U.S. patent application number 12/105336 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-23 for detergent box opening and closing detecting apparatus of washing machine and method for controlling washing machine having the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Han-Ki Cho, Ho-Sung Jang, Hyo-Jin Kim, Jae-Cheol Lyu, Chang-Woo Son.
Application Number | 20080256721 12/105336 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39777769 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080256721 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Hyo-Jin ; et
al. |
October 23, 2008 |
DETERGENT BOX OPENING AND CLOSING DETECTING APPARATUS OF WASHING
MACHINE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING WASHING MACHINE HAVING THE
SAME
Abstract
A detergent box opening and closing detecting apparatus of a
washing machine includes: a detergent box to which a detergent is
introduced; a detergent box installation part formed at a main body
of the washing machine and allowing the detergent box to be
installed therein; and a detergent box opening/closing detecting
member that detects whether or not the detergent box installed in
the detergent box installation part is opened or closed.
Inventors: |
Kim; Hyo-Jin; (Changwon,
KR) ; Jang; Ho-Sung; (Changwon, KR) ; Lyu;
Jae-Cheol; (Changwon, KR) ; Cho; Han-Ki;
(Changwon, KR) ; Son; Chang-Woo; (Changwon,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KED & ASSOCIATES, LLP
P.O. Box 221200
Chantilly
VA
20153-1200
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
|
Family ID: |
39777769 |
Appl. No.: |
12/105336 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/158 ; 68/12.02;
68/17R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
8/158 ; 68/17.R;
68/12.02 |
International
Class: |
D06F 39/02 20060101
D06F039/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 20, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0039032 |
Claims
1. A detergent box opening and closing detecting apparatus of a
washing machine, comprising: a detergent box to which a detergent
is introduced; a detergent box installation part formed at a main
body of the washing machine and allowing the detergent box to be
installed therein; and a detergent box opening/closing detecting
member that detects whether or not the detergent box installed in
the detergent box installation part is opened or closed, the
detergent box opening/closing detecting member comprises a lead
switch and a magnet, wherein the lead switch is installed at the
detergent box installation part, and the magnet is installed at the
detergent box such that it faces the lead switch.
2. A detergent box opening and closing detecting apparatus of a
washing machine, comprising: a detergent box movably installed in a
main body of the washing machine and receives a detergent; a
detergent box opening/closing detecting member that detects whether
or not the detergent box is opened or closed; and a controller that
controls water supply to the detergent box depending on whether
opening or closing of the detergent box is detected by the
detergent box opening/closing detecting member, wherein if the
detergent box opening/closing detecting member detects that the
detergent box is opened, the controller stops water supply to the
detergent box.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein if the detergent box
opening/closing detecting member detects that the opened detergent
box is closed, water supplied to the detergent box is resumed.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising; a display unit
that displays whether the detergent box has been opened or closed
as detected by the detergent box opening/closing detecting
member.
5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the detergent box
opening/closing detecting member comprises a lead switch and a
magnet.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein a detergent box installation
part is formed at the main body of the washing machine to allow the
detergent box to be inserted therein.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the lead switch is installed
at the detergent box installation part, and the magnet is installed
at the detergent box such that it faces the lead switch.
8. A method for controlling a washing machine, comprising:
supplying water to a detergent box to provide a detergent
introduced in the detergent box to the laundry; controlling water
supply to the detergent box according to whether or not the
detergent box is opened or closed as detected by the detergent box
opening/closing detecting member; and stopping water supply to the
detergent box if the detergent box is detected to be open in the
step of controlling water supply to the detergent box.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein if the detergent box
opening/closing detecting member detects that the opened detergent
box is closed, water supply to the detergent box is resumed.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: determining whether
or not water supplied to the detergent box has reached a required
water level after water supply resumed.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: stopping water
supply to the detergent box, if water supplied to the detergent box
has reached the required water level.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising: continuing
supplying water to the detergent box, if water supplied to the
detergent box has not reached the required water level.
13. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determining whether
or not water supplied to the detergent box has reached the required
water level when the detergent box is detected to be closed in the
step of controlling water supply to the detergent box.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: stopping water
supply to the detergent box, if water supplied to the detergent box
has reached the required water level.
15. The method of claim 13, further comprising: continuing
supplying water to the detergent box, if water supplied to the
detergent box has not reached the required water level.
16. The method of claim 8, further comprising: displaying whether
or not the detergent box is opened or closed as detected by the
detergent box opening/closing detecting member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a washing machine and, more
particularly, to a detergent box opening and closing detecting
apparatus of a washing machine and a method for controlling a
washing machine having the same.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A washing machine is a device for washing the laundry by
performing washing, rinsing and draining by rotating a container
within the laundry placed therein. In order to perform washing on
the laundry in the washing machine, a detergent is introduced into
a detergent box and water is supplied.
[0005] However, in the related art washing machine, although the
detergent box is opened by a user in a water supply process, water
is still supplied. Thus, a softening agent, a bleaching agent,
etc., introduced in the detergent box may be improperly introduced
at an early stage. In addition, a detergent in the detergent box
may splash to outside to contaminate the surroundings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Therefore, in order to address the above matters the various
features described herein have been conceived. One aspect of the
exemplary embodiments is to provide detergent box opening and
closing detecting apparatus of a washing machine having such a
structure that water supply can be controlled depending on whether
or not a detergent box is opened or closed in a water supply
process, and a method for controlling a washing machine having the
same.
[0007] This specification provides a detergent box opening and
closing detecting apparatus of a washing machine, including: a
detergent box to which a detergent is introduced; a detergent box
installation part formed at a main body of the washing machine and
allowing the detergent box to be installed therein; and a detergent
box opening/closing detecting member that detects whether or not
the detergent box installed in the detergent box installation part
is opened or closed, the detergent box opening/closing detecting
member comprises a lead switch and a magnet, wherein the lead
switch is installed at the detergent box installation part, and the
magnet is installed at the detergent box such that it faces the
lead switch.
[0008] This specification also provides a detergent box opening and
closing detecting apparatus of a washing machine, including: a
detergent box movably installed in a main body of the washing
machine and receives a detergent; a detergent box opening/closing
detecting member that detects whether or not the detergent box is
opened or closed; and a controller that controls water supply to
the detergent box depending on whether opening or closing of the
detergent box is detected by the detergent box opening/closing
detecting member, wherein if the detergent box opening/closing
detecting member detects that the detergent box is opened, the
controller stops water supply to the detergent box.
[0009] This specification also provides a method for controlling a
washing machine, including: supplying water to a detergent box to
provide a detergent introduced in the detergent box to the laundry;
and stopping water supply to the detergent box if the detergent
opening/closing detecting member detects that the detergent box is
open.
[0010] This specification also provides a method for controlling a
washing machine, including: supplying water to a detergent box to
provide detergent introduced in the detergent box to the laundry;
controlling water supply to the detergent box according to whether
or not the detergent box is opened or closed as detected by the
detergent box opening/closing detecting member; and stopping water
supply to the detergent box if the detergent box is detected to be
open in the step of controlling water supply to the detergent
box.
[0011] Therefore, the detergent box opening and closing detecting
apparatus of a washing machine and a method for controlling a
washing machine having the same have the following advantages.
[0012] If the detergent box is opened in the water supply process,
the water supply can be stopped. Thus, a softening agent or a
bleaching agent cannot be improperly supplied at an early stage,
and thus, the detergent introduced in the interior of the detergent
box cannot splash to the outside to contaminate the
surroundings.
[0013] In addition, in a state that the water supply is stopped as
the detergent box is opened in the water supply process, if the
opened detergent box is closed, water supply to the detergent box
can be automatically resumed. Thus, user convenience with respect
to the washing machine employing the detergent box opening/closing
detecting apparatus.
[0014] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and
advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from
the following detailed description of the present invention when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine employing
a detergent box opening/closing detecting apparatus according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the detergent box opening/closing
detecting apparatus of the washing machine according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the
configuration of the detergent box opening/closing detecting
apparatus of the washing machine according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the processes of a
method for controlling the washing machine including the detergent
box opening/closing detecting apparatus according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] A detergent box opening/closing detecting apparatus of a
washing machine and a method for controlling a washing machine
including the same according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings. In the following description, the detergent
box opening/closing detecting apparatus of a washing machine and a
method for controlling a washing machine including the same are
applied to a drum type washing machine, but it is merely an example
and the detergent box opening/closing detecting apparatus of a
washing machine and a method for controlling a washing machine
including the same can be also applicable to an automatic washing
machine.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine employing
a detergent box opening/closing detecting apparatus according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, a drum (not shown) is rotatably inserted
in a main body 101 of a washing machine according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. A front panel 102 and a top
cover 104 are installed on front and upper surfaces of the main
body 101. A control panel 103 is installed between the front panel
102 and the top cover 104 and includes various manipulation keys, a
display unit, etc.
[0022] Reference numeral 106 is a door which is rotatably
hinge-combined to the main body 101 and opens and closes the
drum.
[0023] A detergent box installation part 107 is formed at one side
of the control panel 103 of the main body 101 of the washing
machine. A detergent box 110 is insertedly positioned in the
detergent box installation part 107 such that it can be movable in
an inward/outward direction.
[0024] In the washing machine 100 constructed as described above,
washing may be performed on the laundry received in the drum as a
motor (not shown) installed in the washing machine is rotated.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the detergent box opening/closing
detecting apparatus of the washing machine according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] With reference to FIG. 2, the detergent box 110 is
positioned in the detergent box installation part 107 of the main
body 110 of the washing machine. For the convenience of
explanation, the detergent box 110 as shown in FIG. 2 is partially
inserted in the detergent box installation part 107.
[0027] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a lead
switch 120 is installed in the detergent box installation part 107,
and a permanent magnet 130 is installed in the detergent box 110,
the lead switch 120 and the permanent magnet 130 are installed at
positions such that they face each other.
[0028] When the permanent magnet 130 approaches the lead switch 120
as the detergent box 110 is closed, the lead switch detects the
closing of the detergent box 110, and when the permanent magnet 130
becomes away from the lead switch 120 as the detergent box 110 is
opened, the lead switch 120 detects the opening of the detergent
box 110.
[0029] Because the lead switch 120 and the permanent magnet 130
detect the opening and closing of the detergent box 110 installed
at the detergent box installation part 107, they can be defined as
a detergent box opening/closing detecting member.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the
configuration of the detergent box opening/closing detecting
apparatus of the washing machine according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] With reference to FIG. 3, the detergent box opening/closing
detecting apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment
of the present invention may include the detergent box
opening/closing detecting member 200, a controller 210, a display
unit 220, and an actuator 230.
[0032] The detergent box opening/closing detecting member 200
detects opening and closing of the detergent box 110 and may
include the lead switch 120 and the permanent magnet 130 as
mentioned above. The detergent box opening/closing detecting member
200 detects whether the detergent box 110 is opened or closed and
transmits corresponding information to the controller 210.
[0033] The controller 210 may display whether the detergent box 110
is opened or closed which has been sensed by the detergent box
opening/closing detecting member 20 on the display unit 220 and
transmit a proper control signal to the actuator 230.
[0034] In detail, when the information indicating that the
detergent 110 is detected to be opened is received from the
detergent box opening/closing detecting member 200, the controller
210 may transit a signal for stopping water supply to the detergent
box 110.
[0035] Here, the water supply to the detergent box 110 is to
liquefy the detergent which has been introduced into the detergent
box 110, in order to perform a washing stroke on the laundry placed
in the washing machine 100.
[0036] If information indicating that the detergent box 110 is
detected to be closed is received from the detergent
opening/closing detecting member 200, the controller 210 may
transmit a signal for resuming water supply to the detergent box
110.
[0037] The signal for stopping water supply to the detergent box
110 or the signal for resuming water supply to the detergent box
110 is transferred to the actuator 230. Upon receiving the signal,
the actuator 230 properly opens or closes a flow path (not shown)
of the water supply to the detergent box 110 according to the
signals.
[0038] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the processes of a
method for controlling the washing machine including the detergent
box opening/closing detecting apparatus according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] The method for controlling the washing machine according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be
described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.
[0040] First, in order to performing washing on the laundry
received in the drum, water is supplied to the detergent box 110 to
liquefy the detergent in the detergent box 110 (S300).
[0041] In the water supply process, if the detergent box 110 is
detected to be opened by a user by the detergent opening/closing
detecting member 200 (S310), the controller 210 stops water supply
to the detergent box 110 (S320).
[0042] If the detergent box 110 is maintained in a closed state,
not being opened, in the water supply process, it is determined
whether or not supplying of a proper amount of water required for
the detergent box 110 has been completed (S360).
[0043] If supplying of the proper amount of water required for the
detergent box 110 has been completed, water supply is stopped
(S350). If, however, supplying of the proper amount of water
required for the detergent box 110 has not bee completed, water is
continuously supplied (S300).
[0044] Because the water supply to the detergent box 110 can be
stopped by the detergent box opening/closing detecting apparatus
when the detergent box 110 is opened in the water supply process
with respect to the detergent box 110, a softening agent, a
bleaching agent, etc., cannot be introduced improperly at an early
stage, and thus, the detergent at the interior of the detergent box
110 cannot splash to the outside to contaminate the
surroundings.
[0045] When the water supply to the detergent box 110 is stopped
because the detergent box 110 has been detected to be opened, the
detergent box opening/closing detecting member 200 detects whether
or not the detergent box 110 in the opened state is closed
(S330).
[0046] When the opened detergent box 110 is detected to be closed,
the controller 110 checks whether a proper amount of water required
for the detergent box 110 has been completely supplied (S340).
[0047] If it is determined that supplying of a proper amount of
water required for the detergent box 110 has been completed, water
supply is stopped (S350). If it is determined that supplying of a
proper amount of water required for the detergent box 110 has not
been completed, the controller transmits a signal to the actuator
230 to resume supplying of water to the detergent box 110.
[0048] If the detergent box 110 is detected to be still open by the
detergent box opening/closing detecting member 200, rather than
being closed, the controller 110 keeps stopping water supply to the
detergent box 110 (S320).
[0049] In this manner, when the opened detergent box 110 is closed
in a state that water supply to the detergent box 110 has been
stopped, water supply to the detergent box 110 is automatically
resumed by the detergent box opening/closing detecting apparatus.
Thus, user convenience with respect to the washing machine 100
employing the detergent box opening/closing detecting apparatus can
be improved.
[0050] As so far described, the detergent box opening/closing
detecting apparatus of a washing machine and a method for
controlling a washing machine employing the same have the following
advantages.
[0051] That is, if the detergent box is opened in the water supply
process, water supply to the detergent box can be stopped, whereby
a softening agent, a bleaching agent, etc., cannot be improperly
introduced at an early stage, and thus, the detergent introduced in
the interior of the detergent box cannot splash to the outside to
contaminate the surroundings.
[0052] In addition, when the detergent box is closed in a state
that water supply to the detergent box 110 has been stopped because
the detergent box was opened, water supply to the detergent box 110
can be automatically resumed by the detergent box opening/closing
detecting apparatus. Thus, user convenience with respect to the
washing machine 100 employing the detergent box opening/closing
detecting apparatus can be improved.
[0053] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms
without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also
be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited
by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless
otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within
its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all
changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of
the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore
intended to be embraced by the appended claims.
* * * * *