U.S. patent application number 10/974784 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-07 for washing machine and control method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Choi, Seung Ju, Kim, Hyun Sook, Kim, Hyung Gyoon, Oak, Seong Min, Park, Jae-Ryong, Park, Seon-Woo, Pyo, Sang Yeon, Yang, Byoung Yull, Yang, Hye Soon.
Application Number | 20050144735 10/974784 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34617441 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050144735 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yang, Byoung Yull ; et
al. |
July 7, 2005 |
Washing machine and control method thereof
Abstract
A washing machine and a control method thereof in which laundry
is washed in a state of being directly heated by steam. The washing
machine includes a microcomputer for controlling the overall
operation of the washing machine to wash laundry by using steam.
The microcomputer controls operations of wetting laundry with a
small amount of water prior to generation of steam, uniformly
spraying detergent over the wet laundry, and injecting steam onto
the laundry. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve a reduction in
the amount of water to be used and a reduction in wash time while
preventing the laundry from being stained or damaged during the
wash operation using steam.
Inventors: |
Yang, Byoung Yull;
(Ansan-Si, KR) ; Kim, Hyung Gyoon; (Suwon-Si,
KR) ; Pyo, Sang Yeon; (Suwon-Si, KR) ; Park,
Seon-Woo; (Suwon-Si, KR) ; Yang, Hye Soon;
(Yongin-Si, KR) ; Oak, Seong Min; (Masan-City,
KR) ; Choi, Seung Ju; (Suwon-Si, KR) ; Park,
Jae-Ryong; (Suwon-Si, KR) ; Kim, Hyun Sook;
(Suwon-Si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
|
Family ID: |
34617441 |
Appl. No.: |
10/974784 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/149.3 ;
68/12.05; 68/12.12; 68/12.19; 68/15; 8/158; 8/159 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02B 40/00 20130101;
D06F 39/008 20130101; D06F 35/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
008/149.3 ;
068/015; 068/012.12; 068/012.05; 068/012.19; 008/158; 008/159 |
International
Class: |
D06F 039/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 6, 2004 |
KR |
2004-680 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A washing machine comprising: a rotating drum for containing
laundry; a drum driving unit for driving the rotating drum; a steam
generator for generating steamand supplying the steam into the
rotating drum; and a controller for controlling operations of
injecting the steam supplied from the steam generator into the
rotating drum to heat the laundry into heated laundry, and washing
the heated laundry.
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a
water supply unit for supplying water into the rotating drum,
wherein the controller drives the water supply unit to wet the
laundry with water into wet laundry before the operation of washing
the heated laundry.
3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the controller
controls the drum driving unit to rotate the rotating drum in
forward and reverse directions in an alternating fashion while the
laundry is wetted by the water.
4. The washing machine according to claim 2, further comprising: a
detergent dissolving unit for supplying a detergent solution into
the rotating drum, wherein the controller drives the detergent
dissolving unit to spray the detergent solution over the wet
laundry.
5. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the controller
controls the drum driving unit to rotate the rotating drum at a
predetermined speed before the detergent solution is sprayed.
6. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the
predetermined speed is a speed sufficient to bring the laundry into
constant contact with an inner peripheral surface of the rotating
drum while defining an empty space at a central interior of the
rotating drum.
7. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the controller
controls the detergent dissolving unit to spray the detergent
solution when a rotating speed of the drum corresponds to the
predetermined speed, and controls the drum driving unit to reduce
the rotating speed of the rotating drum while the detergent
solution is being sprayed.
8. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the controller
controls the drum driving unit to rotate the rotating drum in
forward and reverse directions in an alternating fashion to
transfer the detergent solution sprayed over the laundry over
substantially all portions of the laundry.
9. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the steam
generator comprises a heating tank for containing water, and a
heater installed in the heating tank adapted to heat the water in
the heating tank, thereby generating steam, the heater being
controlled by the controller.
10. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the steam
generator further comprises a water level sensor for sensing a
water level in the steam generator, and a water temperature sensor
for sensing a water temperature in the steam generator, the water
level sensor and water temperature sensor providing, to the
controller, information about the water level and water temperature
sensed thereby.
11. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the steam
generator further comprises a steam supply valve installed at an
outlet of the heating tank, and the controller opens the steam
supply valve to supply the steam generated from the heating
tank.
12. A control method for a washing machine comprising the steps of:
when a setting of a user corresponds to a wash course for washing
laundry using steam, supplying water into a rotating drum as
supplied water, and wetting laundry contained in the rotating drum
into wet laundry with the supplied water; spraying a detergent
solution over the wet laundry; generating steam by a steam
generator as generated steam; injecting the generated steam into
the rotating drum, thereby heating the laundry as heated laundry;
and washing the heated laundry.
13. The control method according to claim 12, wherein the rotating
drum is rotated in forward and reverse directions in an alternating
fashion while the laundry is wetted by the supplied water.
14. The control method according to claim 12, wherein the rotating
drum is rotated at a predetermined speed to define an empty space
at a central interior of the rotating drum.
15. The control method according to claim 14, wherein the detergent
solution is sprayed in the empty space defined in the rotating
drum, and a rotating speed of the rotating drum is reduced below
the predetermined speed while the detergent solution is being
sprayed in a spray of the detergent solution.
16. The control method according to claim 15, wherein the rotating
drum is rotated in forward and reverse directions in an alternating
fashion for a predetermined time after a completion of the spray of
the detergent solution.
17. The control method according to claim 16, wherein the
predetermined time spans from a point of time when the rotating
drum is stopped to a point of time just before the generated steam
is injected into the rotating drum.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 2004-680, filed on Jan. 6, 2004, in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present
invention relate to a washing machine and a control method thereof,
and more particularly, to a washing machine and a control method
thereof in which laundry is washed while being directly heated by
steam.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] There are conventional washing machines using wash water
heated by a heater installed in a water tub. In such a washing
machine, a detergent is put into a water tub during the supply of a
predetermined amount of water. As the water tub is rotated in
forward and reverse directions in a repeated fashion, the detergent
is dissolved in the water supplied into the water tub. Thus, a wash
process is carried out, using the detergent solution.
[0006] In order to effectively dissolve a detergent in water, and
to transfer the resultant detergent solution over all portions of
the laundry to be washed, it is necessary to use an increased
amount of wash water. However, such an increase in the amount of
wash water to be used causes an increase in the heating time of a
heater adapted to heat the wash water. As a result, an increased
consumption of electric energy and an increase in wash time
occur.
[0007] In the above case, there is also a drawback in that the time
taken for the wash water to reach a predetermined high temperature
for an effective wash is prolonged.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above
mentioned problems, and an aspect of the invention is to provide a
washing machine and a control method thereof in which laundry is
washed in a state of being heated by steam, so that it is possible
to reduce the wash time while using a reduced amount of water.
[0009] Another aspect of the invention is to provide a washing
machine and a control method thereof which are capable of
preventing laundry from being stained or damaged by hot steam as
the steam comes into contact with the laundry to heat the laundry,
while achieving an enhancement in washing.
[0010] In accordance with one aspect, the present invention
provides a washing machine comprising: a rotating drum for
containing laundry; a drum driving unit for driving the rotating
drum; a steam generator for generating steam and supplying the
steam into the rotating drum; and a controller for controlling
operations of injecting the steam supplied from the steam generator
into the rotating drum to heat the laundry into heated laundry, and
washing the heated laundry.
[0011] The washing machine may further comprise a water supply unit
for supplying water into the rotating drum. In this case, the
controller may drive the water supply unit to wet the laundry with
water into wet laundry before the operation of washing the heated
laundry.
[0012] The controller may control the drum driving unit to rotate
the rotating drum in forward and reverse directions in an
alternating fashion while the laundry is wetted by the water.
[0013] The washing machine may further comprise a detergent
dissolving unit for supplying a detergent solution into the
rotating drum. In this case, the controller may drive the detergent
dissolving unit to spray the detergent solution over the wet
laundry.
[0014] The controller may control the drum driving unit to rotate
the rotating drum at a predetermined speed before the detergent
solution is sprayed.
[0015] The predetermined speed may be a speed sufficient to bring
the laundry into constant contact with an inner peripheral surface
of the rotating drum while defining an empty space at a central
interior of the rotating drum.
[0016] The controller may control the detergent dissolving unit to
spray the detergent solution when a rotating speed of the drum
corresponds to the predetermined speed, and control the drum
driving unit to reduce the rotating speed of the rotating drum
while the detergent solution is being sprayed.
[0017] The controller may control the drum driving unit to rotate
the rotating drum in forward and reverse directions in an
alternating fashion so that the detergent solution sprayed over the
laundry is transferred over all portions of the laundry.
[0018] The steam generator may comprise a heating tank for
containing water, and a heater installed in the heating tank, and
adapted to heat the water in the heating tank, thereby generating
steam. The heater may be controlled by the controller.
[0019] The steam generator may further comprise a water level
sensor for sensing a water level in the steam generator, and a
water temperature sensor for sensing a water temperature in the
steam generator. The water level sensor and water temperature
sensor may provide, to the controller, information about the water
level and water temperature sensed thereby.
[0020] The steam generator may further comprise a steam supply
valve installed at an outlet of the heating tank. In this case, the
controller may open the steam supply valve to supply the steam
generated from the heating tank.
[0021] In accordance with another aspect, the present invention
provides a control method for a washing machine comprising the
steps of: when a setting of a user corresponds to a wash course for
washing laundry by using steam, supplying water into a rotating
drum, and wetting laundry contained in the rotating drum into wet
laundry with the supplied water; spraying a detergent solution over
the wet laundry; generating steam by a steam generator; injecting
the generated steam into the rotating drum, thereby heating the
laundry as heated laundry; and washing the heated laundry.
[0022] The rotating drum may be rotated in forward and reverse
directions in an alternating fashion while the laundry is wetted by
the water.
[0023] The rotating drum may be rotated at a predetermined speed to
define an empty space at a central interior of the rotating
drum.
[0024] The detergent solution may be sprayed in the empty space
defined in the rotating drum, and the rotating speed of the
rotating drum is reduced below the predetermined speed while the
detergent solution is being sprayed.
[0025] The rotating drum may be rotated in forward and reverse
directions in an alternating fashion for a predetermined time after
completion of the spray of the detergent solution.
[0026] The predetermined time may span from a point of time when
the rotating drum is stopped to a point of time just before the
generated steam is injected into the rotating drum.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The above aspects, and other features and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent after reading the
following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the
drawings, in which:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the
configuration of a washing machine according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control
configuration applied to the washing machine according to the
illustrated embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling
the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0031] FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic views for explaining a wash
cycle carried out by using steam in the washing machine in
accordance with the control method, respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be
described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings.
[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the
configuration of a washing machine according to an embodiment of
the present invention. This embodiment is applied to a drum type
washing machine equipped with a steam generator.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the drum type washing machine according
to the illustrated embodiment of the present invention includes a
first water supply pipe 12 for supplying water introduced from an
external water service pipe 2 to a water tub 10, and a second water
supply pipe 14 for supplying the water from the external water
service pipe 2 to a heating tank 31 included in a steam generator
30. The drum type washing machine also includes a third water
supply pipe 13 for supplying the water from the external water
service pipe 2 to a rotating drum 11.
[0035] Connected to the first water supply pipe 12 are a first
water supply valve 3 and a detergent storage box 16. The detergent
storage box 16 is adapted to store detergent powder therein. The
water introduced into the first water supply pipe 12 is supplied to
the water tub 10 after passing through the first water supply valve
3 and detergent storage box 16, so that it is introduced, along
with the detergent, into the water tub 10 via an outlet pipe
16a.
[0036] A third water supply valve 5 is installed at the third water
supply pipe 13 in order to selectively supply water into the
rotating drum 11. An injection nozzle 13a is mounted to an end of
the third water supply pipe 13 exposed to the interior of the
rotating drum 11, in order to inject water into the rotating drum
11.
[0037] A drain pipe 17 is arranged beneath the water tub 10 while
being connected to a bottom of the water tub 10. A pump motor 18 is
installed at the drain pipe 17 in order to pump the water and
detergent contained in the water tub 10. A drain valve 19 is also
installed at the drain pipe 17 downstream from the pump motor 18. A
connecting pipe 20 is branched from the drain pipe 17 between the
pump motor 18 and the drain valve 19. The connecting pipe 20 is
connected to the drain pipe 17 at one end thereof while extending
to an opening of the rotating drum 11 at the other end thereof. The
connecting pipe 10 has, at an intermediate portion thereof, a
diameter larger than that of other portions thereof, to define a
cylindrical detergent dissolving chamber 20b. An injection nozzle
20a is provided at the other end of the connecting pipe 20 in order
to inject a detergent solution into the rotating drum 11.
[0038] A check valve 21 for prevention of backflow is installed at
the connecting pipe 20. When the drain valve 19 is opened under the
condition in which the check valve 21 is shut off, the water pumped
by the pump motor 18 is externally discharged without flowing
backward to the connecting pipe 20. On the other hand, when the
check valve 21 is opened in a closed state of the drain valve 19,
the water pumped by the pump motor 18 is introduced into the
connecting pipe 20, so that it flows upwardly.
[0039] Mounted at one side of the rotating drum 11 is a drum motor
23 which is rotatable in forward and reverse directions. In
accordance with operation of the drum motor 23, the rotating drum
11 rotates in one direction or rotates in opposite directions in an
alternating fashion.
[0040] The steam generator 30 is installed at the second water
supply pipe 14 in order to heat water supplied to the second water
supply pipe 14 through the second water supply valve 4. As
described above, the steam generator 30 includes the heating tank
31. Provided in the heating tank 31 is a heater adapted to heat
water contained in the heating tank 31, and thus, to generate
steam, a water level sensor adapted to sense the level of water in
the heating tank 31, and a water temperature sensor adapted to
sense the temperature of water in the heating tank 31. A steam
supply valve 32 is provided at an outlet of the steam generator
30.
[0041] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control
configuration applied to the washing machine according to the
illustrated embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 2, the washing machine includes a
controller 60 for controlling the overall operation of the washing
machine. The controller 60 includes a microcomputer 61 and a memory
62. The memory 62 stores information about respective wash
temperatures and respective wash times corresponding to various
wash courses.
[0043] Connected to an input of the microcomputer 61 are an input
unit 63 for inputting commands set by the user, a first water level
sensor 64 and a first water temperature sensor 65 respectively
installed at desired positions in the water tub 10, and adapted to
sense the level and temperature of water contained in the water tub
10, and a second water level sensor 34 and a second water
temperature sensor 35 respectively installed at desired positions
in the heating tank 31, and adapted to sense the level and
temperature of water contained in the heating tank 31.
[0044] The washing machine also includes a water supply valve
driving unit 66 for driving the first through third water supply
valves 3 to 5, steam supply valve 32, drain valve 19, and check
valve 21, a motor driving unit 67 for driving the drum motor 23 and
pump motor 18, and a heater driving unit 68 for driving the heater
33. These driving units 66 to 68 are connected to an output of the
microcomputer 61.
[0045] The microcomputer 61 controls the overall operation of the
washing machine required to wash laundry by using steam. That is,
the microcomputer 61 controls operations of wetting laundry with a
small amount of water prior to the generation of steam, spraying
detergent over the wet laundry, and then injecting steam onto the
laundry.
[0046] Now, a method for controlling the washing machine having the
above described configuration in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention will be described in detail with reference to
FIG. 3.
[0047] In accordance with the control method, a wash course is
first set by the user under the condition in which laundry has been
put into the rotating drum 11, and a door of the washing machine
has then been closed (Step 110). The microcomputer 61 then
determines whether or not the set wash course is a wash course for
washing the laundry by using steam (Step 120). When it is
determined at step 120 that the set wash course is not the wash
course using steam, for example, when the set wash course is a wash
course for washing the laundry by using cold water and detergent, a
wash cycle according to the set wash course, that is, the wash
course using cold water and detergent, is executed (Step 121).
[0048] On the other hand, when the set wash course is the wash
course using steam, the microcomputer 61 controls the valve driving
unit 66 to open the third water supply valve 5. As a result, water
from the external water service pipe 2 is supplied into the
rotating drum 11 through the injection nozzle 13a, so that the
laundry is wetted by the supplied water. In order to uniformly wet
the laundry with a small amount of water, the microcomputer 61
controls the motor driving unit 67 to rotate the rotating drum 11
in forward and reverse directions in an alternating fashion ((a) of
FIG. 4A) (Step 130).
[0049] The microcomputer 61 then controls the valve driving unit 66
to open the first water supply valve 3. As a result, detergent
powder is put into the water tub 10, along with water introduced
into the water tub 10 via the first water supply pipe 12. The
microcomputer 61 also controls the motor driving unit 67 to drive
the pump motor 18, thereby causing the water and detergent powder
to be fed from the water tub 10 to the detergent dissolving chamber
20b. The fed water and detergent powder are mixed in the detergent
dissolving chamber 20b, thereby producing a detergent solution ((b)
and (c) of FIG. 4A) (Step 140). In order to achieve a reduction in
wash time, steps 130 and 140 may be simultaneously executed.
[0050] After the execution of steps 130 and 140, the microcomputer
61 controls the motor driving unit 67 to rotate the rotating drum
11 at high speed so that the laundry is in constant contact with an
inner peripheral surface of the rotating drum 11. As a result, an
empty space 11a is defined at a central interior of the rotating
drum 11 ((d) of FIG. 4A) (Step 150).
[0051] Subsequently, the microcomputer 61 controls the motor
driving unit 67 to drive the pump motor 18, thereby causing the
detergent solution contained in the detergent dissolving chamber
20b to be injected into the rotating drum 11 through the injection
nozzle 20a. Thus, the detergent solution is sprayed over the
laundry ((e) of FIG. 4A) (Step 160).
[0052] During the spray of the detergent solution over the laundry,
the microcomputer controls the motor driving unit 67 to reduce the
rotating speed of the rotating drum 11. As the rotating speed of
the rotating drum 11 is reduced, the laundry, which is in constant
contact with the inner peripheral surface of the rotating drum 11,
is tumbled. As a result, the detergent solution can be sprayed over
the entire portion of the laundry ((f) of FIG. 4A) (Step 170).
[0053] After the spray of the detergent solution, the microcomputer
61 controls the motor driving unit 67 to rotate the rotating drum
11 in forward and reverse directions in an alternating fashion, in
order to transfer the detergent solution over all portions of the
laundry. This operation is continued for a predetermined time. In
the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the operation
is continuously carried out for 5 minutes ((g) of FIG. 4B) (Step
180).
[0054] Thereafter, in order to store a desired amount of water in
the heating tank 31, the microcomputer 61 controls the valve
driving unit 66 to open the second water supply valve 4. Based on
the water level of the heating tank 31 sensed by the second water
level sensor 34, the microcomputer 61 subsequently closes the
second supply valve 5. The microcomputer 61 also drives the heater
driving unit 68 to drive the heater 33. In accordance with
operation of the heater 33, the water stored in the heating tank 31
is heated. When steam is generated as the water in the heating tank
31 is heated, the microcomputer 61 controls the valve driving unit
66 to open the steam supply valve 32. As a result, the hot steam
generated in the heating tank 31 is injected into the rotating drum
11 through the injection nozzle 14a of the second water supply pipe
14. As the water and air present in the rotating drum 11 are heated
by the steam, the internal temperature of the rotating drum 11
increases rapidly. At this time, the microcomputer 61 controls the
motor driving unit 67 to rotate the rotating drum 11 in forward and
reverse directions in an alternating fashion. As a result, the
laundry is washed in a state in which the steam injected into the
rotating drum 11 comes into contact with the laundry. In order to
perform such a steam wash cycle at a predetermined wash
temperature, the microcomputer 61 controls the steam injection and
the stopping of the steam injection, based on the water temperature
sensed by the first water temperature sensor 65 ((h) of FIG.
4B)(Step 190).
[0055] During the wash cycle using steam, the microcomputer 61
periodically determines whether or not the wash cycle has been
completed (Step 200). When it is determined that the wash cycle has
not been completed, the microcomputer 61 returns its control
operation to step 190.
[0056] When it is determined at step 200 that the wash cycle has
been completed, the microcomputer 61 executes rinse and spin-dry
cycles (Step 210).
[0057] As apparent from the above description, in accordance with
the present invention, steam is injected onto laundry, so as to
directly heat the laundry. Accordingly, the time taken for the
laundry to reach a desired wash temperature is reduced, so that it
is possible to achieve a reduction in wash time and a reduction in
the consumption of electric energy. In accordance with the present
invention, a wash cycle using steam is carried out for laundry
under the condition in which the laundry has been wetted with a
small amount of water, and then a detergent solution has been
uniformly sprayed over the wet laundry. Accordingly, it is possible
to achieve a reduction in the amount of water to be used and an
enhancement in washing while preventing the laundry from being
stained or damaged by hot steam when the steam comes into contact
with the laundry.
[0058] Although the exemplary embodiments of the invention have
been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art
will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *