KR101146273B1 - Apparatus for detecting water degree of boiling drum washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a water level detecting apparatus for a drum washing machine having a boiling function capable of accurately detecting the water level of washing water supplied to a tub of a tubular heater drum washing machine having a boiling function. A circulation pump installed at one side of the bottom of the tub; A water level sensor installation unit provided between the circulation pump and the tub and having a space having a predetermined width and depth; A circulating pipe which is supplied to the washing water pumped by the circulation pump to be sprayed into the drum through an injection nozzle provided at an end thereof; A tubular heater installed on one side of the circulation pipe and heating the wash water supplied by the circulation pump; A water level sensor installed at the water level sensor installation unit to detect the level of the wash water being supplied; And it provides a water level detecting device of the drum washing machine having a boil function consisting of a controller for controlling the washing process of the drum washing machine in accordance with the signal applied from the water level sensor.

Description

Water level detection device of drum washing machine with boil function {APPARATUS FOR DETECTING WATER DEGREE OF BOILING DRUM WASHING MACHINE}

1 is a view schematically showing the structure of a tubular heater drum washing machine according to the present invention.

2 is a view schematically showing the structure of a water level sensor according to the present invention.

3 is a view showing an operating state when the washing water is supplied to the water level sensor according to the present invention.

4 is a view showing an operating state when the washing water is not supplied to the water level sensor according to the present invention.

5 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a process of performing a washing process according to a signal applied from a water level sensor by a controller controlling the washing process of the tubular heater drum washing machine according to the present invention.

<Description of Symbols for Main Parts of Drawings>

10: tubular heater 12: water level sensor installation

14: Tub 16: Drum

18: injection nozzle 20: circulation pump

22: circulating pipe 24: water level sensor

26: Eurospace 30: Buoy

32: buoy guide rod 34: locking jaw

36: connection rod 38: partition wall

40: 3-stage switch 42: detection rubber film

The present invention relates to a drum washing machine, and more particularly, to detect the water level of a drum washing machine having a boiling function capable of saving the washing water by accurately detecting the level of the washing water supplied to the tub of the tubular heater drum washing machine having the boiling function. Relates to a device.

In general, a drum washing machine is a washing machine in which a plurality of small perforated drums are rotated with a horizontal axis as a point, and the laundry is lifted by the lift inside the drum and dropped on the water surface. Such a drum washing machine is provided with a door for putting laundry in and out of one side of the outer case, and a tub and drum for washing the laundry inside the door are provided. When power is applied to the system, water is supplied into the drum through a water supply valve and a water supply hose, and detergent is supplied into the drum from a detergent container connected to the water supply hose. A water supply bellows is installed between the detergent container and the tub to prevent the vibration from occurring while allowing the detergent to enter the drum. The water level sensor for detecting the water level through the water pressure is installed in the tub to determine whether the water supplied to the inside of the drum through the water supply valve, the water supply hose, the detergent container, and the water supply bellows, the water pressure inside the drum The sensing water level sensor hose delivers the detected water pressure to the water level sensor. When the water supply stop is determined through the water level sensor, the motor for driving the drum rotates. A belt and a pulley are connected to the motor to interlock with the motor so that forward or reverse rotation of the drum proceeds.

When the washing is completed, the water inside the drum is discharged through the drain bellows, and the water delivered through the drain bellows is pumped up through the drain pump and drawn up. Water pumped by the drain pump is discharged to the outside through the drain hose, a gasket is installed between the door and the tub to prevent the leakage of water. A heater is installed between the lower portion of the drum and the tub to provide heat to boil the laundry during washing. When the temperature inside the drum rises due to the heater, the water temperature sensor detects this and transfers the detection result to the system, and the heater is covered by the heater cover.

In addition, a lift is installed in the drum to lift the laundry to reach a predetermined height and to cause the laundry to fall by gravity.

Washing method using a drum washing machine configured as described above, the user opens the door, put the laundry into the drum properly, close the door and select the washing course through the function control unit installed in the out case, and the washing temperature selection After setting, press the start button and water will flow into the water supply valve through a hose outside the washing machine connected to the faucet. Then, a detergent is introduced into the drum together with water into the water supply hose, the detergent container, and the water supply bellows through the water supply valve, and when the water is filled up to a predetermined height inside the drum, the drain bellows and the water level sensor hose connected to the tub Water pressure inside the tub is transmitted to the water level sensor to stop the water supply (water valve power off). In the above, when the water supply is stopped, the motor is driven so that the washing stroke is performed while the drum is rotated forward or reverse through the belt and pulley interlocked with the motor, and the heater is driven for washing. At this time, the system absorbs the initial water supply and detects whether the water inside the drum is below a certain level through the water level sensor. Water will be supplied until. Therefore, the amount of water is kept constant at the end of washing, and the water temperature sensor always detects the water temperature inside the drum, and notifies the system when the detection result reaches the boiling washing temperature set by the user. Allow the system to stop running the heater. As such, the driving cycle of the drum according to the boil washing is to rotate the drum at a constant driving speed when water supply starts to perform the washing operation for a predetermined time. That is, the washing stroke according to the driving cycle of the drum is the drum is stopped for a set time after the drum is rotated in the forward (reverse) direction for a predetermined time at the drive speed as the water supply starts, and the drum is fixed at the drive speed again After rotating in the reverse (forward) direction by the time, the process of stopping the drum for a predetermined time is repeated for the predetermined washing time in the system to complete the washing.

In the case of the drum washing machine having the above-described operation, the tub is connected to the tub to determine the amount of wash water supplied into the tub so that air does not escape from the inside of the tub. A method of detecting a change in air pressure in the chamber according to a change in the wash water level in the chamber is used. Since the output signal of the water level sensor used in the above method is a frequency inversely proportional to the air pressure in the chamber, in order to recognize this as the water level, a device for measuring the frequency has to be additionally provided, thereby increasing the cost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a water level detecting device for a drum washing machine having a boil function that can accurately detect the level of the drum washing machine using a tubular heater to improve the washing performance. There is.

The present invention is a circulation pump installed on one side of the bottom portion of the tub to achieve the above object; A water level sensor installation unit provided between the circulation pump and the tub and having a space having a predetermined width and depth; A circulating pipe which is supplied to the washing water pumped by the circulation pump to be sprayed into the drum through an injection nozzle provided at an end thereof; A tubular heater installed on one side of the circulation pipe and heating the wash water supplied by the circulation pump; A water level sensor installed at the water level sensor installation unit to detect the level of the wash water being supplied; And it provides a water level detecting device of the drum washing machine having a boil function consisting of a controller for controlling the washing process of the drum washing machine in accordance with the signal applied from the water level sensor.

The water level sensor is inserted into the flow path space formed by the partition wall installed in the vertical direction to ensure a constant flow path space on one side of the water level sensor installation portion, buoy to rise and fall according to the presence of wash water; A buoy guide rod inserted into a through-hole formed perpendicular to the center of the buoy and guiding the buoy to move up and down; A sensing rubber membrane installed on the bottom surface of the flow path space formed by the wall surface and the partition wall of the water level sensor sensor installation unit, and installed at the lower end of the buoy guide rod to move up and down when the buoy guide rod moves up and down; A connecting rod having one end mounted on a bottom portion of the sensing rubber film; It is connected to the other end of the connection rod, characterized in that consisting of a three-stage contact switch that is switched in accordance with the movement of the connection rod.

The three-stage contact switch is configured to be connected to terminal A and terminal B, or terminal B and terminal C, respectively, when the buoy is raised by the washing water and when the buoy is lowered because the washing water is not in the tub. do.

The three-stage contact switch is connected to a controller for controlling the washing process of the tubular heater drum washing machine, wherein the controller is switched to the washing mode when the washing start button (not shown) is pressed to start washing stirring; Supplying the washing water to the inside of the tub by switching on a water supply valve (not shown) while starting the washing stirring; Determining whether the B terminal and the C terminal of the three-stage contact switch are connected when the water supply valve is switched on and the washing water is supplied into the tub; If the terminal B and the terminal C are not connected, the tubular heater continues to supply the washing water while maintaining the off state, and if the terminal B and the terminal C are connected, switching the water supply valve to the off state; Operating the circulating pump after turning off the water supply valve; Turning on the tubular heater while supplying the washing water to the tubular heater side by the circulation pump; Determining whether the temperature of the washing water is equal to or greater than a set value while spraying the washing water heated by the tubular heater into the drum; Continually operating the circulation pump and the tubular heater when the temperature of the wash water is not greater than or equal to a set value, and turning off the tubular heater when the temperature of the washing water is greater than or equal to the set value; Determining whether the washing progress time has elapsed after turning off the tubular heater and the circulation pump; Turning off the circulating pump when the washing progress time has elapsed; Terminating the laundry stirring operation while turning off the circulation pump; Discharging the washing water to the outside by switching on the drainage pump after the washing and stirring operation is finished; Determining whether the A terminal and the B terminal of the 3-stage contact switch are connected while discharging the wash water existing in the tub to the outside using the drain pump; If the terminal A and the terminal B are not connected to continue to operate the drain pump to discharge the wash water, and if the terminal A and terminal B is connected, turning off the drain pump; And turning off the drain pump to switch to a dehydration mode to perform a dehydration rotation operation.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the structure of this invention is demonstrated with reference to an accompanying drawing.

1 is a view schematically showing the structure of a tubular heater drum washing machine according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a view schematically showing the structure of a water level sensor according to the present invention, Figure 3 is a level sensor according to the present invention 4 is a view showing an operating state when the washing water is supplied, Figure 4 is a view showing an operating state when the washing water is not supplied to the water level sensor according to the present invention, Figure 5 is a tubular heater drum washing machine according to the present invention The controller for controlling the washing process is a flow chart schematically showing a process of performing the washing process in accordance with the signal applied from the water level sensor.

1 to 5, the water level sensor having a space having a constant width and depth is installed on the bottom of the tub 14 configured inside the drum washing machine having the tubular heater 10. The part 12 is formed. A circulation pump 20 is connected to the water level sensor installation unit 12, and a circulation pipe 22 is connected to the circulation pump 20. The circulation pipe 22 extends to an upper surface of the tub 14, and a tubular heater 10 is installed on one side of the circulation pipe 22 positioned on the upper surface of the tub 14. The injection nozzle 18 is installed at the end of the circulation pipe 22 and the wash water pumped by the circulation pump 20 is applied to the tubular heater 10 through the circulation pipe 22, and the tubular heater ( 10 is heated to the washing water applied through the circulation pipe 22 is injected into the drum 16 through the injection nozzle 18.

The water level sensor installation unit 12 is provided with a water level sensor 24 for detecting the level of the wash water supplied to the tub (14). One side of the water level sensor installation portion 12 is provided with a partition wall 38 in the vertical direction to ensure a constant flow path space. A buoy 30 is inserted into the flow path space formed by the dividing wall 38, and the buoy 30 moves up and down along the flow path space formed by the dividing wall 38 depending on the presence of wash water. Do it.

A through hole is vertically formed in the center of the buoy 30, and a buoy guide rod 32 is inserted into the through hole. The buoy 30 moves up and down along the buoy guide rod 32, and a locking jaw 34 is formed at an upper end of the buoy guide rod 32 to freely move up and down along the buoy guide rod 32. Do not let the moving buoy escape. A sensing rubber film 42 is installed on the bottom surface of the flow path space 26 formed by the wall surface of the water level sensor sensor installation part 12 and the partition wall 38, and the sensing rubber film 42 is soft. It is formed of thin rubber.

The lower end of the buoy guide rod 32 is integrally installed on the sensing rubber membrane 42, and the buoy guide rod 32 and the sensing rubber membrane 42 move up and down integrally. That is, when the buoy 30 moves upward along the buoy guide rod 32 by washing water, the buoy guide rod 32 also moves upward by the buoyancy of the buoy 30. When the buoy guide rod 32 moves upward, the sensing rubber film 42 on which the lower end of the buoy guide rod 32 is mounted also moves upward in conjunction with the buoy guide rod 32.

One end of the connecting rod 36 is fastened to the bottom of the sensing rubber film 42, and a three-stage contact switch 40 is installed at the other end of the connecting rod 36. The three-stage contact switch 40 has a terminal A and a terminal B connected thereto, or a terminal B and a terminal C connected thereto. The connecting rod 36 is interlocked with the sensing rubber film 42 so that when the sensing rubber film 42 moves upwards, the connecting rod 36 moves to the sensing rubber film 42 side, so that the three-stage contact switch ( 40), terminal B and terminal C are connected. On the contrary, when the sensing rubber film 42 moves downward, the connecting rod 36 moves in the opposite direction to the sensing rubber film 42 so that the three-stage contact switch 40 is connected to the A terminal and the B terminal. .

Referring to the present invention through an embodiment, when the wash water is not supplied to the inside of the tub, the buoy 30 is located below the buoy guide rod 32, so the buoy guide rod 32 and the sensing rubber film ( 42 is also maintained downward. Since the buoy guide rod 32 and the sensing rubber film 42 are kept in a downward state, the three-stage contact switch 40 connected to the connecting rod 36 maintains the terminal A and the terminal B connected. do.

On the contrary, when the washing water is supplied to the inside of the tub and the washing water increases, the buoy 30 moves along the buoy guide rod 32 from the lower portion of the buoy guide rod 32 toward the upper portion, and the buoy 30 is moved. When the buoy guide rod 32 is located at the upper end of the buoy 30, the buoy 30 contacts the locking jaw 34, and the buoy 30 moves the buoy guide rod 32 upward to a predetermined position. When the buoy guide rod 32 is moved upward, the sensing rubber film 42 on which the buoy guide rod 32 is mounted also moves upward along a buoy guide rod 32 to a predetermined height. When the sensing rubber film 42 moves upward, the connecting rod 36 mounted on the sensing rubber film 42 moves to the sensing rubber film 42 side. When the connecting rod 36 moves toward the sensing rubber film 42, the B terminal and the C terminal of the three-stage contact switch 40 are connected.

The three-stage contact switch 40 constituting the level sensor 24 is connected to a controller (not shown) that controls the washing process of the drum washing machine, and the controller is a signal applied from the three-stage contact switch 40. In accordance with the washing and draining operation.

Referring to Figure 5, the controller is switched to the washing mode when the washing start button (not shown) is pressed to start the washing stirring (S100). The controller supplies washing water to the inside of the tub 14 by switching on a water supply valve (not shown) while starting the washing agitation (S110). When the water supply valve is switched on and the washing water is supplied into the tub 14, it is determined whether the B terminal and the C terminal of the three-stage contact switch 40 are connected (S120). If the terminal B and terminal C are not connected, the tubular heater 10 continues to supply the washing water while maintaining the off state (S130).

On the contrary, if the B terminal and the C terminal of the three-stage contact switch 40 are connected, the water supply valve is switched to the off state (S140). After turning off the water supply valve, the circulation pump 20 is operated (S150), and the tubular heater 10 is switched on while supplying the washing water to the tubular heater 10 through the circulation pipe 22 (S160). The tubular heater 10 is switched on to heat the washing water to spray the heated washing water into the drum 16 through the spray nozzle 18.

While the washing water heated by the tubular heater 10 is injected into the drum 16, it is determined whether the temperature of the washing water is equal to or greater than a set value (S170). If the temperature of the wash water is not higher than the set value, the circulation pump 20 and the tubular heater 10 are continuously operated, and if the temperature of the washing water is higher than the set value, the tubular heater 10 is turned off (S180). After turning off the tubular heater 10 and the circulation pump 20, it is determined whether the washing progress time has elapsed (S190).

When the washing progress time has elapsed, the circulating pump 20 is turned off (S200), and the washing and stirring operation is terminated while the circulating pump 20 is turned off (S210). After the washing and stirring operation is completed, the drainage pump is switched on to discharge the washing water to the outside (S220).

It is determined whether the A terminal and the B terminal of the three-stage contact switch 40 are connected while discharging the wash water existing in the tub 14 to the outside by using the drain pump (S230). If the A terminal and the B terminal of the three-stage contact switch 40 are not connected, the drain pump is continuously operated to discharge the wash water to the outside, and the A and B terminals of the three-stage contact switch 40 are If it is connected, the drain pump is turned off (S240), the dehydration mode is switched to perform the dehydration rotation operation (S250).

As can be seen from the above description, the present invention is to install a water level sensor on the bottom of the tub to prevent unnecessary consumption of the washing water supplied to the washing tank when washing the laundry using a tubular heater drum washing machine Thus, when the appropriate amount of washing water is supplied using the water level sensor, a water saving effect may be obtained by performing the washing process.

Claims (4)

delete A circulation pump installed at one side of the bottom of the tub; A water level sensor installation unit provided between the circulation pump and the tub and having a space having a predetermined width and depth; A circulating pipe which is supplied to the washing water pumped by the circulation pump to be sprayed into the drum through an injection nozzle provided at an end thereof; A tubular heater installed on one side of the circulation pipe and heating the wash water supplied by the circulation pump; A water level sensor installed at the water level sensor installation unit to detect the level of the wash water being supplied; And a controller for controlling the washing process of the drum washing machine in accordance with the signal applied from the water level sensor, The water level sensor is inserted into the flow path space formed by the partition wall installed in the vertical direction to ensure a constant flow path space on one side of the water level sensor installation portion, buoy to rise and fall according to the presence of wash water; A buoy guide rod inserted into a through-hole formed perpendicular to the center of the buoy and guiding the buoy to move up and down; A sensing rubber membrane installed on the bottom surface of the flow path space formed by the wall surface and the partition wall of the water level sensor sensor installation unit, and installed at the lower end of the buoy guide rod to move up and down when the buoy guide rod moves up and down; A connecting rod having one end mounted on a bottom portion of the sensing rubber film; And Is connected to the other end of the connecting rod, the water level sensing device of the drum washing machine having a boil function, characterized in that consisting of a three-stage contact switch that is switched in accordance with the movement of the connection rod. The method of claim 2, When the wash water is not supplied to the inside of the tub, the buoy guide rod and the sensing rubber film are kept in a downward state, so that the three-stage contact switch connected to the connecting rod is connected to terminal A and terminal B, When the wash water is supplied to the inside of the tub, the buoy guide rod and the sensing rubber film is moved upwards, so that the three-stage contact switch connected to the connecting rod is connected to the terminal B and terminal C Water level detection device of the drum washing machine having a. According to claim 2, wherein the three-stage contact switch is connected to a controller for controlling the washing process of the tubular heater drum washing machine, the controller is switched to the washing mode when the washing start button is pressed to start washing stirring; Supplying the washing water to the inside of the tub by switching on a water supply valve while starting the washing stirring; Determining whether the B terminal and the C terminal of the three-stage contact switch are connected when the water supply valve is switched on and the washing water is supplied into the tub; If the terminal B and the terminal C are not connected, the tubular heater continues to supply the washing water while maintaining the off state, and if the terminal B and the terminal C are connected, switching the water supply valve to the off state; Operating the circulation pump after turning off the water supply valve; Turning on the tubular heater while supplying the washing water to the tubular heater side by the circulation pump; Determining whether the temperature of the washing water is equal to or greater than a set value while spraying the washing water heated by the tubular heater into the drum; Continually operating the circulation pump and the tubular heater when the temperature of the wash water is not greater than or equal to a set value, and turning off the tubular heater when the temperature of the washing water is greater than or equal to the set value; Determining whether the washing progress time has elapsed after turning off the tubular heater and the circulation pump; Turning off the circulating pump when the washing progress time has elapsed; Terminating the laundry stirring operation while turning off the circulation pump; Discharging the washing water to the outside by switching on the drainage pump after the washing and stirring operation is finished; Determining whether the A terminal and the B terminal of the 3-stage contact switch are connected while discharging the wash water existing in the tub to the outside using the drain pump; If the terminal A and the terminal B are not connected to continue to operate the drain pump to discharge the wash water, and if the terminal A and terminal B is connected, turning off the drain pump; And turning off the drainage pump to switch to a dehydration mode to perform a dehydration rotation operation.

Images