Dishwasher and control method thereof

Abstract

A dishwasher according to an aspect of the disclosed invention may comprise: a tub; a door for opening and closing the tub; the input device is used for receiving selection of a washing process; an automatic detergent feeding device configured to feed solid detergents into the interior of the tub, in which the automatic detergent feeding device includes: a storage chamber configured to stack and load the plurality of solid detergents in a vertical direction when the tub is closed by the door; an ejector that discharges one of the plurality of solid detergents loaded in the storage chamber to the outside of the storage chamber; a seating part capable of seating the solid detergent discharged from the storage chamber; a sensing portion sensing whether the solid detergent has been placed in the placement portion; and a processor that, if a selection of a washing process is input through the input device, controls the ejector such that one of the plurality of solid detergents stored in the storage chamber is discharged from the storage chamber and placed in the placement portion when the plurality of solid detergents are loaded in the storage chamber, and that the one of the plurality of solid detergents stored in the storage chamber is discharged from the placement portion when the plurality of solid detergents are loaded in the storage chamber. And determines whether the solid detergent has been seated in the seating portion based on a sensing result of the sensing portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosed invention relates to a dishwasher and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a dishwasher having a device for injecting detergent and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] A dishwasher is a device that uses detergent and washing water to automatically clean food residues and the like remaining on tableware.

[0003] A dishwasher is a device that uses detergent and washing water to automatically clean food residues and the like remaining on tableware.

[0004] The dishwasher includes a body, a washing chamber formed by a tub disposed inside the body, a receiving container disposed inside the washing chamber to receive dishes, and a spray unit configured to spray wash water toward the receiving container.

[0005] The receiving containers are generally arranged in two or three stages, and a plurality of spray units may be provided in order to spray wash water to positions where the respective receiving containers are arranged, and may be arranged to correspond to the receiving containers.

[0006] The dishwasher may include a drain hose so that wash water sprayed from the inside of the washing chamber is discharged to the outside after washing of dishes is finished.

[0007] At least a portion of the drain hose should be arranged in a curved shape at a position higher than a lower surface of the washing chamber to prevent a reverse flow from occurring in the drain hose.

[0008] The existing dishwasher has the above-mentioned shape and includes more than three additional structures so as to be fixed inside the dishwasher.

[0009] In addition, although the detergent automatic feeding device of the existing dishwasher can store detergent for one use or can store detergent for multiple uses, since the amount of detergent that can be stored at one time is small, it is necessary to re-store the detergent regularly. Summary of the invention

[0010] Technical issues

[0011] An aspect of the disclosed invention provides a dishwasher capable of storing a plurality of solid detergents and automatically injecting the solid detergents at a necessary time point when performing washing, and a control method thereof.

[0012] In addition, a dishwasher and a control method thereof are provided, which can improve the convenience of use by automatically sensing the presence or absence of stored solid detergents, the jamming of detergents, etc. and providing feedback thereto.

[0013] In addition, a dishwasher and a control method thereof are provided which can store and inject solid detergents of different sizes by changing the size of a storage chamber, thereby preventing excessive injection of detergent and injecting an appropriate amount of detergent.

[0014] Technical Solution

[0015] A dishwasher according to one aspect of the disclosed invention may include: a main body; a barrel disposed inside the main body; a door that opens and closes the barrel; an input device disposed outside the main body; an automatic detergent feeding device configured to feed solid detergent into the barrel, wherein the automatic detergent feeding device may include: a storage chamber configured to stack and load a plurality of solid detergents in an up-and-down direction; an ejector that discharges one of the plurality of solid detergents to the outside of the storage chamber; a placement portion that places a solid detergent discharged from the storage chamber; a sensing portion that senses the solid detergent; and at least one processor that controls the ejector to discharge the solid detergent from the storage chamber if a selection of a washing process is input through the input device, and determines whether the solid detergent is placed in the placement portion based on the sensing result of the sensing portion.

[0016] The ejector may include a cam member that rotates to move the one solid detergent toward the outside of the storage chamber, and the at least one processor rotates the cam member in a positive direction for one circle to discharge the one solid detergent from the storage chamber.

[0017] The sensing portion may include a seating portion sensor for sensing an object on the seating portion, and the at least one processor may determine whether the solid detergent is seated in the seating portion based on an output of the seating portion sensor.

[0018] If it is determined that the solid detergent is not placed in the placement portion, the at least one processor may cause the cam member to rotate one more rotation in the forward direction.

[0019] If it is determined that the solid detergent is not placed in the placement portion after the cam member rotates one rotation in the forward direction again, the at least one processor may determine that there is no solid detergent in the storage chamber and generate a control signal for providing a notification.

[0020] The automatic detergent feeding device may further include: a placement section configured to feed the solid detergent placed in the placement section into the barrel, and in a water supply step for a main washing process, the at least one processor may feed the solid detergent into the barrel by opening the placement section.

[0021] The sensing part may include: the automatic detergent injection device includes a storage chamber sensor for sensing the inside of the storage chamber, and the at least one processor may determine whether the solid detergent exists inside the storage chamber based on the output of the storage chamber sensor.

[0022] The at least one processor may determine whether a discharge error of the solid detergent occurs based on the sensing result of the sensing unit, and rotate the cam member in a reverse direction when it is determined that the error occurs.

[0023] The at least one processor may determine whether a discharge error of the solid detergent occurs based on power consumption or rotation amount of a motor inside the ejector.

[0024] The storage chamber may include: a first storage chamber; and a second storage chamber, which is spaced apart from the first storage chamber in a left-right direction orthogonal to the up-down direction, and the ejector may include: a first ejector, configured to discharge one of a plurality of solid detergents stacked in the first storage chamber toward the placement portion; and a second ejector, configured to discharge one of a plurality of solid detergents stacked in the second storage chamber toward the placement portion.

[0025] The first ejector may include a first cam member that rotates to move the one solid detergent to the outside of the first storage chamber, and the second ejector may include a second cam member that rotates to move the one solid detergent to the outside of the second storage chamber.

[0026] The at least one processor may rotate the first cam member in a forward direction by one rotation to discharge the one solid detergent from the first storage chamber.

[0027] If it is determined that the solid detergent is not placed in the placement portion after the first cam member rotates, the at least one processor may cause the first cam member to rotate one more rotation in the forward direction.

[0028] If it is determined that the solid detergent is not placed in the placement portion after the first cam component rotates one circle in the positive direction again, the at least one processor can determine that there is no solid detergent in the first storage chamber, and make the second cam component rotate one circle in the positive direction to discharge the solid detergent from the second storage chamber.

[0029] If it is determined that the solid detergent is not placed in the placement portion after the second cam member rotates, the at least one processor may cause the second cam member to rotate one more rotation in the forward direction.

[0030] If it is determined that the solid detergent is not placed in the placement portion after the second cam member rotates one rotation in the forward direction again, the at least one processor may determine that the solid detergent does not exist in the second storage chamber and generate a control signal for providing notification.

[0031] If it is determined that the solid detergent is placed in the placement portion after the second cam component rotates, the at least one processor performs a main washing process, and if a new washing process selection is input through the input device after the washing process ends, the solid detergent can be discharged from the second storage chamber by rotating the second cam component in a positive direction for one circle.

[0032] If the selection of the first mode in the washing course is input through the input device, the at least one processor may control the first ejector to discharge the one solid detergent from the first storage chamber.

[0033] If selection of the second mode in the washing course is input through the input device, the at least one processor may control the second ejector to discharge the one solid detergent from the second storage chamber.

[0034] If it is determined that additional solid detergent needs to be added during the first mode, the at least one processor may control the second ejector to discharge the solid detergent from the second storage chamber.

[0035] According to one aspect of the disclosed invention, a method for controlling a dishwasher including a main body, a barrel arranged inside the main body, a door for opening and closing the barrel, and an input device arranged outside the main body may include the following steps: receiving a selection of a washing process through the input device; if the selection of the washing process is received, controlling an ejector to discharge a solid detergent from a storage chamber stacked in an up-and-down direction and loaded with a plurality of solid detergents; and determining whether the solid detergent is placed in the placement portion by sensing the solid detergent.

[0036] The ejector may include a cam member that rotates to move the solid detergent to the outside of the storage chamber, and the step of controlling the ejector may include the step of rotating the cam member in a positive direction by one circle to discharge the solid detergent from the storage chamber.

[0037] The control method of the dishwasher may further include the following step: if it is determined that the solid detergent is not placed in the placement portion, rotating the cam member one more circle.

[0038] The control method of the dishwasher may further include the following steps: after the cam component rotates one circle again, determining whether the solid detergent is placed in the placement portion; if the solid detergent is not placed in the placement portion, determining that there is no solid detergent in the storage chamber and generating a control signal for providing notification.

[0039] The control method of the dishwasher may further include the step of: in a water supply step for a main washing process, putting the solid detergent into the tub by opening a placement section.

[0040] The control method of the dishwasher may further include the step of determining whether a discharge error of the solid detergent occurs based on the sensing result of the solid detergent.

[0041] The control method of the dishwasher may further include the step of rotating the cam member in a reverse direction when it is determined that the error has occurred.

[0042] The control method of the dishwasher may further include the step of determining whether a discharge error of the solid detergent occurs based on power consumption or rotation amount of a motor inside the ejector.

[0043] Effects of the Invention

[0044] According to an aspect of the disclosed invention, by storing a plurality of solid detergents and automatically injecting the solid detergents at a necessary time point when washing is performed, the convenience of use can be improved.

[0045] Furthermore, the convenience of use can be improved by automatically sensing the presence or absence of stored solid detergents, detergent jamming, etc. and providing feedback thereto.

[0046] Furthermore, by changing the size of the storage chamber to store and inject solid detergents of different sizes from each other, it is possible to prevent excessive injection of detergent so that an appropriate amount of detergent can be injected. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dishwasher in a state where a door is opened according to an embodiment.

[0048] Figure 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a dishwasher according to an embodiment.

[0049] Figure 3 The present invention is a perspective view of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention when loading detergent into an automatic detergent feeding device.

[0050] Figure 4The present invention is an exploded perspective view of an automatic detergent feeding device of a dishwasher according to an embodiment.

[0051] Figure 5 It is an exploded stereoscopic diagram of an automatic detergent feeding device of a dishwasher in different directions according to one embodiment.

[0052] Figure 6 The present invention is a perspective view of a state where a part of the structure of an automatic detergent feeding device of a dishwasher according to an embodiment is removed.

[0053] Figure 7 The present invention is an enlarged perspective view of a part of the structure of an automatic detergent feeding device of a dishwasher according to an embodiment.

[0054] Figure 8 The figure shows a state where a part of the structure of the automatic detergent feeding device of the dishwasher according to one embodiment is removed.

[0055] Fig. 9 It is shown that the loading Figure 8 A diagram of a state in which the solid detergent in the first storage chamber is discharged from the first storage chamber.

[0056] Fig.10 It shows that Fig. 9 A diagram showing a state in which a solid detergent is placed in a placement portion.

[0057] Fig.11 It shows that Fig.10 A diagram showing a state in which solid detergent is discharged from an automatic detergent dispensing device.

[0058] Fig.12 It is shown that the loading Figure 8 A diagram showing a state in which the solid detergent in the second storage chamber is discharged from the second storage chamber.

[0059] Fig.13 The figure shows a state where a part of the structure of the automatic detergent feeding device of the dishwasher according to one embodiment is removed.

[0060] Fig.14 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state where a part of the structure of an automatic detergent feeding device of a dishwasher according to an embodiment is removed.

[0061] Fig.15 It is shown Fig.14 A diagram showing a state in which the adjustment component of the second storage chamber moves.

[0062] Fig.16 is a diagram illustrating a control block diagram of a dishwasher according to an embodiment.

[0063] Fig.171 is a diagram showing a situation where there is no solid detergent in the storage chamber.

[0064] Fig.18 1 is a diagram showing a state in which solid detergent is discharged from an automatic detergent dispenser according to an embodiment.

[0065] Fig.19 The diagram shows a situation in which a discharge error of a solid detergent occurs.

[0066] Fig. 20 is a diagram illustrating a control block diagram of a dishwasher according to an embodiment.

[0067] Fig.21 is a diagram illustrating a control block diagram of a dishwasher according to an embodiment.

[0068] Fig. 22 and Fig.23 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling a dishwasher.

[0069] Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0070] The embodiments described in this specification and the structures shown in the drawings are merely preferred examples of the disclosed invention, and at the time of filing the present application, there may be various modifications that can replace the embodiments and drawings of this specification.

[0071] In addition, the same reference numerals or symbols provided in the various drawings of the present specification represent components or constituent elements that perform substantially the same function.

[0072] In addition, the terms used in this specification are used to illustrate the embodiments and are not intended to limit and / or define the disclosed invention. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form includes the plural form. In this specification, the terms "including" or "having" are used to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, parts or their combinations recorded in the specification, rather than excluding the existence or additional possibility of one or more other features or numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, parts or their combinations in advance.

[0073] Furthermore, in the present specification, when it is mentioned that a certain component is “connected” or “coupled” to another component, it includes not only a case of direct connection or coupling but also a case of indirect connection or coupling.

[0074] In addition, the terms including ordinal numbers such as "first", "second", etc. used in the specification can be used to describe a variety of constituent elements, but the constituent elements are not limited by the terms, and the terms are only used to distinguish one constituent element from another constituent element. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first constituent element can be referred to as the second constituent element, and similarly, the second constituent element can also be referred to as the first constituent element. The term "and / or" includes a combination of multiple associated listed items or a certain item in multiple associated listed items.

[0075] When a certain element is referred to as being “on” another element, it includes not only a case where the certain element is in contact with the other element but also a case where there is another element between the two elements.

[0076] The terms "up and down direction", "height direction", "vertical direction" and the like used in the following description refer to the vertical direction based on the Figure 1 The Z direction of the stereogram of the dishwasher, and the “horizontal direction” refers to the direction based on Figure 1 The stereogram of the image is in all directions along the XY plane in the X direction or the Y direction.

[0077] The terms "first direction", "second direction", "third direction" and the like used in the following description are directions arbitrarily defined according to some standards described later, but are not limited thereto. In addition, in some cases, "first direction", "second direction" and "third direction" may refer to directions that include "the first direction and a direction opposite to the first direction", "the second direction and a direction opposite to the second direction", and "the third direction and a direction opposite to the third direction" as a whole.

[0078] Hereinafter, tableware may be used as a concept including bowls, cups, cutlery, various cooking tools, and the like.

[0079] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0080] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dishwasher with its door opened according to an embodiment, Figure 2 is a schematic side sectional view of a dishwasher according to an embodiment, Figure 3 The present invention is a perspective view of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention when loading detergent into an automatic detergent feeding device.

[0081] The dishwasher 1 may include a tub 12 disposed inside the main body 10. The tub 12 may be configured to be substantially box-shaped. One side of the tub 12 may be open. The tub 12 may have an opening 12a. As an example, the tub 12 may be open toward a first direction X as the front.

[0082] The dishwasher 1 may further include a door 20 configured to open and close the opening 12a of the tub 12. The door 20 may be provided on the main body 10 in a manner of opening and closing the opening 12a of the tub 12. The door 20 may be provided on the main body 10 in a manner of being rotatable by a hinge 25 or the like. The door 20 may be installed in a manner of being detachable from the main body 10.

[0083] As an example, the door 20 can be rotatably hinged to the lower portion of the body 10. The rotation axis of the hinge 25 can be set to extend in the second direction Y as the left-right direction of the body 10 so that the door 20 rotates from the front of the body 10 toward the front-rear direction.

[0084] As an example, the door 20 may be hingedly combined with a hinge provided on the left or right side of the main body 10 along the second direction Y on the front side of the main body 10. The door 20 may be provided to rotate from the second direction Y to the first direction X by means of the hinge provided on the left and / or right side of the main body 10.

[0085] The door 20 may include an outer surface 22 forming an outer appearance of the dishwasher 1 together with the body 10 , and an inner surface 21 facing the inside of the tub 12 when the door 20 closes the tub 12 .

[0086] The dishwasher 1 may further include a storage container disposed inside the tub 12 to store tableware. The storage container may include a plurality of baskets 51, 52, 53.

[0087] The storage container may include a middle basket 52 located in the middle in the height direction of the dishwasher 1 and a lower basket 51 located at the lower part in the height direction of the dishwasher 1. The middle basket 52 may be configured to be supported by the middle guide rack 13b. The lower basket 51 may be configured to be supported by the lower guide rack 13a. The middle guide rack 13b and the lower guide rack 13a may be provided on the side surface 12d of the tub 12 in a manner that they can slide toward the opening 12a of the tub 12. The side surface 12d of the tub 12 may be a concept including the inner surface of the right side wall and the inner surface of the left side wall of the tub 12.

[0088] The lower basket 51 and the middle basket 52 can store relatively large tableware. However, the types of tableware stored in the lower basket 51 and the middle basket 52 are not limited to relatively large tableware. That is, the plurality of baskets 51, 52, 53 can store not only relatively large tableware but also relatively small tableware.

[0089] The storage container may include an upper basket 53 located at the upper part in the height direction of the dishwasher 1. The upper basket 53 may be formed in the form of a rack assembly to store relatively small tableware. As an example, cooking tools such as soup spoons, knives, spatulas, and even cutlery may be stored in the upper basket 53, and the rack assembly may also store small cups such as espresso cups. However, the types of tableware stored in the upper basket 53 are not limited to the above examples.

[0090] The upper basket 53 may be provided to be supported by the upper guide frame 13c. The upper guide frame 13c may be provided at the side surface 12d of the tub 12. As an example, the upper basket 53 may slide by the upper guide frame 13c and may be introduced into or taken out of the washing chamber C.

[0091] Storage containers are not limited to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The shape shown in FIG. 1 and the upper basket 53 may not be included according to the size of the tub 12. As an example, the storage container may also be implemented using only the middle basket 52 and the lower basket 51.

[0092] The dishwasher 1 may include a washing chamber C as a space formed inside the tub 12. The washing chamber C may be defined as an inner space of the tub 12. The washing chamber C may be formed as a space surrounded by the lower surface 12b, the upper surface 12c, the side surface 12d of the tub 12, and the inner surface 21 of the door 20 when the door 20 closes the tub 12.

[0093] The washing chamber C may refer to a space in which dishes placed in the baskets 51 , 52 , 53 can be washed by washing water and dried.

[0094] The dishwasher 1 may include a spray device 40 configured to spray wash water. The spray device 40 may receive wash water from the sump assembly 70.

[0095] The spraying device 40 may include a plurality of spraying units 41 , 42 , 43 .

[0096] As an example, the plurality of spray units 41, 42, 43 may include: a first spray unit 41, arranged at a lower portion of the lower basket 51 in the height direction of the dishwasher 1; a second spray unit 42, arranged at a lower portion of the middle basket 52 in the height direction of the dishwasher 1; and a third spray unit 43, arranged at an upper portion of the upper basket 53 in the height direction of the dishwasher 1.

[0097] Each of the plurality of spray units 41, 42, 43 may be configured to spray wash water while rotating. Each of the first spray unit 41, the second spray unit 42, and the third spray unit 43 may be configured to spray wash water while rotating. The plurality of spray units 41, 42, and 43 may be referred to as a plurality of spray rotors. The first spray unit 41, the second spray unit 42, and the third spray unit 43 may be referred to as a first spray rotor 41, a second spray rotor 42, and a third spray rotor 43, respectively.

[0098] The spray device 40 may also spray washing water in a manner different from the above-mentioned example. As an example, unlike the second spray unit 42 and the third spray unit 43, the first spray unit 41 may be fixed to one side of the lower surface 12b of the barrel 12. The first spray unit 41 may be configured to spray washing water in a substantially horizontal direction by means of a fixed nozzle, and the washing water sprayed in a horizontal direction from the nozzle of the first spray unit 41 may be directed to the upper side by a conversion assembly (not shown) arranged inside the washing chamber C. The conversion assembly may be disposed on a track by means of a clamp, and may be configured to be movable in parallel along the track.

[0099] The dishwasher 1 may include a sump assembly 70 .

[0100] The sump assembly 70 may be configured to receive wash water. The sump assembly 70 may collect wash water of the washing chamber C. As an example, the lower surface 12b of the tub 12 may be configured to be tilted downward toward the sump assembly 70 so that the sump assembly 70 smoothly collects water. The wash water in the washing chamber C may flow along the slope of the lower surface 12b of the tub 12 and may smoothly flow into the sump assembly 70.

[0101] The sump assembly 70 may include a circulation pump 30 that pumps wash water stored in the sump assembly 70 toward the spray device 40 .

[0102] The sump assembly 70 may include a drain pump 60 that drains wash water and foreign materials (eg, food residues, etc.) remaining in the sump assembly 70 .

[0103] The sump assembly 70 may pump the collected wash water and supply it to the spray device 40. The sump assembly 70 may be connected with the spray device 40 to supply the wash water to the spray device 40.

[0104] The sump assembly 70 may be independently connected to the first spray unit 41, the second spray unit 42, and the third spray unit 43. As an example, the sump assembly 70 may be independently connected to each connector connected to the first spray unit 41, the second spray unit 42, and the third spray unit 43. The connector may be configured in the shape of a connection port, a conduit, or the like.

[0105] As an example, the second spray unit 42 and the third spray unit 43 may be formed using one connector, and the wash water provided through the one connector may flow into the connector. The wash water flowing into the connector may be branched and provided to at least one of the second spray unit 42 and the third spray unit 43 during the flow.

[0106] The dishwasher 1 may include an alternating device (not shown) that selectively supplies wash water to the spray device 40. The alternating device (not shown) can be driven in such a manner that wash water is selectively supplied to each connector connected to each spray device 41, 42, 43. As an example, the alternating device (not shown) can selectively supply wash water to at least one of a connector connected to the first spray device 41 and a connector connected to the second spray device 42.

[0107] The dishwasher 1 may include a machine room L as a space provided below the tub 12. The machine room L may be a portion where a configuration for circulating wash water is arranged.

[0108] As an example, at least a portion of the sump assembly 70 may be disposed in the machine room L. Most of the sump assembly 70 may be disposed in the machine room L. The volume of the sump assembly 70 located in the washing room C may be smaller than the volume of the sump assembly 70 located in the machine room L. The volume of the washing room C may be ensured by reducing the volume of the sump assembly 70 occupying the washing room C. Thus, by increasing the capacity of the washing room C, the tableware storage performance may be improved.

[0109] The dishwasher 1 may include an automatic detergent injection device 1000 configured to inject solid detergent into the tub 12. The dishwasher 1 may include a detergent box 90 configured to inject powder detergent or liquid detergent into the tub 12 in addition to the solid detergent.

[0110] In the case where the user inputs information about the washing mode of the dishwasher 1 through the input unit of the dishwasher 1 or a mobile device, the control device 1900 described later can control the dishwasher 1 based on the user input obtained from the main control device so that the detergent stored in the detergent box 90 can be selectively put into the barrel 12, wherein the information related to the washing mode may include information related to the washing mode for washing a small amount of dishes or information related to the fast washing mode that minimizes the washing time. Solid detergent refers to solid detergent that is solidified into a predetermined shape. Solid detergent can be roughly in the shape of a block, so solid detergent can be referred to as a variety of terms such as detergent blocks, block-type detergents, etc. The shape of the solid detergent is not limited to a specific shape or size, etc., and can have a variety of shapes.

[0111] The automatic detergent injection device 1000 may be configured to load a plurality of solid detergents. The automatic detergent injection device 1000 may be configured to inject one of the plurality of solid detergents into the tub 12 during the process of causing the dishwasher 1 to perform dishwashing.

[0112] As an example, the dishwasher 1 may be configured to wash dishes through a pre-washing step, a main washing step, a rinsing step, and a drying step. The automatic detergent injection device 1000 may be configured to inject solid detergent into the tub 12 before or at the start of the main washing step.

[0113] The detergent box 90 may be configured to store powdered detergent or liquid detergent, and may be configured to allow the detergent to be put into the tub 12 during the process of washing dishes in the dishwasher 1 .

[0114] The dishwasher 1 may be configured such that one of the detergent accommodated in the detergent box 90 or the solid detergent loaded in the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 selected by the user is fed into the inside of the tub 12 .

[0115] The automatic detergent feeding device 1000 may be disposed on the inner surface 21 of the door 20. The automatic detergent feeding device 1000 may be configured to be coupled to the inner surface 21 of the door 20.

[0116] The detergent box 90 may be disposed on the inner surface 21 of the door 20. The automatic detergent injection device 1000 and the detergent box 90 may be disposed to be aligned along the third direction Z as the up-down direction when the door 20 closes the tub 12.

[0117] Since the automatic detergent dispenser 1000 is disposed at the door 20 , it can rotate together with the door 20 as the door 20 rotates.

[0118] When the position of door 20 closing tub 12 is defined as first position 20A of door 20 and the position of door 20 opening tub 12 is defined as second position 20B of door 20 , door 20 may be configured to open and close tub 12 by moving between first position 20A and second position 20B.

[0119] The second position 20B of the door 20 may be defined as any one of the positions where the door 20 opens the tub 12, preferably, a position where the tableware stored in the tub 12 can be taken out of the tub 12. As an example, the second position 20B of the door 20 may be a position where the extension direction of the inner surface 21 of the door 20 corresponds to the first direction X.

[0120] Automatic detergent dispenser 1000 may be configured to be interlocked with door 20 to move between a first position 1000A of automatic detergent dispenser 1000 corresponding to first position 20A of door 20 and a second position 1000B of automatic detergent dispenser 1000 corresponding to second position 20B of door 20 .

[0121] When door 20 closes tub 12 , automatic detergent injector 1000 may be disposed at first position 1000A, and when door 20 opens tub 12 , automatic detergent injector 1000 may be disposed at second position 1000B.

[0122] like Figure 3 As shown, when automatic detergent feeder 1000 is arranged at second position 1000B, the user may load a plurality of solid detergents into automatic detergent feeder 1000 .

[0123] The user may open the storage chamber cover 1140 of the automatic detergent injection device 1000 and load a plurality of solid detergents into the storage chamber 1200 .

[0124] In the prior art, whenever the dishwasher performs washing of dishes, the user has to load detergent into the automatic detergent injection device or the detergent box each time, which causes inconvenience to the user. In addition, the automatic detergent injection device 1000 of the dishwasher 1 according to an embodiment is configured to allow the user to load a plurality of solid detergents into the automatic detergent injection device 1000 at one time, and when the dishwasher 1 performs a washing process, only one of the plurality of solid detergents can be injected into the barrel 12 in one washing process.

[0125] During the washing process of the dishwasher 1, since a plurality of solid detergents remain in the automatic detergent feeding device 1000, water may flow into the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 during the washing process, thereby causing a problem that the plurality of solid detergents may be damaged.

[0126] As automatic detergent dispenser 1000 moves between first position 1000A and second position 1000B, a problem may occur in which a plurality of solid detergents loaded into automatic detergent dispenser 1000 are separated from the stored positions.

[0127] Hereinafter, automatic detergent dispenser 1000 which can solve the above-mentioned problems will be described in detail.

[0128] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of an automatic detergent feeding device for a dishwasher according to an embodiment. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of an automatic detergent feeding device of a dishwasher in different directions according to an embodiment. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a state where a part of the structure of an automatic detergent feeding device of a dishwasher according to an embodiment is removed, Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a part of the structure of an automatic detergent feeding device of a dishwasher according to an embodiment. Figure 8 The figure shows a state where a part of the structure of the automatic detergent feeding device of the dishwasher according to one embodiment is removed.

[0129] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 may include a housing 1100 .

[0130] The housing 1100 may include a first housing 1110 forming a storage chamber 1200 described later and a second housing 1120 coupled to the first housing 1110 .

[0131] The first housing 1110 may be disposed to be coupled to the inner surface 21 of the door 20 .

[0132] When the automatic detergent dispenser 1000 is disposed at the first position 1000A, the second housing 1120 may be disposed to be combined with the first housing 1110 along the first direction X.

[0133] The second housing 1120 may form a storage chamber 1200 together with the first housing 1110. The second housing 1120 may include a first storage chamber opening 1121 configured to allow the storage chamber 1200 to be opened to the outside. The second housing 1120 may include an inlet 1122 configured to communicate with the placement portion 1400 described later and to discharge solid detergent from the automatic detergent inlet device 1000 and inlet it into the barrel 12.

[0134] The housing 1100 may include a middle housing 1130 disposed between the first housing 1110 and the second housing 1120 and supporting the ejector 1300 and the like disposed inside the housing 1100 .

[0135] As an example, the ejector 1300 and other structures may be disposed in the first housing 1110 and supported by the intermediate housing 1130. As an example, the ejector 1300 and other structures may be disposed in the second housing 1120 and supported by the intermediate housing 1130.

[0136] As an example, the intermediate housing 1130 may be integrally formed with the first housing 1110. As an example, the intermediate housing 1130 may be integrally formed with the second housing 1120.

[0137] The housing 1100 may include a storage chamber cover 1140 configured to be disposed on the second housing 1120 and to open and close the storage chamber opening 1121 .

[0138] The housing 1100 may include an inlet cover 1150 configured to be arranged on the second housing 1120 and to open and close the inlet 1122 .

[0139] The first housing 1110 may include a control device placement portion 1111 disposed in a direction opposite to a direction in which the first housing 1110 is combined with the second housing 1120 and in which the control device 1900 for controlling the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 is placed.

[0140] As an example, the control device placement portion 1111 may be arranged outside the interior of the housing 1100 formed by combining the second housing 1120 and the first housing 1110. As an example, the control device placement portion 1111 may be arranged inside the housing 1100 formed by combining the second housing 1120 and the first housing 1110.

[0141] The first housing 1110 may include a control device cover 1112 that covers the control device placement portion 1111 from the outside. Since the control device cover 1112 is arranged outside the internal space of the housing 1100 instead of being arranged in the internal space of the housing 1100 generated by the combination of the first housing 1110 and the second housing 1120, when the control device 1900 needs to be replaced, the control device 1900 can be easily replaced without disassembling the first housing 1110 and the second housing 1120.

[0142] The control device 1900 may control driving of the ejector 1300 and the placement section 1410 described later, and may control the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 based on sensing values ​​of various sensors.

[0143] The control device 1900 may be configured to be able to communicate with a main control device of the dishwasher 1. As an example, the control device 1900 and the main control device may constitute a control unit of the dishwasher 1.

[0144] The main control device may obtain user input through an input unit of the dishwasher 1 or a mobile device, and may control the driving of the dishwasher 1 based on the user input.

[0145] The main control device may transmit the received information on the user input to the control device 1900. The control device 1900 may control the automatic detergent dosing device 1000 based on the information on the input received from the main control device.

[0146] The automatic detergent feeding device 1000 may include: a wire W that electrically connects the control device 1900 and the electrical components configured to drive the automatic detergent feeding device 1000. The wire W may electrically connect the electrical components configured to drive the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 (the driving motor 1320, the placement department driving unit 1470, and various sensors) and the control device 1900, so that one of the plurality of solid detergents loaded in the storage chambers 1200 and 1200' is fed into the barrel 12.

[0147] As an example, the wire W may electrically connect the main control device, the power supply unit, and the control device 1900 of the dishwasher 1. As an example, the wire W may be provided to electrically connect only a part of the structure such as various electrical components of the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 and the control device 1900 or the main control device of the dishwasher 1.

[0148] As an example, at least a portion of the structure of various electrical components, sensors, control device 1900 of automatic detergent dispensing device 1000 or main control device of dishwasher 1 can be configured not to be electrically connected to each other via wires W, but to send and receive signals to each other via wireless communication.

[0149] Control device 1900 may control automatic detergent feeder 1000 based on values ​​sensed by various sensors of automatic detergent feeder 1000. This will be described in detail later.

[0150] like Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 may include a storage chamber 1200 configured to load a plurality of solid detergents.

[0151] The storage chamber 1200 may be configured such that when the detergent automatic feeding device 1000 is arranged in the first position 1000A, a plurality of solid detergents are stacked along a third direction Z as an up-down direction. As an example, the storage chamber 1200 may be configured as a plurality of storage chambers 1200, 1200'. However, for ease of description, one storage chamber 1200 will be used as a reference for description.

[0152] The storage chamber 1200 may be formed by a space formed by the first housing 1110 and the second housing 1120. The storage chamber 1200 may be formed by a space having a long side 1201 extending in the third direction Z when the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 is arranged in the first position 1000A, so that a plurality of solid detergents are stacked and loaded in the third direction Z.

[0153] As an example, the storage chamber 1200 may be formed by a space formed by the first case 1110. As an example, the storage chamber 1200 may be formed by a space formed by the second case 1120.

[0154] When the storage chamber cover 1140 opens the storage chamber opening 1121, the storage chamber 1200 can be opened to the outside through the storage chamber opening 1121. Figure 3 As shown, when the automatic detergent injection device 1000 is arranged in the second position 1000B, the user may open the storage chamber cover 1140 and inject a plurality of solid detergents into the storage chamber 1200 to load the plurality of solid detergents into the storage chamber 1200 .

[0155] Since the automatic detergent injection device 1000 is disposed on the inner surface 21 of the door 20, when the door 20 is opened, the automatic detergent injection device 1000 is disposed outside the washing chamber C so that the user can easily inject detergent.

[0156] The storage chamber 1200 may be formed with a volume having a predetermined size or more to store a plurality of solid detergents. Since the automatic detergent injection device 1000 is arranged on the inner surface 21 of the door 20 as described above, when the volume of the storage chamber 1200 increases along the first direction X, the volume of the washing chamber C may decrease. In order to prevent the volume of the storage chamber 1200 from increasing along the first direction X, when the automatic detergent injection device 1000 is located at the first position 1000A, the storage chamber 1200 may be arranged so that a plurality of solid detergents are stacked in a third direction Z as an up-down direction.

[0157] When the automatic detergent injection device 1000 is arranged at the first position 1000A, a plurality of solid detergents can be loaded into the storage chamber 1200 in a stacked arrangement not arranged in the first direction X but only in the third direction Z.

[0158] As the storage chamber 1200 is formed so that a plurality of solid detergents are stacked only in the third direction Z, the space of the washing chamber C can be maximized in the first direction X as described above, and in the automatic detergent feeding device 1000, the space of the storage chamber 1200 in the second direction Y can also be ensured.

[0159] As the storage chamber 1200 is formed so that a plurality of solid detergents are stacked only along the third direction Z, the driving structure of the ejector 1300 such as the transmission part 1330 of the automatic detergent dispensing device 1000 or the electric field structure of the control device 1900 can be arranged in the second direction Y relative to the storage chamber 1200, thereby minimizing the volume of the automatic detergent dispensing device 1000 in the second direction Y.

[0160] Thus, on the inner surface 21 of the door 20, an additional structure in addition to the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 can be arranged on the outside of the automatic detergent feeding device 2000 in the second direction Y, so that the size ratio of the volume of the main body 10 of the dishwasher 1 to the volume of the internal space of the barrel 12 can be increased.

[0161] However, not limited thereto, when the automatic detergent injection device 1000 is arranged at the first position 1000A, a plurality of solid detergents may be loaded into the storage chamber 1200 in a stacked arrangement only in the second direction Y as the left-right direction.

[0162] The automatic detergent feeding device 1000 may include an ejector 1300 that moves one of the plurality of solid detergents to the outside of the storage chamber 1200 so that one of the plurality of solid detergents loaded into the storage chamber 1200 is discharged from the storage chamber 1200. As an example, the ejector 1300 may be provided as a plurality of ejectors 1300, 1300' corresponding to the number of the plurality of storage chambers 1200, 1200'. However, for ease of description, description will be made based on one ejector 1300.

[0163] When the automatic detergent injection device 1000 is arranged at the first position 1000A, the ejector 1300 may be configured to discharge the lowest solid detergent arranged in the third direction Z among the plurality of solid detergents stacked along the third direction Z from the storage chamber 1200 .

[0164] The ejector 1300 may be arranged at one side 1201a of the long side 1201 along the extension direction of the long side 1201. When the automatic detergent dispenser 1000 is arranged at the first position 1000A, the one side 1201a of the long side 1201 may be arranged at the lower side in the third direction Z, and the other side 1201b of the long side 1201 may be arranged at the upper side.

[0165] The ejector 1300 may be arranged at a lower portion of the storage chamber 1200 along the third direction Z so that a lowermost solid detergent arranged in the third direction Z among a plurality of solid detergents stacked along the third direction Z is discharged from the storage chamber 1200 .

[0166] When automatic detergent injection device 1000 is disposed at first position 1000A, ejector 1300 may discharge solid detergents closest to lower surface 1220 of storage chamber 1200 among the plurality of solid detergents to the outside of storage chamber 1200 .

[0167] As an example, the ejector 1300 may be configured to pressurize a solid detergent disposed on the lower surface 1220 of the storage chamber 1200 among the plurality of solid detergents. The solid detergent being disposed on the lower surface 1220 means that the solid detergent is disposed to be supported by the lower surface 1220, or the solid detergent is in contact with the lower surface 1220. Thus, this means that the solid detergent is arranged at a position where the solid detergent can be pressurized by the ejector 1300 and discharged from the storage chamber 1200.

[0168] The storage chamber 1200 may include a storage chamber discharge port 1210 configured to discharge a solid detergent to the outside of the storage chamber 1200 through the ejector 1300 .

[0169] The storage chamber discharge port 1210 may be disposed at a lower portion of the storage chamber 1200 so that a lowermost solid detergent disposed in the third direction Z among a plurality of solid detergents stacked in the third direction Z is discharged to the outside of the storage chamber 1200 .

[0170] The storage chamber discharge port 1210 and the ejector 1300 are both disposed at a lower portion of the storage chamber 1200 so that a lowermost solid detergent among a plurality of solid detergents stacked in the third direction Z can be discharged to the outside of the storage chamber 1200 .

[0171] The storage chamber 1200 is configured so that multiple solid detergents are stacked along the third direction Z, so that when the bottommost solid detergent among the multiple solid detergents is discharged to the outside of the storage chamber 1200, the multiple solid detergents can move downward based on the stacking direction by gravity.

[0172] Since all the solid detergents move downward, the solid detergents arranged directly above the solid detergents discharged to the outside of the storage chamber 1200 can move adjacent to the lower surface 1220 of the storage chamber 1200 and can be arranged in the space where the discharged solid detergents were originally located. The solid detergents can be configured to be discharged to the outside of the storage chamber 1200 by the ejector 1300 in the next washing process of the dishwasher 1.

[0173] That is, the storage chamber 1200 can be configured so that a plurality of solid detergents are stacked along a third direction Z when the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 is arranged in the first position 1000A, and the ejector 1300 is arranged at the lower part of the storage chamber 1200, accordingly, a plurality of solid detergents can be discharged to the outside of the storage chamber 1200 along the third direction Z starting from the bottom in the order of stacking.

[0174] However, not limited thereto, the ejector 1300 may be configured such that an uppermost solid detergent arranged in the third direction Z among a plurality of solid detergents stacked in the third direction Z is discharged from the storage chamber 1200 .

[0175] like Figure 7 As shown, in the case where the solid detergent D is shaped such that the lateral length d1 and the longitudinal length d2 are greater than the height h, the solid detergent D may be loaded into the storage chamber 1200 in a manner of being stacked in the storage chamber 1200 in the direction of the height h.

[0176] For the solid detergent D described below, it is assumed that the lateral length d1 is greater than the longitudinal length d2 and the height h.

[0177] As an example, the solid detergent D may be loaded into the storage chamber 1200 in such a manner that a direction formed by a minimum length among a lateral length d1 , a longitudinal length d2 , and a height h of the solid detergent D corresponds to a stacking direction of a plurality of solid detergents.

[0178] This is to maximize the amount of solid detergent D that can be loaded into the storage chamber 1200 .

[0179] As an example, when the automatic detergent dispensing device 1000 is arranged in the first position 1000A, the solid detergent D can be loaded into the storage chamber 1200 along a direction that makes the surface of the solid detergent D formed by the horizontal length d1 and the longitudinal length d2 directions opposite to the cross-sectional area S of the storage chamber 1200 formed by the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0180] As an example, a plurality of solid detergents D may be stacked in a direction of a height h of the solid detergents D inside the storage chamber 1200 .

[0181] The solid detergent may be provided in various sizes according to the composition, function or manufacturer of the solid detergent, but the volume of the solid detergent may be determined mainly in proportion to the volume size of the washing chamber of the dishwasher. Since the volume of the washing chamber is provided in a size within a predetermined range, the volume of the solid detergent may also be provided in a size within a predetermined range, whereby the lateral length, longitudinal length and height of the solid detergent may be designed to be similar regardless of its type.

[0182] The solid detergent D described below may be defined as a suitable solid detergent D that can be loaded into the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 of the dishwasher 1 according to an example, and the lateral length d1, longitudinal length d2, and height h of the solid detergent D are defined as approximate values ​​of the lateral lengths, longitudinal lengths, and heights of a plurality of solid detergents that can be loaded into the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 of the dishwasher 1, and are values ​​that can be varied within a predetermined range. As an example, the lateral length d1 and the longitudinal length d2 are defined based on the dimensions set along the first direction X and the second direction Y, and the lateral length may also be defined as d2, and the longitudinal length may also be defined as d1.

[0183] When the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 is arranged in the first position A, the area s of the storage chamber 1200 in the first direction X and the second direction Y (hereinafter referred to as the cross-sectional area of ​​the storage chamber 1200) can be set to a size that is easy to load solid detergent D and can be stacked along the third direction Z.

[0184] When the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 is arranged in the first position 1000A, the cross-sectional area S of the storage chamber 1200 may be formed by a pair of sides having a transverse length L1 extending along the second direction Y and a pair of sides having a longitudinal length L2 extending along the first direction X. As an example, the transverse length L1 and the longitudinal length L2 are defined based on the sizes set along the first direction X and the second direction Y, the transverse length may also be defined as L2, and the longitudinal length may also be defined as L1.

[0185] The lateral length L1 of the cross-sectional area S of the storage chamber 1200 is the length in the second direction Y between the right side surface 1230 and the left side surface 1240 of the storage chamber 1200, and the longitudinal length L2 of the cross-sectional area S of the storage chamber 1200 is the length in the first direction X between the inner surface 1260 of the storage chamber 1200 and the storage chamber opening 1121.

[0186] When the solid detergent D is loaded into the storage chamber 1200, one side of the solid detergent D having a lateral length d1 can be arranged to correspond to an edge of the storage chamber 1200 having a lateral length L1 having a cross-sectional area S, and the other side of the solid detergent D having a longitudinal length d2 can be arranged to correspond to an edge of the storage chamber 1200 having a longitudinal length L2 having a cross-sectional area S.

[0187] Since the longitudinal length d2 of the solid detergent D is formed to be smaller than the transverse length d1 as described above, the transverse length L1 of the cross-sectional area S can be formed to be larger than the longitudinal length L2. In addition, since the transverse length d1 of the solid detergent is formed to be larger than the height h of the solid detergent D, the longitudinal length L2 of the cross-sectional area S can also be formed to be larger than the height h of the solid detergent D.

[0188] The lateral length L1 of the cross-sectional area S may be set to be approximately 10% to 30% longer than the lateral length d1 of the solid detergent D. As shown in FIG.

[0189] The longitudinal length L2 of the cross-sectional area S may be set to be approximately 10% to 30% longer than the longitudinal length d2 of the solid detergent D.

[0190] When the solid detergent arranged at the bottom along the third direction is moved to the outside of the storage chamber 1200 by the ejector 1300, the cross-sectional area S of the storage chamber 1200 can be formed to the above-mentioned value, so that multiple solid detergents can move stably downward inside the storage chamber 1200 while maintaining a stacked arrangement.

[0191] When the lateral length L1 and the longitudinal length L2 of the cross-sectional area S are formed to be longer than the lateral length d1 and the longitudinal length d2 of the solid detergent D, and the extended length is less than 10% of the lateral length d1 and the longitudinal length d2 of the solid detergent D, a plurality of solid detergents are stuck inside the storage chamber 1200 while moving downward inside the storage chamber 1200, so that the solid detergents cannot move stably downward.

[0192] As an example, when the bottommost solid detergent arranged in the third direction Z among the stacked multiple solid detergents moves downward, the solid detergent may be in a state where it cannot be placed on the lower surface 1220 of the storage chamber 1200 and is stuck inside the storage chamber 1200. As a result, even if the pressurizing portion 1312a described later is driven to push the ejector 1300, it cannot easily pressurize the bottommost solid detergent arranged in the third direction Z, thereby preventing the solid detergent from being discharged to the outside of the storage chamber 1200.

[0193] When the lateral length L1 and longitudinal length L2 of the cross-sectional area S are longer than the lateral length d1 and longitudinal length d2 of the solid detergent D and are greater than 30% of the lateral length d1 and longitudinal length d2 of the solid detergent, while the solid detergent moves downward inside the storage chamber 1200, its stacking arrangement may collapse due to rotational movement, etc.

[0194] As an example, since the cross-sectional area S is formed to be larger than the solid detergent, the solid detergent rotates or moves in a direction inclined relative to the third direction Z when moving downward, so that multiple solid detergents do not move in the third direction but move simultaneously in the first direction X or the second direction Y, and thus may not be able to maintain a stacked arrangement.

[0195] Therefore, the lateral length L1 and longitudinal length L2 of the cross-sectional area S can be set to be longer than the lateral length d1 and longitudinal length d2 of the solid detergent D, and the longer length is approximately 10% to 30% of the lateral length d1 and longitudinal length d2 of the solid detergent D.

[0196] Since the longitudinal length L2 of the cross-sectional area S of the storage chamber 1200 is formed to be longer than the longitudinal length d2 of the solid detergent D, the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 may have a predetermined thickness in the direction in which the longitudinal length L2 extends.

[0197] Thus, when the door 20 is disposed at the first position 20A, the automatic detergent dispenser 1000 may protrude from the door 20 toward the inside of the tub 12 along the first direction X, so that the space inside the tub 12 may be partially narrowed.

[0198] In particular, for the lower housing 51 arranged at a height substantially corresponding to the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 in the third direction Z, when the door 20 is arranged at the first position 20A, it may collide with the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 in the first direction X. In order to prevent this, the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 may be arranged to be separated from the lower housing 51 along the first direction X when arranged at the first position 1000A. As an example, the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 may be arranged to be separated from the middle housing 52 along the first direction X when arranged at the first position 1000A.

[0199] In addition, the door 20 is arranged in the second position 20B, so that the lower basket 51 can be removed from the front surface of the barrel 12 along the first direction X, and the automatic detergent dispensing device 1000 is configured to have a predetermined thickness in the extension direction of the longitudinal length L2 when the lower basket 51 is taken out from the front, so the removal of the lower basket 51 may be limited by the thickness of the automatic detergent dispensing device 100.

[0200] The automatic detergent dispenser 1000 may be configured to be coupled to the inner surface 21 of the door 20. When the automatic detergent dispenser 1000 is coupled to the inner surface 21, at least a portion of the automatic detergent dispenser 1000 may be coupled to the door 20 in a manner that the automatic detergent dispenser 1000 is inserted into the inner side of the door 20 along the first direction X.

[0201] Thus, when automatic detergent dispenser 1000 is arranged at first position 1000A, a spacing distance between automatic detergent dispenser 1000 and lower housing 51 in first direction X can be easily generated.

[0202] Thus, when the automatic detergent feeder 1000 is arranged in the second position 1000B, the protrusion of the automatic detergent feeder 1000 in the third direction Z can be minimized, so that when the lower basket 51 is taken out along the first direction X, it can be easily taken out without being restricted by the automatic detergent feeder 1000.

[0203] As an example, when the automatic detergent feeder 1000 is arranged at the second position 1000B, the automatic detergent feeder 1000 may be coupled to the inner surface 21 of the door 2 in such a manner that the upper end of the automatic detergent feeder 1000 in the third direction Z is located lower than the lower end of the lower basket 51 in the third direction Z. Thus, when the lower basket 51 is taken out by sliding to the outside of the tub 12 in a state where the automatic detergent feeder 1000 is arranged at the second position 1000A, the lower basket 51 may be taken out to the outside of the tub 12 without being engaged with the automatic detergent feeder 1000.

[0204] The ejector 1300 may include a pressurizing member 1310 that pressurizes a lowermost solid detergent disposed in the third direction Z among a plurality of solid detergents stacked in the third direction Z and moves it to the outside of the storage chamber 1200 .

[0205] The pressurizing member 1310 may include a cam member that pressurizes the solid detergent by rotating. Hereinafter, the pressurizing member 1310 is referred to as the cam member 1310 .

[0206] The cam member 1310 may include a pressurizing portion 1312 a provided to protrude from an edge of the cam member 1310 and pressurize the solid detergent while rotating with the rotation of the cam member 1310 .

[0207] The pressurizing portion 1312a may be configured to rotate with the rotation of the cam member 1310, thereby moving to the inside of the storage chamber 1200, and moving the solid detergent to the discharge port 1210 by pressurizing one of the plurality of solid detergents stacked in the third direction Z and arranged at the lowermost end in the third direction Z. The cam member 1310 may pressurize the solid detergent in the rotation direction of the cam member 1310, thereby moving the solid detergent.

[0208] For the sake of convenience, the rotation direction of the cam member 1310 and the left and right sides described below will be referred to as Figure 8 The illustrated state is used as a reference for explanation. Figure 8 The right side of can be Figure 1 The direction corresponding to the left side of Figure 8 The left side of the Figure 1 The right side of the corresponding direction, thus, Figure 1 The left and right sides of the Figure 8 The left and right sides are opposite to each other, but for the sake of convenience, they will be Figure 8 The left and right sides shown are used as references for explanation.

[0209] In addition, the cam member 1310 described below will be Figure 8 The cam member 1310 of the ejector 1300 disposed on the left side is used as an example for explanation with reference to the second direction Y shown.

[0210] When the cam member 1310 rotates clockwise, since the ejector 1300 is disposed at the lower portion of the storage chamber 1200, the cam member 1310 can move the solid detergent disposed on the lower surface 1220 of the storage chamber 1200 to the right side of the storage chamber 1200 while rotating in the clockwise direction.

[0211] The storage chamber discharge port 1210 may be provided to be arranged at a lower portion of a right side surface 1230 of the storage chamber 1200 in order to discharge the solid detergent moving rightward to the outside of the storage chamber 1200 .

[0212] The storage chamber 1200 may include a through portion 1221 provided to be formed at the lower surface 1220 of the storage chamber 1200 and to move the pressurizing portion 1312 a from the outside of the storage chamber 1200 to the inside of the storage chamber 1200 .

[0213] The through portion 1221 is provided to extend not only to the lower surface 1220 of the storage chamber 1200 but also to lower portions of the right side surface 1230 and the left side surface 1240 of the storage chamber 1200 .

[0214] The pressurizing portion 1312a rotates with the rotation of the cam component 1310, and moves to the interior of the storage chamber 1200 through the lower portion of the left side surface 1240 and the through portion 1221 of the lower surface 1220, and can move to the outside of the storage chamber 1200 through the lower portion of the right side surface 1230 and the through portion 1221 of the lower surface 1220 as the cam component 1310 rotates.

[0215] At this time, the pressurizing portion 1312a may be configured to pressurize the solid detergent placed on the lower surface 1220 while rotating, thereby moving the solid detergent to the right.

[0216] like Figure 7As shown, the through portion 1221 may be provided to open at least a portion of the lower surface 1220. As at least a portion of the lower surface 1220 is opened, the pressurizing portion 1312a may move into the storage chamber 1200 through the through portion 1221 while the cam member 1310 disposed at the lower side of the storage chamber 1200 rotates.

[0217] The through portion 1221 may be configured such that only at least a portion of the lower surface 1220 is open, rather than being fully open.

[0218] As an example, in the lower surface 1220, it can be arranged so that the area where the through portion 1221 is formed can be smaller than the area of ​​the lower surface 1222 closed along the third direction Z. Hereinafter, the lower surface 1222 closed along the third direction Z is referred to as the support surface 1222. This is because the support surface 1222 supports the solid detergent located at the bottom along the third direction Z.

[0219] As an example, the through portion 1221 may be provided to extend from the center of the lower surface 1220 along the first direction X toward the second direction Y. Thus, the front and rear of the through portion 1221 along the first direction X may be provided as the support surface 1222 .

[0220] This is to ensure that when a plurality of solid detergents are stacked, the solid detergent located at the bottom in the third direction Z is stably located on the lower surface 1220. The support surface 1222 supports the solid detergent located at the bottom in the third direction Z so that the solid detergent is arranged adjacent to the lower surface 1220, so that when the pressurizing portion 1312a penetrates the through portion 1221 and moves, the solid detergent can be easily pressurized.

[0221] In particular, the support surface 1222 can be set in front and behind the through portion 1221 along the first direction X, so that the support surface 1222 can be set so that the lowest solid detergent arranged in the third direction Z is supported approximately horizontally in the storage chamber 1200 along the third direction Z.

[0222] Thus, when the solid detergent moves to the outside of the storage chamber 1200 by the pressurizing part 1312a, it can move in the second direction Y in a state substantially parallel to the third direction Z.

[0223] As an example, the support surface 1222 may guide the solid detergent so that the solid detergent moving along the second direction Z moves in a state parallel to the third direction Z. Figure 7As a reference, the lower surface us of the solid detergent D in the third direction Z is loaded into the storage chamber 1200 in contact with the support surface 1222. When pressurized along the second direction Y by the pressurizing portion 1312a, the lower surface us can be guided to the support surface 1222, so that the solid detergent D can move to the storage chamber discharge outlet 1210 while remaining approximately horizontal relative to the third direction Z.

[0224] When the solid detergent moves along the second direction Y in a state where it is tilted relative to the third direction Z, it may not move along the second direction Y due to the center of gravity, but may rotate or move in another direction, so that the solid detergent cannot move toward the storage chamber discharge outlet 1210 and cannot be discharged to the outside of the storage chamber 1200.

[0225] In the cam member 1310, with the rotation direction of the cam member 1310 as a reference, the edge of the cam member 1310 may include a plurality of cam regions divided by the rotation direction of the cam member 1310. When a cam region arranged at an edge having the shortest radius length from the rotation axis 1313 of the cam member 1310 among the plurality of cam regions is defined as a first cam region 1310A1, the first cam region 1310A1 may be configured to be arranged at the upper end of the cam member 1310 when the dishwasher 1 is not driven in a washing course.

[0226] The pressing portion 1312 a may be provided to protrude by a predetermined height in the radial direction of the cam member 1310 with respect to the first cam region 1310A1 .

[0227] The pressurizing portion 1312 a may be provided to protrude a predetermined height in the radial direction of the cam member 1310 relative to the first cam region 1310A1 so that the pressure to move the solid detergent D to the storage chamber discharge port 1210 may be transmitted to the solid detergent D.

[0228] The pressurizing portion 1312a may be configured to protrude a predetermined height in the radial direction of the cam member 1310 relative to the first cam area 1310A1 when the cam member 1310 rotates, so that only the lowest solid detergent D arranged in the third direction Z is pressurized, while the solid detergent D arranged above the lowest solid detergent D is not pressurized.

[0229] As an example, the pressing portion 1312 a may be provided to protrude by 15 mm in the radial direction of the cam member 1310 relative to the first cam region 1310A1 .

[0230] The first cam region 1310A1 of the cam member 1310 may be configured to be arranged at a position lower than the support surface 1222 in the third direction Z when arranged at the upper end of the cam member 1310. This is because when the lowest solid detergent among the plurality of solid detergents is arranged on the lower surface 1220 of the storage chamber 1200, the cam member 1310 does not pressurize one side toward the upper side with reference to the third direction Z, but is located in the storage chamber 1200 in a substantially horizontal state with respect to the third direction Z.

[0231] by Figure 8 The cam member 1310' of the ejector 1300' arranged on the right side with reference to the second direction Y shown in FIG. Figure 8 The solid detergent loaded in the storage chamber 1200' arranged on the right side may be configured to be discharged to the left side of the storage chamber 1200' by rotating counterclockwise in the reverse direction based on the direction shown. This will be described in detail later.

[0232] The rotating shaft 1313 of the cam member 1310 may be arranged to extend toward the first direction X when the automatic detergent injection device 1000 is arranged in the first position 1000A. The cam member 1310 is arranged so that the radial direction of the cam member 1310 is arranged perpendicular to the direction of the first direction X, whereby when the cam member 1310 is arranged inside the housing 1100, the volume in the first direction X can be minimized. As described above, this is to maximize the volume of the washing chamber C in the first direction X.

[0233] The ejector 1300 may include a drive motor 1320 that generates a rotational force to drive the cam member 1310. The drive motor 1320 may be arranged so that when the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 is arranged in the first position 1000A, a rotation axis 1321 of the drive motor 1320 extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X. Thus, when the drive motor 1320 is arranged inside the housing 1100, the volume in the first direction X can be minimized. As described above, this is to maximize the volume of the washing chamber C in the first direction X.

[0234] The ejector 1300 may include a transmission member 1330 that transmits the rotation force generated by the driving motor 1320 to the pressurizing member 1310 .

[0235] The transmission component 1330 may include a plurality of gears. As the rotation axis 1313 of the cam component 1310 is arranged to extend along the first direction X and the rotation axis 1321 of the drive motor 1320 is arranged to extend along a direction orthogonal to the first direction X, the transmission component 1330 may include a worm gear to vertically convert the transmission direction of the driving force. As an example, the transmission component 1330 may include a bevel gear.

[0236] In the case where the transmission member 1330 includes a worm gear, it is possible to prevent the cam member 1310 from being arbitrarily rotated due to an external force.

[0237] As the worm gear of the transmission member 1330 is arranged to extend in a direction orthogonal to the first direction X in which the rotation shaft 1313 of the cam member 1310 extends, when the transmission member 1330 is arranged inside the housing 1100, the volume in the first direction X can be minimized. As described above, this is to maximize the volume of the washing chamber C in the first direction X.

[0238] The transmission component 1330 can transmit the rotational force generated in the drive motor 1320 to the cam component 1310 by connecting the cam component 1310 and the drive motor 1320. At this time, the transmission component 1330 can be configured so that the cam component 1310 can rotate at an appropriate rotation speed. As an example, the transmission component 1330 can be configured to reduce the rotation speed of the rotating shaft 1321 of the drive motor 1320. The transmission component 1330 can be configured in various ways according to design factors such as the target rotation speed of the cam component 1310 and the rotation speed of the drive motor 1320.

[0239] The automatic detergent feeding device 1000 may include a holder 1500 configured to keep a plurality of solid detergents in a stacked state inside the storage chamber 1200 when the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 is arranged in the first position 1000A and the second position 1000B, or moves between the first position 1000A and the second position 1000B.

[0240] The clamp 1500 may be moved in a direction in which the long side 1201 of the storage chamber 1200 extends by guides formed on both side surfaces 1230 and 1240 of the storage chamber 1200 .

[0241] The clamp 1500 may be configured to move toward the plurality of solid detergents in a direction in which the plurality of solid detergents are stacked inside the storage chamber 1200. This is because the direction in which the plurality of solid detergents are stacked corresponds to a direction in which the long side 1201 of the storage chamber 1200 extends.

[0242] The clamp 1500 may be disposed to be located at an upper side of a plurality of solid detergents inside the storage chamber 1200 when the automatic detergent injection device 1000 is disposed at the first position 1000A.

[0243] The clamp 1500 may be configured to move downward from the upper portion of the storage chamber 1200 when the automatic detergent dispenser 1000 is disposed at the first position 1000A. The clamp 1500 may be configured to move downward inside the storage chamber 1200 by gravity when the automatic detergent dispenser 1000 is disposed at the first position 1000A.

[0244] When the automatic detergent dispensing device 1000 is arranged in the first position 1000A, the stacking direction of the multiple solid detergents corresponds to the third direction Z, and the clamping member 1500 can be configured to move downward based on the third direction Z by gravity, thereby pressurizing the topmost solid detergent among the multiple solid detergents arranged in the third direction Z toward the downward side.

[0245] The clamp 1500 may include a weight component configured to have a weight greater than a predetermined weight so as to move along the third direction Z by gravity. As an example, the weight component may be integrally configured with the clamp 1500. As an example, the weight component may be configured to be combined with the clamp 1500.

[0246] As an example, the clamp 1500 may be made of a heavy material so as to have a weight greater than a predetermined weight.

[0247] The clamp 1500 may be configured to have a weight greater than a predetermined weight, and may be configured to pressurize a plurality of solid detergents downward with reference to the third direction Z.

[0248] When the bottommost solid detergent among the plurality of solid detergents located in the third direction Z is discharged to the outside of the storage chamber 1200 by the ejector 1300, the plurality of solid detergents can move downward by gravity with the third direction Z as the stacking direction as a reference, the clamping member 1500 can pressurize the plurality of solid detergents downward by gravity, and the clamping member 1500 can guide the plurality of solid detergents to move downward.

[0249] As an example, when any one of the multiple solid detergents stacked along the third direction Z is partially detached from the arrangement and thereby a portion of the solid detergent is supported on the two side surfaces 1230, 1240 of the storage chamber 1200, thereby restricting the downward movement of the multiple solid detergents, the clamping member 1500 can pressurize the multiple solid detergents downward to guide the multiple solid detergents to move downward.

[0250] As described above, the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 can be configured so that, when the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 is arranged in the first position 1000A, a plurality of solid detergents are stacked along the third direction Z, thereby improving the space efficiency of the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 and the dishwasher 1 in the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0251] In addition, the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 may be configured such that, as a plurality of solid detergents are arranged along the direction of gravity, the plurality of solid detergents can be easily discharged sequentially from below along the direction of gravity.

[0252] However, when the door 20 is rotated from the first position 20A to the second position 20B or is arranged in the second position 20B to open the tub 12 , the direction in which the plurality of solid detergents are stacked may be arranged to face a direction different from the third direction Z.

[0253] At this time, since the stacking direction of the multiple solid detergents is different from the direction of gravity, any one of the multiple solid detergents may be detached from the stacking structure, so that the stacking arrangement of the multiple solid detergents in the third direction Z may collapse.

[0254] As an example, as described above, the solid detergent D may be loaded into the storage chamber 1200 in a direction in which the surface of the solid detergent D formed by the lateral length d1 and the longitudinal length d2 directions is opposite to the cross-sectional area S of the storage chamber 1200 formed by the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0255] As an example, the surface of the solid detergent D formed by the lateral length d1 and the longitudinal length d2 directions can be set to a curved shape instead of a conventional plane shape, whereby, when a plurality of solid detergents D are stacked, the solid detergents D facing each other along the stacking direction can be set to face each other with their respective curved surfaces, so that when the stacking direction of the plurality of solid detergents is toward a direction different from the direction of gravity, the stacking arrangement of the plurality of solid detergents may be detached.

[0256] That is, since it is more difficult to maintain the stacked state when the curved surfaces of the solid detergents D are stacked facing each other, the clamping member 1500 can pressurize the multiple solid detergents D along the stacking direction when the stacking direction corresponds to the direction of gravity, and can support the solid detergents D when the stacking direction is different from the direction of gravity to maintain the arrangement of the multiple solid detergents D.

[0257] When the stacked arrangement of multiple solid detergents collapses, even if the door 20 is arranged in the first position 20A again, the movement of the multiple solid detergents in the direction of gravity can be restricted, and the lowest solid detergent arranged in the third direction Z among the multiple solid detergents may be abnormally placed on the lower surface 1220 of the storage chamber 1200, which may cause the solid detergents to be unable to be discharged to the outside of the storage chamber 1200 by the ejector 1300.

[0258] The solid detergent being abnormally disposed on the lower surface 1220 means that the solid detergent cannot be pressurized by the ejector 1300 when disposed on the lower surface 1220 or is disposed at a position where it cannot be moved to the outside of the storage chamber 1200 even if pressurized by the ejector 1300 .

[0259] To prevent this, the clamp 1500 may be configured to prevent the stacked arrangement of the plurality of solid detergents from collapsing when the direction in which the plurality of solid detergents are stacked is oriented in a direction different from the third direction Z by the movement of the door 20 .

[0260] The clamp 1500 may be configured to maintain the stacked arrangement of the plurality of solid detergents while the door 20 is opened from the first position 20A and moves to the second position 20B, or when the door 20 is arranged in the second position 20B.

[0261] The clamp 1500 may be configured to support an uppermost solid detergent arranged in the third direction Z among the plurality of solid detergents when the direction in which the plurality of solid detergents are stacked faces a direction different from the third direction Z.

[0262] The clamp 1500 may be configured to be fixed at a position adjacent to an uppermost solid detergent arranged in the third direction Z among the plurality of solid detergents when the direction in which the plurality of solid detergents are stacked faces a direction different from the third direction Z.

[0263] When the stacking direction of multiple solid detergents is toward a direction different from the third direction Z, the movement of the topmost solid detergent among the multiple solid detergents arranged in the third direction Z may be blocked by the temporarily fixed clamp 1500 to prevent the topmost solid detergent among the multiple solid detergents arranged in the third direction Z from detaching from the stacking arrangement.

[0264] The storage chamber 1200 may include a guide rail 1290 to guide the movement of the holder 1500 inside the storage chamber 1200 .

[0265] The holder 1500 may be guided by the guide rail 1290 and translated in the extended length direction of the long side 1201 of the storage chamber 1200 .

[0266] The guide rail 1290 may be provided to enable the clamping member 1500 to move downward with reference to the third direction Z when the automatic detergent dispenser 1000 is arranged at the first position 1000A.

[0267] As an example, the clamp 1500 may include a guide protrusion inserted into the guide rail 1290. The guide protrusion of the clamp 1500 may be inserted into the guide rail 1290 and move along the extending direction of the guide rail 1290.

[0268] The guide rail 1290 may be provided to extend along the extending direction of the long side 1201 of the storage chamber 1200. The clamp 1500 may be provided to be movable along the extending direction of the guide rail 1290.

[0269] The guide rail 1290 may include a locking platform 1293 configured to limit the movement of the clamping member 1500 when the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 is not located at the first position 1000A.

[0270] When the door 20 moves from the first position 20A to the second position 20B, the guide protrusion of the clamp 1500 is restricted from moving by the locking platform 1293 , so that the movement of the clamp 1500 inside the storage chamber 1200 can be restricted.

[0271] Alternatively, the holder 1500 may be configured to maintain the stacked arrangement of the plurality of solid detergents even when the door 20 is disposed in the second position 20B.

[0272] The clamp 1500 may be configured to support an uppermost solid detergent arranged in the third direction Z among the plurality of solid detergents when the direction in which the plurality of solid detergents are stacked faces a direction different from the third direction Z.

[0273] The clamp 1500 may be configured to be fixed at a position adjacent to an uppermost solid detergent arranged in the third direction Z among the plurality of solid detergents when the stacked direction of the plurality of solid detergents faces a direction different from the third direction Z.

[0274] Thus, when the direction in which multiple solid detergents are stacked is toward a direction different from the third direction Z, the clamping member 1500 can be temporarily fixed inside the storage chamber 1200 by means of the locking platform 1293, and the movement of the topmost solid detergent among the multiple solid detergents arranged in the third direction Z can be restricted by the fixed clamping member 1500.

[0275] Even when the stacking direction of the plurality of solid detergents is toward a direction different from the third direction Z, the stacking arrangement of the plurality of solid detergents can be maintained by the clamping member 1500. Therefore, the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 can be configured such that even when the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 is arranged in the first position 1000A so that the plurality of solid detergents are arranged to be stacked along the third direction Z, one of the plurality of solid detergents can be discharged to the outside of the storage chamber 1200 and fed into the barrel 12.

[0276] The automatic detergent feeding device 1000 may include a receiving portion 1400 configured to receive a solid detergent discharged from the storage chamber 1200 .

[0277] The seating portion 1400 may be disposed to communicate with the storage chamber discharge port 1210. The seating portion 1400 may include a seating portion inner space 1401 communicating with the storage chamber discharge port 1210.

[0278] One of the plurality of solid detergents may be discharged from the storage chamber 1200 through the storage chamber discharge port 1210 and move to the inner space 1401 of the seating portion.

[0279] The seating portion may include a discharge guide 1430 connected to the tub 12. The discharge guide 1430 may be provided as a space connected to the seating portion inner space 1401.

[0280] As an example, the seating portion internal space 1401 and the discharge guide 1430 may be formed as one space, and the seating portion internal space 1401 and the discharge guide 1430 may be divided by a seating portion opening 1420 opened and closed by a seating portion 1410 described later.

[0281] As an example, the lower end of the seating portion inner space 1401 in the third direction Z may be formed as the seating portion opening 1420 , and the discharge guide 1430 may be a region formed downward along the third direction Z from the seating portion opening 1420 .

[0282] The seating portion 1400 may be configured such that one solid detergent moved to the seating portion inner space 1401 is temporarily seated in the seating portion 1400 and then is introduced into the tub 12 .

[0283] The seating portion 1400 may include a seating portion opening 1420 connected to a discharge guide 1430 connecting the seating portion inner space 1401 to the tub 12. The seating portion opening 1420 may be configured to open toward the third direction Z when the automatic detergent injection device 1000 is disposed in the first position 1000A.

[0284] The seating portion 1400 may include a seating portion 1410 that opens and closes a seating portion opening 1420. The seating portion 1410 may be provided to form a lower surface of the seating portion inner space 1401 when the seating portion 1410 closes the seating portion opening 1420.

[0285] The placement section 1410 may include a placement surface 1411 on which the solid detergent is placed when the placement section 1410 closes the placement section opening 1420. When the placement section 1410 closes the placement section opening 1420, the placement surface 1411 may be arranged to face upward along the third direction Z.

[0286] As an example, the seating portion opening 1420 may be defined as a surface in the seating portion internal space 1401 that is closed by the seating portion 1410. Thus, an area formed at an upper portion of an upper surface of the seating portion opening 1420 may be defined as the seating portion internal space 1401, and an area formed at a lower portion of a lower surface of the seating portion opening 1420 may be defined as the discharge guide 1430. When the seating portion 1410 closes the seating portion opening 1420, a seating surface 1411 may be arranged on the seating portion opening 1420, and thus, the seating surface 1411 may be defined as the lower surface of the seating portion internal space 1401.

[0287] As an example, the lower surface of the seating portion inner space 1401 may be defined as the seating portion opening 1420 , however when the seating portion 1410 closes the seating portion opening 1420 , the lower surface of the seating portion inner space 1401 may be defined as the seating portion 1410 .

[0288] The seating part 1410 may be configured to seal the seating part inner space 1401 from the outside when the seating part 1410 closes the seating part opening 1420 , and to connect the seating part inner space 1401 to the tub 120 when the seating part 1410 opens the seating part opening 1420 .

[0289] The placement section 1400 may include a placement section driving section 1470 configured to open and close the placement section 1410 .

[0290] As an example, the placement department driving part 1470 may include a driving motor and a transmission component.

[0291] As an example, the transmission part of the installation part driving part 1470 may include a plurality of gears. As an example, when the driving motor rotates in one direction, the plurality of gears may transmit the rotational force in one direction to the placement part 1410. The placement part 1410 may rotate in one direction so that the placement part 1410 opens the placement part opening 1420 in a state where the placement part opening 1420 is closed by the received rotational force.

[0292] As an example, when the driving motor rotates in the reverse direction, the plurality of gears may transmit the rotational force in the reverse direction to the seating part 1410. The seating part 1410 may rotate in the reverse direction by the received rotational force so that the seating part 1410 closes the seating part opening 1420 while opening the seating part opening 1420.

[0293] The placement opening 1420 can be connected to the input port 1122 via the discharge guide 1430. A solid detergent located in the internal space 1401 of the placement portion can be discharged from the internal space 1401 of the placement portion through the placement opening 1420, and discharged from the placement opening 1420 to the outside of the automatic detergent input device 1000 through the input port 1122 and input into the barrel 12.

[0294] The seating portion 1400 may include a discharge guide 1430 formed between the seating portion opening 1420 and the input port 1122 and guiding the solid detergent to move from the seating portion opening 1420 to the input port 1122 .

[0295] One solid detergent discharged from the storage chamber 1200 may be temporarily placed in the placement portion 1400 , and in detail, the solid detergent may be located on a placement surface 1411 of a placement portion 1410 forming a lower surface of the placement portion internal space 1401 .

[0296] The inlet 1122 may be opened and closed by the inlet cover 1150 , and the solid detergent discharged along the discharge guide 1430 pressurizes the inlet cover 1150 and causes the inlet cover 1150 to open the inlet 1122 .

[0297] The solid detergent may pass through the inlet 1120 and move to the tub 12 while pressurizing the inlet cover 1150 .

[0298] When the seating section 1410 opens the seating section opening 1420 , the solid detergent placed on the seating section 1410 may move downward by gravity and be discharged to the outside of the seating section inner space 1401 through the seating section opening 1420 .

[0299] The automatic detergent feeding device 1000 may be configured so that a solid detergent discharged from the storage chamber 1200 is not immediately discharged to the outside of the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 when moving to the outside of the storage chamber 1200, but is discharged to the outside of the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 through the placement portion 1400.

[0300] The storage chamber 1200 may include a middle door 1250 configured to open and close the storage chamber discharge port 1210. The middle door 1250 may be configured to prevent the solid detergent from being discharged from the storage chamber 1200 by the ejector 1300 and to restrict the solid detergent loaded in the storage chamber 1200 from moving to the seating portion 1400 by external force.

[0301] The middle door 1250 may be provided to be biased in a direction of closing the storage chamber discharge port 1210. The middle door 1250 may include an elastic member 1251 and be biased toward the storage chamber discharge port 1210 by the elastic member 1251, so that the middle door 1250 closes the storage chamber discharge port 1210.

[0302] The solid detergents among the plurality of solid detergents loaded into the storage chamber 1200 that are pressurized by the ejector 1300 and moved to the storage chamber discharge outlet 1210 are configured to open the middle door 1250 while pressurizing the middle door 1250, and as the middle door 1250 is opened, the solid detergents can move to the placement portion 1400 through the storage chamber discharge outlet 1210.

[0303] Even if the solid detergent moves to the storage chamber discharge outlet 1210 side by external force rather than by the pressurization of the ejector 1300, the solid detergent may be blocked by the middle door 1250, so that the solid detergent cannot pass through the storage chamber discharge outlet 1210 and will not escape from the storage chamber 1200.

[0304] When the solid detergent moves by the pressurizing portion 1312 a and collides with the middle door 1250 , the ejector 1300 may pressurize the solid detergent so that the biased middle door 1250 may be opened by the pressurization of the solid detergent.

[0305] The force with which the middle door 1250 closes the storage chamber discharge port 1210 by the elastic member 1251 may be set to be smaller than the force with which the solid detergent pressurizes the door 1250 by the pressurization of the ejector 1300 .

[0306] The storage chamber discharge port 1210 may not be directly connected to the tub 12 , but a seating portion 1400 may be formed between the storage chamber discharge port 1210 and the tub 12 , so that the storage chamber discharge port 1210 may be disposed to be connected to the tub 12 through the seating portion 1400 .

[0307] When the storage chamber drain port 1210 is directly connected to the tub 12, water remaining in the tub 12 by the storage chamber drain port 1210 may flow into the storage chamber 1200 through the storage chamber drain port 1210, thereby a plurality of solid detergents loaded in the storage chamber 1200 may be damaged or deformed by water.

[0308] In order to prevent this, the storage chamber discharge port 1210 may be configured not to be directly connected to the tub 12 but to be indirectly connected to the tub 12 through the seating portion 1400 .

[0309] The placement part 1400 may be configured to open the placement part opening 1420 only when the solid detergent is put into the tub 12, so that the placement part internal space 1401 is connected to the tub 12. In the step where the solid detergent is not put into the tub 12, the placement part 1410 may close the placement part opening 1420 to minimize the situation where the residual water in the tub 12 flows into the placement part internal space 1401.

[0310] The seating portion 1400 may include a seating portion sensor 1440 to sense whether the solid detergent is seated in the seating portion 1400 .

[0311] As the storage chamber 1200 is provided to communicate with the seating portion 1400 , the solid detergent discharged from the storage chamber 1200 must sense whether the solid detergent is seated in the seating portion 1400 by the seating portion sensor 1440 .

[0312] The seating portion sensor 1440 may be configured as a position sensor. As an example, the seating portion sensor 1440 may include an optical sensor.

[0313] The seating portion sensor 1440 may sense whether the solid detergent is located in the seating portion 1400, and the control device 1900 (see Figure 5 ) can control the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 based on the value sensed by the placement part sensor 1440.

[0314] The control device 1900 can transmit information related to whether the solid detergent is loaded into the storage chamber 1200, whether the detergent is placed in the placement section 1400 after the pusher 1300 is driven when the solid detergent is loaded into the storage chamber 1200, and whether the solid detergent is discharged from the placement section 1400 after being placed in the placement section 1400, and control the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 on this basis.

[0315] The control device 1900 may be configured to communicate with a main control device of the dishwasher 1 , thereby causing the control unit to control the dishwasher 1 based on the received information.

[0316] As an example, the control device 1900 and the main control device are subordinate structures of the control unit, and the dishwasher 1 and the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 can be set to be controlled by the control unit. However, in the following description, for the control of the automatic detergent feeding device 1000, it is assumed that the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 is only controlled by the control device 1900.

[0317] As an example, when the placement sensor 1440 does not sense solid detergent after the ejector 1300 is driven, the control device 1900 can determine that the solid detergent is not loaded into the storage chamber 1200, so that the solid detergent is not discharged from the storage chamber 1200, or it can be determined that the solid detergent is not discharged from the storage chamber 1200 due to the malfunction of the ejector 1300 when the solid detergent is not loaded into the storage chamber 1200, and the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 can be controlled on this basis.

[0318] As an example, control device 1900 may control ejector 1300 in such a manner that ejector 1300 is driven again to move solid detergent to seating portion 1400. In addition, control device 1900 may communicate with the main control device, and the control portion may control dishwasher 1 based on the communication value to prevent the process of dishwasher 1 from proceeding.

[0319] As an example, after the control device 1900 controls the ejector 1300 in a manner of driving the ejector 1300 again, in a case where the seating portion sensor 1440 cannot continuously sense the solid detergent, the control device 1900 may communicate with the main control device, and the control portion may control the dishwasher 1 based on the communication value to prevent the process of the dishwasher 1 from proceeding. In addition, the control portion may control the display to notify the user that there is no solid detergent in the storage chamber 1200.

[0320] As an example, the display part may be implemented using a display located on the main body 10 of the dishwasher 1. As an example, the display part may be implemented in a separate device configured to communicate with the dishwasher 1.

[0321] As an example, after the solid detergent of the placement part sensor 1440 senses the placement part, if the solid detergent cannot be sensed after maintaining the sensing state, the control device 1900 can determine that the solid detergent has been discharged from the placement part 1400 and the solid detergent has been put into the barrel 12, and based on this, control the automatic detergent feeding device 1000. As an example, the control device 1900 can communicate with the main control device, and the control unit can control the dishwasher 1 based on the communication value to perform the washing process of the dishwasher 1.

[0322] As the placement part sensor 1440 senses the position of the solid detergent in the placement part 1400, the control device 1900 can be configured to recognize all of the above situations, thereby further minimizing the number of sensors that sense the position of the solid detergent. That is, the control device 1900 can determine whether the solid detergent is located in the storage chamber 1200 or the placement part internal space 1401 or the outside of the placement part 1400 only by arranging the placement part sensor 1440 in the placement part 1400 without further arranging a position sensor that senses the position of the solid detergent at the position of the storage chamber 1200 or the discharge guide 1430, etc. This will be described in detail later.

[0323] As described above, the storage chamber 1200 may be provided in plural. As an example, the storage chamber 1200 may be provided in two.

[0324] In the following, for the sake of convenience, Figure 8 As a reference, the storage chamber 1200 arranged on the left side in the second direction Y is defined as the first storage chamber 1200, and the storage chamber 1200' arranged on the right side in the second direction Y is defined as the second storage chamber 1200'. In addition, the structure of the first storage chamber 1200 is defined as the first structure, and the structure of the second storage chamber 1200' is defined as the second structure. As an example, the middle door 1250 of the first storage chamber 1200 is defined as the first middle door 1250, and the middle door 1250' of the second storage chamber 1200' is defined as the second middle door 1250'.

[0325] In addition, an ejector for discharging the solid detergent stored in the first storage chamber 1200 is defined as a first ejector 1300, and an ejector for discharging the solid detergent stored in the second storage chamber 1200' is defined as a second ejector 1300'. In addition, a clamp 1500 disposed inside the first storage chamber 1200 is defined as a first clamp 1500, and a clamp 1500 disposed in the second storage chamber 1200' is defined as a second clamp 1500'.

[0326] The first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200' may be arranged to be spaced apart along the second direction Y. When the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 is arranged at the first position 1000A, the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200' respectively include long sides extending toward the third direction Z, so only by being spaced apart along the second direction Y can the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200' be effectively arranged inside the automatic detergent feeding device 1000.

[0327] When the user loads solid detergent into the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 , a larger amount of solid detergent may be loaded at one time through the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200 ′.

[0328] The seating portion 1400 may be disposed between the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200 ′ in the second direction Y. As described above, the first storage chamber 1200 may be disposed in communication with the seating portion 1400 , and the second storage chamber 1200 ′ may also be disposed in communication with the seating portion 1400 .

[0329] Thus, the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200 ′ may communicate with the tub 12 through one seating portion 1400 disposed in the second direction Y between the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200 ′.

[0330] The purpose is to minimize the expansion of the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 along the second direction Y as the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200' share the placement portion 1400. That is, when a plurality of placement portions 1400 are provided to correspond to the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200', the volume of the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 may increase in the second direction Y due to the plurality of placement portions. As described above, for the automatic detergent feeding device 1000, by providing a single placement portion 1400 in communication with both the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200', the length of the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 in the second direction Y can be minimized.

[0331] by Figure 8 As a reference, in the second direction Y, the first storage chamber 1200 is arranged on the left side of the seating portion 1400 and the second storage chamber 1200 ′ is arranged on the right side of the seating portion 1400 .

[0332] As described above, the first cam member 1310 rotates in a clockwise direction while causing the solid detergent placed on the first lower surface 1220 of the first storage chamber 1200 to move toward the right side of the first storage chamber 1200, and as the first storage chamber discharge outlet 1210 is arranged at the lower portion of the first right side surface 1230 of the first storage chamber 1200, the solid detergent can move to the placement portion 1400 arranged on the right side of the first storage chamber 1200.

[0333] The first cam member 1310 may be configured to be linked with the first driving motor 1320 and the first transmission member 1330 and rotate in a clockwise direction.

[0334] On the contrary, the second cam member 1310' may rotate in the counterclockwise direction. Unlike the first ejector 1300, the second ejector 1300' may be configured to move the solid detergent loaded into the second storage chamber 1200' to the left.

[0335] The second cam member 1310 ′ may be configured to be linked with the second driving motor 1320 ′ and the second transmission member 1330 ′ and rotate in a counterclockwise direction.

[0336] The second cam member 1310' can move the solid detergent placed on the second lower surface 1220' of the second storage chamber 1200' toward the left side of the second storage chamber 1200' while rotating in the counterclockwise direction. As the second storage chamber discharge outlet 1210' is arranged at the lower part of the second left side surface 1240' of the second storage chamber 1200', the solid detergent can move to the placement portion 1400 arranged on the left side of the second storage chamber 1200'.

[0337] The second storage chamber 1200' may include a second through portion 1221' formed at a second lower surface 1220' of the second storage chamber 1200' and configured to allow the second pressurizing portion 1312a' to move from the outside of the second storage chamber 1200' to the inside of the second storage chamber 1200'.

[0338] The second through hole 1221 ′ may be provided to extend not only to the second lower surface 1220 ′ of the second storage chamber 1200 ′ but also to lower portions of the second right and left side surfaces 1230 ′ and 1240 ′ of the second storage chamber 1200 ′.

[0339] The second pressurizing portion 1312a' can rotate with the rotation of the second cam component 1310', and move toward the interior of the second storage chamber 1200' through the lower part of the second right side surface 1230' and the second through portion 1221' of the second lower surface 1220', and can move to the outside of the second storage chamber 1200' through the lower part of the second left side surface 1240' and the second through portion 1221' of the second lower surface 1220' as the second cam component 1310' rotates.

[0340] The second pressurizing portion 1312a' may be configured to rotate while pressurizing the solid detergent seated on the second lower surface 1220' to move the solid detergent to the left side.

[0341] The first rotation axis 1313 of the first cam member 1310 may be disposed between the first left side surface 1240 and the first right side surface 1230 of the first storage chamber 1200 in the second direction Y. As an example, the first rotation axis 1313 of the first cam member 1310 may be disposed at the center of the left side surface 1240 and the right side surface 1230 of the first storage chamber 1200 in the second direction Y.

[0342] The second rotation axis 1313' of the second cam member 1310' may be disposed between the second left side surface 1240' and the second right side surface 1230' of the second storage chamber 1200' in the second direction Y. As an example, the second rotation axis 1313' of the second cam member 1310' may be disposed in the second direction Y at the center of the second left side surface 1240' and the second right side surface 1230' of the second storage chamber 1200'.

[0343] The reason why the first rotating shaft 1313 and the second rotating shaft 1313' of the first cam component 1310 and the second cam component 1310' are respectively arranged at the center of the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200' in the second direction Y as described above is that when the first pressurizing part 1312a and the second pressurizing part 1312a' of the first cam component 1310 and the second cam component 1310' rotate, they can stably support and pressurize the solid detergent.

[0344] When the first rotating shaft 1313 and the second rotating shaft 1313' of the first cam component 1310 and the second cam component 1310' are respectively arranged outside the center of the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200' in the second direction Y, in the interval where the first cam component 1310 and the second cam component 1310' rotate to make the first pressurizing portion 1312a and the second pressurizing portion 1312a' penetrate the first through portion 1221 and the second through portion 1221', the first pressurizing portion 1312a and the second pressurizing portion 1312a' may penetrate the first through portion 1221 and the second through portion 1221' by a length less than a predetermined length, thereby making it difficult to stably support the solid detergent.

[0345] In the area where the first pressurizing part 1312a and the second pressurizing part 1312a' enter or leave the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200' through the first through part 1221 and the second through part 1221', the first pressurizing part 1312a and the second pressurizing part 1312a' will penetrate the first through part 1221 and the second through part 1221' by a length less than a predetermined length, thereby failing to stably pressurize the solid detergent loaded in the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200'.

[0346] In order to prevent this situation, the first rotating axis 1313 and the second rotating axis 1313' of the first cam component 1310 and the second cam component 1310' can be set to be arranged in the center of the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200' in the second direction Y, respectively, so that the first pressurizing part 1312a and the second pressurizing part 1312a' enter or leave the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200' through the first through part 1221 and the second through part 1221', so that the first pressurizing part 1312a and the second pressurizing part 1312a' are penetrated and rotated with a length greater than a predetermined length.

[0347] In addition, when the first rotating shaft 1313 and the second rotating shaft 1313' of the first cam component 1310 and the second cam component 1310' are not arranged at the center of the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200' respectively in the second direction Y, since the volume of the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 in the second direction Y increases, it is preferred that the first rotating shaft 1313 and the second rotating shaft 1313' of the first cam component 1310 and the second cam component 1310' are arranged at the center of the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200' respectively in the second direction Y.

[0348] The first ejector 1300 and the second ejector 1300 ′ may be configured to be driven in mirror-symmetrical directions around the seating portion 1400 in the second direction Y. The first cam member 1310 and the second cam member 1310 ′ may be configured to rotate in opposite directions to each other so as to be mirror-symmetrical around the seating portion 1400 .

[0349] The first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200' are arranged on both sides along the second direction Y with the placement portion 1400 as the center. Since all solid detergents discharged from the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200' must be moved to the placement portion 1400, the first ejector 1300 and the second ejector 1300' can be driven to be mirror-symmetrical in the second direction Y with the placement portion 1400 as the center.

[0350] A width L1 (or may be referred to as a lateral length) of the first storage chamber 1200 and a width L1 of the second storage chamber 1200 ′ in the second direction Y may be set to be substantially the same.

[0351] The width L1 of the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200' and the width L3 of the placement portion 1400 in the second direction Y may be set to substantially corresponding lengths. The reason is that when the width L3 of the placement portion 1400 in the second direction Y is formed to be much smaller than the width L1 of the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200', the solid detergent may not be placed on the placement portion 1410 when discharged from the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200' to the placement portion 1400, but may be located in the placement portion internal space 1401 in a stuck state.

[0352] On the contrary, when the width L3 of the accommodation portion 1400 in the second direction Y is formed to be much larger than the width L1 of the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200', since the volume of the accommodation portion 1400 in the second direction Y is increased to a level beyond the required level, there may be a problem in which the volume of the automatic detergent dispensing device 1000 in the second direction Y is increased to a level beyond the required level.

[0353] Therefore, as described above, preferably, the width L3 of the seating portion 1400 is formed with a length corresponding to the width L1 of the first and second storage chambers 1200 and 1200 ′ in the second direction Y having the cross-sectional area S in consideration of the size of the solid detergent.

[0354] Hereinafter, the driving of automatic detergent dispenser 1000 will be described in detail.

[0355] Figure 8 is a diagram showing a state where a part of the structure of an automatic detergent feeding device of a dishwasher according to an embodiment is removed, Fig. 9 It is shown that the loading Figure 8 A diagram of a state in which the solid detergent in the first storage chamber is discharged from the first storage chamber, Fig.10 It shows that Fig. 9 A diagram showing a state in which the solid detergent is placed in the placement portion, Fig.11 It shows that Fig.10 A diagram showing a state in which solid detergent is discharged from an automatic detergent feeding device. Fig.12 It is shown that the loading Figure 8 A diagram showing a state in which the solid detergent in the second storage chamber is discharged from the second storage chamber.

[0356] like Figure 8 and Fig. 9As shown, the control device 1900 may control the first ejector 1300 or the second ejector 1300 ′ so that one of the plurality of solid detergents stacked in any one of the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200 ′ moves to the seating portion 1400 .

[0357] As an example, the control device 1900 can control the first ejector 1300 in a manner of driving the first ejector 1300. The control device 1900 can control the first ejector 1300 in a manner of driving the first ejector 1300 again, or control the second ejector 1300' in a manner of driving the second ejector 1300', based on the sensed value of the seating portion sensor 1440, which will be described in detail later.

[0358] The control device 1900 may control the first ejector 1300 by driving the first driving motor 1320 to rotate the first cam member 1310 in the clockwise direction.

[0359] The control device 1900 may control the second ejector 1300 ′ by driving the second driving motor 1320 ′ to rotate the second cam member 1310 ′ in the clockwise direction.

[0360] The control device 1900 may control the position of the first cam member 1310 so that the first cam region 1310A1 of the first cam member 1310 is disposed at the upper end along the third direction Z before the first pressurizing portion 1312 a moves to the inside of the storage chamber 1200 by the rotation of the first cam member 1310 .

[0361] When the first cam region 1310A1 of the first cam member 1310 is arranged at the upper end of the first cam member 1310 along the third direction Z, the first cam region 1310A1 may be arranged at the lower side of the first supporting surface 1222 of the first storage chamber 1200 along the third direction Z as described above. Thus, the bottommost solid detergent in the third direction Z among the plurality of solid detergents loaded into the first storage chamber 1200 may be stably placed on the first supporting surface 1222, so that the first pressurizing portion 1312a may stably move the solid detergent along the second direction Y by the rotation of the first cam member 1310.

[0362] The reason is that, as an example, when a portion of the first cam component 1310 protrudes higher than the first support surface 1222 along the third direction Z through the first through portion 1221, the solid detergent located at the bottom of the plurality of solid detergents loaded in the first storage chamber 1200 in the third direction Z may not be arranged horizontally along the third direction Z. As a result, when the solid detergent moves along the second direction Y, it does not move along the second direction Y due to the center of gravity, but moves in other directions by rotating, etc., and thus the solid detergent cannot move toward the first storage chamber discharge port 1210 and cannot be discharged to the outside of the first storage chamber 1200.

[0363] Thus, the control device 1900 can control the position of the first cam member 1310 so that when the dishwasher 1 is not driven to perform a washing process, the first cam region 1310A1 of the first cam member 1310 is arranged at the upper end along the third direction Z. Then, when the dishwasher 1 is driven to perform a washing process, it can communicate with the main control device, and based on the communication value, the control device 1900 can control the first ejector 1300 so that the first cover 1310 rotates in the clockwise direction.

[0364] The first pressurizing portion 1312a is linked and moved into the first storage chamber 1200 by the rotation of the first cam member 1310, so that the lowest solid detergent in the third direction Z can be moved to the right with reference to the second direction Y by the first pressurizing portion 1312a.

[0365] The solid detergent may be pressurized by the first pressurizing part 1312a and moved toward the first storage chamber discharge outlet 1210 , and may be discharged to the outside of the first storage chamber 1200 through the first storage chamber discharge outlet 1210 while opening the first middle door 1250 closing the first storage chamber discharge outlet 1210 .

[0366] Then, if Fig.10 As shown, the solid detergent may be arranged on the placement portion 1400 , and more specifically, may be arranged on the placement portion 1410 .

[0367] The seating sensor 1440 may sense the position of the solid detergent to determine whether the solid detergent is located on the seating inner space 1401. Specifically, the seating sensor 1440 may be arranged on the seating section 1410 along the third direction Z and sense whether the solid detergent is located on the seating section 1410.

[0368] The control device 1900 can receive the information of the location of the solid detergent on the placement part 1410 through the placement part sensor 1440 and communicate with the main control device, and the control part can control the dishwasher 1 based on the communicated value so that the dishwasher 1 performs the washing process.

[0369] As an example, the washing process of the dishwasher 1 may be divided into a pre-wash step, a main wash step, a rinsing step, and a drying step. The control unit may control the dishwasher 1 based on the communicated value so that the dishwasher 1 performs the pre-wash step.

[0370] As an example, when the placement sensor 1440 does not sense solid detergent after the control device 1900 drives the first ejector 1300 once, the control device 1900 may send information that the solid detergent is not sensed to the main control device, and the control unit may control the dishwasher 1 based on the communicated value so that the dishwasher 1 does not perform the pre-washing step of the washing process. This is because in some cases, the user may open the door 20 to load the solid detergent into the automatic detergent injection device 1000. Therefore, when the solid detergent is not placed in the placement unit 1400, the control unit may control the dishwasher 1 not to start the washing process.

[0371] As an example, Fig.10 Differently, the control device 1900 may be configured to drive the first ejector 1300 once more when the placement unit sensor 1440 does not sense the solid detergent after the first ejector 1300 is driven once. As described above, the control unit may control the dishwasher 1 so that the dishwasher 1 does not perform the washing process.

[0372] The purpose is that when the lowest solid detergent located in the third direction Z among the multiple solid detergents loaded into the first storage chamber 1200 is not stably placed on the first support surface 1222, and thus does not move along the second direction Y through the first pressurizing portion 1312a but moves in other directions, and cannot move to the first storage chamber discharge outlet 1210, the first ejector 1300 is driven again to move the solid detergent along the second direction Y through the first pressurizing portion 1312a again, so as to discharge it to the outside of the first storage chamber 1200.

[0373] Then, the control device 1900 can receive the information of the location of the solid detergent on the placement part 1410 through the placement part sensor 1440 and communicate with the main control device, and the control part can control the dishwasher 1 based on the communicated value so that the dishwasher 1 performs the washing process.

[0374] like Fig.11 As shown, the control device 1900 can open the placement part 1410, so that when the dishwasher 1 is driven by the control part to perform the main wash step during the washing process, the solid detergent can be discharged from the internal space 1401 of the placement part and put into the barrel 12 through the discharge guide 1430.

[0375] The placement section 1410 opens the placement section opening 1420 , and the solid detergent may move to the discharge guide 1430 through the placement section opening 1420 and be discharged from the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 through the feeding port 1122 along the discharge guide 1430 .

[0376] As an example, the seating section 1410 may open the seating section opening 1420 while rotating downward, and the solid detergent disposed on the seating section 1410 may move to the discharge guide 1430 through the seating section opening 1420 while moving downward with the rotation of the seating section 1410 .

[0377] The control device 1900 may rotate the placement section 1410 to open the placement section opening 1420 , and after a predetermined time, the placement section 1410 may rotate in the opposite direction to close the placement section opening 1420 again.

[0378] This is because when the seating part opening 1420 is opened for a predetermined time, water may be introduced from the tub 12 and may flow into the storage chamber 1200 through the seating part 1400. To prevent this, the control device 1900 may control the opening and closing of the seating part 1410.

[0379] The control device 1900 may control the placement section driving unit 1470 to open and close the placement section 1410. The placement section driving unit 1470 may transmit a rotational force to the placement section 1410 in one direction or in the opposite direction under the control of the control device 1900, thereby driving the placement section 1410 to open and close the placement section opening 1420.

[0380] After the control device 1900 controls the placement section 1410 by opening and closing the placement section 1410, when information is received from the placement section sensor 1440 that the solid detergent is not located in the placement section 1400, it can communicate with the main control device, and the control section can control the dishwasher 1 based on the communicated value so that the dishwasher 1 performs the main wash step in the washing process.

[0381] This is to prevent the dishwasher 1 from performing the main wash step without being separated from the internal space 1401 of the placement section 1410 due to the solid detergent adhering to the placement section 1410 or the like even if the placement section 1410 opens and closes the placement section opening 1420 .

[0382] After the control device 1900 controls the placement section 1410 in a manner of opening and closing the placement section 1410, information that the solid detergent is not located in the placement section 1400 can be received from the placement section sensor 1440, and the position of the first cam member 1310 can be controlled so that the first cam area 1310A1 of the first cam member 1310 is arranged at the upper end in the third direction Z.

[0383] Thus, the solid detergent originally located at the bottom in the third direction Z among the multiple solid detergents can be discharged to the outside of the first storage chamber 1200, and at the same time, the multiple solid detergents loaded in the first storage chamber 1200 can move downward, so that the solid detergent originally located directly above the discharged solid detergent can be stably arranged on the support surface 1222.

[0384] The control device 1900 can control the automatic detergent injection device 1000 by repeating the above process, so that the solid detergent is automatically injected into the tub 12 when the dishwasher 1 is driven to perform the washing process.

[0385] When the control device 1900 receives information that the solid detergent is not sensed by the seating portion sensor 1440 after driving the first ejector 1300, as described above, the control device 1900 may further drive the first ejector 1300 once more and then receive information from the seating portion sensor 1440 about whether the solid detergent is sensed.

[0386] At this time, the control device 1900 may be configured to drive the second ejector 1300 ′ on the basis of receiving information that no solid detergent is sensed from the seating portion sensor 1440 after the control device 1900 drives the first ejector 1300 once more.

[0387] This is because when the seating sensor 1440 still cannot sense the solid detergent after the control device 1900 controls the first ejector 1300 to drive the first ejector 1300 twice, the plurality of solid detergents loaded in the first storage chamber 1200 may have all been discharged from the first storage chamber 1200.

[0388] Thus, the control device 1900 can control the second ejector 1300' in a manner of driving the second ejector 1300'. Since the features of the control device 1900 driving the second ejector 1300' are the same as the features of the control device 1900 driving the first ejector 1300, repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0389] In addition, if Fig.10 and Fig.11As shown, after the pressurizing portion 1312a pressurizes the solid detergent arranged at the bottom among the multiple solid detergents by rotating the cam part 1310, while the pressurizing portion 1312a is detached from the outside of the storage chamber 1200, the multiple solid detergents can move downward in parallel with the third direction Z as a reference in a stacked state.

[0390] The cam member 1310 may be configured to guide the plurality of solid detergents stacked and loaded inside the storage chamber 1200 to move parallel to the third direction Z. More specifically, the cam member 1310 may be configured to guide the plurality of solid detergents disposed at the edge of the cam member 1310 to gradually descend inside the storage chamber as the cam member 1310 rotates.

[0391] Above, refer to Figures 1 to 12 , the structure and operation of the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 of the dishwasher 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are described. However, the concept of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the above description is only an example of a dishwasher and an automatic detergent feeding device thereof according to the concept of the present disclosure.

[0392] For example, when the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 is located at the first position 1000A, a plurality of solid detergents may be stacked and loaded inside the storage chamber 1200 in a direction different from the third direction Z (ie, a direction different from the up and down direction of the dishwasher 1 ).

[0393] As an example, when the automatic detergent injection device 1000 is located at the first position 1000A, the automatic detergent injection device 1000 may include: a storage chamber having a long side extending along the second direction Y as the left-right direction of the dishwasher 1, and a plurality of solid detergents may be arranged to be stacked and loaded along the second direction Y inside the storage chamber. The automatic detergent injection device 1000 may include: a holder so that the plurality of solid detergents stacked along the second direction Y inside the storage chamber move along the second direction Y, for example, the holder may include an elastic member so that the plurality of solid detergents move along the second direction Y toward the cam member of the ejector. The cam member may pressurize one of the plurality of solid detergents to move it to the outside of the storage chamber, for example, it may be discharged in a direction orthogonal to the second direction Y and moved to the bottom of the storage chamber. A solid detergent discharged to the outside of the storage chamber may be injected into the barrel 12 through a placement portion or the like.

[0394] Or, as an example, Figures 1 to 12As shown, when the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 is located at the first position 1000A, the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 may include: storage chambers 1200, 1200', configured to stack and load a plurality of solid detergents along the third direction Z. Figures 1 to 12 Different from the situation shown in , the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 can be configured so that multiple solid detergents move upward and are discharged inside the storage chamber 1200, 1200'. The automatic detergent feeding device 1000 may include a clamping member arranged inside the storage chamber 1200, 1200' and moving multiple solid detergents upward. For example, the clamping member may include an elastic member so that multiple solid detergents can move upward. A cam of an ejector may be arranged on the upper side of the storage chamber 1200, 1200', and the cam of the ejector can be used to move the solid detergent arranged at the top of the multiple solid detergents to the outside of the storage chamber 1200. A solid detergent moved to the outside of the storage chamber 1200 can be put into the barrel 12 through a placement portion, etc.

[0395] In addition, it is described that when the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 is located in the first position 1000A, a plurality of solid detergents are stacked and loaded into the storage chamber 1200, 1200' along the third direction Z as the up and down direction. The term "third direction" refers to the direction in which the plurality of solid detergents are stacked and loaded inside the storage chamber 1200, 1200'. It is only a term used to define the stacking direction of the plurality of solid detergents, and the interpretation of the stacking direction of the plurality of solid detergents is not limited by the expression "third" and the like. For example, as needed, the stacking direction of the plurality of solid detergents can be referred to as the "first direction". In this case, the term "first direction" refers to the Z direction shown in the figure according to the embodiment of the present disclosure (provided that the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 is located in the first position 1000A). The cross-sectional area of ​​the storage chamber 1200 according to an example will be described in detail below.

[0396] Fig.13 The figure shows a state where a part of the structure of the automatic detergent feeding device of the dishwasher according to one embodiment is removed.

[0397] As an example, Fig.13 As shown, a lateral length L1 of the first storage chamber 1200 and a lateral length L5 of the second storage chamber 1200 ′ may be formed to be different from each other.

[0398] As an example, the lateral length L1 of the first storage chamber 1200 may be set to have a predetermined length so that the above-mentioned solid detergent D can be stored in the storage chamber 1200. The lateral length L5 of the second storage chamber 1200' may be set to be smaller than the lateral length L1 of the first storage chamber 1200.

[0399] As an example, the lateral length L5 of the second storage chamber 1200 ′ may be set to be greater than the lateral length L1 of the first storage chamber 1200 .

[0400] The width L4 of the seating portion 1400 in the second direction Y may be set to a length substantially similar to the width L1 of the first storage chamber 1200. The reason for this is that when the width L4 of the seating portion 1400 is formed to be much smaller than the width L5 of the second storage chamber 1200', the solid detergent may be in a state of being unable to be seated on the seating portion 1410 and being stuck in the seating portion internal space 1401 when being discharged from the first storage chamber 1200 to the seating portion 1400.

[0401] On the contrary, when the width L4 of the accommodation portion 1400 in the second direction Y is formed to be much larger than the width L1 of the first storage chamber 1200 or the width L5 of the second storage chamber 1200', since the volume of the accommodation portion 1400 in the second direction Y is increased beyond the required extent, a problem may arise in which the volume of the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 in the second direction Y is increased beyond the required extent.

[0402] Therefore, as described above, it is preferred that the width L4 of the seating portion 1400 is formed with a length similar to the width L1 of the first storage chamber 1200 in the second direction Y having the cross-sectional area S in consideration of the size of the solid detergent.

[0403] If the above-mentioned solid detergent D is defined as a conventional solid detergent D having an appropriate volume for washing in consideration of the capacity of the barrel 12 of the general dishwasher 1 and having a predetermined transverse length d1 according to the appropriate volume, the volume of the small solid detergent D' stored in the second storage chamber 1200' is smaller than that of the conventional solid detergent D, and thus can be defined as a small solid detergent D' having a transverse length d1' shorter than the transverse length d1 of the solid detergent D. Alternatively, the small solid detergent D' can be a solid detergent D' in a state where the conventional solid detergent D is partially cut in the direction of the transverse length d1.

[0404] In the case where the user wants to wash only a small amount of dishes, generally, the dishes can be washed using a smaller amount than the conventional solid detergent D formed in consideration of the capacity of the tub 12 .

[0405] Relatively independently of the conventional solid detergent D stored in the first storage chamber 1200, the second storage chamber 1200' is equipped to store small solid detergent D' of a different volume from the solid detergent D. The user can selectively wash with the conventional solid detergent D or with the small solid detergent D' as needed.

[0406] The user may input information about the washing mode of the dishwasher 1 through an input portion of the dishwasher 1 or a mobile device, etc., so that the dishwasher 1 selectively performs one of the normal washing mode and the small amount washing mode.

[0407] The control device 1900 may control the automatic detergent injection device 1000 to drive the first ejector 1300 or the second ejector 1300 ′ based on the user input acquired from the main control device.

[0408] When the user selects the normal washing mode, the control device 1900 may control the automatic detergent injection device 1000 to drive the first ejector 1300 .

[0409] When the user selects the small amount washing mode, the control device 1900 may control the automatic detergent injection device 1000 to drive the second ejector 1300 ′.

[0410] The adjusting member 1205 for adjusting the cross-sectional area of ​​the storage chamber 1200 according to an example will be described in detail below.

[0411] Fig.14 is a diagram showing a state where a part of the structure of an automatic detergent feeding device of a dishwasher according to an embodiment is removed, Fig.15 It is shown Fig.14 FIG. 1205 is a diagram showing a state in which the regulating component of the second storage chamber is moved.

[0412] As an example, Fig.14 and Fig.15 As shown, the storage chamber 1200 may include an adjusting component 1270 configured to adjust the width of the interior of the storage chamber 1200 .

[0413] When the above-mentioned solid detergent D is defined as a conventional solid detergent D having an appropriate volume for washing and a predetermined lateral length d1 according to the appropriate volume in consideration of the capacity of the barrel 12 of an ordinary dishwasher 1, for a portion of the solid detergent D", the capacity can be formed to be smaller than the conventional solid detergent D, so that the width d1" of the solid detergent D" is formed to be smaller than the width d1 of the conventional solid detergent D.

[0414] As an example, when a portion of solid detergent D" is stacked in a storage chamber 1200 having a width formed corresponding to the width d1 of a conventional solid detergent D, inside the storage chamber 1200, due to the gap between the right side surface 1230 or the left side surface 1240 of the storage chamber 1200 and a portion of the solid detergent D", the solid detergent D" moves in the second direction Y, thereby causing a portion of the solid detergent D" to detach from the stacked state of the solid detergent D". When the ejector 1300 is driven in a state in which a portion of the solid detergent D" is detached, a plurality of solid detergents D" cannot move in the third direction Z along the ejector 1300, thereby causing a portion of the solid detergent D" to be stuck in the storage chamber 1200, and thus a problem of being unable to be discharged to the outside of the storage chamber 1200 may occur.

[0415] As an example, the storage chamber 1200 may include an adjustment member 1270 capable of adjusting the width of the storage chamber 1200 in the second direction Y, and the adjustment member 1270 may move along the second direction Y to adjust the width of the storage chamber 1200 .

[0416] Even if the width d1” of a portion of the solid detergent D” is formed to be smaller than the width d1 of the conventional solid detergent D, the adjusting part 1270 can adjust the width L6 of the storage chamber 1200 in a manner corresponding to the width d1” of the portion of the solid detergent D”, so that the solid detergent D” can remain in a stacked state inside the storage chamber 1200.

[0417] The adjusting component 1270 may include: a supporting wall 1271 supporting a plurality of solid detergents; a moving portion 1272 connected to the supporting wall 1271 along the second direction Y so that the supporting wall 1271 moves along the second direction Y and is configured to move the position of the supporting wall 1271 along the second direction Y.

[0418] The adjustment member 1270 may be disposed on the right side surface 1230 or the left side surface 1240 of the storage chamber 1200 .

[0419] The width L1 of the storage chamber 1200 when the support wall 1271 is disposed closest to the right side surface 1230 or the left side surface 1240 may be set to a length substantially corresponding to the width d1 of the general solid detergent D.

[0420] The user can adjust the width of the storage chamber 1200 by pressurizing the support wall 1271 in the second direction Y. As an example, at a position where the support wall 1271 is adjacent to the right side surface 1230 or the left side surface 1240, the support wall 1271 can be moved in the second direction Y in such a manner that the length of the width d1" of a portion of the solid detergent D" corresponds to the width L6 of the storage chamber 1200.

[0421] As an example, the moving portion 1272 may be configured to extend or contract in the second direction Y, so that the supporting wall 1271 may move along the second direction Y inside the storage chamber 1200 .

[0422] As an example, the moving portion 1272 may be configured to be movable in the second direction Y between the outside and the inside of the storage chamber 1200 , so that the support wall 1271 may be configured to move in the second direction Y inside the storage chamber 1200 .

[0423] As an example, the user can open the storage chamber 1200 by opening the storage chamber cover 1140, and can move the adjustment member 1270 in the second direction Y to provide the width of the storage chamber 1200 required by the user. The user can selectively adjust the width of the storage chamber 1200 by holding the support wall 1271 and moving the support wall 1271 in the second direction Y to form the width of the storage chamber 1200 required by the user. As the user pressurizes the support wall 1271, the moving part 1272 can extend or contract in the second direction Y.

[0424] As an example, the adjustment member 1270 may be driven by the adjustment member driving device under the control of the control device 1900. The user may input information about the width of the storage chamber 1200 into the dishwasher 1 through the input unit of the dishwasher 1 or a mobile device, and the control device 1900 may control the adjustment member 1270 in a manner of moving the moving portion 1272 or extending or contracting the moving portion 1272 based on the user input obtained from the main control device, so that the adjustment member 1270 moves a predetermined distance along the second direction Y.

[0425] The clamp 1500 may be configured to move between the support wall 1271 and a surface 1230 , 1240 of the right side surface 1230 or the left side surface 1240 where the adjustment member 1270 is not arranged.

[0426] As an example, a guide rail 1290 for guiding the movement of the clamp 1500 may be arranged on the support wall 1271. The clamp 1500 may be configured to be guided by the guide rail 1290 arranged on the support wall 1271 and the guide rail 1290 arranged on the surface 1230, 1240 of the right side surface 1230 or the left side surface 1240 where the adjustment member 1270 is not arranged, and to translate along the third direction Z.

[0427] The clamping member 1500 may be configured to have a shape that contracts in the second direction Y when the support wall 1271 moves in a direction away from the right side surface 1230 or the left side surface 1240 .

[0428] The clamp 1500 may be configured to be shrunk or elongated in the second direction Y. As an example, the clamp 1500 may be configured to be in a telescope shape so that it can be folded and shrunk when the support wall 1271 moves toward the center direction of the storage chamber 1200, and can be unfolded and elongated when the support wall 1271 moves in a direction opposite to the center direction of the storage chamber 1200.

[0429] The regulating member 1270 may include a first regulating member 1270 disposed inside the first storage chamber 1200 and a second regulating member 1270 ′ disposed inside the second storage chamber 1200 ′.

[0430] As an example, the user may adjust the widths of the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200 ′ by moving each of the first adjustment member 1270 and the second adjustment member 1270 ′.

[0431] As an example, the user may maintain the width L1 of the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200 ′ by not moving both the first adjustment member 1270 and the second adjustment member 1270 ′.

[0432] As an example, the user may adjust the widths of the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200 ′ by moving only any one of the first adjustment member 1270 and the second adjustment member 1270 ′.

[0433] As an example, the first regulating member 1270 may be disposed on the left side surface 1240 of the first storage chamber 1200. The second regulating member 1270' may be disposed on the right side surface 1230' of the second storage chamber 1200'.

[0434] As an example, the second regulating member 1270 ′ may be disposed on the left side surface 1240 ′ of the second storage chamber 1200 ′. The first regulating member 1270 may be disposed on the right side surface 1230 of the first storage chamber 1200 .

[0435] As an example, the first regulating member 1270 and the second regulating member 1270 ′ may be disposed on the left side surface 1240 of the first storage chamber 1200 and the left side surface 1240 ′ of the second storage chamber 1200 ′, respectively.

[0436] As an example, the first regulating member 1270 and the second regulating member 1270 ′ may be disposed on the right side surface 1230 of the first storage chamber 1200 and the right side surface 1230 ′ of the second storage chamber 1200 ′, respectively.

[0437] As an example, the regulating member 1270 may be provided only in any one storage chamber 1200 or 1200 ′ of the first storage chamber 1200 or the second storage chamber 1200 ′.

[0438] As an example, Fig.15 As shown, the adjusting component 1270 of the first storage chamber 1200 can be arranged adjacent to the left surface 1240 so that the width L1 of the first storage chamber 1200 corresponds to the width d1 of the conventional solid detergent D, and the adjusting component 1270' of the second storage chamber 1200' can be arranged to move from the right side surface 1230' along the second direction Y so that the width L6 of the second storage chamber 1200' corresponds to the width d1" of a portion of the solid detergent D".

[0439] At this time, the user may load regular solid detergent D into the first storage chamber 1200, and may load a portion of solid detergent D" into the second storage chamber 1200'.

[0440] The storage chamber 1200 may include an adjusting component sensing sensor that senses the position of each of the supporting walls 1271, 1271'. The adjusting component sensing sensor may sense the positions at which the supporting wall 1271 inside the first storage chamber 1200 and the supporting wall 1271' of the second storage chamber 1200' are arranged, and based on the sensed values, the control device 1900 may be configured to identify the types of solid detergents loaded into the first storage chamber 1200 and the solid detergents loaded into the second storage chamber 1200'.

[0441] As an example, the adjustment component sensing sensor can measure the distance of each position of the support walls 1271, 1271', or can sense the distance of each position of the support walls 1271, 1271' by sensing the length of movement, extension or contraction of each of the moving parts 1272, 1272'.

[0442] The user may input information about the washing mode of the dishwasher 1 through an input portion of the dishwasher 1 or a mobile device, etc., so that the dishwasher 1 selectively performs one of the normal washing mode and the small amount washing mode.

[0443] The control device 1900 may control the automatic detergent injection device 1000 to drive the first ejector 1300 or the second ejector 1300 ′ based on the user input acquired from the main control device and the value sensed by the adjustment part sensing sensor.

[0444] As an example, when the user selects the normal washing mode, the control device 1900 may control the automatic detergent injection device 1000 to drive the first ejector 1300. When the user selects the small amount washing mode, the control device 1900 may control the automatic detergent injection device 1000 to drive the second ejector 1300'.

[0445] The following is a detailed description of the automatic detergent injection control process of the dishwasher.

[0446] Fig.16 is a diagram illustrating a control block diagram of a dishwasher according to an embodiment.

[0447] As described above, the dishwasher 1 may include a body 10 , a tub 12 disposed inside the body 10 , a door 20 opening and closing the tub 12 , and an automatic detergent injection device 1000 configured to inject solid detergent toward the inside of the tub 12 .

[0448] In addition, the dishwasher 1 may further include: an input device 80 disposed outside the main body 10 to receive input from a user; and a control unit 1600 to control the dishwasher 1 according to the input received by the input device 80 .

[0449] The input device 80 may be integrated with a display 81 described later to realize a touch screen, or may be provided in the form of a button, a touch pad, or a jog shuttle. The input device 80 may receive inputs of various operations related to dishwashing from a user.

[0450] The control unit 1600 may include: at least one memory 1602 storing a program for performing the operations described below; and at least one processor 1601 executing the stored program.

[0451] In addition, the dishwasher 1 may further include a storage chamber sensor 1270 disposed in the storage chamber 1200 to sense the interior of the storage chamber 1200. However, since the embodiment of the dishwasher 1 does not necessarily include the storage chamber sensor 1270, the dishwasher 1 may not include the storage chamber sensor 1270 according to an implementation example.

[0452] The memory 1602 may store a program or the like for controlling various components of the dishwasher 1 including the ejector 1300 .

[0453] The memory 1602 may include a volatile memory such as a static random access memory (S-RAM) and a dynamic random access memory (D-RAM) for temporarily storing data. In addition, the memory 1602 may include a non-volatile memory such as a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), and an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) for long-term data storage.

[0454] The processor 1601 may include various logic circuits and operation circuits, and processes data according to a program provided from the memory 1602 , and generates a control signal according to the processing result.

[0455] If a selection of a washing course is input through the input device 80 , the at least one processor 1601 may control the ejector 1300 so that a solid detergent is discharged from the storage chamber 1200 .

[0456] Specifically, if the user puts dishes and the like into the dishwasher 1 for washing, closes the door 20 and selects a washing course, the processor 1601 may control the ejector 1300 to discharge a solid detergent from the storage chamber 1200 for washing.

[0457] As described above, the ejector 1300 may include a cam member 1310 that rotates to move a solid detergent to the outside of the storage chamber 1200 , and at least one processor 1601 may rotate the cam member 1310 when controlling the ejector 1300 to discharge the solid detergent from the storage chamber 1200 .

[0458] like Fig. 9 As shown, as the cam member 1310 rotates, a solid detergent may move to the outside of the storage chamber 1200, and as shown in FIG. Fig.10 As shown, the solid detergent may be finally placed in the placement portion 1400 .

[0459] The seating portion 1400 is a position where a solid detergent discharged from the storage chamber 1200 is seated, and as the cam member 1310 rotates, the solid detergent moved from the storage chamber 1200 may be seated at the seating portion 1400 .

[0460] The seating portion sensor 1440 can sense an object on the seating portion 1400. Fig.10 As shown, at least one processor 1601 may determine whether the solid detergent is seated in the seating portion 1400 based on the output of the seating portion sensor 1440 .

[0461] Fig.17 1 is a diagram showing a situation where there is no solid detergent in the storage chamber.

[0462] If it is determined that the solid detergent is not seated in the seating portion 1400 after the cam member 1310 rotates, the at least one processor 1601 may rotate the cam member 1310 one more time.

[0463] Even if the cam member 1310 rotates, an error may occur during the process of discharging the solid detergent from the storage chamber 1200, and the solid detergent may not be placed in the placement portion 1400. Therefore, after the cam member 1310 rotates one circle, it can be determined again whether the solid detergent is placed based on the output of the placement portion sensor 1440. If it is determined that the solid detergent is not placed in the placement portion 1400, the cam member 1310 can be rotated one circle again to discharge the solid detergent from the storage chamber 1200.

[0464] If the cam member 1310 rotates one more circle and the result of judging based on the output of the seating portion sensor 1440 that the solid detergent is not seated in the seating portion 1400 is read again, the at least one processor 1601 may determine that there is no solid detergent in the storage chamber 1200 .

[0465] In the case where the storage chamber 1200 is not equipped with a separate sensor, as described above, it may be determined whether solid detergent exists inside the storage chamber 1200 by controlling the rotation of the cam member 1310 .

[0466] In the case of further including a storage chamber sensor 1270 that senses the inside of the storage chamber 1200 , the at least one processor 1601 may determine whether solid detergent exists inside the storage chamber 1200 based on an output of the storage chamber sensor 1270 .

[0467] The storage chamber sensor 1270 is a sensor capable of recognizing whether an object exists inside the storage chamber 1200, and may adopt at least one of various types of sensors such as an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, or an image sensor.

[0468] If it is determined according to the process that the solid detergent does not exist in the storage chamber 1200, the at least one processor 1601 may generate a control signal for providing a notification.

[0469] The dishwasher 1 may further include a display 81 and a speaker 82 , so that a visual notification may be provided through the display 81 or an audible notification may be provided through the speaker 82 .

[0470] Fig.18 1 is a diagram showing a state in which solid detergent is discharged from an automatic detergent dispenser according to an embodiment.

[0471] The automatic detergent feeding device 1000 may further include a placement unit 1410 for feeding the solid detergent placed in the placement unit 1400 into the tub 12 .

[0472] At least one processor 1601 may put the solid detergent into the tub 12 by opening the placement section 1410 .

[0473] Specifically, the washing of dishes can be performed through the processes of pre-washing, main washing, rinsing and drying. If the main washing process starts, at least one processor 1601 can put solid detergent into the barrel 12 by opening the placement section 1410.

[0474] The placement section 1410 can serve to separate the automatic detergent dispensing device 1000 from the barrel 12 . If the placement section 1410 is opened, the hot and humid air in the barrel 12 will flow into the automatic detergent dispensing device 1000 , which may cause damage to the solid detergent stored in the storage chamber 1200 .

[0475] Thus, it is necessary to minimize the time during which the placement department 1410 is open. Therefore, if a predetermined time passes after the placement department 1410 is opened, the at least one processor 1601 may control the placement department 1410 to be closed.

[0476] The predetermined time may refer to a minimum time that enables the solid detergent to be stably put into the tub 12, and may be determined based on experiments, statistics, simulations, or theories.

[0477] Fig.19 The diagram shows a situation in which a discharge error of a solid detergent occurs.

[0478] A discharge error of the solid detergent, such as the solid detergent being stuck at the middle door 1250 , etc., may occur in the process of discharging the solid detergent from the storage chamber 1200 by rotating the cam member 1310 .

[0479] In the case where the solid detergent is stuck in the middle door 1250, the power consumption or rotation amount of the motor driving the ejector 1300 may be different from that in normal operation. Therefore, at least one processor 1601 can determine whether a solid detergent discharge error such as the solid detergent being stuck occurs based on the power consumption or rotation amount of the motor inside the ejector 1300.

[0480] In the case of further including a storage chamber sensor 1270 that senses the inside of the storage chamber 1200 , the at least one processor 1601 may determine that it is a discharge error of the solid detergent based on an output of the storage chamber sensor 1270 .

[0481] Specifically, at least one processor 1601 can determine that the solid detergent is not placed in the placement portion 1400 based on the sensing result of the placement portion sensor 1440 after the rotation of the cam part 1310. If it is determined that solid detergent exists inside the storage chamber 1200 based on the output of the storage chamber sensor 1270, it can be determined that a solid detergent discharge error has occurred.

[0482] According to normal operation, if the cam member 1310 rotates one circle, the solid detergent is discharged from the storage chamber 1200 and is sensed at the seating portion 1400 , but there may be a situation where the solid detergent cannot be sensed at the seating portion 1400 due to being stuck or the like.

[0483] Since solid detergent is not sensed in the storage chamber 1200 when there is no solid detergent in the storage chamber 1200, if it is determined based on the output of the storage chamber sensor 1270 that solid detergent exists in the storage chamber 1200, it can be determined that a solid detergent discharge error has occurred.

[0484] That is, when the solid detergent is not set in the setting portion 1400 even when the cam is rotated once and there is solid detergent in the storage chamber 1200 , it can be determined that an error such as the solid detergent being stuck has occurred in the discharge of the solid detergent.

[0485] In this case, the at least one processor 1601 may control the cam member 1310 to rotate in the reverse direction.

[0486] The cam member 1310 may include a cam member 1310 sensor capable of sensing an initial position and a rotation angle of the cam member 1310 .

[0487] In the event of a detergent discharge error, the at least one processor 1601 may rotate the cam member 1310 in a reverse direction based on a sensor of the cam member 1310 so that the cam member 1310 is located at an initial position.

[0488] Thereby, the solid detergent that has become stuck or the like can be adjusted so as to be located at a normal position.

[0489] Fig. 20 is a diagram illustrating a control block diagram of a dishwasher according to an embodiment.

[0490] As described above, the storage chamber may include the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200 ′.

[0491] The ejector may include: a first ejector 1300, configured to discharge one of the plurality of solid detergents stacked in the first storage chamber 1200 to the placement portion 1400; a second ejector 1300', configured to discharge one of the plurality of solid detergents stacked in the second storage chamber 1200' to the placement portion 1400, and the first ejector 1300 may include a first cam component 1310, and the second ejector 1300' may include a second cam component 1310'.

[0492] At least one processor 1601 may first discharge one solid detergent from the first storage chamber 1200. That is, the first cam member 1310 may be rotated one circle in the forward direction to discharge one solid detergent from the first storage chamber 1200.

[0493] Then, whether the solid detergent is placed in the placing portion 1400 may be determined based on the output of the placing portion sensor 1440 provided in the placing portion 1400 . If it is determined that the solid detergent is not placed in the placing portion 1400 , the first cam member 1310 may be rotated one more time in the positive direction.

[0494] If it is determined that the solid detergent is not seated in the seating portion 1400 after the first cam member 1310 is rotated one more time in the forward direction, the at least one processor 1601 may determine that the solid detergent does not exist in the first storage chamber 1200 .

[0495] Then, the at least one processor 1601 may rotate the second cam member 1310 ′ in a forward direction by one circle to discharge the solid detergent in the second storage chamber 1200 ′.

[0496] If it is determined that the solid detergent is not seated in the seating portion 1400 after the second cam member 1310 ′ rotates, the at least one processor 1601 may cause the second cam member 1310 ′ to rotate one more rotation in the forward direction.

[0497] If it is still determined that the solid detergent is not seated in the seating portion 1400 after the second cam member 1310 ′ rotates one more time in the forward direction, it can be determined that there is no solid detergent in the second storage chamber 1200 ′.

[0498] At this time, the at least one processor 1601 may generate a control signal for providing a notification that no solid detergent exists in the storage chamber.

[0499] At this time, the notification may be provided visually through a display or audibly through a speaker.

[0500] Hereinafter, a case where solid detergent exists in the second storage chamber 1200' will be described.

[0501] As described above, at least one processor 1601 can cause the first cam component to rotate in the positive direction to discharge the solid detergent in the first storage chamber 1200. If the solid detergent is not sensed in the seating portion 1400 during the repeated rotation of the first cam component, it is determined that there is no solid detergent in the first storage chamber 1200, and the second cam component can be rotated in the positive direction to discharge the solid detergent in the second storage chamber 1200'.

[0502] If it is determined that the solid detergent is placed in the placement portion 1400 after the rotation of the second cam member 1310 ′, the at least one processor 1601 may generate a control signal to perform a main wash process.

[0503] In this case, since there is no solid detergent in the first storage chamber 1200 and the solid detergent exists only in the second storage chamber 1200', for efficient operation, when the washing process is subsequently performed again, it is necessary to avoid the operation of the first cam member rotating the first storage chamber 1200 where there is no solid detergent.

[0504] Thus, if a selection of a new washing course is input through the input device, the at least one processor 1601 may cause the second cam member 1310 ′ to rotate one circle in the forward direction so that one solid detergent is discharged from the second storage chamber 1200 .

[0505] The second cam member 1310 ′ is directly rotated without performing the rotation operation of the first cam member 1310 , so that the solid detergent can be effectively discharged.

[0506] As described above, the lateral lengths of the first storage chamber 1200 and the second storage chamber 1200 may be formed to be different from each other or adjustable, and the operation in this case will be described in detail below.

[0507] like Fig.13 As shown, the second storage chamber 1200 has a lateral length L5 , which may be formed to be smaller than L1 , which is a lateral length of the first storage chamber 1200 .

[0508] Thus, it can be configured that small solid detergents having a volume different from that of the solid detergents are further stored in the second storage chamber 1200' relatively independently from the conventional solid detergents stored in the first storage chamber 1200, so that the user can selectively wash with conventional solid detergents or with small solid detergents as needed.

[0509] The user can select the first mode or the second mode in the washing process. The first mode may refer to a mode requiring conventional solid detergents, i.e., a standard washing process, etc. In addition, the second mode may refer to a mode requiring small solid detergents, i.e., a small amount of washing process or a quick (Quick) washing mode, etc.

[0510] If the selection of the first mode in the washing course is input through the input device, the at least one processor 1601 may rotate the first cam member 1310 in the forward direction by one circle, thereby discharging one solid detergent from the first storage chamber 1200 .

[0511] That is, since regular solid detergent needs to be input when a washing course such as a standard course is selected, the first cam member 1310 may be rotated in a positive direction to discharge the solid detergent in the first storage chamber 1200 storing the regular-sized solid detergent.

[0512] If the selection of the second mode in the washing course is input through the input device, the at least one processor 1601 may rotate the second cam member 1310 ′ in the forward direction by one circle, thereby discharging one solid detergent from the second storage chamber 1200 ′.

[0513] That is, since solid detergents smaller than conventional solid detergents need to be input when a washing course such as a small amount washing course is selected, the second cam member 1310' may be rotated in a positive direction to discharge the solid detergents in the second storage chamber 1200' storing the small solid detergents.

[0514] By inputting solid detergent of a required size according to the washing mode, unnecessary waste of detergent can be prevented and efficient washing can be performed.

[0515] Furthermore, when the washing process is performed according to the first mode, since the amount of dishes and the like to be washed is very large, there may be a situation where additional solid detergent needs to be added.

[0516] At this time, in order to prevent excessive input of solid detergents, the small solid detergents stored in the second storage chamber 1200' may be discharged.

[0517] That is, if it is determined that additional solid detergent needs to be added during the first mode, the at least one processor 1601 may cause the second cam member 1310 ′ to rotate one circle in the forward direction, so that one solid detergent is discharged from the second storage chamber 1200 ′.

[0518] Furthermore, when the first mode is selected, solid detergent needs to be discharged from the first storage chamber 1200, but there may be a situation where solid detergent does not exist in the first storage chamber 1200. In this case, it is necessary to control the solid detergent to be discharged from the second storage chamber 1200'.

[0519] That is, if it is determined that the solid detergent is not seated in the seating portion 1400 after the user selects the first mode and rotates the first cam member 1310 in the forward direction one rotation, the at least one processor 1601 may rotate the first cam member 1310 in the forward direction one more rotation.

[0520] If it is determined that the solid detergent is not placed in the placement portion 1400 after the first cam member 1310 is rotated one more time in the positive direction, the at least one processor 1601 can determine that there is no solid detergent in the first storage chamber 1200, thereby rotating the second cam member 1310' one more time in the positive direction to discharge the solid detergent from the second cam member 1310'.

[0521] If it is determined that the solid detergent is not placed in the placement portion 1400 after the second cam member 1310 ′ rotates, the at least one processor 1601 may cause the second cam member 1310 ′ to rotate one more rotation in the forward direction.

[0522] Fig.21 is a diagram illustrating a control block diagram of a dishwasher according to an embodiment.

[0523] As described above, the automatic detergent feeding device 1000 may further include an adjusting component 1270 configured to adjust the lateral length of the interior of the storage chamber.

[0524] Specifically, the apparatus may further include: a first adjusting member 1270 configured to adjust the transverse length of the first storage chamber 1200; and a second adjusting member 1270' configured to adjust the transverse length of the second storage chamber 1200'.

[0525] The user may input information about the lateral length of the storage chamber through the input device.

[0526] That is, information about the lateral length of at least one of the first storage chamber 1200 or the second storage chamber 1200' can be input through the input device, and at least one processor 1601 can control the first adjustment component 1270 or the second adjustment component 1270' to have a lateral length corresponding to the input information about the lateral length.

[0527] For example, if the user inputs the lateral length of the second storage chamber 1200' to be smaller than the existing lateral length through the input device, at least one processor 1601 can control the second adjustment component 1270' to form the lateral length of the second storage chamber 1200' to correspond to the input information.

[0528] Thus, as described above, small solid detergents may be stored in the second storage chamber 1200', so that solid detergents of different sizes may be input according to the washing mode.

[0529] Fig. 22 and Fig.23 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling a dishwasher.

[0530] If a selection of a washing course is input through the input device 80 ( 1601 ), the ejector 1300 may be controlled to discharge a solid detergent from the storage chamber 1200 ( 1603 ).

[0531] Specifically, if the user puts dishes into the dishwasher 1 for washing, closes the door 20 and selects a washing course, the ejector 1300 may be controlled to discharge a solid detergent from the storage chamber 1200 for washing ( 1603 ).

[0532] As described above, the ejector 1300 may include a cam member 1310 that rotates to move a solid detergent to the outside of the storage chamber 1200, and at least one processor 1601 may rotate the cam member 1310 when controlling the ejector 1300 to discharge the solid detergent from the storage chamber 1200 (1603).

[0533] As the seating portion sensor 1440 senses the object on the seating portion 1400, the at least one processor 1601 may determine whether the solid detergent is seated in the seating portion 1400 based on the output of the seating portion sensor 1440. Fig.10 As shown, it can be determined whether the solid detergent is placed in the placement portion 1400.

[0534] If, according to the sensing result of the seating portion 1400 , it is determined that the solid detergent is not seated in the seating portion 1400 (“No” in 1605 ), the cam member 1310 may be rotated one more time ( 1615 ).

[0535] Since an error may occur in the process of discharging the solid detergent from the storage chamber 1200 , the cam member 1310 may be rotated one more time at this time to discharge the solid detergent from the storage chamber 1200 .

[0536] If the solid detergent is not placed in the placement portion 1400 based on the output of the placement portion sensor 1440 after the cam member 1310 is rotated one more time (“No” in 1617 ), the at least one processor 1601 may determine that there is no solid detergent in the storage chamber 1200 .

[0537] In this case, a control signal (1619) for providing a notification that no solid detergent is stored in the storage chamber 1200 may be generated.

[0538] When the solid detergent is placed in the placement section 1400 ("Yes" in 1605 or "Yes" in 1617), if the main wash process is started ("Yes" in 1607), at least one processor 1601 can open the placement section 1410 to put the solid detergent into the barrel 12 (1609).

[0539] The placement section 1410 can serve to separate the automatic detergent dispensing device 1000 from the barrel 12 . If the placement section 1410 is opened, the hot and humid air in the barrel 12 will flow into the automatic detergent dispensing device 1000 , which may cause damage to the solid detergent stored in the storage chamber 1200 .

[0540] Therefore, it is necessary to minimize the time during which the placement department 1410 is open. Therefore, if a predetermined time has passed after the placement department 1410 is opened ("Yes" in 1611), the at least one processor 1601 may control the placement department 1410 to be closed (1613).

[0541] The predetermined time may refer to a minimum time that enables the solid detergent to be stably put into the tub 12, and may be determined based on experiments, statistics, simulations, or theories.

[0542] In addition, a discharge error of the solid detergent, such as the solid detergent being stuck, may occur in the process of discharging the solid detergent from the storage chamber 1200 by rotating the cam member 1310 .

[0543] As described above, if the selection of the washing course is input through the input device 80 (1701), the ejector 1300 may be controlled to discharge a solid detergent from the storage chamber 1200 (1703).

[0544] If after the cam part 1310 rotates, it is determined based on the output (1705) of the placement portion sensor 1440 that the solid detergent is not placed in the placement portion 1400 ("No" in 1709), and based on the output (1711) of the storage chamber sensor 1270 that solid detergent exists inside the storage chamber 1200 ("Yes" in 1711), it can be determined that a solid detergent discharge error has occurred (1713).

[0545] When the cam member 1310 rotates one circle, the solid detergent needs to be discharged from the storage chamber 1200 and seated in the seating portion 1400 according to normal operation, but the solid detergent may not be sensed in the seating portion 1400 due to being stuck or the like.

[0546] The reason may also be that there is no solid detergent in the storage chamber 1200 and the solid detergent is not placed in the placement portion 1400. Therefore, if it is determined based on the output of the storage chamber sensor 1270 that there is solid detergent in the storage chamber 1200, it can be determined that a solid detergent discharge error has occurred.

[0547] That is, even if the cam rotates one circle and solid detergent exists in the storage chamber 1200, if the solid detergent is not placed in the placement portion 1400, it can be determined that an error such as solid detergent being stuck occurs during discharge of the solid detergent.

[0548] In this case, the at least one processor 1601 may control the cam member 1310 to rotate in the reverse direction.

[0549] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, by storing a plurality of solid detergents and automatically injecting the solid detergents at a necessary time point when washing is performed, the convenience of use can be improved.

[0550] In addition, the convenience of use can be improved by automatically sensing the presence or absence of stored solid detergents and detergent jams, etc. and providing feedback thereon.

[0551] In addition, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium storing computer executable instructions. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code, and when executed by a processor, a program module may be generated to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer readable recording medium.

[0552] Computer-readable recording media include all types of recording media storing computer-readable instructions, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic tape, magnetic disk, flash memory, optical data storage device, etc.

[0553] The disclosed embodiments are described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. A person skilled in the art of the present invention should understand that the present invention can be implemented in a form different from the disclosed embodiments without changing the technical concept or essential features of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments are exemplary and should not be interpreted as limiting.

Claims

1. A dishwasher, comprising: bucket; a door for opening and closing the barrel; An input device for receiving a selection of a washing process; The automatic detergent feeding device is configured to feed solid detergent into the interior of the barrel. Wherein, the automatic detergent feeding device comprises: a storage chamber configured so that a plurality of solid detergents are stacked and loaded in an up-and-down direction when the barrel is closed by the door; an ejector for ejecting one of the plurality of solid detergents loaded in the storage chamber to the outside of the storage chamber; a placement portion capable of placing the solid detergent discharged from the storage chamber; a sensing portion, sensing whether the solid detergent has been placed in the placement portion; The processor controls the ejector to discharge one of the plurality of solid detergents stored in the storage chamber from the storage chamber and place it in the placement portion when the plurality of solid detergents are loaded into the storage chamber if a selection of a washing course is input through the input device, and determines whether the solid detergent has been placed in the placement portion based on a sensing result of the sensing portion.

2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein: The ejector comprises: a cam member that discharges the one solid detergent to the outside of the storage chamber by positive rotation, The processor rotates the cam member in a forward direction by one rotation to discharge the one solid detergent to the outside of the storage chamber.

3. The dishwasher according to claim 2, wherein: The sensing unit comprises: a placement portion sensor, for sensing an object on the placement portion, The processor determines whether the solid detergent has been set in the setting portion based on an output of the setting portion sensor.

4. The dishwasher according to claim 2, wherein: If it is determined that the solid detergent is not seated in the seating portion, the processor rotates the cam member one more rotation in the forward direction.

5. The dishwasher according to claim 4, wherein: If it is determined that the solid detergent is not set in the setting portion after the cam member rotates one rotation in the forward direction again, the processor determines that the solid detergent does not exist in the storage chamber and generates a control signal for providing a notification.

6. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein: The automatic detergent feeding device also includes: The placement part is configured to put the solid detergent placed in the placement part into the barrel, In the water supply step for the main wash course, the processor puts the solid detergent seated in the seating portion into the tub by opening the seating portion.

7. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein: The sensing unit comprises: The automatic detergent feeding device includes a storage chamber sensor for sensing the interior of the storage chamber. The processor determines whether the solid detergent exists inside the storage chamber based on the output of the storage chamber sensor.

8. The dishwasher according to claim 2, wherein: The processor determines whether a discharge error of the solid detergent occurs based on a sensing result of the sensing unit, When it is determined that the error has occurred, the cam member is rotated in the reverse direction.

9. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein: The processor determines whether an ejection error of the solid detergent occurs based on power consumption or rotation amount of a motor inside the ejector.

10. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein: The storage room comprises: a first storage compartment; and The second storage chamber is arranged to be spaced apart from the first storage chamber in a left-right direction orthogonal to the up-down direction. The ejector comprises: a first ejector configured to discharge one of the plurality of solid detergents loaded in the first storage chamber toward the seating portion; and The second ejector is configured to discharge one solid detergent among the plurality of solid detergents loaded in the second storage chamber toward the seating portion.

11. The dishwasher according to claim 10, wherein: The first ejector comprises: a first cam member that moves the one solid detergent toward the outside of the first storage chamber by rotating in a positive direction, The second ejector comprises: The second cam member moves the one solid detergent toward the outside of the second storage chamber by rotating in a forward direction.

12. The dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein: The processor rotates the first cam member in a forward direction by one rotation to discharge the one solid detergent from the first storage chamber.

13. The dishwasher according to claim 12, wherein: If it is determined that the solid detergent is not set in the setting portion after the first cam member rotates, the processor rotates the first cam member one more rotation in the forward direction.

14. The dishwasher according to claim 13, wherein: If it is determined that the solid detergent is not set in the setting portion after the first cam member rotates one rotation in the forward direction again, the processor rotates the second cam member one rotation in the forward direction to discharge the solid detergent from the second storage chamber.

15. The dishwasher according to claim 14, wherein: If it is determined that the solid detergent is not set in the setting portion after the second cam member rotates, the processor rotates the second cam member one more rotation in the forward direction.

Images