KR20110004751A - Detergent supplying apparatus of washing machine and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A detergent supplying device for a washing machine and a control method thereof are provided to prevent detergent from being remained in a detergent throwing unit by increasing time required for melting the detergent with water. CONSTITUTION: A detergent supplying device for a washing machine comprises a detergent throwing unit(10), a pipeline(30), and an opening and closing unit(40). The detergent throwing unit supplies detergent. The pipeline connects the detergent throwing unit and a tub(14). The opening and closing unit opens and closes the pipeline. The opening and closing unit comprises a valve member(48) connected to a controller.

Description

DETERGENT SUPPLYING APPARATUS OF WASHING MACHINE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a detergent supply apparatus for a washing machine and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a detergent supply apparatus for a washing machine which increases the time for dissolving the detergent in the detergent input unit so that no residual detergent remains in the detergent input unit and the same. It relates to a control method.

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. Among them, the drum washing machine is a top-loading washing machine. In addition to the overall height can be reduced, as well as increase the laundry capacity and rarely problems such as entanglement, the demand is increasing.

The drum type washing machine includes a tub that is elastically supported by a spring and a damper in the main body, a drum rotatably installed in the tub and containing laundry, and a driving unit axially connected to the drum.

The upper part of the drum is provided with a detergent input unit connected to the water supply line, and the detergent input unit is provided with a detergent container drawer which is detachably installed to allow the user to input the detergent.

In the washing machine configured as described above, the powdered detergent, the bleach and the softener are put into the detergent drawer before washing, and then the type of laundry or the washing time are set through the control panel and the start button is pressed. A series of processes, including rinsing and dehydration, are performed automatically.

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 in the state where the washing water is supplied due to the characteristics of the drum washing machine. do.

Liquid detergent or powder detergent is added to the detergent input section, and water is supplied to the detergent and tub together with water.

The technical structure described above is a background technique for assisting the understanding of the present invention, and does not mean the prior art widely known in the technical field to which the present invention belongs.

Residual detergent is left in the detergent input area, and when rinsing, detergent is introduced into the tub together with water, and the washing efficiency is reduced. Can be. Therefore, there is a need for improvement.

The present invention has been made by the necessity as described above, and provides a detergent supplying device for a washing machine and a method of controlling the detergent in the detergent inlet is sufficiently dissolved with water and supplied to the tub to improve the washing efficiency. There is a purpose.

Detergent supply device for a washing machine according to the present invention includes: a detergent input part to which detergent is supplied, a pipe part connecting the detergent input part and the tub, and an opening / closing part to open and close the pipe part.

In addition, the opening and closing portion preferably includes a valve member which is connected to the control unit.

In addition, the opening and closing portion, it is preferable to include a synchronous motor for providing power and a moving member for opening and closing the conduit in conjunction with the synchronous motor.

The control method of the detergent supply device for a washing machine according to the present invention includes the steps of: closing the pipeline, supplying water to the detergent inlet containing detergent after closing the pipeline, and closing time of the pipeline Determining whether or not the abnormality and if the closing time of the conduit portion is more than the set time comprises the step of opening the conduit.

Also in the step of closing the conduit, the conduit is preferably closed by the operation of the opening and closing.

In the washing machine detergent supply device and a control method thereof according to the present invention, the opening and closing of the conduit portion connecting the detergent input portion and the tub is controlled by the use of the opening and closing portion, so that the detergent is sufficiently dissolved in water and supplied to the tub for washing. The efficiency can be improved.

Hereinafter, a detergent supply apparatus for a washing machine and a control method thereof according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For convenience of description, a detergent supply apparatus provided in the drum washing machine and a control method thereof will be described as an example. In this process, the thickness of the lines or the size of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of description. In addition, the terms described below are defined in consideration of the functions of the present invention, which may vary depending on the intention or custom of the user, the operator. Therefore, definitions of these terms should be made based on the contents throughout the specification.

1 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a detergent supply apparatus for a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a view showing a state in which the supply of water through the pipeline by operating the opening and closing portion shown in FIG. Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view, Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the opening and closing portion shown in Figure 1 is allowed to supply water through the conduit, Figure 4 shows a control state of the opening and closing portion according to an embodiment of the present invention 5 is a block diagram illustrating a control state of the opening and closing unit according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the detergent supply device for a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. .

1 to 4, the detergent supply device 1 for a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a detergent input unit 10, a detergent input unit 10, and a tub 14 to which detergent is supplied. It includes a conduit portion 30 for connecting the opening and closing portion 40 for opening and closing the conduit portion 30.

A tub 14 is installed in a horizontal direction inside the cabinet 12 forming the exterior of the washing machine.

The tub 14 may be formed of a metal material, a plastic material, or a synthetic resin. The tub 14 may be provided with wash water introduced therein, and the drum 16 may accommodate the laundry. do.

The drum 16 is connected to the motor 18 and rotates, and the front surface of the tub 14 is opened and closed by the door 20.

Detergent input unit 10 is connected to the water supply pipe 22 for supplying water, detergent supplied to the detergent input unit 10 includes any one of a liquid detergent and a powder detergent, in addition to various additives such as fabric softener It may be supplied to the detergent inlet (10).

The detergent inlet 10 and the tub 14 are connected by the conduit 30, and the water supplied to the detergent inlet 10 through the water supply pipe 22 is a tub 14 along the conduit 30. Is supplied.

The conduit part 30 may include a conduit member having various shapes, including a corrugated pipe.

The opening and closing part 40 may be connected to the control unit 50 and various operating members may be used in the technical concept of opening and closing the conduit part 30.

Opening and closing part 40 according to an embodiment includes a valve member 48 is operated in connection with the control unit 50, the control unit 50 is connected to the operation unit 52 for receiving the operation signal of the user.

The valve member 48 may be a variety of valves including a solenoid valve in the technical concept of opening and closing the conduit 30 in accordance with the signal of the controller 50.

As shown in FIG. 5, the opening and closing portion 40 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a moving member for opening and closing the opening and closing portion 40 in cooperation with the synchronous motor 44 and the synchronous motor 44 which provide power. 46).

When the control unit 50 connected to the operation unit 52 receives an operation signal from the operation unit 52, the control unit 50 operates the synchronous motor 44, so that the moving member 46 connected to the synchronous motor 44 operates. To open and close the pipeline 30.

The synchronous motor 44 includes a step motor that provides rotational power, and the plate-shaped moving member 46 axially connected to the synchronous motor 44 opens and closes the conduit part 30 according to the rotated angle.

Since the moving member 46 is moved by the synchronous motor 44, the shape and operating state of the synchronous motor 44 and the moving member 46 in the technical concept of opening and closing the conduit part 30 will have various embodiments. Of course.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a control method of the washing machine detergent supply device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 1 and 6, the control method of the washing machine detergent supply device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the pipeline 30 for connecting the detergent inlet 10 and the tub 14 ) Closing the step (S10).

When the user enters the washing mode through the operation unit 52, an input signal is transmitted to the control unit 50 connected to the operation unit 52, and the control unit 50 operates the opening and closing unit 40 to close the conduit unit 30. do.

Detergent injection unit 10 is used in a variety of forms, such as a liquid detergent or a powder detergent such as detergents and fabric softeners are used in a stored state, or every time used.

Opening and closing portion 40 according to an embodiment uses a valve member 48 for opening and closing the flow of water flowing along the pipeline (30). When power is applied to the valve member 48, the valve member 48 may be operated to shield the conduit part 30, and so on.

Opening and closing unit 40 according to another embodiment is a synchronous motor 44 is rotated by a set angle in response to the signal from the control unit 50 to provide a rotational power. The movable member 46 which is connected to the synchronous motor 44 and the shaft is rotated to shield the opening and closing part 40 such that various modifications can be made using the power of the synchronous motor 44.

Then, after closing the conduit 30, water is supplied to the detergent input unit 10 containing the detergent. (S20)

As shown in FIG. 2, when water is supplied to the detergent injecting unit 10, the water mixed with the liquid detergent or the powder detergent does not pass through the conduit unit 30, but is stuck.

The water mixed with the detergent is dissolved in the water while staying in the conduit 30 and the detergent input portion 10 for a predetermined time before being supplied to the tub 14.

The set time at which the opening and closing part 40 is operated is obtained as an experimental value of the time in which the detergent is dissolved in water, and the set time is varied in consideration of the amount of the detergent supplied and the amount of water to be input.

The setting time is input to the control unit 50, and the control unit 50 selects a corresponding setting time based on values input through various types of sensors such as a sensor for detecting the amount of laundry and a sensor for measuring the amount of detergent. To operate the opening and closing portion 40.

Then, it is determined whether the closing time of the pipeline 30 is equal to or greater than the set time. (S30)

If the closing time of the conduit section 30 is less than or equal to the set time, the detergent is not sufficiently dissolved in water, and the controller 50 determines whether the closing time of the conduit section 30 is equal to or greater than the set time.

And, if the closing time of the conduit 30 is more than the set time, the conduit 30 is opened. (S40)

As shown in FIG. 3, the conduit 30, which was blocked by the operation of the valve member 48 connected to the controller 50, is opened, and the water remaining on the upper side of the conduit 30 is supplied to the tub 14.

Since detergent is supplied to the tub 14 after being mixed with water and dissolved during the set time, detergent does not remain in the detergent input part 10, thus preventing detergent from entering the tub 14 together with water during rinsing. Improve the washing efficiency.

In addition, since the detergent is sufficiently dissolved in water and supplied to the tub 14, the detergent may directly contact the laundry, thereby preventing the stain from being caused.

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. I will understand.

In addition, the detergent supply apparatus for a washing machine installed in a drum washing machine and a control method thereof have been described as an example. However, this is merely exemplary. Can be used.

Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the claims.

1 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a detergent supply apparatus for a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the opening and closing portion shown in Figure 1 operates to block the supply of water through the pipeline.

3 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the opening and closing portion shown in Figure 1 is operated to allow the supply of water through the pipeline.

4 is a block diagram showing a control state of the opening and closing part according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a block diagram showing a control state of the opening and closing part according to another embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a detergent supply device for a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of Symbols for Main Parts of Drawings>

1: detergent supply unit 10: detergent inlet

14: Tub 22: water pipe

30: pipe part 40: opening and closing part

44: synchronous motor 46: moving member

48: valve member 50: control unit

Claims (5)

Detergent input unit is supplied detergent; A pipe part connecting the detergent inlet part and the tub; And Detergent supply device for a washing machine comprising an opening and closing unit for opening and closing the conduit. The method of claim 1, The opening and closing part washing machine detergent supply device characterized in that it comprises a valve member which is operated in connection with the control unit. The method of claim 1, The opening and closing unit, a synchronous motor for providing power; And And a moving member which opens and closes the conduit part in association with the synchronous motor. Closing the conduit; Supplying water to a detergent input part including a detergent after closing the pipe part; Determining whether the closing time of the conduit unit is greater than or equal to a set time; And The control method of the detergent supply apparatus for a washing machine comprising the step of opening the conduit if the closing time of the conduit portion is more than the set time. The method of claim 4, wherein In the step of closing the conduit, the control unit of the detergent supply apparatus for a washing machine, characterized in that the closing of the opening and closing part.

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