Water supply control device for washing machine

Abstract

A water supply control device for a washing machine, the device selectively supplying washing water to a predetermined chamber of washing process chambers by switching water supply passages of the washing water, and including: a body including a water inlet port, a chamber provided with a plurality of water passages and providing an outflow path of the washing water, and a plurality of water outlet ports allowing the washing water supplied through the respective water passages to be supplied to the respective washing process chambers; a plurality of opening and closing parts made of a magnetic material and provided at the water passages, respectively, to be movable upward and downward, the opening and closing parts controlling flowing of the washing water in the water passages; and an actuator being rotatable by a stepping motor, and provided with a permanent magnet coming into contact with the respective opening and closing parts.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A water supply control device for a washing machine, the device being configured to supply washing water to a predetermined chamber of washing process chambers such as a detergent or softener supply chamber or a washing chamber in a selective manner, and comprising:
 a body including a water inlet port into which the washing water flows, a chamber placed in a circumferential direction of the body and provided with a plurality of water passages, the chamber being configured to provide an outflow path of the washing water flowing in from the water inlet port, and a plurality of water outlet ports extending from an outer circumference of the body and allowing the washing water supplied through the respective water passages to be supplied to the respective washing process chambers;   a plurality of opening and closing parts made of a magnetic material and provided at the water passages, respectively, to be movable upward and downward, the opening and closing parts controlling flowing of the washing water in the water passages; and   an actuator provided at an upper center of the body to be rotatable by a stepping motor, and provided with a permanent magnet coming into contact with the respective opening and closing parts,   wherein when the stepping motor is operated in response to a control signal of the washing machine, the permanent magnet of the actuator reaches any one of the opening and closing parts, and at the same time the opening and closing part is moved upward due to a magnetic force to open the corresponding water passage that is in a closed state, whereby the washing water is supplied to the corresponding washing process chamber through the corresponding water outlet port in the selective manner.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the opening and closing parts includes:
 a plunger made of a magnetic material and elastically provided at the opening and closing part; and   a blocking element opening and closing the water passage.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the permanent magnet is provided at a predetermined position of the actuator, and is inserted and installed in a storage portion provided on a diameter line passing a center of the actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening and closing parts are arranged concentrically with the actuator at regular intervals.