U.S. patent application number 12/453788 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-26 for washing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Jae Hyun KIM, Young Ho KIM, Jong Min LEE, Sang Hoon LEE.
Application Number | 20090288453 12/453788 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41340695 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090288453 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEE; Jong Min ; et
al. |
November 26, 2009 |
Washing machine
Abstract
A washing machine may include a cabinet; a washing tub which is
disposed in the cabinet and in which a washing operation is
performed; a liquid detergent supplier which contains and supplies
a liquid detergent; a drawer-type container to which the liquid
detergent supplier is coupled so as to be easily attachable and
detachable and in which the liquid detergent supplier is contained;
and a liquid detergent storage unit which is coupled to the
drawer-type container, uniformly supplies the liquid detergent
supplied by the liquid detergent supplier into the washing tub and
detects whether the liquid detergent supplied by the liquid
detergent supplier is stored therein.
Inventors: |
LEE; Jong Min; (Seoul,
KR) ; KIM; Young Ho; (Seoul, KR) ; KIM; Jae
Hyun; (Seoul, KR) ; LEE; Sang Hoon; (Seoul,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE LLP
1900 K STREET, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
Seocho-Gu
KR
|
Family ID: |
41340695 |
Appl. No.: |
12/453788 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/17R ;
222/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/022
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
68/17.R ;
222/1 |
International
Class: |
D06F 37/00 20060101
D06F037/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 23, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0048189 |
Claims
1. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a washing tub which is
disposed in the cabinet; a liquid detergent storage unit
comprising: a storage drawer adapted to receive a liquid detergent
supplier, which contains and dispenses a liquid detergent, in a
coupling relationship, such that the liquid detergent supplier can
be attached and detached; and a liquid detergent reservoir, which
is coupled to the storage drawer, is adapted to supply the liquid
detergent, dispensed by the liquid detergent supplier, into the
washing tub and is capable of detecting the presence or absence of
the liquid detergent.
2. The washing machine of claim 1, further comprising a liquid
detergent guidance path which guides the liquid detergent stored in
the liquid detergent storage unit into the washing tub, the liquid
detergent storage unit further comprising: a supply path guiding
the liquid detergent supplied by the liquid detergent supplier; a
connector guiding the liquid detergent stored in liquid detergent
storage unit into the liquid detergent guidance path; and a liquid
detergent detector to determine whether a liquid detergent is
present in the liquid detergent storage unit.
3. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the liquid detergent
detector is disposed above the liquid detergent reservoir.
4. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the liquid detergent
detector includes a first electrode and a second electrode facing
the first electrode, and the first and second electrodes are in
electrical communication when contacting the liquid detergent.
5. The washing machine of claim 2, the liquid detergent detector
comprising: a floater that can float on the liquid detergent stored
in the liquid detergent reservoir in accordance with a liquid level
in the liquid detergent reservoir; and a liquid level measurer that
can determine the liquid level in the liquid detergent reservoir by
measuring the distance of the floater from a bottom of the liquid
detergent reservoir.
6. The washing machine of claim 2, further comprising at least one
protection unit which is disposed in the liquid detergent reservoir
and protects the liquid detergent detector from improperly reading
liquid detergent movement near inner sidewalls of the liquid
detergent reservoir.
7. The washing machine of claim 6, wherein the protection unit
includes a first protection element preventing a liquid detergent
supplied into the liquid detergent through the supply path from
contacting the liquid detergent detector and a second protection
element preventing the liquid detergent stored in the liquid
detergent reservoir from contacting the liquid detergent detector
due to external collisions with the inner sidewalls of the liquid
detergent reservoir.
8. The washing machine of claim 2, further comprising at least one
protection unit which is disposed near the liquid detergent
detector and prevents the liquid detergent stored in the liquid
detergent reservoir from fluctuating in accordance with the
movement of the liquid detergent reservoir.
9. The washing machine of claim 2, further comprising an output
unit which outputs a signal to a controller and notifies a user if
a liquid detergent is present in the liquid detergent reservoir if
the liquid detergent storage unit detects the presence of a liquid
detergent.
10. A method for controlling a liquid detergent dispenser in a
washing machine comprising: dispensing a liquid detergent from a
liquid detergent supplier into a liquid detergent reservoir;
detecting the presence of the liquid detergent in the liquid
detergent reservoir after a predetermined amount of time has
passed; generating a signal indicating a liquid detergent level;
and indicating to a user the liquid detergent level.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising: stopping operation
of a pump adapted to dispense liquid detergent when an absence of
liquid detergent is detected.
12. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a washing tub which is
disposed in the cabinet; a storage drawer adapted to receive a
liquid detergent supplier, which contains and dispenses a liquid
detergent, in a coupling relationship, such that the liquid
detergent supplier can be attached and detached; and a connecting
part to receive the liquid detergent supplier such that the
connecting part can fluidly receive and guide the liquid detergent
along a supply path so that the liquid detergent can be
automatically introduced into a washing cycle.
13. The washing machine of claim 12, further comprising: a liquid
detergent detector disposed along the supply path to determine
whether a liquid detergent is present.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2008-0048189 filed on May 23, 2008 in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Disclosure
[0003] The present disclosure relates to a washing machine, and
more particularly, to a washing machine which may store a liquid
detergent, may detect the existence of a liquid detergent and may
notify a user of the results of the detection.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Liquid detergents are being commonly used in washing
machines. Liquid detergents may improve washing performance and may
maximize user convenience.
[0006] Conventional washing machines, however, are generally unable
to determine whether there is a liquid detergent stored therein.
Therefore, users may sometimes drive a washing machine without
noticing that there is no liquid detergent in the washing machine.
The washing machine thus will fail to properly perform the washing
cycle. In addition, users may not be able to properly determine
when to replace an existing liquid detergent supplier with a new
liquid detergent supplier.
SUMMARY
[0007] Accordingly, a washing machine which detects the existence
of a liquid detergent and thus allows a user to determine when to
replace an existing liquid detergent supplier with a new liquid
detergent supplier is highly desirable.
[0008] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided a washing machine including a cabinet; a washing tub which
is disposed in the cabinet and in which a washing operation is
performed; a liquid detergent supplier which contains and dispenses
a liquid detergent; a storage drawer adapted to receive the liquid
detergent supplier in a coupling relationship, such that the liquid
detergent supplier can be easily attached and detached; and a
liquid detergent reservoir, which is coupled to the storage drawer,
is adapted to uniformly supply the liquid detergent, dispensed by
the liquid detergent supplier, into the washing tub and is capable
of detecting the presence or absence of the liquid detergent
[0009] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, it is
possible to notify a user of the results of the detection performed
by a liquid detergent detector regarding the existence of a liquid
detergent. Therefore, it is possible for a user to easily recognize
whether a liquid detergent is stored in the liquid detergent
storage unit and thus to precisely determine when to replace the
liquid detergent supplier with a new liquid detergent supplier. In
addition, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the washing
machine and improve user convenience by replacing the liquid
detergent supplier with a new liquid detergent supplier at a proper
time.
[0010] In addition, it is possible for a user to recognize whether
a liquid detergent is stored in the liquid detergent storage unit
and thus to determine when to replace an existing liquid detergent
supplier with a new liquid detergent supplier. Therefore it is
possible to improve the operating efficiency of a washing
machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The above and other features and advantages will become more
apparent in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments
thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a laundry treatment
machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line
II-II of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing how a liquid
detergent storage unit and a liquid detergent supplier shown in
FIG. 2 are coupled to each other;
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along IV-IV
of FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a control mechanism of
the laundry treatment machine shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of
portion A of FIG. 4;
[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a variation of
a liquid detergent sensing unit shown in FIG. 6; and
[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another
variation of the liquid detergent sensing unit shown in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Exemplary embodiments will hereinafter be described in
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the
drawings, like reference numerals indicate like elements, and thus,
detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.
[0021] The term `washing machine` as used herein indicates any type
of device for washing objects such as dishes or clothes using a
liquid detergent. The exemplary embodiments will hereinafter be
described, taking a laundry treatment machine as an example.
However, the present disclosure is not restricted to a laundry
treatment machine.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a laundry treatment
machine 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, and FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken
along line II-II of FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the laundry
treatment machine 100 may include a cabinet having a top panel 114,
a door 113, control panel 115, a washing tub 116 which is disposed
in the cabinet 110 and in which laundry is washed, a wash water
supply device which supplies wash water provided by an external
water source into the washing tub, a drainage device which
discharges wash water from the washing tub when a washing operation
is complete, and a liquid detergent supply unit 150 which is
disposed below the cabinet 110 and supplies a liquid detergent. The
liquid detergent supply unit 150 may not necessarily be disposed
below the cabinet 100 but may be disposed at various other
locations in the laundry treatment machine 100. In this embodiment,
the liquid detergent supply unit 150 may be disposed below the
cabinet 110.
[0023] The washing tub may include a drum 122 in which laundry is
washed and a driving device (not shown) which drives the drum
122.
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing how a liquid
detergent storage unit 160 and a liquid detergent supplier 170
shown in FIG. 2 are coupled to each other, and FIG. 4 illustrates a
cross-sectional view taken along IV-IV of FIG. 3. Referring to
FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the liquid detergent supply unit 150 may include
the liquid detergent supplier 170 which supplies a liquid
detergent, a drawer-type container 151 which is coupled to the
liquid detergent supplier 170 so as to be able to be easily
attached to or detached from the liquid detergent supplier 170 and
in which the liquid detergent supplier 170 is contained, the liquid
detergent storage unit 160 which is coupled to the drawer-type
container 151 and uniformly supplies a liquid detergent supplied by
the liquid detergent supplier 170 into the washing tub, the liquid
detergent storage unit 160 which detects whether a liquid detergent
is stored therein, and a liquid detergent guidance path 169 which
guides the liquid detergent contained in the liquid detergent
storage unit 160 into the washing tub.
[0025] The liquid detergent storage unit 160 may include a supply
path 163 which guides a liquid detergent supplied by the liquid
detergent supplier 170 into the liquid detergent storage unit 160,
a liquid detergent reservoir 162 which stores the liquid detergent
supplied by the liquid detergent supplier 170, a connector 164
which guides the liquid detergent stored in the liquid detergent
reservoir 162 into the liquid detergent guidance path 169, and a
liquid detergent detector 161 which determines whether a liquid
detergent is stored in the liquid detergent reservoir 162. While
the exemplary embodiment discloses a liquid detergent reservoir
162, it is also envisioned that the reservoir 162 may be eliminated
such that a tube or the like is fluidly connected to the connector
164, and the liquid detergent detector 161 is disposed along a
liquid detergent supply path to detect the presence of the
detergent.
[0026] The supply of a liquid detergent into the liquid detergent
storage unit 160 will now be described in detail. When a user
inserts the liquid detergent supplier 170 into the drawer type
container 151, a liquid detergent contained in the liquid detergent
supplier 170 may flow into the liquid detergent reservoir 162
through the supply path 163. The liquid detergent reservoir 162 has
an storage space therein and may thus be able to store a certain
amount of liquid detergent therein. The liquid detergent stored in
the liquid detergent reservoir 162 may be supplied to the washing
tub when the laundry treatment machine 100 begins to be driven.
More specifically, the liquid detergent stored in the liquid
detergent reservoir 162 may be discharged from the liquid detergent
storage unit 162 through the connector 164, and may then be
supplied into a mixer 168. The mixer 168 may mix the liquid
detergent supplied into with wash water provided by an external
water source. Thereafter, the mixture of the liquid detergent and
the wash water may be supplied into the drum 122 through a wash
water bellows tub 147 and may thus be used to remove dust and dirt
from laundry during a washing operation.
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a control mechanism of
the laundry treatment machine 100. Referring to FIG. 5, when the
laundry treatment machine 100 is driven and thus begins to perform
a washing operation on laundry, a liquid detergent stored in the
liquid detergent reservoir 162 may be supplied into the drum 122.
During the supply of a liquid detergent into the drum 122, the
liquid detergent detector 161 may detect the existence of a liquid
detergent in the liquid detergent reservoir 162. If it is
determined that a liquid detergent is stored in the liquid
detergent reservoir 162, the liquid detergent detector 161 may
transmit a signal indicating the existence of a liquid detergent in
the liquid detergent reservoir 162 to a controller 180. The
controller 180 may recognize the existence of a liquid detergent in
the liquid detergent reservoir 162 based on the signal transmitted
by the liquid detergent detector 161, and may decide not to output
any signal to an output unit 190.
[0028] On the other hand, if it is determined that no liquid
detergent is stored in the liquid detergent reservoir 162, the
liquid detergent detector 161 may transmit a signal indicating that
there is no liquid detergent stored in the liquid detergent
reservoir 162 to the controller 180. The controller 180 may
recognize that there is no liquid detergent stored in the liquid
detergent reservoir 162 based on the signal transmitted by the
liquid detergent detector 161 and may output a signal to the output
unit 190. The output unit 190 may output an alarm signal based on
the signal output by the controller 180 and may thus notify the
user that there is no liquid detergent stored in the liquid
detergent reservoir 162. The alarm signal may be an audio signal,
for example, a buzzer or music signal. The alarm signal may also be
a visual signal. Accordingly, the user may precisely recognize when
to replace the liquid detergent supplier 170 with a new liquid
detergent supplier 170 without having to periodically check the
liquid detergent supplier 170. Therefore, it is possible to improve
user convenience. In addition, it is possible to prevent the
deterioration of the laundry treatment machine 100 performance due
to a miscalculation of when to replace the liquid detergent
supplier 170.
[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged view of portion A of FIG. 4.
Referring to FIG. 6, the liquid detergent detector 161 may be
disposed above the liquid detergent reservoir 162. However, the
location of the liquid detergent detector 161 is not restricted to
that set forth herein. That is, the liquid detergent detector 161
may be disposed at any location from which the liquid detergent
detector 161 can detect whether a liquid detergent is present in
the liquid detergent reservoir 162. For example, the liquid
detergent detector 161 may be disposed at a side of the liquid
detergent reservoir 162. The liquid detergent detector 161 may
include a first electrode 161a and a second electrode 161b facing
the first electrode 161a. An optical sensor may also be similarly
implemented.
[0030] The operation of the liquid detergent detector 161 will
hereinafter be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6.
A liquid detergent may be supplied into and stored in the liquid
detergent reservoir 162 through the supply path 163. The liquid
detergent reservoir 162 may have a single storage space therein.
The liquid detergent reservoir 162 may also be divided into a first
storage space 162a and a second storage space 162b. The second
storage space 162b may have a different height than the first
storage space 162a. When a liquid detergent is supplied into the
liquid detergent reservoir 162 through the supply path 163, the
first storage space 162a may be filled first with the liquid
detergent. Then, if the amount of liquid detergent supplied into
the liquid detergent reservoir 162 exceeds the storage capacity of
the first storage space 162a and thus completely filling it, the
second storage space 162b may begin to be filled with a liquid
detergent. The liquid detergent detector 161 may be disposed above
the second storage space 162b and may detect the existence of a
liquid detergent in the liquid detergent reservoir 162. If the
second storage space 162b is filled with a liquid detergent, the
first and second electrodes 161a and 161b may contact the liquid
detergent. Once the first and second electrodes 161a and 161b
contact a liquid detergent, a current may flow from the first
electrode 161a to the second electrode 161b through the liquid
detergent. The current may be converted into a signal by the liquid
detergent detector 161, and the liquid detergent detector 161 may
transmit the signal to the controller 180.
[0031] The controller 180 may process the signal transmitted by the
liquid detergent detector 161 using the same method as or a similar
method to that described above with reference to FIG. 5. Therefore,
it is possible to determine whether a liquid detergent is stored in
the liquid detergent reservoir 162. In addition, since the laundry
treatment machine 100 outputs information indicating whether a
liquid detergent is stored in the liquid detergent reservoir 162,
it is possible to improve the operational convenience to the
user.
[0032] The laundry treatment machine 100 may also include at least
one protection unit disposed in the liquid detergent reservoir 162
and to protect the liquid detergent detector 161 against the
fluctuation of a liquid detergent in the liquid detergent reservoir
162. The protection unit may be disposed near the liquid detergent
detector 161 and may prevent the fluctuation of a liquid detergent
stored in the liquid detergent reservoir 162 regardless of the
movement of the liquid detergent reservoir 162. The protection unit
may include a plurality of first and second protection elements 165
and 166. The first protection element 165 may prevent a liquid
detergent supplied into the liquid detergent reservoir 162 through
the supply path from contacting the liquid detergent detector 161.
The second protection element 166 may prevent a liquid detergent
stored in the liquid detergent reservoir 162 from colliding with
the inner sidewalls of the liquid detergent reservoir 162 and
contacting the liquid detergent detector 161.
[0033] That is, when the user opens the drawer-type container 161
in order to replace the liquid detergent supplier 170 with a new
liquid detergent supplier 170, a liquid detergent stored in the
liquid detergent reservoir 162 may collide with the bottom and the
inner sidewalls of the liquid detergent storage unit 162 while
constantly fluctuating in the liquid detergent reservoir 162. As a
result, the liquid detergent in the liquid detergent reservoir 162
may contact the liquid detergent detector 161. If the liquid
detergent contacts the liquid detergent detector 161, the first and
second electrodes 161a and 161b may then be electrically connected.
Then, the liquid detergent detector 161 may transmit a signal
indicating that a liquid detergent is present in the liquid
detergent storage unit 162 to the controller 180. In addition, when
a liquid detergent is supplied into the liquid detergent storage
unit 162 through the supply path 163, the liquid detergent may
collide with the inner sidewalls of the liquid detergent storage
unit 162 while constantly fluctuating in the liquid detergent
storage unit 162. As a result, the liquid detergent may contact the
first and second electrodes 161a and 161b. In this case, the liquid
detergent detector 161 may malfunction spring a false reading.
Thus, the controller 180 may mistakenly determine that a liquid
detergent is stored in the liquid detergent storage unit 162 when
it actually is not.
[0034] If the first and second protection elements 165 and 166 are
installed in the liquid detergent reservoir 162, however, the
liquid detergent may fluctuate, but will be prevented from spilling
over despite collisions with the first protection element 165. Even
if the liquid detergent in the liquid detergent reservoir 162
spills over the first protection element 165, the second protection
element 166, which is disposed near the liquid detergent detector
161, may prevent the liquid detergent from contacting the liquid
detergent detector 161. If the liquid detergent reservoir 162 is
moved, the liquid detergent in the liquid detergent storage unit
162 may collide with the inner sidewalls of the liquid detergent
storage unit 162 and constantly fluctuate. In this case, the second
protection element 166 may also prevent the fluctuating liquid
detergent from contacting the liquid detergent detector 161.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid detergent detector
161 from malfunctioning when the user opens the drawer-type
container 161 or similar situations where the level of the liquid
detergent may suddenly fluctuate. Thus, it is possible for the user
to properly determine the state of the liquid level in the liquid
detergent storage unit 162 and to precisely determine when to
replace an old liquid detergent supplier 170 with a new liquid
detergent supplier 170.
[0035] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a variation of
the liquid detergent detector 161 shown in FIG. 6, i.e., a liquid
detergent detector 161'. In FIGS. 6 and 7, like reference numerals
indicate like elements. The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7 will
hereinafter be described in detail, mainly focusing on differences
with the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 7, the liquid detergent detector 161' may
include a plurality of liquid detergent detectors 161a' through
161d'. The second liquid detergent detector 161b' may be formed to
a greater height than the first liquid detergent detector 161a'.
the third liquid detergent detector 161c' may be formed to a
greater height than the second liquid detergent detector 161b', and
the fourth liquid detergent detector 161d' may be formed to a
greater height than the third liquid detergent detector 161c'.
[0037] When a liquid detergent is supplied into a liquid detergent
reservoir, the liquid detergent reservoir begins to be filled with
the liquid detergent. As the supply of a liquid detergent into the
liquid detergent reservoir continues, the liquid level may
gradually increase from the height of the first liquid detergent
detector 161a' to the height of the second liquid detergent
detector 161b', from the height of the second liquid detergent
detector 161b' to the height of the third liquid detergent detector
161c' and from the height of the third liquid detergent detector
161c' to the height of the fourth liquid detergent detector 161d.'
The liquid detergent detector 161 may transmit a signal indicating
an amount of liquid detergent corresponding to the height of the
first, second, third or fourth liquid detergent detector 161a',
161b', 161c', or 161d' has been supplied into the liquid detergent
reservoir to the controller 180 whenever the liquid level in the
liquid detergent reservoir exceeds the height of the first, second,
third or fourth liquid detergent detector 161a', 161b', 161c', or
161d'.
[0038] On the other hand, as the amount of liquid detergent
supplied by the liquid detergent supplier 170 decreases and the
consumption of the liquid detergent stored in the liquid detergent
reservoir continues, the liquid level may gradually decrease from
the height of the fourth liquid detergent detector 161d' to the
height of the third liquid detergent detector 161c,' from the
height of the third liquid detergent detector 161c' to the height
of the second liquid detergent detector 161b', and from the height
of the second liquid detergent detector 161b' to the height of the
first liquid detergent detector 161a'.
[0039] The liquid detergent detector 161 may transmit a signal
indicating an amount of liquid detergent corresponding to the
height of the first, second, third or fourth liquid detergent
detector 161a', 161b', 161c', or 161d' still remains into the
liquid detergent reservoir to the controller 180 whenever the
liquid level in the liquid detergent reservoir reaches the height
of the fourth, third, second or first liquid detergent detector
161d', 161c', 161b', or 161a'.
[0040] The controller 180 may set a predetermined reference level
in advance. Then, if the amount of liquid detergent detected by the
liquid detergent detector 161' is less than the reference level,
the controller 180 may notify a user of the amount of liquid
detergent stored in the liquid detergent storage unit by outputting
a signal. Therefore, it is possible for the user to precisely
determine when to replace an existing liquid detergent supplier
with a new liquid detergent supplier based on the amount of liquid
detergent stored in the liquid detergent storage.
[0041] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a variation of
the liquid detergent detector 161 shown in FIG. 6, i.e. a liquid
detergent detector 161''. In FIGS. 6 and 8, like reference numerals
indicate like elements. The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8 will
hereinafter be described in detail, mainly focusing on differences
with the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 8, the liquid detergent detector 161'' may
include a floater 161a'' floating on the liquid detergent in a
liquid detergent reservoir and a liquid level measurer 161b''
determining the liquid level in the liquid detergent reservoir by
measuring the height of the floater 161a'' above the bottom of the
liquid detergent reservoir. That is, when a liquid detergent is
supplied into the liquid detergent reservoir, the liquid detergent
reservoir begins to be filled with the liquid detergent. Then, the
liquid detergent begins to flow into the liquid detergent detector
161'' including the floater 161a''. A barrier wall 169 may be
disposed in the liquid detergent storage unit and may divide the
liquid detergent detector 161'' from the rest of the liquid
detergent storage. The barrier wall 169 may include, for example, a
hole or a plurality of holes through which a liquid detergent can
pass. Thus, liquid detergent may flow into the liquid detergent
detector 161'' through the hole of the barrier wall 169.
[0043] If a liquid detergent flows into the liquid detergent
detector 161'', the level in the liquid detergent detector 161''
may increase, and the floater 161a'' may float on the liquid
detergent.
[0044] The liquid level measurer 162b'' may then determine the
location of the floater 161a''. For this, the floater 161a'' may
include a magnetic material (not shown) generating magnetic force,
and the liquid level measurer 162b'' may include a magnetic force
detector (not shown) measuring the magnetic force generated by the
magnetic material. The liquid lever measurer 161b'' may measure the
liquid level in the liquid detergent detector 161'' by determining
the point at which the magnetic force generated by the floater
161a'' is detected. Thereafter, the liquid level measurer 161b''
may transmit the result of the measurement to a controller 180.
Then, the controller 180 may determine the amount of liquid
detergent stored in the liquid detergent storage unit based on the
result of the measurement performed by the liquid level measurer
161b'' and may output a signal to a user with the use of an output
unit (not shown). Therefore, it is possible for a user to precisely
determine when to replace an existing liquid detergent supplier
with a new liquid detergent supplier. Alternatively, the liquid
detergent detector 161b'' may include a device mechanically moving
in accordance with the liquid level in the liquid detergent
detector 161b''. Any type of device may be used as the liquid
detergent detector 161'' as long as it can measure the liquid level
in the liquid detergent reservoir 162.
[0045] In this manner, it is possible for the user to precisely
determine when to replace an existing liquid detergent supplier
with a new liquid detergent supplier. In addition, it is possible
to improve the performance of a laundry treatment machine by
replacing an existing liquid detergent supplier with a new liquid
detergent supplier at a proper time.
[0046] While the exemplary embodiments have been particularly shown
and described using references to, it will be understood by those
of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and
details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present disclosure.
* * * * *