KR20070002538A - Method for controlling drain pump of drum washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for controlling a draining pump of a drum-type washing machine is provided to reduce noise, vibration, and impeller erosion of the draining pump caused by infiltration of the air in the draining pump, and to reduce the energy consumption by controlling the draining pump while dehydrating. A method for controlling a draining pump of a drum-type washing machine comprises: a pump operating step(S64) of operating the draining pump connected to the tub to discharge the water stored in the tub; and a pump stopping step(S84) of sensing the level of the water to be drained while draining the water stored in the tub and stopping the operation of the draining pump if the level is lower than the first water level set so as to prevent the air from being infiltrated in the pump. The pump operating step is operated at the dehydrating course for removing the moisture of the laundry.

Description

Method for controlling drain pump of drum washing machine

1 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a drain pump of a drum washing machine according to the prior art;

2 to 5 is a view showing a first embodiment of a method for controlling a drain pump of a drum washing machine according to the present invention,

Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a drum washing machine,

3 is a flowchart illustrating a control method;

4 is a front configuration diagram showing a drum washing machine,

5 is a block diagram showing the relationship between devices for realizing a control method;

Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating a second embodiment of the drain pump control method of the drum washing machine according to the present invention,

7 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of a method for controlling a drain pump of a drum washing machine according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

52: cabinet 54: tub

56: drum 58: motor

62: bellows pipe 64: drain pump drive device

66: drain pump 68: drain pipe

70: water level detection device 72: air chamber

74: level sensor tube 76: level sensor

80: control unit S60: pump operation stage

S70: stop pump stage S80: final drain stage

H: detection water level H ₂ : 2nd water level

H ₁ : 1st water level H ₀ : Floor water level

The present invention relates to a method for controlling a drainage pump of a drum washing machine, and more particularly, to a method for controlling a drainage pump of a drum washing machine to prevent the intrusion of air into the drainage pump by controlling the operation and stoppage of the drainage pump when the drum washing machine is dewatered. .

In general, the drum washing machine uses washing and rinsing and dehydration to remove dirt on clothes, bedding, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "laundry") contained in the drum by using the action of water and detergent (hereinafter referred to as "washing water"). It is an apparatus for washing laundry by executing a stroke.

The drum washing machine is configured based on a cabinet, a tub embedded in the cabinet for storing wash water, a drum rotatably disposed in the tub to accommodate laundry, and a motor installed in the tub to rotate the drum. do.

In addition, the drum washing machine further comprises a drain pump for draining the wash water connected to the lower end of the tub by a bellows pipe, and a pump control device for controlling the drain pump.

The dewatering operation is a process of separating the water of the laundry by rotating the drum at a high speed with the motor to remove the water of the laundry by centrifugal force, and discharges the separated water to the tub through a plurality of holes formed in the drum. to be.

When the dehydration stroke is started, a drain stroke in which the drain pump operates so that the water discharged to the tub is discharged to the outside of the washing machine through the bellows pipe.

The drain stroke proceeds with a series of algorithms that control the operation of the drain pump.

1 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a drain pump of a drain stroke according to the prior art.

As shown therein, the method for controlling the drainage pump proceeds to the first step S1 of starting the drainage stroke, the second step S2 of operating the drainage pump, and the second step until dehydration is completed. The third step (S3), the fourth step (S4) for stopping the operation of the drain pump after the dehydration is finished and finally drained, and the fifth step (S5) for terminating the drain stroke It is composed.

The drain pump control method continuously operates the drain pump regardless of the level of water accumulated in the tub or the bellows pipe in a dehydration stroke.

However, since the drain pump control method according to the prior art continues to operate the drain pump, even if there is little or no water accumulated in the tub or bellows pipe in the dehydration stroke, the drain pump is driven, and air invades the drain pump and causes a cavitation (cavitaton). Alternatively, there is a problem of causing similar effects such as noise, vibration, impeller erosion of the drain pump.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, to provide a method for controlling the drain pump of the drum washing machine to prevent the intrusion of air into the drain pump by controlling the operation and shutdown of the drain pump during the dehydration operation of the drum washing machine. The purpose is.

The drain pump control method of the drum washing machine according to the present invention for realizing the above object is a pump operation step of operating the drain pump connected to the tub so that the water stored in the tub; The pump which is temporarily executed during the pump operation step and detects the water level of the water to be drained while the water stored in the tub is drained and is lowered than the first water level set so that air does not penetrate the drainage pump. It characterized in that it comprises a stop step.

In addition, the pump operation step is characterized in that it is carried out during the dehydration stroke is operated to remove the water of the laundry.

In addition, the pump stop step is characterized in that the return to the pump operation step if the water level of the dewatered water is higher than the second water level set to the height between the lowest end of the drum and the first water level to rotate in the tub.

In addition, the second water level is characterized in that the highest water level is set so that the water accumulated in the tub during the dehydration stroke is separated and splashed by the action of air flowing along the rotation of the drum.

In addition, the drain pump control method of the drum washing machine is characterized in that it further comprises a final drainage step of operating the drainage pump to be drained to the water level so that air does not penetrate the drainage pump when the dehydration stroke is finished.

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

2 to 5 is a view showing a first embodiment of a method for controlling a drain pump of a drum washing machine according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a drum washing machine, Figure 3 is a flow chart showing a control method, 4 is a front configuration diagram showing a drum washing machine, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the relationship between devices for realizing a control method.

As shown in FIG. 2, a drum washing machine for implementing a first embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 52, a tub 54 embedded in the cabinet 52, in which washing water is stored, and the tub 54. It is composed of a drum 56 rotatably disposed in the inside to accommodate laundry, and a motor 58 installed on the tub 54 to rotate the drum 56.

In addition, the drum washing machine is a drainage passage through which the washing water in the tub 54 is drained, a water level sensing device 70 configured to detect the washing water level in the tub 54, and the drum washing machine receiving an operation command from a user. A control device 80 for controlling the operation of the internal devices of the.

The cabinet 52 is formed in the shape of a hexahedron, the base constituting the bottom of the hexahedron, the top plate constituting the top of the hexahedron, the front cover constituting the front of the hexahedron, the rear cover, the left and right side parts It consists of.

The tub 54 has one circular cross section connected to the opening and closing port of the front cover, and is formed in a cylindrical shape in which the motor 58 is installed at the other circular cross section.

The drum 56 is formed in the shape of a cylinder along the shape of the tub 54 so as to be rotatable in the tub 54, the circumferential surface is provided with a plurality of holes to separate the wash water and the laundry. .

The bellows pipe 62 connected to the lower end of the tub 54, a drain pump 66 for flowing the wash water to drain the wash water in the tub 54, and a rear portion of the cabinet 52 on the drain passage. A drain pipe 68 configured to penetrate is sequentially installed along the drain passage, and a drain pump driving device 64 (FIG. 5) for driving the drain pump 66 is connected to the drain pump 66.

The water level detection device 70 is connected to the side of the bellows pipe 62 and the air chamber 76 is filled with a certain amount of air therein, the air is connected to the air chamber 76 and the pressure inside to transfer pressure Filled with a level sensor tube 74, and the level sensor tube 74 is connected to the level sensor tube 74 to detect the level of the wash water from the pressure delivered through the air in the level sensor tube (74).

The control device 80 is configured to transmit and receive signals to and from internal devices of the drum washing machine such as the motor 58, the drain pump driving device 64, and the water level sensor 72.

As shown in Figure 3, the drain pump control method of the drum washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a start step (S50) for starting the drain stroke; A pump operation step (S60) of operating the drain pump 66 connected to the tub 54 to drain the dehydrated water; A pump stop step (S70) which is executed in an alternative manner to the pump operation step so that the operation of the drain pump (66) is stopped so that air does not penetrate into the drain pump (66); A final drainage step (S80) in which the drainage pump (66) is operated to drain to the bottom water level (H ₀ ) to prevent air from penetrating the drainage pump (66) when the dehydration stroke is completed; It is composed of an end step (S90) in which the drainage stroke is completed.

In the start step (S50) and proceeds to the pump stop step (S70).

The pump stop step (S70) is a pump stop step (S71) for detecting the level of the wash water; A pump stopping second step (S72) of switching to the pump operation step (S60) when it is determined that the washing water level is higher than the second water level (H ₂ , FIG. 4) set lower than the lowest end of the drum 56; A pump stopping third step (S73) for stopping the operation of the drain pump (66); When it is determined that the dehydration stroke is completed, the pump is configured to stop the fourth drainage step (S74) for leaving the final drainage step (S80), and these steps are sequentially executed.

The pump operation step (S60) is a pump operation first step (S61) for detecting the water level of the wash water; When the water level of the wash water is lower than the first water level (H ₁ , Fig. 4) is set so that air does not penetrate the drain pump 66, the pump operation second step (S62) for switching to the pump stop step (S70) Wow; A pump operation third step (S63) for operating the drain pump (66); If it is determined that the dehydration stroke is completed, the pump operation is made up of the fourth step S64 for leaving the final drainage step S80, and these steps are sequentially executed.

When the pump stop second step (S72) determines that the detected water level is higher than the second water level (H ₂ ), the pump is moved to the third step (S63) of the pump operation, and the pump operation second step (S72) is the detected water level. If it is determined that is lower than the first water level (H ₁ ), the pump is stopped in a third step (S73).

The final drainage step (S80) is the first final drainage step (S81) for detecting the level of the wash water; A final drainage second step S82 for branching by determining whether the wash water level is equal to or below the floor level H ₀ , FIG. 4; A final drainage third step (S83) which is executed when it is determined to be negative in the final drainage second step (S82) to operate the drainage pump (66) and continue to the final drainage first step (S81); The final drainage is executed when it is determined to be true in the second drainage step S82 to stop the operation of the drainage pump 66 and to leave the final drainage step S80 to continue to the end step S90. It consists of a fourth step S84, which basically proceeds in the order described above.

Referring to FIG. 4, the second water level H ₂ is set to a level such that water in the tub 54 does not differ by rotation of the drum 56 during dehydration stroke.

That is, the second water level (H ₂ ) is the air around the drum 56 flows along the rotation of the drum 56, a portion of the wash water that is accumulated due to the physical force to the wash water The water level is set to prevent the splashing phenomenon is separated along the rotation of the drum 56, specifically, the second water level (H ₂ ) is the rotational speed of the drum 56 during the dehydration stroke, vibration during the dehydration stroke, Since the shape of the holes formed in the drum 56 and the spacing, arrangement, number, etc. of these holes are different, they are determined separately for each type of drum washing machine.

In addition, the second water level H ₂ is determined from the determination that the detected water level is higher than the second water level H ₂ until the drain pump 66 is operated to reduce the washing water level in the tub 54. Given the time delay, the margin is set.

It said first water level (H ₁₎ also from the time the detected water level is the first determined lower than the first level (H ₁₎ to stop the operation of the drain pump 66 until the flows in the bellows pipe 62 is stopped Given the time delay, it is set up with sufficient margin.

The bottom water level (H ₀ ) is preferably set to be lower than the first water level (H ₁ ) so that the water level of the wash water is located in the bellows pipe 62 so that air does not penetrate the drain pump 66. However, the bottom water level H ₀ may of course be set to the lowest level that the water level sensor 72 can detect.

Since the final drainage step is to finally drain when the dehydration stroke is completed, sufficient drainage should be made, and since it is a one-time drainage, there is less problem caused by the inflow of air into the drainage pump 66 so that there is no margin or two less. As such, the bottom water level H ₀ is set lower than the first water level H ₁ .

As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 80 includes an algorithm for realizing a control method of the drain pump 66, and when the water level sensor 72 transmits a water level detection request to the water level sensor 72. It is configured to receive the sensed water level in the), and transmits a signal of the operation or stop to the drain pump drive (64).

The control device 80 transmits a water level detection request to the water level sensor 72 in a pump operation first step S61, a pump stop first step S71, or a final drainage first step S81. When the sensor 72 receives the water level detection request from the control device 80, the sensor 72 detects the water level by measuring the pressure of air received through the air chamber 76 and the water level detection tube 74, and then detects the water level. The water level is transmitted to the control device 80.

The control device 80 is the drain pump driving device 64 in the third step of operating the pump (S63), the third stop of the pump (S73), the third step of the final drain (S83) or the fourth step (S84) of the final drainage. And the drain pump driving device 64 receives the signal of the operation or stop from the control device 80 to drive or stop the drain pump 66.

Referring to the operation of the first embodiment of the drain pump control method of the drum washing machine according to the present invention configured as described above are as follows.

After the washing cycle or the rinsing stroke of the drum washing machine is finished, the drainage stroke starts accordingly when the dehydration stroke is started, and the drainage stroke is executed in parallel with the eccentricity sensing stage, the dehydration stage, and the like.

When the washing water is dewatered from the laundry and collected in the lower portion of the tub 54, the washing water level is high, and when the drain pump 66 is operated, the washing water level is low.

Since the drainage stroke is performed by the drainage pump control method, during the dehydration stroke, the washing water is drained while the water level is slightly higher than the second level H ₂ and slightly lower than the first level H ₁ . While the administration is in progress, the level of the wash water drops to the bottom water level H ₀ when the dehydration administration is completed.

That is, since the operation of the drain pump 66 is stopped when the water level of the wash water is lowered so that air does not flow into the drain pump 66, the drain stroke proceeds according to the drain pump control method. It solves the problem which flows in to (66).

6 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of a method for controlling a drain pump of a drum washing machine according to the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, the method for controlling the drain pump of the drum washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a first step (S100) in which the drain stroke starts; A second step S101 of detecting the level of the wash water; A third step S102 of comparing the wash water level with the second water level (H ₂ , FIG. 4); If it is determined in the third step (S102) that the water level of the wash water is higher than the second water level (H ₂ ), it is additionally executed to transmit the signal of the operation ON to the drain pump driving device (64, Fig. 5) and pump operation. A pump operation switching step S103 for switching to a step; A fourth step S104 of comparing the wash water level with the first water level (H ₁ , FIG. 4); If it is determined in the fourth step (S104) that the water level of the wash water is lower than the second water level (H ₂ ), it is additionally executed to transmit a signal of the operation OFF to the drain pump driving device 64 and switch to the pump stop step. To stop the pump switching step (S105) and; A fifth step (106) of repeating the circulation from the second step (101) until dehydration is finished; A sixth step (S107) of transmitting an operation ON signal to the drain pump driving device (64) after dehydration is completed; A seventh step S108 of detecting the level of the wash water; An eighth step (S109) to return to the seventh step (S108) if the water level of the wash water is higher than the bottom water level (H ₀ , FIG. 4), and to continue the subsequent step if the wash water level is lower than the bottom water level (H ₀ ); A ninth step (S110) of transmitting an operation OFF signal to the drain pump driving device (64); It consists of a tenth step (S111) in which the drainage stroke is terminated, and these steps basically proceed in the above-described order.

When the drain pump driving device 64 receives the operation ON / OFF signal from the control device 80 (FIG. 5), the drain pump driving device 64 continuously operates the drain pump 66 (FIG. 5) according to the received signal. Configured to stop operation.

The pump operation step and the pump stop step are mutually switched by the pump operation switching step (S103) and the pump stop switching step (S105), and the steps from the second step (S101) to the fifth step (S106) are performed. Share.

The final drainage step consists of the steps from the sixth step (S107) to the ninth step (S110).

7 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of a method for controlling a drain pump of a drum washing machine according to the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, the drain pump control method of the drum washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a first step (S120) of starting a drainage stroke; A second step (121) of detecting the level of the washing water and determining whether the washing water level is higher than the second water level (H ₂ , FIG. 4); The pump stop switching step 122, which is determined to be negative in the second step 121 and is executed, transmits an operation OFF signal to the drain pump driving device 64 (FIG. 5) and proceeds to the second step S121. Wow; A pump operation switching step (S123) which is truly determined and executed in the second step (121), and transmits an operation ON signal to the drain pump driving device (64); A third step (S124) of detecting the level of the washing water and determining whether the washing water level is lower than the first water level (H ₁ ); A fourth step (S125) branched to the pump stop switching step (S122) if it is determined to be true and executed in the third step (S124); A fifth step (S126) which is determined to be negative in the third step (S124) and is executed and branches to a pump operation switching step (S123) when it is determined to be negative by determining whether or not dehydration is finished; The drainage pump 66 (FIG. 5) is executed until it is determined and executed in the fourth step S125 or the fifth step S126, until the water level of the wash water reaches the bottom water level H ₀ , FIG. 4. It is composed of a final drainage step (S127) for driving a), these steps are basically carried out in the above-described order.

The drain pump control method of the drum washing machine according to the present invention constructed and operated as described above controls the drain pump so that air does not flow into the drain pump during the dehydration operation, so that noise, vibration, There is an advantage of preventing the impeller erosion of the drain pump.

In addition, the method of controlling the drain pump of the drum washing machine according to the present invention operates when the drain water is needed without continuously operating the drain pump 66, thereby reducing energy waste by the continuous driving of the drain pump 66. There is also an advantage.

Claims (5)

A pump operation step of operating a drain pump connected to the tub to drain the water stored in the tub; The pump which is temporarily executed during the pump operation step and detects the water level of the water to be drained while the water stored in the tub is drained and is lowered than the first water level set so that air does not penetrate the drainage pump. A drain pump control method for a drum washing machine comprising the step of stopping. The method of claim 1, The pump operation step is a drain pump control method of a drum washing machine, characterized in that is performed during the dehydration stroke is operated to remove the water of the laundry. The method of claim 2, The pump stopping step is a drain pump of the drum washing machine, characterized in that returned to the pump operation step if the water level of the dewatered water is higher than the second water level set to the height between the lowest end of the drum and the first water level to rotate in the tub. Control method. The method of claim 3, wherein The second water level is a drain pump control method of the drum washing machine, characterized in that the water set in the tub during the dehydration operation is set so as not to be separated and splashed by the action of the air flowing along the rotation of the drum. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The method of controlling the drainage pump of the drum washing machine further includes a final drainage step of operating the drainage pump so that the drainage pump is discharged to a level such that air does not penetrate the drainage pump when the dehydration stroke is terminated. Drain pump control method.

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