KR20240097451A - Dish washer - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is configured to supply detergent to the tub when the pump motor is driven in forward rotation through a single tube, and to supply air to the detergent container when the pump motor is driven in reverse rotation, thereby simplifying the structure, improving assembly, and reducing manufacturing costs. This is about dishwashers that can save money.

Description

Dishwasher {DISH WASHER}

The present invention relates to a dishwasher, and more specifically, it is configured to supply detergent to the tub through a single tube when the pump motor is driven in forward rotation, and to supply air to the detergent container when the pump motor is driven in reverse rotation, thereby simplifying the structure. , relates to a dishwasher that improves assembly and reduces manufacturing costs.

A dishwasher is a device that sprays washing water such as water to wash dishes and cooking utensils stored inside. At this time, the washing water used for washing may contain detergent.

A dishwasher includes a tub that forms a washing space, a storage portion that accommodates cleaning objects inside the tub, a spray arm that sprays washing water into the storage portion, and a sump that stores water and supplies wash water to the spray arm. It is common to be

By using such a dishwasher, the time and effort required to wash dishes such as dishes after a meal can be reduced, contributing to user convenience.

Detergent used for washing can be supplied into the inside of the tub through a detergent supply device. The detergent supplied into the tub may be mixed with water to generate washing water.

In general, a detergent supply device may include a container that stores detergent, and a detergent pump that pumps the detergent stored in the container into the inside of the tub.

In this regard, European Patent Publication No. 3286369 (prior document 001) discloses a configuration of a clothes care machine configured to supply detergent through a tube pump-type detergent pump.

The detergent pump of prior art document 001 supplies the first detergent stored in a first container using a first tube, and supplies the second detergent stored in a second container using a second tube, and a plurality of rollers It is configured to rotate while simultaneously pressurizing the tube and the second tube.

The detergent pump of prior art document 001, when supplying the first detergent through the first tube, supplies air to the second container through the second tube to restore the pressure inside the second container, and supplies air to the second container through the second tube. 2 When supplying detergent, air is supplied to the first detergent container through the first tube to restore the pressure inside the first container.

However, the structure disclosed in prior document 001 has the problem that the assembly of the detergent supply device deteriorates in that a plurality of tubes must be provided in each detergent supply device, the structure becomes somewhat complicated, and the manufacturing cost significantly increases. .

In addition, the structure disclosed in prior document 001 is highly likely to cause a deviation between the amount of detergent and the amount of air actually supplied due to slip or wear between the roller and the first tube or between the roller and the second tube, so that the first container and the second container There is a problem that the internal pressure cannot be recovered effectively, so there is a high possibility that the load applied to the pump motor will gradually increase.

European Patent Publication No. 3286369

The present invention was devised to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and is configured to supply detergent to the tub through a single tube when the pump motor is driven in forward rotation, and to supply air to the detergent container when the pump motor is driven in reverse rotation. The first purpose is to provide a dishwasher with a simplified structure, improved assembly, and reduced manufacturing costs.

In addition, the present invention has a second purpose of providing a dishwasher configured to allow air to be supplied back to the detergent container in response to the actual amount of detergent supplied, so that the internal pressure of the detergent container can be effectively restored. do.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the objects mentioned above, and other objects and advantages of the present invention that are not mentioned can be understood by the following description and will be more clearly understood by the examples of the present invention. Additionally, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the patent claims.

A dishwasher according to the present invention includes a tub in which a washing space is formed; and a detergent supply device including a container having a detergent storage space in which detergent to be provided to the washing space is accommodated, and a detergent pump supplying the detergent stored in the container to the washing space, wherein the container includes the detergent. It has a vent that communicates the storage space with the outside, and a membrane that blocks the vent and varies in response to the internal pressure of the detergent storage space, and the detergent pump is a tube that guides the detergent discharged from the container to the washing space. ; a roller that pressurizes the tube and moves the detergent within the tube while revolving around a rotation axis; A pump motor that generates a driving force to rotate the roller in the forward and reverse directions; a roller sensor that detects the position of the roller and generates an output signal corresponding to the position of the roller; and a control unit electrically connected to the roller sensor and driving the pump motor, wherein the control unit drives the pump motor in the forward direction so that the roller rotates in the forward direction and rotates the roller in the forward direction for a set number of revolutions. supplying a preset amount of detergent; And when the supply of the preset amount of detergent is completed, driving the pump motor in the reverse direction and rotating the roller in the reverse direction by the set number of revolutions to restore the internal pressure of the detergent storage space.

In addition, the step of supplying the preset amount of detergent includes: receiving an output signal including either a first output signal or a second output signal from the roller sensor when the pump motor is driven in the forward direction; determining whether the received output signal initially changes from the first output signal to the second output signal, or changes from the second output signal to the first output signal; In the step of determining whether the first change in the output signal occurs, if it is determined that the first change in the output signal occurs, determining the first change state of the output signal; After determining the first change state, determining whether a change in the output signal identical to the first change state occurs; In the step of determining whether a change in the output signal identical to the initial change state has occurred, if it is determined that a change in the output signal identical to the initial change has occurred, the number of forward signal changes is increased by one and updated, and the updated forward signal is updated. Storing the number of signal changes; And it may include comparing the updated number of forward signal changes with a preset number.

In addition, the step of supplying the preset amount of detergent may further include the step of driving the pump motor in the forward direction so that the roller rotates in the forward direction before the step of receiving the output signal.

In addition, the step of supplying the preset amount of detergent may further include determining that the supply of the preset amount of detergent has been completed when it is determined that the updated number of forward signal changes has reached the preset number. there is.

Additionally, when it is determined that the supply of the preset amount of detergent has been completed, the control unit may further perform the step of stopping the operation of the pump motor.

In addition, the first output signal includes a signal containing information that the roller is within the detection range of the roller sensor, and the second output signal includes information that the roller is located outside the detection range of the roller sensor. It may include a signal containing .

In addition, the first change state is either a first change state that changes from the first output signal to the second output signal, or a second change state that changes from the second output signal to the first output signal. It can be.

Additionally, the number of forward signal changes may be the number of forward revolutions of the roller, and the preset number may be 100.

In addition, the control unit may further perform the step of additionally re-receiving the output signal from the roller sensor after determining the initial change state of the output signal.

In addition, the step of recovering the internal pressure of the detergent storage space includes: receiving an output signal including either a first output signal or a second output signal from the roller sensor when the pump motor is driven in the reverse direction; In the step of receiving the output signal, determining whether a change state of the output signal opposite to an initial change state of the output signal is detected; In the step of determining whether a change in the output signal opposite to the initial change state has occurred, if it is determined that a change in the output signal opposite to the initial change has occurred, the number of reverse signal changes is increased by one and updated. storing the number of reverse signal changes; and comparing the updated reverse signal change count with the preset count.

In addition, the step of recovering the internal pressure of the detergent storage space may further include the step of driving the pump motor in the reverse direction so that the roller rotates in the reverse direction before receiving the output signal.

In addition, the step of recovering the internal pressure of the detergent storage space further includes determining that the internal pressure of the detergent storage space has been recovered when it is determined that the updated number of reverse signal changes has reached the preset number. It can be included.

Additionally, when it is determined that the internal pressure of the detergent storage space has been recovered, the control unit may further perform the step of stopping the operation of the pump motor.

Additionally, the number of reverse signal changes may be the number of reverse rotations of the roller.

The dishwasher according to the present invention is configured to supply detergent to the tub through a single tube when the pump motor is driven in forward rotation, and to supply air to the detergent container when the pump motor is driven in reverse rotation, thereby simplifying the structure and improving ease of assembly. This has the effect of reducing manufacturing costs.

In addition, the dishwasher according to the present invention is configured so that air can be supplied back to the detergent container in response to the actual supply amount of detergent, so that the internal pressure of the detergent container can be effectively restored.

In addition to the above-described effects, specific effects of the present invention are described below while explaining specific details for carrying out the invention.

1 is a front perspective view of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dishwasher shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3a is a rear perspective view showing a detergent supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to the rear panel of a door, and Figures 3b and 3c are exploded perspective views of Figure 3a.
Figures 4 and 5 are a rear perspective view and a front perspective view showing the detergent supply device in a closed state with the door shown in Figure 3.
Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 4, and Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 5.
Figure 8 is a rear perspective view of the detergent pump shown in Figure 6.
Figures 9 and 10 are an exploded rear perspective view and an exploded front perspective view of Figure 8.
FIG. 11A is a front perspective view of the housing shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and FIGS. 11B and 11C are partially enlarged views of the housing shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the housing shown in FIG. 11A taken along line 12-12.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the housing shown in FIG. 16 taken along line 13-13.
Figure 14 is a partial enlarged view showing the case removed from the detergent pump shown in Figure 8.
FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the relationship between the carrier and a plurality of rollers in the configuration shown in FIG. 14.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the first roller shown in FIG. 15 cut along the longitudinal direction.
FIGS. 17 and 18 are cross-sectional views taken along the transverse direction of the plurality of rollers when the carrier shown in FIG. 12 is coupled to the plurality of rollers.
Figure 19 is a partially enlarged view showing a state in which the first roller is within the detection range of the roller sensor.
FIG. 20 is a partially enlarged view showing a state in which the first roller rotates from the state in FIG. 19 and is out of the detection range of the roller sensor. FIG. 21 is a rear view of the detergent container shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the detergent container shown in FIG. 21 taken along line 3-3.
Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the internal pressure of the detergent container is lowered as detergent is supplied through the detergent pump from the state shown in Figure 22.
Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the pressure inside the detergent container is recovered as air is introduced through the detergent pump from the state shown in 23.
Figure 25 is a functional block diagram for explaining the configuration of a control unit of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 26 to 28 are flow charts for explaining control steps performed by the control unit shown in Figure 25.

The above-described objects, features, and advantages will be described in detail later with reference to the attached drawings, so that those skilled in the art will be able to easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of known techniques related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, identical reference numerals are used to indicate identical or similar components.

Although first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, these components are of course not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component, and unless specifically stated to the contrary, the first component may also be a second component.

Throughout the specification, unless otherwise stated, each element may be singular or plural.

Hereinafter, the “top (or bottom)” of a component or the arrangement of any component on the “top (or bottom)” of a component means that any component is placed in contact with the top (or bottom) of the component. Additionally, it may mean that other components may be interposed between the component and any component disposed on (or under) the component.

Additionally, when a component is described as being “connected,” “coupled,” or “connected” to another component, the components may be directly connected or connected to each other, but the other component is “interposed” between each component. It should be understood that “or, each component may be “connected,” “combined,” or “connected” through other components.

As used herein, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present application, terms such as “consists of” or “comprises” should not be construed as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the specification, and some of the components or steps may include It may not be included, or it should be interpreted as including additional components or steps.

Additionally, as used herein, singular expressions include plural expressions, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present application, terms such as “consists of” or “comprises” should not be construed as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the specification, and some of the components or steps may include It may not be included, or it should be interpreted as including additional components or steps.

Throughout the specification, when referred to as “A and/or B”, this means A, B or A and B, unless specifically stated to the contrary, and when referred to as “C to D”, this means unless specifically stated to the contrary. Unless there is one, it means that it is C or higher and D or lower.

[Overall structure of the dishwasher]

Hereinafter, the overall structure of the dishwasher 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is a front perspective view showing a dishwasher according to the present invention, and Figure 2 is a simplified cross-sectional view briefly showing the internal structure of the dishwasher according to the present invention.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the dishwasher 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a case 10 forming the outer shape, and a washing machine installed inside the case 10 and washing objects. A tub 20 that forms a space 21 and has an open front, a door 30 that opens and closes the open front of the tub 20, and washing water for washing objects located in the lower part of the tub 20. A driving unit 40 that supplies, collects, circulates, and drains water, a storage unit 50 that is detachably provided in the internal washing space 21 of the tub 20 and where a cleaning object is placed, and a storage unit 50. It is installed adjacent to and is provided with a spray unit 60 that sprays washing water for washing the cleaning object.

At this time, the object to be washed seated in the storage unit 50 may be, for example, dishes such as bowls, plates, spoons, and chopsticks, and other cooking utensils. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, objects to be washed will be referred to as dishes.

The tub 20 may be formed in a box shape with an entirely open front, and corresponds to a configuration known as a so-called washing tank.

A washing space 21 is formed inside the tub 20, and the open front can be opened and closed by the door 30.

The tub 20 may be formed through press processing of a metal plate resistant to high temperature and moisture, for example, a stainless steel plate.

In addition, on the inner surface of the tub 20, a plurality of brackets are disposed for the purpose of supporting and installing functional components such as the storage portion 50 and the spray portion 60, which will be described later, within the tub 20. It can be.

Meanwhile, the driving unit 40 includes a sump 41 that stores washing water, a sump cover 42 that separates the sump 41 from the tub 20, and a water supply unit that supplies washing water to the sump 41 from the outside. (43), a drain unit 44 for discharging the washing water of the sump 41 to the outside, a water pump 45 and a supply passage 46 for supplying the washing water of the sump 41 to the spray unit 60. It may be configured to include.

The sump cover 42 is disposed on the upper side of the sump 41 and may serve to distinguish the tub 20 and the sump 41. Additionally, the sump cover 42 may be provided with a plurality of recovery holes for recovering the washing water sprayed into the washing space 21 through the spray unit 60 to the sump 41.

That is, the washing water sprayed from the spray unit 60 towards the dishes falls to the bottom of the washing space 21 and can be recovered back to the sump 41 through the sump cover 42.

The water pump 45 is provided on the side or bottom of the sump 41 and serves to pressurize the washing water and supply it to the spray unit 60.

One end of the water pump 45 may be connected to the sump 41 and the other end may be connected to the supply passage 46. The water pump 45 may be equipped with an impeller 451 and a motor 453. When power is supplied to the motor 453, the impeller 451 rotates, and the washing water in the sump 41 is pressurized and can be supplied to the spray unit 60 through the supply passage 46.

Meanwhile, the supply passage 46 may serve to selectively supply the washing water supplied from the water pump 45 to the spray unit 60.

Exemplarily, the supply passage 46 includes a first supply passage 461 connected to the lower injection arm 61, a second supply passage 463 connected to the upper injection arm 62, and the top nozzle 63. This can be done, and the supply passage 46 may be provided with a supply passage switching valve 465 that selectively opens and closes the supply passages 461 and 463.

At this time, the supply passage switching valve 465 may be controlled to open each of the supply passages 461 and 463 sequentially or simultaneously.

Meanwhile, the spray unit 60 is provided to spray washing water on dishes stored in the storage unit 50, etc.

More specifically, the spray unit 60 is located at the bottom of the tub 20 and is located between the lower spray arm 61 that sprays washing water to the lower rack 51, and the lower rack 51 and the upper rack 52. An upper spray arm (62) is located at the top of the tub (20) and sprays wash water to the lower rack (51) and upper rack (52), and sprays wash water to the top rack (53) or upper rack (52). It may include a top nozzle 63.

In particular, the lower spray arm 61 and the upper spray arm 62 are rotatably provided in the washing space 21 of the tub 20 and can spray washing water while rotating toward the dishes in the storage unit 50.

The lower spray arm 61 may be rotatably supported on the upper side of the sump cover 42 so that it can spray washing water while rotating toward the lower rack 51 from the bottom of the lower rack 51.

Additionally, the upper spray arm 62 may be rotatably supported by the spray arm holder 467 so that it can spray washing water while rotating between the lower rack 51 and the upper rack 52.

Meanwhile, the lower surface 25 of the tub 20 may be further provided with means for diverting the washing water sprayed from the lower spray arm 61 to the upward direction (U-direction) in order to increase washing efficiency.

Meanwhile, the washing space 21 may be provided with a storage unit 50 for storing dishes.

The storage unit 50 is provided to be withdrawn from the inside of the tub 20 through the open front of the tub 20 .

For example, in FIG. 2, a lower rack 51 is located at the lower part of the tub 20 and can accommodate relatively large dishes, and an upper rack 51 is located on the upper side of the lower rack 51 and can accommodate medium-sized dishes. An embodiment is shown in which a storage unit including a rack 52 and a top rack 53 located at the top of the tub 20 and capable of storing small dishes, etc. is shown. The present invention is not limited to this, but will be described based on an embodiment of a dishwasher provided with three storage units 50 as shown.

These lower racks 51, upper racks 53, and top racks 53 may each be configured to pass through the open front of the tub 20 and be drawn out.

To this end, guide rails (not shown) may be provided on both walls forming the inner peripheral surface of the tub 20. For example, the guide rails may include an upper rail, a lower rail, and a top rail.

Wheels may be provided below the lower rack 51, upper rack 53, and top rack 53, respectively. The user can store dishes in the lower rack 51, upper rack 53, and top rack 53 by pulling them out through the front of the tub 20, or easily remove washed dishes from them. You can take it out.

The guide rail 54 is a fixed guide rail in the form of a simple rail for guiding the withdrawal and insertion of the injection unit 60, or guides the withdrawal and storage of the injection unit 60, and the withdrawal distance according to the withdrawal of the injection unit 60. It can be provided as a telescopic guide rail that increases.

Meanwhile, the door 30 has the purpose of opening and closing the open front of the tub 20 described above.

A hinge part (not shown) for opening and closing the door 30 is provided at the bottom of this normally open front, and the door 30 can be opened by rotating around the hinge part as a rotation axis.

Here, a handle for opening the door 30 and a control panel for controlling the dishwasher 1 may be provided on the outer surface of the door 30.

As shown, the control panel includes a display that visually displays information about the current operating status of the dishwasher, a selection button that inputs the user's selection, and a user's input to turn the power on and off of the dishwasher. A button unit including a power button, etc. may be provided.

Meanwhile, the rear panel forming the inner surface of the door 30 forms one side of the tub 20 when the door 30 is closed and at the same time forms the lower rack of the storage unit 50 when the door 30 is fully opened. (51) can form a seating surface that can be supported.

To this end, when the door 30 is fully opened, it is preferable that the rear panel of the door 30 forms a horizontal plane in the same direction in which the guide rail 54 along which the lower rack 51 is guided extends.

In addition, although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, detergent for cleaning objects is stored in the rear panel of the door 30, and a detergent supply device is provided to automatically supply an appropriate amount of detergent during the cleaning process. can be placed.

The appropriate amount of detergent can be determined according to the cleaning load, that is, the total amount of objects to be cleaned.

A detailed description of the composition of the detergent supply body will be described later with reference to FIG. 3A and below.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 2, an automatic door opening module 352 may be provided on the outside of the upper surface of the tub 20 to automatically open the door.

As an example, the automatic door opening module 352 may be provided with a push rod 3524 that rotates the rear top of the door 30 to the open position.

Meanwhile, a dry wind supply unit 80 may be provided at the lower part of the tub 20 to generate and supply high-temperature or low-temperature dry wind to the washing space inside the tub 20.

As shown, the dry air supply unit 80 includes a filter member 883 that filters external air, a blowing fan 825 that generates a dry wind airflow, a heater 84 that heats the dry wind airflow, and a tub. It is disposed inside and may be configured to include an airflow guide 83 that guides the drying wind airflow.

A dry wind supply hole 254 may be provided on the lower surface of the tub 20 to allow high-temperature dry wind generated by the dry wind supply unit to be introduced into the interior of the tub 20.

[Detailed configuration of detergent supply device]

As described above, the detergent supply device 200 provided in the dishwasher 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be placed and attached to the door 30.

As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the door 30 is coupled to the front panel 30a, which forms the front of the dishwasher 1, and is arranged to face the inside of the tub 20. and may include a rear panel (30b) forming the rear of the door (30).

At this time, the detergent supply device 200 may be coupled to the rear panel 30b forming the rear of the door 30.

As shown, a concave portion that is recessed toward the front panel (30a) may be formed in the lower portion of the rear panel (30b), and no concave portion may be formed in the upper portion of the rear panel (30b). Accordingly, the upper portion of the rear panel 30b may form a rear protruding surface 30b1 that protrudes more toward the rear than the upper portion.

As will be described later, since a predetermined detergent storage capacity must be secured inside the detergent supply device 200, the front-to-back width of the detergent supply device 200 needs to be significantly large.

Considering the front-to-back width of the detergent supply device 200, the detergent supply device 200 can be coupled to the upper rear protruding surface 30b1 of the rear panel 30b where no concave portion is formed.

At this time, the detergent supply device 200 may partially extend into the interior of the door 30 through the rear panel 30b. To this end, a through hole 30b2 through which the detergent supply device 200 partially passes may be formed in the rear protruding surface 30b1 of the rear panel 30b. The shape of the through hole 30b2 may be approximately a square hole shape corresponding to the external shape of the detergent supply device 200.

Therefore, based on the closed state of the door 30, the rear part of the detergent supply device 200 is exposed to the washing space 21 of the tub 20, and the front part of the detergent supply device 200 is exposed to the rear panel ( It may pass through 30b) and be placed inside the door 30.

At this time, as will be described later, electrical components such as an electrically operated detergent pump 230 and a roller sensor 2391 may be placed at the front of the detergent supply device 200 disposed inside the door 30. Through this, the electrical components constituting the detergent supply device 200 can be configured so that they are not affected by the washing water.

Furthermore, as described above, in addition to the electrical components of the detergent supply device 200, a number of electrically operated parts may be accommodated inside the door 30. To prevent them from being affected by washing water, a water leak prevention means may be provided between the detergent supply device 200 and the rear panel 30b of the door 30.

As described above, the door 30 is rotatably supported through the hinge bracket 37 disposed at the bottom of the door 30, and can be rotated around the hinge bracket 37.

When the door 30 is closed, the detergent supply device 200 may be arranged to face the inside of the washing space 21 and may be arranged in a vertical direction. In this way, when the detergent supply device 200 is arranged in the vertical direction, the detergent stored inside the detergent container 280, which will be described later, may flow downward according to gravity.

Additionally, when the door 30 is opened, the detergent supply device 200 can be rotated in a direction away from the tub 20 and can be arranged in a horizontal direction when it is fully opened.

The user opens the door 30 and arranges the detergent supply device 200 in the horizontal direction, then opens the cover 220, which will be described later, to install the detergent container 280 inside the housing 210 or to install the detergent container 280 inside the housing 210. It can be easily removed from.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7, the detailed structure of the detergent supply device 200 will be described.

4 to 7 show the detergent supply device 200 being vertically arranged with the door 30 described above closed. Hereinafter, unless otherwise explained, description will be made based on the state in which the detergent supply device 200 is arranged vertically.

First, the detergent supply device 200 may be configured to include a housing 210 having a predetermined receiving space therein, and a cover 220 that opens and closes the receiving space of the housing 210.

The housing 210 forms the exterior of the detergent supply device 200 and serves to accommodate or support other parts constituting the detergent supply device 200.

The housing 210 may be formed to have a box shape with an entirely open rear surface 210a so that a predetermined accommodation space can be formed therein.

A detergent container 280, which will be described later, can be installed or removed by passing through the open rear side 210a. A cover 220, which will be described later, can be coupled to the open rear surface 210a, and the rear surface 210a can be closed by the cover 220.

For example, considering the shape of the detergent container 280 and the detergent storage capacity of the detergent container 280, the front-to-back width of the upper portion of the housing 210 may be made much larger than the front-to-back width of the lower portion.

At this time, as the lower part of the housing 210 having a smaller front-to-back width than the upper part, an electrically operated detergent pump 230 and a water level sensor 240 are provided on the outside of the rear 210a of the housing 210, as described later. , and a space and support structure to which the attachment and detachment detection sensor 260 can be attached and supported can be formed.

In order to install and support the detergent pump 230, the water level sensor 240, and the detachment detection sensor 260, as shown in FIG. 5, a predetermined shape is installed at the bottom of the rear side 210a of the housing 210. A plurality of support ribs 214 may be formed integrally with the housing 210. At this time, the support rib 214 passes through the through hole 30b2 of the rear panel 30b and is embedded in the interior of the door 30. Therefore, in consideration of assembly, the support rib 214 may be formed so as not to extend to the outside of the housing 210 beyond the both side surfaces 210e and 210f and the lower surface 210d of the housing 210.

Meanwhile, the detergent supply device 200 of the dishwasher 1 according to the present invention may be configured to supply a single detergent or different detergents.

As shown, the housing 210 may be formed to have an approximately symmetrical shape so that it can be commonly used for supplying a single detergent and supplying different detergents.

When applied to supply heterogeneous detergents, the housing 210, which has a left-right symmetrical shape, is divided into left and right directions (Le-Ri direction), and the right side of the housing 210 is used for supplying the first detergent, and the housing ( The left part of 210) can be used for supplying the second detergent.

However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and below, components other than the housing 210 are used for supplying a single detergent. The present invention is not limited to this, but will be described below based on an embodiment in which the housing 210 is applied to the detergent supply device 200 for supplying a single detergent as shown.

Meanwhile, with the detergent supply device 200 arranged vertically as described above, a portion of the housing 210 is exposed to the washing space 21 of the tub 20, and the remaining portion of the housing 210 is exposed to the door ( The detergent supply device 200 may be installed on the rear panel 30b of the door 30 while being embedded inside the door 30.

Accordingly, the housing 210 may have a shape that is divided along the front-to-back direction (F-R direction) around the virtual reference line L shown in FIG. 5. The portion of the housing 210 corresponding to the rear with respect to the virtual reference line (L) is exposed to the washing space 21 and can be referred to as the exposed portion 211, and the portion corresponding to the rear with respect to the virtual reference line (L) may be referred to as the exposed portion 211. Since the portion of the housing corresponding to is embedded in the interior of the door 30, it may be referred to as the embedded portion 212.

At this time, when cut along a plane perpendicular to the front-to-back direction (F-R direction), the cross-sectional area of the exposed portion 211 may be formed to be larger than the cross-sectional area of the buried portion 212.

Accordingly, a predetermined step surface 213 may be formed at the rear end of the buried part 212 and the front end of the exposed part 211, which correspond to the boundary between the exposed part 211 and the embedded part 212.

The step surface 213 serves to increase the contact area or coupling area with the rear panel 30b when the door 30 is fastened to the rear panel 30b. To this end, the step surface 213 may be configured to have a shape corresponding to the shape of the back of the rear panel 30b.

Additionally, fastening holes through which a fastening means such as a screw bolt can pass may be formed at each of the four corners of the step surface 213 at the top, bottom, left, and right.

Meanwhile, as described above, the rear panel ( 30b) Water leak prevention means may be provided between.

As a means to prevent water leakage, a gasket 270 may be provided, which is interposed between the step surface 213 and the rear panel 30b of the door 30 and is made of a material having a predetermined elasticity.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the gasket 270 is coupled to the step surface 213 and may be formed to have a shape corresponding to the shape of the step surface 213 .

More specifically, the gasket 270 is configured to have a width corresponding to the width of the step surface 213, and may have a thickness sufficient to provide a predetermined elastic force.

Meanwhile, the cover 220 is detachably connected to the housing 210 and serves to open and close the open rear portion 210a of the housing 210.

Exemplarily, similar to the door 30 described above, the cover 220 may be configured to rotate to open and close the internal accommodation space of the housing 210. To this end, the cover body 221 may have a size that entirely covers the rear 210a of the housing 210.

Additionally, the lower end of the cover body 221 may be rotatably connected to the housing 210.

Meanwhile, a fastening portion 222 may be provided at the top of the cover body 221 as a means for providing a detachable connection to the housing 210.

Exemplarily, the fastening part 222 may include a lever extending upward from the top of the cover body 221, and a fastening tab integrally connected to the lever and extending in the horizontal direction.

Although not shown, a locking protrusion to which a fastening tab is elastically coupled may be provided on the upper surface 210c near the rear 210a of the housing 210.

Through this, the user can easily release the jammed state between the fastening protrusion and the locking protrusion by pulling the lever in a direction away from the housing 210.

Meanwhile, a through hole 223 may be formed in the cover body 221 that extends along the vertical direction (U-D) and whose width in the left and right directions is maintained approximately constant.

When the cover 220 is fastened to the housing 210, the through hole 223 may be formed at a position corresponding to the transparent window 2813 of the detergent container 280, which will be described later.

Therefore, the user can easily check the level and remaining amount of detergent stored inside the detergent container 280 with the naked eye through the hole 223 of the cover 220 and the transparent window 2813 of the detergent container 280.

Meanwhile, the detergent supply device 200 may further include a detergent container 280 inside which detergent to be supplied to the washing space 21 of the tub 20 is stored.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the container body 281 of the detergent container 280 may have a container shape with a predetermined detergent storage space formed therein.

In addition, as described above, the detergent container 280 is entirely accommodated in the internal accommodation space of the housing 210, and may have an external shape corresponding to the shape of the internal accommodation space of the housing 210 of the container body 281. .

An inlet 2811 for detergent replenishment may be formed at the rear center of the container body 281.

A sealing cap 283 may be detachably coupled to the inlet 2811. Therefore, the user can separate the sealing cap 283 from the inlet 2811 to open the inlet 2811 and replenish detergent through the inlet 2811.

As shown, a sealing ring 284 made of a material with a certain elasticity may be added between the inlet 2811 and the sealing cap 283 to prevent the leakage of detergent.

Meanwhile, a ventilation hole 2812 formed through the rear of the container body 281 may be provided at the upper rear side of the container body 281.

In a state where the internal storage space of the container body 281 is closed by the airtight cap 283, the ventilation hole 2812 is used to compensate for the phenomenon in which the pressure of the internal storage space becomes lower than atmospheric pressure as detergent supply progresses. .

However, since there is a possibility that detergent may leak through the vent 2812, detergent leak prevention means such as an air valve or membrane may be added to the vent 2812.

As described above, a transparent window 2813 corresponding to the through hole 223 of the cover 220 may be formed on the rear of the container body 281. To enable the level and remaining amount of detergent stored inside the container body 281 to be visually confirmed, the transparent window 2813 may be made of a transparent or translucent material capable of transmitting visible light.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 7, a detergent discharge port 2814 may be formed at the front lower side of the container body 281.

The detergent discharge port 2814 may be placed at the bottom of the container body 281 so that the detergent can be easily moved by gravity.

In Figure 7, it is shown that a pair of detergent discharge ports 2814 are provided on the left and right sides of the front of the container body 281, but this is intended to enable common use as a detergent container 280 for supplying heterogeneous detergents. , when a single detergent container 280 for supplying detergent is used as in this embodiment, the detergent outlet 2814 on the left side may be in a closed state.

A container valve 282 may be coupled to the detergent outlet 2814. The container valve 282 closes the detergent outlet 2814 when the container body 281 is removed and separated from the housing 210, and the detergent outlet 2814 is closed when the container valve 282 is mounted on the housing 210. It plays a role in opening (2814).

A valve coupling portion 215 to which the container valve 282 is coupled may be formed inside the housing 210 when the detergent container 280 is mounted. When the container valve 282 is coupled to the valve coupling portion 215 of the housing 210, the container valve 282 opens at the same time as the coupling, thereby opening the detergent outlet 2814.

As shown in the partially enlarged views of FIGS. 6 and 7, the container valve 282 exemplarily includes a valve body 2821 whose front end 2821a and rear end 2821b are at least partially open, respectively, and a valve. A plug 2822 that is movable in the front-back direction inside the main body 2821 and opens and closes the open portion of the front end 2821a of the valve body 2821, and a spring that provides restoring force to the plug 2822 ( (not shown) may be included.

As shown, the valve body 2821 has a cylindrical outer shape, and an internal passage through which detergent can flow may be formed inside.

The internal passage communicates with an open portion formed at the front end 2821a of the valve body 2821 and an open portion formed at the rear end 2821b.

The rear end (2821b) of the valve body (2821) can be firmly coupled to the detergent outlet (2814) of the container body (281). Accordingly, the detergent supplied from the container body 281 is introduced through the open portion of the rear end 2821b of the valve body 2821 and can flow along the internal passage of the valve body 2821.

The front end 2821a of the valve body 2821 may be coupled to the valve coupling portion 215 of the housing 210 (see FIG. 12).

Therefore, the detergent flowing along the internal passage of the valve body 2821 can be discharged through the open portion of the front end 2821a of the valve body 2821 and supplied to the valve coupling portion 215 of the housing 210. can,

The plug 2822 is disposed inside the valve body 2821 and serves to open and close the open portion of the front end 2821a of the valve body 2821.

Accordingly, the plug 2822 may have a shape corresponding to the open portion of the front end 2821a of the valve body 2821.

The plug 2822 is pressed by a spring (not shown) in a direction to close the open portion of the front end 2821a of the valve body 2821.

Meanwhile, the front end surface of the plug 2822 may be integrally provided with at least one contact protrusion 2822a that protrudes in a direction away from the valve body 2821.

The contact protrusion 2822a may be formed to protrude farther from the container body 281 than the front end surface of the plug 2822 and the front end 2821a of the valve body 2821.

Therefore, when the container body 281 is mounted on the housing 210, the contact protrusion 2822a of the plug 2822 first contacts the end surface of the valve coupling portion 215.

Additional movement of the plug 2822 can be blocked by contact between the contact protrusion 2822a and the valve coupling portion 215.

Therefore, if the container body 281 continues to be mounted on the housing 210, the relative movement of the front end 2821a of the valve body 2821 may continue while the movement of the plug 2822 is blocked. .

As the relative movement of the valve body 2821 with respect to the plug 2822 progresses, a gap occurs between the plug 2822 and the open portion of the front end 2821a of the valve body 2821, and the gap may gradually expand. . By forming such a gap, the container valve 282 can be converted from a closed state to an open state.

Through this gap, detergent can flow from the container valve 282 to the valve coupling portion 215, and detergent can be supplied from the container body 281.

Meanwhile, when the container body 281 is removed from the housing 210, the contact protrusion 2822a of the plug 2822 may be separated from the end surface of the valve coupling portion 215. In this case, the gap between the plug 2822 and the open portion of the front end 2821a of the valve body 2821 can be immediately released by the restoring force of the spring described above, and the valve body 2821 is returned to the closed state. It becomes possible.

Meanwhile, as shown, at least one stopper 2821c for determining the insertion depth and insertion position into the detergent discharge port 2814 of the container body 281 may be integrally provided on the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 2821.

In addition, as shown, a sealing ring may be additionally provided on the front end 2821a of the valve body 2821 to prevent leakage of detergent between the inner peripheral surface of the valve coupling portion 215 and the valve body 2821. .

However, this configuration of the container valve 282 is only illustrative, and is in a closed state when removed from the housing 210, and can be converted to an open state when mounted on the housing 210, without limitation. Applicable to the present invention.

Meanwhile, a detachment detection sensor 260 may be attached to the housing 210 as a means for detecting the state in which the detergent container 280 is mounted or removed from the housing 210.

As described above, the detachment detection sensor 260 is disposed in the embedded portion 212 of the housing 210 so as not to be affected by the washing water, and is located at the lower part of the front 210b of the housing 210 as shown by way of example. It can be attached in a position close to the left side.

As an example, the detachment detection sensor 260 may have a Hall sensor type that detects magnetic force.

In response to this, the container body 281 is provided with a magnetic material (not shown) that emits a predetermined magnetic force at a position corresponding to the position of the attachment/detachment detection sensor 260 when the detergent container 280 is mounted on the housing 210. It can be.

The detachment detection sensor 260 is electrically connected to the control unit 100, which will be described later, and the output signal of the detachment detection sensor 260 can be transmitted to the control unit 100. The control unit 100 can easily determine whether the detergent container 280 is mounted on the housing 210 or has been removed from the housing 210 through the received output signal of the attachment/detachment detection sensor 260.

Additionally, a water level sensor 240 may be attached to the housing 210 as a means to check the remaining amount of detergent stored inside the container body 281.

Like the detachment detection sensor 260, the water level sensor 240 is disposed in the embedded part 212 of the housing 210 so as not to be affected by washing water, and as exemplarily shown, is located at the center at the lower front of the housing 210. Can be attached to the side.

Similar to the detachment detection sensor 260, the water level sensor 240 may be provided in the form of a Hall sensor that detects magnetic force.

Correspondingly, a floater (not shown) may be disposed inside the container body 281 to be movable in the up and down directions (U-D) according to the level of detergent.

A magnetic material that emits a predetermined magnetic force may be attached to the plotter, and the detachment detection sensor 260 may generate an output signal corresponding to the strength of the magnetic force emitted from the magnetic material of the plotter.

Like the detachment detection sensor 260, the water level sensor 240 is electrically connected to the control unit 100, which will be described later, and the output signal of the water level sensor 240 can be transmitted to the control unit 100. The control unit 100 can easily determine the remaining amount of detergent stored inside the container body 281 through the received output signal of the water level sensor 240.

Meanwhile, the detergent supply device 200 may further include a detergent pump 230 for providing detergent stored in the detergent container 280 to the washing space 21 of the tub 20.

In this embodiment, the detergent pump 230 may be provided in the form of a tube pump driven by an electric motor to facilitate control of the amount of detergent supplied.

As known in the art, a tube pump may be configured to pump a flexible tube with a detergent movement passage inside by pressing it through at least one roller to push and move the detergent.

4 to 7 illustrate a configuration in which a single detergent pump 230 is provided for supplying a single detergent, but when applied for supplying different detergents, a detergent pump 230 with the same specifications is added. It can be provided with .

Like the above-mentioned detachment detection sensor 260 and water level sensor 240, the detergent pump 230 is installed in the embedded portion 212 of the housing 210 so that the electrically operated detergent pump 230 is not affected by the washing water. It is disposed, and may be installed and fixed to the support rib 214 formed on the front lower part of the housing 210.

Meanwhile, the detergent pump 230 is equipped with a roller sensor 2391 that detects the position of the roller 233 that moves the detergent by pressing the tube 232 and generates an output signal corresponding to the position of the roller 233. It can be.

The roller sensor 2391 is electrically connected to the control unit 100, which will be described later, and the output signal of the roller sensor 2391 can be transmitted to the control unit 100. The control unit 100 can calculate the number of revolutions of the roller 233 through the output signal of the received roller sensor 2391, and can easily determine the amount of detergent supplied through this.

The configuration of the detergent supply amount determination method using the roller sensor 2391 will be described later with reference to FIG. 25 and below.

[Detailed composition of detergent pump]

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 20, the detailed configuration of the detergent pump 230 provided in the detergent supply device 200 of the dishwasher 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, the detergent pump 230 includes a pump case 231 that accommodates a roller 233 and a tube 232, a tube 232 in which a detergent passage is formed, and a tube. A roller 233 that moves the detergent by pressing (232), a carrier 234 that supports the roller 233 so that it can rotate and rotate, and a cover plate 235 coupled to the pump case 231. It may be configured to include a base plate 236 to which the cover plate 235 is coupled to one side, and a pump motor 238 that provides driving force to rotate and rotate the roller 233.

The pump case 231 serves to accommodate and protect the roller 233 and the tube 232, which will be described later, therein.

For this purpose, the first end surface 2311 of the pump case 231 in the direction of the rotation axis (Xc) of the roller 233 is entirely open, and the second end surface 2312 in the direction of the rotation axis (Xc) is entirely open. It can be formed to become blocked.

A peripheral surface 2313 may be formed between the first end surface 2311 and the second end surface 2312, and a pair of slots 2313a are formed through the peripheral surface 2313 to allow the tube to pass through. It can be.

As will be described later, the tube 232 is maintained in a C-shaped bent state inside the pump case 231.

To this end, a portion of the inner surface of the peripheral surface 2313 of the pump case 231 may be configured to have a semi-cylindrical shape. That is, the inner surface of the peripheral surface 2313 may act as a support surface that maintains the tube 232 bent in a C-shape while the tube 232 is pressed by the roller 233.

The tube 232 functions as a detergent container through which the detergent supplied from the detergent container 280 described above flows.

Additionally, the detergent filling the internal passage of the tube 232 may be made of a flexible material so that it can be pumped by the roller 233.

Therefore, when the tube 232 is pressed in a state sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the roller 233 and the peripheral surface 2313 of the pump case 231, it can be easily deformed so that the internal passage is blocked by the pressing force, and the roller 233 When the pressing force is released, the tube 232 can be effectively restored to its original shape.

At this time, since the roller 233 moves while revolving, the position of the tube 232 pressed by the roller 233 changes according to the revolution of the roller 233.

Through this, the detergent filling the internal passage of the tube 232 moves with the revolution of the roller 233.

The tube 232 may be configured to be partially accommodated inside the pump case 231, and has a first end 2321 that acts as an inlet through which detergent flows in, and a second end 2322 through which detergent is pumped and discharged. ) may extend to the outside of the pump case 231 by passing through each of the pair of slots 2313a of the pump case 231.

The portion where the tube 232 passes through the pair of slots 2313a can be firmly fixed to each of the pair of slots 2313a by a pair of tube clips 237.

Meanwhile, the first end 2321 of the tube 232, which acts as an inlet, is connected to and communicates with the detergent outlet 2814 of the detergent container 280, and the second end 2322 of the tube 232, which acts as an outlet, is connected to and communicates with the detergent outlet 2814 of the detergent container 280. ) may be connected and communicated with the discharge port 218 that finally discharges the pumped detergent toward the tub 20.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the discharge port 218 may be formed in the exposed portion 211 of the housing 210, and is preferably formed as close as possible to the open rear surface 210a of the housing 210. You can.

Therefore, the discharge port 218 can be formed at a position spaced as far as possible toward the inside of the tub 20 from the reference line L, and the detergent discharged from the discharge port 218 through this is disposed at the lower surface 25 of the tub 20. ) can fall freely due to gravity.

Additionally, the discharge port 218 may be formed on a stepped surface below the open rear surface 210b of the housing and at a higher position in the vertical direction than the lower surface 210d of the housing 210.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 11C, when the cover 220 is coupled to the housing 210 and viewed from the rear, the discharge port 218 is covered by the cover 220.

Accordingly, the discharge port 218 is formed at a higher position in the vertical direction than the lower surface 210d of the housing 210, and can be maintained in a hidden state by the cover 220. Through this, it is possible to effectively prevent washing water flying during the operation of the dishwasher 1 from directly reaching the discharge port 218 or from flowing in through the discharge port 218.

Meanwhile, the discharge port 218 is covered by the cover 220, but as shown in FIG. 11C, the bottom ( A notch-shaped groove portion 2212 may be formed in 2211).

However, in order for the detergent to move effectively, the area of the groove 2212 formed at the bottom of the cover 220 may be larger than the cross-sectional area of the discharge port 218.

Meanwhile, hinge holes 2213 into which the hinge shaft 219 of the housing 210 is inserted may be formed on the left and right sides of the groove portion 2212 at the bottom of the cover 220, respectively. The cover 220 may be rotatably supported with respect to the housing 210 with the hinge shaft 219 inserted into the hinge hole 2213.

As shown in FIGS. 11A to 13, the housing 210 will be provided with a first nipple 216 as an intermediate connection medium connecting the first end 2321 of the tube 232 and the valve coupling portion 215. A second nipple 217 may be provided as an intermediate connection medium connecting the second end 2322 of the tube 232 and the discharge port 218.

As shown, the first nipple 216 and the second nipple 217 may be formed integrally with the front lower part of the housing 210 where the support rib 214 is disposed.

As described above, a pair of first nipples 216 and second nipples 217 are attached to the housing 210 so that the detergent supply device 200 can be commonly used for supplying a single detergent and supplying different detergents. It can be formed in a position that is approximately symmetrical to the

In the case of applying a single detergent supply, detergent can flow only to the first nipple 216 and the second nipple 217 disposed on the left side of the housing 210, as shown. Hereinafter, the description will be based on the first nipple 216 and the second nipple 217 disposed on the left side of the housing 210.

Passages through which detergent can flow may be formed inside the first nipple 216 and the second nipple 217, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 12, the first nipple 216 may be inserted into the first end 2321 of the tube 232 and connected to the first end 2321.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 13, the second nipple 217 may be inserted into the second end 2322 of the tube 232 and connected to the second end 2322.

In this way, when the connection between the first end 2321 of the tube 232 and the first nipple 216 and the connection between the second end 2322 of the tube 232 and the second nipple 217 are completed, A continuous detergent flow path (Fd) may be formed inside the first nipple 216, the tube 232, and the second nipple 217.

For example, the first nipple 216 may have a shape that extends linearly along the horizontal direction, and the second nipple 217 may extend the detergent flow path (Fd) in a vertical direction from the horizontal direction toward the discharge port 218. It can have an L-shape to convert.

The roller 233 serves to pump the detergent by pressing the tube 232 and moving the detergent along the internal passage of the tube 232 while revolving along the rotation axis (Xc), which is the revolving axis.

The illustrated embodiment shows a configuration in which a total of three rollers 233 are provided inside the pump case 231.

The present invention is not limited to this, but will be described below based on an embodiment in which three rollers 233 are provided.

For convenience, in order to distinguish these three rollers 233, they will be referred to as a first roller 2331, a second roller 2332, and a third roller 2333.

However, as described later, the first roller 2331, the second roller 2332, and the third roller 2333 may have the same shape and size and be interchangeable with each other.

The detailed configuration of the first roller 2331, the second roller 2332, and the third roller 2333 will be described later with reference to FIG. 14 and below.

The carrier 234 serves to support the first roller 2331, the second roller 2332, and the third roller 2333 so that they can rotate and rotate, respectively.

In more detail, the carrier 234 may include a disc-shaped plate 2341 and a plurality of roller support shafts 2342 extending from the disc-shaped plate 2341 toward the roller 233.

The disc-shaped plate 2341 may be supported by the cover plate 235 with one side in surface contact with the cover plate 235, which will be described later.

In addition, the disc-shaped plate 2341 can be rotatably supported with respect to the cover plate 235, preferably rotatably.

As will be described later, a ring-shaped guide rib 2353 arranged to surround the disk-shaped plate 2341 may be integrally formed on one surface of the cover plate 235 with which the disk-shaped plate 2341 comes into contact. there is.

The ring-shaped guide rib 2353 can effectively prevent the disk-shaped plate 2341 from deviating outward in the radial direction.

On the other side of the disk-shaped plate 2341, a plurality of roller support shafts 2342 that respectively protrude toward the first roller 2331, the second roller 2332, and the third roller 2333 may be formed integrally. there is.

In more detail, the plurality of roller support shafts 2342 include a first shaft 2342a that rotatably supports the first roller 2331, and a second shaft 2342b that rotatably supports the second roller 2332. ) and a third shaft 2342c that rotatably supports the third roller 2333.

These first shafts 2342a. The second shaft 2342b and the third shaft 2342c serve as rotation axes of the first roller 2331, the second roller 2332, and the third roller 2333, respectively.

As will be described later, the first shaft 2342a to which the first roller 2331 is coupled may have a smaller protruding length than the second shaft 2342b and the third shaft 2342c. Detailed configuration regarding this will be described later with reference to FIG. 14 and below.

Meanwhile, a circular through hole 2341a may be formed in the center of the disk-shaped plate 2341, penetrating through one side and the other side. The output shaft 2381 of the pump motor 238, which will be described later, may extend through the through hole 2341a.

As described later, the output shaft 2381 simultaneously contacts the outer peripheral surfaces 2331a, 2332a, and 2333a of the first roller 2331, the second roller 2332, and the third roller 2333 to form the first roller 2331, A driving force that rotates the second roller 2332 and the third roller 2333 is transmitted, respectively.

At this time, the output shaft 2381 may be configured to pass through the through hole 2341a of the disc-shaped plate 2341 but not contact the disc-shaped plate 2341.

That is, the carrier 234 can be supported and accommodated in an idle state by the pump case 231 and the cover plate 235 in a state in which the rotational driving force is not transmitted by the output shaft 2381.

The cover plate 235 is coupled to the open first end surface 2311 of the pump case 231 and serves to close the internal space of the pump case 231.

As the cover plate 235 is fastened to the pump case 231, the roller 233, tube 232, and carrier 234 are attached to the pump case 231 by the pump case 231 and the cover plate 235. While accommodated inside, their movement in the direction of the rotation axis (Xc) may be restricted.

Similar to the carrier 234, a through hole 2351 through which the output shaft 2381 of the pump motor 238 extends may be formed in the center of the cover plate 235.

As described above, a ring-shaped guide rib 2353 may be formed integrally with one surface of the cover plate 235 where the disc-shaped plate 2341 comes into contact.

The ring-shaped guide rib 2353 is formed to be concentric with the through hole 2351, and the protrusion height can be maintained approximately constant while advancing along the circumferential direction.

The ring-shaped guide rib 2353 has the purpose of preventing the disk-shaped plate 2341 from being deviated outward in the radial direction.

However, the inner diameter of the ring-shaped guide rib 2353 may be formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the disk-shaped plate 2341 so as not to interfere with the rotational movement of the disk-shaped plate 2341 due to contact.

Means for fastening to the pump case 231 may be provided at each edge portion of the cover plate 235.

By way of example, the fastening means may be arranged at positions spaced apart from each other and may be formed at four locations.

At this time, each of these fastening means may be configured to act as a fastening means for the pump case 231 and at the same time act as a fastening means for the base plate 236, which will be described later.

That is, each fastening means may form a common fastening part 2352, where one side can be fastened to the pump case 231 and the other side can be fastened to the base plate 236.

By sharing the fastening means in this way, the structure of the detergent pump can be simplified and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

The base plate 236 is configured to have the pump motor 238 coupled to one side and the cover plate 235 described above to be coupled to the other side, and serves to connect them so that they are fixed to the housing 210.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the base plate 236 may be provided with four locking portions 2362 to which the common fastening portion 2352 of the cover plate 235 can be fastened.

In addition, similar to the through hole 2351 of the cover plate 235, a through hole 2361 extending through the output shaft 2381 of the pump motor 238 may be formed in the center of the base plate 236. there is.

In addition, in order to fasten the housing 210 to the support rib 214, the base plate 236 may be provided with a pair of connection tabs 2363 extending in a direction away from the central through hole 2361, A bolt hole through which a fixing means such as a screw bolt can pass may be formed in the connection tab 2363.

The pump motor 238 serves to generate a rotational driving force that rotates and rotates the first roller 2331 to the third roller 2333.

There is no limit to the type of motor that can be applied, but considering the limitations of the space where the detergent pump 230 is placed, it is preferable to use a small electric motor.

Meanwhile, the detergent pump 230 provided in the detergent supply device 200 of the dishwasher 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a roller position detection unit 239 for detecting a change in the position of the roller 233. It may further include.

As described above, the purpose of the present invention is to determine the supply amount of detergent by detecting a change in the position of the roller 233 while the detergent pump 230 is operating and calculating the number of revolutions of the roller 233 accordingly. .

As a means to achieve this purpose, the detergent pump 230 may further include a roller position detection unit 239 as a means for detecting the position of the roller 233.

By way of example, the roller position detection unit 239 may be configured to include a roller sensor 2391.

The roller sensor 2391 may use the Hall sensor method in the same way as the detachment detection sensor 260 and the water level sensor 240 described above.

In order to detect a change in the position of the roller 233, at least one of the first rollers 2331 to 2333 may be provided with a magnetic material that emits a predetermined magnetic force.

At this time, in order to maintain maximum sensing performance, the sensing surface 2391a of the roller sensor 2391 may be placed as close as possible along the direction of the rotation axis Xc toward the magnetic material.

The correlation between the roller sensor 2391 and the roller 233 provided with a magnetic material will be described later with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20.

Meanwhile, in order to minimize the volume of the magnetic material disposed on the roller 233 and minimize the influence of the magnetic force generated by the pump motor 238, the roller sensor 2391 is closest to the roller 233 and the pump motor 238 ) is preferably placed in a position furthest from the

This location may be the second end surface 2312 of the pump case 231.

Therefore, when looking at the roller 233 as a reference, the pump motor 238 and the roller sensor 2391 may be arranged at positions spaced apart from each other along the direction of the rotation axis (Xc) with the roller 233 interposed therebetween.

A sensor holder 2392 capable of detachably supporting the roller sensor 2391 may be integrally provided on the second end surface 2312 of the pump case 231.

The sensor holder 2392 is preferably placed in a position where interference with the roller 233 rotating and revolving inside the pump case 231 does not occur.

To this end, on the outside of the second end surface 2312 of the pump case 231, a pump is formed to protrude from the second end surface 2312 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis (Xc) and away from the roller 233. can

In the above, the configuration of the detergent pump 230 applied for supplying a single detergent has been described. However, when the detergent supply device 200 according to the present invention is applied for supplying different detergents, a detergent pump having the same configuration as described above ( 230) may be additionally provided. However, the added detergent pump 230 may be installed in a position symmetrical to the existing detergent pump 230 with respect to the housing 210.

[Detailed structure of roller and arrangement of magnetic material]

Hereinafter, the detailed structure of the roller 233 provided in the detergent pump 230 and the arrangement structure of the magnetic material will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 18.

As described above, in this embodiment, the roller 233 includes a first roller 2331, a second roller 2332, and a third roller 2333 that have the same outer shape and size and can be arranged interchangeably. It can be configured as follows.

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the first roller 2331, the second roller 2332, and the third roller 2333 are separated from each other and can rotate and rotate on the carrier 234. ) can be supported by.

The carrier 234 includes a first shaft 2342a, a second shaft 2342b, and a second shaft 2342b as means for rotatably supporting the first roller 2331, the second roller 2332, and the third roller 2333, respectively. 3 The shaft 2342c may be provided in a cylindrical shape.

The first shaft 2342a, the second shaft 2342b, and the third shaft 2342c can support the first roller 2331, the second roller 2332, and the third roller 2333 in a separated state. They may be arranged at equal intervals around the through hole 2341a.

The first roller 2331, the second roller 2332, and the third roller 2333 each have a circular cross-section into which the first shaft 2342a, the second shaft 2342b, and the third shaft 2342c can be inserted. First hollow parts 2331b, 2332b, and 2333b may be formed.

The first hollow portions (2331b, 2332b, 2333b) pass through the first end surfaces (2331d, 2332d, 2333d) of the first roller (2331), the second roller (2332), and the third roller (2333) along the rotation axis ( It may extend toward the second end surfaces 2331e, 2332e, and 2333e along the direction Xc).

Meanwhile, as described above, the driving force that rotates and rotates the first roller 2331, the second roller 2332, and the third roller 2333 does not pass through the carrier 234, but is transmitted through the output shaft of the pump motor 238 ( 2381), it is directly transmitted to the first roller 2331, the second roller 2332, and the third roller 2333.

For this purpose, the rotational driving force can be transmitted from the output shaft 2381 of the pump motor 238 while being simultaneously in contact with the output shaft 2381.

That is, the outer peripheral surface (2331a) of the first roller 2331, the outer peripheral surface (2332a) of the second roller 2332, the outer peripheral surface (2333a) of the third roller 2333, and the output shaft 2381 of the pump motor 238. The first roller 2331, the second roller 2332, and the third roller 2333 may be driven by friction.

Therefore, between the outer peripheral surface (2331a) of the first roller 2331, the outer peripheral surface (2332a) of the second roller 2332, and the outer peripheral surface (2333a) of the third roller 2333 and the output shaft 2381 of the pump motor 238. Means for increasing the coefficient of friction may be provided on the output shaft 2381. Exemplarily, means for increasing the friction coefficient include a method of roughening the surface of the output shaft 2381 of the pump motor 238, a method of coating the surface of the output shaft 2381 with a coating material of a predetermined material, or This may be a method of covering the surface of the output shaft 2381 using a tube.

However, even if a means to increase the friction coefficient is added, if a high viscosity detergent is applied, and if hardening and wear of the tube 232 progresses over time, the first roller 2331 and the second roller (2332) and the target detergent supply amount pursued through operation time control or RPM control of the pump motor 238, such as when slip occurs between the third roller 2333 and the output shaft 2381 of the pump motor 238. However, there may be significant deviation in the actual amount of detergent supplied by pumping through the first roller 2331, the second roller 2332, and the third roller 2333.

Therefore, as described above, the present invention is configured to supply detergent with minimal deviation from the target detergent supply amount by determining the number of revolutions of the roller 233, which determines the actual detergent supply amount, through the number of position changes of the roller 233. You can.

To this end, the above-described roller sensor 2391 and a magnetic body 2393 disposed on the roller 233 may be provided as a means for detecting a change in the position of the roller 233.

It is also possible to configure all of the first roller 2331, the second roller 2332, and the third roller 2333 to be provided with the magnetic material 2393, but manufacturing cost is reduced by configuring the magnetic material 2393 to be provided on only one of them. savings can be achieved.

Hereinafter, as shown, the description will be based on an embodiment in which the magnetic material 2393 is provided only on the first roller 2331.

As shown in FIG. 16, the magnetic material 2393 may exemplarily have an external shape having a square pillar shape.

Correspondingly, a second hollow portion 2331c into which a magnetic material can be inserted may be formed inside the first roller 2331.

The second hollow portion 2331c may be formed to have a square cross-sectional shape corresponding to the outer shape of the magnetic material 2393.

At this time, the second hollow portion 2331c may extend along the direction of the rotation axis Xc through the second end surface 2331e to the first hollow portion 2331b.

Second hollow parts 2332c and 2333c having the same shape as the first roller 2331 may be equally provided on the second roller 2332 and the third roller 2333.

Additionally, the magnetic material 2393 may be disposed in the second hollow portion 2331c so that it is entirely buried. To this end, the length of the second hollow portion 2331c in the direction of the rotation axis (Xc) may be greater than or equal to the length of the magnetic material 2393 in the direction of the rotation axis (Xc).

Through this, the magnetic material 2393 can be configured not to protrude from the second end surface 2331e of the first roller 2331, and an increase in the size of the detergent pump 230 due to the addition of the magnetic material 2393 can be prevented. You can.

Meanwhile, as shown, the magnetic material 2393 may be disposed closer to the second end surface 2331e among the first end surface 2331d and the second end surface 2331e of the first roller 2331. .

As described above, the roller sensor 2391 is disposed on the second end surface 2312 of the pump case 231 at a position spaced apart from the second end surface 2331e along the direction of the rotation axis (Xc).

This location is selected as a location that can minimize the influence of the magnetic force emitted from the pump motor 238.

However, in order for the roller sensor 2391 to effectively detect the magnetic material 2393 of the first roller 2331, the magnetic material 2393 is placed on the first roller 2331 as close to the roller sensor 2391 as possible. needs to be

For this purpose, it is preferable that the magnetic material 2393 is provided with a bias toward the first end surface 2331d of the first roller 2331 disposed closest to the roller sensor 2391 in the direction of the rotation axis Xc.

[Detection of position change of first tube using roller sensor]

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, the arrangement relationship between the first roller 2331 and the roller sensor 2391 and the detection structure of the magnetic material 2393 using the roller sensor 2391 will be described.

As described above, the roller sensor 2391 may be disposed as close as possible to the magnetic body 2393 of the first roller 2331 based on the direction of the rotation axis (Xc).

Furthermore, the roller sensor 2391 may have a sensing surface 2391a, and the sensing surface 2391a of the roller sensor 2391 may be arranged so that the magnetic material 2393 overlaps the orbital area in the direction of the rotation axis Xc.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, when the sensing surface 2391a is moved in parallel along the direction of the rotation axis (Xc) toward the magnetic material 2393, the area through which the magnetic material 2393 passes while orbiting and the sensing surface 2391a may overlap.

Through this, the straight-line distance between the sensing surface (2391a) of the roller sensor 2391 and the magnetic material 2393 can be minimized, making it possible to apply a small magnetic material and a small roller sensor 2391, so that the detergent pump 230 ) can be miniaturized and the manufacturing cost of the detergent pump 230 can be reduced.

Hereinafter, a method for detecting a change in the position of the first roller 2331 using the roller sensor 2391 will be described.

The roller sensor 2391 may be configured to have a predetermined sensing area.

For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the distance (D) from the sensing surface (2391a) to the magnetic material 2393 of the first roller 2331 based on the rotation axis (Xc) is the reference distance range (Dth). The area closer than the distance from the rotation axis ( An area where D) is farther than the reference distance range may be an undetected area.

As shown in FIG. 19, when the magnetic material 2393 of the first roller 2331 is within the detection area, the roller sensor 2391 detects this and includes information that the first roller 2331 is within the detection area. A first output signal can be generated.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 20, when the first roller 2331 rotates along the revolution direction (R) and leaves the detection area and exists in the non-detection area, the roller sensor 2391 detects this and detects the first roller ( 2331) may generate a second output signal containing information that it is outside the detection range of the roller sensor 2391 and is within a non-detection area.

Such a first output signal and a second output signal can be transmitted as electrical signals to the control unit 100, which will be described later, and the control unit 100 converts the signal received from the roller sensor 2391 into a second output signal from the first output signal. When the signal changes, or when the second output signal changes to the first output signal, the first roller 2331 rotates, making it possible to easily confirm that the position of the first roller 2331 has changed.

[Detailed composition of detergent container]

Hereinafter, the configuration of the detergent container 280 provided in the detergent supply device 200 of the dishwasher 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 24.

As described above, a predetermined detergent storage space may be formed inside the container body 281 of the detergent container 280.

Liquid detergent to be supplied to the tub 20 through the detergent pump 230 may be stored in the detergent storage space.

However, when the sealing cap 283 is coupled to the inlet 2811 of the container body 281 and the container body 281 is mounted on the housing 210, the detergent storage space of the container body 281 is sealed. do.

Therefore, as the supply of detergent progresses through the detergent pump 230, the internal pressure Pi of the detergent storage space may gradually decrease in response to the remaining amount of detergent that decreases as the supply progresses.

When the internal pressure (Pi) of the detergent storage space decreases, the operating load of the detergent pump 230 may increase in response to the decrease in internal pressure (Pi).

As a means of preventing a decrease in the internal pressure Pi of the detergent storage space, a vent 2812 may be provided at the rear 281a of the container body 281, as shown in FIG. 21.

The vent 2812 may be formed through the rear side 281a of the container body 281 to communicate with the internal detergent storage space of the container body 281 and the external space. Exemplarily, the ventilation hole 2812 may be provided as a circular hole.

At this time, in order to minimize the outflow of detergent through the vent hole 2812, the vent hole 2812 has the maximum storage level (max) and minimum storage level (min) of the detergent based on the vertical arrangement of the detergent supply device 200. ) can be formed at a higher position.

However, even if the ventilation hole 2812 is formed at a higher position in the vertical direction than the maximum storage level (max) of the detergent, the liquid detergent through the ventilation hole 2812 during the process of removing and installing the detergent container 280. The possibility of a leak cannot be ruled out.

As a means to prevent the leakage of detergent through the vent 2812 and to prevent a decrease in the internal pressure of the detergent storage space, a membrane 2812a is used to block the vent 2812 and vary in response to the internal pressure of the detergent storage space. can be provided.

As shown in FIG. 22, the membrane 2812a is attached to the inner surface of the container body 281 and may be arranged to entirely cover the ventilation hole 2812.

The membrane 2812a can be easily processed into a thin film form, such as natural rubber or synthetic rubber, and can be made of a material whose shape can be easily changed in response to the difference between internal pressure (Pi) and external pressure (Po). You can.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 23, when the forward driving of the pump motor 238 is initiated and the roller 233 rotates in the forward direction, the remaining amount of detergent stored in the detergent storage space of the container body 281 gradually decreases, In response to a decrease in internal pressure Pi, the membrane 2812a protrudes toward the inside of the detergent storage space, causing deformation.

By deforming the membrane 2812a, the balance between the internal pressure (Pi) and the external pressure (Po) of the detergent storage space can be maintained.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 24, after the supply of the preset amount of detergent is completed, the pump motor 238 may begin to drive in the reverse direction and the roller 233 may begin to rotate in the reverse direction.

As the roller 233 begins to rotate in the reverse direction, air can be supplied from the tub 20 through the tube 232 to the detergent storage space of the container body 281.

In this way, when air is introduced into the detergent storage space by the reverse rotation of the roller 233, the internal pressure (Pi) can be gradually recovered, and the equilibrium between the internal pressure (Pi) and the external pressure (Po) of the detergent storage space can be achieved. While this is maintained, the membrane 2812a can be easily restored to its original shape.

Details regarding forward and reverse driving of the roller 233 will be described later with reference to FIG. 26 and below.

[Configuration of the control unit and control method of the dishwasher]

Hereinafter, the configuration of the control unit 100 of the dishwasher 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 25.

As shown in FIG. 25, the dishwasher 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a control unit 100 for controlling each functional configuration.

The control unit 100 may be provided in various forms such as a microcontroller, microcomputer, or microprocessor, as is known in the art.

First, the control unit 100 may be electrically connected to the pump motor 238 of the detergent pump 230. After the washing cycle is initiated, the control unit 100 supplies power to the pump motor 238 to drive the detergent pump 230 in the forward direction to supply detergent to the tub 20, or drives the detergent pump 230 in the reverse direction to pump air into the detergent. It is controlled so that it can be supplied to the detergent storage space of the container 280.

Additionally, the control unit 100 may be electrically connected to a roller sensor 2391 to detect a change in the position of the first roller 2331 in real time during the cleaning process.

As described above, the roller sensor 2391 generates a first output signal and transmits it to the control unit 100 when the magnetic material 2393 of the first roller 2331 is present in the detection area, and the first roller 2331 ) If the magnetic material 2393 leaves the detection area and exists in the non-detection area, a second output signal can be generated and transmitted to the control unit 100.

The first output signal may include information that the first roller 2331 is within the detection area of the roller sensor 2391, and the second output signal may include information that the first roller 2331 is outside the detection range of the roller sensor 2391. Information that it is within an undetected area may be included.

The control unit 100 operates the first roller 2331 when the signal received from the roller sensor 2391 changes from the first output signal to the second output signal or changes from the second output signal to the first output signal. It can be confirmed that the position of the first roller 2331 has changed by rotating.

Meanwhile, the control unit 100 may be electrically connected to the water level sensor 240 for detecting the remaining amount of detergent stored in the detergent container 280.

The output signal of the water level sensor 240 can be transmitted to the control unit 100, and the control unit 100 can easily check the remaining amount of detergent stored inside the container body 281 through the received output signal of the water level sensor 240. It can be clearly understood. At this time, if the remaining amount of detergent detected through the water level sensor 240 is less than a predetermined amount, the control unit 100 displays a visual message containing information about the insufficient amount of detergent remaining through the display 33 or the sound output unit 38. It can be controlled to generate an alarm or acoustic alarm.

Meanwhile, the control unit 100 may be electrically connected to the detachment detection sensor 260 for detecting detachment of the detergent container 280.

The output signal of the detachment detection sensor 260 can be transmitted to the control unit 100, and the control unit 100 can determine whether the detergent container 280 is mounted on the housing 210 through the received output signal of the detachment detection sensor 260. It is possible to easily determine whether the device is in a state of being used or has been removed from the housing 210.

If it is determined that the detergent container 280 has been removed, the control unit 100 sends a visual alarm or sound through the display 33 or the sound output unit 38 that includes information that the detergent container 280 is not installed. You can control it to generate an alarm.

Meanwhile, the control unit 100 is electrically connected to the memory and timer. The control unit 100 calls operation conditions and time conditions for each stroke pre-stored in memory and uses them to generate a control signal to control the progress and termination of the stroke. Furthermore, information regarding the amount of detergent supplied during the washing process (preset amount) may be further stored in the memory.

Additionally, the control unit 100 can use a timer to calculate the elapsed time for each stroke and determine whether each stroke is complete by comparing it with pre-stored time conditions for each stroke.

Additionally, the control unit 100 is electrically connected to the display 33 and the audio output unit 38.

The control unit 100 can visually display information about the operating status, operating time, and whether rinsing is complete, etc. of the dishwasher 1 through the display 33, and an audio output unit 38 such as the above-described buzzer or speaker. It is possible to control an alarm regarding the operating status of the dishwasher 1 or the completion of rinsing to be output by voice or sound.

Hereinafter, the control method (S1) of the dishwasher 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 to 28.

As described above, the dishwasher 1 according to the present invention supplies detergent to the tub 20 through the single tube 232 when the pump motor 238 is driven in forward rotation, and the pump motor 238 is driven in reverse rotation. It may be configured to supply air to the detergent storage space of the detergent container 280. To this end, as shown in FIG. 26, the control method (S1) of the dishwasher (1) according to the present invention uses the roller (233). ) is driven in the forward direction so that the pump motor 238 rotates in the forward direction, and the roller 233 is rotated in the forward direction a set number of revolutions to supply a preset amount of detergent (S10), and the supply of the preset amount of detergent is completed. When it is determined that the operation of the pump motor 238 is stopped (S20), the pump motor 238 is driven in the reverse direction and the roller 233 is rotated in the reverse direction by the set number of revolutions to increase the internal pressure (Pi) of the detergent storage space. ) may be configured to include a step (S30) of recovering the detergent storage space, and a step (S40) of stopping the operation of the pump motor 238 when it is determined that the internal pressure (Pi) of the detergent storage space has been recovered.

Figure 27 shows the detailed steps of supplying a preset amount of detergent (S10).

Referring to FIG. 27, the control unit 100 may drive the pump motor 238 in the forward direction by supplying power to the pump motor 238 to start supplying detergent. (S11)

Next, the control unit 100 receives an output signal including either a first output signal or a second output signal from the roller sensor 2391. (S12)

As described above, the first output signal is a signal containing information that the first roller 2331 is within the detection range of the roller sensor 2391, and the second output signal is a signal containing information that the first roller 2331 is within the detection range of the roller sensor 2391. 2391) may be information that the location is outside the detection range.

Next, when an output signal is received from the roller sensor 2391, the control unit 100 changes the received output signal from the first output signal to the second output signal, or changes the received output signal from the second output signal to the first output signal. Determine whether change occurs for the first time. (S13)

Next, if it is determined that a change in the output signal has occurred for the first time in step S13, the control unit 100 determines the initial change state of the output signal. (S14)

Here, the first change state is a first change state in which the output signal of the roller sensor 2391 changes from the first output signal to the second output signal, or the output signal of the roller sensor 2391 changes from the second output signal to the first change state. It can be any one of the second change states that change into the output signal.

Next, when the initial change state of the output signal is determined in step S14, the control unit 100 re-receives the output signal from the roller sensor 2391. (S15)

Next, the control unit 100 determines whether a change in the output signal identical to the initial change state occurs from the output signal re-received in step S15. (S16)

That is, if it is determined in step S14 that the first change state is the first change state, the control unit 100 determines whether the same first change state occurs, and in step S14, if the first change state is the second change state, the control unit 100 determines whether the first change state occurs. If it is determined that this is the case, it is determined whether the same second change state occurs.

Next, if it is determined that a change in the output signal identical to the initial change state has occurred from the output signal re-received in step S16, the control unit 100 increases the number of forward signal changes (N) by one and updates the updated forward signal. Store the number of signal changes (N1) in memory. (S17)

Here, the updated and stored forward signal change number N1 may be the forward rotation number of the first roller 2331 calculated from the start of operation of the pump motor 238.

Next, the control unit 100 compares the updated forward signal change count (N1) and the preset count (N_th) in step S17. (S18)

Here, the preset number of times (N_th) may be exemplarily 100 times.

Meanwhile, as a result of the comparison in step S18, if it is determined that the updated number of forward signal changes (N1) has reached the preset number (N_th), the control unit 100 determines the amount of detergent supplied after the pump motor 238 starts operating. It may be determined that the preset detergent supply amount has been reached, and it may be determined that the supply of detergent has been completed. (S19)

That is, the control unit 100 calculates the number of forward revolutions of the first roller 2331 based on the number of position changes of the first roller 2331, and the calculated number of forward revolutions of the first roller 2331 is a preset number. When (N_th) is reached, it is determined that the preset detergent supply amount has been reached.

Meanwhile, if it is determined that the updated number of forward signal changes (N1) has not reached the preset number (N_th) as a result of the comparison in step S18, the control unit 100 may return to step S15 and repeat the subsequent steps.

Figure 28 shows the detailed steps of the step (S30) of recovering the internal pressure (Pi) of the detergent storage space described above.

Referring to FIG. 28, the control unit 100 may drive the pump motor 238 in the reverse direction by supplying power to the pump motor 238 to start supplying air to the detergent storage space of the detergent container 280. (S31)

In step S31, reverse driving of the pump motor 238 may begin and reverse rotation of the first roller 2331 may begin.

Next, the control unit 100 receives an output signal including either a first output signal or a second output signal from the roller sensor 2391. (S32)

Next, the control unit 100 determines whether a change in the output signal opposite to the initial change state occurs from the output signal received in step S32. (S33)

That is, if the control unit 100 determines that the first change state in the above-described step S14 is the first change state, the control unit 100 determines whether the opposite second change state occurs, and determines whether the first change state occurs in step S14. 2 If it is determined that it is in a change state, it is determined whether the opposite first change state occurs.

That is, since the roller 233 is rotating in the reverse direction, the control unit 100 may be configured to detect a change state that is opposite to the initial change state.

Next, if it is determined that a change in the output signal opposite to the first change state described above has occurred from the output signal received in step S32, the control unit 100 increases the number of reverse signal changes (N2) by one and updates it. The number of reverse signal changes (N2) is stored in memory. (S34)

Here, the updated and stored reverse signal change number N2 may be the reverse rotation number of the first roller 2331 calculated from the start of operation of the pump motor 238.

Next, the control unit 100 compares the updated reverse signal change count (N2) with the preset count (N_th) in step S34. (S35)

Here, the preset number of times (N_th) may be 100, the same as the preset number of times (N_th) in step S18 described above.

Meanwhile, if it is determined that the updated reverse signal change count (N2) has reached the preset count (N_th) as a result of comparison in step S35, the control unit 100 stores the detergent storage space after the reverse drive of the pump motor 238 is started. It can be determined that the internal pressure of has been recovered. (S36)

That is, the control unit 100 calculates the number of reverse revolutions of the first roller 2331 based on the number of reverse position changes of the first roller 2331, and the calculated number of reverse revolutions of the first roller 2331 is preset. When the number (N_th) is reached, the amount of air corresponding to the amount of detergent supplied during step S10 is supplied to the detergent container 280, and through this, it can be determined that the internal pressure (Pi) of the detergent storage space has been recovered.

Meanwhile, if it is determined as a result of the comparison in step S35 that the updated number of reverse signal changes (N2) has not reached the preset number (N_th), the control unit 100 may return to step S32 and repeat the subsequent steps.

In this way, the detergent supply device 200 of the dishwasher 1 according to the present invention calculates the number of revolutions in the forward direction of the first roller 2331 and supplies a target detergent based on the calculated number of revolutions of the first roller 2331. Since the detergent storage space can be controlled so that the internal pressure (Pi) can be recovered by determining whether the supply amount has been reached and rotating the first roller 2331 in the reverse direction equal to the number of rotations in the forward direction, the tube (2331) as described above Despite the hardening or wear of 232) and the occurrence of slip due to a decrease in friction between the roller 233 and the output shaft 2381 of the pump motor 238, the internal pressure (Pi) of the detergent container 280 is increased in response to the actual detergent supply amount. ) has the effect of being effectively recovered.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrative drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed herein, and various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. It is obvious that transformation can occur. In addition, although the operational effects according to the configuration of the present invention were not explicitly described and explained in the above description of the embodiments of the present invention, it is natural that the predictable effects due to the configuration should also be recognized.

1: Dishwasher 10: Case
20: Tub 30: Door
40: driving part 50: storage part
100: Control unit 200: Detergent supply device

Claims (14)

A tub with a washing space formed inside; and
a detergent supply device including a container having a detergent storage space in which detergent to be provided to the washing space is accommodated, and a detergent pump supplying the detergent stored in the container to the washing space;
In a dishwasher including,
The container is provided with a ventilation hole that communicates the detergent storage space with the outside, and a membrane that blocks the ventilation hole and varies in response to the internal pressure of the detergent storage space,
The detergent pump is,
a tube that guides the detergent discharged from the container to the washing space;
a roller that pressurizes the tube and moves the detergent within the tube while revolving around a rotation axis;
A pump motor that generates a driving force to rotate the roller in the forward and reverse directions;
a roller sensor that detects the position of the roller and generates an output signal corresponding to the position of the roller; and
A control unit electrically connected to the roller sensor and driving the pump motor;
Including,
The control unit,
Driving the pump motor in the forward direction so that the roller rotates in the forward direction, and rotating the roller in the forward direction a set number of rotations to supply a preset amount of detergent; and
When the supply of the preset amount of detergent is completed, driving the pump motor in the reverse direction and rotating the roller in the reverse direction by the set number of revolutions to restore the internal pressure of the detergent storage space;
A dishwasher that performs.
In paragraph 1:
The step of supplying the preset amount of detergent is,
When the pump motor is driven in the forward direction, receiving an output signal including either a first output signal or a second output signal from the roller sensor;
determining whether the received output signal initially changes from the first output signal to the second output signal, or changes from the second output signal to the first output signal;
In the step of determining whether the first change in the output signal occurs, if it is determined that the first change in the output signal occurs, determining the first change state of the output signal;
After determining the first change state, determining whether a change in the output signal identical to the first change state occurs;
In the step of determining whether a change in the output signal identical to the initial change state has occurred, if it is determined that a change in the output signal identical to the initial change has occurred, the number of forward signal changes is increased by one and updated, and the updated forward signal is updated. Storing the number of signal changes; and
Comparing the updated number of forward signal changes with a preset number of times;
Dishwasher including.
In paragraph 2:
The step of supplying the preset amount of detergent is,
Before receiving the output signal, driving the pump motor in the forward direction so that the roller rotates in the forward direction;
A dishwasher further comprising:
In paragraph 2:
The step of supplying the preset amount of detergent is,
When it is determined that the updated number of forward signal changes has reached the preset number, determining that the supply of the preset amount of detergent has been completed;
A dishwasher further comprising:
In paragraph 4:
The control unit,
When it is determined that the supply of the preset amount of detergent is complete,
stopping operation of the pump motor;
Dishwasher performs better.
In paragraph 2:
The first output signal includes a signal containing information that the roller is within the detection range of the roller sensor,
The second output signal includes a signal including information that the roller is located outside the detection range of the roller sensor.
In paragraph 2:
The first change state is,
A dishwasher that is in one of a first change state in which the first output signal changes to the second output signal, or a second change state in which the second output signal changes to the first output signal.
In paragraph 2:
The number of forward signal changes is the number of forward revolutions of the roller,
A dishwasher where the preset number of times is 100.
In paragraph 2:
The control unit,
After determining the initial change state of the output signal, additionally re-receiving the output signal from the roller sensor;
Dishwasher performs better.
In paragraph 2:
The step of restoring the internal pressure of the detergent storage space is,
When the pump motor is driven in the reverse direction, receiving an output signal including either a first output signal or a second output signal from the roller sensor;
In the step of receiving the output signal, determining whether a change state of the output signal opposite to an initial change state of the output signal is detected;
In the step of determining whether a change in the output signal opposite to the initial change state has occurred, if it is determined that a change in the output signal opposite to the initial change has occurred, the number of reverse signal changes is increased by one and updated. storing the number of reverse signal changes; and
Comparing the updated reverse signal change count with the preset count;
Dishwasher including.
In paragraph 10:
The step of restoring the internal pressure of the detergent storage space is,
Before receiving the output signal, driving the pump motor in the reverse direction so that the roller rotates in the reverse direction;
A dishwasher further comprising:
In paragraph 10:
The step of restoring the internal pressure of the detergent storage space is,
When it is determined that the updated number of reverse signal changes has reached the preset number, determining that the internal pressure of the detergent storage space has been recovered;
A dishwasher further comprising:
In paragraph 12:
The control unit,
When it is determined that the internal pressure of the detergent storage space has been recovered,
stopping operation of the pump motor;
Dishwasher performs better.
In paragraph 10:
A dishwasher wherein the number of times the reverse signal changes is the number of times the roller rotates in the reverse direction.

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