KR20000008887A - Washing machine having complex sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A complex sensor for a washing machine is provided to improve the washing effect by detecting the amount of the washing, the water level, and the amount of the vibration generated at a dehydrating operation through one sensor. CONSTITUTION: The operation of the washing machine is controlled by: detecting the amount of the washing when the load of a water tank(42) is changed according to the amount of the washing accepted in a washing tub(43) in one place among one end(50a) of a suspending rod and a connected fixing matter(51); detecting the water level when the load of the water tank(42) is changed according to the washing water accepted in the water tank(42); detecting the amount of the vibration when the load of the water tank(42) is changed according to the vibration delivered to the water tank(42) at a dehydrating operation.

Description

Washing machine with compound sensor

The present invention relates to a washing machine equipped with a compound sensor, and in particular, to increase the washing effect by improving the accuracy of the detection and at the same time to detect the washing amount and water level and the vibration amount through a single sensor, and also the manufacturing process and mounting The present invention relates to a washing machine equipped with a compound sensor that simplifies the process and improves cost and productivity.

In general, the washing machine is pre-programmed strokes such as water supply, washing, rinsing, and dehydration in the control unit of the control unit, and when the user selects a washing mode including a partial stroke and a full stroke through the control unit, the washing machine is semi-automatic or fully automatic. Do this.

To this end, as shown in FIG. 1, the conventional washing machine includes a washing amount sensor 10 that detects a washing amount which is the weight of laundry, and wash water up to a set water level based on the washing amount information detected through the washing amount sensor 10. It is provided with a water level sensor 20 for detecting whether water is supplied, and a vibration sensor 30 for detecting the amount of vibration generated by the eccentricity of the laundry during the dehydration operation.

First, the washing amount sensor 10 is attached to the pulley (6) of the washing motor (5) and the permanent magnet (11) rotating in conjunction with the washing motor (5) and the access to the permanent magnet (11) The sensing coil 12 is induced to generate a voltage accordingly. That is, the control unit (not shown) of the washing machine rotates the washing motor 5 at a predetermined rotation speed and cuts off the power so that the voltage of the induced voltage generated from the sensing coil 12 during the inertia rotation of the washing motor 5 is generated. Count the spa and detect the amount of laundry. The controller determines the water level required for washing based on the detected washing amount and opens the water supply valve 7 to perform a water supply operation.

In addition, the water level sensor 20 is provided on the bottom surface of the tank (2) and the air trap (air trap) 21 is compressed in the air according to the water level, and the air pressure compressed in the air trap 21 Accordingly, it consists of a mechanical pressure sensor 22 using a diaphragm that outputs a variable frequency from 26 kHz to 22 kHz. That is, the controller detects the current level by sensing the variable frequency output from the pressure sensor 22 according to the water level. If it is determined that the detected water level reaches the water level determined according to the washing amount, the control unit performs the washing operation and the rinsing operation and enters the dehydration operation.

In addition, the vibration sensor 30 outputs a signal according to the lever 31 installed at a predetermined distance from the upper outer peripheral surface of the water tank 2 and the operation of the lever 31 and the opening of the washing door (unsigned). It consists of a switch unit (32). That is, the control unit vibrates by transmitting the vibration when the washing tank 3 is rotated and the lever 31 spaced a predetermined distance by the water tank 2 which is shaken from side to side to count the signal output from the switch unit 32. Detect the quantity. If the detected vibration amount is determined to be in an unbalanced state, the controller performs a re-rinsing stroke to release the eccentric laundry and performs a dehydration stroke to complete the washing. Reference numeral 1 is a main body, 4 is a pulsator, 8 is a suspension rod suspending the tank (2).

However, the detection sensor of the conventional washing machine has a problem in that the productivity is lowered because the manufacturing cost is increased as well as the manufacturing costs are increased because the detection sensors for detecting the washing amount, water level, and vibration are provided.

In addition, in the laundry detection sensor, the pulse wave of the voltage induced by the coil in the washing motor is not constant due to the change of the magnetic field due to the initial and restarting of the motor and the friction coefficient of the gear and the motor part. The exact amount of laundry was difficult to detect.

In addition, in the water level sensor, the pressure sensor is limited in durability due to the diaphragm mechanical structure, and it takes time for the microcomputer to process this because the water level detection signal is output at a variable frequency of 26㎑-22㎑. .

In addition, since the switch part of the vibration sensor has a mechanical structure, there is a limit in deterioration and durability due to frequent operation, and there is a problem such as limiting the position of the lever to effectively detect the vibration of the tank.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, the object of which is to detect the washing amount and water level, and the amount of vibration generated during the dehydration operation through a single sensor while improving the detection ability to improve the washing effect It is also to provide a complex sensor for a washing machine to increase the cost and productivity by simplifying the manufacturing process and mounting process.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional washing machine,

2 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine equipped with a composite sensor according to the present invention;

3 is a cross-sectional view of a composite sensor according to the present invention;

4 is a schematic circuit diagram of a composite sensor according to the present invention;

Figure 5a, b is an output characteristic of the composite sensor according to the present invention.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

41: body 42: water tank 43: washing tank

50: Hyungabong 51: Fixed member 52: Jam jaw

90: control unit 100: complex sensor 110: housing

111: hollow part 111a: hollow part bottom 112,113: step

114: through-hole 115: permanent magnet 120: fastening member

121 Seed part 122: Seed shaft 124: Pinhole

125: fixing pin 130: elastic member 140: Hall element

142: circuit board 150: lid member 151: lead wire

The configuration of the present invention for achieving the technical problem, the water tank is built in the main body for receiving the wash water, the washing tank rotatably mounted in the inside of the water tank to accommodate the laundry, and one end is fastened to the inner wall of the main body The other end is fastened to the outer wall of the tank having a suspension rod for suspending the tank, provided in one end of the suspension rod, the elastic member is provided so that the suspension rod can be lowered according to the load of the tank Is provided, and the composite sensor for outputting the electrical signal according to the lifting and lowering displacement of the suspension rod, when the washing start signal is input and the electrical signal is input from the composite sensor detects the washing amount, water supply operation is started and from the composite sensor When the electrical signal is input, it detects the water level according to the water supply, dehydration operation is started and the electrical signal from the composite sensor The washing machine characterized in that the control unit for automatically performing the washing administration by detecting the vibration amount when the call is input.

Hereinafter, one preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the washing machine equipped with a composite sensor for a washing machine according to the present invention, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the complex sensor for a washing machine according to the present invention, Figure 4 is a composite sensor according to the present invention 5A and 5B are schematic circuit diagrams and output characteristic diagrams of a composite sensor according to the present invention.

In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, 40 is a main body which forms the exterior of a washing machine, and the upper surface is opened and closed by the door 49. As shown in FIG.

In addition, a water tank 42 provided inside the main body 41 and filled with washing water, a washing tank 43 rotatably installed inside the water tank 42, and a pulsation causing water on the bottom of the washing tank 43. The eater 44 is rotatably mounted.

In addition, the washing motor 45 is mounted on one side of the outside of the bottom of the water tank 42, and the pulsator 44 receives the rotational force from the washing motor 45 at the time of washing in the center of the outer bottom of the water tank 42. ) Rotates at a low speed in the forward / reverse direction, and when dewatering, a clutch mechanism 46 is mounted to rotate the washing tank 43 at high speed in one direction.

In addition, a water supply valve 47 connected to an external water supply source at an upper end of the main body 41 to supply wash water to the water tank 42, and water in the water tank 42 is provided at a bottom of the water tank 42. A drain valve 48 for draining to the outside is provided.

In addition, the above-described water tank 42 is suspended by the suspension rod 50 so that vibration generated during washing and dehydration is not transmitted to the main body 41.

That is, for this purpose, a fixing member 51 having through grooves in the front, rear, left and right sides of the upper inner wall of the main body 41 is provided, and the through grooves are formed in the lower outer wall of the water tank 42 opposite to the fixing member 51. The engaging jaw 52 is provided.

In addition, one end 50a of the suspension rod passes through the through groove of the fixing member 51 provided in the main body 41 and is supported by a fastening means, for example, a nut, and the other end 50b of the suspension rod. The water tank 42 is suspended by passing through the through groove of the locking jaw provided on the outer wall of the water tank 42 and being engaged with the damper device 53 which is a vibration absorbing device.

Therefore, the load transmitted to the suspension rod is changed according to the weight of the laundry accommodated in the washing tank, the weight of the washing water accommodated in the tank, and the vibration of the tank due to the rotation of the washing tank during the dehydration operation.

The present invention is characterized by detecting the change in load transmitted to the suspension rod to detect the washing amount and water level, and the vibration amount.

To this end, at least one of the fixing member 51 coupled to one end (50a) of the suspension rod senses the amount of washing when the load of the water tank 42 according to the laundry accommodated in the washing tank 43, the water tank 42 The sensor detects the water level during the load change of the water tank 42 according to the wash water accommodated in the water), and detects the vibration amount during the load change of the water tank 42 according to the vibration transmitted to the water tank 42 during the dehydration operation. 100) is provided.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the composite sensor 100 forms an exterior of the composite sensor 100 and is provided in the housing 110 having a hollow portion therein and the hollow portion 111 of the housing. It is provided on the magnetic field generating means, for example, a permanent magnet 115 and the hollow surface 111 of the housing bottom 111a of the housing, which interlock with the suspension rod 50 that moves up and down according to the load transmitted from the water tank 42. When the load of the water tank 42 is reduced, the elastic member 130 to return the permanent magnet 115 to the reduced load by the reduced load, and the hollow portion of the housing 110 to correspond to the permanent magnet 115 ( Magnetic measuring means, for example, a Hall element 140 and an output from the Hall element 140, for outputting a voltage signal corresponding to the strength of the magnetic field that changes in accordance with the flow of the permanent magnet 115. A signal converter 141 for processing a signal to recognize the received signal in a controller; And a circuit board 142 for fixing the hole element 140 and the signal conversion unit 141 to the hollow part 111 of the housing, and the hollow part of the housing 110. A lid member 150 for sealing the 111 and a lead wire 151 for outputting a signal processed by the signal conversion unit 141 to the controller are provided to communicate with the lid member 150 to be extended to the outside. .

In addition, the housing 110 has stepped 112 and 113, respectively, to fix the circuit board 142 and the lid member on the upper inner wall thereof. The step 112 for fixing and mounting the circuit board 142 is formed so that the Hall element 140 can be fixed and spaced a predetermined distance from the best point where the permanent magnet 115 can flow. Stepped 113 for fixing the lid member 150 is formed spaced apart a predetermined distance so that the signal conversion unit 141 is provided on the circuit board 142.

In addition, the housing 110 has a through hole formed in the bottom surface 111a of the hollow part, and the permanent magnet is fastened to interlock with the suspension rod through the through hole.

That is, the permanent magnet 115 and one end (50a) of the suspension rod is fastened by the fastening member 120, the fastening member 120 is a seed portion 121 for seating the permanent magnet and the seed portion A seed shaft 122 extending from the center of the 121 and passing through the through-hole 114 of the housing 110 is coupled to one end 50a of the suspension rod. One end of the seed shaft 122 is formed of a hollow tube, and one end 50a of the suspension rod is fitted into the hollow tube. In addition, a pinhole 124 penetrating the shaft is provided at one end 50a of the hollow tube 123 and the suspension rod, and the fixing pin 125 is inserted into the pinhole 124 so that the fastening member 120 and the suspension rod may have a pinhole 124. One end 50a is well fastened. Accordingly, the permanent magnet 115 is interlocked with the suspension rod 50.

In addition, the through hole 114 is provided with a moisture proof member 160 to seal the gap between the through hole 114 and the seed shaft 122 to prevent moisture penetration.

Next, FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram of a complex sensor for a washing machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an output characteristic diagram of the complex sensor for a washing machine according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the permanent magnet 115 is provided in the hollow part 111 of the housing and is a magnetic field generating means flowing in association with the suspension rod 50 which moves up and down according to the load transmitted from the water tank 42. And a magnetic force provided in the hollow part 111 of the housing so as to correspond to the permanent magnet 115 and outputting a voltage signal (linear voltage) corresponding to the intensity of the magnetic field that changes according to the flow of the permanent magnet 115. The control unit of the washing machine controls the Hall element 140 as a measuring means, an amplifier 141a for amplifying the voltage signal output from the Hall element 140 to be suitable for signal processing, and the voltage signal amplified by the amplifier 141a. It is composed of a signal converter 141 for inversely converting and processing a signal at 90, and a constant current generator 141b for applying a constant current of the Hall element 140. The output characteristics of the signal converter 141 are shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

When a constant current is applied to the Hall element 140 in one direction and a magnetic field H is applied in a direction perpendicular to the applied constant current I, a voltage signal corresponding to the strength of the magnetic field in the other direction of the Hall element 140 is applied. (Linear voltage) is output. That is, when the permanent magnet 115 is closer to the Hall element 140, the strength of the magnetic field (H) is enhanced to increase the voltage signal output from the Hall element 140, on the contrary, the permanent magnet 115 is a Hall element ( If it is far from 140, the strength of the magnetic field H is weakened, and the voltage signal output from the hall element 140 is weakened.

As such, the voltage signal output from the hall element 140 has an inverse characteristic as the permanent magnet 115 moves away from the hall element 140. The voltage signal having the inverse characteristic is inversely converted into the voltage signal having the proportional characteristic through the signal converter 141.

Thus, as shown in Figure 5a, the signal output from the signal conversion unit 141 is proportional to the washing amount, the control unit 90 receives this signal to detect the washing amount. The water level is determined based on the detected amount of washing.

In addition, the water level is sensed by continuously reading the signal output from the signal conversion unit 141 during the water supply operation.

In the dehydration operation, the signal converter 141 outputs a voltage signal as shown in FIG. 5B. The vibration is transmitted to the water tank 42 when the vibration is generated by the eccentric laundry during the dehydration operation, wherein the water tank 42 is suspended in the suspension rod 50 but vibrates back and forth or from side to side. Due to the vibration of the water tank 42, the force is not evenly transmitted to the suspension rod 50 supporting the water tank 42, and the load of the water tank 42 transmitted to the suspension rod 50 according to the shaking vibration cycle is Change.

Therefore, due to the vibration of the water tank 42, the suspension rod 50 is moved up and down, and in conjunction with this permanent magnet 115 also flows. That is, the separation distance between the Hall element 140 and the permanent magnet 115 is changed according to the vibration period by the vibration due to the dehydration operation, each time the Hall element 140 outputs a voltage signal having a pulse component. The voltage signal is applied to the control unit 90 through the signal conversion unit 141, and the control unit 90 detects the amount of vibration by counting a signal having a voltage greater than a reference value set to determine the vibration among the input signals. do.

Next, the operation and effect of the composite sensor 100 for a washing machine according to the present invention configured as described above will be described.

When the user selects the washing mode and inputs a washing start signal, the controller 90 senses the washing amount to determine the water supply level.

That is, when the laundry is accommodated in the washing tub 43 installed to be rotatable in the water tank 42, the load is transmitted to the suspension rod 50 so that the suspension rod 50 moves downward. At the same time, the permanent magnet 115 coupled with one end 50a of the suspension rod also flows downward. Therefore, the separation distance between the Hall element 140 and the permanent magnet 115 is changed, and a voltage signal corresponding to the separation distance is output from the Hall element 140. As described above, the output voltage signal is amplified by the amplifier 141a and then input to the controller 90 through the signal converter 141. Therefore, the controller 90 detects the washing amount by analyzing the input voltage signal. The controller 90 determines the water supply level based on the detected washing amount, and opens the water supply valve 47 to start water supply into the water tank 42.

In addition, the controller 90 continuously detects the water level by reading the signal output from the hall element 140 through the signal converter 141 during the water supply operation.

That is, when the wash water is accommodated in the water tank 42 by the water supply operation, the load is transmitted to the suspension rod 50 so that the suspension rod 50 moves downward. At the same time, the permanent magnet 115 coupled with one end 50a of the suspension rod also flows downward. Therefore, the separation distance between the Hall element 140 and the permanent magnet 115 is changed, and a voltage signal corresponding to the separation distance is output from the Hall element 140. As described above, the output voltage signal is amplified by the amplifier 141a and then input to the controller 90 through the signal converter 141. Therefore, the controller 90 detects the water level by analyzing the input voltage signal. The controller 90 closes the water supply valve 47 to complete the water supply operation when the detected water level matches the water supply level set based on the washing amount.

Thereafter, the controller 90 performs the washing stroke and the rinsing stroke according to the selected washing mode.

If it is determined that the rinsing stroke is completed, the controller 90 opens the drain valve 48 before the dehydrating stroke and performs the draining operation.

When the rinsing water in the water tank 42 is drained by the draining operation, a decrease in the load is transmitted to the suspension rod 50 so that the suspension rod 50 moves upward. At the same time, the permanent magnet 115 coupled with one end 50a of the suspension rod also flows upward. Therefore, the separation distance between the Hall element 140 and the permanent magnet 115 is changed, and a voltage signal corresponding to the separation distance is output from the Hall element 140. As described above, the output voltage signal is amplified by the amplifier 141a and then input to the controller 90 through the signal converter 141. Therefore, the controller 90 detects the completion of drainage by analyzing the input voltage signal. If it is determined that the drainage is completed, the controller 90 performs a dehydration stroke.

In addition, the controller 90 detects a vibration amount by reading a signal output from the hall element 140 through the signal converter 141 in an intermittent dehydration step performed three to four times during the dehydration stroke.

Dehydration administration consists of intermittent dehydration and main dehydration 3-4 times. Intermittent dehydration prevents overload of washing motor 45 due to overload and unbalances during dehydration operation by allowing the laundry to be distributed evenly in washing tank 43 To prevent this in advance. However, in spite of such intermittent dehydration, laundry may be eccentric to cause vibration in intermittent dehydration. In this case, the amount of vibration is detected to determine whether the dehydration stroke is re-executed. The amount of vibration is most effectively detected when the third or fourth times of the intermittent dehydration is performed.

That is, when vibration is generated by the eccentric laundry during intermittent dehydration, the vibration is transmitted to the water tank 42. Due to the vibration of the water tank 42, the load of the water tank 42 is not evenly transmitted to the suspension rod 50 supporting the water tank 42, and the water tank transmitted to the suspension rod 50 according to the shaking vibration cycle. The load of 42 is changed.

Accordingly, the suspension rod 50 is moved up and down due to the vibration of the water tank 42, and at the same time, the permanent magnet 115 engaged with one end 50a of the suspension rod also flows up and down. Accordingly, the separation distance between the Hall element 140 and the permanent magnet 115 is changed according to the vibration period, each time the Hall element 140 outputs a voltage signal having a pulse component. As described above, the output voltage signal is amplified by the amplifier 141a and then input to the controller 90 through the signal converter 141. The controller 90 detects a vibration amount by counting a signal having a voltage greater than a set reference value to determine vibration among the input signals.

The controller 90 stops the dehydration stroke when the detected vibration amount indicates an unbalanced state, and performs an unbalance release operation by a rinsing stroke, and performs the dehydration step when the detected vibration amount indicates a normal dehydration state. To complete.

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the separation distance between the Hall element and the permanent magnet is changed according to the load of the tank, and the voltage change according to the change of the separation distance from the Hall element is detected based on the sensor. The washing amount, water level, and vibration amount can all be detected.

In addition, by detecting the washing amount, water level, and vibration amount from one sensor, the manufacturing process and the mounting process can be simplified to reduce cost and improve productivity.

Claims (6)

A water tank built in the main body and accommodating the washing water, a washing tank rotatably mounted in the water tank, and accommodating the laundry, one end is fastened to the inner wall of the main body, and the other end is fastened to the outer wall of the water tank. In the washing machine with a suspension rod to suspend A composite sensor provided at one end of the suspension rod and provided with an elastic member so that the suspension rod can move up and down according to the load of the water tank, and output an electrical signal according to the displacement of the suspension rod; When the washing start signal is input and the electrical signal is input from the complex sensor, the washing amount is detected. When the water supply operation is started and the electrical signal is input from the complex sensor, the water level is detected according to the water supply amount, and the dehydration operation is started. The washing machine, characterized in that provided with a control unit for automatically performing the laundry administration by detecting the amount of vibration from the electrical signal input. The method of claim 1, wherein the composite sensor A housing fixed to the main body and having a hollow portion formed therein; A permanent magnet provided in the hollow part of the housing and engaged with one end of the suspension rod to move up and down in association with the suspension rod; A hall element fixed to the hollow part of the housing so as to correspond to the permanent magnet, and detecting the intensity of the magnetic field that changes according to the rising and falling of the permanent magnet, converting the electric signal into an electrical signal, and outputting the same; Washing machine, characterized in that made of the elastic member provided on the bottom surface of the hollow portion of the housing and to replace the permanent magnet by the reduced load when the load of the water tank transmitted to the suspension rod is reduced. The method of claim 2, wherein the housing The through hole is formed on the bottom of the hollow portion so that one end of the suspension rod and the permanent magnet can be fastened, Step 1 is formed on the inner wall of the hollow part so that the Hall element can be fixedly supported at a predetermined distance from the best point where the permanent magnet can flow, Washer, characterized in that step 2 is formed so that the lid member for sealing the hollow portion is fixed to the inner wall top of the hollow portion. The method of claim 2, A seed part for receiving and receiving the permanent magnet; And a seed shaft having a hollow tube formed therein so as to extend from a center of the seed portion and pass through the through hole so that one end of the suspension rod can be inserted into and fastened. The method of claim 4, wherein A pinhole provided through the hollow tube and the suspension rod on the seed shaft to which one end of the suspension rod is fitted; Washing machine, characterized in that the fixing pin is further provided to fasten the seed shaft and the suspension rod by being inserted into the pin hole. The method of claim 4, wherein Washing machine, characterized in that the moisture-proof member is further provided to seal the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the through hole and the outer peripheral surface of the seed shaft to prevent moisture from penetrating from the outside.