KR101350702B1 - Softener input-time alarming device of washer and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for informing a fabric softener of a washing machine, which is provided as a single product attached to a washing machine so that the fabric softener can be introduced in a timely manner by automatically notifying the user of the input of the fabric softener during the use of the washing machine. The cloth softener feeding time notification device of the washing machine is installed in the drainage line of the washing machine to check the drainage condition and to measure the drainage contamination concentration, the drainage pollution concentration sensor attached to the washing machine, drainage pollution concentration signal input from the drainage contamination concentration detection sensor Analyze and compare the measured concentration value and the reference concentration value stored in the memory, and in response to the comparison of the measured concentration value and the reference concentration value, the control unit for generating an alarm signal informing the timing of the fabric softener, and the alarm signal from the control unit It includes an alarm unit that receives the input driven.

Washing machine, fabric softener, drainage, pollution, alarm

Description

Apparatus and method for notifying when a fabric softener is put in a washing machine {SOFTENER INPUT-TIME ALARMING DEVICE OF WASHER AND METHOD THEREOF}

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a fiber softener input timing notification device of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a view showing a mounting position of the wastewater concentration detection sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of notifying when a fabric softener is added to a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

110; Drainage pollution detection sensor 120; The control unit

122; Memory 130; Alarm

140; Reset unit 220; case

230; Attachment member

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for notifying time of feeding of fabric softener of a washing machine.

In general, a washing machine includes a main body forming an exterior, a laundry container supported inside the main body to accommodate washing water therein, and a power supply unit provided at one side of the laundry container to provide power required for driving the laundry container, and built in one side of the main body. It includes a control unit for controlling the driving of. And a cover is mounted on the upper surface (or side surface) of a main body, and an operation panel and a display part are mounted.

In the case of washing using the washing machine of such a configuration, the fabric softener is added separately from the detergent. The fabric softener should be added at an appropriate time during washing, and the user put the fabric softener in consideration of the timing of the fabric softener. In addition, the fabric softener can be separately provided on one side of the laundry container to contain the fabric softener, in which case it is difficult to accurately control the amount and timing of the fabric softener.

As described above, it is preferable to inject the fabric softener only at an appropriate time without inputting the fabric softener into the fabric softener container in advance, but it is difficult for the user to accurately determine the timing of the fabric softener. Therefore, there is a problem that the timing of the fabric softener is missed, or the fabric softener is introduced at an inappropriate time, thereby reducing the effect of the fabric softener.

Provided as a single product attached to the washing machine is to provide a device and method for notifying the fabric softener of the washing machine to be able to input the fabric softener in a timely manner by automatically notifying the user of the input of the fabric softener during the use of the washing machine.

The present invention is installed in the drainage line of the washing machine to check the drainage state and drainage contamination detection sensor for measuring the drainage pollution concentration, the concentration is measured by analyzing the drainage pollution concentration signal is attached to the washing machine, drainage pollution concentration detection sensor A control unit for comparing the measured value with the reference concentration value stored in the memory, and generating an alarm signal informing the timing of adding the fabric softener in response to the comparison between the measured concentration value and the reference concentration value, and receiving and driving an alarm signal from the control unit. It includes an alarm unit.

The controller may generate an alarm signal when the measured concentration value is less than the reference concentration value. The controller counts the elapsed time through a timer when the measured concentration value is less than the reference concentration value. If it is larger than the set time, it can generate alarm signal.

The apparatus may further include a case accommodating the control unit and an attachment member attached to the case, the case may be attached to the washing machine through the attachment member, the attachment member may be made of a magnet, or the attachment member may be made of an adhesive tape.

The alarm unit may include a horn provided in the case to generate an alarm signal sound, and may further include a reset unit configured to input an alarm release signal of the alarm unit.

The controller stops the generation of the alarm signal when the alarm release signal is input through the reset unit, and the reset unit may be a button switch.

The control unit and the drainage pollution concentration sensor may be connected by wire or wirelessly.

On the other hand, the present invention is the step of checking the drainage state and measuring the drainage contamination concentration through the drainage contamination concentration detection sensor mounted on the drainage line of the washing machine, and comparing the measured concentration value and the reference concentration value stored in the memory, In response to the comparison of the concentration value and the reference concentration value may comprise the step of generating an alarm signal informing the timing of the fabric softener.

The step of alerting the fabric softener input time may compare the measured concentration value with the reference concentration value stored in the memory, and if the measured concentration value is less than the reference concentration value, the fiber softener input time may be alerted. And the step of alerting the fabric softener input time may count the elapsed time through the timer if the measured concentration value is less than the reference concentration value, and may generate an alarm signal if the elapsed time is greater than the preset time set in the memory.

If the measured concentration value is greater than the reference concentration value, the method may include returning to the drainage state detecting step and repeatedly performing a series of operations.

The method may further include stopping the generation of the alarm signal when the alarm release signal is input through the reset unit for inputting the alarm release signal of the alarm unit.

Counting the elapsed time through the timer can be done in the drainage completion state.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In the specification and drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same elements.

Referring to Figure 1, the fiber softener input timing notification device of the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a waste contamination concentration detection sensor 110, the control unit 120, the alarm unit 130 and the reset unit 140.

Drain pollution concentration detection sensor 110 is a sensor that is mounted on the drain line of the washing machine to check the drainage state and measure the degree of contamination of the wash water. For example, to measure the degree of contamination of relatively less contaminated wash water (tap water), such as wash water containing detergents and contaminants and wash water used for initial washing or rinsing. In the case of washing water containing a lot of contaminants, even if the fabric softener is introduced by the interaction between the ions, it will be difficult to sufficiently obtain the effect of adding the fabric softener. On the contrary, when there is little contaminant, there is little interaction between the ions, and thus the fabric softener is loosened well, and even if less than the usual amount of fabric softener is added, proper washing may be performed.

In this way, by classifying the drainage state of the wash water, the user can input the fabric softener at a more accurate time by alerting the timing of the fiber softener input when switching from a state in which there is a lot of contaminants in the drain.

On the other hand, drainage contamination concentration detection sensor 110 may detect the degree of contamination of the wash water by measuring the magnitude of the conductivity measured according to the amount of ions contained in the wash water. Therefore, the drainage contamination detection sensor 110 may be applied to the conductivity sensor.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the drainage contamination concentration detection sensor 110 may be mounted to a drainage hose 210 forming a drainage line. In the embodiment of the present invention has been described as being mounted on the drain hose 210 of the washing machine 200 in order to facilitate the positioning of the drainage contamination concentration detection sensor 110, the drainage contamination concentration detection sensor 110 is passed through the laundry. It may be installed as needed in an appropriate position in the drain line between the drain hose 210. That is, the drainage contamination detection sensor 110 may be mounted on the drainage line located inside the main body of the washing machine 200.

The control unit 120 may be provided as a kind of microprocessor that controls an alarm control operation for a series of fabric softener input time and outputs controlled signals by a program attached to one side of the washing machine. The control unit 120 may be formed to be driven as a separate program from the washing machine driving program as in the embodiment of the present invention, and may share some or all of the programs with the control unit of the washing machine as necessary.

The control unit 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention analyzes the wastewater contamination concentration signal input from the wastewater contamination concentration detection sensor 110 and compares the measured concentration value with the reference concentration value stored in the memory 122. According to the comparison between the concentration value and the reference concentration value, the corresponding fabric softener input timing alarm signal is generated. The controller 120 stores the measured concentration value when the measured concentration value is greater than the reference concentration value, and detects the cultivated state and re-measures the drainage contamination concentration when the cultivated state is cultivated. When the re-measured concentration value is smaller than the reference concentration value by comparing the reference concentration value stored in 122), the fabric softener input timing alarm signal is generated. Here, the generation of the fabric softener input timing alarm signal may be performed in a state in which the elapsed time is counted by using a counter function of the timer, and the elapsed time through the timer has passed the preset time set in the memory. In addition, the controller 120 detects an alarm release signal input through the reset unit 140 and performs a control operation to stop the alarm operation time when the fabric softener is input when the alarm release signal is input.

The alarm unit 130 is driven by receiving the fiber softener input timing alarm signal from the control unit 120 to alert the fiber softener input timing. The alarm unit 130 may be provided as an indicator and may be provided as a horn generating an alarm at regular intervals as in the embodiment of the present invention.

On the other hand, the embodiment of the present invention further includes a case 220 coupled to one side of the washing machine 200 through the attachment member 230. In this case, the controller 120 may be provided in the case 220. The attachment member 230 attached to one surface of the case 220 and one side of the washing machine 200 may be made of a magnet. And the attachment member 230 may be made of an adhesive tape (double-sided adhesive tape).

In addition, the alarm unit 130 may be made of a horn to be exposed to one side of the case 220 to generate an alarm signal sound. In addition, the reset unit 140 may be provided on an outer surface of the case 220 and may include a button switch for inputting an alarm release signal of the alarm unit 130.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of notifying when a fabric softener is added to a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to Figures 1 to 3 will be described a fiber softener input timing notification method of the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the user supplies power to the washing machine to wash the laundry, and then puts the laundry to be washed in the laundry tub. Subsequently, when the required washing setting signal is input through the key input unit provided in the washing machine itself, the washing machine control unit detects the signal input through the key input unit to detect the washing machine driving state. The washing machine driving state may be determined by pressing an operation button (or a power button) of the key input unit. The washing machine driving state includes a state in which a function of the washing machine such as water supply, drainage, washing, rinsing, and dehydration is driven while power required for driving the washing machine is supplied. The washing machine controller performs an operation of supplying water to the water supply level for the laundry by a preset program. When the water supply is completed as described above, the washing machine controller supplies a driving signal to the driving unit to proceed with the washing operation.

As described above, the method of notifying the fabric softener input time of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in the state where the washing machine is driven through the control operation of the washing machine control unit.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 120 separately provided on one side of the washing machine checks the drainage state through the drainage contamination concentration sensor 110 mounted on the drainage line of the washing machine and measures the drainage contamination concentration (S20). , S22).

Subsequently, the controller 120 compares the measured concentration value with the reference concentration value stored in the memory 122 (S24). If the measured concentration value is smaller than the reference concentration value, the control unit 120 detects the drainage completion state (S26).

If the concentration value measured in step S24 is greater than the reference concentration value, the flow returns to the drainage state detection step and repeats a series of operations (S20).

Here, detecting the drainage includes both normal rinsing after washing or repeated rinsing. For example, when washing and draining and then rinsing again with water supply, the contamination concentration of the waste water is changed. An embodiment of the present invention compares the contamination concentration of such waste water to notify an alarm of adding a fabric softener.

Subsequently, the controller 120 counts the elapsed time using the counter function of the general timer (S28). In addition, the controller 120 alerts the fabric softener input time when the elapsed time measured by the timer has passed the preset time set in the memory (S30).

In the alarming stage of the fabric softener input time, a separate signal tone may be sounded for a predetermined time so that the user knows the timing of the fabric softener input. Therefore, the user can know the optimum time to put the fabric softener even in a place far from the washing machine.

When the fabric softener input timing alarm sound occurs in the above-described step (S30), the control unit 120 detects an alarm release signal input through the reset unit 140 (S32), and if the alarm release signal is input, the fabric softener The operation stops the operation timing (S34).

The alarm release signal input step is to confirm whether the user has been warned when the fabric softener is injected. The fabric softener may be added to the fabric softener container provided separately and automatically added through a separate input device, or directly by the user to the laundry container in which the wash water and the rinsing water are stored.

When the alarm release signal is input through the reset unit 140 in the alarm release signal input step, the control unit 120 determines that the user has confirmed the fabric softener input timing alarm to stop a series of control operations related to the fiber softener input timing alarm. do.

On the other hand, the detailed description of the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, of course, various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

In the above embodiment, the fabric softener input timing alarm device and method separately provided from the washing machine device and the control operation to compare the degree of contamination of the water drained during washing, to warn the input time of the fabric softener, but the fiber Improve the timing and system of alarming softener input.

For example, the control unit 120 may share a program with the washing machine control unit to alert the timing of the fabric softener when the water required for rinsing reaches an appropriate level. The rinsing function is a function of removing the detergent and dirt residues of the laundry that has been washed with water that does not contain detergent, and is generally performed three times. In this case, the water level required for the rinsed water supply in the drained state can be detected and compared with the water level preset in the washing machine controller.

Therefore, the alarm operation that informs the timing of the injection of the fabric softener during rinsing can be alarmed according to the passage of the preset time set in the memory using a timer, and is necessary for rinsing using the water level signal input through the water level detection sensor. Alarms can be given when the water reaches an appropriate level. Here, the appropriate level of water required for rinsing means the optimum time point for the fabric softener to be added.

On the other hand, the control unit 120 may share the program with the washing machine control unit to stop the driving of the washing machine when the alarm when the fiber softener is added. In this case, it is possible to prevent unnecessary rinsing by preventing the washing from being completed without the fabric softener being added. In other words, it is not necessary to repeat the rinsing function already completed to add the fabric softener.

In addition, when the user sounds the alarm sound more than a predetermined number of times without adding the fabric softener, it may be to proceed to the next step without the addition of the fabric softener. That is, when the user does not recognize the alarm sound to inform the timing of the fabric softener is to prevent the washing machine is left unattended in the stopped state.

In this state, when the alarm release signal is input, the washing machine is driven again to perform a final rinsing function, and afterwards, washing may be completed by draining and dehydrating.

Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined not only by the claims below but also by the equivalents of the claims.

As described above, the apparatus and method for injecting the fabric softener of the washing machine are provided separately from the washing machine device and the control operation so that the user can be automatically alerted to the user of the proper input time of the fabric softener in the washing process. Users can not miss the closing time.

In addition, the fabric softener is added in a timely manner can improve the laundry performance of the laundry.

In addition, it is not necessary to do unnecessary re-rinsing in order to add the fabric softener, there is an effect that can reduce the waste of water and the overall washing time due to the re-rinsing.

Claims (18)

A drainage pollution concentration sensor mounted on the drainage line of the washing machine to check the drainage state and measure the drainage pollution concentration; Attached to the washing machine, and analyzes the drainage contamination concentration signal inputted from the wastewater contamination concentration detection sensor, compares the measured concentration value with the reference concentration value stored in the memory, and compares the measured concentration value with the reference concentration value. A control unit for generating an alarm signal informing the timing of introducing the fabric softener; An alarm unit driven by receiving the alarm signal from the controller Fiber softener input time notification device of the washing machine comprising a. The method of claim 1, The control unit is a fiber softener input timing notification device of the washing machine to generate an alarm signal when the measured concentration value is less than the reference concentration value. 3. The method of claim 2, The control unit counts the elapsed time through a timer when the measured concentration value is smaller than the reference concentration value, and when the elongated time is greater than the preset time set in the memory, the fabric softener of the washing machine generating an alarm signal. Notification device. The method of claim 1, And a case accommodating the control unit and an attachment member attached to the case. The case is a fiber softener input timing notification device of the washing machine is attached to the washing machine through the attachment member. 5. The method of claim 4, The attaching member is a fiber softener input time notification device of the washing machine made of a magnet. 5. The method of claim 4, The attaching member is a fiber softener input timing device of the washing machine made of an adhesive tape. 5. The method of claim 4, The alarm unit is provided in the case of the fabric softener input timing notification device of the washing machine consisting of a horn to generate an alarm signal sound. The method of claim 1, Fiber softener input time notification device of the washing machine further comprises a reset unit for inputting the alarm release signal of the alarm unit. 9. The method of claim 8, The control unit is a fiber softener input timing notification device of the washing machine to stop the alarm signal generation when the alarm release signal is input through the reset unit. 9. The method of claim 8, The reset unit is a fiber softener input time notification device of the washing machine consisting of a button switch. The method of claim 1, The control unit and the waste contamination concentration detection sensor is a fiber softener input time notification device of the washing machine connected by a wire. The method of claim 1, The control unit and the waste contamination concentration detection sensor is a fiber softener input time notification device of a washing machine connected wirelessly. Checking the drainage state and measuring the drainage pollutant concentration through a drainage pollutant concentration sensor mounted on the drain line of the washing machine; And Comparing the measured concentration value with a reference concentration value stored in the memory, and generating an alarm signal informing the timing of adding the fabric softener in response to the comparison between the measured concentration value and the reference concentration value. Fiber softener input time notification method of the washing machine comprising a. 14. The method of claim 13, Generating the alarm signal is And comparing the measured concentration value with the reference concentration value stored in the memory, and when the measured concentration value is less than the reference concentration value, the fabric softener feeding time notification method of the washing machine, which warns when the softener is injected. The method of claim 14, When the measured concentration value is less than the reference concentration value counts the elapsed time through a timer, and if the elapsed time is greater than the preset time set in the memory, the fabric softener injecting method notification method of the washing machine. 14. The method of claim 13, If the measured concentration value is greater than the reference concentration value, the step of measuring the fabric softener in the washing machine comprising the step of returning to the step of measuring the concentration of the contamination concentration. 14. The method of claim 13, When the alarm releasing signal is input through the reset unit for inputting the alarm releasing signal further comprises the step of stopping the generation of the alarm signal. 16. The method of claim 15, Counting the elapsed time through the timer notification method of the fiber softener input time of the washing machine is done in the drainage completion state.

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