KR100930896B1 - Water supply control method from washing machine to steam generator and washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry machine, and more particularly, to a water supply control method for a steam generator in a laundry machine equipped with a steam generator, and a laundry machine thereof. The control method of the laundry machine according to the present invention comprises the steps of: starting a pump to supply water to a steam generator; Determining whether the level in the steam generator is a set level; And stopping the pump when the level is a set level.

Description

A control method of a laundry machine for water-supplying to a steam generator therein and a laundry machine

1 is an exploded perspective view of a dryer.

2 is a cross-sectional view of the dryer.

3 shows a steam generator used in the dryer of FIG.

4 is another embodiment of a dryer.

5 is a flowchart of water supply control to the steam generator.

6 is a circuit diagram for sensing the current level of the pump.

7 is a circuit diagram of another example for sensing the current level of a pump.

Description of the main parts of the drawing

10: cabinet 200: steam generator

300: water tank 400: pump

500: safety valve

The present invention relates to a laundry machine, and more particularly, to a water supply control method for a steam generator in a laundry machine equipped with a steam generator, and a laundry machine thereof. Here, the washing machine is a device for processing clothes, including a washing machine, a dryer, a dry washing machine and the like.

In the washing machine, the laundry in the drum is lifted and dropped by a lift, while a washing machine with a relatively small amount of water is supplied to the drum washing machine. And a washing machine upright.

A dryer is a home appliance which usually drys laundry which has been washed with high temperature air. In general, the dryer includes a drum accommodating clothes, a driving source for driving the drum, a heating unit for heating air introduced into the drum, and a blower unit for sucking or discharging air in the drum.

The dryer may be classified into an electric dryer and a gas dryer according to a method of heating air, that is, a heating means. The electric dryer heats air using electric resistance heat, and the gas dryer heats air using heat generated by combustion of gas. If the dryers are divided in different ways, they can be classified into condensing (circulating) dryers and exhaust dryers. In the condensation dryer, the air that has been heat-exchanged with the clothes in the drum is circulated without being discharged to the outside of the dryer, and is condensed by heat exchange in a separate condenser to discharge it to the outside. In the exhaust dryer, the air that has been heat-exchanged with the clothes in the drum and becomes humid is discharged directly to the outside of the dryer. If the dryer is classified into another method, the clothes may be divided into a top loading method and a front loading method according to a method of putting clothes into the dryer. In the top loading method, clothes are put in the upper side of the dryer, and in the front loading method, clothes are put in the front of the dryer.

Recently, as a washing machine using steam, a steam washing machine or a steam dryer has emerged. The use of steam in the washing machine not only improves washing power, but also greatly improves energy efficiency. In addition, new functions are added by using steam.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling the water supply to the steam generator in the washing apparatus provided with a steam generator and the washing apparatus. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a water supply control method and a washing apparatus thereof when water is supplied to a steam generator using a pump.

The control method of the laundry machine according to the present invention comprises the steps of: starting a pump to supply water to a steam generator; Determining whether the level in the steam generator is a set level; And stopping the pump when the level is a set level.

The pump is operated to supply water to the steam generator until the water level in the steam generator reaches a predetermined level. Here, the water level in the steam generator may be sensed through, for example, a water level sensor installed in the steam generator.

The pump operates until the water level inside the steam generator reaches the set water level, but if there is an error in determining the set water level, water may be supercharged in the steam generator. For example, if the water level sensor is out of order or if the water level is not sensed accurately (e.g., it is not easy to accurately sense the water level when water in the steam generator flows), etc. There is a need for means. To this end, the pump may be controlled to stop when the operating time of the pump is a predetermined time.

The method may further include displaying an error through a display device when the water level in the steam generator does not reach the set water level even though the pump is operated for a set time. For example, when there is an abnormal operation of the pump or an abnormality in the flow path, even if the pump is operated for a certain time, the water supply may not be performed smoothly, and it is necessary to inform the user that there is an error.

Whether the water supply is normally performed according to the operation of the pump may be determined using the current level of the pump.

Here, the current of the pump may be converted into a voltage and used to determine whether the water supply is normal. For example, when the converted voltage value is smaller than the first set value, it is determined between the first set value and the second set value, and the second set value or more, and the like. . In this case, when the current value is smaller than the first set value, when there is insufficient water to be pumped, when the pump is idling, when the current value is between the first and second set values, when water supply is normal, When the current value is greater than or equal to the second set value, it may be determined that the flow path is blocked.

If water is not supplied to the steam generator normally, it is preferable to stop the pump. In this case, as in the above example, when the water is insufficient, it is preferable to display the message to inform the user that the water is insufficient.

If it is determined that the water supply is abnormal and the pump is stopped, the pump can be operated again at the command of the user. For example, if the user enters a command to solve the problem of lack of water and continue with water supply (eg, by pressing the 'Start' button to enter the command), the pump is restarted. In this case, when the user does not take any action for a predetermined time, an error may be displayed to the outside. Here, the controller can also stop operation for other components (eg, a motor for driving the drum, etc.).

On the other hand, the laundry machine according to the present invention, a drum in which laundry is accommodated; A steam generator for supplying steam to the drum; A water tank for storing water; And a pump operable to supply the water to the steam generator until the water level in the steam generator reaches a set water level. In addition, the controller of the washing apparatus may control the washing apparatus through the control method as described above.

Hereinafter, a specific embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking a dryer equipped with a steam generator as an example.

1 and 2 show a dryer having a steam generator.

A rotatable drum 20, a motor 70 for driving the drum 20, and a belt 68 are installed in the cabinet 10 constituting the exterior of the dryer. In addition, a heater 90 (hereinafter referred to as a "hot air heater" for convenience) generated by the hot air heater 90 for heating the air to a high temperature (hereinafter referred to as "hot air") at a predetermined position of the cabinet 10. Hot air supply duct 44 for supplying the hot air to the drum 20 is provided. In addition, an exhaust duct 80 for discharging humid air heat-exchanged with clothes from the drum 20, a blower unit 60 for sucking the humid air, and the like are also provided. On the other hand, a steam generator 200 for generating high temperature steam is installed at a predetermined position of the cabinet 10. In this embodiment, an indirect drive method for rotating the drum 20 using the motor 70 and the belt 68 for convenience is illustrated and described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, it is also possible to apply the present invention to a direct drive method (Direct Drive Type) in which a motor is directly connected to the rear surface of the drum 20 to directly rotate the drum 20.

Each component will be described in detail as follows.

The cabinet 10 forms an outer shape of the dryer, and includes a base 12 forming a bottom surface, a pair of side covers 14 installed vertically from the base 12, and the side cover 14. The front cover 16 and the rear cover 18, which are respectively installed on the front and rear of the, is configured to include a top cover 17 located on the upper side of the side cover (14). The control panel 19 having various operation switches or the like is normally located on the top cover 17 or the front cover 16, and the door 164 is provided on the front cover 16. The rear cover 18 is provided with an inlet 182 for allowing outside air to flow therein and an exhaust hole 184, which is a final passage through which the air of the drum 20 is discharged to the outside.

The inner space of the drum 20 functions as a drying chamber in which drying proceeds, and inside the drum 20, the lift 22 is preferably installed by dragging and dropping clothes to turn the clothes upside down to increase the drying efficiency. .

Meanwhile, the front supporter 30 is installed between the drum 20 and the cabinet 10, that is, between the drum 20 and the front cover 16, and between the drum 20 and the rear cover 18. The rear supporter 40 is installed in this. A drum 20 is rotatably installed between the front supporter 30 and the rear supporter 40, and a sealing for preventing leakage between the front supporter 30 and the rear supporter 40 and the drum 20, respectively. A member (not shown) is provided. That is, the front supporter 30 and the rear supporter 40 form a drying chamber by blocking the front and rear surfaces of the drum 20 and serve to support the front and rear ends of the drum 20.

The front supporter 30 is formed with an opening for communicating the drum 20 with the outside of the dryer, the opening is selectively opened and closed by the door 164. In addition, the front supporter 30 is connected to the lint duct 50 which is a passage through which the air of the drum 20 is discharged to the outside, and the lint duct 50 is provided with a lint filter 52. One side of the blower unit 60 is connected to the lint duct 50, the other side of the blower unit 60 is connected to the exhaust duct 80, and the exhaust duct 80 is provided at the rear cover 18. It communicates with the exhaust hole 184. Therefore, when the blower unit 60 is operated, the air in the drum 20 is discharged to the outside through the lint duct 50, the exhaust duct 80, and the exhaust hole 184. At this time, foreign matter such as lint is filtered in the lint filter 52. The blower unit 60 includes a blower 62 and a blower housing 64, and the blower 64 is connected to and driven by a motor 70 for driving the drum 20. That is, the blower unit 60 and the drum 20 are driven together when the motor 70 operates. Of course, the blower 64 and the drum 20 may be configured to be driven respectively. In this case, two motors are connected to the blower and the drum, respectively.

The rear supporter 40 is formed with an opening 42 which is usually composed of a plurality of through holes, and the hot air supply duct 44 is connected to the opening 42. The hot air supply duct 44 communicates with the drum 20 to serve as a passage for supplying hot air to the drum 20. Therefore, the hot air heater 90 is installed at a predetermined position of the hot air supply duct 44.

Meanwhile, a steam generator 200 for generating steam and supplying the steam to the inside of the drum 20 is installed at a predetermined position of the cabinet 10. Referring to Figure 3, the steam generator 200 will be described in detail as follows.

The steam generator 200 includes a container 210 in which water is received therein, a heater 240 mounted inside the container 210, and a water level sensor 260 for measuring the water level of the steam generator 200. It is configured to include a temperature sensor 270 for measuring the temperature of the steam generator 200. The water level sensor 260 is generally composed of a common electrode 262, a low level electrode 264, and a high level electrode 266, so that the common electrode 262 and the high level electrode 266 are energized or the common electrode 262 and the low level electrode A high water level and a low water level are detected by the energization of 264.

One side of the steam generator 200 is connected to the water supply hose 220 for supplying water, and the other side is connected to the steam hose 230 for discharging steam, the nozzle of the predetermined shape (at the front end of the steam hose 230) 250) is preferably provided. In general, one end of the water supply hose 220 is connected to an external water source such as a faucet, and the tip of the steam hose 230 or the nozzle 25, that is, the steam discharge port, is positioned at a predetermined position of the drum 20, so that the drum 20 Steam is injected into the inside of the tank.

Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, a steam generator 200 (hereinafter, referred to as a "heating heating method") of a method of generating steam by heating a predetermined amount of water contained in a container 210 of a predetermined size with a heater 240 is illustrated. And described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, in the present invention, any device capable of generating steam can be used as a steam generator. For example, it is also possible to install a heater directly around the pipe through which water passes, that is, to heat the water without accommodating the water in a predetermined space (hereinafter referred to as "pipe heating method" for convenience).

Referring to Figure 4, another embodiment of the dryer according to the present invention will be described.

In this embodiment, the water supply source for supplying water to the steam generator 200 is a detachable water tank. The source of water may be water, but in this case the installation can be complex. This is because, in general, water is not used in a dryer, and therefore, when a faucet is used as a water supply source, it is necessary to additionally install various devices and the like. Therefore, by using the detachable water tank 300, the water tank 300 is separated and supplied with water, and the water tank 300 filled with water is supplied to the water supply flow path of the steam generator 200, that is, the water supply hose 220. ) May be convenient. Here, the water tank 300 is not limited to being installed detachably to the dryer may be fixedly installed. And, instead of the water tank, another water supply such as another water supply may be used.

In addition, the pump 400 is preferably provided between the water tank 300 and the steam generator 200. It is more preferable that the pump 400 can be rotated forward and backward, thereby supplying water to the steam generator 200 and recovering the residual water of the steam generator 200 as necessary. It is also possible to supply water to the steam generator 200 by using a water order between the water tank 300 and the steam generator 200 without using the pump 400. However, in general, various parts and the like of the dryer are standard products and are compactly designed, and thus, installation space is insufficient. Therefore, water supply using water parking may be difficult unless the size of various components of the conventional dryer is changed. Therefore, when the small pump 400 is used, since the steam generator 200 or the like can be installed without changing the size of various parts of the conventional dryer, it is very useful to use the pump 400. And, the reason for recovering the residual water of the steam generator 200 is that if the steam generator 200 is not used for a long time, the heater may be damaged by the residual water, or there may be a possibility that the decayed water is used later.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, water is supplied and steam is discharged from the upper portion of the steam generator 200, but in the present embodiment, water is supplied to the lower portion of the steam generator 200, and the steam generator 200 Steam is preferably discharged from the top. This configuration is advantageous for recovering the residual water of the steam generator 200.

In addition, it is preferable that the safety valve 500 is provided in the steam flow path for discharging steam from the steam generator 200, that is, the steam hose 230.

On the other hand, the dryer includes a controller, the controller is to control the water supply to the steam generator 200 by a control method as shown in FIG.

First, the controller counts the time T _Lim while starting the pump 400 (S2) (S1). The drum driving motor is also operated together to rotate the drum when the pump 400 operates. As the pump 400 operates, the water stored in the water tank 300 is pumped into the steam generator 200.

In addition, the pump 400 is controlled on / off according to the current level of the pump 400 during the operation of the pump 400.

As a sensing means for sensing the current level of the pump 400, for example, a circuit using a CT (current transducer) or a shunt (shunt) is configured.

First, as shown in FIG. 6, a CT is installed at one end of the pump 400, and a resistor R is connected in parallel with the CT. At this time, the CT generates a magnetic field by the current applied to the pump 400 and outputs a voltage value proportional to the generated magnetic field. In order to drop the voltage output from the CT to a voltage level recognizable by the controller, it is preferable to connect the voltage divider R in parallel with the CT.

In this case, the CT can be used when the pump 400 uses an AC motor, and there is an advantage in that the noise of the noise is also small since the CT output stage is insulated, as well as the rotation torque of the pump 400 at all.

Meanwhile, the controller may include an OP-AMP 730 for connecting the shunt resistor 710 in series with the pump 400 and amplifying the output of the shunt resistor 710, as shown in FIG. have. In this case, the shunt resistor 710 outputs a voltage value corresponding to the current level applied to the pump 400, and amplifies the output voltage of the shunt resistor 710 through the OP-AMP 730 to deliver it to the controller. .

The configuration including the OP-AMP 730 is a differential amplifier and amplifies and outputs a voltage difference generated between both ends of the shunt resistor 710 to a level that can be recognized by the controller.

Here, the controller using the shunt resistor 710 can be applied when the pump 400 uses a DC motor, and unlike CT, it is possible to save cost in terms of circuit configuration and to have a low defect rate.

The controller of the present embodiment may determine the current level of the pump 400 from the voltage value detected as described above (S4). For example, it is possible to recognize the current level of the pump 400 by creating a current table for each voltage through repeated tests in the same environment, storing the current table for each voltage, and reading the current level corresponding to the voltage value from the stored table. .

When the pump 400 operates normally, and thus water supply is normally performed, the current of the pump 400 becomes a value or a value within a certain range. However, when the water supply does not operate normally, the current of the pump 400 is out of the constant value or a value within a certain range.

In the present embodiment, the controller compares the voltage value V _pump converted from the current of the pump 400 to the set value Vs (S4), and the voltage value V _pump is equal to or greater than the set value Vs. In this case, it is determined that the water supply is normally performed, and keeps the operation state of the pump 400 on. Then, it is determined whether the water level in the steam generator 200 reaches the low water level during the water supply process (S5), and stores the time T _Low at which the low water level is reached (S6). In addition, while keeping the pump 400 on, it is determined whether the water level in the steam generator 200 has reached a high water level (S7), and stores the time T _High at which the _high water level is reached (S8). Here, when the water level reaches the high water level, the pump 400 is stopped (S9) and the water supply process ends. In FIG. 5, the determination of the low water level (S5) and the determination of the high water level (S7) include that the low water level electrode 264 is energized with the common electrode 262 and the high water level electrode 266 is used. Judgment is made by energizing the common electrode 262.

The controller uses the low water level reaching time (T _Low ) and the high water level reaching time (T _High ) to compare the setting time (T _High -T _Low ) from the low water level to the high water level, which is smaller or greater than the setting time. If there is an error in the water supply process. Such error data may be stored in the memory to become one of the usage history data of the dryer. In addition, when the degree of error is determined to be severe, for example, when the time (T _High -T _Low ) from the low water level to the high water level is greater than the set time, the error may be displayed to the outside through the display apparatus.

On the other hand, when the voltage value V _pump is smaller than the set value Vs, the pump 400 is stopped (S41). When the voltage value V _pump is smaller than the set value Vs, it means that the current level of the pump 400 is lower than or equal to the set value. In the present embodiment, when there is no water in the water tank 300 or the removable water tank ( In the case of 300, the water tank 300 may not be properly connected to the water supply hose. In this case, the display device displays a message to confirm the lack of water or the mounting of the water tank 300 (S41). In addition, when the pump 400 is stopped for a predetermined time and waits, if no action is taken by the user even after the predetermined time elapses, an error is displayed through the display apparatus (S44).

Here, if the user inputs a predetermined command such as pressing the 'start' button while waiting as described above (S42), the controller operates the pump 400, which is waiting in the stopped state (S43). When the user checks a message that the water is insufficient or that the water tank 300 is not properly installed, the user replenishes the water tank 300 or checks the mounting state of the water tank 300 and takes action after pressing the 'Start' button. Press again In addition, the pump 400 operated again as described above continues to operate until the water level in the steam generator 200 becomes a high water level or until the operation time of the pump 400 becomes the set time Ts.

The pump 400 is stopped when the water level in the steam generator 200 reaches a high level, but is controlled to stop even when the operating time of the pump 400 reaches the set time Ts (S3) (S31). Thus, even when the pump 400 is stopped after the set time Ts has elapsed, the water level in the steam generator 200 is determined (S32). At this time, if the water level in the steam generator 200 reaches a high level, it is determined that the water supply process was normal and the water supply process ends. However, if not, that is, when the water level in the steam generator 200 does not reach the high level even after the set time Ts has elapsed, it is determined that there is an error in the water supply process and displayed on the display device (S33). ). Here, the error may be, for example, a decrease in the output of the pump 400, a water level sensor failure in the steam generator 200, a blockage of the water supply channel, and the like.

When the water supply is normally terminated in the water supply process as described above to operate the heater of the steam generator 200 to boil water in the steam generator 200 to generate steam.

The present invention is not limited to the above examples and can be embodied in various forms and all such embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. In the above embodiment, a dryer is used as an example, but may be applied to a washing machine as well as to another washing machine.

The present invention provides a method for controlling water supply to the steam generator by using a pump in a laundry machine equipped with a steam generator, and a washing apparatus thereof.

In the present invention, if there is an error in the water supply process, it is displayed to the outside so that the user can take appropriate measures. In addition, since the pump is stopped when the set time comes, it is possible to prevent water from being supercharged by the steam generator.

Claims (18)

Starting a pump to supply water from the provided water tank to the steam generator; Determining whether the level in the steam generator is a set level; Stopping the pump when the water level is a set water level; Method of controlling the washing apparatus comprising a. The method of claim 1, further comprising stopping the pump when the operating time of the pump reaches a set time. The laundry machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: determining whether the water level in the steam generator is a set level when the operating time of the pump reaches a set time and displaying an error when the pump is not at the set level. Control method. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling on / off of the pump in consideration of the current level of the pump. The method according to claim 4, wherein the pump is controlled on / off according to a result of comparing the converted value converted from the current with a set value. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of indicating that the quantity is insufficient when the pump is turned off according to the comparison result. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of re-activating the pump according to a user's command. The control method according to claim 7, further comprising displaying an error if there is no command from the user for a preset time after stopping the pump. Starting the pump to supply water to the steam generator; Counting an operating time of the pump; Converting a current value of the pump into a converted value; Determining whether the level in the steam generator is a set level; Stopping the pump when the counted time becomes a set time or the level is a set level or the converted value is smaller than a set value; Method of controlling the washing apparatus comprising a. A drum in which laundry is accommodated; A steam generator for supplying steam to the drum; A water tank for storing water; And A pump operable to supply the water to the steam generator until the water level in the steam generator reaches a set level; Laundry apparatus comprising a. The washing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the pump is stopped when the operating time of the pump reaches a set time. The washing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a display device which displays an error if the water level in the steam generator is not the set water level when the operation time of the pump reaches the set time. The washing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the pump is controlled on / off according to a current level. The washing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the pump is controlled on / off according to a result of comparing the converted value converted from the current with the set value. The laundry machine according to claim 14, further comprising a display device indicating that the quantity is insufficient according to the comparison result. The laundry machine according to claim 15, wherein the pump is operated again according to a user's command. The washing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the display apparatus displays an error if there is no user command for a preset time after the pump is stopped. A drum in which laundry is accommodated; A steam generator for supplying steam to the drum; A water tank for storing water; And A pump operable to supply the water to the steam generator, the pump being stopped if its operating time is a set time, or if the water level in the steam generator is a set level, or a converted value converted from the current is less than a set value; Laundry apparatus comprising a.

Images