KR20040047000A - Washing course selecting method of washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A deciding method of a washing course of a washing machine is provided to set an optimum washing pattern by considering the washing amount, temperature of water and detergent in a washing tub. CONSTITUTION: The washing amount in a washing tub is sensed(S1). Washing water is supplied to submerge a temperature sensor and an electrode sensor attached to a side of the washing tub(S2,S3). Temperature and conductivity of water is measured with the temperature sensor and the electrode sensor to decide a washing course provisionally(S6). Detergent and washing water are supplied to a set water level according to the washing amount(S7,S8). The washing course is decided conclusively by measuring temperature and conductivity of water again after supplying washing water(S10). Thereby, waste of water and electricity is reduced by an optimum washing pattern.

Description

Washing course selecting method of washing machine}

The present invention relates to a method for determining a washing course of a washing machine, and more particularly, to a method for determining a washing course of a washing machine in which an optimum washing course is determined in consideration of the temperature of the washing water and the amount of detergent remaining in the washing tank. It is about.

In general, a washing machine performs a function of removing various contaminants attached to clothes, bedding, etc. by using an emulsification action of a detergent and a friction action of water flow due to the rotation of a pulsator, and an impact action applied to the laundry by the pulsator. In addition, the sensor detects the amount and type of laundry and automatically sets the washing method. The washing water is supplied to the appropriate level according to the amount and type of laundry, and then washing is performed under the control of the microcomputer.

1 is a side sectional view showing a washing machine according to the prior art.

The washing machine according to the related art is a case (2) forming an appearance as shown in FIG. 1, a dehydration tank (4) installed to hang inside the case (2), and rotates inside the dehydration tank (4) A washing tank 6 which is mounted so as to wash the laundry, a pulsator 8 rotatably mounted on the bottom of the washing tank 6 to form a rotational flow in the washing water, and a lower part of the dehydrating tank 4. And a clutch 12 and a motor 14 mounted on the washing tub 6 or the pulsator 8 to transmit driving power, and installed on an upper side of the washing tub 6 to wash the washing water together with the detergent. A water supply valve assembly 18 including a detergent box assembly 16 and a water supply valve 18a to be supplied, and a drain valve installed at a lower portion of the dehydration tank 4 to drain the washing water inside the washing tank 6. Drain valve assembly 20 including 20a, clutch 12 and motor 1 4) and a microcomputer (not shown) for controlling the operation of the washing machine by controlling the feed / drain valves 18a and 20a.

Here, the detergent box assembly 16 is composed of a detergent box 16a in which detergent is stored, and a detergent box housing 16b fixed to an upper portion of the case 2 so that the detergent box 16a is detachable. The water supply valve assembly 18 is installed to be connected to the detergent box housing 18b such that when the water supply valve 18a is turned on, washing water is simultaneously supplied into the washing tub 6 together with detergent.

Referring to the operation of the washing machine configured as described above, first, the pulsator 8 is left and right stirred by the motor 14 and the amount of laundry is sensed. Accordingly, the washing pattern is set and the water supply valve 18a is The washing water is turned on together with the detergent, and washing, rinsing, and dehydration strokes are performed according to the set washing pattern.

However, the washing machine according to the prior art initially detects the amount of laundry put into the washing tank, and according to the amount of the laundry, washing and rinsing time and rinsing water level are set according to the washing amount, so the amount of detergent is higher than the amount of washing water added. In case of not only wasting energy such as water and electricity, there is a problem in that the washing performance is lowered when the amount of detergent is small compared to the input washing water.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems of the prior art, a washing course determination method of washing machine which can set the optimal washing pattern in consideration of the water temperature of the washing water as well as the amount of detergent remaining in the washing tank The purpose is to provide.

1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a washing machine according to the prior art,

2 is a side sectional view showing a washing machine according to the present invention;

3 is a flow chart illustrating a washing course determination method of the washing machine according to the present invention;

4 to 5 is a flow chart showing a detergent amount determination method according to the washing water temperature and conductivity of the washing machine according to the present invention,

6 is a graph showing the detergent amount regression equation according to the wash water conductivity and water temperature of the washing machine according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

54: dehydration tank 56: washing tank

72a: temperature sensor 72b: electrode sensor

R: Conductivity T: Water Temperature

Washing course determination method of the washing machine according to the present invention for solving the above problems is the first step of detecting the amount of laundry put into the washing tank, the temperature sensor and the electrode sensor attached to one side of the washing tank of the first step is locked The second step into which the washing water is added, the third step of determining the washing course by measuring the water temperature and conductivity of the washing water by the temperature sensor and the electrode sensor of the second step, and the washing course of the third step The fourth step of supplying the wash water with detergent to the water level set according to the quantity of the laundry after the temporary determination, and the water temperature and conductivity of the wash water by the temperature sensor and the electrode sensor after the wash water is supplied to the fourth step The fifth step is to measure and determine the washing course.

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

2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a washing machine according to the present invention, Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating a washing course determination method of the washing machine according to the invention, Figures 4 to 5 is the washing water temperature and Detergent amount determination method according to the conductivity is a flow chart shown, Figure 6 is a graph showing the detergent amount regression equation according to the wash water conductivity and water temperature of the washing machine according to the present invention.

The washing machine according to the present invention has a case 52 forming an appearance as shown in FIG. 2, a dehydration tank 54 installed to hang in the case 52, and a dehydration tank 54. A washing tub 56 rotatably mounted to wash the laundry, a pulsator 58 rotatably mounted on the bottom of the washing tub 56 to form a rotary flow in the wash water, and the dehydration tank 54. A clutch 62 and a motor 64 mounted at a lower side thereof and selectively connected to the washing tank 56 or the pulsator 58 to transmit a driving force, and installed above the washing tank 56 to wash the washing water together with the detergent. A water supply valve assembly 68 including a detergent box assembly 66 and a water supply valve 68a for supplying water to the drainage tank is installed at a lower portion of the dehydration tank 54 to drain the wash water in the washing tank 56. A drain valve assembly 70 including a valve 70a and the washing (56) or the temperature sensor 72a and electrode sensor 72b attached to the dehydration tank 54 to measure the water temperature and conductivity of the wash water, the clutch 62, the motor 64, and the water supply / drain valve ( 68a, 70a) and the like to control the operation of the washing machine as well as the microcomputer (not shown) to implement the optimal washing pattern from the water temperature and conductivity detected by the temperature sensor 72 and the electrode sensor 74, It is composed.

Here, the detergent box assembly 66 is composed of a detergent box 66a in which detergent is stored, and a detergent box housing 66b fixed to the upper portion of the case 52 so that the detergent box 66a is detachable. The water supply valve assembly 68 is installed to be connected to the detergent box housing 68b so that when the water supply valve 68a is turned on, washing water is simultaneously supplied into the washing tank 56 together with detergent.

In the washing course determining method of the washing machine according to the present invention configured as described above, the quantity of laundry put into the washing tank 54 is detected as shown in FIG. 3 (see S1).

At this time, the amount of the laundry is sensed by measuring the acceleration of the motor 64 and the heat generated by the motor 64 when the motor 64 is rotated and compared with a table embedded in the microcomputer.

Next, in the second step, after the amount of laundry is sensed in the first step, detergent and washing water are supplied into the washing tank 56, and the first setting is performed so that the temperature sensor 72a and the electrode sensor 72b are locked. Washing water is supplied up to the water level (see S2, S3).

In this case, the first predetermined level refers to the level of the wash water in which the temperature sensor 72a and the electrode sensor 72b attached to the lower portion of the washing tank 56 or the dehydration tank 54 are locked.

Here, the water supply valve assembly 68 is installed to be connected to the detergent box assembly 66, in particular, the washing water is sprayed to the detergent side stored in the detergent box 66b through the detergent box housing 66a together with the detergent. Water is supplied to the washing tank 56 and the dehydration tank 54.

Next, when the washing water is supplied to the first set water level together with the detergent in the second step, the pulsator 58 is stirred in the forward / reverse direction for a predetermined time so that the detergent is sufficiently dissolved in the washing water. Allow water flow to form (see S4).

Next, when the detergent is sufficiently dissolved in the wash water in the third step, the water temperature (T) and the conductivity (R) of the wash water are measured by the temperature sensor 72a and the electrode sensor 72b to determine the amount of detergent. This is judged (see S5).

Specifically, looking at the process of setting the first detergent amount by the water temperature (T) and conductivity (R) of the wash water, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, the water temperature (T) of the wash water is measured first. (See S11)

Next, in the second process, the detergent amount regression equation D is set when the water temperature T measured in the first process is equal to or greater than the first set temperature T1. (See S12 and S13.)

Next, in the third process, the detergent amount regression equation C is set when the measured water temperature T is less than the first set temperature T1 and is greater than or equal to the second set temperature T2 in the second process. (S14, S15 Reference)

Next, in the fourth process, the detergent amount regression type B is set when the measured water temperature T is less than the second set temperature T2 and is greater than or equal to the third set temperature T3 in the third process. (S16, S17 Reference)

Next, in the fifth process, the detergent amount regression equation A is set when the measured water temperature T is less than the third set temperature T3 in the fourth process (see S18).

The detergent amount regression equation is set according to the measured water temperature T as described above, and the detergent amount regression equation is preset for a plurality of specific temperatures and is embedded in the microcomputer (not shown).

Next, in the sixth process, when a specific detergent amount regression equation is set in the second to fifth processes, the conductivity R of the washing water is measured by the electrode sensor 72b.

At this time, the conductivity (R) is the value of the detergent component is ionized and the detergent is excessively increased as the value is increased, depending on the circuit configuration for displaying the conductivity (R) may be shown to be larger, the value This may be shown small.

In addition, since the value of the conductivity (R) may change according to the water temperature (T), the conductivity of the wash water (R) and the water temperature (T) are simultaneously measured, and the conductivity (R) and the water temperature (T) are It is a standard for judging the amount of detergent injected.

Next, in the seventh process, when the conductivity R of the wash water measured in the sixth process is greater than or equal to the first predetermined conductivity R1, the electrode sensor 72b is determined to be in failure, and the amount of detergent added is determined to be a standard detergent amount. (See S20, S21, S22)

Next, in the eighth process, when the conductivity (R) measured in the seventh process is less than the first set conductivity (R1) and the second set conductivity (R2) or more, it is determined that the amount of detergent injected is no detergent. See S24)

Next, in the ninth process, when the conductivity R measured in the eighth process is less than the second set conductivity R2 and is greater than or equal to the third set conductivity R3, it is determined that the detergent amount injected is the standard detergent amount. , See S26)

Next, in the tenth step, when the conductivity R measured in the ninth step is less than the third set conductivity R3, the amount of detergent added is determined to be an excessive amount of detergent (see S27).

Here, the first, second, third set conductivity (R1, R2, R3) is embedded in the microcomputer with different values according to the detergent amount regression equation (A, B, C, D).

When the specific detergent amount regression equation is set according to the water temperature T of the wash water as described above, the amount of detergent input from the detergent amount regression equation set according to the conductivity R of the wash water may be converted.

Next, in the fifth step, if the first detergent amount is determined by the water temperature (T) and the conductivity (R) in the fourth step, the washing pattern is temporarily determined according to the detergent amount (see S6).

Here, the washing pattern has a relatively long washing time according to the amount of detergent injected, while a short rinsing time and a low rinsing level, a detergent-free washing pattern, and a standard washing pattern in which washing and rinsing time and rinsing water level are optimally set for the amount of laundry. And, the washing time is relatively short, while the rinsing time is long, and the rinsing water level is divided into an excessive detergent washing pattern.

At this time, if the detergent amount is determined to be detergent-free, the detergent-free washing pattern is set, and if the detergent amount is determined to be the standard detergent amount, the standard washing pattern is set, and if the detergent amount is determined to be the excess detergent amount, it is set as an excessive detergent washing pattern. .

In addition, the predetermined washing pattern and the washing time as described above are shown on a display unit (not shown) which displays an operating state of the washing machine so that the user can know.

Next, in the sixth step, when the washing administration is started according to the washing pattern set in the fifth step, the washing water is supplied to the second set water level set according to the quantity of the laundry (see S7 and S8).

Next, in the seventh step, when the wash water is supplied to the second set water level in the sixth step, the water temperature and conductivity of the wash water are reset by the temperature sensor 72a and the electrode sensor 72b as in the fourth step. The amount of detergent measured and put into the wash water is judged again (see S9).

In particular, the fifth step may be to determine the amount of detergent in the wash water more than the amount of detergent determined in the fourth step by the residual detergent component in the washing tank 56 or the like.

In this case, since the amount of detergent required depends on the amount of laundry and the amount and water temperature of the laundry, even if the amount of detergent added is the same, the amount of detergent measured may be determined differently according to the amount of laundry and the amount and water temperature of the laundry.

Next, in the eighth step, the washing pattern is determined according to the detergent amount measured in the seventh step, and the washing operation is performed according to the determined washing pattern. (See S10 and S11)

In this case, in the eighth step, the washing pattern is determined according to the amount of detergent as in the fifth step.

In the washing course determining method of the washing machine according to the present invention configured as described above, the washing water is supplied to the first set water level together with the detergent, and then the amount of detergent injected by the temperature sensor and the electrode sensor is determined, and the washing pattern according to the amount of detergent is determined. After the wash water is supplied to the second set water level according to the determined washing pattern, the detergent amount inputted by the temperature sensor and the electrode sensor is judged to determine the washing pattern according to the detergent amount, and the washing operation is performed according to the determined washing pattern. Therefore, the optimal washing pattern can be realized in consideration of not only the amount of laundry but also the water temperature and detergent amount of the washing water, thereby reducing energy waste such as water and electricity, and improving washing performance.

Claims (9)

A first step of detecting a quantity of laundry put into the washing tank; A second step in which washing water is added to lock the temperature sensor and the electrode sensor attached to one side of the washing tank of the first step; A third step of determining a washing course by measuring the water temperature and conductivity of the washing water by the temperature sensor and the electrode sensor of the second step; A fourth step of supplying the washing water together with the detergent up to the level set according to the quantity of the laundry after the washing course of the third step is determined; And a fifth step in which the washing course is determined by re-measuring the water temperature and conductivity of the washing water by the temperature sensor and the electrode sensor after the washing water in the fourth step is supplied. The method of claim 1, The third step is a first step of measuring the water temperature of the wash water by the temperature sensor and then the detergent amount regression equation is set, and the conductivity of the water is measured by the electrode sensor and then the detergent amount regression equation by the conductivity And a second process of setting the amount of detergent added, and a third process of determining the washing course according to the amount of detergent added. The method of claim 2, The fifth step includes a first step of re-measuring the water temperature of the washing water by the temperature sensor and then resetting the detergent amount regression equation, and then reconducting the detergent amount by the conductivity after the conductivity of the water is re-measured by the electrode sensor. Method for determining a washing course of the washing machine comprising a second process of resetting the amount of detergent added from the formula, and a third process of determining the washing course in accordance with the amount of detergent added. The method of claim 2 or 3, The detergent amount regression formula is a washing course determination method of the washing machine, characterized in that each predetermined for a plurality of specific temperatures. The method of claim 2 or 3, The second process is a washing course determination method of the washing machine, characterized in that when the conductivity is more than the set value, the electrode sensor is determined to be a failure, the amount of detergent is added to set the standard detergent amount. The method of claim 2 or 3, The second process is the washing course determination method of the washing machine, characterized in that the process further comprises the step of determining the detergent amount, detergent-free, standard detergent amount, excess detergent amount in accordance with the conductivity when the conductivity is less than the set value. The method of claim 2 or 3, The third process includes a process in which a washing time is long when the amount of detergent introduced in the second process is determined as a detergent-free, but a washing pattern having a low rinsing time and a low rinsing water level is set. How to decide. The method of claim 2 or 3, In the third process, the washing course of the washing machine further includes a process of setting a washing time, a rinsing time, and a standard washing pattern having an optimal rinsing water level when the amount of detergent added in the second process is determined as a standard detergent amount. How to decide. The method of claim 2 or 3, The third process may further include a process of setting an excessive detergent washing pattern having a high rinsing time and a high rinsing water level while a short washing time is determined when the amount of detergent introduced in the second process is an excessive amount of detergent. How to decide on a washing course.