KR20080084887A - Washing machine and control method of thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A washing machine and a method for controlling the same are provided to prevent damage to an impeller by heating water in a water tub and transferring the heat to a drain pump for melting frozen remaining water if the temperature of the drain pump is lower than a set temperature. A method for controlling a washing machine comprises the steps of sensing the temperature of a drain pump(S130), and comparing the sensed temperature with a set temperature and melting the frozen drain pump by turning on or turning off a water supply unit and a heater if the sensed temperature of the drain pump is lower than the set temperature(S150).

Description

Washing machine and its control method {WASHING MACHINE AND CONTROL METHOD OF THEREOF}

1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a washing machine according to the present invention.

2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the operation of the drain pump included in the washing machine according to the present invention.

3 is a control block diagram of a washing machine according to the present invention.

4 and 5 are flowcharts illustrating operations of a control method of a washing machine according to the present invention.

* Description of symbols on the main parts of the drawings *

10: main body 11: tank

12: rotating tank 16: heater

20: water supply device 22: water supply valve

30: drainage 31, 32: drainage

40: drain pump 42: impeller

48: temperature sensor 51: water level detector

54 control unit 55 drive unit

The present invention relates to a washing machine and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a washing machine and a control method capable of thawing the water remaining in the drain pump.

In general, a washing machine (typically, a drum washing machine) is a device that allows washing to be performed by a force that pulls up and washes laundry inside thereof when the cylindrical rotating drum rotates, and is compared with a conventional pulsator type washing machine. The washing time is long, but the demand is increasing due to less damage to the fabric and less water consumption.

The washing machine supplies water into the tank for washing and rinsing, and after washing and rinsing, the washing machine performs a washing operation through a series of water supply or draining operations for draining the water inside the tank.

However, in the current washing machine, when the drainage pump is driven after the completion of washing and the drainage operation is stopped and the drainage pump stops driving, the water in the drainage pipe flows back into the drainage pump and drainage path (drainage pump or drainage pipe, etc.) And drainage), and a considerable amount of water (hereinafter referred to as residual water) remains.

As such, the residual water inside the washing machine remaining in the drainage path is not normally a problem, but freezes during the winter season, making it difficult for the washing machine to operate normally. Of course, it will shorten the life.

In order to prevent this, a method of thawing a dry washing machine that thaws ice when residual water in a washing machine freezes due to a decrease in outdoor temperature in winter is disclosed in Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1998-30125.

The thawing method of the washing machine disclosed in the above publication determines whether the thawing mode is set in winter, and if the thawing mode is not set, performs the next stroke. If the thawing mode is set, the outdoor temperature is sensed. It is determined whether the detected outdoor temperature is less than or equal to a predetermined predetermined freezing temperature, and if the detected outdoor temperature is not less than or equal to a predetermined freezing temperature, washing is performed while water is supplied, and the detected outdoor temperature is set to a predetermined freezing temperature. In the following, the heater and the blower fan are driven for a predetermined time to blow the heater heat into the washing tank to wash the ice while the washing tank is thawed, thereby preventing the washing machine from being overwhelmed and broken. .

However, the invention disclosed in the above publication uses a heater to heat the air and supplies the heated air to a frozen portion by using a blowing fan to thaw the freeze. The thawing time increases because the ice is thawed using the heated air. There is a problem that rapid thawing is not possible, and there is a problem in that a thawing control cannot be performed in a washing machine having no drying function, that is, a washing machine not provided with an air heating heater and a blowing fan.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the conventional problems as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine and a control method that can thaw it when the water remaining in the drainage freezes.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a control method of a washing machine having a water supply device, a water tank, a drain pump for discharging the water of the water tank, and a heater for heating the water of the water tank. When the temperature of the drain pump side is sensed and the temperature of the drain pump side is lower than the reference temperature by comparing the detected temperature with a predetermined reference temperature, the water supply device and the heater are controlled on / off to freeze the drain pump side. It is characterized by thawing.

In addition, the on / off control of the water supply device and the heater is characterized in that the heater is turned on for a predetermined time when the temperature of the drain pump side after the end of the washing stroke is less than the reference temperature.

In addition, the on / off control of the water supply device and the heater is characterized in that when the dehydration stroke is input, if the temperature of the drain pump side before the dehydration stroke is less than the reference temperature, the water supply is turned on, and the heater is turned on for a predetermined time. It is done.

In addition, the on / off control of the water supply device and the heater is characterized in that the heater is turned on after the water supply device is turned off when the water level of the water tank is above a predetermined level.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a washing machine having a water supply device, a water tank, a drain pump for discharging water in the tank to the outside, and a heater for heating the water in the tank, wherein the drain pump side A temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the water supply unit, and the water supply unit and the water supply unit for thawing freezing of the residual water of the drainage pump side when the detected temperature is less than the reference temperature in comparison with the temperature detected by the temperature sensor and a predetermined reference temperature. It characterized in that it comprises a control unit for controlling the heater on / off.

The control unit may turn on the heater for a predetermined time when the temperature of the drain pump is less than the reference temperature after the end of the washing stroke.

The control unit may turn on the water supply device and turn on the heater for a predetermined time when the temperature of the drain pump before the dehydration stroke is less than the reference temperature when the dehydration stroke is input by the user.

The control unit may turn on the heater after the water supply is turned off when the water level of the water tank is higher than or equal to a predetermined water level.

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

1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a washing machine according to the present invention.

The washing machine according to the present invention, as shown in Figure 1, the main body 10 to form an appearance, the drum-shaped water tank 11 is installed in the main body 10 for the fresh water of the wash water, and Rotating drum 12 is rotatably installed inside the water tank (11).

The water tank 11 is installed so as to incline a predetermined angle α with respect to the installation surface of the washing machine as a whole so that the front portion 11a on which the inlet 11b is formed is higher than the rear portion 11c, and the inside of the water tank 11 Rotating drum 12 is installed in the inclined shape so that the front portion 12a formed in the inlet 12b in the same form as the water tank 11 is higher than the rear portion 12c.

That is, the rotating drum 12 is formed such that the front portion 12a having the inlet 12b faces the front upper portion so that the center of rotation line “A” is inclined at a predetermined angle α with respect to the installation surface of the washing machine. Is installed. At this time, the rotating drum 12 is rotatably supported in the center of the rear of the water tank 11 by the rotating shaft 13 coupled to the center of the rear portion 12c is rotatable inside the water tank 11.

In addition, a plurality of through holes 12d are formed around the rotating drum 12, and a plurality of lifters are formed on the inner surface of the rotating drum 12 to allow the laundry to rise and fall when the rotating drum 12 rotates. 14) is installed.

On the outside of the rear part 11c of the water tank 11, a motor 15 is installed as a driving device for rotating the rotating shaft 13 connected to the rotating drum 12 to perform washing, rinsing, and dehydration operations. In the lower side, a heater 16 for heating the wash water supplied into the water tank 11 is installed.

The motor 15 includes a stator 15a fixed to the rear portion 11c of the water tank 11, a rotor 15b disposed in a rotatable state outside the stator 15a, and a rotor 15b and a rotating shaft. It consists of the rotation board 15c which connects 13.

In addition, the front part of the main body 10 corresponds to the inlet 12b of the rotating drum 12 and the inlet 11b of the water tank 11 so that laundry can be put into the inside of the rotating drum 12 or the laundry can be taken out therein. The inlet 17a opened at the position is formed, and the inlet 17a is provided with a door 17 for opening and closing the inlet 17a.

A control panel (not shown) is provided on an upper front surface of the door 17, and the control panel (not shown) is provided to allow a user to input driving information such as a washing course, a washing temperature, a dehydration rpm, and an icing prevention mode. A signal input unit 50 and a display unit 53 provided with an LCD panel are provided to display an operation state and an error mode of the washing machine.

A detergent supply device 18 for supplying detergent and a water supply device 20 for supplying washing water are installed at an upper portion of the water tank 11, and water in the water tank 11 is disposed at a lower portion of the water tank 11. Drainage 30 for drainage is provided.

Detergent supply device 18 is divided into a plurality of spaces inside, it is installed on the front side of the main body 10 to facilitate the user to put detergent and softener in each space.

The water supply device 20 includes a water supply pipe 21 for supplying water toward the water tank 11 and a water supply valve 22 installed in the water supply pipe 21 to control the water supply by opening and closing the flow path of the water supply pipe 21. At this time, the water supply pipe 21 is connected to the detergent supply device 18 so that water supplied from the outside can be supplied toward the detergent supply device 18. And a separate connecting pipe 23 is installed between the detergent supply device 18 and the water tank 11 so that water passing through the detergent supply device 18 can be supplied to the water tank 11, and A water supply nozzle 24 is installed at the outlet. This allows the water supplied into the water tank 11 to pass through the detergent supply device 18 so that the detergent in the detergent supply device 18 can be supplied to the water tank 11 in a state in which the detergent is dissolved in water.

Drainage device 30 is provided in the lower portion of the water tank 11, the drain pump 40 for discharging the water in the water tank 11 to the outside, one end is in communication with the water tank 11 and the other end and the drain pump 40 and The first drain pipe 31 is connected, and one end is connected to the drain pump 40 and the other end is made to include a second drain pipe 32 extending to the outside of the main body 10.

2 is a schematic stage diagram showing a drain pump included in a washing machine according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drain pump 40 forms an exterior and includes a drain casing 41 having a space for washing water therein, and a drain casing 41 provided inside the drain casing 41. An impeller 42 rotatably installed to forcibly discharge the wash water to the outside, a pump motor 43 provided on the rear side of the impeller 42 to provide a driving force to the impeller 42, and a drain casing 41. It is provided to be detachably attached to the drain casing 41 comprises a drain filter 44 for filtering foreign matter contained in the wash water flowing into.

The drain casing 41 is a hollow case, the filter case 45 is formed so that the drain filter 44 is inserted and withdrawn, and the pump case rotatably provided with an impeller 42 for forcibly flowing the wash water Part 46 is formed integrally, the temperature sensor 48 for sensing the temperature of the drain pump 40 side is installed on one side of the drain casing 41, the drain pipe (31, 32) in winter, such as winter, It detects whether the residual water remaining in the drainage apparatus including the drain pump 40 is frozen.

At this time, the temperature sensor 48 may be installed at any position where it can sense the temperature of the drain pump 40, but preferably, the impeller 42 provided in the drain pump 40 is frozen more accurately. In order to detect the impeller 42 is provided outside the pump case 46 is installed.

In addition, an inlet pipe 45a coupled to the first drain pipe 31 is provided at one side of the filter case 45 to allow the water of the water tank 11 to flow into the filter case 45. On the other side of the portion 45, an outflow hole 45b is formed to allow the washing water filtered by the drain filter 44 to flow out to the pump case portion 46 side. In addition, the upper part of the pump case 46 is provided with a discharge pipe 46a which is coupled to the second drain pipe 32 to discharge the wash water introduced into the pump case 46 to the outside.

In addition, the upper portion of the filter case 45 is formed with an air hole 47 to prevent the performance of the impeller 42 due to the air flowing in with the wash water. Therefore, the air in the drain casing 41 is discharged to the outside of the drain casing 41 through the air hole 47.

After the wash water flowing into the filter case part 45 from the water tank 11 by the configuration of the drain pump 40 passes the drain filter 44 inside the filter case part 45, the foreign matter is filtered out, and then the pump case part 46. ) And the impeller 42 which is rotated by the pump motor 43 discharges the washing water inside the pump case part 46 toward the discharge pipe 46a of the pump case part 46. The wash water can be drained to the outside.

Thereafter, when the drainage process is completed, the drain pump 40 is turned off. At this time, the water remaining in the drain pipes 31 and 32 is introduced into the drain pump 40 disposed at a low position. Therefore, even after the washing operation is completed, the water remains in the drainage device 30 including the drainage pump 40 and the drainage pipes 31 and 32 without being completely removed.

3 is a control configuration diagram of a washing machine according to the present invention, which includes a signal input unit 50, a water level detection unit 51, a temperature detection unit 52, a display unit 53, a control unit 54, and a driving unit 55. It is configured by.

The signal input unit 50 inputs a washing course such as a washing stroke, a dehydrating stroke, and operation information such as washing temperature, dehydration rpm, and rinsing addition to the controller 54 according to a user's selection.

The water level detection unit 51 detects the water level of the wash water supplied to the water tank 11, and the water level data inside the water tank 11 that changes according to the amount of the water to be supplied or drained during the water supply or drainage operation of the washing machine. Detects the input to the control unit 54.

The temperature sensing unit 52 includes a temperature sensor 48 provided on the drain pump 40 to sense the temperature of the water remaining in the drain pump 40.

The controller 54 is a microcomputer that controls the washing machine according to the driving information input from the signal input unit 50, and determines whether a washing stroke or a dehydrating stroke is input according to a user's selection.

In addition, if it is determined that the washing stroke is input, the controller 54 applies a signal to the driving unit 55 to perform the washing stroke to turn on / off the water supply valve 22 and the motor 15.

After the washing stroke is finished after receiving the signal detected by the drain pump 40 side, compared with the freezing temperature (hereinafter referred to as the predetermined temperature) previously input to the control unit 54 when the detected temperature is less than the predetermined temperature It is determined that freezing of residual water in the drainage device 30 can occur, and the heater 16 is turned on to heat the water in the water tank 11.

At this time, since the water tank 11 and the drain pump 40 are in communication with each other, the water on the drain pump 40 side is also heated by the heater 16 and the heated water melts the freezing part of the drain pump 40 and freezes it. Release the condition.

Therefore, the controller 54 drives the drain pump 40 only when the sensing temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature so that the drain pump 40 drives the drain pump 40 when the residual water of the drain pump 40 is not in the frozen state. It is possible to prevent damage to the impeller 42 or the like that may occur by driving the pump 40.

In addition, if it is determined that the dehydrating stroke is input by the user, the control unit 54 receives a signal detected by the drain pump 40 and compares the predetermined temperature with the predetermined temperature previously input to the control unit 54. In the following case, it is determined that freezing of residual water in the drainage device 30 can occur, and the water supply valve 22 is turned on.

Subsequently, the controller 54 detects that the water of the predetermined level (predetermined level refers to the level where the heater can be submerged in the water) by the water level detection unit 51 is supplied with the heater ( 16) is turned on to heat the water in the water tank 11 to thaw the freezing part of the drain pump 40.

In addition, the control unit 43 has a built-in timer for counting the time during the operation of the water supply valve 22 and the drain pump 40, and the predetermined temperature (water remaining in the drain pump during the winter freeze can be frozen) Possible temperature: In this embodiment, the data of the temperature sensor is set to about 1 ° C in consideration of the measurement error of the temperature sensor) and stored in advance in a ROM table.

The driving unit 55 drives the water supply valve 22, the motor 15, the heater 16, and the drain pump 40 according to the drive control signal of the controller 54.

The display unit 53 displays the washing machine operating state and the error mode according to the display control signal of the control unit 54.

Hereinafter, the operation process and the effect of the refrigerator and the operation control method configured as described above will be described.

4 and 5 are flowcharts illustrating operations of a control method of a washing machine according to the present invention.

Put the laundry inside the rotating drum 12, the washing course of the washing stroke, dehydration stroke, and the operation information such as washing temperature, dehydration rpm, rinse addition according to the user's selection, the control unit 54 through the signal input unit 50 Type in

Therefore, the controller 54 determines whether the washing stroke is input from the signal input unit 50 according to the user selecting the washing stroke (S100), and if the washing stroke is input, the controller 54 is driven to the driving unit 55 for washing according to the driving information. When the signal is applied, the water supply valve 22 opens and water (washing water or rinsing water) passes through the water supply pipe 21 through the detergent supply device 18, and then passes through the connection pipe 23 to supply the water supply nozzle 24. Water is supplied to the water tank 11 through the rotating tub 12 performs a washing stroke while performing forward and reverse rotation (S110).

When the washing operation is finished, the control unit 54 determines whether the drainage start signal is input (S120), and when the drainage start signal is input, the drainage pump 40 side to determine whether the water in the drainage pump 40 is in a frozen state. The residual water temperature T1 on the side of the drain pump 40 is detected from the temperature sensor 48 provided at S130. It is determined whether the sensed temperature is below a predetermined temperature at which freezing of residual water in the drain pump 40 is possible (S140). If it is determined that the sensed temperature is below a predetermined temperature, the heater 16 is driven for a predetermined time to heat the water in the water tank 11 (S150).

By heating the water in the water tank 11 by driving the heater 16 in this way, the heat of the heated water is diffused to the drain pump 40 in communication with the water tank 11 to melt the freezing portion of the drain pump 40. It releases the frozen state.

Thereafter, the flow returns to step S130 to measure the residual water temperature T1 on the drain pump 40 again, determine whether the measured temperature is lower than or equal to a predetermined temperature (S140), and if the measured temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, drain pump. 40 and determines whether drainage is terminated based on the signal detected by the water level detector 51, and when the drainage ends, the control is terminated.

Next, if it is determined that the washing stroke is not input in step S100, it is determined whether the dehydration stroke is input (S101), and if it is determined that the dehydrating stroke is input, it is determined whether the water in the drain pump 40 is frozen state In order to detect the residual temperature T1 of the drain pump 40 from the temperature sensor 48 provided on the drain pump 40 side (S210). It is determined whether the detected temperature is below a predetermined temperature at which freezing of residual water in the drain pump 40 is possible (S220). If it is determined that the detected temperature is less than the predetermined temperature to turn on the water supply valve to supply water into the water tank (11) (S230).

In the dehydration stroke, the user selects a dehydration stroke after washing hands, and the dehydration proceeds in a state in which water is not supplied to the water tank 11, and when the heater 16 is driven without water supply, the heater 16 is Since it is not in contact with water, it is difficult to supply the heat of the heater 16 to the drain pump 40 side, and since the heater 16 is heated to a high temperature in the air, there is a risk of fire, thereby performing water supply.

The water level detecting unit 51 measures the water level of the water supplied from the water supply valve 22 to determine whether the water level is higher than the predetermined level (S240), and when the water level is higher than the predetermined level, the heater 16 is driven for a predetermined time. The water of the water tank 11 is heated (S250).

By heating the water in the water tank 11 by driving the heater 16 in this way, the heat of the heated water is diffused to the drain pump 40 in communication with the water tank 11 to melt the freezing portion of the drain pump 40. It releases the frozen state.

Thereafter, the method returns to step S210 to measure the residual water temperature of the drain pump 40 again, and determines whether the measured temperature is lower than or equal to a predetermined temperature (S220), and when the measured temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature, the controller 54 drives the driving unit. The signal is applied to the 55 to drive the motor 15 and the drain pump 40 to perform the dehydration stroke (S260).

After that, it is determined whether the dehydration stroke is ended (S270), and when it is determined that the dehydration stroke is ended, the control ends.

Therefore, the control unit 54 drives the drain pump 40 by driving the drain pump 40 only when the sensing temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature, that is, when the residual amount of the drain pump 40 is not frozen. It is possible to prevent damage to the impeller 42 and the like that may occur.

As described above, the washing machine and its control method according to the present invention can thaw frozen residues quickly by heating the water in the water tank and diffusing heat to the drainage pump side when the temperature of the drainage pump side is below a predetermined temperature. It works.

In addition, the present invention can prevent damage to the impeller due to the driving of the drain pump in the icing state by driving the drain pump only when the residual water of the drain pump is not frozen.

Claims (8)

In the control method of the washing machine provided with a water supply device, a water tank, a drain pump for discharging the water of the tank to the outside, and a heater for heating the water of the tank, Sensing the temperature of the drain pump side, When the temperature of the drain pump side is less than the reference temperature compared to the detected temperature and a predetermined reference temperature, the water supply device and the heater is controlled on / off by thawing the freezing of the drain pump side control Way. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the on / off control of the water supply device and the heater turns on the heater for a predetermined time when the temperature of the drain pump is lower than the reference temperature after the end of the washing stroke. According to claim 1, On / off control of the water supply device and the heater is turned on the water supply device if the temperature of the drain pump side before the dehydration stroke is less than the reference temperature when the dehydration stroke is input, the heater is turned on for a predetermined time The control method of the washing machine characterized in that to turn on. The control method according to claim 3, wherein the on / off control of the water supply device and the heater turns on the heater after turning off the water supply device when the water level of the water tank is higher than a predetermined level. In the washing machine provided with a water supply device, a water tank, a drain pump for discharging the water of the water tank to the outside, and a heater for heating the water of the water tank, A temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the drain pump side; And a controller configured to control on / off of the water supply device and the heater to thaw the freezing of the residual water on the drain pump side when the detected temperature is less than the reference temperature compared with the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. Washing machine characterized in that. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the control unit turns on the heater for a predetermined time when the temperature of the drain pump is lower than the reference temperature after the end of the washing stroke. The method of claim 5, wherein when the dehydration stroke is input by the user, the control unit turns on the water supply device and turns on the heater for a predetermined time when the temperature of the drainage pump side before the dehydration stroke is lower than the reference temperature. washer. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the controller turns off the water supply device when the water level of the water tank is equal to or higher than a predetermined water level, and then turns on the heater.

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