U.S. patent application number 11/188796 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-06 for washing machine and method for controlling supply of water thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Yo Chul Ha, Jung Ran Jung, Hyoung Hoon Roh, Chang Sang Yun.
Application Number | 20060143836 11/188796 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36088545 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060143836 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jung; Jung Ran ; et
al. |
July 6, 2006 |
Washing machine and method for controlling supply of water
thereof
Abstract
A washing machine for preventing contaminants from degenerating
and laundry from being damaged when water is supplied in a washing
operation, and a method for controlling the supply of water
thereof. Particularly, a washing machine for supplying cold water
to laundry for sufficiently soaking the laundry and then supplying
warm water at a high temperature to the laundry so as to prevent
contaminants from degenerating, and a method for controlling the
supply of water of the washing machine, thereby preventing the
deterioration of washing performance of the washing machine. The
method includes determining whether or not a water supply operation
is selected, supplying cold water to soak laundry when it is
determined that the water supply operation is selected and
supplying warm water, after the soaking of the laundry in the cold
water, to prevent contaminants of the laundry from
degenerating.
Inventors: |
Jung; Jung Ran; (Suwon-Si,
KR) ; Ha; Yo Chul; (Suwon-Si, KR) ; Yun; Chang
Sang; (Suwon-Si, KR) ; Roh; Hyoung Hoon;
(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: |
36088545 |
Appl. No.: |
11/188796 |
Filed: |
July 26, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/158 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/088 20130101;
D06F 33/00 20130101; D06F 39/087 20130101; D06F 35/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
008/158 |
International
Class: |
D06F 35/00 20060101
D06F035/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 6, 2005 |
KR |
2005-1357 |
Claims
1. A method for controlling the supply of water of a washing
machine comprising: determining whether or not a water supply
operation is selected; supplying cold water to soak laundry when it
is determined that the water supply operation is selected; and
supplying warm water after the soaking of the laundry in the cold
water to prevent contaminants of the laundry from degenerating.
2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the water supply
operation is a water supply step of a washing operation.
3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein cold water is
supplied for a predetermined time.
4. The method as set forth in claim 3, wherein the predetermined
time is set according to the quantity of the laundry.
5. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein cold and warm water
is supplied, after the soaking of the laundry in cold water, so
that the level of the supplied water reaches a predetermined
level.
6. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the predetermined
level is a quantity of the washing water set according to the
quantity of the laundry.
7. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein cold and warm water
is supplied, after the soaking of the laundry in the water, so that
the temperature of the supplied water reaches a predetermined
temperature.
8. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the predetermined
temperature is a temperature set by a user.
9. A method for controlling the supply of water of a washing
machine having a rotary drum for containing laundry comprising:
determining whether or not a water supply operation is selected;
supplying cold water to soak the laundry when it is determined that
the water supply operation is selected; and supplying cold water
and warm water, after the soaking of the laundry in cold water, to
control the level and the washing temperature of the supplied
water.
10. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein a motor drives to
rotate the rotary drum during the soaking of the laundry in cold
water.
11. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the level and the
washing temperature of the supplied water are controlled by
simultaneously or alternately supplying warm water and cold
water.
12. A method for controlling the supply of water of a washing
machine, in which cold water or warm water is supplied directly to
laundry, comprising: determining whether or not a water supply
operation is selected; supplying cold water for a designated time
to soak the laundry when it is determined that the water supply
operation is selected; simultaneously supplying cold water and warm
water, after the soaking of the laundry in cold water, so that the
level of the supplied water reaches a predetermined level; and
alternately supplying cold water and warm water, after the soaking
of the laundry in cold water, so that the temperature of the
supplied water reaches a predetermined washing temperature.
13. A washing machine having a rotary drum for containing laundry
comprising: a water supply unit for supplying cold water or warm
water directly to the laundry; and a control unit for controlling
supply of water, wherein when a water supply operation is selected,
cold water is first supplied to the rotary drum to soak the laundry
and warm water is then supplied to the rotary drum.
14. The washing machine as set forth in claim 13, wherein the
control of the supply of the water is performed during a washing
operation.
15. The washing machine as set forth in claim 13, wherein the
control unit controls the water supply unit so that cold and warm
water is simultaneously supplied to the rotary drum after the
soaking of the laundry in cold water and the level of the supplied
water reaches a predetermined level.
16. The washing machine as set forth in claim 13, wherein the
control unit controls the water supply unit so that cold water and
warm water are alternately supplied to the rotary drum after the
soaking of the laundry in the water and the temperature of the
supplied water reaches a predetermined temperature.
17. The washing machine as set forth in claim 13, wherein the water
supply unit comprises: a cold wafer valve opens or closes based on
a command from the operating unit; and a hot water valve that opens
or closes based on a command from the operating unit.
18. The washing machine as set forth in claim 17, wherein the water
supply unit further comprises a detergent supply device.
19. The washing machine as set forth in claim 13, wherein the
control unit comprises a read-only memory for storing data
associated with predetermined times for supplying hot and cold
water and predetermined water levels according to a quantity of
laundry.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent
Application No. 2005-1357, filed Jan. 6, 2005, 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] The present invention relates to a washing machine having a
front water supply structure in which water is supplied directly to
laundry, and more particularly, to a washing machine for supplying
cold water to laundry for soaking the laundry and then supplying
warm water at a high temperature to the laundry so as to prevent
contaminants from degenerating and a method for controlling the
supply of water of the washing machine.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, a washing machine (mainly, a drum washing
machine) is an apparatus for washing laundry in a cylindrical
rotary drum by force of lifting the laundry and then dropping the
laundry when the rotary drum is rotated. Compared to a conventional
pulsator washing machine, the drum washing machine has a long
washing time, but minimizes damage to the laundry and has a low
water consumption rate, and thus demand for drum washing machines
is increasing.
[0006] In the above-described drum washing machine, when water is
supplied to the inside of a tub so as to perform washing operation,
the water is supplied from a water supply device to the inside of
the tub so that the laundry soaks in the water coming up from the
bottom of the tub, or the water is supplied directly to the laundry
in the rotary drum through an opening formed through the front
surface of the rotary drum so that the laundry soaks in the
water.
[0007] In a front water supply structure of the above washing
machine in which the water is supplied from the opening of the
rotary drum directly to the laundry, warm water (at a temperature
of approximately 57.2.degree. C.) directly contacts the laundry,
thereby degenerating contaminants of the laundry and deteriorating
the washing performance of the washing machine.
[0008] Further, when the warm water directly contacts the surface
of laundry made of a material with poor heat resistance, such as
wool, silk or delicate clothes, the warm water damages the laundry
and causes detergent to stick to the laundry, thereby generating
spots on the laundry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Illustrative, non-limiting embodiments of the present
invention overcome the above disadvantages and other disadvantages
not described above. In addition, the present invention is not
required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and an
illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention may
not overcome any of the problems described above.
[0010] Therefore, one aspect of the invention is to provide a
washing machine for supplying cold water to laundry for
sufficiently soaking the laundry and then supplying swarm water at
a high temperature to the laundry thereby preventing contaminants
from degenerating, and a method for controlling the supply of water
of the washing machine.
[0011] Another aspect of the invention is to provide a washing
machine for preventing laundry made of a material having poor heat
resistance from becoming stained and damaged by warm water of a
high temperature when the laundry is washed.
[0012] In accordance with one aspect, the present invention
provides a method for controlling the supply of water of a washing
machine comprising a determination of whether or not a water supply
operation is selected; supplying cold water to soak laundry when it
is determined that the water supply operation is selected; and
supplying warm water after the soaking of the laundry in the cold
water to prevent contaminants of the laundry from degenerating.
[0013] Preferably, the water supply operation may be a water supply
step of a washing operation.
[0014] Further, preferably, the cold water may be supplied for a
predetermined time, and the predetermined time may be set according
to the quantity of the laundry.
[0015] Moreover, preferably, the cold and warm water may be
supplied after the soaking of the laundry in the cold water, so
that the level of the supplied water reaches a predetermined level,
and the predetermined level may be a quantity of the washing water
set according to the quantity of the laundry.
[0016] Preferably, the cold and warm water is supplied after the
soaking of the laundry in the cold water, so that the temperature
of the supplied water reaches a predetermined temperature, and the
predetermined temperature may be a temperature set by a user.
[0017] In accordance with a further aspect, the present invention
provides a method for controlling the supply of water of a washing
machine having a rotary drum for containing laundry comprising a
determination of whether or not a water supply operation is
selected; supplying cold water to soak the laundry when it is
determined that the water supply operation is selected; and
supplying cold water and warm water after the soaking of the
laundry in the cold water to control the level and the washing
temperature of the supplied water.
[0018] Preferably, a motor drives the rotary drum during the
soaking of the laundry in the cold water.
[0019] Preferably, the level and the washing temperature of the
supplied water may be controlled by simultaneously or alternately
supplying the warm water and the cold water.
[0020] In accordance with another aspect, the present invention
provides a method for controlling the supply of water of a washing
machine, in which cold water or warm water is supplied directly to
laundry, comprising a determination of whether or not a water
supply operation is selected; supplying cold water for a designated
time to soak the laundry when it is determined that the water
supply operation is selected; simultaneously supplying cold water
and warm water after the soaking of the laundry in the cold water
so that the level of the supplied water reaches a predetermined
level; and alternately supplying cold water and warm water after
the soaking of the laundry in the cold water so that the
temperature of the supplied water reaches a predetermined washing
temperature.
[0021] In accordance with yet another aspect, the present invention
provides a method for controlling the supply of water of a washing
machine having a rotary drum for containing laundry comprising: a
water supply unit for supplying cold water or warm water directly
to the laundry; and a control unit for controlling supply of water
when a water supply operation is selected so that cold water is
first supplied to the rotary drum to soak the laundry and warm
water is then supplied to the rotary drum.
[0022] The control of the supply of the water may be performed
during a washing operation.
[0023] Further, the control unit may control the water supply unit
so that cold and warm water is simultaneously supplied to the
rotary drum after the soaking of the laundry in cold water and the
level of the supplied water reaches a predetermined level.
[0024] Moreover, the control unit may control the water supply unit
so that cold water and warm water are alternately supplied to the
rotary drum after the soaking of the laundry in cold water and the
temperature of the supplied water reaches a predetermined
temperature.
[0025] Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will
be set forth in the description that follows and, in part, will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention
will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the
following description of the illustrative, * non-limiting
embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a washing machine consistent
with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus for controlling
the supply of water of the washing machine consistent with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
[0029] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling
the supply of water of the washing machine consistent with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE, NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS
OF THE INVENTION
[0030] Reference will now be made in detail to an illustrative,
non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, an example of
which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like
reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The
illustrative, non-limiting embodiment is described below to explain
the present invention by referring to the annexed drawings.
[0031] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a washing machine consistent
with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] In FIG. 1, the washing machine of the present invention
comprises a drum-shaped tub 11 installed in a main body 10 for
containing washing water, and a rotary drum 12 rotatably installed
in the tub 11.
[0033] The tub 11 slopes toward the installation ground of the
washing machine at a designated angle (a) so that a front surface
11a of the tub 11, through which an opening 11b is formed, is
located at a position higher than that of the rear surface 1c of
the tub 11. The rotary drum 12 installed in the tub 11 has the same
structure as that of the tub 11 so that a front surface 12a of the
rotary drum 12, through which an opening 12b is formed, is located
at a position higher than that of the rear surface 12c of the
rotary drum 12.
[0034] That is, the front surface 12a of the rotary drum 12
provided with the opening 12b ascends forward in a slantwise
fashion such that a rotary central line A of the rotary drum 12
meets the installation ground of the washing machine at the
designated angle (.alpha.). Here, since a rotary shaft 13,
connected to the central portion of the rear surface 12c of the
rotary drum 12, is rotatably supported by the central portion of
the rear surface 11c of the tub 11, the rotary drum 12 is rotated
in the tub 11.
[0035] A plurality of through holes 12d are formed through the
cylindrical surface of the rotary drum 12, and a plurality of
lifters 14 for lifting and dropping the laundry when the rotary
drum 12 is rotated are installed on the inner surface of the rotary
drum 12.
[0036] A motor 15 serving as a driving device for rotating the
rotary shaft 13 connected to the rotary drum 12 is installed
outside the rear surface 11c of the tub 11. The motor 15 comprises
a stator 15a fixed to the rear surface 11c of the tub 11, a rotor
15b rotatably disposed outside the stator 15a, and a rotary plate
15c connecting the rotor 15b and the rotary shaft 13.
[0037] An opening 16 is formed through the front surface of the
main body 10 at a position corresponding to the opening 12b of the
rotary drum 12 and the opening 11b of the tub 11 so that the
laundry is inserted into or taken out of the rotary drum 12 through
the opening 16. A door 17 for opening and closing the opening 16 is
installed on the front surface of the main body 10.
[0038] A detergent supply device 18 for supplying detergent and a
water supply device 20 for supplying washing water are installed
above the tub 11. A drainage device 19 comprising a drainage pipe
19a, a drainage valve 19b and a drainage pump 19c for discharging
water from the inside of the tub 11 to the outside of the tub 11 is
installed below the tub 11.
[0039] The detergent supply device 18 comprises a space for
containing the detergent, and is installed in the front surface of
the main body 10 so that a user can easily put the detergent into
the detergent supply device 18.
[0040] The water supply device 20 comprises cold and warm water
supply pipes 21 and 22 for respectively supplying cold water and
warm water, and cold and warm water valves 23 and 24, respectively
installed in the cold and warm water supply pipes 21 and 22, for
controlling the supply of the water to the cold and warm water
supply pipes 21 and 22.
[0041] Here, the cold and warm water supply pipes 21 and 22 are
connected to the detergent supply device 18 so that water is
supplied from the outside to the detergent supply device 18. A
separate water supply pipe 25 is installed between the detergent
supply device 18 and the tub 11 so that the water, passed through
the detergent supply device 18, is supplied to the tub 11, and a
water supply nozzle 26 is installed at the outlet of the water
supply pipe 25. The above structure causes the water supplied to
the inside of the tub 11 to pass through the detergent supply
device 18, thereby causing the detergent in the detergent supply
device 18 to be supplied to the tub 11.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus for controlling
the supply of water of the washing machine in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus comprises a
signal input unit 100, a water level sensing unit 110, a
temperature sensing unit 120, a control unit 130, and an operating
unit 140.
[0043] The signal input unit 100 serves to input operating data,
such as a washing course, a washing temperature, a dehydration
speed, and whether or not a rinsing operation is added, which are
selected by a user, to the control unit 130. The water level
sensing unit 110 serves to sense the level of the washing water
supplied to the tub 11, and the temperature sensing unit 120 serves
to sense the temperature of the washing water supplied to in the
tub 11.
[0044] The control unit 130 is a microcomputer for controlling the
operation of the cold and warm water valves 23 and 24 according to
the operating data inputted from the signal input unit 100 and the
values sensed by the water level sensing unit 110 and the
temperature sensing unit 120. The control unit 130 includes a timer
for counting operating times of the cold and warm water valves 23
and 24, and a read-only memory for storing data, such as
predetermined times and predetermined water levels according to
quantities of the laundry.
[0045] The control unit 130 first supplies cold water to soak the
laundry, thereby preventing the laundry from degenerating when warm
water at a high temperature is supplied to the laundry. The control
unit 130 secondarily supplies cold water and warm water
simultaneously to soak the laundry, thereby causing the supplied
water to have a temperature between the temperature of the cold
water and the temperature of the warm water The control unit 130
thirdly supplies cold water and warm water in an alternating
fashion, thereby controlling the washing temperature.
[0046] The operating unit 140 drives the motor 15, the cold water
valve 23, the warm water valve 24, the drainage valve 19b and the
drainage pump 19c according to a driving control signal of the
control unit 130.
[0047] Hereinafter, the operation and function of the above washing
machine of the present invention and a method for controlling the
supply of water of the washing machine will be described.
[0048] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling
the supply of water of the washing machine in accordance with the
present invention.
[0049] When a user puts laundry into the rotary drum 12 and selects
the operating data, such as a washing course, a washing
temperature, a dehydration speed, and whether or not a rinsing
operation is added, according to materials of the laundry, the
operating data selected by the user are inputted to the control
unit 130 through the signal input unit 100 (S100).
[0050] Then, in order to prevent contaminants of the laundry from
degenerating due to the warm water of a high temperature
(approximately 57.2.degree. C.) in the first supply of cold water,
the control unit 130 drives the operating unit 140 to open the cold
water valve 23 so that cold water (at a temperature of
approximately 15.6.degree. C.) is supplied to the inside of the tub
11 through the cold water supply pipe 21 (S110).
[0051] In the above supply of cold water, the control unit 130
drives the operating unit 140 to drive the motor 15 so that the
rotary drum 12 is rotated at a predetermined number of revolutions
per minute and a predetermined operation ratio (on/off ratio),
thereby causing the laundry to soak in cold water by force for
lifting the laundry in the rotary drum 12 and dropping the
laundry.
[0052] Here, the turning-on time of the cold water valve 23 is
checked, and it is determined whether or not the turning-on time of
the cold water valve 23 exceeds a predetermined time (time set by
the quantity of the laundry for preventing the contaminants of the
laundry from degenerating, due to the supply of warm water of the
high temperature, by soaking the laundry in the first-supplied cold
water) (S120).
[0053] When the turning-on time of the cold water valve 23 exceeds
the predetermined time, in order to perform the second simultaneous
supply of the cold and warm water to soak the laundry, the control
unit 130 drives the operating unit 140 to simultaneously open the
cold water valve 23 and the warm water valve 24 so that cold water
and warm water are simultaneously supplied to the inside of the tub
12 through the cold and warm water supply pipes 21 and 22
(S130).
[0054] In the above simultaneous supply of cold and warm water, in
order to sense the level of the washing water supplied to the tub
11, the level of the washing water is sensed, and it is determined
whether or not the level of the washing water reaches a
predetermined level (level set by the quantity of the laundry for
allowing the supplied water to have a temperature half of a
predetermined temperature by soaking the laundry in the
simultaneously supplied-cold and warm water) (S140).
[0055] When the level of the washing water reaches the
predetermined level, in order to adjust the washing temperature by
alternating the supply of cold and warm water, the control unit 130
drives the operating unit 140 to alternate the opening and closing
of the cold water valve 23 and the warm water valve 24 so that cold
water and warm water are alternately supplied to the inside of the
tub 11 through the cold and warm water supply pipes 21 and 22
(S150).
[0056] In the above alternating supply of cold and warm water, the
temperature of the washing water supplied to the tub 11 is sensed,
and it is determined whether or not the sensed temperature of the
washing water reaches a predetermined temperature (the washing
temperature) (S160).
[0057] When the sensed temperature of the washing water reaches the
predetermined temperature, the control unit 130 commands the
operating unit 140 to close the cold water valve 23 and the warm
water valve 24 so that the supply of the water to the cold and warm
water supply pipes 21 and 22 is stopped (S170).
[0058] After the supply of the water is stopped, the control unit
130 drives the operating unit 140 to drive the motor 15 so that the
rotary drum 12 is rotated at a low speed and other remaining
operations (washing, rinsing, and dehydrating operations) are
performed according to the selected washing course (S180).
[0059] As apparent from the above description, the present
invention provides a washing machine for supplying cold water to
laundry for sufficiently soaking the laundry and then supplying
warm water at a high temperature to the laundry, and a method for
controlling the supply of water of the washing machine, thereby
preventing contaminants from degenerating, and preventing the
laundry made of a material having poor heat resistance from being
stained and being damaged by warm water of the high temperature
directly contacting the laundry when the laundry is washed.
[0060] Although an embodiment of the invention has been shown and
described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
changes may be made in this embodiment without departing from the
principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is
defined in the claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *