KR20230033502A - Cleaning agent detection sensor and cleaning agent sensing structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a detergent detection structure of a drum-type washing machine, in which a detergent detection sensor is installed on the front surface of an inner case facing a detergent box of the washing machine, so as to accurately detect the presence of liquid detergent through the structure and increase consumer reliability. An introduction part is formed on the front surface of the case, and the detergent detection sensor protrudes from the front surface of the case toward the detergent box, inside the introduction part.

Description

Detergent detection sensor of washing machine and detergent detection structure including the same {Cleaning agent detection sensor and cleaning agent sensing structure}

The present invention relates to a detergent detection sensor of a washing machine and a detergent detection structure including the same.

In general, a washing machine is a device for washing laundry by rotating a cylindrical rotary tub containing laundry and wash water. In this type of washing machine, the rotary tub is horizontally arranged so that when the rotary tub rotates forward and backward with respect to a horizontal axis, laundry is washed. A drum washing machine, which is a method of washing laundry by being raised and dropped along the inner circumferential surface of the rotating tub, and a rotating tub having a pulsator inside are vertically arranged so that when the rotating tub rotates in the forward and reverse direction with respect to the vertical axis, the pulsator [0002] There is a vertical axis washing machine which is a method of washing laundry by using a water stream generated by a water flow.

A drum washing machine has a housing forming an exterior, a cylindrical water tank installed inside the housing and containing wash water, a rotating tub rotatably installed inside the water tub to wash laundry, and a rotating tub disposed behind the water tub to rotate the rotating tub. It includes a driving motor and a door installed on the front of the housing.

A detergent supply device is installed at the top of the drum washing machine so that the detergent can be evenly mixed with the water being supplied while water is being supplied into the water tank. The detergent supply device is embedded in the front part of the upper part of the main body of the drum washing machine and includes a box-shaped case whose front is opened and a drawer-shaped detergent box mounted to enter the inside of the case through the open front of the case. is made up of

The detergent pump of the drum washing machine discharges detergent, pre-detergent, fabric softener, rinse aid or bleaching agent from the detergent box and supplies them to the tub. At this time, a detergent detection sensor is installed in each chamber of the detergent pump to detect detergent, pre-detergent, fabric softener, rinse or bleach introduced into the detergent pump from the detergent box.

Patent Publication No. 10-200-011309 discloses a first electrode sensor 130-1 and a second electrode sensor 130-2 spaced apart from the first electrode as shown in FIG. 7 as a detergent detection sensor 120'. is disclosed, when liquid detergent flows into the detergent pump from the detergent box and the level of the liquid detergent increases so that the liquid detergent comes into contact with the first electrode 130-1 and the second electrode 130-2, the liquid Electricity flows through the detergent, and the detergent detection sensor 120' can measure a constant voltage, so the detergent can be detected (FIG. 7c).

However, in this case, even though the amount of liquid detergent is sufficient, if the level of detergent is low only in the space where the sensor is installed (FIG. 7a) or only one electrode sensor is in contact (FIG. 7b), it is recognized that the amount of detergent is insufficient and the amount of detergent is insufficient on the display. There are cases in which facts are reported. In particular, in the case of a high-viscosity fluid, the flow rate is slow and stagnation often occurs, so that the amount of detergent supplied is sufficient, but the fluid does not contact the two electrode sensors at the same time, so it may be mistakenly determined that the amount of detergent is insufficient. In addition, there is a problem in that the detergent pump does not accurately detect the actual presence of the detergent due to the presence of an air pocket inside due to the strong suction power of the detergent pump.

The present invention was made to improve the above prior art.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2020-0011309 Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0060386 Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2011-0057303

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a detergent detection sensor and a detergent detection structure having the same for accurately detecting the presence of liquid detergent in a drum washing machine.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a detergent detection structure of a drum washing machine, wherein the detergent detection sensor is installed on the front surface of an inner case facing the detergent box of the washing machine.

An introduction part is formed on the front surface of the case, and the detergent sensor may protrude from the inside of the introduction part toward the detergent box from the front surface of the case.

The detergent detection sensor may include a first electrode sensor and a second electrode sensor.

At the center of the first and second electrode sensors, one end may be fixed to the front surface of the case and the other end may be formed as a pressing part extending toward the outside.

A valve system may be formed at a rear of the detergent box, and the valve system may include a driving module capable of moving forward and backward by an elastic force of an elastic member.

The drive module includes a cylinder-shaped main rod extending from front to rear and a plate-shaped disk formed integrally with the main rod at the rear of the main rod, coaxial with the main rod from the center of the disk, and protruding rearward. An extended central protrusion may be formed, and first and second protrusions having longer lengths than the central protrusion may be formed to extend on left and right sides of the disk based on the central protrusion.

When the detergent box is pushed toward the case and the valve system is accommodated into the introduction part, the first and second protrusions may come into contact with the first and second electrode sensors, respectively, and be pressurized.

When the detergent box is further pushed toward the case, the first and second electrode sensors may enter the driving module.

When the detergent box is pushed toward the case and the valve system is completely accommodated into the introduction part, the first and second electrode sensors respectively enter through passages formed in the first and second protrusions, and the central protrusion forces the pressing part to the rear. can be pressurized.

The present invention can detect the presence of detergent without error by contacting the first and second electrode sensors even with highly viscous detergent, and since the detection target is the detergent before the pressure of the detergent pump is transmitted, air pockets are formed. It is possible to prevent errors in detecting detergent caused by the washing machine, and it is possible to reflect and detect the amount of detergent that the user actually inputs at the front of the washing machine, thereby minimizing errors and gaining the user's trust.

1 is a plan view showing a detergent input, detection and supply structure including a detergent detection sensor of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the driving module of the present invention in detail;
3 is a diagram showing the structure of a valve system and an inlet in a state in which the detergent box of the washing machine is pushed back;
FIG. 4 is a view showing the structure of a valve system and an inlet when the detergent box is further pressurized and pushed in the state of FIG. 3;
5 is a view showing the structure of a valve system and an inlet in a state where the detergent box of a washing machine is pushed backward in a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a view showing structures of a valve system and an inlet in a state in which the pressurizing force of the detergent box is released in the state of FIG. 5; and
7 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an operation example of a detergent detection sensor of the prior art.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail. Prior to this, terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to ordinary or dictionary meanings, and the inventor appropriately uses the concept of terms in order to describe his/her invention in the best way. It should be interpreted as a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention based on the principle that it can be defined in the following way.

In the present invention, terms such as "comprise" or "having" are intended to designate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but one or more other features It should be understood that it does not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof. In addition, when a part is said to be "connected" to another part, it includes being physically connected directly or indirectly.

In the present invention, terms such as "upper" or "lower" or "arrangement" are not meant to be limiting and should be interpreted as exemplifying words indicating a location, orientation, or physical arrangement.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

The present invention is characterized in that the detergent detection sensor is installed at a location where the washing machine is exposed to the outside and is adjacent to the liquid detergent. The detergent detection sensor detects without error whether detergent is sufficient regardless of the viscosity or type of detergent.

1 is a plan view showing a detergent input, detection and supply structure including detergent detection sensors S1 and S2 of the present invention. The washing machine includes a case 100 with an open front (left side of the drawing). A detergent pump (P) is mounted on the rear (right side of the drawing) of the case 100 inside the washing machine. Any conventional detergent pump P may be employed, and since its structure and function are known technologies, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

A circular cap-shaped inlet 300 is installed on the front surface of the case 100 exposed to the outside, and a pair of first and second electrode sensors S1, S2) is installed. One ends of the first and second electrode sensors S1 and S2 are fixed to the front surface of the case 100 and connected to a sensor control unit (not shown), and the other ends extend toward the outside. At the center of the first and second electrode sensors S1 and S2, a thin rod-shaped pressing portion 302 having one end fixed to the front surface of the case 100 and the other end extending toward the outside is installed. The introduction part 300 may be manufactured in an oval shape or a square shape with a round shape as well as a circular shape.

Detergent is accommodated inside the detergent box 200 . Detergent in the present invention should be broadly interpreted as a liquid type detergent including detergent as well as pre-detergent or rinse. A user puts detergent into the detergent box 200 . In the present invention, the detergent box 200 is simply shown as a box containing detergent, but the detergent box 200 includes a plurality of chambers according to the type of detergent and has various additional and detailed structures, but these are also the present invention It is included in the detergent box 200 of.

The valve system 10 is mounted on the inside and outside of the detergent box 200 through the rear surface. The valve system 10 includes a circular valve cap 12 facing the introduction part 300 and a connection part 14 coupled to the front of the valve cap 12, and the valve cap 12 and the connection part 14 A driving module 16 is installed inside. Seal portions 102 and 104 are formed on the outer surface of the valve cap 12 so as to come into sealing contact with the inner surface of the inlet portion 300 .

2 is a cross-sectional view showing the driving module 16 of the present invention in detail.

The drive module 16 includes a main rod 106 of a cylindrical cylinder shape extending from the front to the rear, that is, from the inside of the detergent box 200 to the vicinity of the rear surface of the valve cap 12, and the main rod 106. It includes a plate-shaped disk 108 formed integrally with it at the rear. From the center of the disk 108, a central projection 106c is formed coaxially with the main rod 106 and protrudes to the rear. First and second protrusions 106a and 106b, which are longer than the central protrusion 106c, are formed to extend from left and right sides of the disk 108 based on 106c.

The central protrusion 106c is installed at a position facing the pressing portion 302, and the first and second protrusions 106a and 106b face the first and second electrode sensors S1 and S2, respectively.

A spring 106s surrounding the outer circumference of the main rod 106 is installed in contact with the inner surface of the passage. In addition, the rear surface of the central protrusion 106c (the surface facing the pressing portion 302) is closed, but the rear surfaces of the first and second protrusions 106a and 106b (the surface facing the sensors S1 and S2) have openings. There is a passage formed and extending forward.

In the valve system 10 of the present invention, the drive module 16 moves back and forth, but the valve cap 12 and the connecting portion 14 remain in place and do not move.

The user of the washing machine puts detergent into the detergent box 200 and pushes the detergent box 200 toward the case 100, so that the valve system 10 is accommodated into the introduction part 300.

Figure 3 shows the structure of the detergent detection sensors (S1, S2) and the drive module 16 of the valve system 10 of the present invention in this case.

When the detergent box 200 moves backward and most of the valve cap 12 is inserted into the introduction part 300, the first protrusion 106a comes into contact with the first electrode sensor S1, and the second protrusion 106b ) comes into contact with the second electrode sensor S2.

Here, when the user pushes the detergent box 200 further backward, the detergent box 200 is blocked by the first and second electrode sensors S1 and S2 and cannot proceed. The second electrode sensors S1 and S2 enter while pushing the first and second protrusions 106a and 106b to the left, and the springs 106s are compressed.

Then, as shown, the detergent filled inside the valve system 10 flows out through the gap and contacts the first and second electrode sensors S1 and S2, and thus the first and second electrode sensors S1 , S2) accurately detects that the detergent is sufficiently supplied. When the detergent is detected, the detergent pump P operates so that the detergent filled in the inlet 300 is introduced into the inside.

According to the present invention, even if highly viscous detergent flows out through the gap and contacts the first and second electrode sensors S1 and S2, the presence of the detergent can be detected without error. In addition, since the detergent before the pressure of the detergent pump P is transmitted is targeted for detection, errors in detergent detection due to the formation of air pockets can be prevented.

In addition, since the amount of detergent that the user feels actually injected is reflected and detected at the front of the washing machine, the user's trust can be obtained while minimizing errors.

The driving of the detergent detection sensors (S1, S2) of the present invention is also possible in the second embodiment.

In FIG. 5 , when the detergent box 200 moves backward and most of the valve cap 12 is inserted into the introduction part 300, each of the first and second protrusions 106a and 106b passes through a passage formed therein. And the second electrode sensors (S1, S2) gradually enter and enter. Since the central protrusion 106c is shorter than the first and second protrusions 106a and 106b, it comes into contact with the pressing part 306 later than the first and second protrusions 106a and 106b, even if the user pushes the detergent box 200 completely further. ), so that the valve system 10 is forcibly pressurized and cannot move. At this time, the spring 106s is in a compressed state.

Here, when the user releases his/her hand from the detergent box 200, the valve system 10 moves forward by an interval “d” by the restoring force of the compressed spring 106s as shown in FIG. Then, as shown, the detergent filled inside the valve system 10 flows out through the gap and fills the space between the valve system 10 and the introduction part 300 . Detergent comes into contact with the first and second electrode sensors S1 and S2, and thus the first and second electrode sensors S1 and S2 accurately detect whether detergent is sufficiently supplied. When the detergent is detected, the detergent pump P operates so that the detergent filled in the inlet 300 is introduced into the inside.

It is obvious that the second embodiment of the present invention can also expect the same effect as above.

In the above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, but various changes are possible for the present invention.

For example, a pair of sensors can be arranged vertically as well as left and right. In addition, when the sensor is configured as a water level measurement sensor, it is possible to install only one. The valve system can be configured with a non-spring cylinder actuator structure as long as it achieves the sealing and opening functions while delivering detergent.

It is obvious that the scope of the present invention extends to the same or equivalent scope as the claims described below.

Claims (9)

A detergent detection structure of a drum washing machine, wherein the detergent detection sensor is installed on the front surface of an inner case facing the detergent box of the washing machine. According to claim 1,
An introduction portion is formed on the front surface of the case, and the detergent detection sensor protrudes from the inside of the introduction portion toward the outside from the front surface of the case toward the detergent box. According to claim 2,
The detergent detection sensor has a structure consisting of a first electrode sensor and a second electrode sensor. According to claim 3,
A structure in which one end is fixed to the front surface of the case at the center of the first and second electrode sensors, and a pressing portion extending toward the outside is formed at the other end. According to claim 4,
A valve system is formed at the rear of the detergent box, and the valve system includes a driving module movable back and forth by an elastic force of an elastic member. According to claim 5,
The drive module includes a cylinder-shaped main rod extending from front to rear and a plate-shaped disk formed integrally with the main rod at the rear of the main rod, coaxial with the main rod from the center of the disk, and protruding rearward. A structure in which an extended central protrusion is formed, and first and second protrusions each having a longer length than the central protrusion are formed to extend on left and right sides of the disk based on the central protrusion. According to claim 6,
When the detergent box is pushed toward the case and the valve system is received inside the inlet portion, the first and second protrusions are pressed against the first and second electrode sensors, respectively. According to claim 7,
A structure in which the first and second electrode sensors enter the interior of the driving module when the detergent box is pushed further toward the case. According to claim 6,
When the detergent box is pushed toward the case and the valve system is completely accommodated into the introduction part, the first and second electrode sensors respectively enter through passages formed in the first and second protrusions, and the central protrusion forces the pressing part to the rear. pressurized structure.

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