KR100930890B1 - Pollution degree detection device for washing and washing of washing machine and cleaning method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for detecting and cleaning the contamination in the tank by microorganisms, etc. The present invention is to detect the contamination of the tank through a reflectance before or after the start of the washing process to automatically detect when the tank contamination exceeds the set reference value As a result, the washing can be performed so that high cleaning performance is always exhibited in terms of hygiene and prevents deterioration of washing performance due to residual microorganisms.

Washing machine, microorganism, detection, contamination, cleaning, sterilization

Description

Device for detecting degree of contamination for cleaning tub in washing machine and method for cleaning tub by using the same}

1A and 1B are perspective views illustrating a general type of washing machine,

1a is a perspective view of a vertical washing machine

1B is a perspective view showing a drum type washing machine

2A and 2B are diagrams showing the main parts of FIGS. 1A and 1B, which illustrate a water supply and drainage structure for washing and washing of each washing machine.

3a and 3b is a configuration diagram showing an installation example of the pollution degree detection device of the present invention for each washing machine type

4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the operation principle of the pollution degree detecting apparatus of the present invention.

5 is a flow chart showing a washing machine cleaning method using a contamination detection device of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

1: outer shell 1a: transparent window

2: inner 2a: transparent window

3: pulsator 4: water supply valve                 

5: Detergent Bottle 6: Detergent Bottle

13a: light emitting element 13b: light receiving element

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to detect contamination by microorganisms inside and outside of a washing machine through a reflectance measurement of a surface of a washing machine so that the washing can be performed automatically when the pollution degree exceeds a predetermined reference value.

Generally, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A, the washing machine rotates the pulsator 3 or the inner tank 2 in a state in which the outer tank 1, which is a water tank, and the inner tank 2, which is a washing tank, are installed in a direction perpendicular to the ground. Vertical washing machine in which washing is performed according to the present invention, a so-called drum washing machine in which an outer tub 1 and an inner tub 2 (ie, a drum) are installed in a direction horizontal to the ground as shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B, and the inner tub ( 2) the inclination type washing machine (not shown) which is arranged to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the ground.

The conventional water supply form in such washing machines is that water (ie, washing water) drawn through the water pipe is supplied into the outer tub 1 as the water supply valve 4 is opened.

On the other hand, the washing machine is a washing, rinsing, dehydration process for the contaminated laundry in order to clean the washing sequentially. That is, the conventional household washing machine puts laundry into the inner tank 2, which is a washing tank, and at the same time supplies a predetermined amount of detergent and washing water (usually tap water), and agitates and washes the washing performance against the general dirt of the laundry. It is taking a way to secure.

However, during washing, calcium powder in tap water and surfactant in detergent react with each other to form insoluble metal soap, which is easily attached to the peripheral wall of the inner tank 2, and this tendency is due to the powder of the detergent, in particular, sodium fatty acid. It occurred more remarkably when a detergent etc. were used.

In addition, the deposits of the fibers separated from the laundry are easily attached to the deposits of the metal soap thus generated, and the dirts or deposits absorb moisture to cause the growth of microorganisms (bacteria), and decayed surface deposits ( flock), which in turn causes mold. This fungus causes odors by its metabolites, or, if developed further, causes it to peel off and adhere to the laundry in subsequent washing operations, and to obtain hygienic cleaning performance apart from general laundry dirt. It was insufficient.

In addition, in the general dehydration combined-use washing machine, a double tank structure is basically formed, and an outer tank 1 which is a water storage tank is disposed on the outside, and an inner tank 2 is provided therein and on the bottom surface of the inner tank 2 inside. It is a configuration with a pulsator installed. As is well known, the laundry put into the inner tank 2 is washed and rinsed by stirring and driving the pulsator 3 or the inner tank 2, and centrifugal dehydration is performed by rotating the inner tank 2 in one direction at high speed. Is carried out.

Therefore, in this type of washing machine, since there is no frictional contact by laundry between the inner tub 2 and the outer tub 1, the metal outer surface of the inner tub 2 and the inner side of the tub 1 are made of metal soap or fiber dregs. It is easy to attach. In addition, the inner part of the washing machine is not only difficult to disassemble and clean for the general user, but also the inner tub (2) and the outer tub (1) have a concave-convex shape mainly made of reinforcing ribs, etc., to improve strength. It is a condition that is easy to accumulate, and is easy to accumulate in the structure which is easy to accumulate.

In addition, laundry (clothing) is easily worn, and many bacteria are easily attached from the human body or the outside air. For example, it is generally known that many bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Cereus bacteria, and atypical anti-acid bacteria are attached. One bacterium remains in the laundry even after washing, and in particular, when the laundry is poorly dried, the remaining germs multiply again to cause odors and yellowing.

Moreover, since the skin is susceptible to infection from bacteria attached to clothing in families with infants or infants who are vulnerable to sickness or pathogens, more clean and hygienic cleaning performance is required for laundry.

In short, contaminants generated during washing may be discharged to the outside along with the washing water when drained, but some of them may be buried on the inner and outer surfaces of the inner tank 2 or the inner surface of the outer tank 1, and the inner tank 2 Pollutants buried on the outer surface of the outer surface or the inner tank 1 does not occur because it does not collide with the laundry, it does not fall easily, and will cause crude contamination.

Accordingly, the microorganisms are parasitic in the pollutant, and as a long time passes, microorganisms attached to the inner and outer surfaces of the inner tank 2 and the inner surface of the outer tank 1 multiply to cause contamination of the laundry.

Accordingly, in the past, the user arbitrarily determined the timing of the tax cleaning and introduced the tax cleaning system to perform the tax cleaning.

That is, when the user determines that the cleaning is necessary, the washing agent is operated after diluting the separately sold detergent with water in the inner tank 2 to operate the washing machine, so that the outer tank 1 and the inner tank ( Contaminants were released from 2) to be discharged to the outside with the wash water when draining, to keep the outer tank (1) and the inner tank (2) clean.

However, in the prior art, since the user arbitrarily judges and performs the cleaning, there is a problem that the washing is performed even when the actual cleaning is not necessary, resulting in the waste of the detergent, and since the input of water and the operation of the washing machine must be performed, There was also a problem of waste.

Prior to this, first of all, even if the pollution becomes serious enough to be actually washed, if the washing is performed without the user is difficult to grasp the contamination, the cleaning performance on the sanitary surface is not only reduced. In addition, there are many problems such as the re-contamination of the laundry by the pollutant, such as microorganisms that have been dropped, such that the washing performance is also reduced.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, by automatically detecting the contamination of the inner and outer tank of the washing machine by the microorganism through the reflectance of the surface of the inner tank to automatically clean the tank when the pollution level exceeds the set reference value, In view of hygiene (衛生) always high cleaning performance is exhibited, and the purpose is to be able to prevent the degradation of washing performance in advance.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a vertical washing machine in which the inner and outer tubs are installed perpendicular to the ground, a drum washing machine in which the inner and outer tubs are installed horizontally with respect to the ground, or a predetermined angle with respect to the ground. In the inclined washing machine installed inclined; While the transparent window is placed at a predetermined position of the outer tank, a light emitting element and a light receiving element for detecting the contamination level of the tank by measuring the reflectance of the outer circumferential surface of the inner tank are respectively installed, and a pollution level detecting device for washing and washing the washing machine. Is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, there is provided a washing machine provided with a light emitting element and a light receiving element outside the transparent window at a predetermined position of the inner tank; Measuring the reflectance of the inner tank surface by receiving the light reflected from the light emitting element and reaching the outer circumferential surface of the inner tank at the light receiving element, determining whether the reflectance of the inner tank surface is above the set reference value, and the reflectance of the inner tank surface is the reference value If less than that is determined to be a contaminated state, the step of performing water supply and detergent cleaning for washing, performing the soaking for a predetermined time, performing the washing process according to the algorithm for washing, and draining Washing machine cleaning method characterized in that it comprises a.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7.

Figure 3a and Figure 3b is a configuration diagram showing an installation example of the pollution degree detection apparatus of the present invention for each washing machine type, Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the operation principle of the pollution degree detection apparatus of the present invention, Figure 5 is a pollution degree of the present invention It is a flowchart which shows the washing machine washing method using a detection apparatus.

The present invention is a vertical washing machine in which the inner and outer tanks 2 and 1 are installed perpendicular to the ground, or a drum washing machine in which the inner and outer tanks 2 and 1 are installed horizontally with respect to the ground, or an inner and outer tank 2 (1) inclined type washing machine installed at an angle with respect to the ground; While the transparent window 1a is placed at a predetermined position of the outer tank 1, the light emitting element 13a and the light receiving element 13b are disposed outside the transparent window 1a to measure reflectance of the surface of the inner tank 2. .

At this time, the transparent window (2a) is preferably antibacterial treatment.

In this case, the reflectance, which is the degree to which the light irradiated from the light emitting element 13a to the outer surface of the inner tank 2 through the transparent window 1a, is returned to the light receiving element 13b, is measured to detect the contamination level of the bath. do.

On the other hand, the cleaning process using the present invention is as follows.

First, the reflectance of the surface of the inner tank 2 is measured to detect the contamination of the tank.

That is, the reflectance of the light emitted from the light emitting element 13a to the outer surface of the inner tank 2 through the transparent window 1a is returned to the light receiving element 13b.

At this time, the reflectance will vary depending on the degree of contamination of the surface of the inner tank (2).                     

For example, when a large number of contaminants such as microorganisms adhere to the surface of the inner tank 2, the reflectance is lowered, and the cleaner the surface, the higher the reflectance.

Therefore, the reflectance of the rough surface is measured by the amount of light received by the light receiving element 13b, and based on this, the micro-contamination state due to microorganisms is determined in the microcomputer (not shown).

That is, in the microcomputer, the reflectance of the rough surface is compared with the set reflectance, and when the measured reflectivity of the rough surface is less than the reference value set in the microcomputer, it is judged as a contaminated state, and the washing process is performed by a suitable method for each washing machine type. .

In this case, the user may be notified by various methods such as an alarm sound or a letter, a symbol, or a synthesized sound displayed on the display window of the display unit through the detection and comparison of reflectance prior to the actual cleaning operation. to be.

On the other hand, when the actual cleaning is performed first, the water supply for cleaning is carried out, at this time the input of the detergent is made at the same time. Therefore, for this purpose, it is preferable that the detergent cleaning tank 6 is provided separately from the detergent container 5 on the water supply passage.

In general, after watering, soaking is performed for a predetermined time.

After the predetermined time call is performed, the washing and washing process is performed for a predetermined time according to the washing method for each washing machine type, that is, pulsator agitation, passage, permeation washing, and the like.

In this manner, after the tax administration is performed, the tax administration is completed by performing drainage.                     

On the other hand, even if it is determined that the cleansing needs to be performed and the cleansing operation is performed according to the cleansing algorithm, the contaminating condition may not be eliminated. Thus, the step of measuring the reflectance of the rough surface and comparing the reflectance of the rough surface with a predetermined reference value The step of determining the condition may be additionally performed again, and the step of cleaning according to the cleaning algorithm that is determined to be rough contamination may be repeatedly performed until the reflectance of the rough surface is greater than or equal to the reference value.

However, the reflectance re-measurement and comparison step of the rough surface is performed within a set number of times, and even if the reflectance re-measurement and comparison step of the rough surface reaches a set number of times, the detected reflectance of the rough surface is less than the reference value. When it comes out, it is determined that the washing machine is abnormal, and notifies the user of the washing machine and completes the detection of the pollution level.

In other words, the washing machine washing and cleaning method described above provides a washing and cleaning method in case the reflectance of the surface of the washing surface does not recover beyond the reference value even if the washing and washing process is performed according to the above-described embodiment.

On the other hand, when washing the water in accordance with each embodiment of the present invention, a disinfectant or anti-fungal agent may be added together with the detergent, at this time, a halogenated hydantoin compound that releases hypohalogenic acid is used as the disinfectant do.

To this end, a solid made of a halogenated hydantoin compound which releases hypohalogenic acid in contact with water is provided on a water supply line for supplying water to the outer tank 1, and the hypohalogenic acid is included in the water supply process. Water is generated to be introduced into the outer tank (1) together with the detergent.

In the above water supply, hot water is supplied as necessary, because sterilization water of different sterilization concentrations is generated according to the water temperature. For example, even when hypochlorous acid is difficult to elute due to the slow dissolution rate of solids at low water temperatures, such as winter, stable sterilization water can be obtained at a constant concentration. Effective sterilization can be performed at any time.

On the other hand, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention.

That is, FIGS. 3A to 3B illustrate a state in which a reflectance detector is installed on each type of washing machine configuration for convenience of description, and thus, the reflectance detector may not necessarily be installed at a position on the drawing. .

As described above, the present invention is to detect the contamination of the inside and outside of the washing machine by the microorganisms before or after washing, so that when the pollution degree exceeds the set standard value, the washing and cleaning is automatically performed to effectively remove the source of contamination such as microorganisms.

Accordingly, the present invention exhibits a high cleaning performance in terms of hygiene, and prevents a decrease in washing performance during washing, thereby improving the reliability of the washing machine.

Claims (10)

For washing and washing of vertical type washing machines where the inner and outer tanks are installed vertically with respect to the ground, drum washing machines with the inner and outer tanks installed horizontally with respect to the ground, or inclined type washing machines where the inner and outer tanks are inclined with respect to the ground. A pollution degree detecting apparatus; While the transparent window is placed at a predetermined position of the outer tank, a light emitting element and a light receiving element for measuring the contamination level of the tank by detecting the reflectance of the outer peripheral surface of the inner tank are respectively installed. The transparent window is a contamination detection device for cleaning the washing, characterized in that the antibacterial treatment. delete A washing machine cleaning method comprising: placing a transparent window at a predetermined position of an inner tank and having a light emitting element and a light receiving element disposed outside the transparent window; Measuring the reflectance of the surface of the inner shell by receiving light reflected from the light emitting element and then reflected on the outer surface of the inner shell in the light receiving element; Determining whether the reflectance of the inner surface of the tank is equal to or greater than a set reference value; If the reflectance of the surface of the inner tank is less than the reference value is judged as a contaminated state and the step of supplying water and detergent for washing and performing Performing a soak for a predetermined time; Performing tax administration according to an algorithm for tax administration, It comprises a step of draining, Hot water is supplied at the time of water supply, After the tax administration is performed according to the tax cleaning algorithm, Redetecting the reflectance of the bath surface; The step of determining whether the reflectance of the surface of the bath is more than the set reference value is additionally performed, Re-detection of the surface of the bath surface and comparison with the reference value, and the washing step according to the cleaning algorithm is repeatedly performed until the reflectance of the surface of the bath surface is restored to the reference value or more, unless a predetermined number of times is reached. Tax cleaning method. The method of claim 3, wherein The tax cleaning algorithm, For each washing machine type, the washing step is performed by the permeate flow by stirring the pulsator or the stirring rotation of the inner tank, or the high speed rotation of the inner tank, or the washing step is performed by a combination thereof. How to clean the washing machine. delete delete delete The method of claim 3, wherein Washing water washing method, characterized in that the disinfectant or anti-mold is added together when the washing water supply. The method of claim 8, The disinfectant is a washing machine washing method, characterized in that the halogenated hydantoin compound that releases hypohalogenic acid. The method of claim 3, wherein The step of performing the cleaning step according to the measurement and comparison of the reflectance of the bath surface, The washing and cleaning method of the washing machine, characterized in that the laundry is carried out before the laundry is put in or after the final dehydration is completed.

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