KR20100020630A - Method for controling washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A control method of a washing machine is provided to supply liquid detergent by automatically mixing with washing water in consideration of the supplied amount of washing water. CONSTITUTION: A control method of a washing machine is as follows: A supply order of liquid detergent is transferred to a control unit(S20). A weight sensor senses a weight value of laundries accepted in a drum(S30). The supplied amount of washing water and liquid detergent are calculated based on the sensed weight value(S40). Washing water and liquid detergent are supplied to a tub based on the calculated amount(S80).

Description

Control method of washing machine {METHOD FOR CONTROLING WASHING MACHINE}

The present invention relates to a control method of a washing machine, and more particularly to a control method of a washing machine having a detergent supply function.

In general, a washing machine is a product that removes various contaminants attached to clothes, bedding, etc. by using the emulsification of detergent, friction action of water flow caused by rotation of the pulsator, and impact action of the pulsator on laundry. Appearing automatic washing machine automatically performs a series of processes leading to washing, rinsing and dehydration without user intervention in the middle.

Such a washing machine may be classified into a top-loading washing machine in which the washing tank is standing and a drum washing machine in which the washing tank is laid, depending on the type of the washing tank in which the laundry is accommodated. Compared to washing machines, the overall height is not only reduced, but washing capacity can be increased, and problems such as porosity are rarely generated. Therefore, the demand is increasing.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of a drum type conventional washing machine.

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional washing machine includes a tub 2 elastically supported by a spring 6 and a damper 7 in a main body 1, and a drum rotatably installed in the tub 2 to accommodate laundry. (3) and a drive unit 4 axially connected to the drum 3. The drive unit 4 is composed of a rotor (not shown) and a stator (not shown), and a drive shaft is connected to the rotor to transmit the driving force of the rotor to the drum 3.

The upper part of the drum (3), the detergent container (8) which is connected to the water supply line (10) is provided, the detergent container drawer (9) which is detachably installed inside the detergent container (8) so that the user can put the detergent ) Is provided. In addition, the front surface of the main body 1 is provided with the door 5 rotatably from side to side at a position facing the opening of the drum 3.

In the conventional washing machine configured as described above, before the washing is performed, powder detergent, bleach, and fabric softener are put into the detergent drawer 9, and the type of laundry or washing time is controlled through a control panel (not shown). If you press the start button after setting, a series of processes from washing to rinsing and dehydration are automatically performed.

On the other hand, liquid detergents that are well diluted in washing water and excellent in emulsification have recently been widely spread. When the liquid detergent is to be put into the washing machine, it is impossible to inject the detergent by opening the door 5 while the washing water is supplied due to the characteristics of the drum washing machine. It must be introduced through the detergent container (8).

According to the washing machine according to the prior art as described above, a problem occurs that the laundry is damaged when the liquid detergent is directly added to the laundry, the detergent input amount due to the structural characteristics for the powder detergent when the liquid detergent is injected through the detergent container The problem is that it becomes inaccurate. In other words, the detergent container is a structure in which the powder detergent is diluted in an appropriate amount by the water to be supplied to the washing tank, but in the case of the liquid detergent, the detergent can be directly added to the washing tank as long as it is not diluted in the washing water due to its fluidity. The detergent container is for the powder detergent, and the dilution amount of the powder detergent and the liquid detergent by washing water is inevitably different. This causes a problem in that it is difficult to control the amount of the detergent detergent. Therefore, there is a need for improvement.

The present invention has been made to improve the above problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a control method of a washing machine that can supply a desired amount of liquid detergent in a timely manner.

A control method of a washing machine according to the present invention includes: transmitting a liquid detergent supply command to a control unit; Detecting a weight value of the laundry contained in the weight sensing unit in the drum; Calculating a water supply amount of the wash water and a liquid detergent supply amount according to the sensed weight value; Supplying the wash water and the liquid detergent to the tub according to the calculated amount.

Here, the step of supplying the wash water and the liquid detergent, the step of introducing the wash water into the water supply; Passing the washing water introduced into the water supply unit to a decompression unit; Introducing a liquid detergent contained in a liquid detergent supply unit into the water supply unit; And it is preferable to include a step of supplying the tub by mixing the liquid detergent and washing water introduced into the water supply.

In the supplying of the washing water and the liquid detergent, it is preferable that the second valve provided in the liquid detergent supply unit is opened before the first valve provided in the water supply part.

In addition, the decompression unit is preferably provided in the water supply pipe to reduce the diameter of the water supply pipe.

The calculating of the water supply amount and the liquid detergent supply amount of the washing water may include calculating a first water level value corresponding to the weight value of the laundry; And calculating a second level value proportional to the first level value.

In addition, the water level detection unit for measuring the water level value of the wash water supplied to the inside of the tub; And stopping the operation of at least one of the water supply unit and the liquid detergent supply unit when the level value detected by the level detector reaches the first level value or the second level value. desirable.

In addition, the operation of stopping at least one of the water supply unit and the liquid detergent supply unit stops the operation of the liquid detergent supply unit when the level value detected by the water level detection unit reaches the second level value. Making a step; And stopping the operation of the water supply unit when the level value detected by the level detecting unit reaches the first level value.

According to the control method of the washing machine of the present invention, by washing and supplying the washing liquid and the liquid detergent automatically in consideration of the water supply of the washing water at the time of washing, the user does not have to inject the liquid detergent every time when washing the desired amount Not only can supply liquid detergents in a timely manner, but liquid detergents do not come in direct contact with the laundry, so there is little risk of laundry damage.

In addition, the present invention, in the liquid detergent supply unit for supplying the liquid detergent, instead of having a separate pump or compressor for supplying the liquid detergent, the structure for supplying the liquid detergent by using the pressure drop by the pressure reducing unit By taking the, compared to having a separate pump or compressor, it is easy to manufacture, the volume and weight of the entire apparatus is reduced, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a control method of a washing machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For convenience of description, the thicknesses of the lines and the size of the elements shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of description. In addition, terms to be described later are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, which may vary according to the intention or custom of a user or an operator. Therefore, the definitions of these terms should be made based on the contents throughout the specification.

2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a washing machine applied to a control method of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a schematic view showing a part of the washing machine shown in Figure 2, Figure 4 is an embodiment of the present invention It is a block diagram which shows the washing machine which concerns on an example.

2 to 4, a washing machine 100 applied to a control method of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 110, a tub 120, a water supply unit 130, and a pressure reduction unit. The unit 140 and the liquid detergent supply unit 150.

The cabinet 110 forms an appearance of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment. Tub 120 and other devices are housed in this cabinet 110.

The tub 120 is horizontally installed in the cabinet 110. The tub 120 may be formed of a metal material, a plastic material, or a synthetic resin, and wash water is introduced into the tub 120. In the tub 120, a drum 125 for storing laundry is rotatably received.

The water supply unit 130 is connected to an external water source and is connected to the tub 120 to supply washing water to the tub 120. The water supply unit 130 may be directly connected to the tub 120, it may be connected to the tub 120 and may be connected to the detergent container 160 for supplying powder detergent, fabric softener, etc. to the tub 120. In this embodiment, the water supply unit 130 is illustrated as being connected to the tub 120 through the detergent container 160, but is not limited thereto.

The water supply unit 130 as described above includes a water supply pipe 131 and the first valve 135.

The water supply pipe 131 is connected to the tub 120, more specifically, the detergent container 160 connected to the tub 120, and the first valve 135 is provided to open and close the water supply pipe 131. The water supply pipe 131 includes a first water supply pipe 132 and a second water supply pipe 133.

The first water supply pipe 132 is disposed between the first valve 135 and the pressure reducing unit 140 to be described later. The first water supply pipe 132 is connected to an external water source, and when the first valve 135 is opened, the first water supply pipe 132 is a passage through which the washing water moves to the decompression unit 140.

The second water supply pipe 133 is disposed between the tub 110, that is, the detergent container 160 connected to the tub 120 and the pressure reducing unit 140, and is connected to the liquid detergent supply unit 150. The second water supply pipe 133 is a passage through which the washing water passing through the decompression unit 140 moves to the detergent container 160 and the tub 120, and the liquid detergent supplied from the liquid detergent supply unit 150 includes the detergent container ( 160 and tub 120 is a passage to move.

Decompression unit 140 is provided between the water supply unit 130, more specifically, the first water supply pipe 132 and the second water supply pipe 133. The decompression unit 140 increases the speed of the washing water moved to the second water supply pipe 133 by narrowing the width of the washing water flowing from the first water supply pipe 132 to the second water supply pipe 133, Accordingly, it serves to cause a pressure drop in the second water supply pipe 133.

As an example of such a pressure reducing unit 140, an orifice member is applied in this embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

The liquid detergent supply unit 150 is accommodated in the cabinet 110 and is connected to the water supply unit 130, more specifically, the second water supply pipe 133. The liquid detergent supply unit 150 is provided to supply the liquid detergent to the wash water passing through the pressure reduction unit 140, and includes a receiving tank 152, the supply pipe 154 and the second valve (156).

The receiving tank 152 is accommodated in the cabinet 110 and accommodates the liquid detergent. Supply tank 154 is connected to the receiving tank 152, the supply pipe 154 is connected to the water supply unit 130, more specifically, the second water supply pipe 133, the receiving tank 152 and the water supply unit 130 ). In addition, the supply pipe 154 is provided with a second valve 156. The second valve 156 is provided to open and close the supply pipe 154.

The liquid detergent supply unit 150 as described above may further include an injection unit 158 so that the user can inject liquid detergent into the receiving tank 152. The injection unit 158 communicates with the receiving tank 152 and is provided to be opened and closed.

The injection part 158 protrudes from the receiving tank 152 and is exposed to the outside of the cabinet 110 so that a user can inject liquid detergent from the outside of the cabinet 110 into the receiving tank 152. The cabinet 110 is provided to be exposed to the top.

As the injection unit 158 exposed to the outside of the cabinet 110 may damage the aesthetics of the washing machine 100 as described above, the cabinet 110 may be provided with a cover 112. The washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment includes a lid 112 that can be opened and closed, and when the liquid detergent is injected, the lid 112 is opened to expose the injection portion 158, and the injection portion 158 is normally used. You can keep your aesthetic by not exposing it.

In addition, the receiving tank 152 may be formed with an atmospheric pressure holding hole 151 for communicating the receiving tank 152 with the outside. The atmospheric pressure holding hole 151 serves to maintain the pressure inside the receiving tank 152 equal to the atmospheric pressure. The atmospheric pressure maintaining hole 151 may be formed to penetrate the injection part 158.

Hereinafter, the operation relationship of the liquid detergent supply unit 150 will be described.

When the first valve 135 is opened and the wash water flows into the first water supply pipe 132, the washing water passes through the pressure reducing unit 140, and its flow rate is increased than that of the first water supply pipe 132, thereby increasing the flow rate of the second water supply pipe ( 133 is moved. According to Bernoulli's Theorem, the pressure in the place where the flow of the fluid is faster becomes smaller than the pressure in the place where the flow of the fluid is slow, so that a pressure drop occurs in the second water supply pipe 133. At this time, the pressure of the second water supply pipe 133 is lower than the atmospheric pressure.

As the pressure drop occurs in the second water supply pipe 133 as described above, a pressure difference occurs between the second water supply pipe 133 and the storage tank 152 maintaining the atmospheric pressure. At this time, when the second valve 156 is open, the liquid detergent contained in the receiving tank 152 by the pressure difference between the receiving tank 152 and the second water supply pipe 133 is supplied to the second water supply pipe through the supply pipe 154 ( 133). The liquid detergent introduced into the second water supply pipe 133 is mixed with the wash water and supplied into the tub 110 through the detergent container 160.

Here, when the pressure difference between the second water supply pipe 133 and the receiving tank 152 is kept constant while the wash water flows into the water supply unit 130, the amount of the liquid detergent flowing into the second water supply pipe 133 is the amount of wash water. Will be proportional to the water supply.

On the other hand, the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment may further include a weight sensing unit 170 and the water level sensing unit 180.

The weight sensing unit 170 detects a weight value applied to the drum 125, that is, a weight value of laundry. The weight sensing unit 170 is configured to include a weight sensor for sensing the weight value of the drum (125). In addition, the water level detection unit 180 is configured to include a water level detection sensor to detect the water level value of the wash water supplied to the tub 120.

The controller 190 controls the operation of the entire washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment, and is connected to the weight sensing unit 170 and the water level sensing unit 180. The control unit 190 controls the operation of the water supply unit 130 and the liquid detergent supply unit 150 in accordance with a control signal transmitted from at least one of the weight detection unit 170 and the water level detection unit 180.

That is, the controller 190 controls the operation of the water supply unit 130 and the liquid detergent supply unit 150 according to the control signal transmitted from the weight detection unit 170, and the control transmitted from the water level detection unit 180 Control whether the water supply unit 130 and the liquid detergent supply unit 150 is stopped according to the signal. Detailed description thereof will be described later.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the operation and control method of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

First, when a user puts laundry into the drum 125 (S10) and operates the corresponding button of the control panel 195 related to the operation of the liquid detergent supply unit 150 (S20), the weight sensing unit 170 The control unit 190 transmits a control signal by detecting a weight value of laundry (S30).

The control unit 190 receiving the control signal from the weight detection unit 170 calculates the amount of water supply and the liquid detergent supply (S40).

Here, the water supply amount is calculated as the water level value of the wash water corresponding to the weight value of the laundry. In addition, the liquid detergent supply amount is calculated as the water level of the wash water corresponding to the weight value of the laundry, the amount of the liquid detergent is introduced into the second water supply pipe 133 in consideration of the proportion of the water supply of the wash water in consideration of the water supply amount It may be calculated as a level value proportional to the level value for.

Hereinafter, the water level value for the water supply amount of the wash water will be defined as the first water level value and the water level value for the liquid detergent supply amount as the second water level value.

When the water supply amount and the liquid detergent supply amount are calculated as described above, the controller 150 controls to open the first valve 135 and the second valve 156 (S50 and S60).

The first valve 135 and the second valve 156 may be open at the same time, either of which may be opened first, but when the first valve 135 is opened first, the air remaining in the supply pipe 154 Due to the fact that the liquid detergent may not be smoothly introduced, it is preferable to open the second valve 156 first.

As the first valve 135 and the second valve 156 is opened as described above, the washing water is supplied to the tub 120, and the liquid detergent supply unit is caused by the pressure drop of the second water supply pipe 133 generated at this time. Liquid detergent is supplied from the 150 to the second water supply pipe 133. The liquid detergent supplied to the second water supply pipe 133 is mixed with the wash water and supplied into the tub 120.

As such, while the washing water is supplied into the tub 120, the water level detecting unit 180 detects the level of the washing water inside the tub 120 (S70).

When the level value of the wash water reaches the second level value, the water level detection unit 180 detects this and transmits a control signal to the control unit 190 (S80). The control unit 190 receives the control signal, and recognizes that the liquid detergent is supplied by the set supply amount, and controls to close the second valve 156, accordingly, the liquid detergent supply unit 150 controls the supply of the liquid detergent. It stops (S90).

Even after the supply of the liquid detergent is stopped, the washing water supply to the inside of the tub 120 is continuously performed until the level value of the washing water reaches the first level value, during which the level sensing unit 180 is connected to the tub 120. ) Continuously detects the level value of the wash water inside (S100).

When the level value of the wash water reaches the first level value, the water level detection unit 180 detects this and transmits a control signal to the control unit 190 (S110). The control unit 190 receives the control signal, and recognizes that the washing water is supplied by the set amount of supply, and controls to close the first valve 135, accordingly, the water supply unit 130 stops supplying the washing water ( S120).

When the supply of the wash water and the liquid detergent is completed as described above, the controller 190 controls the washing machine 100 to start the washing operation (S130).

The washing machine 100 of the present embodiment as described above, by supplying the washing water and the liquid detergent automatically in consideration of the water supply amount of the washing water at the time of washing, there is no hassle for the user to put the liquid detergent at the time of washing. In addition to being able to supply the desired amount of liquid detergent in a timely manner, since the liquid detergent does not directly contact the laundry, there is an advantage of less laundry damage.

In addition, in the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, when the liquid detergent supply unit 150 supplies the liquid detergent, instead of having a separate pump or compressor for supplying the liquid detergent, By taking the structure of supplying the liquid detergent by using the pressure drop, compared to having a separate pump or compressor, it is easy to manufacture, the volume and weight of the entire device is reduced, there is an advantage that the manufacturing cost is reduced.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art to which the art belongs can make various modifications and other equivalent embodiments therefrom. Will understand. In addition, the drum-type washing machine has been described as an example, but this is merely exemplary, and the present invention may be applied to a washing machine other than the drum-type washing machine. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the claims below.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of a drum type conventional washing machine.

2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a washing machine applied to the control method of the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a schematic view showing a part of the washing machine shown in FIG. 2.

4 is a block diagram showing a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100: washing machine 110: cabinet

112: cover 120: tub

130: water supply unit 131: water supply pipe

132: first water supply pipe 133: second water supply pipe

135: first valve 140: pressure reducing unit

150: liquid detergent supply unit 152: receiving tank

154: supply pipe 156: second valve

160: detergent container 170: weight detection unit

180: water level detection unit 190: control unit

Claims (7)

Transmitting a liquid detergent supply command to the control unit; Detecting a weight value of the laundry contained in the weight sensing unit in the drum; Calculating a water supply amount of the wash water and a liquid detergent supply amount according to the sensed weight value; And supplying the washing water and the liquid detergent to the tub according to the calculated amount. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying the wash water and the liquid detergent, Introducing washing water into the water supply unit; Passing the washing water introduced into the water supply unit to a decompression unit; Introducing a liquid detergent contained in a liquid detergent supply unit into the water supply unit; And And mixing the liquid detergent and washing water introduced into the water supply unit and supplying the tub to the tub. The method of claim 2, The supplying of the washing water and the liquid detergent may include opening a second valve provided in the liquid detergent supply unit before the first valve provided in the water supply part. The method of claim 2, The decompression unit is provided in the water supply unit to control the washing machine, characterized in that to reduce the diameter of the water supply. The method of claim 1, Calculating the water supply amount and the liquid detergent supply amount of the wash water, Calculating a first water level value corresponding to the weight value of the laundry; And And calculating a second water level value proportional to the first water level value. The method of claim 5, Measuring a water level of the wash water supplied to the inside of the tub by a water level sensing unit; And And stopping operation of at least one of the water supply unit and the liquid detergent supply unit when the level value detected by the level detection unit reaches the first level value or the second level value. Control method of the washing machine. The method of claim 5, wherein the stopping of at least one of the water supply unit and the liquid detergent supply unit comprises: Stopping the operation of the liquid detergent supply unit when the level value detected by the level detector reaches the second level value; And And stopping the operation of the water supply unit when the water level value detected by the water level detection unit reaches the first water level value.

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