Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2015/0000350.html
Timestamp: 2017-10-18 00:04:39
Document Index: 200311337

Matched Legal Cases: ['art.\n22', 'Application No. 10', 'Application No. 10', 'art 10', 'art 61', 'art 61', 'art 61', 'art 61', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 61', 'art 61', 'art 11', 'arts 11', 'arts 11', 'arts 11', 'arts 11', 'art 61', 'arts 61', 'art 61', 'arts 61', 'art 61', 'art 61', 'arts 61', 'art 61', 'art 161', 'art 161', 'art 161', 'art 161', 'arts 161', 'art 161', 'arts 161', 'arts 161', 'art 164', 'art 164', 'art 164', 'art 164', 'arts 161', 'arts 161', 'art 261', 'art 261', 'art 261', 'art 261', 'art 261', 'art 261', 'art 261', 'art 261', 'art 261', 'art 261', 'art 261', 'art 261', 'art 261', 'art 261', 'art 261', 'art 261', 'art 264', 'art 264', 'art 262', 'art 262', 'art 262', 'art 262', 'art 262']

United States Patent Application 20150000350
A washing machine in which the structure of a laundry weight sensing apparatus to sense the weight of laundry within a tub is enhanced. The washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub, a support member provided with one end combined with the tub and the other end combined with the cabinet so as to support the tub to the cabinet, and a laundry weight sensing apparatus provided with one side combined with the support member to use load of the tub transmitted to the support member so as to sense the weight of laundry within the tub and the other side contacting one surface of the cabinet to prevent impact transmitted from the tub. The washing machine may precisely measure the weight of laundry without influence of surrounding environments and prevent an error generated due to transmission of vibration caused by operation of the tub.
Lee, Jung Hee (Suwon-si, KR)
Baek, Jae Ho (Seoul, KR)
Lee, Hyo Sang (Osan-si, KR)
Choi, Ji Hoon (Hwaseong-si, KR)
Jun, Kab Jin (Gwangju-si, KR)
14/311778
D06F37/22; D06F37/26; D06F39/00; G01G3/14
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1. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a tub provided within the cabinet; a support member provided with one end combined with the tub and the other end combined with the cabinet so as to support the tub to the cabinet; and a laundry weight sensing apparatus provided with one side combined with the support member to use load of the tub transmitted to the support member so as to sense the weight of laundry within the tub, and the other side contacting one surface of the cabinet to prevent impact transmitted from the tub.
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the laundry weight sensing apparatus includes a deformation measurement unit to measure a deformation degree of the support member.
3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the laundry weight sensing apparatus further includes a controller receiving the deformation degree of the support member, measured by the deformation measurement unit, and calculating the weight of the laundry within the tub.
4. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the deformation measurement unit includes a deformation member contacting at least one surface of the cabinet, at least a part of the deformation member being deformed by deformation of the support member, and at least one strain gauge combined with the deformation member.
5. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the at least one strain gauge is combined with one surface of the deformation member so as to measure at least one of tension and compression of the deformation member.
6. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the at least a part of the deformation member includes a first combination part separated from the cabinet so that the at least a part of the deformation member is strained or compressed due to the load of the support member.
7. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the deformation member includes a body part with which the support member is combined, and a head part bending from the body part and combined with the cabinet.
8. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the deformation measurement unit is combined with a bracket provided on one surface of the cabinet.
9. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the bracket includes a depression part having a narrow width formed at a part of the bracket corresponding to the first combination part so that the first combination part is separated from the cabinet and has mobility.
10. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the first combination part bends upward so as to be separated from the cabinet.
11. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the first combination part includes a combination hole through which the support member passes.
12. The washing machine according to claim 7, further comprising a first fixing member located between the cabinet and the deformation member so as to fix the deformation member.
13. The washing machine according to claim 7, further comprising a second fixing member combined with the deformation member so as to fix the support member.
14. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the deformation measurement unit is combined with an upper surface of the cabinet.
15. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a tub provided within the cabinet; a support member provided with one end combined with the tub and the other end combined with the cabinet so as to support the tub to the cabinet; a deformation member combined with one side of the cabinet and configured such that at least a part of the deformation member is deformable so as to recognize elastic motion of the support member by the weight of laundry within the tub; and at least one strain gauge combined with one surface of the deformation member so as to measure at least one of tension and compression of the deformation member, wherein the at least a part of the deformation member bends so as to be separated from the cabinet.
16. The washing machine according to claim 15, further comprising a controller receiving a deformation degree of the deformation member, measured by the at least one strain gauge, calculating the weight of the laundry within the tub, and controlling at least one of the amount of detergent, the amount of wash water, and a washing time required according to the weight of the laundry.
17. The washing machine according to claim 15, wherein the deformation member is combined with a bracket provided on one surface of the cabinet, and the bracket includes a depression part provided with a designated space so that the at least a part of the deformation member is separated from the cabinet and has mobility.
18. The washing machine according to claim 17, wherein the at least a part of the deformation member bends upward so as to be separated from the cabinet.
19. The washing machine according to claim 15, further comprising a buffer member formed of a flexible material to relieve impact between the deformation member and the support member.
20. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a tub provided within the cabinet; a support member provided with one end combined with the tub and the other end combined with the cabinet so as to support the tub to the cabinet; a deformation member provided with one side combined with the cabinet and the other side contacting the support member so as to measure a deformation degree of the support member; and at least one strain gauge combined with one surface of the deformation member so as to measure a deformation degree of the deformation member, wherein the deformation member includes a head part hung to a combination hole of the cabinet.
21. The washing machine according to claim 20, wherein: the deformation member further includes a body part contacting the support member; and the head part extends from the body part.
22. The washing machine according to claim 21, further comprising a first fixing member located between the cabinet and the deformation member and configured such that the head part passes through the first fixing member and is combined with the cabinet.
23. The washing machine according to claim 21, further comprising a second fixing member combined with the deformation member to fix the support member.
This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0074377, filed on Jun. 27, 2013 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0127647, filed on Oct. 25, 2013 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a washing machine in which the structure of a laundry weight sensing apparatus to sense the weight of laundry within a tub is enhanced.
In general, a washing machine (usually, a drum washing machine) includes a tub installed within a housing and receiving water containing detergent, a drum rotatably installed within the tub and washing laundry, and a door hinged to the front surface of a cabinet to open and closing an opening formed on the front surface of the cabinet. The washing machine washes the laundry by rotating the drum after laundry is placed into the drum through the opening of the cabinet and water containing detergent of a designated amount is supplied to the tub.
In such a washing machine, when a user selects a washing course, the amount of wash water is determined by sensing the weight of laundry within the tub, detergent and wash water of a sufficient amount to soak the laundry according to the determined amount of wash water are put into the tub, and then the drum is rotated, thus performing washing operation and rinsing operation.
In the washing machine, if the weight of the laundry is correctly sensed, wash water required according to the weight of the laundry is supplied, and then the laundry may be washed. Therefore, the amounts of used wash water and electricity may be reduced and thus, energy consumption may be reduced.
Conventionally, the weight of the laundry is deduced by measuring the amount of load applied to a motor of the washing machine. However, in this case, an error may occur according to surrounding environments.
Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a washing machine which may reduce an error of the weight of laundry within a tub.
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub provided within the cabinet, a support member provided with one end combined with the tub and the other end combined with the cabinet so as to support the tub to the cabinet, and a laundry weight sensing apparatus provided with one side combined with the support member to use load of the tub transmitted to the support member so as to sense the weight of laundry within the tub, and the other side contacting one surface of the cabinet to prevent impact transmitted from the tub.
The laundry weight sensing apparatus may include a deformation measurement unit to measure a deformation degree of the support member.
The laundry weight sensing apparatus may further include a controller receiving the deformation degree of the support member, measured by the deformation measurement unit, and calculating the weight of the laundry within the tub.
The deformation measurement unit may include a deformation member contacting at least one surface of the cabinet, at least a part of the deformation member being deformed by deformation of the support member, and at least one strain gauge combined with the deformation member.
The at least one strain gauge may be combined with one surface of the deformation member so as to measure at least one of tension and compression of the deformation member.
The at least a part of the deformation member may include a first combination part separated from the cabinet so that the at least a part of the deformation member is strained or compressed due to the load of the support member.
The deformation member may include a body part with which the support member is combined, and a head part bending from the body part and combined with the cabinet.
The deformation measurement unit may be combined with a bracket provided on one surface of the cabinet.
The bracket may include a depression part having a narrow width formed at a part of the bracket corresponding to the first combination part so that the first combination part is separated from the cabinet and has mobility.
The first combination part may bend upward so as to be separated from the cabinet.
The first combination part may include a combination hole through which the support member passes.
The washing machine may further include a first fixing member located between the cabinet and the deformation member so as to fix the deformation member.
The washing machine may further include a second fixing member combined with the deformation member so as to fix the support member.
The deformation measurement unit may be combined with the upper surface of the cabinet.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub provided within the cabinet, a support member provided with one end combined with the tub and the other end combined with the cabinet so as to support the tub to the cabinet, a deformation member combined with one side of the cabinet and configured such that at least a part of the deformation member is deformable so as to recognize elastic motion of the support member by the weight of laundry within the tub, and at least one strain gauge combined with one surface of the deformation member so as to measure at least one of tension and compression of the deformation member, wherein the at least a part of the deformation member bends so as to be separated from the cabinet.
The washing machine may further include a controller receiving a deformation degree of the deformation member, measured by the at least one strain gauge, calculating the weight of the laundry within the tub, and controlling at least one of the amount of detergent, the amount of wash water, and a washing time required according to the weight of the laundry.
The deformation member may be combined with a bracket provided on one surface of the cabinet, and the bracket may include a depression part provided with a designated space so that the at least a part of the deformation member is separated from the cabinet and has mobility.
The at least a part of the deformation member may bend upward so as to be separated from the cabinet.
The washing machine may further include a buffer member formed of a flexible material to relieve impact between the deformation member and the support member.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present disclosure, a washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub provided within the cabinet, a support member provided with one end combined with the tub and the other end combined with the cabinet so as to support the tub to the cabinet, a deformation member provided with one side combined with the cabinet and the other side contacting the support member so as to measure a deformation degree of the support member, and at least one strain gauge combined with one surface of the deformation member so as to measure a deformation degree of the deformation member, wherein the deformation member includes a head part hung to a combination hole of the cabinet.
The deformation member may further include a body part contacting the support member and the head part may extend from the body part.
The washing machine may further include a first fixing member located between the cabinet and the deformation member and configured such that the head part passes through the first fixing member and is combined with the cabinet.
The washing machine may further include a second fixing member combined with the deformation member to fix the support member.
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal-sectional view illustrating the schematic configuration of a washing machine in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the essential portion of the washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a laundry weight sensing apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the laundry weight sensing apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating weights of laundry measured using the laundry weight sensing apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a laundry weight sensing apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the laundry weight sensing apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a laundry weight sensing apparatus in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the laundry weight sensing apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a deformation measurement unit in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.
Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Hereinafter, a drum washing machine will be exemplarily illustrated, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal-sectional view illustrating the schematic configuration of a washing machine in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.
As exemplarily shown in FIG. 1, a washing machine 1 includes a cabinet 10 forming the external appearance of the washing machine 1, a tub 20 disposed within the cabinet 10, a drum 30 rotatably disposed within the tub 20, and a motor 43 driving the drum 30.
Inlets 20a and 30a are formed on the front surfaces of the tub 20 and the drum 30 by opening a part of the central area of each of the front surfaces of the tub 20 and the drum 30 so that a user may put laundry into the washing machine 1 and take laundry out of the washing machine 1 through the inlets 20a and 30a, and a door 15 rotated with respect to the front surface of the cabinet 10 to open and close the inlets 20a and 30a is installed on the front surface of the cabinet 10.
The tub 20 may be supported to the cabinet 10 by at least one support member. As the at least one support member, an elastic member 50, such as a spring, or a damping member 15, such as an oil damper, may be used. The support members 50 and 15 may absorb vibration or impact of the tub 20 and the drum 30 generated by the motor 43. As exemplarily shown in FIG. 1, the elastic member 50 supports the tub 20 from above, and the damping member 15 supports the tub 20 from below. Hereinafter, the elastic member 50 will be exemplarily described as the support member used in one embodiment of the present disclosure, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.
Water supply pipes 12 to supply wash water to the tub 20 are installed above the tub 20. One end of each of the water supply pipes 12 is connected to an external water supply source (not shown), and the other end of each of the water supply pipes 12 is connected to a detergent supply device 16. The detergent supply device 16 is connected to the tub 20 through a connection pipe 14. Water supplied through the water supply pipes 12 passes through the detergent supply device 16 and then, the water together with detergent is supplied to the inside of the tub 20. Water supply valves 13 to open and close the water supply pipes 12 may be combined with the water supply pipes 12.
A driving shaft 41 to transmit power of the motor 43 is connected to the rear surface of the drum 30. A plurality of through holes 31 for circulation of wash water is formed through the circumferential surface of the drum 30. A plurality of lifters 32 is installed on the inner circumferential surface of the drum 30 so as to tumble laundry when the drum 30 is rotated.
The driving shaft 41 is disposed between the drum 30 and the motor 43. One end of the driving shaft 41 is connected to a rear plate of the drum 30, and the other end of the driving shaft 41 is extended to the outside of the rear wall of the tub 20. When the motor 43 drives the driving shaft 41, the drum 30 connected to the driving shaft 41 is rotated about the driving shaft 41.
A bearing housing 42 is installed on the rear plate of the tub 20 so as to rotatably support the driving shaft 41. The bearing housing 42 may be formed of an aluminum alloy and be inserted into the rear wall of the tub 20 when the tub 20 is formed through injection molding. Bearings 44 are installed between the bearing housing 42 and the driving shaft 41 so as to smoothly rotate the driving shaft 41.
A drain unit 70 to discharge water within the tub 20 to the outside of the cabinet 10 may be located below the tub 20. The drain unit 70 includes a drain pump 72, and a connection hose 71 connecting the tub 20 and the drain pump 72 so that water within the tub 20 may be introduced into the drain pump 72. The drain unit 70 may further include a drain hose 73 to discharge water from the drain pump 72 to the outside.
If a user desires to perform washing, the user may open the door 15 and put laundry into the drum 30 and, after washing has been completed, the user may open the door 15 and withdraw the laundry from the drum 30.
Therefore, the washing machine 1 may include a laundry weight sensing apparatus 60 which may measure the weight of laundry. The laundry weight sensing apparatus 60 is combined with the support member 50 and thus, may calculate the weight of laundry within the tub 30 through a deformation degree of the support member 50 changed according to load of the tub 30. This will be described later.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the essential portion of the washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the laundry weight sensing apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the laundry weight sensing apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.
As exemplarily shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the laundry weight sensing apparatus 60 may be combined with one surface of the cabinet 10. In more detail, the laundry weight sensing apparatus 60 may include a deformation measurement unit to measure a deformation degree of the support member 50. The deformation measurement unit may include a deformation member 61 configured such that at least a part of the deformation member 61 is deformable by deformation of the support member 50, and strain gauges 63 combined with the deformation member 61 and measuring the deformation degree of the deformation member 61. The laundry weight sensing apparatus 60 may further include a controller 64 receiving the deformation degree of the support member 50 from the deformation measurement unit and calculating the weight of the laundry within the tub 30.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the deformation member 61 is configured so as to contact at least a part 10a of the cabinet 10. As exemplarily shown in the drawings, the deformation member 61 is combined with a bracket 11 protruding toward the inside of the cabinet 10 using fastening members (not shown).
The deformation member 61 includes a first combination part 61a with which the support member 50 is combined. At least a portion of the first combination part 61a may be combined with the cabinet 10. This serves to cause the first combination part 61a of the deformation member 61 to have mobility so that the strain gauges 63 may measure the deformation degree of the deformation member 61 deformed by the support member 50. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to cause the first combination part 61a to have mobility to the cabinet 10, the bracket 11 may include a depression part 11a having a narrow width formed at at least a portion of the bracket 11. The depression part 11a is provided at a position corresponding to the first combination part 61a and thus, the first combination part 61a may have mobility. The depression part 11a is provided at the center of the bracket 11, and support parts 11b to support the deformation member 61 are provided at both sides of the bracket 11.
Fastening holes 11c to combine the deformation member 61 with the bracket 11 are provided at the support parts 11b. The fastening holes 11c of the supports parts 11b are provided at positions corresponding to fastening holes 61c of the deformation member 61, and the deformation member 61 is combined with the bracket 11 by fastening members (not shown) passing through the fastening holes 61c of the deformation member 61 and the fastening hole 11c of the support parts 11b.
The first combination part 61a is provided at the center of the deformation member 61 and thus, second combination parts 61d provided at both sides of the deformation member 61 are fastened to the bracket 11 by the fastening members (not shown). The first combination part 61a may more protrude than the second combination parts 61d and thus, have mobility. Further, a slit 61b may be provided within the first combination part 61a and thus, the deformation member 61 may be deformed according to movement of the support member 50. A combination hole 61e with which the support member 50 is combined is provided at one side of the first combination part 61a. The support member 50 passes through the combination hole 61e and is combined with the deformation member 61. The fastening holes 61c with which the fastening members (not shown) are combined may be provided at the second combination parts 61d.
At least one strain gauge 63 to measure the deformation degree of the deformation member 61 may be combined with the deformation member 61. The strain gauge 63 may be combined with one surface of the deformation member 61 so as to measure at least one of tension and compression of the deformation member 61. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, strain gauges 63 are combined with both sides of the first combination part 61a of the deformation member 61 and measure a tension degree of the deformation member 61. The strain gauge 63 may include electric wires provided at both ends thereof and thus, output electric resistance corresponding to physical deformation of the deformation member 61. Consequently, since the output value of electrical resistance of the strain gauge 63 is changed in proportion to the deformation degree of the deformation member 61, the deformation degree of the deformation member 61 may be measured through the output value of the electrical resistance of the strain gauge 63.
The controller 64 may be electrically connected to the strain gauges 63. Therefore, the controller 64 may sense the weight of laundry through reverse conversion of the output value of electrical resistance of the strain gauges 63. The reason for this is that the output value of electrical resistance of the strain gauges 63 is proportional to the deformation degree of the deformation member 61, the deformation degree of the deformation member 61 is proportional to the deformation degree of the support member 50, and the deformation degree of the support member 50 is proportional to the weight of laundry.
The laundry weight sensing apparatus 60 may further include a buffer member 62 to relieve impact between the deformation member 61 and the support member 50. The buffer member 62 may be formed of a flexible material, such as rubber, and thus, relieve impact generated due to shaking of the deformation member 61 and the support member 50 caused by vibration of the tub 20. The buffer member 62 may be inserted into the combination hole 61e of the deformation member 61, and the support member 50 may pass through the combination hole 61e after insertion of the buffer member 62 into the combination hole 61e.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, since the support member 50 is combined with the deformation member 61 in a state in which the deformation member 61 is combined with the cabinet 10 and supported by the cabinet 10, transmission of impact, generated by operation of the tub 20, to the laundry weight sensing apparatus 60 may be reduced and thus, an error generated during a process of measuring the weight of laundry may be prevented.
FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating weights of laundry measured using the laundry weight sensing apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.
As exemplarily shown in FIG. 5, the laundry weight sensing apparatus 60 in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure may measure the weight of laundry within the tub 20 using the output value of the strain gauge 63. Further, in the graph shown in FIG. 5, the x-axis represents the weight of laundry and the y-axis represents the output value of the strain gauge 63. A conventional laundry weight sensing apparatus has a large error range of 3˜4 kg in measurement of the weight of laundry at the same output value, but the laundry weight sensing apparatus 60 in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure has a small error range of 500 g in measurement of the weight of laundry at the same output value. The conventional laundry weight sensing apparatus measures the weight of laundry through the load of a motor and has a high possibility of generating an error according to whether or not the washing machine 1 is operated, but the laundry weight sensing apparatus 60 in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure may measure the weight of laundry within the tub 20 regardless of whether or not the washing machine 1 is operated.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a laundry weight sensing apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the laundry weight sensing apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.
As exemplarily shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a laundry weight sensing apparatus 160 may be combined with an upper surface 100a of a cabinet 100. A deformation member 161 of the laundry weight sensing apparatus 160 may be combined with the upper surface 100a of the cabinet 100. The deformation member 161 may include a first combination part 161a with which the support member 50 is combined. The first combination part 161a may bend upward. Thereby, the first combination part 161a is separated from the cabinet 100 by a designated interval and thus, may have mobility. Since the first combination part 161a bends upward, the deformation member 161 may have mobility without a separate slit.
The deformation member 161 may include a combination hole 161 e through which the support member 50 and buffer member 162 pass. A through hole (not shown) through which the support member 50 passes may be provided on the upper surface 100a of the cabinet 100 at a position corresponding to the combination hole 161e. Thereby, the support member 50 may pass through the combination hole 161e and the through hole (not shown) and be combined with the cabinet 100.
The deformation member 161 includes second combination parts 161b formed at both sides of the first combination part 161a and combined with the cabinet 100. The second combination parts 161b are fixed to the cabinet 100. The second combination parts 161b may include a bending part 164 which bends to be inserted into the upper surface 100a of the cabinet 100. At least one bending part 164 may be provided, and in FIGS. 6 and 7, one bending part 164 is provided. The bending part 164 is inserted into an insertion hole 100c provided on the upper surface 100a of the cabinet 100. Thereby, combining force between the deformation member 161 and the cabinet 100 may be increased. Fastening holes 100b may be provided on the upper surface 100a of the cabinet 100 at positions corresponding to fastening holes of the second combination parts 161b, and the deformation member 161 and the cabinet 100 may be combined by inserting fastening members (not shown) into the fastening holes 100b and the fastening holes of the second combination parts 161b.
A strain gauge 163 to measure the deformation degree of the deformation member 161 may be combined with one side of the deformation member 161. The strain gauge 163 is combined with the upper surface of the deformation member 161 and may be electrically connected to a controller 165, as exemplarily shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. That is, the strain gauge 163 may be combined with the lower surface of the deformation member 161 or be combined with both the upper and lower surfaces of the deformation member 161. If the strain gauge 163 is combined with the upper surface of the deformation member 161, the support member 50 sags downward due to load of laundry and thus, the upper surface of the deformation member 161 is strained and the strain gauge 163 may measure a tension degree of the deformation member 161. If the strain gauge 163 is provided on the lower surface on the deformation member 161, the lower surface of the deformation member 161 is compressed by load of the laundry contrary to the upper surface of the deformation member 161 and thus, the strain gauge 163 may measure such a compression degree of the deformation member 161. Therefore, if the strain gauges 163 are provided on both the upper and lower surfaces of the deformation member 161, the strain gauges 163 measure both the tension degree and the compression degree of the deformation member 161 and may thus more correctly measure the weight of the laundry.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a laundry weight sensing apparatus in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the laundry weight sensing apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a deformation measurement unit in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.
As exemplarily shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, a laundry weight sensing apparatus 260 in accordance with this embodiment of the present disclosure contacts one surface 10a of a cabinet 10.
The laundry weight sensing apparatus 260 may include a deformation measurement unit. The deformation measurement unit may include a deformation member 261 configured such that at least a designated part of the deformation member 261 is deformable by receiving load of the support member 50, and strain gauges 263 measuring the deformation degree of the deformation member 261. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the deformation member 261 may contact at least one surface of the cabinet 10. The strain gauges 263 may contact one surface of the deformation member 261.
Further, the laundry weight sensing apparatus 260 may further include a controller 265 receiving the deformation degree of the deformation member 261, calculating the weight of the laundry within the tub 30, and controlling at least one of the amount of detergent, the amount of wash water, and a washing time required according to the weight of the laundry.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the deformation member 261 may include a body part 261b and a head part 261c extending from the body part 261b. The head part 261c may bend from the body part 261b. The head part 261c may pass through a through hole provided on one surface 10a of the cabinet 10 and thereby, the deformation member 261 may be combined with the cabinet 10.
Ribs 261f strengthening the head part 261c may be provided on the head part 261c. The ribs 261f may be provided at the edges of the head part 261c. The head part 261c may include a penetration part 261d having a narrow width so as to be inserted into the through hole 10b. The head part 261c may further include a hanger part 261e by which the deformation member 261 is hung to the through hole 10b. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hanger part 261e may extend from the penetration part 261d.
A combination hole 261a through which the support member 50 passes so as to pass through the through hole 10b of the cabinet 10 may be provided on the body part 261a. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the strain gauges 263 are combined with the combination hole 261a, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.
The laundry weight sensing apparatus 260 may further include a first fixing member 264 located between the cabinet 10 and the deformation member 261 so as to fix the deformation member 261. The first fixing member 264 may be inserted into the through hole 10b. A part of the first fixing member 264 inserted into the through hole 10b is defined as a combination part 264b. The first fixing member 264 may be combined with the cabinet 10 by inserting at least a portion of the combination part 264b into the through hole 10b. The first fixing member 264 may include a first fixing member hole 264a overlapping with the through hole 10b so that the support member 50 passes through the first fixing member hole 264a and is combined with the through hole 10b.
The laundry weight sensing apparatus 260 may further include a second fixing member 262 combined with the deformation member 261 to fix the support member 50. The deformation member 261 may be located between the first fixing member 264 and the second fixing member 262. The second fixing member 262 may be inserted into the combination hole 261a of the deformation member 261. The second fixing member 262 may include a combination part 262a combined with the combination hole 261a, and a holder 262b fixing the support member 50. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the combination part 262a and the holder 262b are connected using a connection member 262c, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. That is, the holder 262b may be manufactured as a separate member and be combined with the combination part 262a. Thereby, the second fixing member 262 may fix the support member 50 by inserting the support member 50 into the second fixing member 262 and then combining the holder 262b with the combination part 262a.
The first fixing member 264 is inserted into the through hole 10b of the cabinet 10 and the deformation member 261 is combined with the first fixing member 264. The second fixing member 262 may be combined with the deformation member 261 and the support member 50 may be inserted into the cabinet 10 so as to pass through the through hole 10b. Thereafter, the holder 262b of the second fixing member 262 is combined with the combination part 262a, thus fixing the support member 50.
As is apparent from the above description, a washing machine in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure may precisely measure the weight of laundry without influence of surrounding environments. Further, the washing machine fixes a laundry weight sensing apparatus to a cabinet and may thus, prevent an error generated due to transmission of vibration caused by operation of a tub.
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