Washing machine and water level/vibration sensor for washing machine

Abstract

A water level/vibration sensor for a washing machine is provided. The water level/vibration sensor includes a sensor housing mounted to a cabinet of a washing machine, a diaphragm configured to deform in shape depending on a change in a water level in a water storage tank, and a pusher configured to be moved up and down inside the sensor housing in response to the deformation in shape of the diaphragm. The water level/vibration sensor further includes a core mounted to the pusher, a coil mounted to the sensor housing and configured to surround the core so as to provide a specific inductance value corresponding to movement of the core, and a vibration chamber mounted to the pusher and configured to accommodate a vibrator vibrating in conjunction with a vibration of the water storage tank.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sensor for a washing machine, the sensor comprising:
 a sensor housing mounted to a cabinet of the washing machine;   a diaphragm configured to deform in shape based on a change in a water level in a water storage tank;   a pusher configured to be moved up and down inside the sensor housing responsive to a deformation in shape of the diaphragm;   a core disposed on the pusher;   a coil disposed on the sensor housing and configured to surround the core and to provide a specific inductance value corresponding to movement of the core; and   a vibration chamber disposed on the pusher and configured to accommodate a vibrator configured to vibrate in conjunction with vibration of the water storage tank.   
     
     
         2 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the vibration chamber comprises a plurality of vibration chambers that are spaced apart from one another and disposed in a substantially symmetrical relationship with respect to a center of the pusher. 
     
     
         3 . The sensor of  claim 2 , wherein the vibration chamber has provided therein a guide projection configured to convert horizontal movement of the vibrator into vertical movement of the vibrator. 
     
     
         4 . The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the vibration chamber comprises:
 a first vibration chamber configured to accommodate a first vibrator operable to vibrate in conjunction with vibration of the water storage tank; and   a second vibration chamber spaced apart from the first vibration chamber and configured to accommodate a second vibrator having a size different from a size of the first vibrator.   
     
     
         5 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a cabinet;   a water storage tank disposed inside the cabinet;   a washing bucket disposed inside the water storage tank and configured to rotate therein and provide a washing space for washing items; and   a sensor configured to sense both a water level in the water storage tank and vibration of the water storage tank,   wherein the sensor comprises: a sensor housing coupled to the cabinet; a diaphragm disposed inside the sensor housing and configured to deform in shape based on a water level in the water storage tank; a pusher configured to be moved up and down inside the sensor housing in response to a deformation in shape of the diaphragm; a core coupled to the pusher; a coil coupled to the sensor housing and configured to surround the core and to provide a specific inductance value corresponding to movement of the core; and a vibration chamber coupled to the pusher and configured to accommodate a vibrator configured to vibrate in conjunction with vibration of the water storage tank.   
     
     
         6 . The washing machine of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a controller configured to, when a vibration signal supplied by the sensor deviates from a predetermined range, determine that vibration of the water storage tank is at an excessive level and stop an operation of the washing machine responsive thereto.   
     
     
         7 . The washing machine of  claim 5 , wherein the vibration chamber comprises a plurality of vibration chambers spaced apart from one another and disposed in a symmetrical relationship with respect to a center of the pusher. 
     
     
         8 . The washing machine of  claim 5 , wherein the vibration chamber has provided therein a guide projection configured to convert horizontal movement of the vibrator into vertical movement of the vibrator. 
     
     
         9 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a water storage tank;   a washing bucket disposed inside the water storage tank and configured to rotate therein and provide a washing space for laundry; and   a single sensor device configured to sense both a water level in the water storage tank and vibration of the water storage tank; and   a controller configured to, when a vibration signal supplied by the single sensor device deviates from a predetermined range, determine that vibration of the water storage tank is at an excessive level and stop an operation of the washing machine responsive thereto.   
     
     
         10 . The washing machine of  claim 9 , wherein the single sensor device comprises:
 a sensor housing;   a diaphragm disposed inside the sensor housing and configured to deform in shape based on a water level in the water storage tank;   a pusher configured to be moved up and down inside the sensor housing in response to a deformation in shape of the diaphragm;   a core coupled to the pusher;   a coil coupled to the sensor housing and configured to surround the core and to provide a specific inductance value corresponding to movement of the core; and   a vibration chamber coupled to the pusher and configured to accommodate a vibrator configured to vibrate in conjunction with vibration of the water storage tank.   
     
     
         11 . The washing machine of  claim 10 , wherein the vibration chamber comprises a plurality of vibration chambers spaced apart from one another and disposed in a substantially symmetrical relationship with respect to a center of the pusher. 
     
     
         12 . The washing machine of  claim 11 , wherein the vibration chamber has provided therein a guide projection configured to convert horizontal movement of the vibrator into vertical movement of the vibrator.