KR20070117301A - Drum-type washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A drum-type washing machine is provided to perform a rinsing process of a drum and a washing tub automatically without operations of users. A drum-type washing machine(1) comprises a casing(110), a door(111), a washing tub(140), a control unit(230), a timer(231), a detecting sensor(220), a battery(210), and a display unit(120). The door is positioned at one side of the casing. The washing tub is positioned inside the casing and formed with an aperture(113) opened and closed by the door. The control unit performs a rinsing process when a washing or rinsing process is finished and as a period after closing the door is passed over a predetermined set value. The timer is included in the control unit to calculate the period after finishing the washing or rinsing process and closing the door. The detecting sensor is formed at one side of the aperture to detect an opening condition of the door. The battery operates the detecting sensor and the control unit. The display unit is positioned at an outside of the casing to display a passage for the rinsing process.

Description

Drum Washing Machine {DRUM-TYPE WASHING MACHINE}

1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a drum washing machine according to the present invention;

2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a drum washing machine according to the present invention;

3 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the operation of the drum washing machine according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the operation of the drum washing machine according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

1: drum washing machine 110: casing

111 door 113 opening

120: display unit 121: input unit

130: drum 140: washing tank

150: water supply unit 151: water supply pipe

153: water supply valve 155: detergent container

160: drive unit 170: power supply unit

171: power cord 210: battery

220: detection sensor 230: control unit

231: Timer

The present invention relates to a drum washing machine, and more particularly, to a drum washing machine having an improved structure and operation structure related to the washing process so that washing of the washing tank can be performed automatically.

In general, a washing machine washes laundry by performing a washing process in a set order, and is classified into a pulsator type, a stirring type, a drum type, and the like according to a washing method.

Among them, the drum washing machine uses a small amount of water to rotate the washing tank in the drum 360 degrees to perform the washing process by using the impact of dropping the laundry from top to bottom.

Since the drum washing machine is sealed in a drum and high in humidity, bacteria or mold may grow inside the drum and the washing tank when the washing machine is not used for a long time.

In order to solve the problem, the conventional drum washing machine maintains the cleanness of the drum and the washing tank by performing a washing process in which the user directly operates the washing machine to wash the drum and the washing tank.

By the way, in such a conventional drum washing machine, when the user emptied the house for a long time, the user can not perform the washing process, there is a problem that the bacteria or mold grow in the drum and the washing tank.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a drum washing machine capable of automatically performing a washing process of a drum and a washing tank without user's manipulation.

The above object, according to the present invention, a drum washing machine in which a washing step and a washing step are performed, the casing; A door provided at one side of the casing; A washing tub provided in the casing and having an opening opened and closed by the door; And a control unit for controlling the washing process to be performed when a predetermined time is passed after the washing process or the washing process is finished and the door is closed.

Here, the control unit preferably has a timer for calculating a period after the washing process or the washing process is finished and the door is closed.

In addition, it is preferable to further include a sensing sensor provided on one side of the opening to detect whether the door is opened or closed.

In addition, it is preferable to further include a battery for operating the control unit and the sensor.

In addition, it is preferable to further include a display unit provided on the outer side of the casing, the progress of the washing step is displayed.

Here, the display unit preferably includes an input unit for designating the set value.

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

1 and 2, the drum washing machine 1 according to the present invention, the casing 110, the door 111 provided to open and close the front of the casing 110, and the user the drum washing machine ( The display unit 120 for recognizing the progress of the process of 1), the drum 130 provided in the casing 110, the washing tank 140 provided to be rotatable in the drum 130, the washing tank 140 ) Water supply unit 150 for supplying water into the water, a drainage unit (not shown) for discharging the water in the washing tank 140 to the outside, a driving unit 160 for rotating the washing tank 140, and power to the above components It includes a power supply unit 170 for supplying.

Then, the drum washing machine 1 according to the present invention, the sensor sensor 220 for detecting the opening and closing of the door 111, the drum washing machine (1) if the period during which the washing process or the washing process is not performed exceeds a predetermined value. ) Is switched to the ON mode and includes a control unit 230 for controlling the washing process of the washing tank 140, the control unit 230 has a timer 231 for calculating the period.

The casing 110 forms the exterior of the drum washing machine 1, and forms a receiving space therein to accommodate the various components constituting the drum washing machine 1. The casing 110 is preferably provided in a seismic structure so as to absorb vibration generated by the driving of the components accommodated therein.

The door 111 is provided at the front of the casing 110 to open and close the opening 113 formed at the front of the drum 130 and the washing tank 140. The door 111 may include a hinge part (not shown) provided in the casing 110 to open and close the opening 113. The door 111 is preferably provided with a transparent window in the center portion so that the inside of the washing tank 140 can be confirmed. In addition, the door 111 may further include a rubber packing (not shown) to seal the water so that the water does not leak through the opening 113.

The display unit 120 is provided outside the casing 110 to display an operation process of the drum washing machine 1. The display unit 120 includes an input unit 121 so that a user can operate the drum washing machine 1, and the user manipulates the drum washing machine 1 through the input unit 121 and displays the process. It can be recognized through

The display unit 120 displays the progress of the washing process controlled by the controller 230. In addition, when the control unit 230 fails to perform the washing process due to a factor such as interruption or power failure of an external power source (not shown), when the user turns the drum washing machine 1 to the ON mode, the washing tank ( It is preferred to provide a warning that the cleaning of 140 is necessary.

The input unit 121 is provided so that a user can operate various processes of the drum washing machine 1 such as water supply, washing and draining. The input unit 121 is preferably included in the display unit 120 so that a user can easily check the operation result. In addition, the input unit 121 may be configured to set the washing cycle of the washing tank 140 at the user's discretion, and the controller 230 may store the same.

The drum 130 is provided inside the casing 110 and is supported by a buffer spring (not shown). The drum 130 is provided with a washing tub 140 that rotates at a high speed therein, and is opened and closed by a door 111 having an open front surface.

The washing tub 140 is rotatably accommodated in the drum 130 and forms an opening 113 opened and closed by the door 111 along with the drum 130. The laundry tub 140 is loaded with laundry through the opening 113, and is provided to wash the loaded laundry by forward and reverse rotation by the driving unit 160.

The water supply unit 150 is provided on the drum 130 to supply water or detergent to the washing tank 140. Here, the water supply unit 150 includes a water supply pipe 151, a water supply valve 153 for opening and closing the water supply pipe 151, and a detergent container 155 in which detergent is accommodated.

The water supply pipe 151 is connected to an external water supply facility (not shown) for washing laundry or the drum 130 and the washing tank 140 to supply water into the washing tank 140. The water supply pipe 151 communicates with the detergent container 155, and is provided such that the supplied water is mixed with the detergent contained in the detergent container 155 and supplied to the washing tank 140.

The water supply valve 153 opens and closes the water supply pipe 151 as necessary to selectively supply water supplied from an external water supply facility (not shown) to the washing tank 140. Here, the water supply valve 153 is provided to be controlled by the control unit 230, so that the control unit 230 supplies water to the washing tank 140 when the washing process of the washing tank 140 is in progress.

Drainage (not shown) is provided to discharge the water in the drum 130 and the washing tank 140 to the outside. Here, the drain portion (not shown) includes a drain pipe (not shown) communicated to the outside from the drum 130, and a drain valve (not shown) for opening and closing the drain pipe (not shown). The drain valve (not shown) is provided to be controlled by the controller 230 to discharge the water in the drum 130 and the washing tank 140 to the outside after the washing tank 140 is finished.

The driving unit 160 is provided to rotate the washing tub 140. The driving unit 160 is provided so that washing and washing of the laundry and the washing tank 140 are performed by rotating the washing tank 140 forward and backward by applying a known technique.

The driving unit 160 is generally provided below the drum 130 so that a rotating shaft (not shown) extends to the rear of the drum 130. In addition, the driving unit 160 is configured by connecting another rotation shaft (not shown) extending in the same direction as the rotation shaft (not shown) from the rear surface of the washing tank 140 by a pulley (not shown) and a belt (not shown). ) May rotate the washing tank 140.

The power supply unit 170 supplies power to the components of the drum washing machine 1 so that the drum washing machine 1 operates. The power supply unit 170 may be connected to an external power source (not shown) by the power cord 171 to supply power to the components of the drum washing machine 1.

The power supply unit 170 may be operated by the controller 230, that is, the drum washing machine 1 may be switched between the ON mode and the OFF mode by the controller 230.

The battery 210 supplies power to the sensor 220, the controller 230, and the timer 231 so that the above components can operate when the drum washing machine 1 is in the OFF mode. The battery 210 may be provided as a storage battery that receives power from the power supply unit 170 and accumulates power when the drum washing machine 1 is in the ON mode so that it can be used semi-permanently without the need for regular replacement.

The detection sensor 220 is provided in the opening 113 near the door 111 to detect that the door 111 is opened and closed. The detection sensor 220 operates by receiving power from the battery 210, and detects that the door 111 is opened and closed, and transmits a signal to the controller 230. The detection sensor 220 preferably generates different signals when the door 111 is opened and when the door 111 is closed, so that the controller 230 can easily determine whether the door is opened or closed.

The detection sensor 220 may apply various known techniques, such as a photo sensor method that applies light detection or a mechanical switch method that detects the maintenance and release of pressure.

If the controller 230 determines that the period in which the drum washing machine 1 has not been used exceeds the set value based on a predetermined set value, the control unit 230 operates the power supply unit 170 to turn the drum washing machine 1 to the ON mode for the washing process. It is controlled to be performed. The controller 230 may be provided so that the user may set the set value through the input unit 121.

The controller 230 has a timer 231 that continuously calculates the passage of time, and compares the period calculated by the timer 231 with a set value. The control unit 230 starts the calculation of the period by operating the timer 231 when the last washing process or washing process is performed, the drum washing machine 1 is switched to the OFF mode and the door 111 is closed. .

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 230 stores the period during which the washing process or the washing process is performed, and the period of time by the timer 231 when the washing process or the washing process is finished and the door 111 is closed. Start the calculation of The controller 230 switches the drum washing machine 1 to the ON mode so that the washing process can proceed if the period continuously calculated by the timer 231 exceeds the set value.

If the washing process or the washing process is performed before the period calculated by the timer 231 exceeds the set value, when the process is terminated and the door 111 is closed, the controller 230 controls the timer 231. Reset to start a new calculation of the period.

On the other hand, the control unit 230 in the second embodiment of the present invention, when the washing process or the washing process is finished, the drum washing machine 1 is shifted to the OFF mode, the period by the timer 231 when the door 111 is closed The calculation is started, and it is determined that the period during which the door 111 is not opened and remains closed is the period during which the drum washing machine 1 is not used. The controller 230 may determine that the door 111 is in the closed state when the open signal from the detection sensor 220 is not received.

The controller 230 does not receive an open signal from the sensor 220 until the period continuously calculated by the timer 231 exceeds a preset value, and the drum washing machine 1 is used during the period. I do not think it is. In response to the determination, the controller 230 switches the drum washing machine 1 to the ON mode and controls the respective components of the drum washing machine 1 including the driving unit 160 so that the washing process is performed.

Here, due to the characteristics of the drum washing machine 1 provided with the door 111 on the front surface, the washing process or the washing process cannot be performed in the state in which the door 111 is opened, so that the controller 230 indicates that the door 111 is opened. If it is determined that the cleaning process is not performed even if the period calculated by the timer 231 exceeds the set value, it is preferable to control. In this case, the controller 230 may display the progress on the display 120 when the user later turns the drum washing machine 1 to the ON mode.

The control unit 230 is a process of washing the drum 130 and the washing tank 140 is made of a known technique is applied. For example, the controller 230 controls the water supply valve 153 to supply water into the washing tank 140, and rotates the driving unit 160 in forward and reverse directions to wash the drum 130 and the washing tank 140. When the drain valve (not shown) is finished, the drum 130 and the washing tank 140 may be operated to discharge the water to the outside.

With this configuration, an embodiment of the operation of the drum washing machine 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs.

1 to 3, in the first embodiment, the control unit 230 is a time when the washing process or washing process is finished, the drum washing machine 1 is switched to the OFF mode and the door 111 is closed From this point of time, the calculation of the period is started by operating the timer 231 from this time point (S310). The controller 230 may determine that the door 111 is closed by the detection sensor 220.

The timer 231 continuously calculates the period (S320), and determines whether the period calculated by the timer 231 exceeds the set value (S330). If the period calculated by the timer 231 does not exceed the set value, the period calculation by the timer 231 is continued (S320).

When the period calculated in the timer 231 exceeds the set value, the controller 230 switches the drum washing machine 1 to the ON mode (S340), and performs the washing process (S350). If the washing process or the washing process is performed by the user before the period calculated by the timer 231 exceeds the set value, the controller 230 ends the washing process or the washing process and the drum washing machine 1 is turned off. The mode is switched to reset the timer 231 at the time when the door 111 is closed, and the calculation of the period is resumed.

1 to 2 and 4, in the second embodiment, the control unit 230 is the washing process or the washing process is terminated, the drum washing machine 1 is switched to the OFF mode, the door 111 is The calculation of the period by the timer 231 starts from the closed point in time (S410). While the calculation of the period is continued by the timer 231, the controller 230 monitors whether the door 111 is opened to generate an open signal from the sensor 220 (S420).

When no signal is generated from the sensor 220, the calculation of the period by the timer 231 continues (S430).

When a signal is generated from the detection sensor 220, the controller 230 determines whether the washing process or the washing process is performed in the drum washing machine 1 within a predetermined time from the time when the signal is generated (S440). Here, the time can be arbitrarily designated.

When the washing process or the washing process is performed, the controller 230 resets the timer 231 at the time when the washing process or the washing process is finished and the door 111 is closed (S410). If the washing process or the washing process is not performed, the control unit 230 continues to calculate the period by the timer 231 (S430).

The controller 230 compares whether the period calculated by the timer 231 exceeds the set value (S450), and if not exceeding the set value, continues to calculate the period of the timer 231 (S430).

When the period calculated in the timer 231 exceeds the set value, the controller 230 determines that the drum washing machine 1 has not been used during this period, and turns the drum washing machine 1 to the ON mode (S460). Then, the components of the drum washing machine 1 such as the water supply unit 150, the drain unit (not shown), and the driving unit 160 are controlled to perform the washing process of the drum 130 and the washing tank 140 (S470). ).

Here, when the washing process is finished, the controller 230 switches the drum washing machine 1 to the OFF mode, resets the timer 231 and resumes the calculation of the period, thereby periodically cleaning the drum 130 and the washing tank 140. Perform the process.

Thereby, the washing process of the drum 130 and the washing tank 140 of the drum washing machine 1 can be automatically and periodically performed without user's manipulation.

If the drum washing machine 1 is not used for a long time, the controller 230 may repeat the above operation based on the set value, thereby periodically washing the drum 130 and the washing tank 140. . This makes it possible to maintain the cleanliness of the drum washing machine 1 regardless of the period of time when the user is away from home.

On the other hand, when the power cord 171 is not connected to the external power source or the long-term power outage state continues, the controller 230 may not be able to switch the drum washing machine 1 to the ON mode. In this case, the control unit 230 stores the progress of the events so far, and when the user later switches the drum washing machine 1 to the ON mode, the control unit 230 displays the drum 13 and the washing tank 140. It is preferred that the user is alerted by displaying a warning indicating that the cleaning is necessary.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the user does not use the drum washing machine for a long time, by allowing the drum and the washing tank to be periodically and automatically cleaned without the user's operation, breeding of bacteria and generation of molds, etc. A drum washing machine is provided that can keep clean at all times.

Claims (6)

In the drum washing machine in which a washing process and a washing process are performed, Casing; A door provided at one side of the casing; A washing tub provided in the casing and having an opening opened and closed by the door; And a control unit which controls the washing process to be performed when a predetermined period of time after the washing process or the washing process ends and the door is closed passes a predetermined set value. The method of claim 1, The control unit, And a timer for calculating a period after the washing process or the washing process is finished and the door is closed. The method of claim 1, Drum washing machine further comprises a sensing sensor provided on one side of the opening to detect whether the door is opened or closed. The method of claim 1, Drum washing machine further comprises a battery for operating the control unit and the sensor. The method of claim 1, The drum washing machine further comprises a display unit provided at an outer side of the casing to display the progress of the washing process. The method of claim 5, The display unit, And an input unit capable of designating the set value.

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