KR101246797B1 - Method for controlling water supply of washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water supply control method of a washing machine, by checking the water supply pressure (flow rate) supplied to the washing machine to have a constant silver concentration of water in the washing machine to maintain a constant sterilization / antibacterial power during washing and rinsing There is this.

To this end, the present invention, in the control method of a washing machine equipped with a water supply device and an ion generating device, the ion generation to detect the flow rate of the water supplied to the washing machine, and supply the water containing a certain concentration of silver ions to the washing machine Control the device, but if the detected flow rate is above the predetermined reference value, the water supply is paused and resupplied.

Description

Method for controlling water supply of washing machine

1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a washing machine with an ion generating device according to the present invention,

2 is a control block diagram of a washing machine having an ion generating device of the present invention;

3A and 3B are operation flowcharts of a water supply control method for supplying water of a constant silver concentration in a washing machine having an ion generating device of the present invention.

Description of the Related Art [0002]

11: water tank 12: rotary drum

15: motor 16: washing heater

18: detergent supply device 19: drainage

20: water supply device 28: ion generating device

50: water level detection unit 60: control unit

The present invention relates to a washing machine having an ion generating device, and more particularly, to a water supply control method of a washing machine for supplying water having a constant silver concentration inside 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.

Such a washing machine sequentially processes washing, rinsing, and dehydration operations on contaminated laundry, and puts laundry into a rotating drum, and supplies a predetermined amount of detergent and washing water (usually tap water) to the general dirt of the laundry. The cleaning performance is obtained.

However, during washing, calcium powder in tap water and surfactant in detergent react to form insoluble metal soap, and a part of it is easy to adhere to the circumferential wall of the rotating drum. It occurred more remarkably than when.

In addition, the deposits of the fibers separated from the laundry are easily attached to the deposits of the metal soap thus generated, and the dirts or deposits absorb moisture to cause the growth of microorganisms (bacteria), and decayed surface deposits ( flock) and further mold generation. The fungus caused odors by the metabolites, or in subsequent washing operations, it caused a problem of sticking to the laundry due to peeling and floating in water, and insufficient to obtain hygienic cleaning performance apart from the dirt of general laundry.

In addition, laundry (clothing) is worn, and many bacteria are easily attached from the human body or the outside air. In general, it is known that many bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Cereus bacillus and atypical anti-acid bacteria are attached, and the attached bacteria remain in the laundry even after washing, and especially when the laundry is poorly dried, the remaining bacteria grow again. This can cause odor or yellowing.

Furthermore, in homes with infants or infants who are vulnerable to the sick or pathogens, the skin is infected from the bacteria attached to the laundry and atopic dermatitis may occur.

Thus, conventionally, in order to obtain the sterilization and antibacterial performance of laundry, an ion generator for generating silver ions through electrolysis of water is installed in a water supply process during supplying water during washing and rinsing to prepare silver solution sterilization water or tub for washing tubs. In the case of injection, a method of inserting a certain ratio of silver was used.

Among them, a method of manufacturing silver solution sterilization water by installing an ion generator is to dilute silver colloid in the water supplied to the washing machine, so that the contaminants or bacteria attached to the laundry during the washing and rinsing process with water containing silver ions. To be removed or sterilized.

However, despite the fact that the water supply pressure (flow rate) supplied to the washing machine is not constant according to the place or time at which the washing machine is installed, conventionally, the solution sterilizing water manufacturing method operates the ion generator constantly according to a predetermined algorithm regardless of the flow rate. Therefore, when water containing silver ions (washing and rinsing water) is supplied to the inside of the washing machine, the concentration of silver in the washing machine is not constant, so the performance of disinfection and antibacterial during washing and rinsing is different.

Therefore, the present invention is to solve the conventional problems as described above, the object of the present invention is to check the water supply pressure (flow rate) supplied to the washing machine water supply control of the washing machine that can supply a constant silver concentration of water inside the washing machine To provide a method.

Another object of the present invention, a washing machine capable of supplying a constant silver concentration of water into the washing machine by increasing the concentration of silver in the ion generating device and restarting the water supply by the water supply control to temporarily stop the water supply during water supply when the flow rate is too high. To provide a water supply control method of.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a control method of a washing machine having a water supply device and an ion generating device, the flow rate of the water supplied to the washing machine, and to supply water containing a certain concentration of silver ions to the washing machine. While controlling the ion generating device, if the detected flow rate is more than a predetermined reference value, the water supply is paused and then resupplied.

In addition, detecting the flow rate of the water supplied to the washing machine, starting the water supply to detect the water level of the water supplied to the washing machine, calculate the water supply time it takes for the detected water level to reach the predetermined water level flow rate of the water supplied to the washing machine It is characterized by detecting.

In addition, the predetermined water level is characterized in that about 1/5 of the total water supply determined according to the minimum water level or load amount detectable in the washing machine.

In addition, controlling the ion generator is characterized in that the current value and the current supply time of the ion generator is adjusted according to the flow rate.

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In addition, the ion generating device is characterized in that the operation continues during the control time of the water supply device for temporarily stopping the water supply.

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

1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a washing machine equipped with an ion generating device according to the present invention.

1, the washing machine of the present invention is for washing fresh water, and includes a drum-type water tank 11 installed inside the body 10, a rotary drum (not shown) 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 rotary drum 12 is installed in such a manner that the front portion 12a on which the inlet 12b is formed faces the front upper portion, and the rotation center line A thereof is inclined at a predetermined angle? Relative to the installation surface of the washing machine. At this time, the rotating drum 12 is rotatably supported inside the water tub 11 by being rotatably supported by the center of the rear face of the water tub 11, the rotating shaft 13 being coupled to the center of the rear face 12c.

A plurality of through holes 12d are formed in the periphery of the rotary drum 12 and a plurality of lifters 12b are provided on the inner surface of the rotary drum 12 to allow the laundry to rise and fall when the rotary drum 12 rotates. 14 are 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 inside), a washing heater 16 for heating the washing water supplied into the water tank 11 and a temperature sensor 30 for detecting a temperature of the washing water supplied to the water tank 11 are installed.

The motor 15 includes a stator 15a fixed to the rear portion 11c of the water tub 11, a rotor 15b rotatably disposed on the outer periphery of the stator 15a, and a rotor 15b And a rotary plate 15c connecting the rotary 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 laundry can be put into the inside of the rotating drum 12 or the laundry can be taken out. 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 to the inside of the water tank 11, the ion generator 28 for supplying water containing silver ions to the inside of the water tank 11, above the water tank 11. In addition, a water supply device 20 for supplying water to the detergent supply device 18 and the ion generator 28 is installed.

The lower portion of the water tank 11 is for draining the water in the water tank 11 is provided with a drain 19, including a drain pipe 19a, a drain valve 19b, a drain pump 19c.

The detergent supply device 18 is partitioned into a plurality of spaces and is installed on the front side of the main body 10 so that the user can easily insert detergent and rinsing agent into the respective spaces. Multiple compartments consist of a pre-washing detergent container for storing detergents used for pre-laundry, a main laundry detergent container for storing detergents for main laundry, and a rinsing container for storing rinsing agents used for rinsing. It is disclosed in Patent Application No. 2003-0011317 filed by the present applicant, it is also possible to apply the general known technology.

The water supply device 20 is a water supply pipe (21, 22) for supplying the wash water of cold water and hot water to the water tank 11 and the water supply is installed in the water supply pipe (21, 22) to control the water supply of the water supply pipe (21, 22) The valves 23 and 24 are provided.

At this time, the water supply pipes 21 and 22 are 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 connection pipe 25 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 25 is provided. At the outlet of the water supply nozzle 26 is installed.

This allows the water supplied into the water tank 11 to pass through the detergent supply device 18 so that the detergent inside the detergent supply device 18 can be supplied to the water tank 11.

In addition, an ion generator 28 is installed between the water supply valve 23 and the detergent supply device 18 so that the sterilized water containing silver ions, ie, silver ions, has passed through the ion generator 28. To be supplied.

The ionizer 28 is provided with two silver plates therein to alternately apply voltages of (+) polarity and (-) polarity to the two silver plates to generate silver ions through electrolysis of water in the water supply process to sterilize the silver solution. By producing water, this ion generating device 28 is a technique for the main pipe filed by the present applicant, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The operation of the washing machine equipped with the ion generator 28 as described above is as follows.

When the laundry is put in the rotating drum 12 and the washing machine is operated, the water supply valves 23 and 24 of the water supply device 20 are opened, and the washing water is changed to sterilized water containing silver ions via the ion generator 28 to supply detergent. After passing through the device 18 is supplied to the water tank (11).

When the water supply operation is completed, the washing heater 16 is operated to heat the washing water filled in the water tank 11 to the temperature required for washing, and then the rotating drum 12 is rotated in the forward or reverse direction by the driving of the motor 15. The washing is performed by the frictional force with the rotating drum 12 and the decomposition force of the detergent.

After the washing is completed, a dehydration stroke is performed by a high speed rotation of the rinsing stroke and the rotating drum 12 which repeats dehydration and water supply.

FIG. 2 is a control configuration diagram of a washing machine having an ion generating device according to the present invention, which includes a signal input unit 40, a water level detecting unit 50, a control unit 60, and a driving unit 70 in addition to the apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is composed.

The signal input unit 40 inputs a washing course (for example, standard washing course) and washing information, washing temperature, dehydration rpm, rinsing addition, etc., which the user selects according to the material of the laundry, to the controller 60. The water level detecting unit 50 detects the water level of the wash water supplied to the water tank 11.

The control unit 60 is a microcomputer that controls the washing machine according to the driving information input from the signal input unit 40, and the water supply amount Wt and the motor operation rate (motor on-) which are set according to the load amount (the weight of the laundry) in the selected washing course. Off time), the laundry time is stored.

In addition, the control unit 60 is the water supply is started is the minimum water level [Wa] can detect the water supplied into the tank (11); About 1/5 of the total water supply amount (Wt)] is calculated and the water supply pressure (flow rate; Vw) of the water supplied to the washing machine is checked, and the remaining residual water supply amount is then based on the checked flow rate (Vw). [Wt-Wa; About 4/5 of the total water supply amount Wt] includes a ROM table that predetermines data such as the current value and current supply time of the ion generator 28 required for water supply.

In addition, the controller 60 compares the checked flow rate Vw with a predetermined reference value Vs (a reference flow rate for determining whether the flow rate supplied to the washing machine is fast) and the flow rate Vw is equal to or greater than the reference value Vs. It is determined that the flow rate of the water supplied to the washing machine is fast, and the water supply control to temporarily stop the water supply for a predetermined time (about 5 seconds) during the water supply is controlled to increase the concentration of silver in the ion generator 28. If the flow rate is too fast, the concentration of silver in the washing machine becomes low, so that the water is temporarily suspended for a predetermined time (about 5 seconds) while the residual water remains in the ion generator 28 and the current is supplied to the ion generator 28. This is to continuously supply water so that the water inside the washing machine can have a constant silver concentration.

The driving unit 70 is a motor 15, a washing heater 16, a drain valve 19b, a drain pump 19c, a water supply valve 23, 24, an ion generator in accordance with a drive control signal of the control unit 60 (28) is driven.

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

3A and 3B are operation flowcharts of a water supply control method for supplying water of a constant silver concentration in a washing machine equipped with an ion generating device of the present invention.

Put the laundry inside the rotating drum 12 and when the user selects the driving information such as washing course and washing temperature, dehydration rpm, rinse addition according to the material of the laundry (S100), the operation information selected by the user is the signal input unit 40 It is input to the control unit 60 through).

Therefore, the control unit 60 starts the washing process according to the driving information input from the signal input unit 40. First, after detecting the load amount (the weight of the laundry) put into the rotating drum 12 (S102) The water supply amount Wt for each washing course is set according to the load amount (S104).

Accordingly, the control unit 60 operates the water supply device 20 to supply the water supply amount Wt set for each washing course according to the load, so that the water supply valves 23 and 24 are opened, and the water passes through the water supply pipes 21 and 22. After passing through the detergent supply device 18, the water supply to the water tank 11 is started through the water supply nozzle 26 while passing through the connecting pipe 25 again (S106).

When the water supply starts, the water level (W) of the water supplied to the water tank 11 is detected by the water level detecting unit 50 (S108), the detected washing water level (W) is a predetermined minimum water level [W1; It is determined whether or not the minimum water level detectable by the water level detection unit, about 1/5 of the total water supply amount (Wt)] or more (S110).

If the washing water level W is not equal to or greater than the minimum water level W1, the controller 60 continues to supply water until the minimum water level W1 is reached.

If the washing water level (W) is more than the minimum water level (W1), the control unit 60 calculates the water supply time required to start the water supply and the water supplied in the water tank 11 to reach the minimum water level (W1) to supply to the washing machine The flow rate Vw of the water to be checked is checked (S112).

Accordingly, the control unit 60 subsequently controls the remaining water supply amount [Wt-Wa] based on the checked flow rate Vw; About 4/5 of the total water supply amount (Wt)] by setting the current value and current supply time of the ion generator 28 required to supply the water to control the water in the washing machine to have a constant silver concentration, the flow rate (Vw If) is too fast, the water inside the washing machine will not get a constant silver concentration within the water supply time.

To prevent this, the controller 60 determines whether the checked flow rate Vw is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value Vs (reference flow rate for determining whether the flow rate supplied to the washing machine is fast) (S114).

When the flow rate Vw is greater than or equal to the reference value Vs, the controller 60 determines that the flow rate of the water supplied to the washing machine is fast, and then, based on the checked flow rate Vw, the remaining remaining water quantity [Wt-Wa; About 4/5 of the total water supply amount Wt] is set together with the current value and current supply time of the ion generator 28 necessary for water supply, and at the same time, the off control time of the water supply device 20 is set together.

Setting the off control time of the water supply device 20 is a water supply control that temporarily stops the water supply during the off control time (about, 5 seconds) set during the water supply, and increases the concentration of silver in the ion generator 28 to increase the water tank 11. This is to ensure that the water inside has a constant silver concentration. In other words, if the flow rate Vw is too fast, the concentration of silver in the water tank 11 becomes low, and thus the water supply is temporarily stopped during the off-control time (approximately 5 seconds) of the water supply device 20 and thus inside the ion generator 28. In the remaining state, the current is supplied to the ion generator 28 continuously to increase the concentration of silver in the ion generator 28, and then the water supply is started again to contain the ion generator 28 containing the high concentration of silver ions. The internal water is supplied to the water tank 11 so that the low silver concentration in the water tank 11 can have a constant silver concentration.

Accordingly, the controller 60 operates the ion generator 28 at the set current value during the set current supply time while supplying water in the water tank 11 to have a constant silver concentration regardless of the flow rate Vw (S118). In the water supply control to temporarily stop the water supply during the off-control time of the water supply device 20 set during water supply, the water in the water tank 11 is controlled to have a constant silver concentration even when the flow rate Vw is too fast (S120). ).

In this way, the operation of the ion generator 28 and the water supply control based on the flow rate Vw determine whether the set current supply time is completed (S122). If the current supply time is not completed, the water supply is started again (S126). In the following, the remaining current is checked for the operation of the ion generator 28 and the water supply control based on the flow rate Vw.

When the current supply time is completed, the control unit 60 stops the ion generator 28 and the water supply device 20 to complete the water supply operation (S124) and ends the operation.

In the above, the method of controlling the water supply operation together with the operation control of the ion generator 28 when the flow rate Vw is too fast has been described. Hereinafter, the case where the flow rate Vw is normal or slow will be described.

If the flow rate Vw is not equal to or greater than the reference value Vs in S114, the controller 60 determines that the flow rate Vw of the water supplied to the washing machine is normal or slow, and then, based on the checked flow rate Vw, the remaining water supply amount is determined. [Wt-Wa; About 4/5 of the total water supply amount Wt] is set to the current value and the current supply time of the ion generator 28 necessary for water supply (S130).

At this time, unlike the case in which the flow rate Vw is slow, a separate water supply control is not performed. When the flow rate Vw is slow, the silver concentration is increased so that the water in the water tank 11 may always have a constant silver concentration. Because there is.

Accordingly, the controller 60 operates the ion generator 28 at the set current value during the set current supply time, thereby supplying water having a constant silver concentration into the water tank 11 regardless of the flow rate Vw. ) To control the internal water to have a constant silver concentration (S132).

In this way, it is determined whether the set current supply time is completed through the operation control of the ion generator 28 based on the flow rate Vw (S134). If the current supply time is not completed, the current value is set for the set current supply time. Subsequently, the ion generator 28 is operated.

After that, when the current supply time is completed, the control unit 60 stops the ion generator 28 and the water supply device 20 to complete the water supply operation (S124) and ends the operation.

As described above, according to the water supply control method of the washing machine according to the present invention, by checking the water supply pressure (flow rate) supplied to the washing machine so that the water inside the washing machine has a constant silver concentration even if the time and place are different, When rinsing, the sterilization / antibacterial effect can be kept constant.

In addition, the present invention can supply water of a constant silver concentration inside the washing machine by increasing the concentration of silver in the ion generating device by the water supply control to pause and restart the water supply during the water supply when the flow rate is too fast.

What has been described above is just one embodiment for carrying out the water supply control method of the washing machine 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 (8)

In the control method of the washing machine equipped with a water supply device and an ion generator, Detects a flow rate of water supplied to the washing machine, Water supply control method of the washing machine, characterized in that for controlling the ion generating device to supply water containing a certain concentration of silver ions to the washing machine, the water supply is paused and re-supplied when the detected flow rate is more than a predetermined reference value . The method of claim 1, Detecting the flow rate of the water supplied to the washing machine, Start water supply to detect the level of water supplied to the washing machine, The water supply control method of the washing machine, characterized in that for detecting the flow rate of the water supplied to the washing machine by calculating the water supply time it takes for the detected water level to reach a predetermined level. 3. The method of claim 2, The predetermined water level is a water supply control method for a washing machine, characterized in that the minimum level detectable in the washing machine. 3. The method of claim 2, The water level control method of the washing machine, characterized in that the predetermined water level is about 1/5 of the total water supply amount determined according to the load amount. The method of claim 1, Controlling the ion generating device, The water supply control method of the washing machine, characterized in that for adjusting the current value and the current supply time of the ion generating device according to the flow rate. delete delete The method of claim 1, The water supply control method of the washing machine, characterized in that the ion generating device continues to operate during the control time of the water supply device to pause the water supply.

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