KR100713949B1 - Washing machine and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine and a control method thereof, and an object thereof is to accurately identify and display a cause of an error when an error occurs during a water supply or drainage operation of the washing machine.

To this end, the present invention, the control method of the washing machine, the step of checking whether there is a water level change during water supply or drainage operation, if there is no water level change sensing the ambient temperature of the washing machine; And comparing the detected washing machine ambient temperature with a predetermined reference temperature and displaying the cause of the water supply or drainage error according to the comparison result.

Description

Washing machine and control method

1 is an operation flowchart of a method for detecting a water supply or drainage error in a conventional washing machine;

2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a washing machine according to the present invention;

3 is a control block diagram of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is an operation flowchart of a first method for detecting a water supply or drainage error in a washing machine according to the present invention;

5 is an operation flowchart of a second method for detecting a water supply or drainage error in a washing machine according to the present invention.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

11: tank 19: drainage

19b: drain valve 19c: drain pump

20: water supply device 22: water supply valve

30: temperature sensor 110: water level detection unit

120: control unit 140: display unit

The present invention relates to a washing machine and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a washing machine and a control method for accurately determining and displaying the cause of error when an error occurs during water supply or drainage operation of the washing machine.

In general, a washing machine (typically, a drum washing machine) is a device that allows washing to be performed by a force that pulls up and washes laundry inside thereof when the cylindrical rotating drum rotates, and is compared with a conventional pulsator type washing machine. The washing time is long, but the demand is increasing due to less damage to the fabric and less water consumption.

The washing machine supplies water into the tank for washing and rinsing, and after washing and rinsing, the washing machine performs a washing operation through a series of water supply or draining operations for draining the water inside the tank.

However, in winter, such as winter, the water supply valve for controlling the water supply into the tank and the drain valve (or drain pump) for controlling the drainage inside the tank are frozen, so water supply or drainage errors frequently occur during the water supply or drainage operation of the washing machine. If the consumer continues to operate the washing machine without knowing this, the parts may be damaged by excessive manipulation such as a valve.

In order to prevent this, conventionally, as shown in Figure 1, during the water supply or drainage operation (S400) of the washing machine checks whether there is a water level change in the water tank (S410) if the water level change is not checked for a predetermined time, a water supply or drainage error is generated. (S420) to prevent the user from excessive operation.

By the way, such a conventional method can prevent the user's unduly manipulation when a water supply or drainage error occurs, but the consumer does not distinguish the separate information (cause of defective parts or freezing failure) about the cause of the error. Request for unnecessary services (5-7 times as usual in winter) without coping with the occurrence (S430), unnecessary service requests will reduce the satisfaction of the product and have a problem of cost generation.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the above conventional problems, the object of the present invention is to determine whether there is a water level change during the water supply or drainage operation of the washing machine to primarily detect the water supply or drainage error, water supply or drainage error The present invention provides a washing machine and a control method thereof to detect the ambient temperature of the washing machine to accurately determine the cause of the error.

Another object of the present invention, by checking the water level change during the water supply or drainage operation of the washing machine to detect the water supply or drainage error primarily, and if the water supply or drainage error occurs by detecting the ambient temperature of the washing machine to accurately determine the cause of the error The present invention provides a washing machine and a control method thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine and a method of controlling the same, which are able to proactively cope with the occurrence of an error by displaying the cause of error and the consumer's action accordingly, and increase the product satisfaction.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a control method of a washing machine, the method comprising: checking whether there is a water level change during a water supply or drainage operation and detecting an ambient temperature of the washing machine if there is no water level change; And comparing the detected washing machine ambient temperature with a predetermined reference temperature and displaying the cause of the water supply or drainage error according to the comparison result.

The reference temperature is characterized in that the freezing determination temperature for determining the washing machine frozen state.

The displaying of the cause of the water supply or drainage error may include displaying a water supply or drainage freezing error due to freezing of the washing machine when the ambient temperature of the washing machine is less than or equal to a reference temperature.

The displaying of the cause of the water supply or drainage error may include displaying a water supply or drainage failure error due to a defective part if the ambient temperature of the washing machine is not lower than a reference temperature.

In addition, the present invention provides a control method of a washing machine, the method comprising: checking a water level change amount during a water supply or drainage operation; Detecting a water supply or drainage error by comparing the checked water level change amount with a predetermined reference water level change amount; Detecting ambient temperature of the washing machine when a water supply or drainage error is detected; And comparing the detected washing machine ambient temperature with a predetermined reference temperature and displaying the cause of the water supply or drainage error according to the comparison result.

The reference water level change amount is a control method of a washing machine, characterized in that the reference value for determining the water level change in a predetermined time during water supply or drainage operation.

The reference value is the same or different depending on the water supply or drainage operation.

In addition, the present invention is a washing machine having a water supply device and a drainage device, the water level detection unit for detecting a change in the water level in the water tank by the operation of the water supply device or the drainage device; A temperature sensor detecting an ambient temperature of the washing machine; A control unit for detecting a water supply or drainage error by checking the detected water level change, and determining a cause of the water supply or drainage error based on the detected ambient temperature when detecting a water supply or drainage error; And a display unit for displaying a cause of occurrence of the determined water supply or drainage error.

The controller may determine that the water supply or drainage freezing error due to freezing of the washing machine when the ambient temperature is less than the reference temperature by comparing the detected ambient temperature with a predetermined reference temperature.

The controller may be further configured to compare the detected ambient temperature with a predetermined reference temperature and determine that the water supply or drainage failure due to a component defect is not achieved if the ambient temperature is not lower than the reference temperature.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a washing machine according to the present invention.

In FIG. 2, the washing machine of the present invention is for fresh water of washing water, and a drum-shaped water tank 11 installed inside the main body 10 and a rotating drum rotatably installed in the water tank 11. 12).

The water tank 11 is installed so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle α with respect to the installation surface of the washing machine as a whole so that the front portion 11a on which the inlet 11b is formed is higher than the rear portion 11c. The rotating drum 12 installed therein is inclined so that the front portion 12a having the inlet 12b formed in the same shape as the water tank 11 is positioned higher than the rear portion 12c.

That is, the rotating drum 12 is installed such that the front portion 12a having the inlet 12b faces the front upper portion so that the center of rotation line “A” is inclined at a predetermined angle α with respect to the installation surface of the washing machine. do. At this time, the rotating drum 12 is rotatably supported in the center of the rear of the water tank 11 by the rotating shaft 13 coupled to the center of the rear portion 12c is rotatable inside the water tank 11.

In addition, a plurality of through holes 12d are formed around the rotating drum 12, and a plurality of lifters are formed on the inner surface of the rotating drum 12 to allow the laundry to rise and fall when the rotating drum 12 rotates. 14) is installed.

On the outside of the rear portion 11c of the water tank 11, a motor 15 is installed as a driving device for rotating the rotating shaft 13 connected to the rotating drum 12 to perform washing, rinsing, and dehydration operations. In the lower side of the) is provided a laundry heater 16 for heating the wash water supplied into the water tank (11).

The motor 15 includes a stator 15a fixed to the rear portion 11c of the water tank 11, a rotor 15b disposed in a rotatable state outside the stator 15a, and a rotor 15b. It consists of a rotating plate 15c which connects the rotating shaft 13.

In addition, the front part of the main body 10 corresponds to the inlet 12b of the rotating drum 12 and the inlet 11b of the water tank 11 so that the laundry can be put into the inside of the rotating drum 12 or the laundry can be taken out therein. An inlet 17b is formed at an open position, and the door 17b is provided at the inlet 17b to open and close the inlet 17b.

A detergent supply device 18 for supplying detergent and a water supply device 20 for supplying washing water are installed at an upper portion of the water tank 11, and water in the water tank 11 is provided at a lower portion of the water tank 11. In order to drain the water, a drain 19 including a drain pipe 19a, a drain valve 19b, and a drain pump 19c is provided.

The detergent supply device 18 is divided into a plurality of spaces inside, and is installed on the front side of the main body 10 so that the user can easily put detergent and softener into each space.

The water supply device 20 includes a water supply pipe 21 for supplying water toward the water tank 11 and a water supply valve 22 installed in the water supply pipe 21 to control the water supply by opening and closing the flow path of the water supply pipe 21. . At this time, the water supply pipe 21 is connected to the detergent supply device 18 so that water supplied from the outside can be supplied toward the detergent supply device 18. In addition, a separate connecting pipe 23 is installed between the detergent supply device 18 and the water tank 11 so that water passing through the detergent supply device 18 can be supplied to the water tank 11, and the connection pipe 23 is provided. At the outlet of the water supply nozzle 24 is installed.

This allows the water supplied into the water tank 11 to pass through the detergent supply device 18 so that the detergent in the detergent supply device 18 can be supplied to the water tank 11 in a state in which the detergent is dissolved in water.

In addition, the upper side of the main body 10 has a temperature sensor 30 for detecting the temperature of the location where the washing machine is installed, that is, the ambient temperature is installed, the water supply valve 22, the drain valve 19b, drainage in winter, such as winter The freezing path of the washing machine including the pump 19c is sensed.

Meanwhile, in one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature sensor 30 is installed on the upper side of the main body 10 as an example, but the position of the temperature sensor 30 is not limited thereto, and may sense the washing machine ambient temperature. Can be installed in any location.

3 is a control configuration diagram of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the signal input unit 100, the water level detection unit 110, the control unit 120, the driving unit 130, and the display unit ( 140).

The signal input unit 100 inputs the washing course selected by the user according to the material of the laundry and operation information such as washing temperature, dehydration rpm, rinsing addition, etc. to the control unit 120, and the water level detecting unit 110 uses the water tank 11 By detecting the water level of the wash water supplied to the), and detects the water level data inside the water tank (11) that changes according to the amount of the wash water is drained or drained during the water supply or drainage operation of the washing machine and inputs to the controller 120 .

The control unit 120 is a microcomputer that controls the washing machine according to the operation information input from the signal input unit 100, and determines whether there is a water level change in the water tank 11 during the water supply or drainage operation, or changes the water level change amount for a predetermined time. Check and detect water supply or drainage error first, and if water supply or drainage error occurs, detect the ambient temperature of the washing machine to determine whether the cause of water supply or drainage error is a faulty error due to defective parts or a freezing error due to freezing of winter parts. Determine exactly

In addition, the control unit 120 has a built-in timer for checking the water level change amount of the water tank 11 for a predetermined time during water supply or drainage operation, and determines the reference water level change amount (water supply or drainage error) for determining the water supply or drainage error. Data such as the lowest possible water level change and the freezing determination temperature (the ambient temperature of the washing machine where the valve or pump can freeze during winter) are stored in a ROM table and stored in advance.

The driving unit 130 drives the motor 15, the washing heater 16, the drain valve 19b, the drain pump 19c, the water supply valve 22, and the like according to the drive control signal of the controller 120.

The display unit 140 displays the cause of the water supply or drainage error (bad error or freezing error) and the ambient temperature according to the display control signal of the control unit 120, and the consumer measures (service request, consultation action) according to the error occurrence. Or consumer action) is also displayed on the notice.

Hereinafter, the operation process and the effect of the washing machine and the control method configured as described above will be described.

Put the laundry inside the rotating drum 12, and when the consumer selects the driving information, such as washing course and washing temperature, dehydration rpm, rinse addition according to the material of the laundry, the operation information selected by the consumer through the signal input unit 100 It is input to the control unit 120.

Therefore, the control unit 120 starts washing and rinsing administration according to the driving information input from the signal input unit 100.

First, when water is started for washing or rinsing, the water supply valve 22 of the water supply device 20 is opened and water (washing water or rinsing water) is supplied to the water tank 11 via the detergent supply device 18. The water level inside the water tank 11 starts to change.

Similarly, when the drainage starts after washing or rinsing, the drain valve 19b of the drainage device 19 opens and the drain pump 19c is driven to drain the water (washing water or rinsing water) inside the water tank 11 so as to drain the water tank. (11) The internal water level starts to change.

The present invention relates to an algorithm for detecting a water supply or drainage error by checking a water level change during the water supply or drainage operation. Since the series of algorithms are the same during water supply or drainage operation, the water supply or drainage operation is not separately described. It will be described as a combination as shown in FIG.

4 is an operation flowchart of a first method for detecting a water supply or drainage error in the washing machine according to the present invention.

In FIG. 4, during the water supply or drainage operation (S200), the water level data inside the water tank 11 that changes according to the amount of water to be supplied or drained is detected by the water level detection unit 110 and input to the controller 120.

Therefore, the controller 120 determines whether there is a water level change in the water tank 11 for a predetermined time (S210), and if there is a water level change for a predetermined time, it is determined that there is no water supply or drainage error, and then proceeds to the next stroke according to the washing course ( S211).

On the other hand, if there is no water level change for a certain time, the controller 120 primarily determines that the water supply or drainage error, and then to determine the cause of the water supply or drainage error, the ambient temperature (where the washing machine is installed through the temperature sensor 30) T) is detected (S220).

Accordingly, the controller 120 determines whether the detected washing machine ambient temperature T is equal to or less than a predetermined freezing determination temperature Ts (reference temperature for determining a washing machine freezing state in which a valve or a pump can be frozen during winter). (S230), if the washing machine ambient temperature (T) is less than the freezing determination temperature (Ts), it is determined that the cause of water supply or drainage error is a freezing error due to freezing of parts (water supply valve, drain valve or drain pump) in winter (140). ) And displays a letter or symbol corresponding to "water or drainage freezing error occurrence" and the ambient temperature at this time so that consumers can accurately determine the cause of the error (S240).

In this washing machine frozen state, there is no need to request a service, so the control unit 120 displays a guideline such as a user's manual action by consulting or referring to a user's manual or action label. The water supply or drainage freezing error "so that consumers can take appropriate action without unnecessary service requests (S250).

On the other hand, if the ambient temperature (T) of the washing machine is not less than the freezing determination temperature (Ts) in S230, it is determined that the cause of the water supply or drainage error is a failure error due to a component failure, and the display unit 140 indicates a "water supply or drainage failure error." By displaying a letter or symbol corresponding to the "occurrence" to allow the consumer to accurately determine the cause of the error (S260).

In addition, the control unit 120 also displays the guide text of the "service request" through the display unit 140 so that the consumer can quickly take action due to an error (S270).

In the above, the algorithm for detecting a water supply or drainage error by checking whether there is a water level change during water supply or drainage operation has been described. Hereinafter, the water supply or drainage error is detected by checking the amount of water level change that changes for a predetermined time during the water supply or drainage operation. The algorithm will be described with reference to FIG. 5. This is a process for the case where the washing machine is not completely frozen, but a partial freezing occurs, and thus, a series of algorithms for water supply or drainage operations are the same as in FIG. 4, so the water supply or drainage operations are combined and detailed descriptions of overlapping parts are omitted. Let's do it.

5 is an operation flowchart of a second method for detecting a water supply or drainage error in a washing machine according to the present invention.

In FIG. 5, during the water supply or drainage operation (S300), the water level data inside the water tank 11 that changes according to the amount of water to be supplied or drained is detected by the water level detection unit 110 and input to the controller 120.

Therefore, the control unit 120 checks the water level change amount W that changes for a predetermined time (S310), and the water level change amount that can determine a predetermined reference water level change amount Ws; It is determined whether or not the change within the level of water level) (S320).

On the other hand, the reference value is set to the same or different from each other because the amount of water to be supplied or drained during the water supply or drainage operation may be different.

If the checked water level change amount (W) is not lower than the standard water level change amount (Ws), there is a water level change in the water tank 11, so that the controller 120 determines that there is no water supply or drainage error, and proceeds to the next stroke according to the washing course. (S321).

On the other hand, if the checked water level change amount (W) is less than the standard water level change amount (Ws), since there is no water level change in the water tank 11, the control unit 120 primarily determines that the water supply or drainage error, and then the water supply or drainage error. In order to determine the cause of the detection of the ambient temperature (T) of the position where the washing machine is installed through the temperature sensor 30 (S330).

Accordingly, the controller 120 determines whether the detected washing machine ambient temperature T is less than or equal to the predetermined freezing determination temperature Ts (S340), and if the washing machine ambient temperature T is less than or equal to the freezing determination temperature Ts, the water supply or The cause of the drainage error is determined to be a freezing error due to freezing of the winter parts, and the display unit 140 displays “water supply or drainage freezing error” and displays the ambient temperature at this time (S350).

Along with this, the control unit 120 also displays a guideline, such as a consultation action or a direct action by the consumer with reference to the instruction manual or action label, etc. (S360).

On the other hand, if the ambient temperature (T) of the washing machine is not less than the freezing determination temperature (Ts) in S340 it is determined that the cause of the water supply or drainage error is a failure error due to a component failure, and the display unit 140 indicates a "water supply or drainage failure error". Occurrence ”(S370).

In addition, the control unit 120 also displays the guide text of the "service request" through the display unit 140 (S380).

As described above, according to the washing machine and the control method according to the present invention, by first checking the water level change or the water level change in the water tank during the water supply or drainage operation of the washing machine to detect the water supply or drainage error primarily, Alternatively, when a drainage error occurs, the cause of the error is accurately determined by detecting the ambient temperature of the washing machine, and the cause of the error and the corresponding consumer measures are also displayed, enabling the consumer to actively respond to the error and increase the product satisfaction. There is an effect.

What has been described above is only one embodiment for implementing the washing machine and the control method according to the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, the general knowledge of the art within the technical spirit of the present invention Of course, various modifications are possible by those who have.

Claims (10)

In the control method of the washing machine, Checking whether there is a water level change during water supply or drainage operation and detecting ambient temperature of the washing machine if there is no water level change; And Comparing the detected ambient temperature with a predetermined reference temperature and displaying the cause of the water supply or drainage error according to the comparison result. Control method of the washing machine comprising a. The method of claim 1, The reference temperature is a control method of a washing machine, characterized in that the freezing determination temperature for determining the frozen state of the washing machine. The method of claim 2, Indication of the cause of the water supply or drainage error, If the ambient temperature of the washing machine is less than the reference temperature control method of the washing machine characterized in that it displays a water supply or drainage freezing error due to freezing of the washing machine. The method of claim 2, Indication of the cause of the water supply or drainage error, If the ambient temperature of the washing machine is not less than the reference temperature control method of the washing machine characterized in that it displays a water supply or drainage failure due to parts failure. In the control method of the washing machine, Checking a water level change amount during water supply or drainage operation; Detecting a water supply or drainage error by comparing the checked water level change amount with a predetermined reference water level change amount; Detecting ambient temperature of the washing machine when a water supply or drainage error is detected; And Comparing the detected ambient temperature with a predetermined reference temperature and displaying the cause of the water supply or drainage error according to the comparison result. Control method of the washing machine comprising a. The method of claim 5, The reference water level change amount is a control method of a washing machine, characterized in that the reference value for determining the water level change in a predetermined time during water supply or drainage operation. The method of claim 6, The reference value is a control method of a washing machine, characterized in that the same or different level change value according to the water supply or drainage operation. A washing machine having a water supply and a drainage device, A water level sensing unit for detecting a water level change in the water tank by the operation of the water supply device or the drainage device; A temperature sensor detecting an ambient temperature of the washing machine; A control unit for detecting a water supply or drainage error by checking the detected water level change, and determining a cause of the water supply or drainage error based on the detected ambient temperature when detecting a water supply or drainage error; And Display unit indicating the cause of the determined water supply or drainage error Washing machine comprising a. The method of claim 8, The control unit compares the detected ambient temperature with a predetermined reference temperature and determines that the water supply or drainage freezing error due to freezing of the washing machine when the ambient temperature is lower than the reference temperature. The method of claim 8, And the control unit compares the detected ambient temperature with a predetermined reference temperature, and determines that the water supply or drainage failure due to a component defect is caused when the ambient temperature is not lower than the reference temperature.

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