KR101447151B1 - Washing machine and method of controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a washing machine and its control method for increasing the efficiency of washing by controlling the number of rinsing cycles according to the degree of contamination of water contained in a drain pipe sensed by a contamination detection unit.

To this end, the present invention provides a water treatment system including a water tank, a water pipe accommodating a predetermined amount of water to be drained, a first water drain valve provided in the water pipe to drain the water in the water tank, a pollution degree sensing unit sensing the pollution degree of the water contained in the water pipe, And a controller for controlling the number of times of rinsing based on the degree of contamination of water, wherein the controller further includes a water level sensor for sensing a water level of the water tank that changes during the water drain operation, wherein the controller detects that the sensed water level reaches a predetermined reference water level The first drain valve is turned off to stop the drain operation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a washing machine having a contamination degree sensing unit for detecting a degree of contamination and a control method thereof.

The washing machine is a device for removing contamination of laundry by applying mechanical action such as friction or vibration to the contaminated laundry. When the detergent is added to the laundry using the washing machine, the contamination of the laundry is more easily removed due to the chemical action of the detergent, thereby improving the washing effect.

The washing machine contains laundry to be washed in a water tank in a state where power is supplied, and when a series of washing strokes to be washed is input through a control unit, the washing machine is controlled by a predetermined program and supplied to the washing tub through a water inlet. The water is supplied to the washing water while sensing the water level through the water level sensing unit.

When the water level reaches the predetermined water level, the controller goes to the washing step and controls the motor driving unit to drive the motor in the forward and reverse directions. By forward and reverse rotation of the motor, Thereby generating a water flow frictional force and washing is performed. The washing process is performed for a predetermined washing time period, and during the washing process, the user goes to the washing process judgment process to determine whether the predetermined washing time has been completed. At this time, if it is determined that the predetermined washing time has not been completed, the washing operation is continued until the washing time is completed.

When the washing time is completed, the contaminated washing water is drained through the drain port by controlling the drain valve. Then, the control unit goes to the main water rinsing step and controls the water supply valve to supply the water to the set level through the water supply port. And drives the motor forward and reverse. The control unit controls the water supply and drainage valve to discharge the contaminated rinsing water generated during the rinsing through the drain port while rinsing the rinsing water while the pulsator rotates forward and reverse by forward and reverse rotation of the motor. do.

At this time, when the washing machine performs a rinse cycle, the rinse cycle is executed a predetermined number of times irrespective of the contamination degree of the laundry, so that the detergent is not completely removed from the laundry even though the rinse cycle is completed. Further, when the degree of contamination of the laundry is low, there is a problem that energy rupture occurs due to the rinsing step being performed more than necessary.

An object of the present invention is to increase the efficiency of washing by adjusting the number of rinsing cycles in accordance with the degree of contamination of water contained in the water pipe detected by the contamination detecting unit.

To achieve the above object, a washing machine according to the present invention includes a water tank, a water drain pipe for receiving a predetermined amount of water to be drained, a first water drain valve provided in the water drain pipe for draining water in the water tank, And a controller for controlling the number of times of rinsing based on the degree of contamination of the sensed water, wherein the controller further includes a water level sensor for sensing a water level of the water tank that changes during the water drain operation, And when the reference water level is reached, the first drain valve is turned off to stop the drain operation.

A second drain pipe connected to the water tank to drain the water in the water tank, and a second drain valve provided in the second drain pipe, and the control unit turns off the first drain valve and simultaneously connects the second drain valve And water remaining in the water tank is drained.

The drain pipe is configured in a "U" shape to receive the water.

The contamination level sensing unit is installed at a portion formed in a "U" shape of a drain pipe provided with the first drain valve, and detects the degree of contamination of the water contained in the drain pipe.

The controller turns off the first drain valve for a predetermined time when the sensed water level reaches a predetermined reference water level to stop the water drain operation.

The controller measures the degree of contamination of the water for a predetermined time and turns on the first drain valve to remove water remaining in the water tank.

A method of controlling a washing machine for achieving the above object includes the steps of: discharging a predetermined amount of water to be drained to a drain pipe; sensing a water level varying during the draining operation; when the detected water level reaches a predetermined reference water level, Stopping the drainage operation, detecting the degree of contamination of the water contained in the drain pipe, and adjusting the number of times of rinsing based on the degree of contamination of the detected water.

The step of stopping the draining operation further includes the step of draining the remaining water level through a separate drain pipe.

And resuming the water level of the remaining water level after the pollution degree measurement is completed.

As described above, the washing machine and its control method according to the present invention can increase the washing efficiency by controlling the number of rinsing strokes according to the contamination degree of the water contained in the water pipe sensed by the contamination detecting unit.

A washing machine and a control method thereof according to the present invention for the same purpose will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG.

1 is a sectional view showing the construction of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

1, the washing machine of the present invention comprises a water tank 11 installed inside the body 10 for water (washing water or rinse water) for fresh water, a tubular water tank 11 rotatably installed inside the water tank 11 A door 14 is provided in front of the water tub 11 and the drum 12 so as to be opened or closed so that the laundry can be put into the drum 12 or the laundry can be taken out.

A detergent supply device 19 for supplying detergent and a water supply device 15 for supplying water (washing water or rinsing water) are installed on the upper part of the water tank 11. [

The detergent supply device 19 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.

The water supply device 15 includes a first water supply pipe 22 connecting between an external water pipe (not shown) and the detergent supply device 19 for supplying water (wash water or rinse water) into the water tank 11, And a water supply valve 44 installed at one side of the second water supply pipe 17 connecting the detergent supply device 19 and the water tub 11 to control water supply. This configuration allows the water supplied into the water tub 11 to pass through the detergent supply device 19 so that the detergent in the detergent supply device 19 can be supplied to the water tub 11 together with water.

A motor 30 for rotating the drum 12 so as to perform the washing, rinsing and dewatering steps and a drainage device 40 for draining the water in the water tank 11 are installed in the lower part of the water tank 11. [ The drainage device 40 includes a first drain pipe 31 and a second drain pipe 33 for guiding the water in the water tank 11 to the outside and first and second drain pipes 31 and 33 installed in the first and second drain pipes 31 and 33, And a second drain pump (42, 43). Here, the first water pipe 31 is formed in a "U" shape so as to receive a certain amount of water to be discharged during rinsing. In the middle region of the "U" shape, a contamination sensing unit 22 for sensing the degree of contamination of water contained in the first drain pipe 31 is provided. At this time, it is preferable that the contamination detecting unit 22 use a turbidity sensor. The second drain pipe (33) allows the water remaining in the water tank (11) to be completely removed when the first drain pipe (31) is turned off.

The first drain pipe 31 is formed in a "U" shape so that the contamination degree can be accurately obtained by receiving the water to be drained during the rinsing. The second drain pipe 33 discharges the water drained through the first drain pipe 31 It is possible to carry out the drainage process without affecting the drainage time set in the past. Here, the second water pipe 33 may be shaped like a "U" like the first water pipe 31 in some cases.

A motor 30 is provided on the outer side of the rear side of the water tub 11 as a driving device for rotating the rotary shaft 26 connected to the drum 12 so as to perform washing, rinsing and dewatering steps. A rotator 30b rotatably disposed on the outer periphery of the stator 30a and a rotary plate 30c connecting the rotor 30b and the rotary shaft 26 .

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control structure of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 56 includes an input unit 50, a water level sensing unit 52, a temperature sensing unit 54, a pollution level sensing unit 22, And a driving unit 58.

The input unit 50 inputs operation information such as a user-selected driving course, washing course, washing temperature, dehydration RPM, rinsing addition, etc. to the control unit 56. The water level sensing unit 52 senses the water level The temperature sensing unit 54 senses the temperature of the water supplied to the water tub 11 and the pollution sensing unit 54 senses the degree of contamination of the water contained in the first water pipe 31.

The control unit 56 is a microcomputer that controls the washing machine according to the operation information input from the input unit 50. The control unit 56 controls the motor RPM and the motor operation rate (motor on-off time) determined according to the load amount (weight of the laundry) Store the rinse time.

The control unit 56 determines whether the water level in the water tank 11 sensed through the water level sensing unit 52 when the rinsing cycle is completed and the water in the water tank 11 is drained reaches a predetermined reference water level, When the reference water level is reached, the first drain valve 32 is turned off to stop the drain operation. Here, the reference water level is the middle water level in the water tank 11.

This is because the contamination degree is differently applied depending on the water level in the water tank 11 based on the intermediate water level. That is, the upper water in the water tub 11 is set to the lower surface of the water tank 11, and the undissolved detergent is also deposited on the lower surface of the water tank 11, Since the water has the highest degree of contamination due to the accumulation of water deposits on the surface, the intermediate water level is preferable to the reference water level because the intermediate water level having the intermediate pollution degree is suitable.

The control unit 56 turns off the first drain valve 32 and turns on the second drain valve 34 so that the water drained to the first drain pipe 31 is drained through the second drain pipe 33, Can be increased.

The control unit 56 calculates the number of times of rinsing based on the degree of contamination of the water contained in the first water pipe 31 sensed by the pollution degree sensing unit 22 when the rinsing water in the water tub 11 is exhausted through the second water pipe 33 .

3 is a flowchart illustrating a rinsing control operation procedure of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

First, when laundry is put into the drum 12 and the user selects operation information such as a washing course and a dehydrated RPM according to the type of laundry, the operation information selected by the user is inputted to the control unit 56 through the input unit 50 do.

The control unit 56 checks whether or not the rinsing operation is performed through the signal input from the input unit 50 of the washing machine. If it is determined that the rinsing cycle is in progress (62), it is determined whether the rinsing cycle has reached a predetermined set time (64).

As a result of the determination, if the rinsing cycle has not reached the predetermined set time, the operation is fed back until the set time is reached (64).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the rinsing stroke has reached the set time, the first drain valve 32 is turned on to allow water to be discharged into the water tub 11 through the first drain pipe 31 (66).

When the water is drained, it is determined whether the water level in the water tank 11 reaches a predetermined reference water level through the water level sensing unit 52 (68).

If it is determined that the water level in the water tank 11 has not reached the reference water level, feedback is continued until the water level reaches the reference water level (68).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the water level in the water tank 11 has reached the reference water level, the first drain valve 32 is turned off to stop the drain operation.

In addition, when the drain operation is stopped, the second drain valve 34 is turned on to allow the water drained through the first drain pipe 31 to pass through the second drain pipe 33 (70).

The control unit 56 determines whether drainage is completed (72).

As a result of the determination, if the drainage is not completed, the drainage is fed back until the drainage is completed (72).

On the other hand, if the drainage is completed, the degree of contamination of the water contained in the first drain pipe 31 is sensed through the pollution degree sensing unit 22, and the number of times of rinsing is calculated based on the sensed degree of contamination.

When the number of times of rinsing is calculated, the following step is performed based on the calculated number of times of rinsing (78).

4 is a sectional view showing the construction of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Here, the construction of the washing machine shown in FIG. 4 is partially overlapped with that of FIG. 1, so that some of the overlapping parts are omitted.

4, the washing machine according to the present invention includes a drain pipe 31 for guiding the water of the water tub 11 to the outside, and a drain pump 42 provided to the drain pipe 31. Here, the drain pipe 31 is formed in a "U" shape to receive a certain amount of water to be drained during rinsing. In the middle region of the "U" shape, a contamination sensing unit 22 for sensing the degree of contamination of water contained in the water pipe 31 is provided. At this time, it is preferable that the contamination detecting unit 22 use a turbidity sensor. Here, the water pipe 31 is formed in a "U" shape so that the contamination degree can be accurately obtained by receiving the water to be drained when rinsing.

5 is a sectional view showing the construction of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Here, since the construction of the washing machine shown in Fig. 5 is partially overlapped with Fig. 2, a part of the construction overlapping will be omitted.

 5, when the rinsing cycle is completed, the control unit 56 turns on the drain valve 32 to discharge the water in the water tub 11 through the drain pipe 31. The control unit 56 turns off the drain valve 32 for a predetermined time when the water level in the water tank 11 reaches a predetermined reference water level. At this time, the control unit 56 senses the degree of contamination of the water contained in the drain pipe 31 and calculates the number of rinsing cycles based on the detected degree of contamination. Further, when the number of rinsing cycles is calculated, the controller 56 turns on the drain valve 32 again to completely remove the remaining rinsing water in the water tub 11.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a rinsing control operation sequence of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

First, when the progress 80 of the rinsing operation is judged, it is judged 82 whether the rinsing operation has reached the predetermined set time.

As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the rinsing stroke has not reached the predetermined set time, the operation is fed back until the set time is reached. (82)

On the other hand, when it is determined that the rinsing stroke has reached the set time, the drain valve 32 is turned on to discharge the rinsing water into the water tub 11 through the drain pipe 31 (84).

When the drainage is progressed, it is determined whether the water level in the water tank 11 reaches a predetermined reference water level through the water level sensing unit 52 (86).

If it is determined that the water level in the water tank 11 has not reached the predetermined water level, the control unit 86 feedbacks the water level until the water level reaches the reference water level (86).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the water level in the water tank 11 has reached the predetermined reference water level, the water drain valve 32 is turned off to stop the water drain operation (88).

When the drainage operation is stopped, the pollution degree of the water contained in the drainage pipe is sensed through the pollution degree sensing unit (90), and the number of times of rinsing is calculated based on the sensed degree of pollution (92).

When the number of times of rinsing is calculated, the controller 56 turns on the drain valve 32 again to discharge the remaining rinsing water in the water tub 11 (94).

If it is determined in step 96 that the drainage of the rinse water is completed, the drainage is not completed, the drainage is fed back until the drainage is completed (step 96).

On the other hand, if the rinsing water drainage is completed, the subsequent step is performed based on the calculated number of times of rinsing (98).

As described above, the present invention discloses a configuration and a method for controlling the number of rinsing strokes according to the degree of contamination of water contained in a water pipe sensed by a contamination detection unit. However, the present invention can be applied to all strokes of the washing machine, such as a washing cycle, a dewatering cycle, and the like, in order to increase the efficiency of washing without limiting to the rinsing cycle.

1 is a sectional view showing the construction of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a configuration diagram of a rinsing control of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a rinsing control operation procedure of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a sectional view showing the construction of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a configuration diagram of a rinsing control of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a rinsing control operation sequence of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the Related Art [0002]

22: pollution degree sensing unit 32: first drain valve

34: second drain valve 56: control section

Claims (9)

water tank; A first drain pipe for receiving a predetermined amount of water to be drained; A first drain valve provided in the first drain pipe to drain water in the water tank; A pollution level sensing unit for sensing a pollution degree of the water contained in the first drain pipe; A second drain pipe connected to the water tank to drain water in the water tank; A second drain valve provided in the second drain pipe; A controller for controlling the number of times of rinsing based on the degree of contamination of the sensed water; And And a water level sensing unit for sensing a water level of the water tank which changes during the water drain operation, The control unit turns off the first drain valve to stop the drain operation when the detected water level reaches a predetermined reference water level, turns off the first drain valve and turns on the second drain valve, A washing machine for draining water remaining in a washing machine. delete The method according to claim 1, Wherein the first water pipe is configured in a "U" shape to receive the water. The method of claim 3, Wherein the contamination degree sensing unit is installed in a portion formed in a " U "shape of the first drain pipe provided with the first drain valve, and detects the degree of contamination of the water contained in the first drain pipe. The method according to claim 1, And the controller stops the drain operation by turning off the first drain valve for a predetermined time when the sensed water level reaches a predetermined reference water level. 6. The method of claim 5, Wherein the controller measures the degree of contamination of the water for a predetermined period of time and turns on the first drain valve to remove water remaining in the water tub. Draining a predetermined amount of the water to be drained to a drain pipe accommodating the water; Sensing a varying water level during the drain operation; Stopping the drain operation when the sensed water level reaches a predetermined reference water level; Sensing the degree of contamination of the water contained in the drain pipe; And And adjusting the number of times of rinsing based on the degree of contamination of the sensed water, Wherein the step of stopping the drainage operation further comprises the step of draining the remaining water level through a separate drain pipe. delete 8. The method of claim 7, Further comprising the step of resuming the water level of the remaining water level after the pollution degree measurement is completed.

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