KR20000004076A - Unbalance detecting device of washing machine and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The imbalance detection device and method of the washing machine are equipped with a microphone on the outer side of the washing machine, and after completion of the rinsing operation, when the dehydration sound is detected when the balance is dewatered, the detected dehydration sound is larger than the preset dehydration sound and the impact sound occurs more than a certain number of times. After stopping the balance dehydration operation and re-watering, correct the laundry to be distributed evenly through the rinsing operation.If the detected dehydration sound is smaller than the preset dehydration sound, this dehydration is performed and the dehydration sound is detected again by the microphone. After the comparison with the reference normal dehydration again, according to the comparison result, the rinsing operation is performed again after the resupply as described above, or the dehydration operation is performed for a predetermined time. In other words, by detecting the dehydration of the balance dehydration and the dehydration during the main dehydration by the microphone in two stages, to detect the imbalance of the more accurate laundry, and to minimize the dehydration sound generated during dehydration.

Description

Unbalance detection device and method for washing machine

The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting an imbalance of a washing machine and a method thereof, and more particularly, to an apparatus for detecting an imbalance of a washing machine and a method for accurately detecting an unbalanced state of a laundry by using a microphone when the washing machine is dehydrated.

In general, the washing machine is a product for washing the foreign matter in the laundry, such as clothes, bedding and the like cleanly by using a friction action of the washing water according to the emulsification action and rotational motion of the detergent and friction with the laundry. Such a washing machine has been developed from a manual washing machine which performs all operations manually to a semi-automatic washing machine, an automatic washing machine and a drum washing machine according to the development of the electromechanical technology, and also has an air washing machine and a washing machine having different washing methods. Various kinds of washing machines such as tungsten washing machines are commercialized and marketed.

The washing machines sequentially perform washing strokes, rinsing strokes, and dehydration strokes according to a predetermined amount of time according to a predetermined algorithm. In addition, the user may select only one stroke during washing, rinsing, and dehydrating stroke, and selectively sets a driving time of the selected one stroke to separately perform only one stroke.

As such, when the washing stroke and the rinsing stroke of the washing machine are completed, the washing water existing in the washing tank is automatically drained, and when the draining of the washing water is completed, the dehydrating stroke is automatically performed. At this time, the laundry in the washing tank is biased to one side. It is often the case that laundry is left unbalanced. When the laundry is placed in an imbalanced state in the washing tank, the debris caused by the imbalance of the laundry during dehydration administration is particularly badly town-driven, and the washing tank hits the water tank according to the elliptical movement of the washing tank. The problem of damaging the washing tank and the other problem of the severe noise caused by the impact occurred.

Therefore, the conventional washing machine solves the above-mentioned problems by mounting a laundry imbalance detection device as shown in FIG. 1 in order to prevent vibration and noise caused by the imbalance of the laundry.

Hereinafter, an apparatus for detecting an imbalance of a washing machine according to the related art and a method thereof will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view schematically showing a configuration of a washing machine equipped with an imbalance detection device of a washing machine according to the related art. Referring to FIG. 1, a second switching contact for detecting whether a lid of a washing machine 11 is opened or closed is described. (17) and the first switching contact 16 for detecting the unbalance of the washing machine due to the unbalanced distribution of the laundry in the washing tank during the dehydration operation of the washing machine 11, and the first and second switching contacts (16, 17) The microcomputer (not shown) for controlling the motor 18 to selectively perform the on / off operation of the washing machine 11 dehydration stroke according to the detected signal is mounted on the lid of the upper side of the washing machine 11. Here, the on / off operation of the first switching contact 16 for detecting the unbalance of the washing machine is the washing tank 13 due to the bias of the laundry in the washing tank 13 during the rotation of the washing tank 13 for the dehydration operation of the washing machine. Is in contact with the reservoir 12 and the unbalance lever 15 is shaken in conjunction with the swing of the reservoir 12, the first switching contact 16 connected to the unbalance lever 15 is turned on / off. That is, the unbalance of the washing machine is detected according to the on / off switching signal of the second switching contact 17 according to the movement of the unbalance lever 15.

Looking at the operation of the imbalance detection device of the washing machine according to the prior art having such a configuration in detail, first the washing stroke and rinsing stroke of the washing machine 11, the microcomputer (not shown) to control the drain valve 24 The rinsing water used during the rinsing stroke in the washing tank 13 is drained to the outside through the drain hose 25.

When the rinsing water is completely drained as described above, the microcomputer drives the motor 18 for the preliminary dehydration stroke for detecting the imbalance of the laundry, and the clutch 21 is rotated so that only the pulsator 23 is rotated by intermittent rotation of the washing tank 13. ).

The driving force of the motor 18, that is, the power generated by the rotation of the motor 18 is transferred to the washing tub 13 through the pulley 19, the belt 20, the clutch 21, and the rotation shaft 23 connected to the motor 18. By rotating the washing tank 13 to be delivered to, it is to perform a dehydration stroke of the laundry. Here, the clutch 21, during the washing stroke and rinsing stroke under the control of the microcomputer, interrupts the rotation of the washing tub 13 and rotates only the pulsator 23 to wash and rinse the stroke using the rotational force of the pulsator 23. In the dehydration administration, the pulsator 13 and the washing tank are intermittent to rotate the pulsator 23 and rotate only the washing tub 13 to perform the dehydration stroke using the rotational force of the washing tub 13. (13) It is a rotary control device.

However, when the laundry in the washing tank 13 is rotated in a state in which the laundry in the washing tank 13 is not uniformly distributed and is biased to one side, the washing tank 13 has an elliptical rotational motion, thereby washing the laundry. The washing tank 13 of this biased portion is in contact with the water storage tank 12, the vibration and noise of the washing machine is generated. That is, the unbalance of the washing machine is generated.

In this way, in accordance with the contact of the washing tank 13, the reservoir 12 is oscillated to move the unbalance lever 15. The unbalance lever 15 repeatedly performs the original return and movement according to the shaking of the water storage tank 12 according to the elliptic rotation of the washing tank 13, and the first switching contact connected to the unbalance lever 15 which operates in connection with the unbalance lever 15. At 16, on / off switching is performed repeatedly.

As such, the switching signal generated by the on / off repeat switching of the first switching contact 16 is applied to the microcomputer. Therefore, the microcomputer determines whether the switching signal input according to the on / off operation of the first switching contact 16 is a value within a preset range for detecting unbalance of the washing machine. It is determined by the imbalance of the washing machine caused by. When the present condition of the washing machine is determined to be in an imbalanced state, the microcomputer stops the motor 18 to stop the dewatering stroke, and re-feeds the washing water into the washing tank 13 to perform an imbalance correction operation for resuming the dewatering stroke. In other words, the water supply and rinsing again to correct the deflection of the laundry.

When the rinsing cycle is completed, the preliminary dehydration operation is performed again to detect the imbalance of the washing machine caused by the washing of the laundry. Here, the preliminary dehydration operation is an operation for detecting the unbalance of the laundry, and performs the preliminary dehydration operation by rotating the rotational speed of the motor 18 at a low speed.

However, even when the imbalance correction operation of the washing machine is performed as described above, when the imbalance is not corrected and the imbalance detection is detected more than a certain number of times, an alarm device is provided so that the user can directly correct the imbalance of the laundry. ) Will warn the user of the imbalance of the laundry. Here, since the operation of the second switching contact 17 shown in FIG. 1, that is, whether the lid is opened or closed by the washing machine 11 and the operation process of the washing machine performed according to the detected lid opening or closing is not related to the present invention, The description will be omitted.

The imbalance detection method of the washing machine corresponding to the operation of the imbalance detection device of the washing machine according to the related art as described above will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 2.

2 is an operation flow chart showing an imbalance detection method of a washing machine according to the prior art, the flow for the washing administration method is omitted, rinsing stroke, a method for detecting the unbalanced state of the laundry during the dehydration stroke and unbalance state detection The flow of the unbalance correction operation of the laundry was shown.

First, when the washing operation is completed and the rinsing water for the rinsing operation is supplied into the washing tub 13 of the washing machine 11, the rinsing operation is performed for a predetermined time under the control of the microcomputer 20 (S101).

Subsequently, when the rinsing operation is completed (S102), the washing water in the washing tank 13 is completely drained (S103), and when the draining is completed (S104), the motor 21 is driven for a predetermined time under the control of the microcomputer to perform preliminary dehydration. It performs (S105). Here, the preliminary dehydration operation is an operation for detecting the imbalance of the laundry as described above.

Subsequently, during the preliminary dehydration operation, the microcomputer detects an on / off state of the first switching contact 16 that detects an unbalanced state of the washing machine (S106).

Subsequently, it is determined whether the on / off operation of the first switching contact 16 is repeatedly performed according to the on / off state detection result of the first switching contact 16 (S107).

As a result of the determination, when the repetitive on / off operation of the first switching contact 16 is not detected, the microcomputer continuously drives the motor 18 to perform the main dehydration operation of the washing machine (S108).

On the other hand, if the repeated on / off operation of the first switching contact 16 is detected as a result of the determination, the microcomputer determines that the laundry is in an unbalanced state in which the laundry is biased to one side in the washing tank 13 to stop the driving of the motor 18, The rinsing water is resupplied in step 13 (S109) to perform a laundry imbalance correction operation in the washing tank 13 through the rinsing cycle.

Subsequently, when the imbalance correction operation of the laundry is completed through the rinsing cycle, that is, when the rinsing cycle is completed, the unbalance detection operation of the washing machine is repeatedly performed.

If the unbalance detection is repeated even more than a predetermined number of times through such an unbalance detection operation of the laundry, all the operations of the washing machine are stopped and the user is warned through an alarm device so that the user can directly correct the unbalance of the laundry.

If the on / off state of the first switching contact 16 is continuously detected even during the step S107, that is, during the main dehydration operation, the motor 18 is stopped to stop the current dehydration stroke in progress and the step S109. From the operation again to perform the laundry correction operation sequentially.

However, the apparatus and method for detecting the imbalance of the washing machine according to the related art as described above have the following problems.

First, there is a problem in that it is difficult to increase cost and secure space because a separate mechanical unbalance detection device must be installed in the washing tank to detect an imbalance of laundry.

Second, since the unbalance detection device of the washing machine is a mechanical device operated by physical contact, when the detection device is worn out due to careless handling or long-term use, the troublesome trouble of exchanging and reinstalling the detection device and the wear of the detection device are caused. There is a problem that can not accurately detect the imbalance of the washing machine due to the increased detection error.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems according to the prior art, an object of the present invention is to balance the unbalance of the laundry when the dewatering of the washing machine using a microphone mounted on one side of the outer tub of the washing machine (Outer Turb) The present invention relates to an imbalance detection device for a washing machine capable of detecting an imbalance of laundry more accurately by comparing dehydration noise detected by detecting dehydration sound during dehydration and normal dehydration, respectively.

In addition, another object of the present invention to provide an imbalance detection method of the washing machine corresponding to the operation of the imbalance detection device of the washing machine.

1 is a view schematically showing the configuration of a washing machine equipped with an imbalance detection device for a washing machine according to the prior art

2 is a view showing the operation flow of the imbalance detection method of the washing machine according to the prior art

3 is a schematic block diagram of an imbalance detection device of a washing machine according to the present invention.

4 is a view illustrating an operation flow of a method for detecting an imbalance of a washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detection waveform for dehydration sound detected by the sound detector illustrated in FIG. 3.

♣ Explanation of symbols for main part of drawing ♣

30: sound sensing unit 31: control unit

32: supply and drain drive unit 33: motor drive unit

Features of the unbalance detection device of the washing machine according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a washing machine with a water supply valve and a washing motor, the washing stroke and rinsing stroke is completed and detects dehydration noise during pre-dehydration and main dehydration, respectively Sound sensing means; If the dehydration sound detected by the sound sensing means is compared with the preset reference sound (normal dehydration sound), respectively, and the detected dehydration sound is greater than the predetermined normal dehydration sound, it is determined that the laundry is imbalanced and the driving of the washing motor is stopped. And control means for controlling the water supply valve to replenish the washing water for performing the rinsing operation in the washing tank, wherein the sound sensing means is composed of a microphone.

In addition, the imbalance detection method of the washing machine according to the present invention is characterized in that the imbalance detection method of the washing machine having a microphone, the washing stroke and rinsing stroke is completed and performing a balance dehydration; Detecting dehydration sound generated during balance dehydration using the microphone during balance dehydration and comparing the detected dehydration sound generated during balance dehydration with a preset reference dehydration sound (P _ref ); As a result of the comparison, when the dehydration sound at the balance dehydration detected by the microphone is greater than the preset reference sound dehydration sound, the washing water is determined to be in an unbalanced state of the laundry to stop the driving of the washing motor and perform a rinsing operation again. Re-supplying water and performing a rinsing operation again; When the dehydration sound detected by the microphone is less than the preset reference sound dehydration sound, the dehydration operation is performed, and when the dehydration is performed, the dehydration sound is generated by using the microphone. Steps; If the dehydration negative when the compared to the other standard dehydration negative dehydration sound generated during the dehydration by the sense pre-set (P _ref) dehydration is greater than the reference dehydration negative (P _ref) is the re-performed the rinsing operation When the dehydration sound at the time of the dehydration is smaller than the reference dehydration sound (P _ref ), the dehydration stroke is performed for a predetermined time.

Hereinafter, an imbalance detection apparatus and a method of a washing machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a view schematically showing a block configuration of an imbalance detection device of a washing machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an example of a dehydration noise waveform detected by the sound detection unit shown in FIG. Looking at the configuration, the washing stroke and the rinsing stroke is completed, the sound detection unit 30 for detecting the dehydration noise during the initial dehydration, and the dehydration sound detected by the sound detection unit 30 a preset reference sound (normal dehydration sound) A control unit 31 for providing a stop signal for stopping dehydration and providing a water supply control signal for performing a rinsing operation in the washing tank when the detected dehydration sound is greater than a preset normal dehydration sound; A motor driving unit 33 for stopping the dehydration operation according to the dehydration stop signal provided from the control unit 31; It is composed of a water supply and drain driving unit 32 for supplying the wash water into the washing tank in accordance with the water supply control signal provided from the control unit 31. Here, when the dehydration sound detected by the sound sensing unit 30 is less than the preset normal dehydration sound, the controller 31 drives the motor driving unit 33 to provide a control signal to perform normal dehydration, that is, the dehydration operation. Done. At this time, the sound sensing unit 30 is a microphone (Microphone) mounted on one side of the outer tub of the washing machine.

Let us look at the operation of the imbalance detection device of the washing machine according to the present invention having the configuration as described above.

First, when the washing operation and the rinsing operation is completed, the control unit 31 controls the drain valve of the water supply and drain driving unit 32 to completely drain the rinsing water existing in the washing tank to the outside, and when the draining is completed, the control unit 31 may rotate the motor. By providing a motor driving control signal to the driving unit 33, the motor is driven for a predetermined time to perform a preliminary dehydration operation. Here, the preliminary dehydration operation is an operation for detecting the imbalance of the laundry.

When the preliminary dehydration operation is started, the control unit 31 provides a driving control signal to the sound sensing unit 30 to control to detect the dehydration sound during dehydration.

As described above, the sound sensing unit 30 detects the dehydration sound at the time of dehydration under the control of the control unit 31 and provides the detected dehydration sound to the control unit 31, and the control unit 31 is provided to the dehydration during the preliminary dehydration provided. The detection sound is compared with a preset reference dehydration sound, that is, dehydration sound during normal dehydration.

As a result of the comparison, when the detected dehydration sound is larger than the preset normal dehydration sound, it is determined whether the number of dehydration sounds (shock sounds) exceeding the standard dehydration sound as shown in FIG. 5 occurs three or more times. When it occurs, it is determined that the laundry in the washing tank is in an imbalanced state, and the motor driving control signal is provided to the motor driving unit 33 to stop the current preliminary dehydration operation.

When the preliminary dewatering operation is stopped, the control unit 31 controls the water supply valve of the water supply and drainage driving unit 32 to re-water the washing water into the washing tank to perform the rinsing operation again. The reason why the rinsing operation is performed again is to distribute the laundry evenly in the washing tank through the re-rinsing operation.

On the other hand, when the dehydration sound detected by the sound sensing unit 30 during the preliminary dehydration is smaller than the preset standard dehydration sound is determined that the laundry in the washing tank is evenly distributed to drive the motor drive unit 33 to the main dehydration administration of the washing machine Will be performed. Here, the sound sensing unit 30, that is, the microphone continuously detects the dehydration sound during the dehydration stroke. When the dehydration sound detected during the dehydration stroke is larger than the normal dehydration sound set as described above, As described above, the dehydration operation is stopped and the rinsing operation is performed again through resupply. Otherwise, the dehydration administration is performed during the set dehydration administration time continuously.

An imbalance detection method of the washing machine corresponding to the operation of the imbalance detection device of the washing machine according to the present invention as described above will be briefly described with reference to the operation flow shown in FIG. 4.

First, when the washing stroke is completed (S201), the rinsing stroke is performed (S202), it is determined whether the rinsing stroke is completed (S203), and when the rinsing stroke is completed, the rinsing water used in the rinsing stroke is drained to the outside. (S204).

When the drainage is completed in this way, the balance dehydration operation is performed by the preset washing administration program (S205). Here, the balance dehydration operation is the same operation as the above-described preliminary dehydration operation.

As described above, when the balance dehydration stroke is started, the microphone 30 detects dehydration sound generated when dehydration is performed (S206), and the detected dehydration sound is compared with a preset reference dehydration sound (P _ref ). It is determined whether the reference dehydration sound (P _ref ) is greater than (S207). As a result of determination, when the detected dehydration sound is greater than the preset normal dehydration sound (P _ref ), the dehydration sound (shock sound) (a, b, c ---) exceeding the reference dehydration sound as shown in FIG. If it is determined that the number of times occurred more than three times (S211) If the impact sound is generated more than three times it is determined that the laundry in the washing tank is in an unbalanced state to stop the current balance dehydration operation (S212).

When the preliminary dehydration operation is stopped, the water supply valve is controlled to re-supply the washing water into the washing tank (S213) to perform the rinsing operation again (S202). The reason why the rinsing operation is performed again is to correct the balance of the laundry so that the laundry in the washing tank is evenly distributed through the re-rinsing operation.

On the other hand, if the dehydration sound detected by the microphone 30 during the balance dehydration is less than the preset reference dehydration sound (P _ref ) it is determined that the laundry in the washing tank is evenly distributed to perform the dehydration administration of the laundry. (S208). Here, during the dehydration stroke, the microphone 30 continuously detects the dehydration sound. When the dehydration sound detected during the dehydration stroke is larger than the normal dehydration sound, the dehydration operation is performed as described above. The rinsing operation will be performed again by stopping and resupplying, otherwise, the dehydrating stroke will be continuously performed during this dehydrating stroke time (S210).

As a result, the imbalance detection device and method of the washing machine according to the present invention are equipped with a microphone 30 on the outer side of the washing machine, and after completion of the rinsing operation, the dehydration sound detected by detecting the dehydration sound when the balance is dehydrated is more than the preset dehydration sound. If the standard dehydration sound, i.e., the impact sound occurs more than a certain number of times, stop the balance dehydration operation and correct the distribution of the laundry evenly by rinsing after re-retaining.If the detected dehydration sound is smaller than the preset dehydration sound, At the same time as performing the dehydration, the dehydration sound is detected again by the microphone 30 and compared with the reference normal dehydration sound again, and according to the comparison result, the rinsing operation is performed again after the resupply as described above, or the dehydration operation is set. It will run for hours. That is, by detecting the dehydration of the balance and the dehydration during the dehydration by the microphone in two stages, it is possible to detect a more accurate imbalance of laundry.

As described above, the apparatus for detecting an imbalance of the washing machine and the method according to the present invention divides the dehydration at the time of balance dehydration and the main dehydration by the microphone into two stages so that a more accurate laundry imbalance can be detected. It is possible to prevent damage to the washing machine by improving the laundry imbalance detection ability, thereby extending the life of the washing machine and having the advantage of minimizing dehydration noise generated during dehydration administration.

Claims (2)

In a washing machine having a water supply valve and a washing motor, Sound sensing means consisting of a microphone mounted on the outer tank side of the washing machine, the washing stroke and the rinsing stroke are completed and detect dehydration noise during preliminary dehydration and main dehydration, respectively; If the dehydration sound detected by the sound sensing means is compared with the preset reference sound (normal dehydration sound), respectively, and the detected dehydration sound is greater than the predetermined normal dehydration sound, it is determined that the laundry is imbalanced and the driving of the washing motor is stopped. And control means for controlling the water supply valve to re-water the wash water for performing the rinsing operation in the washing tank. In the imbalance detection method of a washing machine equipped with a microphone, Performing washing and rinsing strokes and performing a balance dehydration; Detecting dehydration sound generated during balance dehydration using the microphone during balance dehydration and comparing the detected dehydration sound generated during balance dehydration with a preset reference dehydration sound (P _ref ); As a result of the comparison, when the dehydration sound at the balance dehydration detected by the microphone is greater than the preset reference sound dehydration sound, the washing water is determined to be in an unbalanced state of the laundry to stop the driving of the washing motor and perform a rinsing operation again. Re-supplying water and performing a rinsing operation again; When the dehydration sound detected by the microphone is less than the preset reference sound dehydration sound, the dehydration operation is performed, and when the dehydration is performed, the dehydration sound is generated by using the microphone. Steps; If the dehydration negative when the compared to the other standard dehydration negative dehydration sound generated during the dehydration by the sense pre-set (P _ref) dehydration is greater than the reference dehydration negative (P _ref) is the re-performed the rinsing operation , If the dehydration sound at the time of the dehydration is less than the standard dehydration sound (P _ref ) to perform the main dehydration stroke for a predetermined time period, characterized in that the washing machine imbalance.