KR100688193B1 - Wash machine and control method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine provided with a steam generator for supplying steam to the inside of a tub, wherein the conductivity of water supplied to the steam generator is detected by an electrode sensor and the steam is generated by a controller according to a detected value of the electrode sensor. Since the replacement time of the heater built in the device is determined and the replacement time of the heater is displayed to the outside through the display unit, the heater replacement time of the steam generator is accurately determined and there is an advantage that the display unit can be easily confirmed.

Drum washing machine, steam generator, control unit, display unit, heater, electrode sensor

Description

Washing machine and control method {Wash machine and control method for the same}             

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a drum washing machine according to the present invention,

2 is an exploded view of the upper surface of the drum washing machine according to the present invention;

3 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a drum washing machine according to the present invention;

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

1: drum washing machine 2: cabinet

4: spring 5: damper

6: tub 8: drum

10: lifter 12: motor

14: cabinet cover 16: door

17: gasket 18: top plate

20: water supply device 21: water supply hose

22: water supply valve assembly 22a: first cold water supply valve

22b: 2nd cold water feed valve 22c: 3rd cold water feed valve

22d: water supply valve for the first hot water 23: detergent supply device

24: external water hose 24a: first external water hose

24b: 2nd external water hose 25: internal water hose

25a: 1st internal water hose 25b: 2nd internal water hose

25c: third internal water hose 25d: fourth internal water hose

26: water supply bellows 27: steam supply hose

28: nozzle 30: drainage

32: drain hose 34: drain pump

36: bellows pipe 38: control unit

38a: control panel 38b: display panel

40: steam generator 42: casing

44: heater 50: electrode sensor

52: sensor housing 54: first electrode

56: second electrode

The present invention relates to a washing machine provided with a steam generator for supplying steam to the inside of the tub, and more particularly, to a washing machine and a control method capable of easily grasping the exact replacement time of the heater installed inside the steam generator.

In general, a washing machine is a device that washes laundry by washing, rinsing, dehydrating, drying, etc. to remove contamination from clothes, bedding, etc. (hereinafter referred to as laundry) by using water, detergent, and mechanical action. .

Such washing machines are classified into agitator type, pulsator type, and drum type washing machines according to the washing method.

The stirring type is washed by rotating the laundry rod towered on the center of the washing tank left and right, the vortex type is rotated by rotating the disk-shaped wing formed in the lower part of the washing tank left and right to wash using the friction force between the water and the cloth, the drum type The drum is rotatably arranged inside the tub so that water, detergent and cloth are put into the drum, and the drum is rotated and washed.

The washing machine is provided with a water supply device for receiving water from an external water source. The water supply device includes a water supply hose for guiding water from an external water source to a washing tub or tub inside the washing machine, and on one side of the water supply hose. It is installed is configured to include a water supply valve assembly for regulating the water supplied through the water supply hose. In addition, one side of the water supply device as described above is installed in the detergent box in which the detergent is accommodated in communication with the water supplied to the interior of the washing tub or tub.

Meanwhile, a recent washing machine is additionally provided with a steam generator for supplying high temperature steam to the inside of the washing tub or tub so that washing performance of laundry can be improved.

The steam generator is installed on a separate water supply passage formed between a washing tub or a tub from a water supply valve assembly, and receives water from the water supply valve assembly to generate high temperature steam and then supplies the steam into the washing tank or tub. .

Typically, the steam generator is provided with a casing in communication with the water supply passage, the heater is installed inside the casing to heat the water. Therefore, when the washing machine washes or rinses, steam generated by the steam generator is soaked in the laundry, thereby improving washing and rinsing performance of the washing machine.

However, in the washing machine according to the related art, when a foreign material is included in the water supplied to the water supply valve assembly, a foreign material is attached to the heater of the steam generator so that a foreign material layer is formed on the surface of the heater with a predetermined thickness. The layer not only reduces the heat transfer performance of the heater, but also causes the heater to overheat.

In addition, the amount of steam generated by the steam generating device is reduced, there is a problem that the washing performance during washing and rinsing of the washing machine is reduced.

On the other hand, since the amount of foreign matter accumulated on the surface of the heater cannot be grasped until the steam generator is disassembled, it is very difficult and inconvenient to confirm the replacement time of the heater.

Therefore, since the replacement time of the heater cannot be confirmed in a timely manner, there is a problem in that unnecessary performance degradation of the drum washing machine and the steam generator is caused by missing the replacement time of the heater.

The present invention was created in order to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is that a sensor for detecting a foreign matter accumulation amount on one side of the steam generator is installed under the same conditions as the heater of the steam generator, the surface of the heater An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine and a control method thereof, in which the amount of accumulated foreign matter can be accurately determined and the replacement time of the heater can be easily checked.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steam generator in communication with a water supply path between a water supply device and a tub, and the washing machine supplies steam to the inside of the tub during washing or rinsing. And an electrode sensor installed in the sensor to detect electrical conductivity of water supplied into the steam generator, and a controller configured to determine the amount of foreign matter attached to the heater surface of the steam generator based on the detected value of the electrode sensor. It features.

The electrode sensor includes two electrodes having a positive electrode and a negative electrode which are in direct contact with water supplied to the steam generator and are conducted through water.

In addition, the control method of the washing machine according to the present invention includes a water supply step of supplying water into a steam generator by a water supply device, a sensing step of detecting conductivity of water supplied into the steam generator by an electrode sensor, and According to the detection value of the electrode sensor, the amount of foreign matter attached to the heater of the steam generator is calculated by the controller to determine the replacement time of the heater, and the replacement time of the heater determined by the controller through the display unit Characterized in that the display step is displayed to the outside.

Here, a power applying step in which power is applied to the electrode sensor is disposed between the water supply step and the sensing step only when the operation of the heater is stopped.

The determining step may include a calculation process of calculating a foreign matter accumulation amount of the heater by comparing the conductivity of the electrode sensor with a conductivity preset in the controller, and a replacement time of the heater according to the foreign matter accumulation amount of the heater calculated in the calculating process. The decision process is made.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a drum washing machine according to the present invention, Figure 2 is an exploded view of the upper surface of the drum washing machine according to the present invention.

1 and 2, the drum washing machine of the present invention is provided with a cabinet (2) forming an exterior of the drum washing machine (1), and installed inside the cabinet (2), with a spring (4) and a damper ( 5) a tub (6) supported by and receiving detergent and water, a drum (8) rotatably installed inside the tub (6) and having a plurality of through holes (8a) formed therein, and having laundry contained therein; A lifter 10 mounted on the inner side of the drum 8 to lift the laundry upon rotation of the drum 8 and dropping the laundry by gravity at a predetermined height, and is mounted to the rear of the tub 6. A motor cover 12 connected to the drum 8 and a rotating shaft, a cabinet cover 14 mounted on the front of the cabinet 2 and having a laundry entrance 14a for inputting and withdrawing laundry, and the cabinet cover ( Rotatable to the cabinet cover 14 to open and close the laundry entrance 14a of It is installed on the internal side of the installed door 16 and the cabinet (2) comprises a steam generator 40 for supplying steam to the interior of the tub (6).

Between the inlet of the tub (6) and the laundry inlet (14a) of the cabinet cover 14, the gasket 17 to mitigate the impact caused by the rotation of the drum (8) and to prevent the washing water from overflowing to the outside This is installed.

The top plate 18 is mounted on the upper surface of the cabinet 2, and a water supply device 20 is installed below the top plate 18 to supply water and detergent to the tub 6 from an external water source. do.

The water supply device 20 is formed between the tub 2 and the external water source, the water supply hose 21 for guiding water to the tub 6 and the cabinet 2 in communication with the water supply hose 21. It is installed to be in communication with the water supply valve assembly 22 for intermittent the flow of water flowing into the water supply hose 21 and the water supply hose 21 between the water supply valve assembly 22 and the tub 6 It comprises a detergent supply device 23 for supplying a detergent to the tub (6).

Here, the water supply hose 21 is an external water supply hose 24 connected between the water supply valve assembly 22 and an external water source, and an internal water supply hose connected between the water supply valve assembly 22 and the detergent supply device 23. And a water supply bellows 26 connected between the detergent supply device 23 and the water supply valve assembly 22.

The water supply valve assembly 22 is divided into a cold water supply valve assembly 22a, 22b and 22c receiving cold water from the outside, and a hot water supply valve assembly 22d receiving hot water from the outside. First and second external water supply hoses 24a and 24b are connected to the water supply valve assemblies 22a, 22b and 22c and the water supply valve assembly 22d, respectively.

The cold water feed valve assembly 22a, 22b, 22c includes a first cold water feed valve 22a connected by the detergent supply device 23 and the first internal water supply hose 25a, and the detergent supply device 23. ) And a second cold water feed valve 22b connected by the second internal water supply hose 25b, and a third cold water feed valve connected by the steam generator 40 and the third internal water supply hose 25c. 22c).

The hot water feed valve assembly 22d includes a first hot water feed valve 22a connected by the detergent supply device 23 and the fourth internal water feed hose 25d.

Accordingly, a plurality of water supplies are provided in the drum washing machine 1 by the external water supply hoses 24a and 24b, the water supply valves 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d and the internal water supply hoses 25a, 25b, 25c and 25d. A flow path is formed.

In addition, the detergent supply device 23 has an inlet connected to the first and second internal water supply hoses 25a and 25b, an outlet connected to the water supply bellows 26, and the detergent is accommodated on the internal flow path. It is formed into a box shape.

The detergent supply device 23 is supplied to the tub 6 while the detergent is washed down in the water flowing through the first and second internal water supply hoses 25a and 25b, and the first and second cold storage water supplies are supplied. As the valves 22a and 22b are selectively opened and closed, the amount of detergent supplied to the tub 6 is appropriately adjusted according to the main washing and the pre-washing.

The drainage device 30 is installed at the lower side of the tub 6 to discharge water used for washing and rinsing to the outside, and the drainage device 30 is outside the tub washing machine 1. Drain hose (32) for guiding the water of the water, a drain pump (34) which is installed in communication with the drain hose (32) to pump the water of the tub (6), the drain pump (34) and the tub ( 6) is composed of a bellows pipe 36 connected in communication therebetween.

That is, as the drain pump 34 is pumped, water stored in the tub 6 through the bellows pipe 36 is discharged to the outside along the drain hose 32 through the drain pump 34. .

A control unit 38 for controlling the operation of the drum washing machine 1 is installed at the upper side of the cabinet cover 14, and the control unit 38 is provided with an operation unit 38a for operating the operation of the drum washing machine 1. In addition, the display unit 38b for displaying the operation of the drum washing machine 1 is formed.

The steam generator 40 is installed on one side of the cabinet 2 to supply steam to the tub 6 during washing or rinsing so as to improve the washing performance of the drum washing machine 1.

Of course, the steam generator 40 is installed at various positions of the cabinet 2 according to the internal structure of the drum washing machine 1, is fastened and fixed to the inner surface of the cabinet (2).

The steam generator 40 is installed in communication with the water supply flow path formed between the water supply valve assembly 22 and the tub 6, is connected to the detergent supply device 23 and the water to the tub (6) It is preferable that the water supply passage for supplying detergent is installed on a separate water supply passage.

Specifically, the third internal water supply hose 25c is connected between the steam generator 40 and the water supply valve assembly 22 to supply water to the steam generator 40, and the steam generator 40 The steam supply hose 27 is connected between the tub 6 and the tub 6 so that steam is supplied into the tub 6.

One end of the steam supply hose 27 is connected to communicate with the steam generator 40, and the other end is connected to communicate with the inside of the gasket 17. The steam supply hose 27 is made of a heat resistant material to withstand high temperature steam. .

Of course, a nozzle 28 for injecting steam into the inlet of the tub 6 is provided in communication with the other end of the steam supply hose 27 disposed inside the gasket 17, and by the nozzle 28. Steam passes through the inlet of the tub 6 and is discharged to the laundry contained in the drum 8.

In the steam generator 40 installed as described above, an inlet 42a to which the third internal water supply hose 25c is connected is formed at one side, and an outlet 42b to which one end of the steam supply hose 27 is connected is provided. And a casing 42 formed on the other side, and a heater 44 disposed on an inner flow path of the casing 42 and generating water by heating water introduced through the third internal water supply hose 25c. do.

The casing 42 is formed of a material having excellent thermal insulation performance so that heat of the heater 44 is not transferred to an external component, and a pupil having a predetermined size forming a flow path is formed therein.

The heater 44 is a heat transfer mechanism that is provided with a plurality in the inner flow path of the casing 42 to heat the water flowing along the inner flow path of the casing 42 to generate steam. That is, the water flows while the water is in contact with the surface of the heater 44, and when the power is applied to the heater 44, the contacted water is heated by heat radiated through the surface.

As the heater 44 is used for a long time, various foreign matters contained in water are attached to the surface to form a foreign material layer having a predetermined thickness.

On the other hand, one side of the steam generator 40 is provided with an electrode sensor 50 for detecting the conductivity of the water supplied to the steam generator (40).

The electrode sensor 50 is installed inside the steam generator 40 to have the same installation conditions as the heater 44, but is preferably installed so as not to contact the heater 44.

Specifically, the electrode sensor 50 is installed through the casing 42 of the steam generating device 40 to be in direct contact with the water flowing into the casing 42, the inlet of the casing 42 It is installed close to (42a) to ensure accuracy of water conductivity measurement.

When the electrode sensor 50 is installed in the lower portion of the casing 42, the contact with the water flowing into the casing 42 is more smooth, and if the electrode sensor 50 is installed close to the inlet 42a of the casing 42 The conductivity of the water flowing into the casing 42 is measured before the foreign matter accumulation in contact with the heater 44 proceeds.

In addition, the electrode sensor 50 is detachably installed at the lower portion of the casing 42 to facilitate replacement.

The electrode sensor 50 as described above has a sensor housing 52 installed to penetrate the lower portion of the casing 42, and water protruded on one side of the sensor housing 52 and introduced into the casing 42. And a second electrode 56 protruding on the other side of the sensor housing 52 to be spaced apart from the first electrode 54 by a predetermined distance in direct contact with the first electrode 54.

The first electrode 54 and the second electrode 56 are conductors having an anode and a cathode, respectively, and conduct conductivity through water supplied into the casing 42 to measure conductivity of water.

On the other hand, since the first electrode 54 and the second electrode 56 is in direct contact with the water supplied like the heater 44, various foreign substances contained in the water supplied by the water supply device 20 is It is attached to the surfaces of the first electrode 54 and the second electrode 56.

Accordingly, a foreign material layer is formed on the surfaces of the first electrode 54 and the second electrode 56 to have the same thickness as that of the heater 44, and the foreign material layer acts as an insulating layer, thereby providing the first electrode ( The conduction between the 54 and the second electrode 56 is interrupted and the conductivity detection value is lowered.

The electrode sensor 50 transmits the measured conductivity of water to the control unit 38, and the control unit 38 uses the detected values of the conductivity of the first electrode 54 and the second electrode 56. The amount of foreign matter accumulated on the surfaces of the first electrode 54 and the second electrode 56 is determined.

Here, since the amount of foreign matter accumulated on the surfaces of the first electrode 54 and the second electrode 56 is almost the same as the amount of foreign matter accumulated on the surface of the heater 44, the electrode sensor 50 causes the The amount of foreign matter accumulated on the surface of the heater 44 can be determined indirectly.

Looking at the control method of the washing machine according to the present invention configured as described above are as follows.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a drum washing machine according to the present invention.

First, when the drum washing machine 1 is operated after the power is applied, the washing course and the water level are determined by the controller 38 according to the quantity of laundry put into the drum 8, and the water supply device 20 is operated. Water is supplied to the tub 6 up to the set water level. (See S1)

That is, the water supply valve assembly 22 of the water supply device 20 is selectively opened and closed, so that water and detergent are supplied into the tub 6 through the water supply hose 21 and the detergent supply device 23. Instead, steam is supplied into the tub 6 through the water supply hose 21 and the steam generator 40.

Here, the hot water supply valve assembly 22d of the water supply valve assembly 22 is supplied with hot water from the outside through the second external water supply hose 24b, and is opened and closed by the first hot water supply valve 22d. Hot water is delivered to the detergent supply device 23 through the fourth internal water supply hose 25d.

The cold water feed valve assemblies 22a, 22b, and 22c of the feedwater valve assembly 22 are delivered with cold water from the outside through the first external water supply hose 24a, and the first and second cold water feed valves 22a. Cold water is delivered to the detergent supply device 23 through the first and second internal water supply hoses 25a and 25b by the opening and closing action of 22b), and the cold water is opened and closed by the third cold water supply valve 22c. It is delivered to the steam generator 40 through the third internal water supply hose (25c).

When the water supply valve assembly 22 is opened and water is supplied to the tub 6 as described above, the controller 38 determines whether the heater 44 of the steam generator 40 is operated. See S2)

The controller 38 can easily determine whether the heater 44 is operating by checking an on / off state of a power source connected to the heater 44.

If the power supplied to the heater 44 is turned on, since the water supplied into the casing 42 of the steam generator 40 by the heater 44 is heated and evaporated into steam, the electrode Since the conductivity measurement of the sensor 50 is impossible or inaccurate, the power supply of the electrode sensor 50 is turned off and the conductivity measurement of water is stopped.

Even when the power supply of the electrode sensor 50 is off, the drum washing machine 1 is normally operated in a predetermined washing course after the water supply is continuously performed to wash the laundry put into the drum 8.

On the other hand, when the power supplied to the heater 44 is off, the water supplied into the casing 42 of the steam generator 40 by the heater 44 is not heated, the generation of steam is stopped Therefore, since the conductivity of the electrode sensor 50 can be measured, the power of the electrode sensor 50 is turned on, so that the conductivity of water by the electrode sensor 50 is measured. (See S3 and S4. )

When power is applied to the electrode sensor 50, the first electrode 54 and the second electrode 56 have an anode and a cathode, respectively, and the first electrode 54 and the second electrode 56 are supplied with water. The conductivity of water is measured as it conducts water.

At this time, foreign matters contained in the water supplied to the steam generator 40 are attached to the surfaces of the first electrode 54 and the second electrode 56 so that the foreign matter having a predetermined thickness as in the heater 44. A layer is formed, and the conductivity detection value of the electrode sensor 50 also decreases according to the thickness of the foreign material layer.

The control unit 38 receives the conductivity detection value of the electrode sensor 50 and compares it with a preset conductivity table, so that the first electrode 54, the second electrode 56, and the heater corresponding to the conductivity detection value. The foreign matter accumulation amount of (44) is found (see S5).

Here, the predetermined conductivity table is a data obtained through a number of experiments in the design of the drum washing machine, the foreign matter accumulation amount according to the change of the conductivity detected by the electrode sensor 50 is set, the drum washing machine 1 is It is stored in advance in the control unit 38 before shipping.

As described above, when the amount of foreign matter accumulated on the surfaces of the first electrode 54, the second electrode 56, and the heater 44 is calculated, the amount of the foreign matter accumulated is compared with a reference value to determine the replacement time of the heater 44. (See S6).

If the amount of the foreign matter accumulated is greater than or equal to the reference value, the performance of the heater 44 is reduced by the foreign matter layer accumulated on the surface of the heater 44, and a problem occurs in the safety and efficiency of the steam generator 40. do.

Therefore, the control unit 38 closes the water supply valve assembly 22 to stop the water supply by the water supply device 20 and the user through the display unit 38b that it is necessary to replace the heater 44. (See S7, S8).

As described above, the display unit 38b informs the user of the point in time at which the heater 44 needs to be replaced, so that the replacement time of the heater 44 is easily determined, and the replacement of the heater 44 is performed in a timely manner. Unnecessary deterioration of the heater 44 is also prevented.

On the other hand, if the calculated amount of foreign matter accumulation is less than the reference value, since the deterioration of the performance of the heater 44 is not large due to the foreign matter layer accumulated on the surface of the heater 44, the efficiency of the steam generator 40 is also allowed. It is possible.

Therefore, the drum washing machine 1 is normally washed, rinsed, and dewatered in accordance with the set washing method after water supply is completed. (See S9 and S10.)

In this case, an estimated time for replacing the heater 44 may be calculated by the controller 38 and displayed on the display unit 38b.

As described above, the washing machine and the control method thereof according to the present invention have been described with reference to the illustrated drawings. Of course this is possible.

Washing machine and control method according to the present invention configured as described above is the conductivity of the water supplied to the steam generator is detected by the electrode sensor and the replacement of the heater built in the steam generator by the control unit in accordance with the detection value of the electrode sensor Since the timing is determined and the replacement time of the heater is displayed to the outside through the display unit, the heater replacement time of the steam generator is accurately determined and there is an advantage that the display unit can be easily confirmed.

In addition, since the heater replacement time of the steam generator is easily confirmed through a display unit, the heater is replaced in a timely manner, thereby preventing the performance of the steam generator from being lowered, and the post-management of the steam generator is facilitated, thereby improving convenience of use. There is an advantage.

In addition, the foreign matter is not attached to the heater surface of the steam generator more than the allowable value, the risk of fire due to the overheating of the heater is reduced, and the performance of the purification unit can be ensured to improve the product reliability effect have.

Claims (5)

A washing machine provided with a steam generator in communication with a water supply path between a water supply device and a tub so that steam is supplied into the tub, An electrode sensor installed at one side of the steam generator to detect an electrical conductivity of water supplied into the steam generator, and determining the amount of foreign matter attached to the heater surface of the steam generator based on a detection value of the electrode sensor Washing machine comprising a control unit. The method of claim 1, The electrode sensor is a washing machine, characterized in that it comprises two electrodes having a positive electrode and a negative electrode which is in direct contact with the water supplied to the steam generating device and is conducted through the water. A water supply step of supplying water into the steam generator by the water supply device; A sensing step of detecting conductivity of water supplied into the steam generator by an electrode sensor; A determination step of determining a replacement time of the heater by calculating the amount of foreign matter attached to the heater of the steam generator according to the detected value of the electrode sensor by the controller; The control method of the washing machine, characterized in that made in the display step of displaying the replacement time of the heater determined by the control unit to the outside through the display unit. The method of claim 3, wherein And a power application step in which power is applied to the electrode sensor only when the operation of the heater is stopped between the water supply step and the detection step. The method according to claim 3 or 4, In the determining step, the replacement time of the heater is determined according to the calculation process of calculating the foreign matter accumulation amount of the heater by comparing the conductivity of the electrode sensor with the conductivity set in the controller, and the foreign matter accumulation amount of the heater calculated in the calculating process. The control method of the washing machine characterized in that consisting of a decision process.

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