KR20060085802A - Washing machine with water level sensor and control method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine equipped with a water level detection device for detecting the water level of the wash water supplied to the tub, the water level detection device for detecting the water level of the wash water accommodated in the tub and installed in the washing machine, the detection of the water level detection device And a control unit for controlling the operation of the door lock according to the value, and a power supply unit connected to the water level sensing device and the control unit to supply emergency power in case of power failure. Is normally operated, especially when the wash water is present in the tub has the effect of preventing the opening of the door by the door lock.

Drum Washer, Tub, Door, Door Lock, Water Level Detector, Power Supply

Description

Washing machine with water level detection device and control method {Washing machine with water level sensor and control method for the same}             

1 is a cross-sectional view of a drum washing machine equipped with a water level sensor according to the prior art,

2 is a perspective view of a drum washing machine equipped with a water level detecting device according to the present invention;

3 is a cross-sectional view of the drum washing machine equipped with a water level detecting device according to the present invention;

4 is a block diagram schematically showing a control configuration of a drum washing machine equipped with a water level sensing device according to the present invention;

5 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a drum washing machine equipped with a water level detecting device according to the present invention;

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

50: drum washing machine 52: cabinet

54: tub 55: through hole

56: drum 58: lifter

60: motor 61: control panel

62: control unit 63: control panel                 

64: cabinet cover 65: laundry doorway

66: door 68: top plate

70: water supply valve 71: water supply hose

72: detergent box 73: drainage bellows

74: drain pump 75: drain hose

76: heater 80: door lock

82: door hook 84: door switch

86: hook hole 90: water level detection device

92: air hose 94: water level sensor

96: air chamber 100: power supply device

The present invention relates to a washing machine equipped with a water level detection device for detecting the water level of the wash water supplied to the tub, and in particular, the washing machine is provided with a water level detection device that can operate the water level detection device and the control unit smoothly even when the washing machine power failure It is about.

In general, a washing machine is a device for washing laundry through a process such as washing, rinsing, dehydrating, and drying to remove contamination on clothes, bedding, etc. (hereinafter, referred to as laundry) by using water and a detergent.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a drum washing machine equipped with a water level detection device according to the prior art.

As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional drum washing machine includes a cabinet 2 forming an exterior, a tub 4 installed inside the cabinet 2, and a rotatable inside the tub 4. A drum (6) having a plurality of barrel holes (5) formed thereon, a lifter (8) installed on an inner surface of the drum (6) to lift the laundry so that the laundry falls at a predetermined height, and mounted to the rear of the tub (4) It comprises a motor 10 for rotating the drum 6, and a control unit 12 disposed on one side of the cabinet 2 to control the operation of the drum washing machine (1).

Here, a cabinet cover 14 having a laundry entrance (not shown) is mounted on a front surface of the cabinet 2 so that laundry can be introduced or withdrawn, and a door is provided at the cabinet cover 14 to open and close the laundry entrance. 16 is provided so that rotation is possible.

The door 16 and the cabinet cover 14 are provided with a door locking device (not shown) for preventing any opening of the door 16 when the drum washing machine 1 is operated.

In addition, a top plate 18 is mounted on an upper end of the cabinet 2, and a water supply valve 20 for supplying washing water and detergent to the inside of the tub 4 is provided below the top plate 18. The water supply hose 22, the detergent box 24, and the like are installed. In addition, the lower side of the tub 4, the drainage bellows 26, the drain pump 28, the drain hose 30, etc. for draining the wash water contained in the tub 4 to the outside of the drum washing machine 1 The lower portion of the tub 4 is provided with a heater 32 for heating the wash water supplied to enable hot water washing.                         

On the other hand, the inside of the cabinet 2 is provided with a water level detection device 40 for detecting the level of the wash water accommodated in the tub (4).

The water level detecting device 40 is connected to the tub 4 in one end in communication with the air hose 42 filled with air, and connected to the other end of the air hose 42 in communication with the air hose It consists of a water level sensor 44 for detecting the water level of the tub 4 in accordance with the pressure transmitted through the 42.

Looking at the control method of the washing machine equipped with a water level detecting device according to the prior art configured as described above are as follows.

First, when laundry is introduced into the drum 6 through the laundry entrance and a certain amount of detergent is input into the detergent box 24, the door 16 is closed, and then power is supplied to the drum washing machine 1. It is applied and the drum washing machine 1 is operated.

The drum washing machine 1 as described above sets the washing algorithm according to the quantity after measuring the quantity of laundry put into the drum 6, and the motor 10, the drain pump 28 and the water supply valve according to the washing algorithm. While 20 is driven, washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying stroke of the laundry are appropriately performed.

Here, when washing and rinsing the drum washing machine 1, the washing water is supplied to the tub 4. When the washing water is supplied to the tub 4, the water pressure inside the tub 4 is increased, and the washing water is increased. The water pressure of the is transmitted to the water level sensor 44 via the air of the air hose 42, the water level sensor 44 is the washing water accommodated in the tub 4 in accordance with the air pressure of the air hose 42 The water level will be judged. Therefore, the control unit 12 controls the opening and closing operation of the water supply valve 20 according to the detected value of the water level sensor 44, the washing water is supplied to the tub 4 only up to an appropriate level.

On the other hand, when the water level of the wash water stored in the tub 4 is detected by the water level sensor 40, the control unit 12 determines that the wash water is present in the tub 4, the door lock device The door 16 is locked by the lock.

However, since the power supply to the water level detecting device 40 and the control unit 12 is cut off when the washing machine equipped with the water level detecting device according to the prior art, the door 16 in a state where the wash water is stored in the tub 4 ) Has a problem that is open.

That is, when the drum washing machine 1 is out of power, the water level detecting device 40 and the control unit 12 are abnormally operated, so that the washing water level inside the tub 4 is not measurable, and the door locking device is also impossible. It becomes inoperable and the door 16 is opened.

When the door 16 is opened due to carelessness of the user while the wash water is stored inside the tub 4 as described above, the wash water and the laundry contained in the tub 4 are external to the drum washing machine 1. It is leaked to the surroundings, and the surroundings are contaminated. In particular, when the washing water is heated by the heater 32 to perform hot water washing, there is a problem in that a risk of burn or the like is increased by high temperature washing water and laundry.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, the object of the present invention is that the water level of the wash water accommodated in the tub by the water level sensor when the washing machine is out of power, when the wash water is present in the tub The present invention provides a washing machine equipped with a water level detection device capable of locking a door by a door locking device, and a control method thereof.

Washing machine equipped with a water level detection device of the present invention for realizing the above problem is installed in the washing machine to detect the water level of the wash water accommodated in the tub and the door lock device according to the detection value of the water level detection device And a control unit for controlling the operation, and a power supply unit connected to the water level sensing device and the control unit to supply emergency power in case of power failure.

The power supply means is characterized in that consisting of a rechargeable battery installed in the washing machine.

In addition, the control method of the washing machine equipped with a water level detecting device of the present invention is a charging step of charging the rechargeable battery as power is applied to the washing machine, and when a power failure occurs during operation of the washing machine, A power supply step of supplying power to the water level sensor, a water level detection step of detecting the water level of the wash water accommodated in the tub by the water level detection sensor, and when the water level of the washing water is detected by the water level detection sensor, The door locking device is operated by the door lock step of locking the door.

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

2 and 3 are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a drum washing machine equipped with a water level sensor according to the present invention, Figure 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the control configuration of the drum washing machine equipped with a water level sensing device according to the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a drum washing machine equipped with a level sensor according to the present invention.

2 and 3, the drum washing machine according to the present invention includes a cabinet 52 forming an appearance, a tub 54 installed inside the cabinet 52 to accommodate washing water, and the tub ( 54) The drum 56 is installed to be rotatable inside and the laundry is introduced and a plurality of barrel holes 55 are formed on the outer circumferential surface thereof, and the drum 56 is installed on the inner surface of the drum 56 to lift the laundry to drop the laundry at a predetermined height. A lifter 58, a motor 60 installed at the rear side of the tub 54 to rotate the drum 56, and a control unit installed at one side of the cabinet 52 to control the operation of the drum washing machine 1. And including 62.

Here, a cabinet cover 64 having a laundry entrance 65 is mounted on an opened front surface of the cabinet 52, and a laundry door 65 is formed at one side of the cabinet cover 64. The door 66 for opening and closing the door 66 is rotatably installed, and a control panel provided with an operation unit 61 and a control unit 62 that operate an operation of the drum washing machine 50 on an upper side of the cabinet cover 64. 63 is installed.

The door 66 and the cabinet cover 64 are provided with a door locking device 80 such that the door 66 is not opened arbitrarily during the operation of the drum washing machine 50.

The door locking device 80 is installed on the door hook 82 protruding from the rear surface of the door 66 and the cabinet cover 64 to hold the door 66 by holding the door hook 82 if necessary. It consists of a door switch 84 that locks. Accordingly, a hook hole 86 is formed in the cabinet cover 64 so that the door hook 82 is inserted when the door 66 is closed, and the door switch 84 is a cabinet cover in which the hook hole 86 is formed. It is fastened and fixed to the back of 64.

In addition, a top plate 68 is mounted on an upper end of the cabinet 52, and a water supply valve 70 for supplying washing water and detergent to the inside of the tub 54 is provided below the top plate 68. The water supply hose 71 and the detergent box 72 are installed in communication with each other.

Below the tub 54, a draining bellows 73, a draining pump 74, a draining hose 75, etc. are installed to drain the washing water contained in the tub 54 to the outside of the drum washing machine 50. A heater 76 is installed at the lower portion of the tub 54 to heat the wash water supplied to the tub 54 so that washing of the hot water is possible.

In addition, the drum washing machine 50 is provided with a water level detection device 90 for detecting the water level of the wash water supplied to the tub (54).

The water level detecting device 90 is connected to the tub 54 in one end thereof in communication with the air hose 92 filled with air therein, and connected to the other end of the air hose 92 so as to communicate with the air hose ( The water level sensor 94 for detecting the water level of the tub 54 according to the pressure transmitted through the 92.                     

The air hose 92 has one end directly connected to the lower portion of the tub 54 or the drain 54a, or to the air chamber 96 assembled to the drain bellows 73 as shown in FIG. Connected. The air chamber 96 is formed to be hollow to fill the air, one side is inserted in communication with the drainage bellows 73, the other end is connected to one end of the air hose 92.

The water level sensor 94 is installed above the inner surface of the cabinet 52 to measure the level of the tub 54 from the air pressure delivered by the air hose 92, and then control the measured value of the wash water level. Forwarded to (62).

That is, as the washing water is supplied to the tub 54 and the level of the washing water is increased, the hydraulic pressure of the washing water is applied to the air chamber 96, and the air chamber 96 and the air hose 92 supply air. The water pressure of the wash water is transmitted to the water level sensor 94, and the water level sensor 94 measures the water level of the water according to the detected air pressure of the air hose 92 to the controller 62. Will be delivered.

Accordingly, the controller 62 may determine whether the washing water is supplied to the tub 54 by the water level measurement value of the water level sensor 94, and the water level is measured by the water level sensor 94. When the door 66 is opened, the door switch 84 is operated to lock the door 66.

On the other hand, the inner side of the drum washing machine 50 is provided with a power supply means 100 for supplying emergency power to the water level detection device 90 and the control unit 62 in case of power failure.

The power supply means 100 is composed of a rechargeable battery which is charged during normal operation of the washing machine and at the same time the power supplied to the water level detecting device 90 and the control unit 62 when the washing machine is out of power, the internal structure and control unit of the washing machine 62 and the water level sensor 94 is installed in various positions.

In particular, the power failure phenomenon of the washing machine as described above rarely lasts for a long time, the power supply means 100 is a high-performance rechargeable battery is unnecessary, the cost burden is small, the overall size is also formed small and easy to secure the installation space Done.

In addition, compared with the case where a general battery is used as the power supply means 100, the power supply means 100 composed of the rechargeable battery is used semi-permanently, so that the replacement of the power supply means 100 is also unnecessary.

Looking at the washing method and the effect of the washing machine equipped with a water level detecting device according to the present invention configured as described above with reference to Figs.

First, when laundry is introduced into the drum 56 and a certain amount of detergent is put into the detergent box 72, the door 66 is closed to block the laundry entrance 65, and then the control panel 63. By operating the operation unit 61 of the drum washing machine 50 is applied power. (See S1)

When power is applied to the drum washing machine 50 as described above, the rechargeable battery of the power supply means 100 is charged, the drum washing machine 50 measures the amount of laundry put into the drum 56 and washes according to the amount of washing. Set the algorithm (see S2, S3).

The drum washing machine 50 washes laundry loaded into the drum 56 while the motor 60, the drain pump 74, the water supply valve 70, and the like are properly driven by the controller 62 according to a set washing algorithm. , Rinsing, dehydration, drying stroke and the like are performed.

Here, in the washing and rinsing stroke, the water supply valve 70 is opened by the controller 62 for a predetermined time so that the washing water is supplied to the tub 54 and the door 66 is not opened. ) Is activated (see S4, S5).

That is, the door switch 84 of the door locking device 80 is locked by the door hook 82 of the door 66, the door 66 is fixed in a closed state, the laundry entrance 65 Is sealed by the door 66 to prevent the outflow of the wash water supplied to the tub (54).

Then, as the wash water is supplied to the tub 54, the water level of the wash water is measured by the water level sensor 90, and is transmitted to the control unit 62. (S6)

That is, as the wash water is supplied to the tub 54, the water pressure applied to the air chamber 96 is increased, and the water pressure of the wash water is controlled by the internal air of the air chamber 96 and the air hose 92. The water level sensor 94 is transmitted to the water level sensor 94, and the controller 62 measures the level of the wash water accommodated in the tub 54 according to the air pressure of the air chamber 96 and the air hose 92. ).

The controller 62 compares and determines the set water level and the water level measurement value of the water level sensor 94, and when the water level measurement value is greater than or equal to the set water level, the water supply valve 70 shuts off to terminate the water supply. See S8)

Of course, when the water level measurement value of the water level sensor 94 is smaller than the set water level, the water supply valve 70 continues to open and water supply proceeds.

When the water supply stroke is completed as described above, the washing and rinsing stroke is performed according to the set washing algorithm. (See S9.)

If the hot water washing of the laundry is set by the user, the controller 62 applies power to the heater 76 to heat the wash water stored in the tub 54 by the heater 76, and the heater The washing and rinsing stroke is performed with the wash water heated to a high temperature by 76, thereby increasing the washing effect of the laundry.

On the other hand, if a power failure occurs during the operation of the drum washing machine 50, the operation of the drum washing machine 50 is stopped, but the control unit 62 and the water level sensing device 90 to the power supply means 100 Charged power is supplied (see S10 and S11).

Accordingly, the water level sensor 90 measures the level of the wash water stored in the tub 54 even in the event of a power failure, and the controller 62 makes the level measurement value of the water level sensor 90 equal to zero. If not, it is determined that the wash water is present in the tub 54 to maintain the locked state of the door 66 by the door locking device (80) (see S12, S13, S14).

When the door 66 is locked by the door locking device 80 at the time of the power failure of the washing machine as described above, the door 66 is not opened, and the laundry entrance 65 is sealed by the door 66. As shown in the related art, the door 66 is opened due to carelessness of the user as in the prior art, and the phenomenon in which the wash water of the tub 54 leaks to the outside is also prevented.                     

Of course, if the electrostatic phenomenon does not occur during the operation of the drum washing machine 50, the drum washing machine 50 is to complete the normal washing or rinsing stroke to remove the wash water contained in the laundry by dehydration and drying stroke (See S15, S16)

Washing machine equipped with a water level detection device and a control method of the present invention configured as described above is provided with a power supply means inside the washing machine power is supplied to the water level detection device and the control unit when the power failure of the washing machine, even when the washing machine power failure And the water level detection device is normally operated, especially when the wash water is present in the tub has the advantage that the door is prevented from opening by the door lock.

In addition, when the washing water is present in the tub during the power failure of the washing machine as described above, the lock state of the door is maintained by the door locking device, thus preventing the outflow of the washing water through the opened door as in the prior art, and heating the laundry. There is an advantage that a burn due to contact with water is prevented.

In addition, since the power supply means is configured as a charger to supply power to the water level detecting device and the control unit during the power failure of the washing machine after being charged in the normal operation of the washing machine, the power supply means has an effect of being semi-permanently used.

Claims (3)

A water level sensing device installed in the washing machine and sensing the level of the wash water accommodated in the tub; A control unit controlling an operation of the door locking device according to the detected value of the water level detecting device; And a power supply means connected to the water level sensing device and the control unit to supply emergency power in case of power failure. The method of claim 1, The power supply means is a washing machine equipped with a water level detecting device, characterized in that consisting of a rechargeable battery installed inside the washing machine. A charging step of charging electricity to the power supply means as power is applied to the washing machine; A power supply step of supplying power to the controller and the water level sensor by the power supply means when a power failure occurs during the operation of the washing machine; A level sensing step of sensing the level of the wash water accommodated in the tub by the level sensing sensor; When the washing water level is detected by the water level sensor, the control method of the washing machine equipped with a water level sensing device, characterized in that it comprises a door locking step of operating the door lock device is locked by the control unit.

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