KR20040047198A - A washing machine with apparatus for sensing the quality of water and washing method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A washing machine introduced with a sensing apparatus of the quality of water and a washing method are provided to drive the washing machine in a proper washing method by sensing the quality of water supplied to the washing machine. CONSTITUTION: A washing machine introduced with a sensing apparatus(66) of the quality of water includes a cabinet, an outer tub, an inner tub, a motor and the sensing apparatus of the quality of water. The outer tub holds washing water. The inner tub is arranged inside the outer tub to receive the laundry. A pulsator is installed to a bottom of the inner tub to form water current. The motor is arranged to a lower portion of the outer tub to drive the inner tub and the pulsator. The sensing apparatus of the quality of water senses hardness and temperature of washing water, installed to a side of the outer tub. Thereby, conductivity and temperature are sensed by installing the sensing apparatus of the quality of water to an open hole of an air chamber(82).

Description

A washing machine with apparatus for sensing the quality of water and washing method for the same}

The present invention relates to a washing machine and a washing method in which the water quality detecting device is mounted, and more particularly, to a washing machine and a washing method in which the water quality detecting device is mounted so that washing performance of the washing machine can be improved.

Hardness of water is a term indicating the degree of strength of water. Examples of the material causing the hardness include calcium, magnesium, iron, strontium, and manganese. It is well known that such high hardness water is not suitable for household or industrial water because the cleaning ability of the detergent is lowered under the influence of insoluble magnesium ions or calcium ions.

On the other hand, the washing machine is equipped with a variety of sensing devices to detect the various washing requirements required for washing, according to the detected washing requirements, the washing machine is properly driven to obtain the best washing effect.

Such washing requirements are typical of the input amount of laundry and the level of the washing water, and in particular, the hardness of the supplied washing water is also recently recognized as an important washing requirement.

1 is an internal configuration diagram showing a washing machine according to the prior art.

As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional washing machine is fixed to a cabinet 2 that forms an exterior and is suspended by a support member 4 inside the cabinet 2, and at the same time an external housing for washing water is accommodated. 6 and the inner tub 10 rotated inside the outer tub 6 and the washing blade 8 is disposed at the bottom, and the hand 10 is formed on the side, and the lower side of the outer tub 6. And a motor 12 for generating a driving force for rotationally driving the washing blade 8 and the inner rib 10, and driving force of the motor 12 to the washing blade 8 and the inner rib 10. It is configured to include a power transmission unit (14) to selectively supply).

Here, a top cover 16 is formed at an upper end of the cabinet 2 to form an upper portion of a washing machine and an entrance hole (not shown) in which laundry is entered into and out of the center, and the access hole is attached to the top cover 16. The lid 18 for opening and closing is connected to the hinge so as to be rotatable.

The rear of the top cover 16 is provided with a water supply hose 20 and a water supply valve 22 for supplying the wash water from the outside, a drain valve for draining the wash water to the outside of the outer tub (6) 24 and the drain hose 26 are provided.

In addition, the washing machine is provided with a water level detecting device 28 for detecting the water level of the fresh water in the outer tub 6, the water level detecting device 28 is the side of the outer tub (6) The air chamber 30 is installed in the lower portion and the air is filled in the inside and the wash water flows from the outer tub 6, and the lower end is connected to the upper portion of the air chamber 30, the air filled tube 32 And a controller 34 connected to the upper end of the tube 32 to measure the air pressure in the tube 32 to detect the water level.

Here, the air chamber 30 is a cylindrical structure integrally formed on the lower side of the outer tub 6, the side of the portion where the air chamber 30 and the outer tub 6 is connected to the wash water outside An entrance and exit hole 36 is formed into and out of the valve 6 and the air chamber 30. An opening hole is formed at the bottom of the air chamber 30, and the opening hole is equipped with a chamber cap 38 to prevent the leakage of the wash water.

In addition, the control unit 34 is installed on all of the top cover 16 to receive the washing requirements of the washing machine from the various sensing devices, washing conditions such as detergent input amount, washing time, rinsing time according to the delivered washing requirements To allow the washing machine to run properly.

However, the washing machine according to the prior art can detect the water level of the wash water, but the quality of the wash water cannot be detected, so it is impossible to select the optimal washing method according to the water quality of the wash water. Since washing can not be driven washing performance of the washing machine is reduced.

In addition, when the washing machine is used in various regions or countries, the optimum washing performance may not be exerted depending on the quality of the wash water used.

The present invention has been created to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to detect the water quality of the wash water supplied to the washing machine, and can be improved by the washing method is driven by the optimized washing method according to the detected water quality The present invention provides a washing machine and a washing method in which a water quality detecting device is mounted.

1 is an internal configuration diagram showing a washing machine according to the prior art,

2 is an internal configuration diagram showing a washing machine according to the present invention,

3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of A of FIG. 2,

Figure 4a is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a water quality detection apparatus according to the present invention,

Figure 4b is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the water quality detection apparatus according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

56: external tub 66: water quality detection device

82: air chamber 84: entrance and exit

90: sensor housing 92: electrode sensor

94: temperature sensor 96: sealing member

102: fixed part

Washing machine equipped with a water quality detection device of the present invention for realizing the above object is a cabinet; An external tub for washing water; An inner tube rotatably disposed inside the outer tub to accommodate laundry and to form a water flow during washing; A motor disposed under the outer tub to rotationally drive the tub and the washing blade from the inside; It is mounted on one side of the outer tub characterized in that it comprises a water quality detection device for detecting the hardness and temperature of the wash water.

In addition, a washing method of a washing machine equipped with a water quality detecting device according to the present invention includes: a water quality sensing step of detecting an conductivity of an electrode sensor from a received washing water and a temperature sensor of a temperature; A water quality detection step of calculating, by the controller, the hardness of the wash water from the conductivity and temperature of the wash water detected in the water quality detection step; A washing method selecting step of selecting a driving method of the washing machine to improve washing performance of the washing machine according to the value detected in the water quality detecting step; The washing machine is driven according to the driving method of the washing machine selected in the washing method selection step, characterized in that the driving step of washing the laundry.

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

2 is an internal configuration diagram showing a washing machine according to the present invention, Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the A of Figure 2, Figure 4a is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a water quality detection apparatus according to the present invention.

2 to 4, the washing machine according to the present invention is fixed to the cabinet 52 forming an appearance and suspended by a support member 54 inside the cabinet 52, and simultaneously washed. The outer tub 56 in which water is accommodated, the inner tub 60 rotated inside the outer tub 56 and the washing blade 58 is disposed at the bottom, and the hand tub is formed on the side, and the outer tub. A motor 62 disposed below the 56 to generate a driving force for rotationally driving the washing blade 58 and the inner blade 60; and a driving force of the motor 62 to the washing blade 58; A power transmission device 64 selectively supplying the internal tub 60 with the water, a water quality sensing device 66 mounted on one side of the outer tub 56 to detect conductivity and temperature of the wash water, and the water quality The hardness value of the wash water is calculated while being connected to the sensing device 66 to calculate the hardness of the wash water from the detected value. Depending comprises a controller 68 for controlling the driving of the washing machine.

Here, the top cover 70 is formed on the upper end of the cabinet 52 and the upper cover 70 is formed in the center and the entrance hole (not shown) for the laundry entering and exiting, the top cover 70 is the entrance hole The lid 72 for opening and closing is connected to the hinge so as to be rotatable.

The rear portion of the top cover 70 is provided with a water supply hose 74 and a water supply valve 76 for supplying the wash water from the outside, a drain valve for draining the wash water to the outside of the outer tub 56. 78 and the drain hose 80 is installed.

In addition, a cylindrical air chamber 82 is formed integrally with the lower side of the outer tub 56, and the wash water is disposed at one side of the portion connected to the air chamber 82 and the outer tub 56. An entrance and exit hole 84 is formed to enter and exit between the probe 56 and the air chamber 82.

Here, the air chamber 82 is a component of the water level detection device 86 for detecting the level of the wash water freshly contained in the outer tub 56 of the sensing devices of the various washing machines.

The water level detecting device 86 is formed in the outer tub 56 to fill the air therein and the air chamber 82 through which the wash water flows in and out of the outer tub 56 and the air chamber 82. One end is connected to the tube 88 through which the pressure change in the air chamber 82 is transmitted through the air, and the other end of the tube 88 is connected to measure the pressure delivered by the tube 88 It is composed of a control unit 68 for detecting.

On the other hand, the control unit 68 is installed on all of the top cover 70 is connected to the various detection devices built in the washing machine, detergent so that the operation of the washing machine can be optimized according to the washing requirements detected by the detection device After the washing conditions such as the input amount, the washing time, and the rinsing time are appropriately determined, the motor 62, the power transmission device 64, the water supply valve 76, the drain valve 78, and the like are controlled.

That is, the control unit 68 receives the information on the operating state and the washing requirements of the washing machine through various sensing devices, analyzes them, and selects the optimal washing method based on the analyzed result, or the washing machine according to the selected washing method. Will be activated.

In addition, an opening hole is formed at a lower end of the air chamber 82, and the water quality detecting device 66 is mounted in the opening hole.

The water quality detecting device 66 is disposed in the sensor housing 90 inserted into the opening hole, and disposed inside the sensor housing 90 and protrudes outward from the sensor housing 92 so that conductivity of the wash water is increased. Electrode sensor 92 for sensing, and disposed inside the sensor housing 90, one end protrudes out of the sensor housing 90 to detect the temperature of the wash water, and the sensor housing (90) It is composed of a sealing member 96 is filled in the inside and seals the gap of the sensor housing 90 formed by the electrode sensor 92 and the temperature sensor 94.

Here, the sensor housing 90 is composed of a cylindrical housing body 98 having an open bottom, a housing cover 100 mounted on a bottom of the housing body 98, and the housing body 98 and the housing. The sealing member 96 is filled in the filling space formed by the cover 100.

A fixing part 102 is formed along the circumference of the housing main body 98 so as to be fixed to the opening hole of the air chamber 82 and is welded to the opening hole.

Accordingly, the wash water in the air chamber 82 is prevented from flowing out between the opening hole and the sensor housing 90.

In addition, a connector 110 is provided at a lower end of the housing cover 100 so that a sensor connection line 108 connecting the other end of the electrode sensor 92 and the temperature sensor 94 to the controller 68 may be coupled. do.

On the other hand, the electrode sensor 92 is composed of a first electrode sensor 112, and the second electrode sensor 114 spaced apart from the first electrode sensor 112, such a first electrode sensor 112 And a protruding end of the second electrode sensor 114 is received with the wash water in the air chamber 82.

One end of the temperature sensor 94 is spaced apart from the first electrode sensor 112 and the second electrode sensor 114 by a predetermined distance to receive the wash water in the air chamber 82 to detect the water temperature. .

Therefore, an electrode hole 116 through which one end of the first electrode sensor 112 and the second electrode sensor 114 is inserted and an end of the temperature sensor 94 are inserted into the upper surface of the housing main body 90. A temperature hole 118 is provided therethrough.

Since the first electrode sensor 112 and the second electrode sensor 114 as described above detect the conductivity of the wash water while being energized with each other, the outer surface of the first electrode sensor 112 and the second electrode sensor 114 should be made of a material having high conductivity and good corrosion resistance, such as stainless steel or copper. In addition, the temperature sensor 94 is also made of a corrosion-resistant material because it receives the washing water and senses the temperature.

In addition, the sealing member 96 is a molding formed by injecting into the filling space in a molten state of the rubber or epoxy, and then hardened, and the electrode hole 116 and the electrode sensor 92 or the temperature hole 118 and the temperature The clearance formed by the sensor 94 prevents the wash water in the air chamber 82 from flowing out.

Figure 4b is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the water quality detection apparatus according to the present invention.

Here, the same reference numerals as the above-mentioned drawings indicate the same members.

The water quality detecting device 66 according to the present embodiment is formed on the lower side of the housing main body 98 instead of the fixing part 102 of the exemplary embodiment, and the fastening hole may be fastened and fixed to the opening hole of the air chamber 82. It is configured to include a flange 106 having a 104, the other configuration is the same as the above embodiment.

The water quality detecting device 66 is bonded to the opening hole using a bond and then fastened and fixed by a screw. Accordingly, a lower end of the air chamber 82 is formed with a fastening hole (not shown) provided with a fastening hole (not shown) so that the screw can be fastened to a position corresponding to the flange 106.

Looking at the washing method of the washing machine equipped with a water quality detecting apparatus according to the present invention configured as described above are as follows.

First, when power is applied to the washing machine, the controller 68 allows the washing water to be supplied into the outer tub 56 through the water supply hose 74 and the water supply valve 76.

The wash water is freshly watered in the outer tub 56, and flows into the air chamber 82 through an inlet and outlet 84 formed at one side of the outer tub 56, and the air chamber 82. The air inside is pressurized by the introduced wash water.

The pressure of the pressurized air transmits the pressure to the control unit 68 through the air in the tube 88, the control unit 68 detects the level of the wash water from the delivered pressure, according to the detected water level The controller 68 controls the operation of the water supply valve 76.

On the other hand, the water quality detection device 66 mounted in the opening hole of the air chamber 82 detects the conductivity of the wash water while energizing the wash water and the first electrode sensor 112 and the second electrode sensor 114 received. In addition, the temperature sensor 94 is also received with washing water to sense the temperature.

The sensed conductivity and water temperature of the wash water are transmitted to the controller 68 through the sensor connection line 108, and the controller 68 calculates the hardness of the wash water from the received conductivity.

Here, the reason for measuring the conductivity and temperature of the wash water in detecting the hardness of the wash water, the hardness of the wash water is a value determined by the conductivity and temperature to the control unit () to calculate the conductivity and temperature of the wash water A program for calculating the hardness of the wash water is built in.

The controller 68 analyzes the calculated hardness value to determine washing conditions such as detergent amount, washing time, and rinsing time according to the hardness of the washing water, and drives the washing machine according to the selected optimal washing method. Make it work properly.

The washing machine and the washing method equipped with the water quality detecting device of the present invention configured as described above are equipped with a water quality detecting device in the opening hole of the air chamber, so that the conductivity and temperature of the fresh water washed in the external tub can be detected and detected. There is an advantage that the hardness of the wash water is calculated from the obtained conductivity and temperature.

In addition, the washing machine has the advantage that the washing performance is improved by selecting an appropriate washing method suitable for the hardness of the washing water sensed and being driven according to the washing method.

In addition, since washing is performed by selecting the optimal washing method according to the change in the hardness of the washing water in regions or countries where the hardness of water is different, washing machines are used in various regions and countries.

Claims (8)

Cabinets; An external tub for washing water; An inner tube rotatably disposed inside the outer tub to accommodate laundry and to form a water flow during washing; A motor disposed under the outer tub to rotationally drive the tub and the washing blade from the inside; Washing machine equipped with a water quality detection device, characterized in that it is mounted to one side of the outer tub and comprises a water quality detection device for detecting the hardness and temperature of the wash water. The method of claim 1, The washing machine is equipped with a water quality detecting device, characterized in that further comprising a control unit for controlling the driving of the washing machine in accordance with the value detected from the water quality detecting device. The method of claim 1, An air chamber is formed at one side of the outer tub to communicate with the outer tub so that washing water can be introduced from the outer tub, and the water quality sensing device is inserted into an opening hole formed at a lower end of the air chamber. Washing machine equipped with a water quality detection device, characterized in that. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The water quality detection device is mounted on the air chamber and the sensor housing to prevent the leakage of wash water; An electrode sensor disposed inside the sensor housing and protruding outward from the sensor housing to sense conductivity of the wash water; A temperature sensor disposed inside the sensor housing and protruding outward from the sensor housing to sense a temperature of the wash water; And a sealing member filled in the sensor housing and sealing the gap between the sensor housing formed by the electrode sensor and the temperature sensor. The method of claim 4, wherein The sensor housing is mounted to the opening of the air chamber by a bond and a screw or welded by ultrasonic waves so that the wash water in the air chamber does not leak. washer. The method of claim 5, wherein The sensor housing has a cylindrical housing body having an open bottom surface and an upper surface inserted into the opening hole, and a housing cover mounted on the bottom surface of the housing body to form a filling space for filling the sealing member. Washing machine equipped with a water quality detection device. The method of claim 4, wherein The electrode sensor includes a first electrode sensor and a second electrode sensor disposed to be spaced apart from the first electrode sensor, the water quality sensing device is installed, characterized in that to detect the conductivity of the wash water while energized through the wash water. Washing machine. An electrode sensor detecting conductivity from the received wash water, and a water quality detecting step of detecting the temperature by the temperature sensor; A water quality detection step of calculating, by the controller, the hardness of the wash water from the conductivity and temperature of the wash water detected in the water quality detection step; A washing method selecting step of selecting a driving method of the washing machine to improve washing performance of the washing machine according to the value detected in the water quality detecting step; And a driving step of the washing machine for driving the washing machine to wash the laundry according to the driving method of the washing machine selected in the washing method selection step.