U.S. patent application number 11/280290 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-14 for washing machine and control method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS, CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Hyung Gyoon Kim, Sang Yeon Pyo.
Application Number | 20060277690 11/280290 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36950264 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060277690 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pyo; Sang Yeon ; et
al. |
December 14, 2006 |
Washing machine and control method thereof
Abstract
Disclosed herein are a washing machine and a control method
thereof that is capable of supplying condensed water generated
while laundry is dried to a steam generating unit to generate
steam, thereby minimizing formation of scale in the steam
generating unit. The washing machine includes a drying unit having
a heat exchanger to dehumidify air in a washing tub, a steam
generating unit to supply steam to the washing tub, a condensed
water tank to collect condensed water from the heat exchanger, and
a steam-purpose water supplying unit to supply the water from the
condensed water tank to the steam generating unit.
Inventors: |
Pyo; Sang Yeon; (Suwon-Si,
KR) ; Kim; Hyung Gyoon; (Suwon-Si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
SUITE 700
1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS, CO.,
LTD.
SUWON-SI
KR
|
Family ID: |
36950264 |
Appl. No.: |
11/280290 |
Filed: |
November 17, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/149.2 ; 68/13R;
68/20; 8/149.3; 8/158 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 2103/08 20200201;
D06F 25/00 20130101; D06F 39/008 20130101; D06F 58/24 20130101;
D06F 58/38 20200201; D06F 58/30 20200201; D06F 35/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
008/149.2 ;
008/158; 008/149.3; 068/020; 068/013.00R |
International
Class: |
D06F 35/00 20060101
D06F035/00; D06F 29/00 20060101 D06F029/00; D06B 1/02 20060101
D06B001/02; D06B 19/00 20060101 D06B019/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 13, 2005 |
KR |
10-2005-0050538 |
Claims
1. A washing machine, comprising: a drying unit having a heat
exchanger to dehumidify air in a washing tub; a steam generating
unit to supply steam to the washing tub; a condensed water tank to
collect condensed water from the heat exchanger; and a
steam-purpose water supplying unit to supply the water from the
condensed water tank to the steam generating unit.
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the
steam-purpose water supplying unit comprises: a steam-purpose water
supplying pipe connected between the condensed water tank and the
steam generating unit; a water supplying pump mounted on the
steam-purpose water supplying pipe; and a water supplying valve to
open and close the steam-purpose water supplying pipe.
3. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a
water level sensor to sense the water level of the condensed water
tank; a water supplying unit to supply external water to the
condensed water tank when the water level of the condensed water
tank is below a first predetermined water level; and a water
draining unit to drain the water out of the condensed water tank
when the water level of the condensed water tank is above a second
predetermined water level.
4. A control method of a washing machine comprising: a drying unit
having a heat exchanger to dehumidify air in a washing tub; a steam
generating unit to supply steam to the washing tub; and a condensed
water tank to collect condensed water from the heat exchanger,
wherein the control method comprises: sensing the water level of
the condensed water tank when a drying operation is performed; and
opening a water draining pipe of the condensed water tank, when the
water level of the condensed water tank is higher than a
predetermined highest level, to drain water out of the condensed
water tank.
5. The control method according to claim 4, further comprises:
closing the water draining pipe of the condensed water tank when
the water level of the condensed water tank is lower than the
predetermined highest level.
6. A control method of a washing machine comprising: a drying unit
having a heat exchanger to dehumidify air in a washing tub; a steam
generating unit to supply steam to the washing tub; and a condensed
water tank to collect condensed water from the heat exchanger,
wherein the control method comprises: sensing the water level of
the condensed water tank when steam is supplied to the washing tub;
and operating the steam generating unit and supplying water from
the condensed water tank to the steam generating unit through a
steam-purpose water supplying unit when the water level of the
condensed water tank is higher than a predetermined lowest
level.
7. The control method according to claim 6, further comprising:
supplying water to the condensed water tank from an external water
supply source when the water level of the condensed water tank is
lower than the predetermined lowest level.
8. The control method according to claim 7, further comprising:
stopping water supply to the condensed water tank from an external
water supply source when the water level of the condensed water
tank is higher than the predetermined lowest level.
9. A subassembly of a washing machine, comprising: a condensed
water tank to collect condensed water for the operation of the
washing machine; a water level sensor to sense a water level of the
tank; a water supplying unit to supply external water to the tank
when the water level sensor detects that the water level of the
tank is below a first predetermined level; and a water draining
unit to drain excess water out of the tank when the water level
sensor detects when the water level of the tank is above a second
predetermined water level.
10. A washing machine, comprising: a drying system condensing water
during drying of laundry in a washing tub; and a washing system for
using the condensed water during a washing related operation for
laundry in the tub.
11. A washing machine as recited in claim 10, wherein the washing
related operation is supplying steam to the laundry.
12. A washing machine process, comprising: controlling a washing
machine to condense water during drying of laundry; and controlling
the washing machine to use the condensed water during washing
related operations for the laundry.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 2005-50538, filed on Jun. 13, 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 and a
control method thereof, and, more particularly, to a washing
machine with a laundry drying function and a steam supplying
function and a control method thereof.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Korean Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-43771
discloses a washing machine having a drying unit that dries
laundry. The drying unit includes: a drying duct to circulate air
in a water tub; a blowing fan to blow air in the drying duct; a
heater to heat air supplied to the water tub through the drying
duct; and a cooler to cool air passing through the drying duct such
that moisture contained in the air is condensed to dehumidify air.
Hot air is supplied into the water tub by the operation of the
blowing fan and the heater, and high-humidity air is circulated in
a closed circuit formed by the water tub and the drying duct. At
this time, the cooler dehumidifies the air such that laundry is
dried. The condensed water generated by the dehumidification of the
cooler is usually drained out of the washing machine through a
water draining pipe.
[0006] Korean Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-88884
discloses a washing machine having a steam generating unit to
supply high-temperature steam into a drum such that laundry is more
efficiently washed and sterilized. The steam generating unit
includes: a pressure container to receive water; a heater to heat
the water received in the pressure container such that steam is
generated; and a steam channel to supply steam generated in the
pressure container into the drum. The pressure container is
connected a water supply channel, through which water is supplied
from an external water supply source to the pressure container.
[0007] In the steam generating unit of the washing machine,
however, water is supplied from the external water supply source to
the pressure container, and therefore, scale is formed on the inner
surface of the pressure container or the outer surface of the
heater due to calcium and magnesium that is contained in the water
after the steam generating unit is used for a long period of
time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will
be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part,
will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by
practice of the invention.
[0009] Therefore, it is an aspect of the invention to provide a
washing machine and a control method thereof that is capable of
supplying condensed water generated while laundry is drying to a
steam generating unit to generate steam, thereby minimizing the
formation of scale in the steam generating unit.
[0010] In accordance with one aspect, the present invention
provides a washing machine including: a drying unit having a heat
exchanger to dehumidify air in a washing tub; and a steam
generating unit to supply steam to the washing tub, wherein the
washing machine further includes: a condensed water tank to collect
condensed water from the heat exchanger; and a steam-purpose water
supplying unit to supply the water from the condensed water tank to
the steam generating unit.
[0011] Preferably, the steam-purpose water supplying unit includes:
a steam-purpose water supplying pipe connected between the
condensed water tank and the steam generating unit; a water
supplying pump mounted on the water supplying pipe; and a water
supplying valve to open and close the water supplying pipe.
[0012] Preferably, the washing machine further includes: a water
level sensor to sense the water level of the condensed water tank;
a water supplying unit to supply external water to the condensed
water tank when the water level of the condensed water tank is
below a predetermined water level; and a water draining unit to
drain the water out of the condensed water tank when the water
level of the condensed water tank is above the predetermined water
level.
[0013] In accordance with another aspect, the present invention
provides a control method of a washing machine including: a drying
unit having a heat exchanger to dehumidify air in a washing tub; a
steam generating unit to supply steam to the washing tub; and a
condensed water tank to collect condensed water from the heat
exchanger, wherein the control method includes: sensing the water
level of the condensed water tank when a drying operation is
performed; and opening a water draining pipe of the condensed water
tank, when the water level of the condensed water tank is higher
than a predetermined highest level, to drain water out of the
condensed water tank.
[0014] Preferably, the control method further includes: closing the
water draining pipe of the condensed water tank when the water
level of the condensed water tank is lower than the predetermined
highest level.
[0015] In accordance with yet another aspect, the present invention
provides a control method of a washing machine including: a drying
unit having a heat exchanger to dehumidify air in a washing tub; a
steam generating unit to supply steam to the washing tub; and a
condensed water tank to collect condensed water from the heat
exchanger, wherein the control method includes: sensing the water
level of the condensed water tank when steam is supplied to the
washing tub; and operating the steam generating unit and supplying
water from the condensed water tank to the steam generating unit
through a steam-purpose water supplying unit when the water level
of the condensed water tank is higher than a predetermined lowest
level.
[0016] Preferably, the control method further includes: supplying
water to the condensed water tank from an external water supply
source when the water level of the condensed water tank is lower
than the predetermined lowest level.
[0017] Preferably, the control method further includes: stopping
water supply to the condensed water tank from an external water
supply source when the water level of the condensed water tank is
higher than the predetermined lowest level.
[0018] Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will
be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part,
will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice
of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention
will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the
following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, of which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a view showing the structure of a washing machine
according to the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a heat exchanger of the
washing machine according to the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a control block diagram to control the operation
of the washing machine according to the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a process of controlling
a drying operation of the washing machine according to the present
invention; and
[0024] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a process of controlling
a steam supplying operation of the washing machine according to the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiment of
the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to
like elements throughout. The embodiment is described below to
explain the present invention by referring to the figures.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a view showing the structure of a drum type
washing machine according to an embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the drum type washing machine
includes: a drum type washing tub 11 mounted in a machine body 10
to receive wash water; and a rotary drum 12 rotatably mounted in
the washing tub 11.
[0027] The rotary drum 12 is rotatably connected to the rear center
part of the washing tub 11 via a rotary shaft 13, which is attached
to the rear center part of the rotary drum 12. At the outer rear
part of the washing tub 11 is mounted a drive motor 14 to rotate
the rotary drum 12. The rotary drum 12 has a plurality of
through-holes 12a formed at the circumference thereof to allow wash
water to be introduced into the rotary drum therethrough, and a
plurality of lifters 12b mounted at the inner surface thereof to
lift laundry when the rotary drum 12 is rotated. At the front
surface of the machine body 10 is formed an inlet/outlet hole 15,
through which laundry is put into or removed from the rotary drum
12. The inlet/outlet hole 15 is opened or closed by a door 16
mounted to the front surface of the machine body 10.
[0028] The drum type washing machine further includes: a water
supplying unit 20 to supply wash water into the washing tub 11; a
detergent supplying unit 17 to supply detergent into the washing
tub 11; a water draining unit 18 to drain water out of the washing
tub 11; a drying unit 30 to dry laundry in the rotary drum 12; and
a steam generating unit 50 to supply steam into the washing tub
11.
[0029] The water supplying unit 20 includes: a first water
supplying valve 21 to control water supply from an external water
supply source to the detergent supplying unit 17; a first water
supplying pipe 22 connected between the first water supplying valve
21 and the detergent supplying unit 17; and a second water
supplying pipe 23 connected between the detergent supplying unit 17
and the washing tub 11. Water supplied through the first water
supplying unit 22 is introduced into the washing tub 11 through the
detergent supplying unit 17. As a result, detergent in the
detergent supplying unit 17 is supplied into the washing tub 17
together with the water supplied through the first water supplying
unit 22. The water supplying unit 20 further includes: a second
water supplying valve 24 and a third water supplying pipe 25, which
are used to supply water to a condensed water tank 60, which will
be described below.
[0030] The water draining unit 18 includes: a water draining pipe
18a connected to the bottom part of the washing tub 11; and a first
water draining valve 18b to open and close the water draining pipe
18a. After a washing operation is completed or when a rinsing or
spin-drying operation is performed, the first water draining valve
18b is opened such that water is drained out of the washing tub
11.
[0031] The drying unit 30 blows heated air into the rotary drum 12
to dry laundry. The drying unit 30 includes: first and second ducts
31 and 32 disposed at the rear of the washing tub 11; third and
fourth ducts 33 and 34 disposed above the washing tub 11; a
condensation-purpose heat exchanger 35 mounted in the second duct
32; a blower 36 mounted in the connection part between the third
duct 33 and the fourth duct 34; and a first heater 37 mounted in
the fourth duct 34.
[0032] The inlet of the first duct 31 is connected to the lower
part of the rear surface of the washing tub 11, the outlet of the
fourth duct 34 is connected to the inlet side of the washing tub
11. The first to fourth ducts 31 to 34 are connected to one another
to from a continuous air circulating channel such that air is
circulated in a closed circuit formed by the washing tub 11 and the
first to fourth ducts 31 to 34.
[0033] The blower 36 includes: a blowing fan 36a to suction air
guided through the third duct 33 and blow the suctioned air to the
fourth duct 34; and a blowing motor 36b mounted at the outside of
the fourth duct 34 to rotate the blowing fan 36a. The first heater
37 serves to heat air supplied into the washing tub 11 through the
fourth duct 34 such that the heater air can dry the laundry in the
washing tub 11.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the condensation-purpose heat
exchanger 35 is a cylindrical sensible heat exchanger having first
air channels 35a, through which air from the washing tub 11 passes,
and second air channels 35b, through which outside air passes. The
first air channels 35a intersect the second air channels 35b. The
second duct 32, in which the heat exchanger 35 is mounted,
includes: a first lower inlet 32a connected to the first duct 31; a
first upper outlet 32b connected to the third duct 33; a second
inlet 32c, through which outside air is introduced; and a second
outlet 32d, through which the outside air is discharged. The
direction in which the first inlet and outlet 32a and 32b are
arranged intersects the direction in which the second inlet and
outlet 32c and 32d are arranged. At the second inlet 32c is mounted
an outside air blowing fan 38 (see FIG. 1) to blow the outside air.
Although not shown in the drawings, the second inlet and outlet 32c
and 32d of the second duct 32 communicate with the outside of the
machine body 10 through additional ducts to accomplish circulation
of outside air.
[0035] High-humidity air is introduced into the second duct 32
through the first inlet 32a from the washing tub 11, passes through
the first air channels 35a of the heat exchanger 35, and flows to
the third duct 33 through the first outlet 32b. Cold outside air is
introduced into the second duct 32 through the second inlet 32c,
passes through the second air channels 35b of the heat exchanger 35
such that heat exchange is performed, and is discharged out of the
second duct 32 through the second outlet 32d. Moisture contained in
the air passing through the first air channels 35a of the heat
exchanger 35 is condensed to dehumidify the air. The
above-described air circulation is repeated to dry the laundry.
[0036] According to an embodiment of the present invention, as
shown in FIG. 1, condensed water generated while drying the laundry
is collected and supplied to the steam generating unit 50 to
generate steam. The condensed water has nearly the same purity as
distilled water. Consequently, formation of scale in the steam
generating unit 50 is minimized when steam is generated using the
condensed water. The condensed water tank 60 to receive a
predetermined amount of water is disposed below the second duct 32.
The condensed water tank 60 is connected to the lower end of second
duct 32 through a condensed water guide pipe 39. Consequently,
water condensed in the heat exchanger 35 flows down the condensed
water guide pipe 39, and is then collected in the condensed water
tank 60.
[0037] The steam generating unit 50 includes: a metallic unit body
52 having a channel 51 defined therein; and a second heater 53
embedded in the unit body 52 to heat water passing through the
channel 51 of the unit body 52 such that steam is generated. To the
steam generating unit 50 are connected a steam-purpose water
supplying unit 40 to supply water from the condensed water tank 60
to the steam generating unit 50 and a steam supplying pipe 44 to
supply steam generated in the steam generating unit 50 to the
washing tub 11. The steam-purpose water supplying unit 40 includes:
a steam-purpose water supplying pipe 41 connected between the
condensed water tank 60 and the steam generating unit 50; a water
supplying pump 42 mounted on the water supplying pipe 41; and a
third water supplying valve 43 to open and close the water
supplying pipe 41. When the water supplying pump 42 is operated
while the third water supplying valve 43 is opened, water is
supplied from the condensed water tank 60 to the steam generating
unit 50.
[0038] At the condensed water tank 60 is mounted a water level
sensor 61 to sense predetermined highest level H and predetermined
lowest level L in the condensed water tank 60. Also, a water
draining pipe 62 is connected to the condensed water tank 60 to
drain condensed water when the water level of the condensed water
tank 60 is higher than the predetermined highest level H. On the
water draining pipe 62 is mounted a second water draining valve 63
to open and close the water draining pipe 62. To the top part of
the condensed water tank 60 is connected a third water supplying
pipe 25, which is connected to the water supplying unit 20, such
that water is supplied to the condensed water tank 60 when the
water level of the condensed water tank 60 is below the
predetermined lowest level L. The third water supplying pipe 25 is
opened and closed by the second water supplying valve 24.
[0039] FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the method to control
the operation of the washing machine according to an embodiment of
the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the washing machine
further includes a signal input unit 71, a temperature sensor 73, a
drying sensor 72, a water level sensor 61, and a control unit 70 to
control the operation of the washing machine. The signal input unit
71 allows a user to input various operation information, such as
washing course, water level, washing temperature, spin-drying time,
drying, steam supply, etc., to the control unit 70. The temperature
sensor 73 senses temperature in the washing tub 11 and transmits
the sensed temperature to the control unit 70. The drying sensor 72
senses the drying degree of laundry. The water level sensor 61
senses water level of the condensed water tank 60 and transmits the
sensed water level to the control unit 70.
[0040] The control unit 70 controls the operations of the motor 14,
the first and second water supplying valves 21 and 24, the first
water draining valve 18b, the blower 36, the outside air blowing
fan 38, the first heater 37, the second heater 53, the water
supplying pump 42, the third water supplying valve 43, and the
second water draining valve 63 based on the inputted operation
information and the second information.
[0041] Now, a drying control method and a steam supplying control
method of the washing machine will be described in detail.
[0042] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a process of controlling
a drying operation of the washing machine according an embodiment
of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the control
unit 70 controls the motor 14 to be driven based on a drying signal
inputted through the signal input unit 71 to rotate the rotary drum
11. At the same time, the control unit 70 controls the first heater
37 and the blower 36 of the drying unit 30 and the outside air
blowing fan 38 to be operated to dry laundry (81). Specifically,
hot air is circulated in a closed circuit formed by the washing tub
11 and the first to fourth ducts 31, 32, 33, and 34 to dry the
laundry. At this time, water is condensed in the heat exchanger 35,
and the condensed water flows down the condensed water guide pipe
39, and is then collected in the condensed water tank 60.
[0043] While drying the laundry, the water level of the condensed
water tank 60 is sensed by the water level sensor 61 (82), the
water level sensor determines whether the water level of the
condensed water tank 60 is higher than the predetermined highest
level H (83). If the water level of the condensed water tank 60 is
higher than the predetermined highest level H, the second water
draining valve 63 is opened to drain the condensed water out of the
condensed water tank 60 (84). If the water level sensor determines
that the water level of the condensed water tank 60 is lower than
the predetermined highest level H, the second water draining valve
63 is closed (85). Specifically, the second water draining valve 63
is opened to drain the condensed water out of the condensed water
tank when the water level of the condensed water tank 60 is higher
than the predetermined highest level H while the laundry is dried,
and the second water draining valve 63 is closed to collect the
condensed water in the condensed water tank 60 when the water level
of the condensed water tank 60 is lower than the predetermined
highest level H while the laundry is dried.
[0044] While the laundry is drying, the degree of dryness of the
laundry is sensed by the drying sensor 72 (86), and it is
determined whether dryness is sufficient (87). If the drying sensor
72 determines that the dryness is sufficient, the drying operation
is finished. When it is determined that the dryness of the laundry
is not sufficient, the above drying operation controlling process
is repeated.
[0045] Meanwhile, the steam supply of the washing tub 11 may be
selectively used to heat the wash water and the laundry before the
washing operation is performed or during the washing operation or
to reduce wrinkles of the laundry after the drying operation is
completed.
[0046] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a process of controlling
a steam supplying operation of the washing machine according to an
embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the
control unit 70 controls the water level sensor 61 of the condensed
water tank 60 to sense the level of the condensed water collected
while the laundry is being dried based on a steam supplying signal
inputted through the signal input unit 71 (91), and determines
whether the water level of the condensed water tank 60 is higher
than the predetermined minimum level L (92). It should be noted
that the predetermined minimum level L is not a level that
indicates that there is no water in the condensed water tank 60.
The predetermined minimum level L is a level indicating that there
is a minimum amount of water sufficient to generate steam in the
condensed water tank 60.
[0047] When the control unit 70 determines that the water level of
the condensed water tank 60 is higher than the predetermined
minimum level L, that indicates that there is a minimum amount of
water sufficient to generate steam in the condensed water tank 60,
the second water supplying valve 24 is closed such that water is
not supplied to the condensed water tank 60 (93). On the other
hand, when the control unit 70 determines that the water level of
the condensed water tank 60 is lower than the predetermined minimum
level L, the second water supplying valve 24 is opened such that
water is supplied from the external water supply source to the
condensed water tank 60 (94).
[0048] When the water in the condensed water tank 60 exceeds the
predetermined minimum level L, the second heater 53 of the steam
generating unit 50 operates (95). Also, the water supplying pump 42
of the steam-purpose water supplying unit 40 operates and the third
water supplying valve 43 is opened such that the condensed water is
supplied from the condensed water tank 60 to the steam generating
unit 50 to generate steam (96). As described above, only the
condensed water, which has nearly the same purity as distilled
water, is supplied to the steam generating unit 50 when the water
in the condensed water tank 60 exceeds the predetermined minimum
level L. Consequently, the formation of scale in the steam
generating unit 50 is minimized. When the water level of the
condensed water tank 60 is lower than the predetermined minimum
level L, on the other hand, the second water supplying valve 24 is
opened such that external water is supplied into the condensed
water tank 60, and thus, the condensed water tank 60 supplies the
water to the steam generating unit 50.
[0049] The steam generating unit 50 supplies steam into the washing
tub 11 through the steam supplying pipe 44. While the steam is
supplied, the control unit 70 controls the temperature sensor 73 of
the washing tub 11 to sense the temperature of the washing tub 11
(97), and determines whether the interior of the washing tub 11 is
sufficiently heated to a temperature predetermined by a user or
when steam supplying time predetermined by the user elapses (98).
This determination depends on the steam supplying condition
selectively inputted by the user (for example, the temperature of
the washing tub or steam supplying time).
[0050] When the temperature of the washing tub 11 exceeds the
predetermined level, or the predetermined steam supplying time
elapses, the steam supply is stopped. In the event that the
temperature of the washing tub 11 does not exceed the predetermined
level, or the predetermined steam supplying time does not elapse,
the above steam supplying operation controlling process is
repeated.
[0051] As apparent from the above description, the condensed water
generated while drying laundry is supplied to the steam generating
unit to generate steam, whereby the formation of scale in the steam
generating unit is minimized.
[0052] Furthermore, the external water supply source supplies water
into the condensed water tank when the condensed water is not
sufficient in the condensed water tank, whereby water is easily
supplemented in the condensed water tank.
[0053] In the above-described embodiments, the condensed water is
reused in a steam supplying operation that can heat the water,
steam the wet laundry and steam dry wrinkled laundry. It is also
possible to use and reuse the condensed water, with almost the
purity of distilled water, as a supply of water, heated or
unheated, to the washing operation, such as during washing or
rinsing, using the steam supply system and controlling heat
supplied to the water by the steam unit.
[0054] Although a few embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that changes may be made in this embodiments without
departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the
scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *