U.S. patent application number 14/566298 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-24 for washing machine and washing method using an integrated sensing device for water level and rotating unbalance.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation. Invention is credited to In Young JANG.
Application Number | 20160083887 14/566298 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55525222 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160083887 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JANG; In Young |
March 24, 2016 |
WASHING MACHINE AND WASHING METHOD USING AN INTEGRATED SENSING
DEVICE FOR WATER LEVEL AND ROTATING UNBALANCE
Abstract
Integrated sensing device for sensing both the water level and
the rotating unbalance in a washing machine. The sensing device
includes a magnetic sensor coupled to the casing of the washing
machine and a magnetic body coupled to the washing tub of the
washing machine. The sensed magnetic force indicates a position of
the washing tub relative to the casing. While the washing water is
supplied, the weight of the washing water causes the washing tub to
move to a lower position and thereby the sensed magnetic force
decreases. The water supply is shut off once the magnetic force
decreases to a first preset value. Moreover, during a spin-drying
process, if the sensed magnetic field decreases to a second
predetermined value which indicates presence of rotating unbalance,
the rotation is stopped and a preliminary spin-drying process is
initiated.
Inventors: |
JANG; In Young; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
55525222 |
Appl. No.: |
14/566298 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/137 ; 68/23.1;
68/3R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 33/00 20130101;
D06F 34/28 20200201; D06F 37/203 20130101; D06F 2204/06 20130101;
D06F 2204/086 20130101; D06F 35/007 20130101; D06F 39/087 20130101;
D06F 2202/085 20130101; D06F 2202/12 20130101; D06F 37/24 20130101;
D06F 37/306 20130101; D06F 39/088 20130101; D06F 2222/00
20130101 |
International
Class: |
D06F 33/02 20060101
D06F033/02; D06F 39/00 20060101 D06F039/00; D06F 39/08 20060101
D06F039/08; D06F 37/30 20060101 D06F037/30; D06F 37/24 20060101
D06F037/24; D06F 35/00 20060101 D06F035/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 22, 2014 |
KR |
10-2014-0125757 |
Claims
1. A washing machine comprising: a casing; a washing tub disposed
inside the casing; a drive unit configured to rotate the washing
tub; a control panel; and a magnetic sensing device configured to
sense a water level in the washing tub and also configured to sense
rotating unbalance of the washing tub.
2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the magnetic sensing
device comprises: a magnetic body coupled to the washing tub; and a
magnetic sensor coupled to the casing and configured to generate a
signal representing a distance between the magnetic body and the
magnetic sensor.
3. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the control panel
comprises control circuits and is disposed at an upper portion of
the casing, and wherein the magnetic sensor is coupled to the
control circuits; and wherein the magnetic body is a permanent
magnet and disposed at an upper edge of the washing tub.
4. The washing machine of claim 3 further comprising a suspension
system configured to support the washing tub in a suspended state,
wherein a distance between the magnetic sensor and the magnetic
body increases with a weight of washing water supplied to the
washing tub and laundry loaded in the washing tub.
5. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein the control circuits are
configured to shut off water supply to the washing tub or stop
rotation of an inner tub of the washing tub based on a signal
generated by the magnetic sensor, and wherein the signal indicates
an intensity of a magnetic force generated by the magnetic
body.
6. The washing machine of claim 5, wherein the control circuits are
configured to shut off water supply if the signal indicates an
intensity of the magnetic force is equal to or below a first
predetermined value.
7. The washing machine of claim 6, wherein the control circuits are
configured to stop rotation of the inner tub if the signal
indicates an intensity of the magnetic force is equal to or below a
second predetermined value.
8. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the washing tub
comprises a stationary outer tub configured to contain washing
water, and wherein the inner tub is rotatable and configured to
accommodate laundry.
9. The washing machine of claim 8, wherein, upon the rotation of
the inner tub being stopped amid a spin-drying process responsive
to a signal generated from the magnetic sensor, the washing machine
is configured to: resupply washing water to the washing tub;
alternately rotate the inner tub clockwise and counter-clockwise;
and drain wash water from the washing tub and reinitiate a
spin-drying process.
10. A method of washing performed by a washing machine, the method
comprising: supplying washing water to a washing tub; during said
supplying, a magnetic sensor detecting a magnetic force generated
by a magnetic body, wherein an intensity of the magnetic force
corresponds to a position of the washing tub with reference to a
casing of the washing machine; the magnetic sensor generating a
signal indicating the intensity of the magnetic force; and
responsive to the signal indicating the intensity of the magnetic
force is equal to or below a first preset reference value,
automatically shutting off the water supply.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the magnetic sensor is
stationary and coupled to the casing of the washing machine,
wherein the magnetic body is coupled to the washing tub, and
wherein the position of the washing tub varies with a washing water
level in the washing tub.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the washing tub is coupled to a
suspension system that supports the washing tub in a suspended
state.
13. The method of claim 10 further comprising performing a washing
operation after the water supply is shut off.
14. A method of washing performed by a washing machine, the method
comprising: draining washing water from a washing tub of the
washing machine; rotating the washing tub to spin-dry laundry in
the washing tub; detecting an intensity of magnetic force generated
by a magnetic body coupled to the washing tub, wherein the
intensity of the magnetic force corresponds to a position of the
washing tub with reference to a casing of the washing tub; a
magnetic sensor generating a signal based on the detecting; and
automatically stopping the rotation of the washing tub when the
intensity of magnetic force is equal to or less than a first preset
reference value that corresponds to a rotating unbalance state of
the washing tub.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising: performing a
preliminary spin-drying process after the rotation of the washing
tub is stopped, wherein the preliminary spin-drying process
comprises: resupply washing water to the washing tub; alternately
rotate the washing tub in forward and backward directions; and
drain wash water from the washing tub and initiate a spin-drying
process.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit and priority to Korean
Patent Application No. 10-2014-0125757, filed on Sep. 22, 2014,
with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of
which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a washing machine and
washing method using the same, and more particularly, to sensing
mechanisms in a washing machine.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In general, a washing machine refers to an apparatus which
eliminates foreign substances on or in laundry by agitating and
rotating water together with the laundry. The washing machine
typically uses a motor and performs washing, rinsing, and
spin-drying processes to clean the laundry.
[0004] Washing machines may be classified into cylinder type
washing machines, agitator type washing machines, and pulsator type
washing machines in accordance with the structures of the washing
machines. A pulsator type washing machine washes the laundry using
a water flow generated by motion (e.g., rotation) of a pulsator in
a washing tub.
[0005] In general, a laundry process using a washing machine
includes at least a cycle of the following: a washing process, a
rinsing process, and a spin-drying process.
[0006] In the washing process, the laundry is washed by moving
washing water that is stimulated by the rotating pulsator. In the
washing process, washing water and detergent are supplied to and
contained in an outer tub of a washing tub.
[0007] At the beginning of the rinse process, the washing water
with detergent in the washing tub is drained, and new water is
supplied into the washing tub. Then, the inner tub of the washing
tub is rotated for a certain amount of time at a relatively low
speed. The aforementioned operations are repeatedly several times,
followed by draining the washing water again from the washing
tub.
[0008] In the spin-drying process, the inner tub of the washing tub
is rotated at a high speed, thereby removing the washing
water/moisture remaining in the laundry.
[0009] In the washing machine, a water level sensing device is used
to sense the washing water level in the inner tub and ensure an
appropriate amount of washing water is supplied to the washing tub,
e.g., in accordance with the laundry load in the washing and rinse
processes.
[0010] A vibration sensing device is used to sense any rotating
unbalance or eccentric rotation of the inner tub during the
spin-drying process. The eccentric rotation is mainly caused by the
unbalanced laundry weight distribution in the inner tub.
[0011] Conventionally, a water level sensing device and a vibration
sensing device are separate devices installed in a washing machine,
which involves high manufacture cost and installation
complexity.
SUMMARY
[0012] Therefore it would be advantageous to provide an integrated
mechanism and method capable of sensing both the water level in a
washing tub and the rotating unbalance of the washing tub.
[0013] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a washing
machine that can control water supply as well as prevent vibration
damage to the washing machine based on detection signals generated
by a single sensing device.
[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, a washing machine includes: a casing; a washing tub in
the casing; a drive unit configured to rotate the washing tub; a
control panel disposed on one side of an upper portion of the
casing and including a circuit board; a magnetic sensor disposed on
the circuit board in a direction toward an edge of the washing tub;
and a magnetic body installed at the top of the washing tub and
facing the magnetic sensor.
[0015] The circuit board may shut off water supply to the washing
tub or stop the rotation of the washing tub in accordance with the
intensity of a magnetic force measured by the magnetic sensor.
[0016] The washing tub may include a non-rotatable outer tub which
stores washing water. The magnetic body is installed at the upper
wall of the outer tub. An inner tub is installed inside the outer
tub for accommodating clothes and can be rotated by the drive
unit.
[0017] The circuit board may shut off the water supply if the
detected intensity of the magnetic force is equal to or less than a
first reference value, and may stop the rotation of the inner tub
of the washing tub followed by performance of a preliminary
spin-drying process if the detected intensity of magnetic force
during a spin-drying process is equal to or less than a second
reference value.
[0018] Another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
provides a washing method which uses a magnetic body, which is
provided at an edge of an upper portion of a washing tub, and a
magnetic sensor, which is installed on a circuit board of a control
panel so as to face the magnetic body, the washing method
including: supplying washing water to the washing tub; and shutting
off the water supply when an intensity of the magnetic force, which
is sensed by the magnetic sensor, is at a first reference value or
less.
[0019] A washing operation may be performed when the water supply
is shut off.
[0020] Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
provides a washing method which uses a magnetic body, which is
provided at an edge of an upper portion of a washing tub, and a
magnetic sensor, which is installed on a circuit board of a control
panel so as to face the magnetic body, the washing method includes:
draining washing water from the washing tub; spin-drying clothes by
rotating the washing tub; and stopping the rotation of the washing
tub when the intensity of the magnetic force, which is sensed by
the magnetic sensor, is at a second reference value or less.
[0021] The washing method may further include performing a
preliminary spin-drying process when the rotation of the washing
tub is stopped.
[0022] According to the exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, the washing machine and the washing method may not only
control water supply by sensing a water level of the washing tub,
but also prevent damage to the washing machine by sensing
unbalance.
[0023] This summary contains, by necessity, simplifications,
generalizations and omissions of detail; consequently, those
skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative
only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects,
inventive features, and advantages of the present invention, as
defined solely by the claims, will become apparent in the
non-limiting detailed description set forth below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] Embodiments of the present invention will be better
understood from a reading of the following detailed description,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which
like reference characters designate like elements and in which:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary washing
machine including an integrated sensing device operable to both
detect water level and rotating unbalance of the washing tub
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary washing
method using the washing machine of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will
be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will
be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to
these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to
cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be
included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by
the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed
description of embodiments of the present invention, numerous
specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough
understanding of the present invention. However, it will be
recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present
invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other
instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits
have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily
obscure aspects of the embodiments of the present invention. The
drawings showing embodiments of the invention are semi-diagrammatic
and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for
the clarity of presentation and are shown exaggerated in the
drawing Figures. Similarly, although the views in the drawings for
the ease of description generally show similar orientations, this
depiction in the Figures is arbitrary for the most part. Generally,
the invention can be operated in any orientation.
Notation and Nomenclature:
[0028] It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and
similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical
quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these
quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from
the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the
present invention, discussions utilizing terms such as "processing"
or "accessing" or "executing" or "storing" or "rendering" or the
like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or
similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and
transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities
within the computer system's registers and memories and other
computer readable media into other data similarly represented as
physical quantities within the computer system memories or
registers or other such information storage, transmission or client
devices. When a component appears in several embodiments, the use
of the same reference numeral signifies that the component is the
same component as illustrated in the original embodiment.
Washing Machine and Washing Method Using an Integrated Sensing
Device for Water Level and Rotating Unbalance
[0029] Hereinafter, an exemplary washing machine 101 according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with
reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the washing machine 101 includes a
casing 500, a washing tub 200, a drive unit 800, a control panel
400, a magnetic sensor 470, and a magnetic body 700.
[0031] The washing machine 101 further includes a water supply
device 560, a drainage device 580, a pulsator 300, and a suspension
system 600.
[0032] The casing 500 defines an exterior housing of the washing
machine 101.
[0033] The washing tub 200 is disposed inside the casing 500.
Specifically, the washing tub 200 includes an inner tub 210 and an
outer tub 220.
[0034] The outer tub 220 stores washing water for washing clothes
(laundry).
[0035] The inner tub 210 is disposed inside the outer tub 220 and
can rotate while the outer tub 220 remains stationary. The inner
tub is used to accommodate clothes (or laundry). The inner tub 210
has a plurality of water holes for washing water to flow from the
outer tub 220 to the inner tub 210, and vice versa.
[0036] The pulsator 300 is rotatably coupled to the bottom of the
inner tub 210 of the washing tub and is operable to agitate water
during the washing process.
[0037] The drive unit 800 drives the rotation of the pulsator 300
and the inner tub 210. Specifically, the drive unit 800 includes a
drive motor 810, a driving shaft 830 coupled to the drive motor
810, and a clutch device 820 which can intermittently transfer
rotational force to the driving shaft 830.
[0038] When the drive motor 810 rotates the pulsator 300 during a
washing process, the pulsator 300 agitates the washing water along
with the clothes in the washing tub 200.
[0039] When the drive motor 810 rotates the inner tub 210 during a
spin-drying process, the clothes accommodated in the inner tub 210
of the washing tub 200 are spin-dried as the moisture is removed by
the centrifugal force.
[0040] The water supply device 560 supplies the washing water to
the outer tub 220 of the washing tub 200.
[0041] When the washing process is finished (e.g., before the
spin-drying process), the drainage device 580 drains the washing
water used during the washing process from the outer tub 220 to the
outside of the washing machine. The drainage device 580 further
includes a drain pipe coupled to the outer tub 220 of the washing
tub 200, and a control valve which opens and closes the drain
pipe.
[0042] The suspension system 600 has one side coupled to the outer
tub 220, and the other side coupled to the casing 500. The
suspension system 600 can absorb or dampen the vibration of the
outer tub 220 and the inner tub 210 caused by the the rotation of
the drive motor 810.
[0043] That is, the suspension system 600 supports the washing tub
200 in a suspended position and can absorb vertical vibration.
[0044] The control panel 400 is installed on one side of an upper
portion of the casing 500. The control panel 400 allows a user to
operate and control the washing machine 101. The control panel 400
includes a circuit board 450 including circuits for controlling
several components of the washing machine 101 such as the drive
motor 810, the water supply device 560, and the drainage device
580, etc.
[0045] The magnetic sensor 470 is installed on the circuit board
450. In this example, the magnetic sensor 470 is installed on the
circuit board 450 and face down toward an upper edge of the outer
tub 220.
[0046] The magnetic sensor 470 senses the intensity of the magnetic
force generated by the magnetic body, and transmits the
corresponding signals to the circuit board 450.
[0047] The magnetic body 700 is installed at an edge of the upper
portion of the outer tub 220 and faces upwards towards the magnetic
sensor 470. In this example, the magnetic body 700 is installed in
a position at the shortest distance from the magnetic sensor 470.
Accordingly, the magnetic sensor 470 senses a Gauss value of the
magnetic field generated by the magnetic body 700, and thereby
measures the intensity of magnetic force.
[0048] For example, the magnetic body 700 may be a permanent
magnet, but the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are
not limited thereto.
[0049] Based on the intensity of magnetic force detected by the
magnetic sensor 470, the circuit board 450 may send a signal to
shut off the water supply to the washing tub 200 or stop the
rotation of the washing tub 200.
[0050] More specifically, when water is supplied to the washing tub
200 and the sensed intensity of magnetic force becomes equal to or
less than a first reference value, the circuit board 450 may shut
off the water supply. Different first reference values may be
preset in a lookup table based on various laundry needs or
situations, e.g., related to the type of laundry to be washed by
the washing machine 101, the amount of laundry, the size and weight
of the washing tub 200, and the like.
[0051] During the spin-drying process, when the sensed intensity of
magnetic force becomes equal to or less than a second reference
value or less, the circuit board 450 may send a signal to stop the
rotation of the inner tub 210 and initiate a preliminary
spin-drying process. In some embodiments, various second reference
values may be preset in the lookup table based on different laundry
needs and situations, e.g., related to the type of laundry, an
amount of laundry, a size and weight of the washing tub, and the
like.
[0052] The preliminary spin-drying process may include the
operations of resupplying the washing water to the outer tub 220,
and/or alternately rotating the inner tub 210 in forward and
reversed (e.g., clockwise and counter-clockwise) directions.
[0053] According to the present disclosure, by using the magnetic
sensing device including 470 and 700, the washing machine 101 can
control the water supply based on a sensed water level in the
washing tub 200, and can effectively prevent damage to the washing
machine 101 based on sensed rotating unbalance.
[0054] That is, the functionalities of sensing the water level and
sensing vibration are simultaneously performed using a single
device including the magnetic sensor 470 and the magnetic body,
advantageously resulting in simplified design configuration and
improved manufacturing and installation efficiency.
[0055] Hereinafter, a washing method using the washing machine 101
according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The washing method is
performed using the washing machine which includes the magnetic
body 700 at the edge of the upper portion of the washing tub 200,
and the magnetic sensor 470 on the circuit board 450. The magnetic
sensor faces the magnetic body 700, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0056] When the washing water is supplied to the outer tub 220 for
washing the laundry (S100), the weight of the washing water causes
the washing tub 200 to drop from its original position (or sag) to
a lower vertical position. Thus, the distance between the magnetic
body 700 and the magnetic sensor 470 is increased. As a result, the
intensity of magnetic force sensed by the magnetic sensor 470
decreases.
[0057] Accordingly, the water is continuously supplied to the
washing tub until the sensed intensity decreases to the first
reference value. In response, the water supply is shut off, and the
washing operation starts, e.g., by rotating the pulsator 300
(S300).
[0058] After the washing process is finished, the washing water is
drained from the outer tub 220 of the washing tub 200 to the
outside of washing machine (S400), and the clothes (laundry) are
spin-dried by rotating the inner tub 210 of the washing tub 200
(S500).
[0059] During the spin-drying operation, when the sensed intensity
of magnetic force decreases to the second reference value or less,
which indicates that the washing tub 200 is in an unbalanced state
(S600), the spin-drying process is stopped in order to prevent
damage to the washing machine 101.
[0060] Because an unbalanced state is mostly caused by clothes
being heavily entangled during a spin-drying process, a process
that disentangles the clothes can effectively attenuate or even
eliminate the rotating unbalance. Here, a "preliminary spin-drying
process" is used to disentangle clothes. In the preliminary
spin-drying process, washing water is resupplied to the washing tub
200 (S750).
[0061] For example, the preliminary spin-drying process (S750) may
include the operation of alternately rotating the inner tub 210 of
the washing tub 200 in the forward and reversed directions to
disentangle the clothes.
[0062] When the preliminary spin-drying process (S750) is finished,
the draining operation (S400) and the spin-drying operation (S500)
are performed again. So long as the sensed intensity of the
magnetic force during the spin-drying operation exceeds the second
reference value, the spin-drying operation is continuously
performed (S800) until the washing operation ends.
[0063] With the aforementioned method, the water supply amount can
be properly controlled and vibration damage to the washing machine
101 can be effectively prevented based on signals generated from a
single sensing device which includes the magnetic sensor 470 and
the magnetic body 700 in this example.
[0064] Although certain preferred embodiments and methods have been
disclosed herein, it will be apparent from the foregoing disclosure
to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of
such embodiments and methods may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that the
invention shall be limited only to the extent required by the
appended claims and the rules and principles of applicable law.
* * * * *