KR20090079707A - Washer and method for driving thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A washing machine and an operating method of the washing machine are provided to sense cloudiness of washing water, sets the number of additional rinsing operations according to the cloudiness and perform the rinsing operations to improve energy efficiency and rinsing degree. A washing machine includes a main body, a rinse water contamination sensor(16), and a controller. The main body receives laundry and washes laundry. The rinse water contamination sensor is attached to the main body and senses a contamination level of rinse water during a rinse operation. The controller is electrically connected to the sensor, compares a value sensed by the sensor with a previously stored reference value and control the next operating step.

Description

Washing machine and its operation method {WASHER AND METHOD FOR DRIVING THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a method of operating a washing machine that detects turbidity of laundry during rinsing and responds appropriately.

In general, a washing machine is a device for washing laundry by washing, rinsing, dehydrating, drying, and the like so as to remove contaminants on clothes, bedding, etc. (hereinafter referred to as laundry) contained in the drum using the action of water and detergent. .

The washing machine includes a washing tank containing washing water, a motor for rotating the washing tank, a microcomputer for adjusting the washing stroke of the washing machine, and controlling all the washing machines, and a water / drain valve on / off under the control of the microcomputer. It is configured to perform the washing stroke of the laundry contained in the washing tank.

In order to perform the washing stroke smoothly, the conventional washing machine further includes a quantity sensor for detecting an amount of washing water contained in the washing tank, and a water level sensor for measuring the level of the washing tank. Accordingly, the conventional washing machine operates to adjust the rinsing, dehydration frequency, etc. during the washing stroke according to the quantity detected by the quantity detecting sensor so that proper washing is performed according to the quantity of the washing material. In addition, the microcomputer controls the water supply / drain valve according to the water level sensed by the water level sensor, so that smooth water supply / drainage is achieved.

However, the sensor does not detect the residual detergent amount and concentration dissolved in the wash water, so dehydration proceeds without knowing the degree of rinsing. Since the rinse stroke is performed according to the number of rinses fixed to the microcomputer (generally three times), when the residual detergent is small, the consumption of washing water and electric energy due to the unnecessary rinsing frequency is concerned. Skin diseases and the like caused by dirt and residual detergents occur, and there is a problem of lowering the feeling of wearing.

The present invention solves the problems of the prior art described above, by detecting the turbidity of the wash water to set the number of additional rinsing according to the turbidity and to perform a rinsing stroke to improve the energy efficiency and rinsing degree, the remaining unrinsed It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine and a method of operating the same that can prevent side effects of skin diseases caused by detergents.

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, the laundry body to accommodate the laundry to wash the water and detergent mixed; A rinsing water contamination sensor installed at least one of the washing machine bodies to detect a degree of contamination of the rinsing water during a rinsing cycle; And a control unit electrically connected to the rinsing water pollution detecting sensor and controlling a next operation step by comparing the value detected by the rinsing water pollution detecting sensor with a pre-stored reference value.

In addition, there is provided a method of operating a washing machine which detects turbidity of rinsed water after rinsing, determines the rinsing degree according to the detected value, and determines whether or not to further rinse.

Washing machine and its operation method according to the present invention is to be performed by setting the number of additional rinsing in accordance with the turbidity of the wash water detected after the first rinsing to prevent waste of unnecessary energy due to the rinsing stroke, to improve the rinsing degree It improves the comfort and comfort of the laundry, and also prevents skin diseases caused by unrinsed residual detergent.

Hereinafter, a washing machine and a driving method thereof according to the present invention will be described in detail by taking the drum washing machine shown in the accompanying drawings as an example.

As shown in FIG. 1, the drum washing machine according to the present invention includes a tub 3 installed to be suspended by a spring 2 inside the cabinet 1, and the laundry is washed inside the tub 3. A drum 4 as a washing tub, a lifter 5 installed on an inner side of the drum 4 to lift the laundry so that the laundry falls by gravity at a predetermined height, and on one side of the tub 3 It includes a motor (6) mounted to rotate the drum (4).

A cabinet cover 7 is mounted at the front of the cabinet 1, and a door 8 is rotatably installed at the center of the cabinet cover 7 so that laundry can be put in or taken out of the cabinet 1. On the upper side of the control panel 9 is installed as a control unit that can control the operation of the washing machine. The control panel 9 is electrically connected to a rinse water contamination detection sensor (hereinafter, abbreviated as a detection sensor) 16 to be described later, and compares the value detected by the detection sensor 16 with a pre-stored reference value. It can be configured to control the steps. The control panel 9 may further include a display unit (not shown) that is electrically connected to the detection sensor 16 and displays a rinsing degree.

In addition, a water supply hose 10, a water supply valve 11, and a detergent container 12 for supplying washing water and detergent to the inside of the tub 3 are installed at an upper side of the cabinet 1, and the tub 3 is provided. At the lower one side of the drain bellow 13 and the drain pump 14 and the drain hose 15 for circulating or discharging the wash water are continuously installed.

The rinsing water contamination detection sensor may be installed on the upstream side of the drain pump 14 and the bellows 13 for drainage between the tub 3 and the bath pump 14 so as to detect the degree of contamination of the rinsing water during the rinsing stroke. 16) is installed. The detection sensor 16 is composed of an electrode sensor or an optical sensor. For example, when the detection sensor 16 is an electrode sensor, a plurality of conductive pieces (upstream) of the drain pump 14, that is, the drain bellows 13 connecting the tub 3 and the drain pump 14. Electrons 16a and 16b are provided at predetermined intervals to detect the conductivity of the wash water by two conductive pieces 16a and 16b. Here, the conductivity may vary depending on the content of magnesium ions and calcium ions contained in the wash water, and the control panel 9 uses the conductivity detected by the electrode sensor 16 to determine the turbidity of the wash water. Will be calculated. Even when the detection sensor 16 is an optical sensor, a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit capable of detecting turbidity of the wash water may be provided upstream of the drain pump 14, that is, the bellows 13 for drainage.

On the other hand, the detection sensor 16 may be installed inside the tub 3 containing the rinsing water. In this case, it is preferable that the detection sensor 16 is installed at a height capable of detecting the wash water to detect the degree of contamination of the wash water in real time.

The washing machine according to the present invention as described above is operated as follows.

First, the user puts the laundry into the drum (4) washing tank and the detergent into the detergent container 12 to complete the preparation for washing.

Next, when the user operates the washing machine, detergent and washing water are supplied to the tub 3 by an appropriate level, and then washing operation is performed according to a predetermined mode.

Next, after finishing the washing stroke of the washing machine proceeds to the rinsing stroke according to the user's settings. That is, when the rinsing stroke starts, drain the water from the tub, dehydrate it, and then rinse it again by supplying water. In addition, a series of rinsing cycles is performed to repeat draining, dehydration, watering, and rinsing.

However, even if the washing machine repeats the rinsing cycle according to the order in which the washing machines are delivered, the degree of rinsing of the laundry cannot be determined, and thus, the unnecessary rinsing operation can be repeatedly repeated or rinsing can be insufficient. In view of this, in the present invention, the turbidity of the rinsing water is detected in the state where the rinsing operation is completed, and based on this, it is determined whether additional rinsing is necessary to prevent unnecessary rinsing or insufficient rinsing.

Looking at this in more detail as follows.

First, when the rinsing stroke is started, the drain pump 14 is operated to drain the rinsing water accumulated in the tub (3). In this case, the detection sensor 16 detects the turbidity of the rinsing water, compares the detected value with a reference value, and determines whether to repeatedly rinse or complete the rinsing cycle and enter the dehydration stroke.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the turbidity of the rinsing water after the basic rinsing is detected using the detection sensor 16 such as the electrode sensor or the optical sensor (S1 to S2). Thereafter, the control panel 9 compares the detection value of the turbidity of the rinsing water with a reference value. If the detection value of the turbidity is higher than the reference value, it is determined that additional rinsing is necessary and informs the need for additional rinsing through the display unit. Based on this, the user sets the amount of water or the rinse time. Of course, this setting step may be automatically set according to the table set in the control panel (S3). Next, additional rinsing such as dehydration, water supply, and rinsing is performed according to the set contents (S4 to S6). After the additional rinsing is completed, it is determined whether the amount has been set in the setting step, and if the set amount is not reached, the rinsing is started again, whereas if the set amount is reached, the rinsing cycle is ended (S7). At this time, in the step (S2) of detecting the degree of contamination of the rinsing water may be set to detect in real time from the time when the rinse stroke starts to the end time.

On the other hand, if there is another embodiment of the operating method of the washing machine according to the present invention.

That is, in the above-described embodiment, the basic rinsing operation is finished and the rinsing time is determined by the set rinsing time, and if the set rinsing time is completed, the rinsing stroke is immediately terminated. The turbidity of the rinsing water is detected again to determine the completion of the rinsing stroke.

For example, as shown in Figure 3, when the rinsing is started, the step (S11 ~ S17) to determine whether the drainage, turbidity detection, water supply and rinsing time setting, dehydration, water supply, rinsing, rinsing time reached as in the above-described embodiment Proceed as follows. Next, even if the added rinsing time is reached, step S18 of detecting the turbidity of the additional rinsed rinsing water again, and comparing the detected value with a reference value to determine whether additional rinsing is necessary (S19). Do it.

In this way, the turbidity of the rinsing water can be detected more accurately, thereby maximizing the rinsing effect on the laundry.

On the other hand, if there is another embodiment of the operating method of the washing machine according to the present invention.

That is, in the above embodiments, after detecting the turbidity of the rinsing water drained with the start of the rinsing, the water supply amount or the rinsing time for the additional rinsing was set according to the detected value. By eliminating the step of setting the water supply amount or the rinsing time, each time the rinsing is performed, the turbidity of the rinsing water is detected in real time to determine whether the detected value reaches the reference value. For example, the drainage, dehydration, water supply, rinsing step (S21 ~ S24) and the like first proceeds as shown in Figure 4, and then to detect the turbidity for the discharged wash water and compare the detected value with the reference value to repeat rinsing It is driven to the step (S25 ~ S26) to determine.

In this way, the rinsing stroke of the washing machine can be simplified more quickly, and a higher quality rinse can be performed.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine in which a turbidity sensor of the present invention is installed upstream of a drain pump;

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a rinsing operation of the washing machine according to Figure 1,

3 and 4 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the rinsing operation of the washing machine according to FIG.

Claims (11)

A washing machine body for storing laundry and washing with water and detergent; A rinsing water contamination sensor installed at least one of the washing machine bodies to detect a degree of contamination of the rinsing water during a rinsing cycle; And And a controller electrically connected to the rinsing water pollution detecting sensor and controlling a next operation step by comparing a value detected by the rinsing water pollution detecting sensor with a previously stored reference value. The method of claim 1, The rinsing water contamination detection sensor is an electrode sensor or an optical sensor. The method of claim 1, The rinsing water pollution detection sensor is installed in the washing machine body is installed on the upstream side of the drain pump for discharging the rinsing water. The method of claim 1, The rinsing water pollution detection sensor is installed in the washing machine which is installed inside the washing machine body for storing laundry. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The washing machine body further includes a display unit electrically connected to the detection sensor or the control unit to display a rinsing degree. A method of operating a washing machine which detects turbidity of rinsed water after rinsing, and determines whether or not to further rinse by determining the degree of rinsing according to the detected value. The rinsing water contamination detection sensor of claim 1 to 4 after completing the rinse, the turbidity of the rinsing water is detected, and the rinsing degree is determined according to the detected value to determine whether to rinse further. The method according to claim 6 or 7, When the additional rinsing is required by comparing the detected value for the turbidity of the rinsing water with the set reference value, the additional rinsing time is automatically set. The method according to claim 6 or 7, When the additional rinsing is required by comparing the detected value for the turbidity of the rinsing water with the set reference value, the additional rinsing time is set manually. The method according to claim 6 or 7, The additional rinsing time is set when additional rinsing is required by comparing the detected value of turbidity of the rinsing water with the set reference value, and after the additional rinsing is performed, it is determined whether the additional rinsing is performed as much as the set rinsing time or the rinsing stroke is performed. How to drive the washing machine to complete. The method of claim 10, After determining whether the additional rinsing is performed, the turbidity of the rinsing water is detected again, and the detected value is compared with the reference value to determine whether additional rinsing is necessary, and if necessary, the additional rinsing is repeated, but if necessary, the washing machine completes the rinsing cycle. Driving way.

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