阅读说明：本技术 洗衣机和控制洗衣机的方法 (Washing machine and method of controlling the same ) 是由 崔准荣 于 2018-04-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：公开了一种洗衣机。根据本发明的一个实施方式的洗衣机包括：用于打开和关闭衣物入口的门；包括在门中的磁体；处理器；门锁定开关,包括门锁定键、第一开关和第二开关,该门锁定键根据门的打开和关闭而移动从而锁定或解锁门,第一开关基于门锁定键移动到锁定位置而电连接,第二开关与第一开关串联连接并响应于磁体的接近而电连接,其中处理器接收通过连接第一开关和第二开关而产生的信号,检测门的锁定,然后继续执行洗衣机的洗涤循环过程。其他实施方式是可能的。(A washing machine is disclosed. A washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a door for opening and closing the laundry entrance; a magnet included in the door; a processor; and a door locking switch including a door locking key moving according to opening and closing of the door to lock or unlock the door, a first switch electrically connected based on the movement of the door locking key to the locking position, and a second switch connected in series with the first switch and electrically connected in response to the approach of the magnet, wherein the processor receives a signal generated by connecting the first switch and the second switch, detects the locking of the door, and then continues to perform a washing cycle process of the washing machine. Other embodiments are possible.)

1. A washing machine comprising:

a washing machine door;

a washing machine inlet configured to be opened and closed by movement of the washing machine door;

a door locking switch module provided in the washing machine inlet to prevent the washing machine door from being separated from the washing machine inlet, and configured to include a door locking key movable to an inside of the washing machine door, a first switch operated based on a position to which the door locking key is moved according to movement of the washing machine door, and a second switch operated based on an adjacent distance of a magnet included in the washing machine door from the washing machine inlet; and

a processor configured to control the washing machine to perform a washing course when it is recognized that the washing machine door is locked based on the operation modes of the first and second switches.

2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein in case the first switch and the second switch are connected in series with each other, the processor is configured to control the washing machine to perform the washing course by recognizing that the washing machine door is locked when both the first switch and the second switch are short-circuited.

3. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to control the washing machine to perform the washing course when it is recognized that the washing machine door is locked based on the signals generated according to the operation modes of the first and second switches.

4. The washing machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to control the washing machine to output a washing machine error signal when the signal is not generated in a case where the door lock key is moved to the inside of the washing machine door.

5. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the door lock switch module includes a third switch electrically connected based on the door lock key being moved to an unlock position.

6. The washing machine of claim 5, wherein the processor is configured to detect that the washing machine door is unlocked based on receiving a signal resulting from connection of the third switch.

7. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the door locking switch module includes a reed switch connected based on opening and closing of the washing machine door, and

the processor is configured to move the door lock key to a locked position upon receiving a signal generated by connection of the reed switch.

8. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a top cover in which the washing machine inlet is formed,

wherein the washing machine door is hinge-coupled to one side of the top cover to open and close the washing machine inlet.

9. The washing machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the door locking switch module is installed at the other side of the top cover, the washing machine door being located at the other side.

10. The washing machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the magnet is located at an end of the washing machine door adjacent to a location of the door locking switch module in a state where the washing machine door is located on the top cover.

11. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the washing machine door includes a blocking member blocking movement of the door locking key; and

the blocking member is provided at an inner side of a front portion of the washing machine door.

12. A method for controlling a washing machine including a door, comprising:

moving a door locking key included in a door locking switch module to a locking position;

confirming a locking signal generated according to a short circuit according to a first switch, which is short-circuited according to the movement of the door lock key, and a short circuit according to a second switch, which is connected in series with the first switch and is short-circuited according to the proximity of a magnet; and

the washing process is performed when the locked state of the door is confirmed.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: an error signal is generated in the absence of receipt of a lock signal after the door lock key is moved to the locked position.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the washing machine further comprises a third switch that is electrically connected based on the door lock key being moved to an unlocked position,

the method also includes detecting that the door is unlocked based on receiving a signal resulting from connection of the third switch.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the washing machine further comprises a reed switch connected based on the opening and closing of the door,

the method further comprises the following steps: moving the door lock key to the lock position upon receiving a signal generated by connection of the reed switch.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a door lock detection method of a washing machine and a washing machine performing the same, and more particularly, to a detection method of detecting a locked state of a door of a washing machine through a two-step authentication method and a washing machine performing the same.

Background

In general, a washing machine (e.g., a fully automatic washing machine) includes a water tub for containing water, a washing tub rotatably installed in the water tub and containing laundry, a pulsator rotatably installed in the washing tub and generating a water current, and a motor generating a driving force for rotating the washing tub and the pulsator, and may remove contaminants of the laundry using the water current and a detergent.

The washing machine is provided with an entrance through which laundry may be put into or taken out of the washing tub, and a door hinge-coupled to open and close the entrance, and the top cover on which the door is located may be provided with a door locking switch module that locks the door such that the door cannot be opened to be closed.

The door locking switch module may lock the door by protruding the door locking key to the outside of the door locking switch module, or may unlock the door by inserting the door locking key into the door locking switch module.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

The washing machine can perform a washing process by confirming a locked state and an unlocked state of the door. However, depending on the environmental conditions in which the washing machine is installed, water vapor may be introduced into the door-locking switch module. In this case, an error may occur at the contact point that recognizes the locked state and the unlocked state of the door.

Technical scheme

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a washing machine includes: a washing machine door; a washing machine inlet configured to be opened and closed by movement of a washing machine door; a door locking switch module provided in the washing machine inlet to prevent the washing machine door from being separated from the washing machine inlet, and configured to include a door locking key movable to an inside of the washing machine door, a first switch operated based on a position to which the door locking key is moved according to movement of the washing machine door, and a second switch operated based on an adjacent distance of a magnet included in the washing machine door from the washing machine inlet; and a processor configured to control the washing machine to perform a washing course when it is recognized that the washing machine door is locked according to the operation modes of the first and second switches.

In case that the first switch and the second switch are connected in series with each other, the processor may be configured to control the washing machine to perform a washing course by recognizing that the washing machine door is locked when both the first switch and the second switch are short-circuited.

The processor may be configured to control the washing machine to perform a washing course when it is recognized that the washing machine door is locked based on the signals generated according to the operation modes of the first and second switches.

The processor may be configured to control the washing machine to output a washing machine error signal when the signal is not generated in a case where the door lock key is moved to the inside of the door of the washing machine.

The door lock switch module may include a third switch electrically connected based on the door lock key being moved to the unlock position.

The processor may be configured to detect that the washing machine door is unlocked based on receiving a signal resulting from the connection of the third switch.

The door lock switch module may include a reed switch connected based on opening and closing of the washing machine door, and the processor may be configured to move the door lock key to the lock position when receiving a signal generated by connection of the reed switch.

The washing machine may further include a top cover having a washing machine inlet formed therein, wherein a washing machine door is hinge-coupled to one side of the top cover to open and close the washing machine inlet.

The door locking switch module may be installed at the other side of the top cover, at which the washing machine door is located.

In the case where the washing machine door is located on the top cover, the magnet may be located at an end of the washing machine door adjacent to the location where the door locks the switch module.

The door may include a blocking member that blocks movement of the door locking key, and the blocking member may be provided inside a front portion of the washing machine door.

Movement of the door lock key to the locked position may be restricted by the blocking member.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for controlling a washing machine including a door includes: moving a door locking key included in a door locking switch module to a locking position; confirming a locking signal generated according to a short circuit of a first switch, which is short-circuited according to movement of a door locking key, and a short circuit of a second switch, which is serially connected to the first switch and short-circuited according to approach of a magnet; and performing a washing process when it is confirmed that the door is in the locked state.

The method may further include generating an error signal in the absence of receiving the lock signal after the door lock key is moved to the lock position.

The washing machine may further include a third switch electrically connected based on the door lock key being moved to the unlock position, and the method may further include detecting that the door is unlocked based on receiving a signal generated by connection of the third switch.

The washing machine may further include a reed switch connected based on the opening and closing of the door, and the method may further include moving the door locking key to the locking position when receiving a signal generated by the connection of the reed switch.

Advantageous effects

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the washing machine may confirm the locked state of the door based on the connection of the contacts that detect the movement of the door lock key to the lock position and the connection of the contacts that are connected in series to the contacts and connected according to the approach of the magnet included in the door.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a closed state of a door in a washing machine according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view illustrating an opened state of a door in a washing machine according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3 to 4 are views for describing a case where a door of a washing machine according to an embodiment is in an unlocked state.

Fig. 5 to 6 are views for describing a case where a door of a washing machine according to an embodiment is in a locked state.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart for describing a process in which the washing machine confirms whether the door is locked according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the embodiments and terms used in the embodiments do not limit the technology described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments, but include various modifications, equivalents, and/or substitutions of the respective embodiments. Like parts will be designated by like reference numerals throughout the drawings. The singular forms may include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present disclosure, the expression "a or B", "at least one of a and/or B", etc. may together comprise all possible combinations of the listed items. The expressions "first", "second", etc. may indicate corresponding parts, irrespective of the order and/or importance of the corresponding parts, and are only used to distinguish one part from another part, without limiting the corresponding parts. When referring to any component (e.g., a first component) "being (operatively or communicatively) connected" to another component (e.g., a second component), it will be understood that any component may be directly connected to the other component or may be coupled to the other component by the other component (e.g., a third component).

The expression "configured to" as used in the present disclosure may be interchanged as appropriate in hardware or software with the expression "adapted to", "having … … capability", "adapted to", "enabling", "capable" or "designed to". In some cases, the expression "a device configured as … …" may mean that the device may "work" with other devices or components. For example, "a processor configured (or arranged) to perform A, B and C" may mean a dedicated processor (e.g., an embedded processor) for performing the respective operations or a general-purpose processor (e.g., a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or an application processor) that may perform the respective operations by executing one or more software programs stored in a storage device.

Fig. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a closed state of a door in a washing machine according to an embodiment, and fig. 2 is a sectional view illustrating an open state of a door in a washing machine according to an embodiment.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, a washing machine 10 according to an embodiment may include a main body 20 having a substantially box shape and forming an external appearance, a water tub 21 installed in the main body 20 and containing water (e.g., wash water or rinse water), and a washing tub 22 rotatably installed in the water tub 21 and containing laundry.

A pulsator 23 rotatably installed and rotated (forward or backward rotated) to the left or right to generate water current may be installed at the bottom of the washing tub 22.

A first motor 24 and a power switching device 25 may be installed outside a lower side of the water tub 21, the first motor 24 generating a driving force for rotating the washing tub 22 and the pulsator 23, the power switching device 25 transmitting the driving force generated from the first motor 24 to the washing tub 22 and the pulsator 23.

The first motor 24 may be a direct drive type motor having a speed change function. The first motor 24 may selectively transmit a driving force to the washing tub 22 or the pulsator 23 according to a rising or falling operation of the power switching device 25. A hollow dehydrating shaft 26 may be coupled to the washing tub 22, and a washing shaft 27 installed in the hollow portion of the dehydrating shaft 26 is coupled to the pulsator 23 through a washing shaft coupling portion (not shown).

Further, the first motor 24 may be a general motor including a field coil and an armature, a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor including a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, or the like. However, the first motor 24 is not limited thereto, and may be any motor that may be used in the washing machine 10. For example, in the washing machine 10, a belt motor may be provided.

A water level sensor 28 may be installed inside a lower side of the water tub 21, the water level sensor 28 sensing a frequency converted according to a water level to sense the amount of water in the water tub 21.

In addition, a water supply valve 29 and a detergent tank 30, each supplying water and detergent to the water tub 21, may be installed above the water tub 21, and the water supply valve 29 may be installed in the middle of a water supply pipe 31 to control water supply, the water supply pipe 31 supplying water into the water tub 21. A drain valve 32 and a drain pipe 33 for draining water in the water tub 21 may be installed below the water tub 21.

In addition, a door 40 opening and closing an upper surface of the main body 20 may be installed at an upper portion of the main body 20, a top cover 50 separated or seated according to whether the door 40 is opened or closed may be installed at an upper side of the main body 20, and an inlet 52 may be formed in the top cover 50 such that laundry may be put into the washing tub 22 or laundry may be taken out of the washing tub 22.

The door 40 may be hinge-coupled to the top cover 50 by a hinge member 41 provided at one side of the door to open and close the entrance 52. In addition, a blocking member 42 may be provided at an inner side of the front of the door 40, the blocking member 42 blocking a door locking key (not shown) so that the door locking key does not move further forward when the door 40 is closed. In addition, the door 40 may include a magnet (not shown) that is adjacent to where the blocking member 42 is located and generates a magnetic force.

A door locking switch module 100 may be installed at one side of the front of the top cover 50, at which the door 40 is seated, the door locking switch module 100 locking the door 40 such that the door 40 cannot be opened and closed during the operation of the washing machine 10.

In general, the full automatic washing machine may have a structure in which the door 40 is mounted above the top cover 50 to be opened and closed upward. On the other hand, the drum washing machine may have a structure in which a door is mounted on a front surface of a housing to be opened and closed forward.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described using a fully automatic washing machine as an example.

According to an embodiment, the door 40 of the washing machine 10 may be divided into an open state and a closed state. The opened state may refer to, for example, a state in which the door 40 is rotated in a first direction using the hinge member 41 as a rotation shaft such that laundry can be put into the washing tub 22 or taken out of the washing tub 22, as shown in fig. 2. The closed state may refer to a state in which the door 40 is rotated in the second direction using the hinge member 41 as a rotation shaft to cover the water tub 21 and the washing tub 22, as shown in fig. 1, for example.

The closed state of the door 40 may be subdivided into a locked state and an unlocked state. For example, the locked state may be a state in which the door 40 is not opened even when a user applies an external force to the door 40 to open the door 40. The unlocked state may be a state in which the door 40 may be switched to the open state when a user applies an external force to the door 40 to open the door 40.

Fig. 3 to 4 are views for describing a case where a door of a washing machine according to an embodiment is in an unlocked state.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the area a of fig. 1.

Referring to fig. 3, the door locking switch module 100 may include a door locking key 110, the door locking key 110 moving forward and backward according to the movement of the door 40 (i.e., the opening and closing of the door 40) to lock or unlock the door, and a driving means (e.g., a second motor 120) capable of reciprocating the door locking key 110. The second motor 120 may transmit a driving force generated using, for example, a combination of one or more gears to the door lock key 110.

The door locking switch module 100 may be electrically connected to a microcomputer 200 (hereinafter, referred to as micom). The micom 200 may include, for example, a processor 210, memory, etc. However, the micom 200 is not limited thereto.

The processor 210 may drive, for example, an application program to control hardware or software components connected to the processor 210.

According to an embodiment, the user may open the door 40 of the washing machine 10 in a state that the door locking key 110 is inserted into the door locking switch module 100. Further, in the case where the door locking key 110 protrudes to the outside of the door locking switch module 100 up to a position where it can be contacted with the locking portion 43 provided at one side of the door 40, the user cannot open the door of the washing machine 10. Door lock key 110 may protrude up to a point where it contacts blocking member 42, for example. That is, in a case where the door lock key 110 protrudes up to, for example, a point where it contacts the blocking member 42, when the user rotates the door 40 in the first direction using the hinge member (e.g., the first hinge member 41 of fig. 1) as an axis, the door lock key 110 contacts the locking portion 43, and the door 40 does not rotate. The rotation in the first direction may refer to, for example, rotation in a direction in which the door 40 becomes distant from the washing machine inlet 52.

According to an embodiment, the door locking switch module 100 may include a reed switch (not shown) sensing opening and closing of the door 40.

The reed switch may have, for example, a form in which two magnetic reeds sealed in a glass tube are included. The reed switch may be short-circuited because the two magnetic reed pieces attract each other when the magnet approaches the circumference of the reed switch in a state where the two magnetic reed pieces do not contact each other due to the elasticity of the spring. Furthermore, when the magnet becomes distant from the reed switch, the two magnetic reeds can be opened again.

According to an embodiment, the door 40 may include a magnet 45, the magnet 45 being mounted adjacent to where the blocking member 42 is located. Therefore, when the door becomes a closed state such that the magnet 45 included in the door 40 is adjacent to the door-lock switch module 100, the reed switch included in the door-lock switch module 100 may be short-circuited. Upon receiving the signal generated by the contact short of the reed switch, the processor 210 of the washing machine 10 may confirm that the door 40 is changed from the open state to the closed state.

Fig. 4(a) is a view for describing an electrical connection relationship between the micom 200 and the door-lock switch module 100.

Referring to fig. 4(a), in the case where the door 40 is changed from the open state to the closed state by the user, the reed switch 400 is short-circuited. That is, the contacts of the reed switch 400 may be connected according to the proximity of the magnetic material (e.g., the magnetic material 45 of fig. 3) included in the door (e.g., the door 40 of fig. 3).

According to an embodiment, the third switch 430 sensing the unlocked state may be short-circuited in a case where a door (e.g., the door 40 of fig. 3) is in an open state or changed from an open state to a closed state but still in an unlocked state. When the signal generated by the short circuit of the reed switch 400 and the unlock signal generated by the connection of the third switch 430 are received, the processor (e.g., the processor 210 of fig. 3) may confirm that the door (e.g., the door 40 of fig. 3) is in the unlocked state.

Fig. 4(b) is a view illustrating an embodiment of the first switch 410 and the third switch 430 included in the door locking switch module 100.

According to an embodiment, the first switch 410 and the third switch 430 may comprise a first switch contact 411 and a third switch contact 431, respectively. In addition, the movable contact 450 may be selectively contacted with the first switching contact 411 and the third switching contact 431.

For example, when the first switch contact 411 and the movable contact 450 are electrically connected to each other, the first switch 410 may be short-circuited, and when the third switch contact 431 and the movable contact 450 are electrically connected to each other, the third switch 430 may be short-circuited.

The movable contact 450 may reciprocate between the first switch contact 411 sensing the locked state and the third switch contact 431 sensing the unlocked state by, for example, mechanical interaction with a door lock key (e.g., the door lock key 110 of fig. 3).

That is, in the case where a door lock key (e.g., the door lock key 110 of fig. 3) exists in the door lock switch module 100, the movable contact 450 may be in contact with the third switch contact 431 sensing the unlocked state. In addition, based on the control of the processor (e.g., the processor 210 of fig. 3), when the door lock key (e.g., the door lock key 110 of fig. 3) is moved to the outside of the door lock switch module 100, the movable contact 450 may be moved toward the first switch contact 411 sensing the locked state of the door based on the movement of the door lock key (e.g., the door lock key 110 of fig. 3).

However, the structure of sensing the locked state and the unlocked state of the door (e.g., the door 40 of fig. 3) using the movable contact 450 that can reciprocate by interacting with the movement of the door locking key (e.g., the door locking key 110 of fig. 3) is only an example, and is not limited thereto.

Fig. 5 to 6 are views for describing a case where a door of a washing machine according to an embodiment is in a locked state.

Referring to fig. 5, the processor 210 may move the door-locking key 110 to the outside of the door-locking switch module 100 using the second motor 120 when receiving a signal generated by the connection of the contacts of the reed switch (e.g., the reed switch 400 of fig. 4) according to the approach of the magnet 45 included in the door 40.

For example, the processor 210 may protrude the door-lock key 110 to the outside of the door-lock switch module 100 by applying a Direct Current (DC) voltage of 12V to rotate the second motor 120 in the first direction. According to an embodiment, in case the processor 210 applies a voltage of DC 12V, the second motor 120 may rotate in the second direction, and the door lock key 110 may be inserted into the door lock switch module 100. With door 40 in the closed state, door lock key 110 may move up to the point where it contacts blocking member 42.

According to an embodiment, if the door locking key 110 protrudes to the outside of the door locking switch module 100 in a state where the door 40 is closed, when a user attempts to open the washing machine inlet 52 by rotating the door 40 in a first direction using the hinge member 41 as an axis, the locking part 43 and the door locking key 110 provided in the door 40 contact each other so that the door 40 does not move. That is, the door 40 of the washing machine 10 may become a locked state.

Referring to fig. 6(a) and 6(b), the movable contact 450 may also move according to the movement of a door lock key (e.g., the door lock key 110 of fig. 5). For example, in the case where a processor (e.g., the processor 210 of fig. 5) moves a door locking key (e.g., the door locking key 110 of fig. 5) to the outside of the door locking switch module 100 using the second motor 120, the movable contact 450 may be moved from the third switch contact 431 sensing the unlocked state toward the first switch contact 411 sensing the locked state. When receiving the locking signal generated by the contact between the movable contact 450 and the first switch contact 411, the processor (e.g., the processor 210 of fig. 5) may confirm that the door 40 of the washing machine (e.g., the washing machine 10 of fig. 1) is in the locked state. Additionally, a processor (e.g., processor 210 of fig. 5) may begin a wash process.

However, in a case where the door (e.g., the door 40 of fig. 5) is not actually in the closed state, even if the door locking key (e.g., the door locking key 110 of fig. 5) is moved, the first switch 410 may be short-circuited and a signal may be generated which erroneously indicates that the movable contact 450 is in contact with the first switch contact 411 in a state where the movable contact is not in contact with the first switch contact 411.

For example, depending on the environmental conditions or heater operation in which the washing machine (e.g., the washing machine 10 of fig. 1) is installed, moisture may penetrate into the door-locking switch module 100 due to steam or an external temperature difference, and the above-described error may occur because moisture may generate a short circuit between certain contacts.

Referring to fig. 6(b), in a washing machine (e.g., the washing machine 10 of fig. 1) according to an embodiment, a second switch 420 may be connected in series to a first switch 410 sensing a locked state, so that a washing process does not start in a case where a door (e.g., the door 40 of fig. 5) is not in a locked state. The second switch 420 may sense, for example, a change in a magnetic field to automatically change the connection and disconnection of the second switch 420. Accordingly, in case that a magnet (e.g., the magnet 45 of fig. 5) provided at one side of a door (e.g., the door 40 of fig. 5) approaches the second switch 420, the second switch 420 may sense the approach of the magnet and be connected.

The second switch 420 may be, for example, a reed switch as described above. However, the second switch 420 is not limited thereto. For example, the second switch 420 may be a sensor (e.g., a hall sensor, a Tunnel Magnetoresistance (TMR) magnetic sensor, etc.) that detects the presence or absence of a magnetic field, and may have a structure in which contacts are connected when a magnetic field is detected and disconnected when a magnetic field is not detected.

According to an embodiment, when receiving a lock signal generated when the first switch 410 sensing the lock state is connected and the second switch 420 is connected at the same time, the processor (e.g., the processor 210 of fig. 5) may recognize that the door (e.g., the door 40 of fig. 5) of the washing machine (e.g., the washing machine 10 of fig. 1) is in the lock state. Accordingly, the processor (e.g., the processor 210 of fig. 4) may protrude the door locking key (e.g., the door locking key 110 of fig. 5), confirm the reception of the signal a predetermined number of times, recognize that the door (e.g., the door 40 of fig. 5) is in the unlocked state and generate an error (error) indicating that the washing process may not be performed when the locking signal is not received.

As described above, the washing machine 10 may reduce a malfunction in which a washing process is performed in a state in which a door (e.g., the door 40 of fig. 5) is opened by confirming a locked state of the door (e.g., the door of fig. 5) using the first switch 410 and the second switch 420 electrically connected to the first switch 410 in series.

However, the method of detecting the locked state and the unlocked state of the washing machine door 40 by the washing machine 10 is not limited thereto. For example, the processor 210 may recognize that the door 40 is in the locked state when the first switch 410 and the third switch 430 are open. In addition, when the second switch 420 is opened, the processor 210 may recognize that the door 40 is in an opened state. As described above, the washing machine 10 may recognize the locked state, the unlocked state, etc. of the door 40 according to various operation modes of the first switch 410, the second switch 420, and the third switch 430.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart for describing a process of the washing machine confirming whether a door is locked according to an embodiment.

Fig. 7(a) is a flowchart for describing a process of confirming whether the door is locked at the beginning of a washing process of the washing machine 10 according to an embodiment. Fig. 7(b) is a flowchart for describing a process of confirming whether the door is locked at the end of the washing process of the washing machine 10 according to an embodiment.

Referring to operation 710, the washing machine 10 may sense a change in a magnetic field using a reed switch included in the door-locking switch module to confirm whether the door of the washing machine 10 is closed.

Referring to operation 715, when it is confirmed that the door is closed, the washing machine 10 may protrude the door-locking key to the outside of the door-locking switch module. The protrusion of the door locking key may include moving an entirety of the door locking key to an outside of the door locking switch module and moving a portion of the door locking key to the outside of the door locking switch module.

Referring to operation 720, the washing machine 10 may generate an error when the door is not confirmed to be closed.

Referring to operation 725, the washing machine 10 may confirm whether the lock signal is generated. For example, when the movable contact moving together with the movement of the door lock key releases the electrical connection with the contact sensing the unlocked state and is electrically connected to the contact sensing the locked state, the lock signal may be generated while the switch electrically connected in series with the contact sensing the locked state is short-circuited based on the proximity of the magnet included in the door.

As described above, the washing machine 10 may confirm the locked state of the washing machine door using the two-step confirmation operation.

Referring to operation 730, it is confirmed that the washing machine 10, which generates the lock signal, can start the washing course.

Referring to operation 735, when the lock signal is not generated, the washing machine 10 may confirm whether the lock signal is generated and received a predetermined number of times and then generate an error indicating that the door is not locked.

Referring to operation 750, the washing machine 10 may end the washing process.

Referring to operation 755, when the washing process is finished, the washing machine 10 may insert the protruding door lock key into the door lock switch module. The inserting of the door lock key may include moving an entirety of the door lock key to an inside of the door lock switch module and moving a portion of the door lock key to the inside of the door lock switch module.

Referring to operation 760, the washing machine 10 may confirm whether the unlock signal is generated. For example, the unlock signal may be generated when the movable contact moving together with the movement of the door lock key releases the electrical connection with the contact sensing the locked state and is electrically connected to the contact sensing the unlocked state.

Referring to operation 765, it is confirmed that the washing machine 10, which generates the unlocking signal, may become the unlocked state of the door.

Referring to operation 770, when the unlock signal is not generated, the washing machine 10 may confirm whether the unlock signal is generated and received a predetermined number of times and then generate an error indicating that the door is not unlocked.

At least some of the apparatus (e.g., modules or functions thereof) or methods (e.g., operations) according to various embodiments may be implemented by instructions stored in the form of program modules in a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., memory). In the case where an instruction is executed by a processor (e.g., a processor), the processor may perform a function corresponding to the instruction. The computer readable storage medium may include a hard disk, a floppy disk and magnetic media (e.g., magnetic tape), optical media (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) or Digital Versatile Disc (DVD)), magneto-optical media (e.g., optical floppy disk), embedded memory, etc. The instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code that may be executed by an interpreter. A module or program module according to various embodiments may include one or more of the above components, may not include some of the above components, or may further include other components. Operations performed by modules, program modules, or other components according to various embodiments may be performed in a sequential manner, in a parallel manner, in an iterative manner, or in a heuristic manner, at least some of the operations may be performed in a different order or omitted, or other operations may be added.