KR20080006230A - A water level sensing device and a dishwasher having thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A water level sensing device and a dishwasher having thereof are provided to prevent contact between the micro switch and wet steam even though the steam moves to an upper part of the water level sensing device, and avoid corrosion of a switch lever and a switch terminal by mounting a micro switch on a lateral side of the dish washer. A water level sensing device(30) comprises a case(32), a floater(33), a micro switch(34), a rotary lever(36), an upper cover(35), an electrode sensor(37), a magnet(33a), and a lead switch(38). The case contours the exterior of the device. The floater moves to the upside or downside depending on the water level within the case. The switch, mounted on the outer lateral side of the case, is turned on/off by the up/down of the floater. The rotary lever converts the up/down movement of the floater into rotary movement. The upper cover, covering the upper side of the case, includes the electrode sensor which is communicated when making contact with the water entering the case to detect if the water within a tub is oversupplied. The magnet, mounted inside the floater, generates magnetic force. The lead switch senses the magnetic force and detects if the water supply and drain operation is normal.

Description

A water level sensing device and a dishwasher having it

1 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the dishwasher of the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view showing an air brake and a level sensor installed on the side of the washing tank of the dishwasher according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a perspective view of the water level detecting device shown in FIG.

4 (a) to 4 (c) are cross-sectional views showing an operating state of the water level sensor shown in FIG.

5 (a) to 5 (c) are cross-sectional views showing an operating state of the level sensor according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6A is a control block diagram of the first embodiment according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 (b) is a control block diagram of the second embodiment according to the present invention.

* Description of the symbols for the main functions of the drawings *

1: dishwasher body 2: washing tank

20; Air brake 30: water level detector

32: case 33: plotter

34: microswitch 35: top cover

36: pivoting lever 37: electrode sensor

37: lead switch 40: control unit

42: alarm device

The present invention relates to a water level detection device for detecting the water level inside the washing tank of the dishwasher and a dishwasher having the same.

In general, the dishwasher is a device for washing dishes by spraying high-pressure washing water on the dishes, a tub in which the dishes are washed, a sump in which washing water is collected for washing the dishes, and heating the washing water. And a pump, a nozzle, and the like for spraying the washing water into the washing tank.

On the other hand, the dishwasher has been proposed a technique for installing a water level detecting device for determining whether the washing water is properly supplied or over-supplied in the washing tank. When the washing water is excessively supplied to the inside of the washing tank by the water level sensing device, a predetermined warning sound and / or a visual warning is generated by the predetermined labeling device to facilitate the external supply state. It can be recognized.

As a prior art for installing a water level sensing device in the dishwasher as described above, Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10--2005-0122358 discloses a washing water supplied into a washing tank using two floaters rising or falling in a case. A water level detection device for detecting low water and supercharged water is disclosed.

However, in the water level detecting device disclosed in the publication, an upper cover which covers the upper part of the case, that is, a switch which is turned on / off in contact with a buoy which simultaneously rises as the water level rises inside the case. Because the structure is installed on the lower part, when the wash water is hot water heated by the heater, the switch may be corroded due to corrosion of the switch due to the wet steam of the washing water rising to the upper part of the case and causing the switch to malfunction. There is this high problem.

In addition, there is a problem that the volume of the water level detection device is increased by using two arbors horizontally arranged inside the case to detect the low water level and the supercharged water, thereby increasing the overall size of the dishwasher.

The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to improve the structure of the water level detection device to reduce the occurrence of malfunction even when washing dishes with high temperature washing water, and also to minimize the volume It is to provide a level sensor and a dishwasher having the same.

Water level detecting device of the present invention and the dishwasher having the same for achieving the above object, and a case for forming an appearance; A plotter that rises or falls in accordance with the water level in the case; It is characterized in that it comprises a switch installed on the outer surface of the case is turned on (on) / off (off) by the rise or fall of the plotter.

In addition, the switch is characterized in that the micro switch.

In addition, a pivoting lever for converting the upward or downward movement of the plotter into a rotational movement with a hinge point on one side of the case and being in contact with or disconnected from the switch by the upward or downward movement of the plotter to turn on / off the switch. It characterized in that it further comprises.

In addition, the switch is characterized in that it detects whether the water supply and drainage in the washing tank in which the washing of the dishes is normally performed according to the movement of the plotter.

The apparatus may further include an upper cover covering an upper portion of the case, wherein the upper cover is provided with an electrode sensor that is energized when it comes in contact with the water supplied into the case to detect whether the washing water in the washing tank is supercharged. It is characterized by.

In addition, the switch is characterized in that it detects whether the washing water is supercharged into the washing tank to wash the dishes in accordance with the movement of the plotter.

In addition, a magnet is installed inside the plotter to generate magnetic force, and a reed switch for sensing whether the water supply and drainage in the washing tank is normal by detecting the magnetic force generated from the magnet installed in the plotter on the outer surface of the case. Characterized by including.

In addition, the present invention provides a case forming an appearance; A plotter that rises or falls in accordance with the water level in the case; It provides a dish washer comprising a water level detecting device including a switch that is turned on (On) / off (Off) by the lifting movement of the plotter.

The apparatus may further include a pivoting lever pivotally coupled to the outside of the case, wherein one end of the pivoting lever is in contact with the plotter and the other end is in contact with the switch. It is characterized by causing the On (On) / Off (Off).

In addition, the switch is characterized in that it detects whether the water supply and drainage in the washing tank in which the washing of the dishes is normally performed according to the movement of the plotter.

The apparatus may further include an upper cover covering an upper portion of the case, wherein the upper cover is provided with an electrode sensor that is energized when it comes in contact with the water supplied into the case to detect whether the washing water in the washing tank is supercharged. It is characterized by.

In addition, the switch is characterized in that it detects whether the washing water is supercharged into the washing tank to wash the dishes in accordance with the movement of the plotter.

In addition, a magnet is installed inside the plotter to generate magnetic force, and a reed switch for sensing whether the water supply and drainage in the washing tank is normal by detecting the magnetic force generated from the magnet installed in the plotter on the outer surface of the case. Characterized by including.

In addition, the control unit is connected to the water level detection device for receiving information on the water level detected by the water level detection device to determine whether the normal water supply and normal drainage of the wash water,

It is characterized in that it further comprises an alarm device connected to the output terminal of the upper control unit for generating an alarm sound when the normal water supply and normal drainage state is not.

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

1 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the dishwasher according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 1 forming the exterior and the main body 1 have an outer case 1a having a box shape with an open front and a box with an open front like the outer case 1a. Consists of an inner case (1b) is formed in a shape and provided with a washing tank 2 is formed spaced apart from the outer case (1a) by a predetermined interval to form a washing space, the door for opening and closing the open front of the washing tank (2) 3) is hinged to the front of the body (1). Upper and lower dish baskets 4b and 4b, respectively, are provided on the upper and lower sides of the washing tank 2 to accommodate the dishes, and the upper and lower dish baskets 4a and 4b have rollers 5a on the outside thereof. And 5b, respectively, and are slidably moved in the front and rear directions by the upper and lower guide rails 6a and 6b provided on the side wall of the washing tank 2. Further, water spray nozzles 7 (7a, 7b, 7c) are installed at the upper and lower portions of the upper dish basket 4a and the upper and lower portions of the dish basket 4b to spray washing water to the dishes. 7) is provided with a circulation pipe (8) for circulating supply of the wash water.

A sump 9 is formed at the bottom of the washing tank 2 through which washing water is collected. In the sump (9), when the foreign matter accumulated in the sump (9) is excessively increased in the water pressure, the first connector communicates with the air brake to bypass the washing water containing the foreign matter to the air brake to be described later 9a is provided.

In addition, a second connector 9b communicating with the water level sensing device is provided so that the water level inside the washing tank 2 and the water level sensing device to be described later are the same.

In addition, the washing water supplied to the sump (9) is supplied to the circulation pipe (8) by the circulation pump 11, the water supplied to the circulation pipe (8) through the water spray nozzle (7) dish basket (4a) , 4b) after being sprayed on the tableware, flows into the sump (12) formed on the bottom surface of the washing tank (2) and collects again in the sump (9) through the filter (13) installed in the sump (9) It is used for washing or rinsing again.

When the washing or rinsing operation is completed, a drain pipe 14 for discharging the used water to the outside is installed in the bottom of the sump 9, and the drain pipe 14 and the drain valve 15 and the drain pump 16 Is installed.

In addition, an input unit 17 through which the user inputs a command is located at the upper end of the main body 1 above the door 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, an air brake 20 is installed on the outer surface of the inner case 1b of the main body to supply the washing water into the washing tank 2 and maintain the pressure balance inside the washing tank 2. The level sensor 30 for detecting the level of the washing water supplied into the washing tank 2 is installed at the lower side of the brake 20.

The air brake 20 has a water supply hose connector 22 through which tap water supplied from an external water supply pipe (not shown) flows into the lower part, and foreign matters are accumulated in the water collecting tank 9 (see FIG. 1). When the circulation of the washing water is not smooth due to the increase in the water pressure, the washing water in the sump 9 containing the foreign matter is bypassed to the air brake 20 side so that the circulation of the washing water is smoothed. A water collecting and water supply connector 21 is formed in communication with the first connector 9a through a connecting pipe, and at the upper part, air is introduced to allow pressure to flow out of the washing tank 2 and outflow of hot air to the outside during the drying administration. The air passage port 23 is formed or flows out, the center portion is in communication with the washing tank (2) is passed through the air or introduced by the tap water and the sump water supply connection port 21 introduced by the water supply hose connector (22) Washing water in the air brake 20 A washing tank end connections (25) to be generated is raised along the water supply passage 24 flows into the washing tank (2) is formed.

On the side of the air brake 20 is formed a branch 26 for branching a part of the water supply passage 24 to supply a small amount of water to the water level detection device (30).

3 is a perspective view showing the water level sensor according to the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the water level sensing device 30 includes a case 32 forming an exterior of the water level sensing device 30, and a floater that rises or descends according to the water level inside the case 32. 33 and a switch 34 that is turned on / off as the plotter 33 rises or falls.

The upper part of the case 32 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an upper cover 35 is provided on the upper part of the case 32 to cover the opening. The upper cover 35 is not installed to cover the entire upper part of the case 36 so that the water inlet 39 is formed so that water is introduced into the case 32 at one upper side of the case 32. The upper one side is installed so as not to cover.

However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and may be configured so that the upper cover on which the water supply port 39 is formed covers the entire upper part of the case.

In addition, the lower portion of the case 32 is formed with a drain port 31 communicating with the second connector 9b of the water container 9 through a connecting pipe, and the water level and the washing tank 2 inside the case 32 during water supply. The internal water level is interlocked, and during drainage, the water in the case 32 is drained to the sump 9.

The plotter 33 is provided in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the water is supplied or drained into the case 32 to raise or lower as the water level stored in the case 32 changes, thereby supplying water to the washing water in the washing tank 2. And it is a low water level sensor for determining whether or not drainage.

On the upper side of the opposite side of the case 32 in which the water inlet 39 is formed, a switch 34 is installed on / off as the plotter 33 rises or falls to transmit a sensed level signal to a controller (not shown). In addition, an output device of the control unit (not shown) is provided with an alarm device (not shown) that emits a warning sound to notify the user when the water level is not normal, which will be described later.

The switch 34 is a microswitch in which a switch lever 34a and a switch terminal 34b are formed so that the switch lever 34a is turned on / off depending on whether the switch lever 34a is in contact with the switch terminal 34b.

Thus, in the present invention, unlike the prior art in which the microphone switch 34 is installed in the upper cover 35, the hot water is stored in the case 32 by installing on the side of the case 32 so that the wet steam generated in the hot water is upper. Since the wet steam is prevented from coming into contact with the micro switch 34 even when the cover 35 is raised, the switch lever 34a and the switch terminal 34b do not have to be corroded as in the related art, and thus a malfunction rate is reduced.

  In addition, the water level detecting device 30 according to the present invention moves the micro switch 34 to the side of the case 32, the case (means) as a means for transferring the operating force between the plotter 33 and the micro switch 34. It is configured to further include a pivoting lever 36 that is coupled to the hinge point 36a on the upper part of the upper surface 32, that is, hingedly rotated.

The rotation lever 36 is installed to be inclined through the hole 35a formed in the upper cover 35 in a substantially linear shape, and is located inside the case 32 so that the plotter 33 rises a predetermined height when the floater 33 is raised. At one end of the rotation lever 936 in contact with the upper surface 33a of 33), a curved portion 36b having a “U” shape is formed to increase the contact area so that the lift force of the plotter 33 can be transmitted.

In addition, the other end of the rotation lever 36 located on the outside of the case 32 is branched into two parts, hinged to the upper surface of the upper cover 35 to convert the up and down movement of the plotter 33 into a rotation movement. The main pressure is to pressurize the switch lever 34a of the micro switch 34 to the switch terminal 35b (see Fig. 2) when the pivoting portion 36c and the plotter 33 are raised to rotate the pivoting lever 36. It branches to the part 36d.

In addition, the lower surface of the upper cover 35 is energized when submerged in water as the water level inside the case 32 rises, and the positive and negative poles are prevented from being energized if they are not submerged in water. The formed electrode sensor (pole sensor) 37 is installed to determine whether the washing water is supercharged in the washing tank 2.

The installation position of the electrode sensor 37 overflows the water supply port 39 so that the electrode sensor 37 is energized before the water supplied by the case 32 reaches the water supply port 39 formed on the case 32. In order to prevent it from flowing out, it is preferable to be installed at a position lower than a predetermined height 39.

In addition, the electrode sensor 37 is connected to the control unit (not shown), the water level of the water contained in the case 32 is gradually increased to contact the electrode sensor 37, when the electrode sensor 37 is energized, the supercharged water is dangerous Information that there is this is transmitted to the control unit (not shown).

On the other hand, in the case 32, the water and the case 32 supplied into the case 32 to prevent the microswitch 34 from being malfunctioned by the hot water flowing into the case 32 is prevented. It is preferable to place the spaced portion 38 so as to be spaced apart from the micro switch 34 positioned at the side.

As such, the water level detection device 30 is installed to be located below one side of the air brake 20, as shown in FIG. 2, and the water supply of the branch port 26 and the water level detection device 30 of the air brake 20 is provided. The center (C) of the sphere (39) is installed to match so that the water supplied from the branch (26) is supplied directly to the water supply port (39) by the natural fall.

As disclosed in FIG. 4, the micro switch 34 for detecting whether the washing water is supplied or drained and the electrode sensor 37 for detecting whether the washing water is provided at the input terminal of the controller 40 are provided.

In addition, a drain valve 15 and a drain pump 16 are provided at an output end of the controller 40, and an alarm device 42 is provided to generate a warning sound when the water supply / drainage is not normally performed. .

Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 5 will be described in detail the operation of the water level detecting device of the dish washer according to the present invention.

 As disclosed in FIG. 5A, water is not stored in the case 32 so that the plotter 33 is lowered, that is, the rotation lever 36 does not receive the rotational force by the plotter 33. If the pressing portion 36d of the rotation lever 36 does not press the switch lever 34a of the micro switch 34 toward the switch terminal 34b, the micro switch 34 is turned off.

This indicates that the washing water is not supplied or drained into the washing tank 2 to reach the normal level.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (b), when the plotter 33 rises due to water supplied into the case 32 and comes into contact with the curved portion 36b of the pivoting lever 36, the lift force of the plotter 33 rotates. Delivered to lever 36.

At the same time, the rotating lever 36 rotates clockwise (arrow direction) about the hinge point 36a to which the hinge portion 36c is coupled, and the pressing portion 36d switches the switch lever 34a of the micro switch 34. When pressurizes to the switch terminal 34b side, the micro switch 34 is turned on, which indicates that the washing water is supplied into the washing tank 2 to reach a normal level.

However, if water leaks during washing, the water level in the case 32 will be lowered. Accordingly, when the plotter 33 is lowered, the pressurized water 36d that has been pressurizing the switch lever 34a The micro switch 34 is turned off by being spaced apart from the switch lever 34a.

Therefore, referring to FIG. 4, when the signal indicating that the micro switch 34 is turned off in the washing mode is transmitted to the control unit 40, the control unit 40 determines that there is a leak and the alarm device. Operation 42 is to discharge the washing water by operating the drain valve 15 and the drain pump 16.

On the other hand, when the water level in the case 32 is lowered in the drainage mode, the micro switch in the on state should be turned off. If the height of the floater 33 is maintained without being lowered, this may cause drainage problems. Since the control unit 40 receives this detection signal and generates a warning sound by the alarm device 42, the user can recognize the abnormality of the drainage.

As disclosed in FIG. 5 (c), the water is continuously supplied into the case 32 while the floater 33 is stopped by the pivoting lever 36 so that the water level continues to rise. The electrode sensor 37 is energized when it reaches the positive (+) (37a) pole and the negative (-) (37 (b) pole of the electrode sensor provided in the lower part.

As such, when the electrode sensor 37 is energized, it indicates that the washing water is supplied excessively to the inside of the washing tank 2 and is about to overflow the predetermined level.

When the wash water is supercharged as described above, referring to FIG. 3, the information indicating that the electrode sensor 37 is energized moves to the controller 40, and the controller 40 recognizes that there is a danger of supercharged water. In this determination, the drain valve 15 and the drain pump 15 are operated to maintain a proper amount of water supply.

6 (a) to 6 (c) are cross-sectional views showing the internal structure of the water level sensing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6A, a magnet 33a for generating a magnetic field is mounted inside the plotter 33, and the plotter 33 is provided on the side of the case 32 positioned below the micro switch 34. A reed switch 38 capable of detecting a magnetic field generated from the magnet 33a mounted inside the plotter 33 as it rises or falls is installed.

In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the micro switch 34 in contact with the rotation lever 36 by the rise of the plotter 33 detects the supercharged water to determine whether the washing water is supercharged into the washing tank 2. Reed switch 38 is a device for detecting whether the water supply or drainage in the washing tank (2).

Thus, referring to the control block diagram shown in FIG. 7, a micro switch 34 for detecting supercharged water and a reed switch 37 for detecting water supply / drainage abnormality are provided at an input terminal of the controller 40.

And, the output terminal is connected to the alarm device 42, the drain valve 15, the drain pump 16.

As shown in FIG. 6 (b), when water is supplied into the case 32 and the plotter 33 rises to the part where the reed switch 38 is installed, the magnet with the reed switch 38 mounted on the plotter 33 is provided. When the magnetic field generated from (33a) is detected, it is determined that the washing water flows into the washing tank 2 to reach a normal level.

On the other hand, when the reed switch 38 detects an abnormality in the water level during washing or draining, the alarm device 42 is operated, or the drain valve 15 and the drain pump 16 are operated. Since the description is the same, a description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6 (c), water is continuously supplied into the case 32 so that the plotter 33 continues to rise, and then comes into contact with the curved portion 36b of the pivoting lever 36 so as to contact the plotter 33. The upward force is transmitted to the rotation lever 36, and the rotation lever 36 rotates clockwise (arrow direction) about the hinge point 36a to which the hinge portion 36c is coupled, and the pressing portion 36d is micro-controlled. When the switch lever 34a of the switch 34 is pressed toward the switch terminal 34b, the micro switch 34 is turned on, and it is determined that the washing water is supercharged inside the washing tank 2.

Since the operation of the control unit 40, the drain valve 15, and the drain pump 16 when it is determined that the supercharge water is the same as in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and the super switch detects the super switch water. All other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment except that the apparatus is used as a device, and the reed switch (FIGS. 5 and 38) is installed instead of the pole sensor (FIGS. 4 and 37) to detect the low water level. The description will be omitted.

 What has been described above is only an embodiment of the water level sensing device of the dishwasher according to the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and the general knowledge of the technical field to which the present invention belongs within the technical spirit of the present invention Of course, there are many variations available to those who have them.

As described above, according to the dishwasher equipped with the water level sensing device of the present invention, by installing the microswitch on the side of the dishwasher, even if the wet steam generated from the heated washing water rises to the top of the water level sensing device case, Since there is no contact, the possibility of malfunction of the switch due to corrosion is eliminated, thereby improving the reliability of the product.

In addition, it is possible to detect the water level using a single plotter can reduce the size of the water level sensing device case compared to the prior art has the advantage of reducing the size of the entire dishwasher is less restricted in the installation place.

Claims (14)

A case forming an appearance; A plotter that rises or falls in accordance with the water level in the case; And a switch installed on an outer surface of the case and turned on / off by the rising or falling of the plotter. The method of claim 1, The switch is a level sensor, characterized in that the micro switch The method of claim 2, A pivoting lever for converting the up or down movement of the plotter into a rotational movement with a hinge point on one side of the case to be in contact with or disconnected from the switch by the up or down of the plotter further turns on / off the switch. Water level sensing device comprising a.  The method of claim 3, And the switch detects whether water supply and drainage are normally performed in a washing tank in which dishes are washed according to the movement of the plotter. The method of claim 4, wherein It further comprises an upper cover for covering the upper portion of the case, the upper cover is provided with an electrode sensor that is energized when in contact with the water supplied into the case is installed to detect whether the washing water in the washing tank is supercharged Water level sense device. The method of claim 3, And the switch detects whether the washing water is supercharged into the washing tank in which the dishes are washed according to the movement of the plotter. The method of claim 6, And a reed switch installed inside the plotter to generate magnetic force, and a reed switch configured to sense magnetic force generated from a magnet installed in the plotter on an outer surface of the case to determine whether water supply and drainage are normally performed in the washing tank. A water level detection device, characterized in that. A case forming an appearance; A plotter that rises or falls in accordance with the water level in the case; And a water level sensing device including a switch that is turned on / off by lifting and lowering of the plotter. The method of claim 8, And a pivoting lever pivotally coupled to the outside of the case, wherein one end of the pivoting lever is in contact with the plotter and the other end is in contact with the switch and is turned on according to the lifting and lowering motion of the plotter. A dishwasher having a level sensor, characterized in that causing (On) / (Off). The method of claim 9, And the switch is configured to detect whether water supply and drainage are normally performed in a washing tank in which dishes are washed according to the movement of the plotter. The method of claim 9, It further comprises an upper cover for covering the upper portion of the case, the upper cover is provided with an electrode sensor that is energized when in contact with the water supplied into the case is installed to detect whether the washing water in the washing tank is supercharged A dishwasher having a level sensor. The method of claim 8, The switch is a dish washer having a water level sensing device, characterized in that for detecting whether the washing water is supercharged into the washing tank in which the washing of the dishes in accordance with the movement of the plotter. The method of claim 12, And a reed switch installed inside the plotter to generate magnetic force, and a reed switch configured to sense magnetic force generated from a magnet installed in the plotter on an outer surface of the case to determine whether water supply and drainage are normally performed in the washing tank. Dishwasher provided with a water level sensor, characterized in that. The method of claim 8, A control unit connected to the water level detecting device and receiving information on the water level detected by the water level detecting device to determine whether normal water supply and normal water drainage of the washing water are performed; And an alarm device connected to the output terminal of the control unit to generate an alarm sound when the water supply is not normal.

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