KR100252950B1 - Method and Device for sensing unbalance of the automatic washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An unbalance sensor of an automatic washing machine is provided to perform a dehydration stroke smoothly by sensing unbalance of a washing tub and opening of a door exactly when laundry is leaning to one side of the washing tub. CONSTITUTION: Plural first/second signal transmitting holes(29,29') are formed on the upper portion in a first case(28) of an unbalance sensor(23). To compensate an unbalance part of a washing machine due to a slope of a bottom face, an isolation plate(30) is mounted with a slope. A second case(31) is assembled on the upper portion of the first case, and plural first/second signal receiving holes(36,36') are formed on the second case. If a washing tub is operated normally, a rolling member(34) is positioned in the center of the first signal transmitting hole(29). Thereby, a normal dehydration stroke is performed through signal cutoff between an infrared diode(32) and a phototransistor(33). On the contrary, if a signal is transmitted/received between an infrared diode(32') and a phototransistor(33'), the washing tub is decided as leaning to right. The balance of the washing tub is corrected.

Description

Method and device for sensing unbalance of the automatic washing machine

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to an unbalance detection apparatus and method for a fully automatic washing machine, which can accurately detect and control an unbalance of a washing tank and an open state of a door when dehydration is performed after completing washing and rinsing in a fully automatic washing machine. It is about.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine according to the prior art, Figures 2a and 2b is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the operating state of the unbalance detection switch of Figure 1, Figure 3 is an operating circuit diagram of the unbalance detection switch of Figure 1, 4 is a signal flow diagram for detecting the unbalance of the washing tank and the open state of the door during dehydration in the conventional fully automatic washing machine.

As shown in FIG. 1, the outer tub 2 is supported by a plurality of supports 3 inside the washing machine main body 1, and the washing tub 4 is rotatably installed in the outer tub 2. An unbalance detection switch 5a for detecting unbalance of the washing tank 4, a door 6 for opening / closing the outer tank, and a horizontal display device 7 for displaying whether the washing tank 4 is horizontal or not. It is composed of

As shown in FIG. 2A, when the door 6 of the washing machine is closed, the unbalance detection switch 5 installed in a predetermined region of the main body 1 is lifted by the door lever 10 and the unbalanced lever 11 by the switching lever 11. The contacts 12a and 13a of the first and second terminals 12 and 13 are connected to the sensing switch 5 to be in a conductive state.

Subsequently, when the washing tank 4 vibrates during the dehydration in the conduction state as shown in FIG. 2A, the washing tank 4 collides with the washing tank 4 and the outer tank 2 moves the unbalance detection lever 14 by a predetermined distance L. Since they are spaced apart as much as possible, the contact points 12a and 13a of the first and second terminals 12 and 13 are spaced apart as shown in FIG. 2B by the operation of the switching lever 14.

Here, when the washing tank 4 is rotated at a high speed after completing the washing and rinsing stroke, if the laundry is biased on one side of the washing tank 4, unbalance of the washing tank 4 occurs, and the washing tank 4 is made out of the outer tank ( As the outer tank 2 pushes the unbalance detection lever 14 at the same time as the collision with 2), the contacts 12a and 13a of the first and second terminals 12 and 13 are held for a predetermined time t. Only stay blocked.

In addition, when the washing machine door is not closed as shown in FIG. 2A, since there is no displacement of the door lever 10, the contacts 12a and 13a of the first and second terminals 12 and 13 are connected to the door 6. It remains blocked until it is closed.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3, when the unbalance detection switch 5a is shorted, a low level is input to the microcomputer 40, and a high level is input when it is open.

In the unbalance detection method according to the related art, as shown in FIG. 4, when the power is input, a dehydration stroke is performed (S1), and when the dehydration stroke is started, it is checked whether the input signal of the microcomputer is low level or high level (S2).

If the input signal is at a low level, dehydration is continued (S3). If a high level is input, it is determined whether the open detection time is less than or equal to a predetermined time t (S4).

If the open detection time is a predetermined time (t) or more to detect the unbalance of the washing tank to stop the dehydration stroke (S5).

When the open detection time is less than a predetermined time (t), the door is detected to open and the dehydration stroke is stopped (S6).

Therefore, when there is an input of a predetermined level in the microcomputer 40, the unbalance of the washing tub 4 is detected when the input time is shorter than the predetermined time t, and the door 6 when the input time is longer than the predetermined time t. The opening of is detected, typically a certain time (t) is 80-200n / Sec.

However, since the conventional unbalance detection switch 5a detects the opening of the door 6 and the unbalance of the washing tub 4 at the same time, the detection function of the opening of the door 6 is detected according to the unbalance detection of the washing tub 4. It is difficult, and the unbalance detection of the washing tub 4 is difficult when it is matched with the opening detection function of the door 6.

In addition, the sensing performance varies depending on the position where the unbalance sensing switch 5a is attached.

The automatic washing machine according to the prior art may cause deformation of the unbalance detection lever that protrudes to the bottom of the top cover during transportation, assembly and dismantling of the top cover on the main body during assembly and replacement of the washing machine. If it is not correct, even if the unbalance detection is accurate, the unbalance occurs every time, the washing time is delayed, there is a problem that the water consumption is exceeded.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, after completing the washing and rinsing in the automatic washing machine, the unbalanced state of the washing tank generated when dehydration proceeds in a state in which the laundry is biased to one side of the washing tank and the open state of the door It is an object of the present invention to provide an unbalance detection apparatus and method for a fully automatic washing machine capable of performing a smooth dehydration stroke in a quiet state by controlling the unbalance so as to accurately detect and perform a proper function.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine according to the prior art;

2a to 2b are views showing the operation of the unbalance detection switch according to the prior art

3 is a circuit diagram of an unbalance detection switch according to the prior art.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an unbalance detection method according to the related art.

5 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the automatic washing machine according to the present invention.

Figure 6 is a block diagram showing an unbalance detection device for a fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention

7 is a block diagram showing an operating system of the automatic washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a detailed circuit diagram of an external signal input unit of FIG. 7.

9 is a flow chart showing the operation of the unbalance detection device of the automatic washing machine according to the present invention.

10 is a flowchart illustrating an unbalance detection method of a fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for describing an unbalance detection operation of FIG. 10.

Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

20: top cover 21: door control

22: washing tank 23: unbalance detection device

24: door 25: magnet

26 Hall sensor 28 First case

29: first signal transmission hole 29 ': second signal transmission hole

30: blocking plate 31: second case

32,32 ': infrared diode 33,33': phototransistor

41: microcomputer 49: external signal input unit

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for detecting an unbalance of a fully automatic washing machine, comprising: an unbalance detecting unit for detecting an unbalanced state of a washing tank when the fully automatic washing machine is dehydrated, a magnet for detecting an opening of the door when the dehydration is performed, and a magnetic field of the magnet. It is configured to include a hall sensor for detecting the closing and opening of the door by the feature that can accurately proceed to the dewatering stroke by accurately detecting the unbalance of the washing tank and the opening of the door generated during the dehydration stroke.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an apparatus and method and method for unbalance detection of the automatic washing machine according to the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating main parts of an unbalance sensing device of the automatic washing machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the unbalance sensing device of FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, the fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention includes a top cover 20 covering a key input part of the automatic washing machine, a door control unit 21 installed inside the front cover 20, and the door. An unbalance detection device 23 for detecting an unbalanced state of the washing tub 22 when dewatering the lower portion of the control unit 21, and a magnet 25 for detecting the opening of the door 24 when dewatering at the end of the door. And, by the magnetic field of the magnet 25 is composed of a Hall sensor 26 for detecting the on / off state of the door opening / closing.

As shown in FIG. 6, the unbalance sensing device includes a plurality of first and second signal transmission holes 29 and 29 ′ formed at an upper portion of the first case 28 of the unbalance sensing device 23. In order to correct the non-horizontal portion due to the inclination of the bottom surface when the unbalance detecting device 23 is mounted in the washing machine, the blocking plate 30 is installed to be inclined at an angle, and the upper portion of the first case 28 is provided. Two cases 31 are coupled to each other, and a plurality of first and second signal receiving holes 36 and 36 ′ are formed on the second case 31.

Under the first and second signal transmission holes 29 'and 29', a plurality of infrared diodes 32 and 32 'are provided to emit light beams, and the first and second signal reception holes 36 are provided. A plurality of phototransistors 33 and 33 'are provided on the upper portion of the 36'.

In addition, a cloud member 34 formed of a circular ball or the like for stopping the dehydration stroke by detecting an unbalance of the washing tank 22 is installed in the upper portion of the blocking plate 30.

The upper outer peripheral surface of the blocking plate 30 prevents the rolling member 34 from continuously rotating when the outer tub 2 hits the main body 1 continuously, and the first and second signal transmission holes 29 ( A plurality of rolling bumps 35 for returning to the position 29 'are formed.

The unbalance detection device for a fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention configured as described above has an infrared diode 32 and a photo transistor since the rolling member 34 is located at the center of the first signal transmission hole 29 when the washing tank is in normal operation during dehydration. Since the flow of the signal is interrupted between (33), normal dehydration stroke is performed.

In addition, when strong vibration is generated in the outer tub 2 due to an abnormal operation of the washing tank during the dehydration operation, the rolling member 34 moves along the rolling guard 35 to signal between the infrared diode 32 'and the photo transistor 33'. If the flow is interrupted, it is determined that the left side is inclined and adjust the height of the washing machine.

On the contrary, when there is a signal flow between the infrared diode 32 'and the photo transistor 33', it is determined to be right biased and horizontally adjusted.

The control circuit applied to the unbalance detection device of the automatic washing machine according to the present invention configured and operated as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

Referring to FIG. 7, the control circuit notifies the operation state of the washing machine and the power supply unit 42 for supplying power to the microcomputer and various peripheral circuits by converting AC 220V power into DC 5V. Determining the operation time of the microcomputer 41 according to the buzzer drive unit 43, the display unit 44 and the key input unit 45 for displaying the operating state of the washing machine to the outside and to operate the appropriate key input, according to the predetermined frequency External interrupt unit 46 for controlling other time-related operations, reset unit 47 for stabilizing the operation of the microcomputer 31 when the power is turned on and off, and clock signals required for the operation of the microcomputer 41. Oscillation unit 48 for supplying the, and an external signal input unit 49 for inputting the detection signal applied from the unbalance detection device 5 to the microcomputer 41, and the water level supplied to the washing machine by sensing the amount of laundry Wash quantity detection unit to determine the It consists of 50.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 8, the external signal input unit 49 is an unbalance detection unit 5 (5 ′) connected to four input ports IN0 (IN1) (IN2) (IN3) of the microcomputer 41, respectively. , The push switch 37 and the drive circuits of the door control unit 2 are constituted.

First, referring to the operation of the unbalance detector 5, since the power supply voltage Vcc is applied to the infrared diode 32 and the photo transistor 33 through a plurality of resistors R1 and R2, the infrared diode ( The light beam emitted from 32 turns on the photo transistor 33 to apply an amplified signal to the first input port IN0 of the microcomputer 41 through the switching transistor Q1.

In addition, the operation of the unbalance detection unit 5 'that performs the sensing operation during the dehydration operation is applied to the infrared diode 32' and the photo transistor 33 'through the plurality of resistors R1 and R2. The light beam emitted from the infrared diode 32 'is applied to the fourth input port IN3 of the microcomputer 41 through the switching transistor Q1 by amplifying the photo transistor 33'.

Therefore, during normal dehydration, as shown in FIG. 6, the cloud member 34 blocks the first signal transmission hole 29 ′ at the center of the blocking plate 30 to block the light beam emitted from the infrared diode 32. At the same time as the photo transistor 33 is turned off, the first switching transistor Q1 is also turned off, and a low level is applied to the first input port IN0 of the microcomputer 41.

On the contrary, when the cloud member 34 deviates from the first signal transmission hole 29 'in the unbalanced state during dehydration, the light beam emitted from the infrared diode 32 reaches the photo transistor 33 and is in a conductive state. The voltage Vcc flows through the resistor R2 and the photo transistor 33, and a low level potential is applied to the base of the first switching transistor Q1 to turn on the first switching transistor Q1. 41, a high level is applied.

In addition, when the rolling member 34 rolls out of the first signal transmission hole 29 'and rolls into the signal transmission hole 29', the phototransistor 33 'is blocked because it blocks the light beam emitted from the infrared diode 32'. At the same time, a high level is applied to the fourth input port IN3 of the microcomputer 41, and the horizontal adjustment is performed by raising the left side or lowering the right side, judging from the left bias.

When the rolling member 34 does not block any of the first and second signal transmission holes 29 and 29 ', a low level is applied to the microcomputer 41, and it is determined that the right is biased to raise the right side or to the left side. Perform leveling by lowering

In addition, referring to the on / off contact operation of the push switch 36, in the on contact state of the push switch 36, the power supply voltage Vcc flows through the ground of the resistor R4 and one contact of the push switch 36. Therefore, a low level is applied to the microcomputer 41. On the contrary, in the off contact state of the push switch 36, the power supply voltage Vcc is directly connected to the second input port IN1 of the microcomputer 41 through the resistor R4. Is applied at the level.

In addition, referring to the operation of the door control unit 21 according to the door detection, when the magnet 25 installed at the end of the door 24 is located close to the hall sensor 26, the hall sensor by the magnetic field of the magnet 25 (26) is turned on to turn on the second switching transistor (Q2) so that the power supply voltage (Vcc) flows to the ground potential through the resistor (R5), so a low level is applied to the third input port (IN2) of the microcomputer (41). do.

On the contrary, when the magnet 25 is far from the hall sensor 26, that is, when the door 24 is opened, the hall sensor 26 is turned off and the second switching transistor Q1 is also cut off, so A high level power supply voltage Vcc is applied to the third input port IN2 through the resistor R5.

In the unbalance detection method of the automatic washing machine according to the present invention, first, as shown in FIG. 9, when power is input, the signal input to the microcomputer is a high level or a low level (S11), and the checked state is a high level state. When it is determined that the horizontal state has been made, the buzzer driver generates a beep and starts the washing operation (S12).

The high level means a blocking state between the signal transmission hole 32 and the first and second signal receiving holes 33, and the low level means a conduction state.

If the checked state is a low level state, it is determined whether a signal input to the microcomputer during the washing operation is a high level state or a low level state (S13).

The signal input during the laundry administration may be determined by the blocking and conduction state of the signal transmission hole 32 ′ and the first and second signal reception holes 33 ′.

If the determined state is a high level state, horizontal adjustment is performed by raising the left side or lowering the right side (S14).

If the determined state is a low level state, horizontal adjustment is performed by raising the right side or lowering the left side (S15).

Therefore, as shown in Table 1, it is determined whether the first and second signal receiving holes 32 are horizontal or biased based on the blocking / conducting state.

Further, as shown in Table 2, the left / right bias is determined as the state of the first and second signal receiving holes 32 'detected during the washing stroke.

Referring to the dehydration control operation of the automatic washing machine according to the present invention, as shown in Figure 10 and 11, after completing the washing and rinsing stroke of the laundry, the unbalance detection time and the unbalance valid time and the number of times of the detection signal is initialized and dewatering administration Start (S21).

If the dehydration administration proceeds, check whether the input signal applied to the third input port IN2 of the microcomputer related to dehydration is high level or low level (S22). It stops showing the progress state according to the display part (S23).

In the case of the high level, it is determined that the door is opened, thereby stopping the dehydration stroke and stopping the progress of the display unit according to the dehydration stroke.

Repeat the above process until the signal input to the third input port IN2 of the microcomputer enters the low level, and when the low level is input to the third input port IN2 of the microcomputer 41, dehydration operation is performed. Proceed to step (S24).

When the dehydration administration proceeds, it is checked whether the unbalance detection time is equal to or less than a predetermined time (T1) (S25), and if it is below, the washing tank unbalance detection is performed (S26).

Check whether the detected washing tank is unbalanced (S27), in the case of unbalance, abnormal operation is displayed on the display unit and an alarm sound is generated through the buzzer driving unit, and the dehydration operation is stopped (S28).

When the unbalance detection time is more than a predetermined time (T1) or when the washing tank is horizontal, it is determined whether the dehydration administration time is completed after integrating the unbalance detection time (S29).

If the dehydration administration time is not finished, the dehydration administration is continuously performed, and if the dehydration administration time is over, the dehydration administration ends.

In the subroutine, the detection of the unbalanced state of the washing tub checks whether the input signal applied to the first input port IN0 of the microcomputer 41 is low level or high level (S31).

When the input signal applied to the first input port IN0 of the microcomputer 41 is at a low level, it is determined that the dehydration operation proceeds smoothly and initializes and returns the input frequency of the detection signal and the unbalance valid time, respectively ( S32).

When the input signal is at a high level, the input frequency of the detection signal is counted and the input frequency and the unbalanced valid time of the detection signal are accumulated and stored in the memory until the detection signal reaches a predetermined number (N), and then returned. The operation is performed (S33-S34).

In this way, it is determined that the unbalance detection signal is valid only when the unbalance detection signal is input by a predetermined number N.

Check whether the input time of the detection signal is less than the predetermined time (Δt) (S35), and detects the unbalanced state of the washing tank only when the detection signal is input within the predetermined time (Δt) (S36).

If the input time of the detection signal is greater than the predetermined time Δt, the input frequency of the detection signal and the valid time of the unbalance are initialized, respectively, and are determined as an external noise signal (S37).

That is, the detection of the unbalance of the washing tank is detected as unbalance only when the input frequency N of the predetermined detection signal is input to the microcomputer 41 within the predetermined time Δt, and thus the "unbalance detection subroutine as shown in FIG. ".

After performing the unbalance detection subroutine, it is determined whether the washing tank is unbalanced, and if it is not unbalanced, the unbalance detection time is calculated and stored in memory, and dehydration is continued until the dehydration stroke end time. At the same time, the alarm sound is generated through the buzzer drive and the dehydrating stroke is stopped.

The unbalance detection apparatus and method of the automatic washing machine according to the present invention accurately detects the unbalance of the washing tank and the opening state of the door generated when the dehydration stroke is carried out in a state in which the laundry is biased on one side of the washing tank in the automatic washing machine, and each part functions properly. It can control dehydration process smoothly in quiet state, and it has the effect of minimizing a lot of time and water usage.

Claims (2)

In fully automatic washing machine, First and second signal transmitting holes, First and second signal receiving holes, A first case in which the first and second signal transmitting holes are formed; A second case in which the first and second signal receiving holes are formed; A blocking plate installed inside the first case to be inclined at an angle with respect to the first and second signal transmitting holes; First and second infrared diodes disposed under the first and second signal emitting holes, respectively, to emit light beams; And an unbalance detector configured to be disposed above the first and second signal receiving holes, respectively, the first and second photo transistors configured to receive light beams emitted from the first and second infrared diodes. Unbalance detector. In the fully automatic washing machine provided with the first and second signal receiving hole, the first and second signal receiving hole, Recognizing that the washing machine is in a horizontal state when the first signal transmitting hole and the first signal receiving hole are blocked, and performing washing operation; Recognizing that the washing machine is biased to the left side when the second signal transmitting hole and the second signal receiving hole are blocked, performing horizontal adjustment by raising the left side or lowering the right side of the washing machine; And, When the first signal transmitting hole and the first signal receiving hole are in a conductive state, and the second signal receiving hole and the second signal receiving hole are in a conductive state, the washing machine is recognized as being biased to the right and raises the right side or the left side of the washing machine. Unbalance detection method of a full automatic washing machine characterized in that it comprises a step of performing a horizontal adjustment by lowering.

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