WATER SUPPLY CONTROL DEVICE FOR WASHING MACHINE

Abstract

A water supply control device for a washing machine, the device selectively supplying washing water to a predetermined chamber of washing process chambers by switching water supply passages of the washing water, and including: a body including a water inlet port, a chamber provided with a plurality of water passages and providing an outflow path of the washing water, and a plurality of water outlet ports allowing the washing water supplied through the respective water passages to be supplied to the respective washing process chambers; a plurality of opening and closing parts made of a magnetic material and provided at the water passages, respectively, to be movable upward and downward, the opening and closing parts controlling flowing of the washing water in the water passages; and an actuator being rotatable by a stepping motor, and provided with a permanent magnet coming into contact with the respective opening and closing parts.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0133843, filed Oct. 16, 2017, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a water supply control device for a washing machine, the device being configured to supply washing water in a selective switching manner in accordance with processes of a washing cycle.

Description of the Related Art

[0003] In general, fully automatic washing machines perform a series of continuous processes including a washing process, a rinsing process, a spin-drying process, and a drying process by a control unit controlling a predetermined washing cycle. Water supply in such a washing cycle is mainly performed in the washing and rinsing processes.

[0004] A water supply process in the washing and rinsing processes will be described. First, the washing process consists of two steps: preliminary washing and main washing, wherein first water supply for supplying washing water and second water supply for supplying detergent or softener are performed in the preliminary washing, and water supply for supplying washing water is performed in the main washing. Water supply for supplying rinsing water is performed in the rinsing process, and thus water supply is firstly and secondarily performed in the washing and rinsing processes, thereby realizing a predetermined washing cycle.

[0005] The water supply control in the washing and rinsing processes is performed such that washing water is supplied in accordance with the preliminary or main washing, that is, washing water is supplied to a detergent or softener supply chamber or to a washing chamber through pipes in a selective manner. More specifically, a manifold-type water supply control device is used to selectively supply washing water to respective washing process chamber, the device being provided with a plurality of water outlet ports extending to be connected to the pipes for introducing and supplying water flowing into a water inlet port directly connected to a water pipe to the respective washing process chambers such as a detergent or softener supply chamber, or a washing chamber.

[0006] However, such a water supply control device includes electromagnet valves controlling water supply and installed at the plurality of water outlet ports, respectively, the water outlet ports extending from the outer circumference of a body. The water supply control device is problematic in that a plurality of electric devices are installed on the outer circumference of the body, resulting in an increase in volume of the device and an increase in installation space, and surrounding parts such as an electrical connection part for supplying electric power to the respective electromagnet valves, etc. are additionally provided, resulting in a complicated structure.

[0007] Thus, recently, a water supply control device for a washing machine, which has a flow passage switching structure, is developed and used, wherein entrances of the water outlet ports are arranged on the outer circumference of the body, and a disc-shaped opening/closing plate rotated by a separate motor selectively opens and closes the respective entrances of the water outlet ports, thereby supplying washing water in a selective manner, without using the electromagnet valves for controlling water supply in the respective water outlet ports.

[0008] In such a flow passage switching structure of the water supply control device, a rotation position of the opening/closing plate selectively opening and closing the respective entrances of the water outlet ports is controlled. Control of the rotation position of the opening/closing plate is performed such that the rotation position of the opening/closing plate is determined by using a plate cam coaxially installed with the opening/closing plate, and ON/OFF output signals of a limit switch placed at a predetermined position of the circumference of the plate cam, thereby controlling driving of a motor.

[0009] However, an opening/closing plate position control unit in the water supply control device using the plate cam and the limit switch is configured such that a rotation position of the plate cam is determined on the basis of on/off time of the switch, which is brought into contact with a protrusion when the plate cam rotates. Such position determination is performed by: transmitting the on/off signals by a transmission part that transmits the on/off signals depending on whether the protrusion is in contact with the switch; measuring the on/off time of the switch on the basis of the transmitted signals; and recognizing the rotation position of the plate cam by a determination part that virtually determines the rotation position of the plate cam by calculation based on the measured value. However, it is necessary to restore the position control unit to an initial mode at the time of restarting after abnormality or unexpected stoppage during process of the control device. In addition, additional surrounding parts for the position control of the opening/closing plate are increased, leading to a complicated structure and an increase in manufacturing cost.

[0010] The foregoing is intended merely to aid in the understanding of the background of the present invention, and is not intended to mean that the present invention falls within the purview of the related art that is already known to those skilled in the art.

DOCUMENTS OF RELATED ART

[0011] (Patent document 1) Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2006-0100618

[0012] (Patent document 2) Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2014-0045760

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and the present invention provides a water supply control device being configured such that an opening/closing structure for supplying washing water is operated due to a magnetic force of a permanent magnet, whereby configuration is simplified, driving power consumption is reduced, and manufacturing cost is reduced.

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water supply control device for a washing machine, the device being configured to supply washing water to a predetermined chamber of washing process chambers such as a detergent or softener supply chamber or a washing chamber in a selective manner, and including: a body including a water inlet port into which the washing water flows, a chamber placed in a circumferential direction of the body and provided with a plurality of water passages, the chamber being configured to provide an outflow path of the washing water flowing in from the water inlet port, and a plurality of water outlet ports extending from an outer circumference of the body and allowing the washing water supplied through the respective water passages to be supplied to the respective washing process chambers; a plurality of opening and closing parts made of a magnetic material and provided at the water passages, respectively, to be movable upward and downward, the opening and closing parts controlling flowing of the washing water in the water passages; and an actuator provided at an upper center of the body to be rotatable by a stepping motor, and provided with a permanent magnet coming into contact with the respective opening and closing parts, wherein when the stepping motor is operated in response to a control signal of the washing machine, the permanent magnet of the actuator reaches any one of the opening and closing parts, and at the same time the opening and closing part is moved upward due to a magnetic force to open the corresponding water passage that is in a closed state, whereby the washing water is supplied to the corresponding washing process chamber through the corresponding water outlet port in the selective manner.

[0015] According to the water supply control device for the washing machine according to the present invention, by using a simple mechanical opening/closing structure using the magnetic force, it is possible to realize a stabilized driving and a simplified configuration, to realize an economical effect of reducing driving power consumption and manufacturing cost of the washing machine, and to realize enhanced reliability attributable to stabilization of the final product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a water supply control device for a washing machine according to the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the water supply control device for the washing machine according to the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal construction of the water supply control device for the washing machine, and taken along line A-A of FIG. 2;

[0020] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing arrangement relationship of openers and closers by opening an upper portion of a body of the water supply control device for the washing machine according to the present invention;

[0021] FIGS. 5 to 7 are explanatory views showing a water supply process of washing water in the water supply control device for the washing machine according to the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 5 is a view showing a standby state in which driving of the washing machine is stopped;

[0023] FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which the washing water flows into an water inlet port when the washing machine is operated and a regulating unit of the control device is opened; and

[0024] FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which the washing water is supplied to a washing process chamber when a water passage of the control device is opened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinbelow, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals will refer to the same or like parts.

[0026] Hereinbelow, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described. FIGS. 1 to 4 show a water supply control device for a washing machine according to the present invention in detail.

[0027] The present invention provides the water supply control device for the washing machine, the device being configured to supply washing water to a predetermined chamber of washing process chambers such as a detergent or softener supply chamber or a washing process chamber in a selective manner.

[0028] Reference numeral 10 in the drawing denotes a body. The body 10 is divided into upper and lower portions such that the upper portion 10a and the lower portion 10b are assembled together.

[0029] The body 10 configured as described above is provided at a first side thereof with a water inlet port 12 into which washing water flows and which is directly connected to a water pipe, and at a second side thereof with a plurality of water outlet ports 14 extending from an outer circumference of the body, and allowing washing water flowing in through the water inlet port 12 to be supplied to the respective washing process chambers through respective pipes.

[0030] Further, the water inlet port 12 is provided with a regulating unit 20 being driven by a signal from a washing machine driving control unit and regulating supply of washing water flowing in through the water inlet port 12. When driving of the washing machine is stopped, the regulating unit 20 receives the signal from the washing machine driving control unit and then blocks the water inlet port 12 using a conventional electromagnetic valve, thereby preventing water pressure from being directly transmitted to the water supply control device.

[0031] Such a structure remains the same as a conventional structure, and a key technique in the present invention is characterized by improving a washing water supply structure in the water supply control device.

[0032] The present invention is provided with a chamber 16 provided in the body 10 and connected to the water inlet port 12, the chamber being configured to provide a temporary stay and an outflow path of washing water flowing in from the water inlet port 12. Herein, the chamber 16 may be placed in the body 10 in a circumferential direction thereof.

[0033] In addition, the chamber 16 placed in the circumferential direction of the body as described above is provided with a plurality of water passages 18 corresponding to the water outlet ports 14 described above, respectively, and arranged to be distanced from each other at a regular interval.

[0034] The water passages 18 have the same structure as a valve seat for supplying or cutting off washing water flowing in through the water inlet port 12 and the chamber 16 to the respective water outlet ports 14 provided on the outer circumference of the body 10 in association with an opening and closing part 30 that will be described below.

[0035] Further, the water passages 18 are provided at an upper portion thereof with a plurality of opening and closing parts 30, respectively, the opening and closing parts being made of a magnetic material and being configured to control flowing of washing water in the water passages by being moved upward and downward due to a magnetic force exerted from a magnetic actuator 40 in association with the actuator 40 that will be described below. Herein, the opening and closing parts 30 may be arranged concentrically with the actuator 40.

[0036] In addition, each of the opening and closing parts 30 includes a plunger 32 made of a magnetic material and elastically provided at the opening and closing part, and a blocking element 34. When the magnetic force of the actuator 40 is released, the opening and closing part 30 configured as described above is automatically returned to its original position such that the corresponding water passage 18 is allowed to be normally maintained in a closed state.

[0037] Meanwhile, the actuator 40 is provided at an upper center of the body 10, and configured to be rotated by a stepping motor SM driven in response to a signal applied from the control unit in accordance with processes of a washing cycle.

[0038] The actuator 40 is substantially disk shaped and is provided at a predetermined position of the actuator with a permanent magnet M coming into contact with the respective opening and closing parts 30. Herein, the permanent magnet M is installed in an assembly manner in a storage portion 42 provided on a diameter line passing a center of an upper surface of the actuator 40.

[0039] The water supply control device of the present invention configured as described above operates such that when a signal for a predetermined process of the washing cycle is given, the actuator 40 is rotated by the stepping motor SM in the direction of the arrow indicated in FIG. 4, so that the permanent magnet M reaches any one of the opening and closing parts 30, and at the same time the opening and closing part 30 is moved upward by the magnetic force of the actuator 40 to thereby open the corresponding water passage 18 that is in a closed state, whereby washing water is supplied to the corresponding washing process chamber through the corresponding water outlet port 14.

[0040] The operation process of the water supply control device for the washing machine according to the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

[0041] FIG. 5 shows a state in which driving of the washing machine is stopped, wherein both the regulating unit 20 and the water passages 18 are maintained in a closed state.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows an initial mode of the washing cycle in which driving of the washing machine is started. When the signal for a predetermined process of the washing cycle is given by the control unit, the regulating unit 20 is opened firstly whereby washing water flows in through the water inlet port 12. Herein, the washing water having been flowed in through the water inlet port 12 is filled into the chamber 16, and then waits for processes of the washing cycle, which will proceed sequentially afterward.

[0043] FIG. 7 shows a state of one of the processes of the washing cycle in which when a signal for a predetermined process of the washing cycle is given by the control unit, the stepping motor SM operates to rotate the actuator 40, and the permanent magnet M of the actuator 40 reaches the opening and closing part 30 corresponding to the predetermined process of the washing cycle. At the same time, the plunger 32 of the opening and closing part 30 is moved upward due to the magnetic force of the permanent magnet M in the direction of the arrow indicated in the drawing and then the blocking element 34 that closed the water passage 18 is opened, whereby washing water filled in the chamber 16 will be supplied to the corresponding washing process chamber through the corresponding water outlet port 14.

[0044] Thereafter, when the predetermined process of the washing cycle is completed and a signal for the following predetermined process is given, the actuator 40 is moved to the opening and closing part 30 corresponding to the following process, and the opened water passage 18 is closed by the opening and closing part 30 being returned to its original position.

[0045] Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A water supply control device for a washing machine, the device being configured to supply washing water to a predetermined chamber of washing process chambers such as a detergent or softener supply chamber or a washing chamber in a selective manner, and comprising: a body including a water inlet port into which the washing water flows, a chamber placed in a circumferential direction of the body and provided with a plurality of water passages, the chamber being configured to provide an outflow path of the washing water flowing in from the water inlet port, and a plurality of water outlet ports extending from an outer circumference of the body and allowing the washing water supplied through the respective water passages to be supplied to the respective washing process chambers; a plurality of opening and closing parts made of a magnetic material and provided at the water passages, respectively, to be movable upward and downward, the opening and closing parts controlling flowing of the washing water in the water passages; and an actuator provided at an upper center of the body to be rotatable by a stepping motor, and provided with a permanent magnet coming into contact with the respective opening and closing parts, wherein when the stepping motor is operated in response to a control signal of the washing machine, the permanent magnet of the actuator reaches any one of the opening and closing parts, and at the same time the opening and closing part is moved upward due to a magnetic force to open the corresponding water passage that is in a closed state, whereby the washing water is supplied to the corresponding washing process chamber through the corresponding water outlet port in the selective manner.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the opening and closing parts includes: a plunger made of a magnetic material and elastically provided at the opening and closing part; and a blocking element opening and closing the water passage.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the permanent magnet is provided at a predetermined position of the actuator, and is inserted and installed in a storage portion provided on a diameter line passing a center of the actuator.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the opening and closing parts are arranged concentrically with the actuator at regular intervals.