Washing machine with detection device

Abstract

A washing machine including a combined detecting device adapted to detect both a water level and vibration of the washing machine. The washing machine includes a water tub adapted to contain wash water, a washing device adapted to wash laundry contained in the water tub, and a combined detecting device which detects both a water level and vibration of the water tub. The combined detecting device includes a case coupled to the water tub and having an inlet for use in the passage of air, a pressure pipe connected between a lower portion of the water tub and the inlet of the case, a pressure sensor which detects pressure variation in the case, and a vibrator member reciprocably installed in the case and which induces the pressure variation in the case during generation of the vibration.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2004-36204, filed on May 21, 2004 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

An apparatus consistent with the present invention relates to a washing machine and, more particularly, to a washing machine comprising a combined detecting device capable of detecting not only a water level, but also a vibration in the washing machine.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a washing machine comprises a water level sensor adapted to detect the level of wash water supplied in a water tub during wash and rinse cycles, and a vibration sensor adapted to detect a vibration of the water tub generated during a high-speed spin-dry cycle. Such a water level sensor enables the control of water supply operation of the washing machine according to the detected water level in the water tub, and the vibration sensor permits the control of operation in such a fashion that the washing machine is stopped at the time the vibration sensor detects excessive vibration generated in the washing machine. In such a conventional washing machine, however, since the water level sensor and the vibration sensor are provided as individual parts, and thus are mounted at separate positions in the washing machine, the number of overall parts of the washing machine increases, and the number of manufacturing steps also increases, resulting in a deterioration in price competitiveness.

In order to solve the above problem, recently, a sensor, adapted to detect not only a water level, but also a vibration in a washing machine, has been developed in the related fields. One example of such a sensor is disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-338262 (published on May 27, 2002). The disclosed sensor for detecting both a water level and a vibration of a washing machine, comprises, water level detecting elements of a diaphragm, a core, a case, and a coil. The diaphragm is deformable by variation of a pneumatic pressure depending on the water level in the washing machine, and the core is displaceable according to variation in the shape of the diaphragm. The case is configured to enclose the diaphragm and a core holder, and the coil is installed in the case to surround the core such that it can detect the displacement of the core. In such a conventional sensor configured as stated above, when the diaphragm is deformed according to the variation of the water level, the core is displaced inside the coil, thereby enabling detection of the water level through inductance variation.

Further, the disclosed sensor includes vibration detecting elements comprising a vibration detector which defines a predetermined space in one side of the coil and has an inclined surface, and a rolling member movably installed in the vibration detector. When vibration is generated in the washing machine, the rolling member installed in the vibration detector is moved along the inclined surface of the vibration detector to cause inductance variation in the coil, thereby enabling detection of the vibration.

In the case of the above described sensor, although it takes the form of a single unit capable of detecting both the water level and vibration of the washing machine, it comprises the diaphragm, core, coil, etc., as elements used only to detect the water level, and the vibration detector having the inclined surface and the rolling member, as elements used only to detect the vibration, resulting in an increase in the number of overall elements, and a complicated structure. Such a conventional sensor is difficult to manufacture, and exhibits high manufacturing costs. Further, in principle, the sensor can detect the vibration of the washing machine only through movement of the rolling member induced when the vibration is generated, and this makes it difficult to detect the presence and magnitude of fine vibrations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Illustrative, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention overcome the above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, the present invention is not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention may not overcome any of the problems described above.

The present invention has been made in view of the above mentioned problems, and an aspect of the invention is to provide a washing machine comprising a combined detecting device, which can detect both a water level and a vibration of the washing machine, and exhibit easy manufacture and competitive manufacturing costs by virtue of a simplified structure thereof.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a washing machine comprising a combined detecting device capable of accurately detecting the presence and magnitude of fine vibrations.

An apparatus consistent with an aspect of the present invention provides a washing machine comprising a water tub adapted to contain wash water, a washing device adapted to wash laundry contained in the water tub, and a combined detecting device which detects both a water level and vibration of the water tub, the combined detecting device comprising: a case coupled to the water tub and having an inlet for use in the passage of air; a pressure pipe connected between a lower portion of the water tub and the inlet of the case; a pressure sensor which detects pressure variation in the case; and a vibrator member reciprocably installed in the case and which induces the pressure variation in the case during generation of the vibration.

The pressure sensor may be installed at an opposite side of the inlet of the case.

The vibrator member may include: a flexible connector member which connects an outer periphery of the vibrator member to an inner peripheral surface of the case in a substantially air-tight manner, and to permit reciprocation of the vibrator member; and a through-hole perforated through the vibrator member.

The vibrator member may be installed in the case between the inlet of the case and the pressure sensor.

The combined detecting device further comprises: an outlet formed at the case at an opposite side of the inlet; and a connection pipe connected between the outlet and the pressure sensor and which allows the pressure sensor to detect the pressure variation transmitted through the outlet.

The pressure sensor may be a piezoelectric element.

The combined detecting device may further comprise an amplification circuit which amplifies an electric signals outputted from the pressure sensor.

Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent and more easily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a washing machine in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 a sectional view illustrating a combined detecting device for use in the washing machine in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating pressure variation of the combined detecting device depending on vibration generated in the washing machine;

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating pressure variation of the combined detecting device depending on the rising of a water level in the washing machine;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a second exemplary embodiment of the combined detecting device of the washing machine; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating an example wherein an exemplary embodiment of the combined detecting device is applied to a drum-type washing machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE, NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to illustrative, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The exemplary embodiments described below explain the present invention by referring to the figures.

Referring to FIG. 1, the washing machine of a first exemplary embodiment comprises a water tub 11 installed in a body case 10 and adapted to contain wash water, and a washing tub 12 rotatably installed in the water tub 11. The water tub 11 is supported at a lower exterior side thereof by means of suspension devices 13. The washing machine further comprises a water supply device 14 having a water supply pipe 14a and a water supply valve 14b mounted at an upper portion of the water tub 11 for supplying the wash water into the water tub 11, and a drainage device 15 having a drainage pipe 15a and a drainage valve 15b mounted at a lower portion of the water tub 11 for discharging the wash water received in the water tub 11 to the outside.

Inside the washing tub 12 is installed a pulsator 16, which is rotatable forward or reverse to produce wash water streams. In order to rotate both the washing tub 12 and the pulsator 16, below the water tub 11 is provided a driving device. Such a driving device comprises a driving motor 17 for generating rotation power upon receiving a power-supply voltage, a power transmission mechanism 18 for selectively transmitting the rotation power of the driving motor 17 to one or both of the pulsator 16 and the washing tub 12, and a belt 19 used as a power transmission medium connected between the driving motor 17 and the power transmission mechanism 18.

The washing machine of the first exemplary embodiment further comprises a combined detecting device 20 which is adapted to detect a water level in the water tub 11 in order to keep the water level at an appropriate value conforming to the amount of laundry contained in the washing tub 12 during a wash cycle, and to detect a vibration of the water tub 11.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the combined detecting device 20 comprises a case 21 mounted at an upper exterior side of the water tub 11, the case 21 internally defining a pressure space 22 and having an inlet 21a and an outlet 21b formed at opposite sides of the case 21, and a pressure pipe 23 connected between a lower portion of the water tub 11 and the inlet 21a of the case 21. A lower end of the pressure pipe 23 is connected to the lower portion of the water tub 11 such that it communicates with the interior of the water tub 11 for allowing the wash water filled in the water tub 11 to be introduced into the pressure pipe 23. With such a configuration, as the interior space of the water tub 11 is filled with the wash water, a water level inside the pressure pipe 23 is correspondingly raised, causing an internal pneumatic pressure of the pressure pipe 23 to increase. Such an increased pneumatic pressure of the pressure pipe 23 can be transmitted to the pressure space 22 of the case 21.

The combined detecting device 20 further comprises a sensor case 25 connected to the outlet 21b of the case 21 by means of a connection pipe 24, and a pressure sensor 26 installed in the sensor case 25. In such a configuration, as an internal pressure of the case 21 is transmitted to the sensor case 25 through the connection pipe 24, the pressure sensor 26 can detect variation in the water level of the water tub 11 from the transmitted pressure. The pressure sensor 26 is preferably, but not necessarily, a conventional piezoelectric element adapted to convert pressure variation into electric signals, such that a control unit 100 of the washing machine can recognize a detected pressure from the electric signals. The electric signals outputted from the pressure sensor 26 are amplified through an amplification circuit 40, and then is transmitted to the control unit 100.

In addition to the detection of the pressure variation of the case 21 according to the variation of the water level in the water tub 11, the combined detecting device 20 can detect a vibration transmitted from the water tub 11 to the case 21. For this, the combined detecting device 20 further comprises a vibrator member 27, which is reciprocably installed in the pressure space 22 of the case 21. The vibrator member 27 may have a prescribed weight, and can take the form of a disk having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the case 21. The vibrator member 27 is supported in the case 21 using a connector member 28. The connector member 28 is flexibly deformable to such an extent that it connects an outer periphery of the vibrator member 27 to an inner peripheral surface of the case 21 in an air-tight manner, and that it permits reciprocating movements of the vibrator member 27. The vibrator member 27 is centrally perforated with a through-hole 29 for allowing the internal pressure of the case 21, generated by the variation of the water level in the water tub 11, to be transmitted to the pressure sensor 26. In this case, the vibrator member 27 is preferably, but not necessarily, made of rubber or resin having a prescribed thickness, and the connector member 28 is preferably, but not necessarily, made of a thin rubber film exhibiting a good flexibility.

In the combined detecting device 22 configured as stated above, when the case 21 shakes due to the vibration of the water tub 11, the vibrator member 27 installed inside the case 21 reciprocates, causing the pressure variation in the pressure space 22 of the case 21. Thereby, the pressure sensor 26 detects such a pressure variance, thereby detecting the vibration of the water tub 11. That is, since the amplitude and vibration frequency of the vibrator member 27 is proportional to the vibration of the water tub 11, and the pressure variance in the case 21 is proportional to the amplitude and vibration frequency of the vibrator member 27, the pressure sensor 26 detects the pressure variance inside the case 21, thereby being capable of detecting the vibration of the water tub 11. During generation of the vibration, the pressure variance inside the case 21 exhibits a feature as shown in FIG. 3. That is, during generation of the vibration, the pressure variance inside the case 21 according to reciprocation of the vibrator member 27 increases, resulting in excessive change of the electric signals outputted from the pressure sensor 26. This enables the pressure sensor 26 to accurately detect the presence and magnitude of the vibration. In addition, the electric signals outputted from the pressure sensor 26 are transmitted to the control unit 100 of the washing machine after being amplified by the amplification circuit 40, enabling more accurate detection of the vibration.

Further, in the combined detecting device 20 the center through-hole 29 of the vibrator member 27 allows the interior spaces of the case 21 divided by the vibrator member 27 to communicate with each other. Thus, the internal pressure of the case 21, which is variable according to the water level in the water tub 11, is transmitted to the pressure sensor 26 through the through-hole 29, such that the pressure sensor 26 can detect the water level in the water tub 11. In the procedure of detecting the water level, as shown in FIG. 4, the internal pressure of the case 21 is raised in proportion to the rising of the water level, and the electric signals outputted from the pressure sensor 26 are proportionally raised, enabling detection of the water level.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of the combined detecting device of the washing machine. Different from the above exemplary embodiment, a combined detecting device 30 of the present exemplary embodiment comprises a pressure sensor 32 adapted to detect an internal pressure of a case 31. The pressure sensor 32 is installed in the case 31 at a position opposite to an inlet 31a of the case 31. The configuration of a vibrator member 33 and a pressure pipe 34, as well as a principle for detecting both the water level and the vibration of the washing machine are the same as the above embodiment, thus a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example wherein an exemplary embodiment of the combined detecting device according to the present invention is applied in a conventional drum-type washing machine. In this case, the combined detecting device, which is designated as reference numeral 40, comprises a case 41 installed on a drum-type water tub 52, and a sensor case 43 fixed to an inner top surface of a body case 51 of the drum-type washing machine and having a pressure sensor 42. A pressure pipe 44 is connected between a bottom of the drum-type water tub 52 and the case 41 installed on the drum-type water tub 52 such that a lower end of the pressure pipe 44 communicates with the interior of the drum-type water tub 52, and an upper end thereof communicates with the interior of the case 41. Other configurations and a principle of detecting both the vibration and the water level of the washing machine are the same as the above embodiments, and thus will be omitted hereinafter.

As is apparent from the above description, a washing machine according to the present invention comprises a combined detecting device capable of detecting both a water level and a vibration of the washing machine, which features a simplified structure compared to the prior art, thereby being easily manufactured and installed to the washing machine, and achieving a reduction in manufacturing costs thereof.

Further, in the combined detecting device of the washing machine according to the present invention, a pressure sensor can detect the water level by detecting pressure variation inside a case transmitted through a through-hole of a vibrator member, and also can detect the vibration by detecting the pressure variation caused by reciprocation of the vibrator member, thereby enabling accurate detection of the presence and magnitude of fine vibrations.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising a water tub adapted to contain wash water, a washing device adapted to wash laundry contained in the water tub, and a combined detecting device which detects both a water level and vibration of the water tub, the combined detecting device comprising:

a case coupled to the water tub and having an inlet for use in the passage of air;

a pressure pipe connected between a lower portion of the water tub and the inlet of the case;

a pressure sensor which detects pressure variation in the case; and

a vibrator member reciprocably installed in the case and which induces the pressure variation in the case during generation of the vibration.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is installed at an opposite side of the inlet of the case.

3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the vibrator member includes:

a flexible connector member which connects an outer periphery of the vibrator member to an inner peripheral surface of the case in a substantially air-tight manner, and to permit reciprocation of the vibrator member; and

a through-hole perforated through the vibrator member.

4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the vibrator member is installed in the case between the inlet of the case and the pressure sensor.

5. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the combined detecting device further comprises:

an outlet formed at the case at an opposite side of the inlet; and

a connection pipe connected between the outlet and the pressure sensor and which allows the pressure sensor to detect the pressure variation transmitted through the outlet.

6. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the vibrator member includes:

a flexible connector member which connects an outer periphery of the vibrator member to an inner peripheral surface of the case in a substantially air-tight manner, and to permit reciprocation of the vibrator member; and

a through-hole perforated through the vibrator member.

7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the vibrator member is installed in the case between the inlet and the outlet.

8. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor comprises a piezoelectric element.

9. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the combined detecting device further comprises an amplification circuit which amplifies a electric signals outputted from the pressure sensor.