KR20220026821A - Dishwasher and control method therof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher to provide an advantage of having to add detergent to a detergent dispenser every dishwashing and a control method thereof. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises: a main body having a space for washing dishes formed therein and whose front surface is opened; a door selectively opening and closing the open front surface of the main body; and an automatic detergent supply device mounted on the door. The automatic detergent supply device includes a detergent box in which detergent for dish washing is stored and having an outlet formed at one side of the lower part, and a fixed amount control unit configured to discharge a predetermined amount of detergent from the detergent box. The fixed amount control unit includes: a cylinder having a suction port connected to the outlet, having a discharge port exposed to the space for dish washing, and having a piston chamber formed therein; a piston sucking the detergent through the suction port and discharging detergent into the space for washing dishes through the discharge port while moving up and down inside the cylinder; and a driving means raising and lowering the piston.

Description

Dishwasher and control method thereof

The present invention relates to a dishwasher equipped with an automatic detergent supply device and a method for controlling the same.

A dishwasher may be defined as a home appliance that uses detergent and washing water to wash contaminants including food residues on dishes and cooking utensils.

The dishwasher includes a main body having an open front and a tub therein, a door opening and closing the front of the main body, a sump installed at the bottom of the tub to store washing water, and a washing nozzle extending from the upper surface of the sump do.

The dish washing process includes a soaking process of soaking food residues on the tableware, a washing process of adding detergent, a rinsing process of putting in a rinse aid, and a drying process of drying the washed dishes.

According to the current structure of the dishwasher, the user rotates the door forward before starting dish washing to inject powder or liquid detergent into the detergent supply device mounted on the door.

Then, when a washing start command is input after closing the door, the detergent supply device is opened during the washing process and detergent is supplied into the tub.

As described above, in the related art, there is a inconvenience in that the user has to directly inject the detergent into the detergent supply device every time the dish is washed.

In addition, as shown in Prior Art 1 below, when a single solenoid valve is installed to supply detergent, a problem that a certain amount of detergent cannot be supplied may occur.

For example, even if a slight error occurs in the opening and closing time of the detergent inlet by the solenoid valve, the amount of detergent supplied to the tub may vary. As a result, the quantitative supply of the detergent may not be achieved, which may cause excessive consumption of the detergent.

In addition, while the detergent box is filled with detergent, it is inconvenient to keep the door of the dishwasher in an open state, and a leakage phenomenon in which the detergent flows down the back of the door liner while filling the detergent often occurs.

In addition, since the user has to determine the amount of detergent by intuition without objective criteria, cost loss due to the abuse of the detergent is caused.

In order to solve this problem, there have been concerns about how to determine the amount of detergent according to the degree of contamination of the dishes.

In Prior Art 2 below, a method for determining the quantity of detergent input in a dishwasher in which the controller of the dishwasher determines the contamination level of dishes accommodated in the tub of the dishwasher, determines the amount of detergent to be added according to the contamination level, and informs the user content is disclosed.

However, in the case of the prior art, since the controller of the dishwasher only informs the user of the amount of detergent to be injected through the display unit, the user eventually opens the door of the dishwasher and a detergent input device or tub provided on the rear surface of the door. The detergent must be directly injected into the interior.

At this time, since dishwashing has already been performed primarily before the contamination level is detected, the rear surface of the door and the detergent input device mounted on the rear surface of the door are contaminated by the washing water. In addition, there is an inconvenience in that the user has to touch the contaminated rear surface of the door and the detergent input device by hand.

Prior Art 1: Korea Dragon Safety Publication No. 1989-0000015 (March 02, 1989) Prior Art 2: Korea Patent Publication No. 1998-041185 (August 17, 1998)

The present invention is proposed to improve the above problems.

According to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, there is provided a dishwasher comprising: a body having a space therein for washing dishes and having an open front; a door selectively opening and closing the opened front surface of the main body; It may include an automatic detergent supply device mounted on the door.

The automatic detergent supply device may include: a detergent box in which detergent for washing dishes is stored and an outlet is formed on one lower side; and a quantitative control unit for discharging a predetermined amount of detergent from the detergent box.

The quantitative control unit includes a cylinder having a suction port connected to the outlet and a discharge port exposed to the space for washing dishes, respectively, and having a piston chamber formed therein, and the suction port while ascending and descending inside the cylinder and a piston for discharging the detergent to the space for washing dishes through the discharge port after suctioning the detergent through the port, and a driving means for raising and lowering the piston.

Also, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a control method of a dishwasher includes a detergent box and a quantitative control unit connected to the detergent box, the method comprising: supplying washing water into a tub; detecting the level of contamination of dishes after water supply is completed; determining a detergent input amount corresponding to the sensed contamination level; and supplying an amount of detergent corresponding to the determined input amount to the tub by driving the quantitative control unit; and the detergent input is completed and the main washing process is performed.

According to the dish washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration, there is an advantage that the user does not need to inject detergent into the detergent supply device every time the dish is washed.

That is, when the detergent box that can supply more than a certain amount of detergent is sufficiently filled with detergent, the automatically set amount of detergent is automatically supplied into the tub. In particular, it can be said that the effect is maximized when the detergent is a liquid detergent.

In addition, if the detergent is charged when the amount of detergent remaining in the detergent box is less than the set amount, dishwashing can be performed multiple times, so that the number of times the detergent is supplied by the user is significantly reduced.

In addition, according to the control method of the dishwasher according to the embodiment of the present invention, the contamination level of the dishes is measured before the main washing is started, and an appropriate amount of detergent is determined based on the measured contamination level, and the determined amount of detergent is automatically added to the washing machine. Since it is automatically supplied into the tub from the supply device, there is an advantage in that the user does not need to open the door of the dishwasher to inject detergent.

In addition, since there is no need to open the door of the dishwasher, the user does not need to suffer the inconvenience of directly touching the back surface of the contaminated door, which increases convenience of use and is advantageous in terms of hygiene.

1 is a front perspective view of a dishwasher door equipped with an automatic detergent supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a front view of a door liner constituting the dishwasher door;
3 is a rear perspective view of the dishwasher door;
4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a quantitative control unit constituting an automatic detergent supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the quantitative control unit taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4;
6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention for the quantitative supply of detergent.
7 is a front perspective view of a turbidity sensor mounted on a sump of a dishwasher to which a control method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied;
8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the turbidity sensor taken along line 8-8 of FIG.

Hereinafter, an automatic detergent supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention, a dishwasher door having the same, and a control method of a dishwasher having the automatic detergent supplying device will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a front perspective view of a dishwasher door equipped with an automatic detergent supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of a door liner constituting the dishwasher door, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the dishwasher door It is a rear perspective view, FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the quantity control unit constituting the automatic detergent supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the quantity control unit taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 .

1 to 5 , the door 10 of the dishwasher provided with the automatic detergent supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a door cover 11 forming a front exterior, and the door cover 11 . The door liner 12 coupled to the rear surface of the door cover 11, the door handle 13 mounted on the front side of the door liner 12 corresponding to the upper end of the door cover 11, the left and right sides of the door liner 14 It may include a door hinge 14 coupled to the lower end, and an automatic detergent supply device mounted on the door liner 12 .

In detail, the door 10 is rotatably coupled to the front surface of the main body (not shown) of the dishwasher by the door hinge 14 . And, when the door 10 closes the opening formed on the front surface of the main body, the rear edge of the door liner 12 is in close contact with the front surface of the main body.

A sump for collecting washing water for washing dishes is mounted in the center of the bottom of the main body, and a washing pump for pumping washing water, a filter for filtering foreign substances, a disposer for crushing foreign substances, and the contamination level of the washing water are detected It is equipped with a turbidity sensor that cleans the water and a drain pump that drains the washing water.

A washing nozzle extends from the upper surface of the sump, and the washing water pumped by the washing pump moves along the washing nozzle and is sprayed onto the surface of the dishes loaded in the body.

The door liner 12 includes a liner edge 121 , a liner body 122 protruding forward from an inner edge of the liner edge 121 , and a recessed or stepped portion at an approximately central portion of the liner body 122 . It may include a detergent box seating part 123 .

The liner edge 121 protrudes toward the rear of the door 10 along the edge of the door liner 12 , and is inserted into the main body of the dishwasher when the door 10 is closed. In addition, the outer side of the liner edge 121 may be in close contact with the inner side of the body. Here, the term "adherence" may be understood to include not only the case where the outer side of the liner edge 121 and the inner side of the body come into contact with each other, but also include being spaced apart from each other by a very close distance.

The liner body 122 may protrude forward of the door 10 opposite to the protrusion direction of the liner edge 121 .

The front surface of the liner body 122 and the rear surface of the door cover 11 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, so that a predetermined space may be formed between the door cover 11 and the door liner 12 . In addition, various components including a heat insulating material and a sound insulating member may be accommodated in the predetermined space.

The detergent box seating part 123 is recessed to a predetermined depth in the same direction as the depression direction of the liner edge 121 , that is, toward the rear of the door 10 , and the detergent box seating part 123 has an automatic detergent supply device. (A) can be seated.

The automatic detergent supply device A may include a detergent box 20 filled with detergent, and a quantitative control unit 30 coupled to one side of the detergent box 20 to control quantitative discharge of detergent. .

In addition, the automatic detergent supply device A may further include a water level sensor 40 mounted inside the detergent box 20 . The water level sensor 40 may be mounted at a point adjacent to the lower end of the detergent box 20 .

The detergent box seating part 123 may be recessed or stepped to a depth corresponding to the thickness of the detergent box 20 . In detail, the detergent box seating part 123 may include a bottom part 1231 on which the detergent box 20 is placed, and a side part formed along an edge of the bottom part 1231 .

The side portion may include left and right side portions 1232 and a lower side portion 1233 , and the width of the side portion may be understood as a depression depth of the detergent box seating portion 123 . The upper end of the detergent box seating portion 123 may extend to the upper end of the liner body 122 , and thus the upper side portion may not be formed.

An inlet cover 24 is formed on the rear surface adjacent to the upper end of the detergent box 20 , and a through hole 1211a through which the inlet cover 24 passes through the bottom 1231 of the detergent box seating part 123 . ) is formed. Accordingly, when the detergent box 20 is seated on the detergent box seating part 123 , the inlet cover 24 protrudes from the rear surface of the door 10 .

With this structure, in order to refill the detergent in the detergent box 20, the user opens the inlet cover 24 while rotating the door 10 forward by a predetermined angle to pour detergent into the detergent box ( 20) can be injected.

A port through hole 121a is formed in the lower side portion 1233 of the detergent box seating part 123, and a discharge port 33 (to be described later) of the fixed quantity supply unit 30 passes through the port through hole 121a. It may pass through and extend to the rear of the liner body 122 .

In other words, the discharge port 33 passes through the port through hole 121a and is exposed inside the tub of the dishwasher body when the door 10 is closed. Accordingly, the detergent discharged through the discharge port 33 flows down to the bottom of the tub in which the dish rack is accommodated, and flows into the sump in which the washing water is stored.

The lower end of the detergent box 20 is inclined downward, and the outlet 201 is formed at the lowermost end. In other words, the outlet 201 is formed at the corner where the lowermost end and the side surface of the detergent box meet. Then, the quantitative control unit 30 is mounted on the outlet 201 .

Meanwhile, the quantitative control unit 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a cylinder 31 having a piston chamber 311 formed therein, and a suction port 32 extending horizontally from the lower end side of the cylinder 31 . ) and a discharge port 33 extending further from the lower end of the cylinder 31 .

The cylinder 31, the suction port 32, and the discharge port 32 are formed as a single body, and may be defined as a housing.

The suction port 32 and the discharge port 33 may extend in a direction perpendicular to each other.

A suction port 321 is formed at an end of the suction port 32 , and the suction port 32 is connected to the discharge port 201 of the detergent box 20 .

The cross-section of the piston chamber 311 may be formed in any one of a circular shape, an oval shape, and a polygonal shape.

The quantitative control unit 30 includes a piston 36 accommodated in the piston chamber 311 , a crankshaft 37 tiltably connected to an upper end of the piston 36 , and the crankshaft 37 . ) may further include a rotary link 38 connected to the upper end, and a motor 39 for rotating the rotary link 38 . A planar shape of the piston 36 may be the same as a cross-sectional shape of the piston chamber 311 .

The rotation shaft 391 of the motor 39 passes through the rear surface of the cylinder 31 and is inserted into the piston chamber 311 .

The rotation link 38 may include a link body 381 and a link arm 382 extending a predetermined length forward from the front surface of the link body 381 .

In a state in which the link body 381 is in close contact with the rear surface of the piston chamber 311 , the rotation shaft 391 of the motor 39 passes through the upper end of the link body 381 , the link body 381 . and rotate as one body.

In addition, the link arm 382 protrudes from the lower end of the link body 381 and passes through the upper end of the crank shaft 37 . An upper end of the crankshaft 37 is rotatably connected to the link arm 382 .

In addition, a crank arm 371 protrudes from the lower end of the crank shaft 37 in the front-rear direction.

The interior of the piston 36 may be formed in an empty cylindrical shape, or may be formed in a filled block shape.

A pair of brackets 361 are extended on the upper surface of the piston 36, and the lower end of the crankshaft 37 is sandwiched between the pair of brackets 361, and the crank arm 371 is Penetrates a pair of brackets (361).

The piston 36 may be pivotally connected to the crank arm 371 .

One or a plurality of sealing members 362 are mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the piston 36 to prevent the detergent from leaking between the piston 36 and the inner circumferential surface of the piston chamber 311 .

When the motor 38 alternately rotates clockwise and counterclockwise, the crankshaft 37 repeatedly ascends and descends, and as a result, the piston 36 rises or descends.

As another method, the motor 39 rotates in only one direction, so that the upper end of the crankshaft 37 moves in a circular motion around the rotation shaft 391 .

In detail, when the fixed quantity supply unit 30 is controlled to always supply a certain amount of detergent, the motor 39 rotates in only one direction so that the piston 36 moves between the bottom dead center and top dead center. Top Dead Center) can be reciprocated.

On the other hand, when the amount of detergent supplied is controlled to be different according to the degree of contamination of the dishes, the motor 39 rotates in one direction to raise the piston 36 to a set height, and then rotates again in the opposite direction. Thus, the piston 36 can be lowered to the bottom dead center.

A lower region of the piston 36 may be defined as a suction chamber 312 , and the suction chamber 312 is configured to communicate with the suction port 32 and the discharge port 33 .

In addition, a suction-side check valve 34 and a discharge-side check valve 35 may be installed inside the suction port 32 and the discharge port 33 , respectively.

The suction-side check valve 34 selectively opens and closes the suction port 321 of the suction port 32 , and the discharge-side check valve 35 selectively opens and closes the discharge port 33 .

Also, since the suction port 321 of the suction port 32 communicates with the discharge port 201 of the detergent box 20 , the suction side check valve 34 receives the pressure of the detergent at atmospheric pressure.

In detail, when the motor 39 rotates in one direction, the crankshaft 37 and the piston 36 rise while the rotation link 38 rotates. As the piston 36 rises, the pressure in the suction chamber 312 becomes lower than atmospheric pressure. As a result, the suction-side check valve 34 moves into the suction port 32 (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4 ), so that the suction port 321 is opened.

Then, detergent is introduced through the suction port 321 , and the detergent flowing into the suction port 32 is guided to the suction chamber 312 .

In addition, as the piston 36 rises, the volume of the suction chamber 312 increases, and the detergent is filled in the suction chamber 312 .

When the piston 36 reaches the set height, the motor 39 rotates in the opposite direction to lower the piston 36 .

As the piston 36 descends, the pressure inside the suction chamber 312 rises to a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. As a result, a portion of the detergent supplied to the suction chamber 312 pushes the discharge-side check valve 35 downward to open the opening 332 formed at the inlet of the discharge port 33 . Then, the detergent is supplied into the tub through the open opening 332 and the discharge port 331 formed at the outlet of the discharge port 33 .

The remaining portion of the detergent supplied to the suction chamber 312 pushes the suction-side check valve 34 so that the suction-side check valve 34 blocks the suction port 321 . As a result, the detergent introduced into the suction chamber 312 does not flow back into the detergent box 20 through the suction port 32 .

In addition, the amount of detergent supplied to the tub through the discharge port 33 may be set differently depending on the degree of contamination of the dishes. It corresponds to the amount of detergent to be filled in the suction chamber (312) when. That is, it may be understood that the amount of detergent corresponding to the degree of contamination is proportional to the amount of rotation of the motor 39 .

Meanwhile, a water level sensor 40 for detecting whether the detergent is exhausted may be mounted inside the detergent box 20 .

The water level sensor 40 may be mounted at a point spaced upward from the outlet 201 of the detergent box 20 to detect the detergent in the detergent box 20 before it is completely exhausted.

Accordingly, when the low water level notification signal is transmitted from the water level sensor 40 to the main control unit of the dishwasher, the main control unit determines that the detergent is almost exhausted. In addition, the main control unit may output an alarm signal through a display unit or a speaker of the dishwasher.

Then, since the user can refill the detergent before the detergent is completely exhausted, the interruption of the washing cycle due to insufficient detergent or the impossibility of the washing cycle can be prevented in advance.

The water level sensor 40 may include any one of a capacitive sensor, a float sensor, an infrared sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor.

For example, when the capacitive sensor is mounted, the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the ground electrode are vertically spaced apart from each other. In addition, before the water level of the detergent reaches the low water level, all electrodes of the sensor are maintained in an energized state, and when the low water level is reached, the energized state of the electrode located at the top is released and a warning signal is transmitted to the control unit.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a dishwasher according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for the quantitative supply of detergent.

Referring to FIG. 6 , in the control method according to an embodiment of the present invention, a user selects a dish washing mode by manipulating a control panel provided on the main body or door of the dishwasher, and then presses a washing start button to receive a dish washing mode start command. input is a prerequisite.

In detail, when a washing start command is input, washing water is supplied from the water supply source to the sump of the dish washing machine (S11).

When the water supply is complete, a soaking process is performed as a pre-treatment to allow foreign substances, including rice paste, attached to the tableware to be easily separated from the tableware (S12). The soaking process may be understood to include a process of heating the washing water supplied to the sump to a high temperature, spraying the heated washing water on the surface of the dishes through a spray nozzle, and waiting for a set time.

When the soaking process is finished, a rough washing process in which only washing water is sprayed on the surface of the dishes without detergent input may be performed (S13). Through the rough cleaning process, foreign substances on the surface of the dishes are separated and collected in the sump. In addition, the turbidity sensor 50 (refer to FIG. 7 ) mounted inside the sump senses the contamination level of the washing water collected into the sump together with foreign substances after being sprayed on the surface of the dishes through the spray nozzle.

When a turbidity sensor is employed as a means for detecting the level of contamination of dishes, the level of contamination on the surface of the dishes cannot be directly detected. Therefore, a portion of the foreign substances on the dishes is collected in the sump through rough washing, and the contamination level of the washing water including the foreign substances is detected by the turbidity sensor. Then, the amount of detergent is determined by converting the contamination level of the washing water sensed by the turbidity sensor to the tableware contamination level.

On the other hand, when an image sensor including a camera mounted inside the tub other than a turbidity sensor is used as a means for detecting the contamination level of dishes, the soaking (S12) and rough washing (S13) processes are not performed, and water supply (S11) Immediately after the completion of the pollution level detection process (S14) may be performed.

For example, since the control unit analyzes the resolution of the surface image of the tableware captured by the image sensor including the camera to calculate the contamination level of the tableware, the rough cleaning process may not be required.

Here, the rough washing may be understood as a process including the soaking. Alternatively, the rough washing may be performed immediately after completing the water supply, omitting a separate soaking process.

The contamination level of the washing water sensed by the turbidity sensor is transmitted to the control unit, and the control unit calculates a detergent input amount corresponding to the received contamination level value. The pollution degree may be subdivided into a plurality of grades, and the amount of detergent input for each grade may be stored in the form of a lookup table.

In this embodiment, it is explained that the degree of contamination of the washing water is divided into three grades as an example, but it is noted that it may be subdivided into three or more grades.

In detail, when it is determined that the contamination level of the washing water detected by the turbidity sensor is equal to or greater than the maximum contamination level (A) (S15), the controller determines the detergent input amount as the maximum detergent amount (S16).

And, when it is determined that the sensed contamination level is less than the maximum contamination level (A) and greater than or equal to the intermediate contamination level (B) (S20), the controller determines the amount of detergent input as the intermediate amount of detergent (S21).

And, if it is determined that the sensed contamination level is less than the intermediate contamination level (B), the control unit determines the basic detergent amount (S22).

으로 설정할 수 있다. The basic detergent amount is, for example, the detergent amount a filled in the suction chamber 312 .

can be set to

으로 설정할 수 있다. 이를 위해서 상기 모터(39)는 상기 피스톤(36)이 하사점에 있을 때를 출발점으로 하여 60도씩 회전하여 터브로 공급되는 세제량이 a, 2a, 3a

중 어느 하나가 되도록 할 수 있다. Specifically, assuming that the degree of contamination is divided into three stages, the volume of the suction chamber 312 is divided into three equal parts, and the detergent amount corresponding to 1/3 of the volume of the suction chamber 312 is a

can be set to To this end, the motor 39 rotates by 60 degrees from the starting point when the piston 36 is at the bottom dead center, and the amount of detergent supplied to the tub is a, 2a, 3a.

can be any one of them.

However, this is only an example, and it should be noted that the basic detergent amount, the intermediate detergent amount, and the maximum detergent amount may be set to an amount in which a direct proportional relationship is not established.

When the amount of detergent input according to the degree of contamination is determined, the control unit controls the driving of the quantitative control unit 30 (S17), so that a set amount of detergent is introduced into the tub.

When the detergent input is completed by the operation of the quantitative control valve 30 (S18), the control unit allows the main washing process to be performed in earnest (S19).

The main washing process may include at least one washing process using washing water containing detergent, at least one rinsing process, at least one draining process, and at least one drying process.

7 is a front perspective view of a turbidity sensor mounted on a sump of a dishwasher to which a control method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the turbidity sensor taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7 .

7 and 8 , the turbidity sensor 50 used in the method for controlling a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on one side of the sump.

In detail, the sump is mounted on a bottom of a tub in which dishes are accommodated, and a washing water space in which washing water is collected is formed in the sump. The turbidity sensor 50 is exposed to the wash water space, and senses the turbidity of the wash water collected in the wash water space.

Washing water is sprayed on the surface of the dishes through a washing water nozzle extending from the upper surface of the tub, and the washing water that collides with the surface of the dishes and falls to the bottom of the tub together with foreign substances is collected again in the washing water space.

The washing water collected in the washing water space is repeatedly supplied to the washing water nozzle by the washing pump.

The turbidity sensor 50 includes a light emitting unit 51 emitting a predetermined light L, a light receiving unit 31 receiving light emitted from the light emitting unit 51 , and the light emitting unit 51 , A spacer 53 disposed between the light receiving units 52 may be included.

The spacer 53 functions to space the light emitting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 52 apart from each other by a predetermined distance. In addition, the spacer 53 may be formed to have a length shorter than the length of the light emitting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 52 , and a sensing space S for turbidity sensing may be formed under the spacer 53 . .

A portion of the washing water collected in the sump passes through the sensing space S, and the amount of light received or sensed by the light receiving unit 52 varies according to the turbidity of the washing water passing through the sensing space S.

It can be understood that when the amount of light sensed by the light receiving unit 52 decreases, the turbidity of the washing water increases.

The turbidity sensor 50 may be mounted on the sump in a vertical direction or mounted on the sump in a horizontal direction as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 .

Claims (19)

a body having a space therein for washing dishes and having an open front;
a door selectively opening and closing the opened front surface of the main body;
and an automatic detergent supply device mounted on the door,
The automatic detergent supply device,
a detergent box in which detergent for washing dishes is stored, and an outlet is formed on one lower side; and
and a quantitative control unit for discharging a certain amount of detergent from the detergent box,
The quantitative control unit,
a cylinder having a suction port connected to the outlet, and a discharge port exposed to the space for washing dishes, each having a piston chamber formed therein;
a piston that sucks detergent through the suction port while ascending and descending inside the cylinder and then discharges the detergent into the space for washing dishes through the discharge port; and
and a driving means for raising and lowering the piston. The method of claim 1,
The driving means is
a crankshaft connected to the upper end of the piston;
a rotary link connected to the upper end of the crankshaft, and
and a motor rotating the rotation link. 3. The method of claim 2,
The rotary link is
A link body having one end connected to the rotation shaft of the motor and rotating in one body with the rotation shaft;
and a link arm protruding from the other end of the link body,
The link arm is connected to an upper end of the crankshaft. 4. The method of claim 3,
The motor rotates in one direction, and the piston moves up and down between a top dead center and a bottom dead center. 4. The method of claim 3,
The motor rotates alternately in both directions, and the piston moves up and down between a top dead center and a bottom dead center. 6. The method according to claim 4 or 5,
wherein the suction port extends from one side of a lower end of the cylinder, and extends in a direction orthogonal to the cylinder to be connected to the outlet. 7. The method of claim 6,
The discharge port may extend from a lower end of the cylinder in a direction perpendicular to the suction port. The method of claim 1,
The quantitative control unit is
a suction side check valve installed inside the suction port to selectively open and close the suction port formed at the end of the suction port;
and a discharge-side check valve installed inside the discharge port to selectively open and close an opening formed at an inlet of the discharge port. 9. The method of claim 8,
The inner space of the cylinder corresponding to the lower side of the piston is defined as a suction chamber,
The suction chamber is in communication with the suction port and the discharge port. The method of claim 1,
The dishwasher further comprising a water level sensor mounted on an inner side of the detergent box corresponding to an upper side of the discharge port of the detergent box. The method of claim 1,
The door is
a door cover forming an exterior;
a door liner coupled to a rear surface of the door cover;
the automatic detergent supply device is disposed between the door cover and the door liner;
The discharge port penetrates a rear surface of the door liner and is exposed to a space for washing the dishes. 12. The method of claim 11,
The dish washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the detergent box seating portion for seating the detergent box is recessed or stepped toward the rear of the door on the door liner. 13. The method of claim 12,
An inlet cover for injecting detergent is formed on the rear upper side of the detergent box,
The dish washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a through hole through which the inlet cover passes is formed in the detergent box seating portion. The method of claim 1,
The lower end of the detergent box is formed to be inclined downward from one side to the other side,
The discharge port is a dishwasher, characterized in that formed at a point where the lowermost end and the side of the detergent box meet. A control method of a dishwasher comprising: a detergent box; and a quantitative control unit connected to the detergent box;
a water supply step in which washing water is supplied into the tub;
detecting the level of contamination of dishes after water supply is completed;
determining a detergent input amount corresponding to the sensed contamination level; and
supplying an amount of detergent corresponding to the determined input amount to the tub by driving the quantitative control unit; and
A method of controlling a dishwasher, comprising the steps of completing the detergent input and performing the main washing process. 16. The method of claim 15,
The dishwasher is
a sump mounted on the bottom of the tub and collecting washing water;
It is mounted in the sump and includes a turbidity sensor for detecting the contamination level of the washing water,
The control method of the dish washing machine, characterized in that the contamination level of the dishes is a value converted from a contamination level value of the washing water detected by the turbidity sensor. 16. The method of claim 15,
The control method of the dishwasher, characterized in that the degree of contamination of the dishes is a value converted from a resolution of an image captured by an image sensor including a camera mounted inside the tub. 18. The method according to claim 16 or 17,
The quantitative control unit is
a cylinder having a suction port connected to the outlet of the detergent box, and a discharge port penetrating through the rear surface of the door and exposed to the space for washing dishes, and having a piston chamber formed therein;
a piston that sucks detergent through the suction port while ascending and descending inside the cylinder and then discharges the detergent into the space for washing dishes through the discharge port; and
a drive means for elevating and lowering the piston;
The detergent input amount corresponding to the sensed contamination level is determined by a volume of a suction chamber formed below the piston as the piston rises. 19. The method of claim 18,
The driving means is
a crankshaft connected to the piston;
a rotary link connected to the crankshaft, and
A motor for rotating the rotary link,
The volume of the suction chamber according to the degree of contamination of the dish is determined by the rotation amount of the motor.

Images