KR101287533B1 - Washing machine and detecting apparatus for residual quantity of liquid detergent thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The washing machine according to the present invention includes a washing machine main body, a tub accommodating laundry and laundry water, a detergent supply device for supplying a liquid detergent stored in a storage chamber of the detergent container into the tub, and a detergent container. And a liquid detergent remaining amount detection device for detecting whether the liquid detergent is sufficient, the liquid detergent remaining amount detection device is inserted into the detergent container and is rotated to be rotatably installed on the support member and the support member placed at a predetermined position inside the detergent container. And a sensor coupled to the rotating member, a float coupled to the rotating member, a magnet coupled to the float, and a sensor disposed under the detergent container storage chamber to sense the magnetic field of the magnet. According to the present invention, since the remaining amount of the liquid detergent remaining in the detergent container automatically detects the remaining amount of the liquid detergent, the user does not need to directly check the remaining amount of the liquid detergent.

Washing machine, liquid detergent, detergent supply device, remaining amount, detection

Description

Washing machine and detecting apparatus for residual quantity of liquid detergent

1 is a perspective view schematically showing a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a configuration diagram showing a partial configuration of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a support member and a float of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a plan view showing a storage box of the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a front view illustrating a method of inserting a support member and a float of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention into a detergent container.

6A and 6B are side cross-sectional views for explaining the operation of the liquid detergent remaining amount detection device of the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

 Description of the Related Art [0002]

11 ... main body 12 ... tub

13 ... washing tub 15 ... driving motor

16 ... display device 17 ... buzzer

21 ... pedestal 22 ... frame

23 ... box 26 ... detergent container

31 ... detergent dispensing device 32 ... detergent dispensing tube

33. Airtight member 41 ... Liquid detergent remaining amount detection device

42 supporting member 43 base part

44. Rotating restraining member 45 ... Support shaft

46.Rotating member 47 ... Float

48, magnet 49a, 49b, 49c, 49d ... 1,2,3,4 sensor

51.Detergent containers

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine capable of automatically detecting the residual amount of liquid detergent and a liquid detergent residual amount detection device provided therein.

BACKGROUND ART Generally, a washing machine is a pulsator that is rotatably installed on a floor inside a tub, and a pulsator washing machine for washing the laundry and rotating the laundry to perform washing, an agitator protruding in the center of the tub, An agitator washing machine for performing washing by stirring laundry water and a laundry to be washed, and a drum washing machine for rotating the drum rotatably installed in the tub to perform washing while repeatedly raising and lowering the laundry.

These various washing machines are provided with a detergent supply device for supplying an appropriate amount of detergent according to the amount of laundry, and a detergent supply device is operated to supply the detergent into the tub together with the washing water when the washing water is supplied to the tub. There are solid powder detergents and liquid liquid detergents as detergents to be used for washing, and the structure of the washing machine for detergent input varies depending on the type of detergent to be used. Washing machines using liquid detergents have several advantages over washing machines using powder detergents.

For example, a washing machine using a liquid detergent is advantageous in that the installation position of the detergent supply device is free as compared with a washing machine using a powder detergent. That is, since the powder detergent is not easily lifted up to the upper part, the washing machine using the powder detergent is limited to the upper part of the tub, but the liquid detergent is used as a pump The washing machine using the liquid detergent can be installed at the lower part of the tub with the detergent supply device. Therefore, the washing machine using the liquid detergent is free from the disposition of the parts as compared with the washing machine using the powder detergent.

Since the powder detergent is not easy to control the amount of the powder, the washing machine using the powder detergent should directly apply an appropriate amount of detergent to the user depending on the amount of the laundry to be washed. On the other hand, since the amount of the liquid detergent can be easily controlled by using the flow controller, the washing machine using the liquid detergent stores a large amount of detergent at a time and automatically loads a certain amount of the liquid detergent into the tub There are advantages to be able to.

Thus, the washing machine using the liquid detergent has a number of advantages over the washing machine using the powder detergent, but also has the inconvenience that the user must check the remaining amount of the detergent from time to time. That is, if the remaining amount of the liquid detergent is insufficient, washing of the laundry may not be performed smoothly. Therefore, the user must check whether the detergent necessary for washing is sufficient before washing, Make sure that the laundry is not running in a state where the amount of detergent required is insufficient.

Because of this problem, the conventional washing machine using the liquid detergent has a detergent container disposed outside the washing machine, so that the user can easily check the remaining amount of the liquid detergent. To this end, it has been necessary to use a separate transparent detergent container or a transparent or semitransparent detergent container.

However, since the conventional washing machine has to be disposed such that the detergent container is exposed to the outside, a space for installing the detergent container is required and the installation space of the washing machine is increased.

In addition, the conventional washing machine has a limitation that the detergent container must be made transparent or semitransparent. If the detergent container is placed inside the washing machine main body or inside the supporting base for supporting the washing machine main body, there is a problem that the remaining amount of the liquid detergent can not be confirmed.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, it is arranged so that the detergent container is not exposed to the outside, while providing a washing machine that can automatically detect the residual amount of the liquid detergent while reducing the installation space and the liquid detergent residual amount detection device provided therewith. Its purpose is to.

Washing machine according to the present invention for achieving the above object is to accommodate the washing machine body, the laundry to be washed and the water to be installed in the washing machine body, and to supply the liquid detergent stored in the storage chamber of the detergent container into the tub. And a detergent supply device and a liquid detergent remaining amount detection device for detecting whether the liquid detergent in the detergent container is sufficient, wherein the liquid detergent remaining amount detection device is inserted into the detergent container and placed at a predetermined position inside the detergent container. And a rotation sensor installed rotatably on the support member, a float coupled to the pivot member, a magnet coupled to the float, and a sensing sensor disposed below the detergent container storage chamber to sense a magnetic field of the magnet. Characterized in that it comprises a.

Here, the washing machine according to the present invention further includes a detergent introduction tube whose one end is inserted into the detergent container to guide the liquid detergent of the detergent container to the tub, and the support member is a liquid detergent of the detergent container. It may be coupled to one end of the detergent inlet tube having a suction port for sucking.

The support member may have a base portion having a circumferential width larger than the circumferential width of the detergent introduction tube and having a flat bottom surface contacting the bottom surface of the detergent container.

In addition, the support member may be provided with a rotation suppressing member for limiting the rotation range of the rotating member so that the maximum angle between the rotating member and the supporting member is smaller than the horizontal angle.

In addition, the washing machine according to the present invention may further include a notification means for informing the user when the float is lowered and the magnet approaches the sensing sensor.

In addition, the washing machine according to the present invention may further include a detergent container accommodating part in which the detergent container is accommodated, and the detergent container accommodating part may be provided with a plurality of sensors.

On the other hand, the liquid detergent remaining amount detection device of the washing machine according to the present invention for achieving the above object is to detect the remaining amount of the liquid detergent stored in the storage chamber of the detergent container, the inside of the detergent container is inserted into the detergent container The detergent container so as to sense a support member placed at a predetermined position, a pivot member rotatably installed on the support member, a float coupled to the pivot member, a magnet coupled to the float, and a magnetic field of the magnet. It characterized in that it comprises a sensor disposed in the lower portion of the storage compartment.

Hereinafter, a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention is a drum washing machine in which laundry is washed by a driving motor (15) while a washing tub (13) containing laundry is washed.

As shown in Figure 1 and 2, the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine main body 11, the tub 12 is fixed to the interior of the washing machine main body 11, the tub The washing tank 13 installed to be rotated by the drive motor 15 in the interior of the 12, the base 21 for supporting the washing machine main body 11, and the liquid detergent for supplying the liquid detergent to the inside of the tub 12. And a detergent supply device 31, a liquid detergent remaining amount detection device 41 for detecting the residual amount of liquid detergent in the detergent container 51, and a controller 18 for controlling the overall operation of the washing machine. The front of the tub 12 and the washing tub 13 are opened for inputting and discharging the laundry and a tub 12 and a door for opening and closing the front of the washing tub 13 14 are installed.

In addition, although not shown, like the conventional washing machine, a washing water supply device for supplying washing water to the inside of the tub 12 is provided in the washing machine body 11 and a washing water supply device for discharging the washing water in the tub 12 And a washing-water discharging device for the washing water.

In addition, a display device 16 for displaying the operating state of the washing machine, remaining amount information of the remaining liquid detergent, the kind of the liquid detergent, and the like is installed on one side of the washing machine main body 11, and on one side of the washing machine main body 11. The buzzer 17 for generating an operation sound or a warning sound according to the operation state or the occurrence of an error is installed.

The pedestal 21 includes a frame 22 for supporting the washer main body 11 and a storage box 23 which is slidably installed in the forward and rearward directions of the frame 22. A handle 24 for user operation is provided in front of the storage box 23 and a storage compartment 25 for accommodating the detergent container 51 and the like is provided in the storage box 23.

The detergent supply device 31 is for automatically supplying the liquid detergent stored in the detergent container 51 to the inside of the tub 12 and is installed at one side of the inside of the main body 11 of the washing machine. Detergent supply device 31 is connected to the middle of the detergent injection tube 32, one end is inserted into the detergent container 51 and the other end is connected to the tub 12. When the detergent supply device 31 operates, the liquid detergent in the detergent container 51 flows into the interior of the tub 12 through the detergent input tube 32. As the detergent supply device 31, various known fluid transfer devices capable of flowing the fluid may be used.

Detergent injection tube 32 is a flexible tube that can be moved freely by a user operation, one end is a free end that can move the position and the other end is connected to the tub (12). The detergent dosing tube 32 is of a sufficient length so that one end of the detergent dosing tube 32 can be inserted into the detergent container 51 which is placed at an unspecified position of the housing 31. One side of the detergent injection tube 32 is provided with a sealing member 33 to block the opening 52 (see Fig. 5) of the detergent container 51, one end of the detergent injection tube 32 is inserted. The sealing member 33 blocks the opening 52 of the detergent container 51 while one end of the detergent injection tube 32 is inserted into the detergent container 51 so that the liquid detergent in the detergent container 51 does not dry out. do. The sealing member 33 is made of an elastic material such as rubber.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the liquid detergent remaining amount detection device 41 is inserted into the detergent container 51 and is placed at a predetermined position inside the detergent container 51 and the support member 42. Rotating member 46 is rotatably coupled to the), the float 47 is coupled to one end of the rotation member 46, the magnet 48 is coupled to the lower portion of the float 47, the magnet 48 The first to fourth detection sensors 49a, 49b, 49c, and 49d disposed below the detergent container 51 to detect the magnetic field of the magnetic field.

The support member 42 has a tube connection portion 42a coupled to the detergent injection tube 32 and a flat bottom surface 43a so as to be brought into contact with the bottom surface 53 of the detergent container 51. The base part 43 which consists of a circumferential width larger than the circumferential width of () is provided. The base portion 43 may be made of a material having a high specific gravity such as metal or rubber so that the base portion 43 is not easily moved in contact with the bottom surface 53 of the detergent container 51 when inserted into the detergent container 51. The base part 43 is provided with the support shaft 45 which rotatably supports the rotation member 46, and the rotation suppression member 44 which limits the rotation range of the rotation member 46. As shown in FIG. The rotation suppression member 44 limits the rotation range of the rotation member 46 so that the rotation member 46 does not cross to the opposite side when the support member 42 is placed in the detergent container 51. When the rotating member 46 is turned to the opposite side, the magnet 48 is located on the upper portion of the float 47, so that it is difficult for the sensors 49a, 49b, 49c and 49d to detect the magnetic field of the magnet 48. Because.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the rotation suppressing member 44 has a maximum angle α between the supporting member 42 and the rotating member 46 when the rotating member 46 is sag to the maximum, rather than horizontal. Small but limited to the rotation range of the rotating member 46 to be horizontal. Insert the support member 42 and the float 47 into the opening 52 of the narrow detergent container 51 until the maximum angle α between the support member 42 and the rotation member 46 is horizontal. easy to do.

In addition, the support member 42 includes a plurality of suction ports 42b for sucking the liquid detergent of the detergent container 51 and a flow path for guiding the liquid detergent sucked through the suction port 42b to the detergent injection tube 32 ( 42c).

One end of the rotation member 46 is provided with a shaft coupling portion 46a coupled to the support shaft 45 of the support member 42, and the float 47 is coupled to the other end of the rotation member 46. The float 47 has an air chamber 47a filled with air therein, and a magnet accommodating portion 47b for accommodating the magnet 48 is provided under the float 47. The float 47 floats when submerged in the liquid detergent, and drops when the level of the liquid detergent in the detergent container 51 decreases. When the float 47 descends, the magnet 48 faces the bottom surface 53 of the detergent container 51.

The plurality of detection sensors 49a, 49b, 49c, and 49d may be provided in the container 23 of the holder 21 of the base 21 so that the detergent container 51 can be placed thereon. It is provided in the part 26. These detection sensors 49a, 49b, 49c and 49d sense the magnetic field of the magnet 48 and transmit the detection signal to the control device 18. When the float 47 in the detergent container 51 descends and the magnet 48 approaches the bottom surface 53 of the detergent container 51, the magnets sensed by the detection sensors 49a, 49b, 49c, and 49d. The magnetic field strength of the 48 becomes large, and thus, whether the liquid detergent in the detergent container is insufficient due to the change in the magnetic field strength of the magnet 48 detected by the sensing sensors 49a, 49b, 49c, and 49d. Can be detected. The reason why the plurality of detection sensors 49a, 49b, 49c and 49d are provided is when the support member 42 and the float 47 are inserted into the detergent container 51 or the detergent container 51 is detergent. This is because the position of the magnet 48 can be changed each time it is placed in the container accommodation portion 26. When the detergent container 51 is placed in the detergent container accommodating part 26, among the plurality of sensor sensors 49a, 49b, 49c, and 49d, the sensor 49a and 49b closest to the magnet 48 is provided. 49c) 49d sense the change in the magnetic field of the magnet 48 and transmit the detection signal to the control device 18. The number of the detection sensors 49a, 49b, 49c and 49d is determined by the size of the detection sensors 49a, 49b, 49c and 49d, the size of the magnet 48, the length of the rotating member 46, and the like. It can be changed in various ways.

In the present embodiment, since the detergent container 51 is stored in the holder 23 of the pedestal 21, a plurality of detection sensors 49a, 49b, 49c, 49d are installed in the holder 23. Although described, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the installation positions of the detection sensors 49a, 49b, 49c, and 49d may be installed at other places where the detergent container 51, such as the washing machine body 11, is placed. .

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described the operation of the washing machine and the liquid detergent residual amount detection device 41 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the detergent container 51 is replaced with a new one, as shown in FIG. 5, one end of the detergent input tube 32 to which the support member 42 is coupled is accommodated in the detergent container accommodating part 26 of the container 23. Insert into the opening 52 of the detergent container 51 is placed. At this time, the rotation member 46 is drooped downward by its own weight so as to form a maximum angle α with the support member 42 so that it can be easily inserted into the opening 52 of the narrow detergent container 51. At this time, the rotation suppressing member 44 suppresses the rotation of the rotating member 46 so that the rotating member 46 does not fall to the opposite side.

When the support member 42 and the float 47 reach the bottom surface 53 of the detergent container 51 on the flat bottom 43a of the support member 42 while being inserted into the detergent container 51, it is shown in FIG. 6A. As shown, the support member 42 is erected on the bottom surface 53 of the detergent container 51, the float 47 is floated upward by the buoyancy of the liquid detergent. Thus, the magnet 48 coupled to the float 47 is spaced apart from the bottom surface 53 of the detergent container 51 by a certain distance. At this time, the magnetic field strength of the magnet 48 detected by the sensors 49a, 49b, 49c, and 49d is insignificant, and the controller 18 determines that the liquid detergent stored in the detergent container 51 is sufficient. When the washing instruction is applied, the control device 18 operates the washing water supply device and the detergent supply device 31 so that the washing proceeds normally.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the remaining amount of the liquid detergent remaining in the detergent container 51 is insufficient, the magnet 48 approaches the detection sensor 49a. The century is great. At this time, when the washing instruction is applied, the control device 18 determines that the remaining amount of the liquid detergent in the detergent container 51 is insufficient based on the detection signal transmitted from the detection sensor 49a, and displays the display device 16 or the buzzer 17. ) To notify the user. In addition, the washing water supply device and the detergent supply device 31 are not operated.

In the present invention, the time point at which the control device 18 determines that the remaining amount of the liquid detergent stored in the detergent container 51 is insufficient is set to a time point at which the liquid detergent in the detergent container 51 is less than the maximum amount used once. It is good. If the liquid detergent remains in the detergent container 51 but remains less than the maximum amount used once, since the washing process is not enough liquid detergent may not be supplied, the laundry may not be washed clean.

In the above description, the washing machine according to the present invention is limited to the drum washing machine, but the present invention can be applied to the pulse washing machine or the agitator washing machine in addition to the drum washing machine.

According to the present invention described above, the liquid detergent remaining amount detection device automatically detects the remaining amount of the liquid detergent remaining in the detergent container, so that the liquid detergent remaining in the detergent container even if the user does not directly check the remaining amount of the liquid detergent. You can determine whether is enough or not enough. Therefore, the detergent container can be positioned so as not to be exposed to the outside of the washing machine body, such as the inside of the washing machine body or the lower portion of the washing machine body, it is possible to reduce the installation space of the washing machine.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the detergent container or detergent container for storing the liquid detergent does not need to be made transparent or translucent as in the prior art, the material of the detergent container or detergent container is not limited as in the prior art.

The present invention described above is not limited to the configuration and operation as illustrated and described. That is, the present invention is capable of various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (9)

A washing machine main body, a tub accommodating laundry and washing water, a tub installed inside the washing machine main body, a detergent supply device for supplying a liquid detergent stored in a storage chamber of a detergent container into the tub, and a liquid detergent of the detergent container. A washing machine comprising a liquid detergent remaining amount detection device for detecting whether there is enough, The remaining amount of the liquid detergent detecting device is inserted into the detergent container, a support member placed in a predetermined position inside the detergent container, a rotating member rotatably installed on the support member, a float coupled to the rotating member, and the float And a detection sensor disposed below the detergent container storage chamber to detect a magnet coupled to the magnet and the magnetic field of the magnet. The method of claim 1, Further comprising a detergent inlet tube having one end is inserted into the detergent container for guiding the liquid detergent of the detergent container to the tub, the support member has a suction port for sucking the liquid detergent of the detergent container and the detergent Washing machine, characterized in that coupled to one end of the feeding tube. The method of claim 2, The support member has a circumferential width greater than the circumferential width of the detergent injection tube and the washing machine characterized in that it has a base having a flat bottom surface in contact with the bottom surface of the detergent container. The method of claim 3, wherein The support member is a washing machine comprising a rotation suppressing member for limiting the range of rotation of the rotating member so that the maximum angle between the rotating member and the supporting member is smaller than the horizontal angle. The method of claim 1, And a notifying means for notifying a user when the float descends and the magnet approaches the sensing sensor. The method of claim 1, Washing machine characterized in that it further comprises a detergent container accommodating portion, wherein the detergent container is accommodated in the detergent container accommodating. In the liquid detergent residual amount detection device of the washing machine for detecting the residual amount of the liquid detergent stored in the storage chamber of the detergent container, A support member inserted into the detergent container and positioned at a predetermined position within the detergent container, a pivot member rotatably installed on the support member, a float coupled to the pivot member, and a magnet coupled to the float; And a detection sensor disposed under the detergent container storage compartment to detect the magnetic field of the magnet. The method of claim 7, wherein  The support member is a liquid detergent remaining amount detection device of a washing machine, characterized in that it comprises a suction port through which the liquid detergent of the detergent container can be sucked. The method of claim 7, wherein The support member has a flat bottom surface in contact with the bottom surface of the detergent container and has a liquid detergent residual amount detection device of the washing machine, characterized in that it has a base portion extended in the circumference.

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