KR20040047026A - Washing machine and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A sensing apparatus and a method for the quality of water of a washing machine is provided to set a proper washing pattern by measuring conductivity of washing water of a washing tub and a dehydrating tub with a conductivity sensing unit before inputting detergent. CONSTITUTION: A case(52) has a washing tub(54) and a dehydrating tub(56). A detergent box assembly(66) stores detergent inputted to washing and dehydrating tubs with washing water, stored to an upper portion of the case. A feed valve assembly(68) includes a feed valve to supply washing water toward the detergent box assembly. A conductivity sensing unit(70) is attached to the washing tub or the dehydrating tub to sense conductivity of supplied washing water. A feed valve assembly for measuring conductivity supplies washing water into washing and dehydrating tubs to submerge the conductivity sensing unit before supplying washing water by the feed valve assembly. Thereby, a proper washing pattern is set by measuring conductivity of washing water accurately before detergent is inputted.

Description

Water quality detection device of washing machine and its method {Washing machine and control method}

The present invention relates to a water quality detecting device and a method of a washing machine, and more particularly, to a water quality detecting device of a washing machine which performs washing according to an optimal washing pattern by measuring only the hardness of the washing water by supplying only the washing water before the detergent is supplied. It's about how.

In general, a washing machine is a machine that removes stains on laundry by applying a mechanical action using electricity to form a rotating water flow in the washing water, so that the washing water flows into and out of the washing tank and the dehydration tank where the laundry is washed. Water supply valve and drain valve are installed.

1 is a perspective view showing a washing machine according to the prior art, Figure 2 is a side sectional view showing a washing machine according to the prior art.

1 and 2, the washing machine according to the related art has a case (2) having an input hole (2h) into which laundry is introduced, and a washing tank mounted inside the case (2) to wash laundry. (4) and the dewatering tank (6), the door (8) which is mounted to the opening and closing hole (2h) so as to be open and close, and the wash tub (4) is rotatably mounted to form a rotary water flow in the wash water Wings 10, a clutch 12 and a motor 14 mounted below the dewatering tank 6 to selectively rotate the washing tank 4 and the washing blade 10, and the washing tank 4 and dewatering A water supply valve assembly 16 including a water supply valve 16a for supplying washing water with detergent to the tank 6 side, and a drain valve for draining the washing water inside the washing tank 4 and the dewatering tank 6. It comprises a drain valve assembly 18 including 18a, and a microcomputer (not shown) for controlling the operation of the washing machine do.

Looking at the operation of the washing machine configured as described above are as follows.

First, when laundry is put in, and the user operates the washing machine, the microcomputer operates the motor 14 so that the washing blade 10 is inverted left and right alternately to detect the quantity of laundry, and to the detected quantity of laundry. According to the washing pattern is selected washing water and detergent amount, the laundry washing administration is made according to the washing pattern built into the microcomputer.

Next, the washing stroke of the washing machine is performed according to a predetermined program, while the water supply valve 16a is opened, the washing water and the detergent are simultaneously introduced into the washing tank 4 and the dehydrating tank 6, and the washing water is supplied to an appropriate level. When the washing tank 4 or the washing blade 10 is selectively rotated, washing and rinsing, and a dehydration stroke are repeatedly performed.

On the other hand, recently, the hardness sensor consisting of a temperature sensor and an electrode sensor to measure the hardness of the wash water is attached to the washing tank or dehydration tank to measure the temperature and conductivity of the wash water in contact with the actual laundry temperature and According to the conductivity, the microcomputer converts the hardness of the wash water and is used to select the optimal washing pattern.

However, since the detergent and the wash water are initially supplied at the time of the washing stroke, it is difficult to measure only the hardness of the pure wash water.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems of the prior art, by measuring the hardness of the washing water introduced into the washing tank and dehydration tank before the detergent is introduced by the hardness detection unit attached to the washing tank or dehydration tank optimally It is an object of the present invention to provide a water quality detecting apparatus and a method of a washing machine that can set a washing pattern.

1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to the prior art,

Figure 2 is a side sectional view showing a washing machine according to the prior art,

3 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to the present invention;

4 is a side cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG.

5 is a side cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a water quality detecting method of the washing machine according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

52: case 54: washing tank

56: dehydration tank 60: washing wing

68: water supply valve assembly 70: hardness detection unit

72: water supply valve assembly for hardness measurement 74: drain valve assembly

The water quality detection apparatus of the washing machine according to the present invention for solving the above problems is a case in which a washing tank and a dehydration tank are built with washing the laundry, and are built in the upper side of the case and put together with the washing water into the washing tank and the dehydration tank. A water supply valve assembly including a detergent box assembly for storing detergent, a water supply valve for supplying wash water to the detergent box assembly, and a hardness detection unit for detecting the hardness of the wash water attached to the washing tank or the dehydration tank; And a hardness measuring feed valve assembly for initially supplying the washing water into the washing tank and the dehydrating tank so that the hardness sensing unit is locked before the washing water is supplied by the feed valve assembly.

In addition, the water quality detection method of the washing machine according to the present invention includes the first step of opening the auxiliary water valve so that the washing water is supplied to the washing tank and the dehydration tank, and so that the hardness sensing unit is submerged in the washing water supplied in the first step. The second step of washing the wash water to a set height, and the third step of measuring the hardness of the wash water supplied in the second step by the hardness sensor.

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

3 is a perspective view showing a washing machine according to the present invention, Figures 4 and 5 are side cross-sectional views taken along line AA and BB of Figure 3, respectively, Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating a water quality detection method of the washing machine according to the present invention. to be.

3 and 5, the washing machine according to the present invention has a case 52 in which an input hole 52h into which laundry is introduced, and a dehydration tank installed to hang inside the case 52 ( 56, a washing tank (54) rotatably mounted inside the dewatering tank (56), and washing blades (60) mounted on the bottom surface of the washing tank (54) to form a rotary flow in the washing water. And a clutch 62 and a motor installed under the dehydration tank 56 to be selectively connected to the washing tank 54 or the washing blade 60 to selectively rotate the washing tank 54 or the washing blade 60. 64, a detergent box assembly 66 and a water supply valve assembly 68 for supplying washing water with detergent to the washing tank 54 and the dehydrating tank 56, and the washing tank 54 and the dehydrating tank 56 Drain valve assembly (74) for draining the wash water therein, and the washing tank (54) Or installed on one side of the dehydration tank 56, the hardness detection unit 70 for detecting the hardness of the water to be initially supplied, and the water supply valve assembly 68 is installed on one side of the washing tank 54 and the dehydration tank during the washing operation Water hardness valve assembly 72 for supplying the wash water so that the hardness detection unit 70 is locked so that the hardness detection unit 70 detects the hardness of the initial wash water to the (56) side, It is configured to include a microcomputer to control the operation.

Here, the detergent box assembly 66 is composed of a detergent box 66a in which detergent is stored, and a detergent box housing 66b embedded in the case 52 so that the detergent box 66a is detachable. The water supply valve assembly 68 is a water supply valve having a plurality of inlets (not shown) connected to the water supply hose 67 for supplying wash water and a plurality of outlets (not shown) connected to the detergent box housing 66b. And a plurality of water supply valves 68b provided inside the case 68a and intermittently washing the water supplied to the water supply valve case 68a.

In addition, the hardness detection unit 70 is attached to the inner surface of the dehydration tank 56, the temperature sensor 70a for detecting the temperature of the wash water, and installed on one side of the temperature sensor 70a, the conductivity of the wash water It consists of an electrode sensor (70b) for detecting, the signal according to the temperature and conductivity of the wash water detected by the temperature sensor 70a and the electrode sensor (70b) is transmitted to the microcomputer to convert the hardness of the wash water The microcomputer selects an optimal washing pattern in consideration of the hardness of the washing water.

Of course, the hardness detection unit 70a may be attached to the inner side or the outer side of the washing tub 54.

In particular, the hardness measuring water supply valve assembly 72 is installed in an independent flow path formed by extending one side of the water supply valve casing 68a, and an auxiliary water supply valve 72a for controlling the wash water, and the auxiliary water supply valve ( 72a) and one end of the guide passage 72b guides the wash water into the washing tank 54 and the dehydration tank 56.

At this time, the tub cover 56a is installed above the dewatering tank 56 so that the washing water between the washing tank 54 and the dewatering tank 56 is elevated by centrifugal force and sprayed back into the washing tank 54. The end of the guide flow passage 72b is positioned at an upper end of the tub cover 56a, and the tub cover 56a has washing water introduced through the auxiliary water supply valve 72a and the guide flow passage 72b. A supply hole 56a 'is formed in communication with the end of the guide passage 72b so as to be supplied between the washing tank 54 and the dehydration tank 56.

On the other hand, the water supply valve 68a and the auxiliary water supply valve 72a are controlled by the microcomputer, and the water supply valve 68a has the hardness of the wash water initially supplied by the auxiliary water supply valve 72a. It is controlled to be turned off for a set time so that it can be measured by the hardness sensor 70, the auxiliary water supply valve 72a is operated not only at the time of initial water supply but also interlocked when the water supply valve 68a is turned on.

Looking at the water quality detection method of the washing machine according to the present invention configured as described above as shown in FIG.

First, in the first step, when a user inputs detergent into the detergent box 66a and simultaneously inserts laundry into the washing tank 54 and then operates a washing machine, the motor 64 makes the washing blade 60 operate. Inverting the left and right alternately to sense the amount of laundry, the auxiliary water supply valve (72a) is turned on and the washing water is supplied to the washing tank 54 and the dehydration tank 56 (see S1).

In the second step, when the wash water is supplied to the washing tank 54 and the dehydration tank 56 to the set level by the auxiliary water valve 72a opened in the first step, the auxiliary water valve 72a is turned off. (See S2, S3)

At this time, the set water level refers to the water level such that the hardness detection unit 70 is immersed in the wash water.

However, if the washing water is not supplied to the washing tank 54 and the dehydration tank 56 up to the set level, the auxiliary water supply valve 72a is kept in the on state to the washing tank 54 and the dehydration tank 56. Allow the wash water to flow in.

In the third step, when the wash water is supplied to the extent that the hardness detection unit 70 is locked in the second step, the hardness of the washing water is measured by the hardness detection unit 70 (see S4).

In detail, the hardness sensor 70 measures the temperature of the wash water by the temperature sensor 70a, and measures the conductivity of the wash water by the electrode sensor 70b. It is input, the hardness of the wash water is converted according to the temperature and conductivity measured as described above in the microcomputer.

In the fourth step, the microcomputer sets the optimal washing pattern according to the hardness measured in the third step.

Of course, the washing pattern is not only the hardness of the wash water but also a variety of data such as the quantity of the laundry measured in advance is comprehensively considered to drive the motor and driving time, washing time, water supply and drainage time, rinsing frequency and dehydration time, etc. The main element is set.

In the fifth step, when the washing pattern is set in the fourth step, the water supply valve 68a and the auxiliary water supply valve 72a are turned on, and detergent and wash water are supplied at the same time (see S6 and S7).

In this case, although the auxiliary water supply valve 72a may be maintained in an off state, the auxiliary water supply valve 72a may be turned on together with the water supply valve 68a to shorten the time for washing water.

In the sixth step, when the detergent and the washing water are supplied in the fifth step, the washing operation is performed according to the washing pattern set in the microcomputer.

Water quality detection device and method of the washing machine according to the present invention configured as described above is a hardness sensor for measuring the water temperature and conductivity of the wash water so that the hardness of the wash water in the microcomputer is attached to the washing tank or dehydration tank, detergent and Since the water supply valve assembly for measuring the hardness of the wash water is installed at one side of the water supply valve assembly for supplying the washing water to measure the hardness of the washing water, the hardness measurement before the detergent is introduced. The hardness of the wash water fed by the water supply valve assembly is accurately measured, and the optimal washing pattern is set in the microcomputer. Thus, the washing stroke is performed, which not only improves washing performance but also saves energy such as water and electricity. There is an advantage to this.

Claims (10)

A case in which a washing tank and a dehydration tank are cleaned, A detergent box assembly embedded in an upper side of the case and storing detergent which is injected into the washing tank and the dehydration tank together with the washing water; A water supply valve assembly including a water supply valve for supplying washing water to the detergent box assembly side; A hardness detector for detecting the hardness of the wash water attached to the washing tank or the dehydration tank, The water quality detection device of the washing machine, characterized in that the water supply valve assembly for measuring the hardness of the initial washing water into the washing tank and the dehydration tank so that the hardness detection unit is locked before the wash water is supplied by the water supply valve assembly. The method of claim 1, The hardness detection unit is attached to the inner surface of the dehydration tank is configured with a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the wash water, and an electrode sensor installed on one side of the temperature sensor for detecting the conductivity of the wash water, according to the temperature and conductivity Microcomputer for controlling the operation of the washing machine water quality detection device of the washing machine, characterized in that for converting the hardness of the wash water. The method of claim 2, The hardness measuring water supply valve assembly is installed on an independent flow path formed on one side of the water supply valve assembly and an auxiliary water supply valve for intermitting the wash water, and one end of the auxiliary water supply valve is installed to connect the wash water to the washing tank. Water quality detection device of a washing machine, characterized in that consisting of a guide flow path to guide the inside of the dehydration tank. The method of claim 3, wherein The guide flow path is water quality detection device of the washing machine, characterized in that the other end is installed so as to be located between the washing tank and the dehydration tank. The method according to claim 1 and 3, The water supply valve is a water quality detection device of the washing machine, characterized in that for a predetermined time so that the hardness of the wash water initially supplied by the auxiliary water supply valve can be measured by the hardness detection unit. The method of claim 3, wherein The auxiliary water supply valve is water quality detection device of the washing machine, characterized in that the water supply is turned on. A first step of opening the auxiliary water supply valve so that the washing water is supplied into the washing tank and the dehydrating tank; A second step of washing the wash water to a set height so that the hardness sensing unit is submerged in the wash water supplied in the first step; And a third step of measuring the hardness of the wash water supplied in the second step by the hardness detection unit. The method of claim 7, wherein The first step is a water quality detection method of a washing machine, characterized in that the water supply valve for supplying washing water with a detergent is made for a set time off. The method of claim 7, wherein In the third step, the hardness of the washing water is measured by the hardness detecting unit, and then a washing process of the washing machine is set according to the hardness detected by the hardness detecting unit. Water quality detection method for a washing machine comprising a second process that is introduced at the same time the water. The method of claim 9, The second process is a water quality detection method of the washing machine, characterized in that further comprising the step of turning on the auxiliary water supply valve.