U.S. patent application number 12/105361 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-23 for detergent input quantity guiding apparatus of washing machine and method for guiding input quantity of detergent.
Invention is credited to Han-Ki Cho, Ho-Sung Jang, Hyo-Jin Kim, Jae-Cheol Lyu, Chang-Woo Son.
Application Number | 20080256723 12/105361 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39868985 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080256723 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Hyo-Jin ; et
al. |
October 23, 2008 |
DETERGENT INPUT QUANTITY GUIDING APPARATUS OF WASHING MACHINE AND
METHOD FOR GUIDING INPUT QUANTITY OF DETERGENT
Abstract
A detergent input quantity guiding apparatus of a washing
machine includes: a detergent box on which a detergent input
quantity by levels for each virtual clothes amount that can be
received in the washing machine is displayed; a clothes amount
detecting unit that detects a clothes amount received in the
washing machine; and a display unit that displays at least one of a
clothes amount detected by the clothes amount detecting unit and a
detergent quantity according to the detected clothes amount.
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
|
Family ID: |
39868985 |
Appl. No.: |
12/105361 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/159 ;
68/12.04 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/02 20130101;
D06F 33/37 20200201 |
Class at
Publication: |
8/159 ;
68/12.04 |
International
Class: |
D06F 39/02 20060101
D06F039/02; D06F 33/00 20060101 D06F033/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 20, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-000039031 |
Claims
1. A detergent input quantity guiding apparatus of a washing
machine comprising: a detergent box on which a detergent input
quantity by levels for each virtual clothes amount that can be
received in the washing machine is displayed; a clothes amount
detecting unit that detects a clothes amount received in the
washing machine; a display unit that displays at least one of a
clothes amount detected by the clothes amount detecting unit and a
detergent quantity according to the detected clothes amount; and a
controller that calculates a detergent quantity according to the
clothes amount detected by the clothes amount detecting unit,
wherein the controller calculates a level to which the clothes
amount detected by the clothes amount detecting unit belongs, among
the levels of the detergent input quantity according to each
virtual clothes amount.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a
detergent quantity corresponding to the level calculated by the
controller.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the
detected clothes amount and the detergent quantity according to the
detected clothes amount together.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicators are protruded
from positions corresponding to each level of the detergent input
quantity according to each virtual clothes amount.
5. A method for guiding a detergent input quantity of a washing
machine, comprising: detecting, by a clothes amount detecting unit,
a clothes amount received in the washing machine; displaying, by a
display unit, at least one of the detected clothes amount and a
detergent quantity according to the detected clothes amount; and
calculating, by a controller, a detergent quantity according to the
clothes amount detected by the controller, wherein the calculating
of the detergent quantity comprises: determining, by the
controller, a level to which the clothes amount detected by the
clothes amount detecting unit belongs, among the predetermined
levels of the detergent input quantity according to each virtual
clothes amount.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein, in the displaying step, the
detergent quantity corresponding to the level calculated by the
controller is displayed on the display unit.
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 input quantity guiding apparatus of a
washing machine and a method for guiding an input quantity of a
detergent.
[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.
[0005] In the related art washing machine, a user opens a detergent
box and arbitrarily inputs a liquid detergent or the like by guess
to perform washing. According to this method, an excessive quantity
of detergent may be inputted to the detergent box. The excessively
inputted detergent may degrade durability of the washing machine or
make a bad influence on the laundry.
[0006] Therefore, a device for informing a user about an input
quantity of a detergent suitable for the laundry is required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] 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 a detergent input quantity
guiding apparatus of a washing machine and a method for guiding an
input quantity of a detergent, capable of informing a user about an
input quantity of a detergent suitable for the laundry.
[0008] This specification provides a detergent input quantity
guiding apparatus of a washing machine including: a detergent box
on which a detergent input quantity by levels for each virtual
clothes amount that can be received in the washing machine is
displayed; a clothes amount detecting unit that detects a clothes
amount received in the washing machine; a display unit that
displays at least one of a clothes amount detected by the clothes
amount detecting unit and a detergent quantity according to the
detected clothes amount; and a controller that calculates a
detergent quantity according to the clothes amount detected by the
clothes amount detecting unit, wherein the controller calculates a
level to which the clothes amount detected by the clothes amount
detecting unit belongs, among the levels of the detergent input
quantity according to each virtual clothes amount.
[0009] This specification also provides a detergent input quantity
guiding apparatus of a washing machine, including: a detergent box
on which a detergent input quantity by stages for each virtual
clothes amount that can be received in the washing machine is
displayed; a clothes amount detecting unit that detects a clothes
amount received in the washing machine; and a controller that
calculates a detergent quantity according to the clothes amount
detected by the clothes amount detecting unit.
[0010] This specification also provides a method for guiding a
detergent input quantity of a washing machine, including:
detecting, by a clothes amount detecting unit, a clothes amount
received in the washing machine; displaying, by a display unit, at
least one of the detected clothes amount and a detergent quantity
according to the detected clothes amount; and calculating, by a
controller, a detergent quantity according to the clothes amount
detected by the controller, wherein the calculating of the
detergent quantity comprises: determining, by the controller, a
level to which the clothes amount detected by the clothes amount
detecting unit belongs, among the predetermined levels of the
detergent input quantity according to each virtual clothes
amount.
[0011] The detergent input quantity guiding apparatus of a washing
machine and the method for guiding a detergent input quantity
according to the present invention has many advantages.
[0012] That is, the protrusive indicators indicating each detergent
quantity suitable for a virtual clothes amount is displayed within
the detergent box and at least one of a clothes amount detected by
the clothes amount detecting unit and a detergent quantity
calculated by the controller according to the detected clothes
amount is displayed, whereby a user can input the quantity of
detergent suitable for the clothes amount and the detergent
quantity based on the displayed information and the protrusive
indicators. Thus, because the proper quantity of detergent can be
input according to the clothes amount, the durability of the
washing machine can be improved, and because the detergent cannot
be excessively inputted, the laundry can be prevented from being
damaged.
[0013] In addition, the controller calculates a level of the
clothes amount directly detected by the clothes amount detecting
unit, among the levels indicated by the protrusive indicators, and
display information about the calculated level on the display unit.
Thus, the user can input the detergent up to the calculated level
of the protrusive indication in the detergent box according to the
displayed information, whereby he can precisely input the detergent
and thus the user convenience for inputting the detergent can be
improved.
[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 input quantity guiding apparatus according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a detergent box employed in
the detergent input quantity guiding apparatus according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the detergent box
employed in the detergent input quantity guiding apparatus
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the detergent
input quantity guiding apparatus according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the processes of a
method for guiding a detergent input quantity according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] A detergent input quantity guiding apparatus of a washing
machine and a method for guiding a detergent input quantity
according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will
now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In
the following description, the detergent input quantity guiding
apparatus of a washing machine and a method for guiding a detergent
input quantity are applied to a drum type washing machine, but it
is merely an example and the detergent input quantity guiding
apparatus of a washing machine and a method for guiding a detergent
input quantity can be also applicable to an automatic washing
machine.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine employing
a detergent input quantity guiding apparatus according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] 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.
[0023] Reference numeral 106 is a door which is rotatably
hinge-combined to the main body 101 and opens and closes the
drum.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a detergent box employed in
the detergent input quantity guiding apparatus according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a
vertical sectional view of the detergent box employed in the
detergent input quantity guiding apparatus according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a space 112 for receiving a
detergent is formed in the detergent container 110 according to the
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the present
embodiment, a liquid detergent is proposed to be received in the
detergent box 110, and the detergent box 110 may have a single
space without barriers.
[0028] Protrusive indicators 120 are formed on one side wall of the
detergent box 110. The protrusive indicators 120 indicate the
amount of detergent suitable for clothes amount. In detail, the
protrusive indicators 120 are formed at positions corresponding to
each level of a detergent input quantity suitable for each virtual
clothes amount.
[0029] The protrusive indicators 120 may be divided into a
plurality of levels. In the exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the protrusive indicators 120 may include first to
fourth indicators 121 to 124.
[0030] The respective protrusive indicators 121 to 124 have
different heights h1 to h4 each indicating different detergent
input quantity.
[0031] Because the detergent box 110 has the protrusive indicators
each indicating a proper detergent input quantity suitable for
various clothes amount, the user can apply a precise quantity of
detergent according to a corresponding indicator.
[0032] The apparatus and method for proposing a detergent quantity
suitable for an actual clothes amount inputted in the drum will now
be described.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the detergent
input quantity guiding apparatus according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] With reference to FIG. 4, the detergent input quantity
guiding apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention includes a clothes amount detecting unit 200, a
controller 210 and a display unit 220.
[0035] The clothes amount detecting unit 200 detects a clothes
amount of the laundry received in the drum. As the clothes amount
detecting unit 200, a tilt detecting unit that detects the tilt of
the drum according to the introduction of the laundry may be used,
or a method for detecting the clothes amount of the laundry
received in the drum based on an input voltage applied to a motor
according to phase controlling until an RPM of the motor reaches a
pre-set value may be used. In addition, various other methods can
be also used.
[0036] The controller 210 may calculate a proper detergent quantity
according to the clothes amount detected by the clothes amount
detecting unit 200, and transmit corresponding information to the
display unit 220. The controller 210 may calculate a level of the
clothes amount directly detected by the clothes amount detecting
unit 200, among the levels of the detergent input quantity
according to a virtual clothes amount indicated by the respective
protrusive indicators 120 formed on the detergent box 110.
[0037] The display unit 220 may display at least one of the clothes
amount detected by the clothes amount detecting unit 200 and a
detergent quantity calculated by the controller 210 according to
the detected clothes amount.
[0038] For user convenience, the display unit 220 may display the
clothes amount detected by the clothes amount detecting unit 200
and the detergent quantity calculated by the controller 210. The
user may input a suitable quantity of detergent according to the
clothes amount and detergent quantity by using the displayed
information and the protrusive indicators 120 of the detergent box
110.
[0039] In addition, the display unit 220 may display the level to
which the clothes amount directly detected by the clothes amount
detecting unit 200 belongs, among the levels indicated by the
protrusive indicators 120. Then, the user can input the detergent
into the detergent box 110 up to the level indicated by the
protrusive indicator 1120 corresponding to the displayed level, so
the user convenience can be further improved.
[0040] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the processes of a
method for guiding a detergent input quantity according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] The method for guiding a detergent input quantity according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be
described with reference to FIG. 5.
[0042] First, the clothes amount detecting unit 200 detects a
clothes amount (S300).
[0043] Next, the controller 210 calculates a proper detergent
quantity according to the clothes amount detected by the clothes
amount detecting unit 200 (S310). In this case, if the display unit
220 displays only the detected clothes amount, the detergent
quantity calculating step S310 may be omitted.
[0044] The information on the detected clothes amount and the
calculated detergent quantity are transmitted to the display unit
220.
[0045] Thereafter, the display unit 220 displays at least one of
the detected clothes amount and the calculated detergent quantity
(S320). As mentioned above, the controller 210 may determine a
level to which the clothes amount directly detected by the clothes
amount detecting unit 200 belongs, among the levels indicated by
the protrusive indicators 120 formed on the detergent box 110,
namely, the levels of the detergent input quantity according to
each virtual clothes amount, and the display unit 220 may display
the determined level to which the clothes amount directly detected
by the clothes amount detecting unit 200 belongs among the levels
according to the protrusive indicators 120.
[0046] The detergent input quantity guiding apparatus of a washing
machine and the method for guiding a detergent input quantity
according to the present invention have many advantages.
[0047] That is, the protrusive indicators each indicating a
detergent quantity for virtual various clothes amounts are
indicated at the interior of the detergent box, and at least of one
of the clothes amount detected by the clothes amount detecting unit
and the detergent quantity calculated by the controller according
to the detected clothes amount is displayed. Thus, the user can
input a proper quantity of detergent suitable for the clothes
amount based on the displayed information. Accordingly, because the
proper amount of detergent can be applied according to the clothes
amount, the durability of the washing machine can be improved. In
addition, a phenomenon that the laundry is damaged by an
excessively applied detergent can be prevented.
[0048] In addition, the controller may calculate a level to which
the clothes amount directly detected by the clothes amount
detecting unit among the levels indicated by the protrusive
indicators of the detergent box and display the information about
the calculated level on the display unit. Thus, the user can input
the detergent into the detergent box by up to the level of the
protrusive indicator of the detergent box corresponding to the
displayed level. Namely, the user can accurately input the
detergent, and thus, the user convenience can be improved.
[0049] 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.
* * * * *