Abstract: Fractal operation is applied to motion of amenity products or rotating machines within a practical range and motion close to a natural phenomenon is realized by doing it. For example, a washing machine is structured so as to realize washing close to that of washing by hand. Control parameters are given to the control unit regularly and recursively by a fundamental rule and the processing is iterated. Furthermore, at least one of the control parameters is reduced, in which the reduction is effected gradually in accordance with a reduction rate and in which at least one of the reduction rate, the dimension of recursive iteration, and the number of times of self-similar iteration is given as a pseudo random number which varies within a predetermined range.

Abstract: The quality and quantity of clothes to be washed are measured with a detecting unit, the measured values are referenced to cloth quantity and quality Fuzzy functions to control the strength of wash current, wash time, and rinse time so as to be suitable for the quantity and type of clothes to be washed.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a washing and water-extracting tub, agitating blades disposed rotatably in the tub, a motor for rotating the tub or the agitating blades and a control unit for controlling operation of the motor and determining a quantity of clothes on the basis of a resistance of the clothes exerted on the agitating blades by the rotation of the agitating blades. The washing machine determines the quantity of clothes plural times while a water level is changed from a low water level to a high water level and makes calculation on the basis of the plurality of determination values to determine a kind of clothes or the quality of cloth so that the washing operation is controlled on the basis of the quantity of clothes and the determined quality of cloth.

Abstract: By using a relay of which contact is opened or closed in response to a signal from instruction and control unit, an electric power is supplied to a load unit through the contact of the relay. The relay is such that a power switch is turned on to excite a coil for closing the contact thereof. When a reserved operation is performed, the relay is turned off in response to the signal from the instruction and control unit at the time at which a reserved time and the contents of the reserved operation have been set. When the time to start the reserved operation comes, the relay is turned on again in response to the signal from the instruction and control unit to start a supply of electric power to the load unit. Power is not applied to the load unit during the waiting period until the reserved operation starts. Thus, the malfunction of the load unit due to the deterioration of the semiconductor switching elements is prevented, and a safer washing machine can be obtained.