Detergent box opening and closing detecting apparatus of washing machine and method for controlling washing machine having the same

Abstract

A detergent box opening and closing detecting apparatus of a washing machine includes: a detergent box to which a detergent is introduced; a detergent box installation part formed at a main body of the washing machine and allowing the detergent box to be installed therein; and a detergent box opening/closing detecting member that detects whether or not the detergent box installed in the detergent box installation part is opened or closed.

1 . A detergent box opening and closing detecting apparatus of a washing machine, comprising:
 a detergent box to which a detergent is introduced;   a detergent box installation part formed at a main body of the washing machine and allowing the detergent box to be installed therein; and   a detergent box opening/closing detecting member that detects whether or not the detergent box installed in the detergent box installation part is opened or closed, the detergent box opening/closing detecting member comprises a lead switch and a magnet,   wherein the lead switch is installed at the detergent box installation part, and the magnet is installed at the detergent box such that it faces the lead switch.   
   
   
       2 . A detergent box opening and closing detecting apparatus of a washing machine, comprising:
 a detergent box movably installed in a main body of the washing machine and receives a detergent;   a detergent box opening/closing detecting member that detects whether or not the detergent box is opened or closed; and   a controller that controls water supply to the detergent box depending on whether opening or closing of the detergent box is detected by the detergent box opening/closing detecting member,   wherein if the detergent box opening/closing detecting member detects that the detergent box is opened, the controller stops water supply to the detergent box.   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein if the detergent box opening/closing detecting member detects that the opened detergent box is closed, water supplied to the detergent box is resumed. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising;
 a display unit that displays whether the detergent box has been opened or closed as detected by the detergent box opening/closing detecting member.   
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the detergent box opening/closing detecting member comprises a lead switch and a magnet. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein a detergent box installation part is formed at the main body of the washing machine to allow the detergent box to be inserted therein. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the lead switch is installed at the detergent box installation part, and the magnet is installed at the detergent box such that it faces the lead switch. 
   
   
       8 . A method for controlling a washing machine, comprising:
 supplying water to a detergent box to provide a detergent introduced in the detergent box to the laundry;   controlling water supply to the detergent box according to whether or not the detergent box is opened or closed as detected by the detergent box opening/closing detecting member; and   stopping water supply to the detergent box if the detergent box is detected to be open in the step of controlling water supply to the detergent box.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein if the detergent box opening/closing detecting member detects that the opened detergent box is closed, water supply to the detergent box is resumed. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 determining whether or not water supplied to the detergent box has reached a required water level after water supply resumed.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 stopping water supply to the detergent box, if water supplied to the detergent box has reached the required water level.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 continuing supplying water to the detergent box, if water supplied to the detergent box has not reached the required water level.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 determining whether or not water supplied to the detergent box has reached the required water level when the detergent box is detected to be closed in the step of controlling water supply to the detergent box.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 stopping water supply to the detergent box, if water supplied to the detergent box has reached the required water level.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 continuing supplying water to the detergent box, if water supplied to the detergent box has not reached the required water level.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 displaying whether or not the detergent box is opened or closed as detected by the detergent box opening/closing detecting member.