U.S. patent application number 10/855929 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-03 for washer and method of determining load weight for same.
Invention is credited to Hyeong, Do Ki.
Application Number | 20050044641 10/855929 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34214691 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050044641 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hyeong, Do Ki |
March 3, 2005 |
Washer and method of determining load weight for same
Abstract
A washer and a method of determining a load weight are
disclosed. The washer includes a tub which stores clothes to be
washed, and a motor which rotates the tub. It further includes a
microprocessor which measures an acceleration time during which the
motor rotates up to a certain speed, and a deceleration time during
which the motor comes from another certain speed to a full stop.
Then, the microprocessor determines the load weight by using at
least one of the acceleration and the deceleration times.
Inventors: |
Hyeong, Do Ki; (Changwon-si,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Song K. Jung
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE LLP
1900 K Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
34214691 |
Appl. No.: |
10/855929 |
Filed: |
May 28, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/159 ; 68/12.01;
68/12.04 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 2103/16 20200201;
D06F 2105/02 20200201; D06F 2103/18 20200201; D06F 2103/38
20200201; D06F 2103/04 20200201; D06F 34/18 20200201; D06F 2105/10
20200201 |
Class at
Publication: |
008/159 ;
068/012.04; 068/012.01 |
International
Class: |
D06F 033/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 26, 2003 |
KR |
P 2003-59058 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of determining a load weight in a washer including a
motor rotating a tub containing clothes, the method comprising:
measuring at least one of a first time and a second time, wherein
the first time denotes a time during which the motor rotates up to
a first speed, and the second time denotes a time during which the
motor comes from a second speed to a full stop; and determining the
load weight in the washer by using the at least one of the first
and the second measured times.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the load weight
is carried out before water is supplied into the tub.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the washer is a drum type washer
and the tub is a drum type tub.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and the second speeds
are identical.
5. A method of determining a load weight in a washer including a
motor rotating a tub containing clothes, the method comprising:
measuring a first time during which the motor rotates up to a first
speed; measuring a second time during which the motor comes from
the first speed to a full stop; and determining the load weight in
the washer by using the first and the second measured times.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the determining the load weight
comprises; calculating a look-up value by using the first and the
second measured times; and selecting one of a plurality of load
weight values in a look-up table, corresponding to the look-up
value.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of the load weight
values in the look-up table is proportional to its corresponding
look-up values.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the calculating a look-up value
comprises; calculating N*T.sub.1, wherein N is an integer and
T.sub.1 denotes the first time; adding T.sub.2 to N*T.sub.1,
wherein T.sub.2 denotes the second time; and dividing
N*T.sub.1+T.sub.2 by 2 in order to obtain a weighted average value
of T.sub.1 and T.sub.2.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein N is equal to or greater than
2.
10. The method of claim 5, wherein the determining the load weight
is carried out before water is supplied into the tub to determine
the amount of the supplied water and other washing operation
parameters such as time intervals of washing, rinsing and
dehydrating cycles, and a temperature of the supplied water.
11. The method of claim 5, wherein the determining the load weight
is carried out when a user initiates a washing operation.
12. A washer comprising: a tub containing clothes; a motor rotating
the tub; and a microprocessor measuring a first and a second times,
and determining a load weight by using at least one of the first
and second times, wherein the first time represents a time during
which the motor rotates to a first speed, and the second time
represents a time during which the motor comes from a second speed
to a full stop.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the a microprocessor
determining a load weight comprises: calculating a look-up value by
look-up value=(N*T.sub.1+T.sub.2)/2, where N denotes an integer,
T.sub.1 denotes the first time and T.sub.2 denotes the second time;
and selecting one of a plurality of load weight values in a look-up
table, corresponding to the look-up value
14. The method of claim 13, wherein N is equal to or greater than
2.
15. A computer software product, comprising: A computer-readable
medium storing program code for controlling operations of a washer,
the program code, when executed by the microprocessor, causing the
microprocessor to perform: measuring a first time during which a
motor rotates to a first speed; measuring a second time during
which the motor comes from a second speed to a full stop;
calculating a look-up value in order to determine a load weight by
using the first and the second measured times; and selecting one of
a plurality of load weight values in a look-up table, corresponding
to the look-up value, wherein the look-up value is calculated from
(N*T.sub.1+T.sub.2)/2, where N is an integer and equal to or
greater than 2, T.sub.1 denotes the first time and T.sub.2 denotes
the second time.
16. The software product of claim 15, the computer-readable medium
storing program code for controlling operations of a washer
comprises a memory.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Application
No. P2003-59805, filed on Aug. 26, 2003, which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a washer, and more
particularly, to a drum washer and a method of determining a load
weight in the washer.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, a washer performs a washing operation by
executing washing, rinsing, and dehydrating cycles. Washers may be
categorized into a pulsator, an agitator, a drum type, and the like
based on how the washing cycle performs.
[0006] Referring to FIG. 1, a body 1 includes a tub 2 inside of the
body 1, which is connected by a damper (not shown in FIG. 1). Dirty
clothes to be washed are placed in the tub 2, and a driving force
of a motor 10 is transmitted through a belt 11, which rotates a
drum 3. In the mean time, water is added through an inlet pipe 6
while a thermometer 4 (e.g., thermistor) measures a temperature.
The water is drained by a drain pump 8 through a drain pipe 7,
which is connected between the tub 2 and the pump 8. Finally, the
water exits to the outside through a drain hose 9, attached from
the pump 8 to the outside.
[0007] Utilizing the washer illustrated previously, a user opens
the door provided (not shown in the FIG. 1) on the front side of
the body 1. After inserting the dirty clothes into the tub 2, the
user initiates a washing operation by selecting a washing option on
the control panel displayed on the washer. As a controller in the
washer senses a load weight and determines an amount of water, the
water is supplied with a detergent from the detergent box 5, flows
through the inlet pipe 6, and reaches the inside of the tub 2.
[0008] When a level of the water in the drum 3 reaches a desired
level, the motor 10 starts to rotate so that the drum 3 spins.
After the washing cycle, the pump 8 is turned on to drain the
supplied water from the tub 2. The water flows through the drain
pipe 7 and the drain hose 9, and exits to the outside. After this
washing cycle, the rinsing and dehydrating cycles are executed.
Finally, the washing operation is completed.
[0009] According to the principles of the related art, as the water
is supplied, the level of the water in the drum 3 elevates.
Dependent upon fabric types of the clothes, the amount of the
supplied water soaked into the clothes varies. As the controller
senses the level of the water time to time and refills the water,
if needed, to compensate the loss of the water from soaking, a
number of refilling is counted and the load weight is determined
based on the number of refilling. In other words, the more the
water is refilled, the heavier is the load weight.
[0010] However, the related art's method of determining the load
weight has caused a significant problem in determining proper
washing parameters such as time intervals of the washing, rinsing
and dehydrating cycles, and a temperature of the supplied water,
thus resulted in descending the performance of washers. It is due
to the fact that the amount of the water soaked into the clothes
varies dependent upon the fabric types of the clothes. For example,
the same weight of wool and nylon will weigh at two different
weights by the related art's method because the wool tends to soak
in more moisture.
[0011] On the other hand, according to the principles of the
present invention, the method of determining the load weight before
the water is supplied to the clothes resolves the related art's
problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a washer
and a method of determining a load weight that substantially
obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages
of the related art.
[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a more
accurate amount of water which is supplied to a washer and more
precise washing parameters such as time intervals of washing,
rinsing and dehydrating cycles, and a temperature of the supplied
water so that the performance of the washer can be improved.
[0014] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be
learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other
advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the
structure particularly pointed out in the written description and
claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
[0015] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, a method of determining a load weight in
a washer according to the present invention may include measuring
at least one of an acceleration time during which a motor rotates
up to a certain speed, and a deceleration time during which a motor
comes from another certain speed to a complete stop. A unit of the
speeds dealt with the acceleration and the deceleration times may
be RPM (revolution per minute). It may also include determining the
load weight in the washer by using at least one of the acceleration
and the deceleration times.
[0016] In another aspect of the present invention, a method of
determining the load weight in the washer may include at least one
of an acceleration time during which a motor rotates up to a
certain speed, and a deceleration time during which a motor comes
from the certain speed to a complete stop. A unit of the speeds
dealt with the acceleration and the deceleration times may be RPM
(revolution per minute). It may also include calculating a look-up
value and selecting one of a plurality of load weight values in a
look-up table, corresponding to the look-up value in order to
determine the load weight. The look-up value may be obtained by
calculating a weighted value of the acceleration and the
deceleration times.
[0017] In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus of
a washer includes a tub which stores clothes to be washed, and a
motor which rotates the tub. According to the present invention, it
also includes a microprocessor which measures an acceleration time
during which the motor rotates up to a certain speed, and a
deceleration time during which the motor comes from another speed
to a full stop. A unit of the speeds dealt with the acceleration
and the deceleration times may be RPM (revolution per minute).
Then, the microprocessor determines a load weight by using at least
one of the acceleration and the deceleration times.
[0018] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description of the present
invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide
further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention. In the drawings;
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates the front view of an existing drum
washer;
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic block diagram for the drum
washer in accordance with the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of determining
a load weight in a washer according to the present invention;
and
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a graph showing how each of T.sub.1 and
T.sub.2 varies in terms of the load weight in the washer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a drum
washer in accordance with the present invention. The drum washer
includes a key input unit 101 which receives an user's command for
a washing operation, and a microprocessor 105, which determines a
load weight by using the time, T.sub.1, during which a motor 106
rotates up to a pre-determined speed, and T.sub.2 during which the
motor 106 comes to a full stop after the motor 106 is powered off.
Then, the microprocessor 105 decides washing operation parameters
such as time intervals of washing, rinsing and dehydrating cycles,
and a temperature of the supplied water according to the determined
load weight.
[0026] The washer also includes a water level sensor 103 which
senses a level of water in a tub 2, and a temperature sensor 104
which adjusts temperature in the tub 2, according to the control
signals from the microprocessor 105. The washer further includes a
power supply unit 102 which supplies the power throughout the
system, a motor driving unit 107 which drives a motor 106, and a
heater driving unit 109 which adjusts a heater 108, by means of
receiving the control signals from the microprocessor 105.
[0027] According to the washer with the present invention, when a
user initiates a washing operation by inputting a washing option
displayed on the control panel on the washer, the microprocessor
105 determines the load weight before the water is supplied into
the tub 2. The method of determining the load weight is to measure
the time, T.sub.1 and T.sub.2; T.sub.1 is a time during which the
motor 106 rotates to a pre-determined speed. Then, the motor 106 is
powered off. T.sub.2 is a time during which the motor 106 comes to
a complete stop after it is powered off. A unit of the speed dealt
with T.sub.1 may be RPM (revolution per minute). Now, the load
weight is determined by using the times, T.sub.1 and T.sub.2.
[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates a graph showing how each time of T.sub.1
and T.sub.2 varies in terms of the load weight in the tub 2.
Referring to FIG. 4, it is recognized that T.sub.1 initially
increases and eventually settles down at a certain time as the load
weight increases, whereas T.sub.2 proportionally increases as the
load weight increases. The load weight is determined by selecting
one of a plurality of load weight values in a look-up table,
corresponding to a look-up value. The look-up value is calculated
by applying T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 to the following equation: 1 Look -
up_value = ( ( T 1 .times. 3 ) + T 2 2 ,
[0029] where T.sub.1 denotes a time during which the motor 106
rotates to the pre-determined speed, and T.sub.2 denotes a time
during which the motor 106 comes to a complete stop after it is
powered off.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of determining
the load weight. Referring to FIG. 3, the microprocessor 105
determines whether the washer is powered on (S11). If the power is
on, the microprocessor 105 receives a command for a washing
operation from a user (S12). Then, the microprocessor 105 signals
the motor driving unit 107 to drive the motor 106 and measures the
time, T.sub.1, during which the motor 106 rotates up to the
pre-determined speed (S13). The microprocessor 105 powers off the
motor 106 when it reaches the pre-determined speed.
[0031] Subsequently, the microprocessor 105 measures the time,
T.sub.2, during which the motor 106 comes to a complete stop (S14),
and determines the load weight by using T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 (S15).
The microprocessor 105 supplies the appropriate amount of the
supplied water into the tub 2 dependent upon the load weight
determined in the previous step (S16). The microprocessor signals
the water level sensor 103 to determine whether the appropriate
amount of water is supplied (S17). If the amount of water satisfies
the water level sensor 103, the microprocessor 105 executes a
washing operation (S18) and assures that the washing operation is
properly completed (S19). Accordingly, the present invention makes
it possible that the load weight is determined before the step of
filling the water in the washer is executed so that the more
accurate amount of the water can be supplied to the tub 2.
[0032] Therefore, according to the principles of the present
invention, the more accurate load weight can be determined
regardless of fabric types because it is determined before the
water is soaked into the clothes. In addition, a performance of the
washer can be improved for the more appropriate washing parameters
such as time intervals of the washing, rinsing and dehydrating
cycles, and a temperature of the supplied water are selected
according to the more accurate weight load. Consequently, users can
be more satisfied with the improved performance of their
washers.
[0033] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *