation can be performed and the place where the touch operation cannot be performed. Can be improved.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Overall perspective view of the washing machine Plan view of the main part of the operation display panel of the washing machine AA sectional view of FIG. BB sectional view of FIG. Detailed view of the main part of the control device of the operation display panel of the washing machine (A)-(f) Front view which shows an example of the display content of the operation display panel of the washing machine Front view of transparent electrode sensor on touch panel operation part of operation display panel of the washing machine Side view of touch panel operation part of operation display panel of the washing machine The figure which shows the detection at the time of touch detection of the touchscreen operation part of the operation display panel of the washing machine Simplified diagram showing detection at the time of touch detection of the touch panel operation part of the operation display panel of the washing machine Front view of a conventional washing machine operation display panel Detailed view of the main part of the control device of the operation display panel of the washing machine

  The first invention includes a washing machine body, an operation display panel provided above the washing machine body and having a substantially rectangular opening, a transparent plate covering the opening of the operation display panel, and the operation display A control device provided in the opening of the panel, a liquid crystal panel provided on the control device for displaying setting conditions such as dehydration and remaining time, and a position other than above the liquid crystal panel on the back side of the transparent plate The touch panel operation display unit has a printing unit that is attached to the back side of the transparent plate and has characters and figures printed thereon, and an electrode sensor that is attached to the back side of the printing unit. With this configuration, the liquid crystal panel and the touch panel operation unit can be arranged in the vicinity, and the touch panel operation unit capable of touch operation and the liquid crystal panel that cannot perform touch operation can be used. Because preparative easily discriminated, thereby improving the operability.

  The second invention is particularly intuitive in that the electrode sensor of the washing machine of the first invention is configured to detect a change in capacitance when a human finger touches the transparent plate through the transparent plate. Usability can be improved by a simple operation.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the electrode sensor of the washing machine of the first or second aspect of the invention is constituted by a transparent electrode sensor, and the touch panel operation display unit has a plurality of setting units that can set a driving course and the like. In addition, by providing the light emitting units at positions facing the plurality of setting units on the control device, it is possible to easily recognize which process is currently set, and to improve usability.

  In the fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, the light emitting section of the washing machine of the third aspect of the invention can improve the recognition degree of the process being set by changing the light emission color for each of the plurality of setting sections.

  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.

  1 and 2, a water tub 13 is elastically supported in a washing machine body 12 so as to be swingable. A rotating drum 14 formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape is disposed in the water tank 13. The rotating drum 14 is disposed so as to be rotatable with the axis direction of the rotating shaft inclined downward from the front side to the back side.

  On the front side of the water tank 13, a clothing entrance 15 that leads to the opening end of the rotary drum 14 is formed. An opening 17 corresponding to the clothing doorway 15 is provided on the upward inclined surface formed at the front portion of the front frame 16 constituting the front surface of the washing machine body 12. The front frame 16 is provided with a door 18 for opening and closing the opening 17, and by opening the door 18, the laundry can be taken in and out of the rotary drum 14 through the clothing entrance 15. Since the opening 17 is provided on the upward inclined surface, the work for putting in and out the laundry can be performed without bending the waist. On the peripheral surface of the rotating drum 14, a large number of through holes 19 that communicate with the water tank 13 are formed. The rotating drum 14 is rotationally driven in the forward and reverse directions by a motor 20 provided on 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 injection and drainage into the water tank 13 is performed by controlling the water injection valve 23 and the drain valve 24.

  In FIG. 2, the operation display panel 25 is disposed between the front frame body 16 and the top plate 27. In the lower left front frame 16 of the operation display panel 25, a detergent charging case 26 is disposed so as to be able to be drawn forward. Prior to driving, the user puts the detergent into the detergent charging case 26 and then operates the operation display panel 25 to set the desired driving content, start driving, pause, or set content, progress of driving. The status etc. can be confirmed.

  The door 18 is opened and the laundry is put into the rotary drum 14 through the opening 17. When the operation is started, the water injection valve 23 is opened, and water is injected into the detergent charging case 26. The water poured into the detergent charging case 26 is poured into the water tank 13 through the water injection conduit 21 while flowing the detergent in the detergent charging case 26. When a predetermined amount of water is poured into the water tank 13, the rotary drum 14 is driven to rotate by the motor 20, and the washing process is started. The laundry in the washing step is repeatedly stirred by the rotation of the rotating drum 14 and is lifted and dropped in the rotational direction.

  After the required washing time, the drain valve 24 opens and the dirty washing liquid is discharged from the drain line 22. Thereafter, a dehydration step of dehydrating the washing liquid contained in the laundry is performed by a dehydration operation of rotating the rotary drum 14 at a high speed. After the dehydration step, water is poured into the water tank 13 from the water injection conduit 21 and the rinsing step is performed. Even in the rinsing process, the laundry is repeatedly stirred by the rotation of the rotating drum 14.

  3 is a main part plan view of the operation display panel of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. FIG. 6 is a detailed view of a main part of the control device for the operation display panel of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  3 to 6, the surface of the base portion 28 made of a transparent ABS resin is covered with a film 29 (PET film) that is insert-molded to form a decorative surface that is colored and printed. A panel opening 30 (opening) having a substantially rectangular shape is provided at substantially the center of the base 28 and the film 29.

  The panel opening 30 is an area where neither the base 28 nor the film 29 exists, and a transparent glass plate 31 (transparent plate) is attached to the operation display panel 25 on the back surface of the panel opening 30. An elastic body 32 as a waterproof means is disposed around the entire periphery of the transparent glass plate 31. The panel opening 30 is provided with a display unit 60 and a touch panel operation unit 61.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a segment type liquid crystal panel 34, a main control board 36 (control device) for controlling the liquid crystal panel 34, and the like are attached to the lower side of the transparent glass plate 31 of the display unit 60. The main control board 36 is fixed to the lower resin case 46. A touch panel dedicated IC 40 is implemented on the main control board 36. The touch panel dedicated IC 40 determines whether or not a person has performed a touch operation by inputting / outputting a signal to / from the touch panel operation display unit 38 and transmits a determination signal to the control means 39.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the touch panel operation unit 61 includes a setting button 71 and a course selection button 74 (setting unit) as touch buttons that can be touch-operated.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a printing unit 57 printed with water level, washing, rinsing, dehydration, reservation, and bath water is provided on the back surface (lower surface) of the transparent glass plate 31 of the setting button 71. A transparent electrode sensor 33 (electrode sensor) is adhered and fixed to the back surface (lower surface) of the printing unit 57 with a transparent double-sided tape 37 called “OCA”.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, printing portions 57 are printed on the back surface (lower surface) of the transparent glass plate 31 of the course selection button 74. A transparent electrode sensor 33 (electrode sensor) is adhered and fixed to the back surface (lower surface) of the printing unit 57 with a transparent double-sided tape 37 called “OCA”. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, light emitting portions 55 a, 55 b, 55 c, 55 d such as LEDs are located at positions facing the course selection button 74 (automatic, blanket, private style, delicate) on the back side of the transparent electrode sensor 33. Is provided. A light shielding component 56 is provided around the light emitting portions 55a, 55b, 55c, and 55d so that light does not leak from the side surfaces. In order to improve the degree of recognition of each course, the light emitting units 55a, 55b, 55c, and 55d may employ LEDs having different colors.

  In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal panel 34 is a display-only area. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the transparent electrode sensor 33 is not provided at a position facing the liquid crystal panel 34 on the back side of the transparent glass plate 31.

  A light emitting unit may be provided at a position corresponding to the setting button 71 on the main control board 36.

Since electrical components such as the liquid crystal panel 34 and the main control board 36 are arranged on the back side of the transparent glass plate 31, waterproofing is required. In order to ensure waterproofness, the entire outer peripheral portion of the substantially rectangular transparent glass plate 31 is covered with a frame-shaped elastic body 32 (waterproof means), and the liquid crystal panel 34, the main control board 36, etc. Electrical components are installed. Inside the upper side 41 and the lower side 42 of the panel opening 30, the transparent glass plate 31 is connected to the operation display panel 25 via the elastic body 32 in the three directions of the front side, the back side and the end side of the transparent glass plate 31. Attached between the upper resin cases 35 in a watertight manner. Inside the left side 43 and the right side 44 of the panel opening 30, the transparent glass plate 31 is connected to the operation display panel 25 and the upper resin case via the elastic body 32 in both the back side and the end side of the transparent glass plate 31. 35 is attached in a watertight manner.

  Bosses (not shown) are provided at the four corners of the periphery of the panel opening 30 on the back surface of the operation display panel 25. The upper resin case 35 and the lower resin case 46 are fastened by screws (not shown). In a state where the upper resin case 35 and the lower resin case 46 are screwed to the operation display panel 25, the elastic body 32 is pressed by the upper resin case 35 and comes into close contact with the transparent glass plate 31 and the operation display panel 25. 30 watertightness is ensured. Therefore, even if the user accidentally spills water on the panel opening 30, water does not adhere to the electrical components such as the liquid crystal panel 34 and the main control board 36 disposed therein, and the reliability of the components Can be ensured and malfunctions can be prevented.

  Since the transparent glass plate 31 is attached to the back surface of the panel opening 30 via the elastic body 32, the transparent glass plate 31 can be prevented from being damaged by an externally applied impact. For example, it is assumed that an impact load is applied to the transparent glass plate 31 when the user drops something. Moreover, it is assumed that the product falls or falls over in the middle of distribution in the product packaging state. Even in such a case, by disposing the elastic body 32 on the outer periphery of the transparent glass plate 31, a flexible structure is obtained, and damage when an impact is applied from the outside can be prevented.

  The operation display panel 25 is provided with a pressing-type pressing operation button part 48 that is completely independent from the touch panel operation display part 38. A tact switch 49 is disposed on the main control board 36 at a position corresponding to the pressing operation button unit 48.

  The pressing operation button unit 48 includes a power on button 52 for supplying power to the washing machine body 12, a power off button 73 for shutting off the power to the washing machine body 12, and a start at which the operation of the washing machine body 12 is started. There is a button 72.

  FIG. 7 is a front view showing an example of display contents of the operation display panel of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 7A is a plan view of the touch panel operation display unit in a state where the liquid crystal panel and each course selection button are all lit, FIG. 7B is a diagram showing the liquid crystal panel of FIG. (C) is a diagram showing a display printed on the back surface of the transparent glass plate 31 in FIG. 7 (a), FIG. 7 (d) is a plan view of the touch panel operation display unit when the power is turned on, FIG. ) Is a plan view of the touch panel operation display unit when the washing setting button is touched once in FIG. 7D, and FIG. 7F is a state when the blanket course button is touched once in FIG. 7D. It is a top view of a touchscreen operation display part.

  The setting button 71 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 7A, the water level setting display 75b can be changed by touching the water level setting button 75a. The washing setting display 76b can be changed by touching the washing setting button 76a. The rinse setting display 77b can be changed by touching the rinse setting button 77a. The dehydration setting display 78b can be changed by touching the dehydration setting button 78a. The reservation setting display 79b can be changed by touching the reservation setting button 79a. The bath water setting display 80b can be changed by touching the bath water setting button 80a.

  Next, the course selection button 74 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 7, there are four driving courses: an entrusted course, a blanket course, a private course, and a delicate course.

  In the automatic course display 81a, the portions of the automatic character 81b and the enclosure display 81c are printed by the printing unit 57. The automatic course display 81a can transmit light from the light emitting unit 55a disposed on the main control board 36.

  In the blanket course display 82 a, blanket characters 82 b and an enclosure display 82 c are printed by the printing unit 57. The blanket course display 82a can transmit light from the light emitting unit 55b disposed on the main control board 36.

  The private course display 83a is printed by the printing unit 57 at the location of the private letter 83b and the surrounding display 83c. The private course display 83a can transmit light from the light emitting portion 55c provided on the main control board 36.

  In the delicate course display 84a, the portion of the delicate character 84b and the surrounding display 84c is printed by the printing unit 57. The delicate course display 84a can transmit light from the light emitting unit 55d provided on the main control board 36.

  When the power is turned on, as an initial setting, among the above four courses, the automatic course is set to operate.

  As shown in FIG. 7 (d), when the power is turned on, the automatic course display 81a lights up to indicate that the automatic course is selected, and the blanket course display 82a of the other three courses, the private course The display 83a and the delicate course display 84a are turned off. In this state, if you want to change the driving course, press the blanket course display 82a, private course display 83a, or delicate course display 84a, and the selection display will move to the operated display unit. Notify that the selection change has been set.

  Next, an operation method for operating the washing machine will be described.

  When the power-on button 52 disposed on the operation display panel 25 shown in FIG. 3 is operated, power is supplied to the washing machine body, the liquid crystal panel 34 is lit, and characters and the like are displayed.

  FIG. 7D shows a display on the liquid crystal panel 34 in a power-on state.

  When the power is turned on, the Omakase Course is initially set, so the Omakase Course display 81a is lit. The entrusted character 81 b and the enclosure display 81 c are seen through the transparent glass plate 31. The user can switch the screen, change the setting contents, etc. by touching the visible screen with a finger.

  In the screen state of the liquid crystal display when the power is turned on in FIG. 7, for example, when it is desired to change the washing time from the initial value of 12 minutes, it can be changed by touching the washing setting button 76a.

  FIG. 7E shows a state where the washing setting button 76a is touched once. When the washing setting button 76a is touched once, the washing setting display 76b is changed from "12" minutes to "13" minutes, and the reservation setting display 79b is also changed from "48" minutes to "49" minutes. Thus, the washing time can be changed by the number of times the washing setting button 76a is touched.

In the screen state of the liquid crystal display at the time of power-on shown in FIG. 7D, for example, by touching the blanket course display 82a, the automatic course can be changed to the blanket course.

  FIG. 7 (f) shows a state where the blanket course display 82a is touched once from FIG. 7 (d). When the blanket course display 82a is touched once, the automatic course display 81a is turned off, and the blanket course display 82a is turned on to notify that the driving course has been changed from the automatic course to the blanket course. Further, the washing setting display 76b is changed to “16 minutes”, the reservation setting display 79b is also changed to “64 minutes”, and the water level setting display 75b is changed to “high water level”.

  After the operation setting is completed, the user operates the start button 72 disposed on the operation display panel 25 to start the operation. Note that the start button 72 is operated when it is desired to pause the operation during the operation. When it is desired to resume the operation from the temporarily stopped state, the start button 72 is operated again.

  FIG. 8 is a front view of the transparent electrode sensor of the touch panel operation unit of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a side view of the touch panel operation unit of the washing machine.

  In FIG. 8, the transparent electrode sensor 33 forms a transparent electrode 95 by depositing and depositing highly conductive indium tin oxide called ITO on a glass substrate 65 and performing etching.

  Among the transparent electrodes 95, the water level transparent electrode 85 is disposed at a position opposite to the water level setting button 75a of the liquid crystal panel 34, the transparent electrode 86 is disposed at the position opposed to the washing setting button 76a, the rinsing transparent electrode 87 is disposed at the position opposed to the rinse setting button 77a, and dehydration. The dehydrating transparent electrode 88 at the position opposite to the setting button 78a, the reserved transparent electrode 89 at the position opposite to the reservation setting button 79a, the bath water transparent electrode 90 at the position opposite to the bath water setting button 80a, and the automatic course at the position opposite to the automatic course display 81a. The transparent electrode 91, the blanket course transparent electrode 92 at the position opposite to the blanket course display 82a, the private course transparent electrode 93 at the position opposite to the private course display 83a, and the delicate course transparent electrode 94 at the position opposite to the delicate course display 84a, respectively. doing. Although not shown, the transparent electrode 95 is electrically connected to the touch panel dedicated IC 40, and the touch panel dedicated IC 40 is electrically connected to the control means 39.

  In FIG. 9, on the back surface of the transparent glass plate 31, printing units 57 for setting buttons and course selection buttons (course display) are provided. On the back surface of the transparent electrode sensor 33, a shield electrode 69 is formed by depositing a single-sided ITO film. The shield electrode 69 is connected to the GND line of the main control board 36 via the FPC wiring 70 to improve power noise resistance. The touch panel operation display unit 38 is caused by switching noise from the liquid crystal panel 34 disposed below. Prevents malfunction. The transparent electrode sensor 33 is bonded and fixed to the transparent glass plate 31 with a transparent double-sided tape 37.

  The change in capacitance is determined by the dielectric constant of the substance touched by the finger. The larger the dielectric constant, the larger the change in capacitance and the higher the sensitivity. Note that high sensitivity means that the position pressed by the finger can be recognized accurately and quickly, for example, it is difficult to cause false detection that recognizes the attachment of water droplets as being touched by the finger, and false detection due to the effect of external noise. It is difficult to do.

  For example, the dielectric constant of glass is about 9, the dielectric constant of ABS resin or PET resin is about 3, and the change in capacitance is inversely proportional to the thickness, so if the material of the part touched by the finger is a glass plate, Even if the thickness is three times that of ABS resin or PET resin, the sensitivity can be equalized.

  In the present embodiment, the transparent electrode sensor 33 is a glass substrate, but it goes without saying that a similar effect can be obtained even with a resin sheet such as PET.

  In this embodiment, the electrodes are wired only at the positions corresponding to the display portions of the liquid crystal panel so that only the positions corresponding to the display portions can be detected. Needless to say, the same performance can be obtained even if the configuration is such that the wiring can be detected by touching any part of the glass substrate.

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

  The transparent electrode 95 formed on the transparent electrode sensor 33 has a very small electrostatic capacitance component (about 2 to 3 PF), and the voltage is constantly applied to the X electrode 66 from the touch panel dedicated IC 40 with a predetermined cycle. 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 operation unit 61 is obtained. Monitor changes.

  When a person touches the transparent glass plate 31, the finger is electrically connected between the transparent glass plate 31, the transparent double-sided tape 37, and the transparent electrode sensor 33, and the electrostatic capacity component of the person (generally about 100 to 150 PF). ) Flows, and as a result, the voltage of the electrostatic capacitance component existing in the touch panel operation unit 61 detected by the touch panel dedicated IC 40 greatly changes, so that the touch panel dedicated IC 40 confirms that the touch operation has been performed, and a confirmation signal is generated. This is transmitted to the control means 39.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating detection at the time of touch detection of the touch panel operation unit of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a simplified diagram illustrating detection at the time of touch detection of the touch panel operation unit of the washing machine. is there.

  10, the X-axis direction indicates the long side of the transparent glass plate 31, the Z-axis direction indicates the short side of the transparent glass plate 31, and the Y-axis direction indicates touch sensitivity when a touch operation is performed. . FIG. 11 shows that the sensitivity is higher when the touch operation is performed in the Y-axis direction. FIG. 11 shows data in which a touch signal detected by the touch panel dedicated IC 40 is confirmed on a personal computer (not shown). 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.

  FIG. 11A shows an example of the high sensitivity when water adheres to the transparent glass plate 31, and FIG. 11B shows an example of the high sensitivity when the liquid detergent adheres to the transparent glass plate 31, 11 (c) shows an example of high sensitivity when the transparent glass plate 31 is touched with a finger.

  From this example, water having low conductivity with respect to high sensitivity has a high sensitivity of the threshold value S or less, but a highly conductive liquid detergent has high sensitivity of the threshold value S or more and malfunctions due to erroneous detection. There is a fear.

  This problem can be solved by setting the threshold value S to be higher than the sensitivity level of the liquid detergent. However, if the threshold value S is set high, the responsiveness at the time of touch operation with a finger is deteriorated and the usability is poor. There is a possibility. (C) in FIG. 11 shows an example of the high touch sensitivity by the touch operation with the finger, but the area where the finger is in contact with the transparent glass plate 31 directly affects the capacitance, so that the operation is performed. Changes in the height of touch sensitivity depending on the size of a person's finger and the instantaneous touch area when touched can also cause a decrease in responsiveness.

  The operation and effect of the operation display panel of the washing machine configured as described above will be described below.

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 9, a printing unit 57 is attached to the back surface of the transparent glass plate 31. For this reason, since the user can operate by directly touching the design of the printing unit 57 on which various settings and course display are printed via the transparent glass plate 31, the usability can be improved.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, a display unit 60 and a touch panel operation unit 61 that can be touch-operated are provided separately in the panel opening 30. With the above configuration, the display unit 60 and the touch panel operation unit 61 can be arranged in the vicinity, so that the setting content by the touch panel operation unit 61 can be easily confirmed on the display unit 60. In addition, since the printing unit 57 is attached to the back side of the transparent glass plate 31 of the touch panel operation unit 61, the touch panel operation unit 61 that can be touch-operated and the display unit 60 that cannot be touch-operated can be easily distinguished, improving operability. it can.

  In addition, by using the liquid crystal panel 34 as a segment liquid crystal, it is possible to configure a touch panel at a lower cost than a full dot liquid crystal. Further, by separating the display unit 60 and the touch panel operation unit 61, the display unit 60 can be reduced in size.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the transparent electrode sensor 33 is made into the transparent color, you may use colors other than a transparent color in this invention. In this case, it can be manufactured at a lower cost.

  Further, by using a capacitive touch panel, it is possible to detect a touch only by lightly touching the transparent glass plate 31, so that an elderly person with weak finger strength can easily operate.

  Moreover, even if water, a detergent, etc. adhere to a transparent plate, it is set as the structure which presses and seals the charging part on the back side of the transparent glass plate 31 to the panel opening part 30 of an operation display panel. As a result, it is possible to prevent water and detergent from adhering to the transparent electrode sensor 33, the liquid crystal panel 34, and the like due to the intrusion of the detergent and the liquid crystal panel 34, thereby reducing component failures and improving reliability.

  In addition, a light emitting part such as an LED is provided on the back of the course selection button, and light is transmitted through the transparent electrode sensor 33 and the transparent glass plate 31 so that it can be seen that the character or design is selected. Thus, operability can be improved.

  Moreover, visibility can further be improved by changing the light emission color of each light emission part 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d, such as LED, for every course selection button on the back of a course selection button.

  In this embodiment, the operation display panel is arranged on the front surface of the washing machine, but it goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained even when the operation display panel is arranged on the back surface of the washing machine. .

  In the present embodiment, the drum type washing machine has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a vertical washing machine.

  As described above, the operation display panel of the washing machine according to the present invention allows the setting contents to be easily confirmed on the display unit, and easily distinguishable between the operation unit and the display unit that can be operated in the display screen. The present invention can be applied to various devices around the water having an operation unit.

12 Washing machine body 25 Operation display panel 30 Panel opening (opening)
31 Transparent glass plate (transparent plate)
32 Elastic body 33 Transparent electrode sensor (electrode sensor)
34 Liquid crystal panel 36 Main control board (control device)
38 Touch panel operation display section 48 Press operation button section 55a Light emitting section 55b Light emitting section 55c Light emitting section 55d Light emitting section 57 Printing section 60 Display section 61 Touch panel operating section 71 Setting button (setting section)
74 Course selection button (setting section)

Claims (4)

The washing machine body,
An operation display panel provided above the washing machine body and having a substantially rectangular opening;
A transparent plate covering the opening of the operation display panel;
A control device provided in the opening of the operation display panel;
A liquid crystal panel that is provided on the control device and displays setting conditions such as dehydration and the remaining time, and a touch panel operation unit attached to a position other than above the liquid crystal panel on the back side of the transparent plate;
The touch panel operation unit is a washing machine having a printing unit attached to the back side of the transparent plate and printing characters and figures, and an electrode sensor attached to the back side of the printing unit. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the electrode sensor detects a change in capacitance when a human finger touches the transparent plate. The electrode sensor is composed of a transparent electrode sensor, and the touch panel operation unit has a plurality of setting units that can set a driving course and the like, at a position facing the plurality of setting units on the control device. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each has a light emitting portion. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the light emitting unit changes a light emission color for each of the plurality of setting units.

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