U.S. patent application number 11/529539 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-12 for washing machine and washing control method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Jung Ran Jung, Jong Hun Won.
Application Number | 20070157396 11/529539 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38231327 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070157396 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Won; Jong Hun ; et
al. |
July 12, 2007 |
Washing machine and washing control method thereof
Abstract
A washing machine and washing control method thereof. The
washing control method not only improves the effectiveness of a
preliminary washing cycle that is an optional function of the
washing machine, but also reduces the amount of detergent and wash
water that is used for the preliminary washing cycle. For this, the
washing control method includes determining whether or not a
preliminary washing cycle is selected, supplying a lesser amount of
wash water than a desired amount of wash water that is determined
based on the amount of laundry if the preliminary washing cycle is
selected, and performing the preliminary washing cycle, and
supplying a certain amount of wash water additionally after
completing the preliminary washing cycle, and performing a main
washing cycle.
Inventors: |
Won; Jong Hun; (Suwon-Si,
KR) ; Jung; Jung Ran; (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: |
38231327 |
Appl. No.: |
11/529539 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/158 ; 68/12.01;
68/12.02; 68/12.04; 68/12.19; 68/17R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 2204/086 20130101;
D06F 35/006 20130101; D06F 2204/02 20130101; D06F 2105/02 20200201;
D06F 33/36 20200201; D06F 33/37 20200201; D06F 2101/00 20200201;
D06F 2105/42 20200201; D06F 2214/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
8/158 ; 68/12.01;
68/12.02; 68/12.04; 68/12.19; 68/17.R |
International
Class: |
D06F 33/00 20060101
D06F033/00; D06F 35/00 20060101 D06F035/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 8, 2006 |
KR |
2006-0002066 |
Claims
1. A method for controlling a washing machine, comprising:
determining whether or not a preliminary washing cycle is selected;
supplying a reduced amount of wash water than a desired amount of
wash water that is determined based on the amount of laundry if the
preliminary washing cycle is selected and performing the
preliminary washing cycle; and supplying a certain amount of wash
water additionally after completing the preliminary washing cycle,
and performing a main washing cycle.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the amount of wash
water, supplied during the preliminary washing cycle, is
approximately 70% of the desired amount of wash water.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the main washing cycle
is performed as the wash water is additionally supplied to top up
the desired amount without draining the wash water used after the
preliminary washing cycle.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the certain amount of
wash water, additionally supplied during the main washing cycle, is
obtained by subtracting the amount of wash water supplied during
the preliminary washing cycle from the desired amount of wash
water.
5. Awashing machine having a motor and a water supply device,
comprising: a signal input unit to select a preliminary washing
cycle; and a controller to control the water supply device if the
preliminary washing cycle is selected, so as to reduce an amount of
wash water, to be supplied during the preliminary washing cycle,
below a desired amount of wash water that is determined based on an
amount of laundry.
6. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the controller
controls the water supply device during the preliminary washing
cycle to reduce the amount of wash water than the desired amount of
wash water, which is determined based on the amount of laundry, is
supplied to perform the preliminary washing cycle, and a certain
amount of wash water is supplied additionally after completing the
preliminary washing cycle without draining the wash water used.
7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the controller
sets the amount of wash water, to be supplied during the
preliminary washing cycle, to approximately 70% of the desired
amount of wash water.
8. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the controller
advances the main washing cycle after supplying the certain amount
of wash water additionally.
9. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the controller
sets the certain amount of wash water, to be supplied additionally
during the main washing cycle, to approximately 30% of the desired
amount of wash water.
10. A washing machine having a detergent supply device and a water
supply device for providing a first amount of detergent and a first
amount of water, comprising: a signal input unit to select a
preliminary washing cycle in addition to a main washing cycle; and
a controller to control the detergent supply device and the water
supply device, wherein the controller provides a second amount of
detergent used during the preliminary washing cycle and the main
washing cycle that is reduced by 15% of the first amount of
detergent.
11. The washing machine according to claim 10, wherein the second
amount of detergent used in the preliminary washing cycle is
reduced by at least 30% of the first amount of detergent in the
preliminary washing cycle, and the second amount of detergent used
in the main washing cycle is reduced by at least 50% of the first
amount of detergent in the main washing cycle.
12. The washing machine according to claim 10, wherein the second
amount of detergent used in the preliminary washing cycle is
reduced by up to 50% of the first amount of detergent in the
preliminary washing cycle, and the second amount of detergent used
in the main washing cycle is reduced by at 80% of the first amount
of detergent in the main washing cycle.
13. The washing machine according to claim 10, wherein a second
amount of wash water used in the preliminary washing cycle and the
main washing cycle is reduced by up to 50% of the first amount of
wash water used in the preliminary washing cycle and main washing
cycle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 2006-0002066, filed on Jan. 8, 2006 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 invention relates to a washing machine and a washing
control method thereof, and, more particularly, to a washing
machine and a washing control method thereof, which can regulate
the amount of detergent and wash water supplied during preliminary
washing, achieving an improvement in wash performance.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In general, a washing machine, more particularly, a
drum-type washing machine, is an appliance to wash laundry
contained in a cylindrical rotary drum by repeatedly raising and
dropping the laundry as the drum rotates. Although the drum-type
washing machine has a long wash time, it tends to reduce damage to
the laundry and reduce the amount of water used when compared to a
conventional pulsator-type washing machine. Therefore, the demand
for such a drum-type washing machine is increasing. Currently, a
washing machine employs a variety of ways to improve a wash
performance. One example of the variety of ways is to add a
preliminary washing cycle to a basic washing process, such that the
preliminary washing cycle is selectively performed if
necessary.
[0006] The preliminary washing cycle agitates the laundry before a
main washing cycle in order to remove dust or dirt clinging to the
laundry, which improves the efficacy of the main washing cycle. The
preliminary washing cycle is followed by a spin-drying operation
after it is performed for a predetermined time. The amount of
detergent used in the preliminary washing cycle corresponds to 30%
to 50% of the main washing cycle, however, the preliminary washing
cycle uses the same amount of wash water as the main washing cycle.
A motor agitation time of the preliminary washing cycle is set to
12% to 34% of the main washing cycle.
[0007] In association with a conventional washing machine having
both the preliminary and main washing cycles, if the preliminary
washing cycle as stated above is selected, wash water for use in
the preliminary washing cycle is supplied into a rotary drum by way
of a preliminary washing detergent chamber that is defined in a
detergent supply device. Then, the preliminary washing cycle is
performed to wash the laundry in the drum using a force of gravity
that results in the laundry falling as the drum rotates in
accordance with a motor agitation, while allowing a detergent to be
mixed well with the wash water. After completion of the preliminary
washing cycle, a spin-drying operation is performed at
approximately 400 to 600 rpm. After that, wash water is again
supplied into the drum, to progress to the generally known main
washing cycle.
[0008] The conventionally performed preliminary washing cycle as
stated above has been provided to improve a wash performance by
approximately 3% to 5%. However, such an improvement in wash
performance is a negligible level when considering the amount of
detergent and wash water used, and a motor agitation time required
to perform the preliminary washing cycle. Therefore, there exists a
need to improve the preliminary washing cycle to reduce the amount
of detergent and wash water used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] 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.
[0010] The invention has been made in order to solve the above
problems. It is an aspect of the invention to provide a washing
machine and a washing control method thereof, wherein a preliminary
washing cycle, which is an optional function of the washing
machine, can be performed with a high efficiency while achieving a
reduction in the amount of detergent and wash water that is used
therefor.
[0011] It is another aspect of the invention to provide a washing
machine and a washing control method thereof, wherein the amount of
detergent and wash water that is used for a preliminary washing
cycle can be regulated, whereby a reduction in the amount of
detergent and wash water can be accomplished while achieving an
improvement in wash performance.
[0012] It is yet another aspect of the invention to provide a
washing machine and a washing control method thereof, which can
reduce the amount of detergent used in a preliminary washing cycle
without a reduction in wash performance.
[0013] Consistent with one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the
invention provides a method for controlling a washing machine,
including: determining whether or not a preliminary washing cycle
is selected; supplying a lesser amount of wash water than a desired
amount of wash water that is determined based on an amount of
laundry if the preliminary washing cycle is selected and performing
the preliminary washing cycle; supplying a certain amount of wash
water additionally after completing the preliminary washing cycle
based on a difference between a desired amount of wash water and
the lesser amount of wash water supplied during the preliminary
washing cycle; and performing a main washing cycle.
[0014] The amount of wash water, supplied during the preliminary
washing cycle, may be approximately 70% of the desired amount of
wash water.
[0015] The main washing cycle may be performed as the wash water is
additionally supplied to top up the desired amount without draining
the used wash water after the preliminary washing cycle.
[0016] The certain amount of wash water, additionally supplied
during the main washing cycle, may be obtained by subtracting the
amount of wash water supplied during the preliminary washing cycle
from the desired amount of wash water.
[0017] Consistent with another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of
the invention provides a washing machine having a motor and a water
supply device, including: a signal input unit to select a
preliminary washing cycle; and a controller to control the water
supply device if the preliminary washing cycle is selected, so as
to reduce the amount of wash water, to be supplied during the
preliminary washing cycle, below a desired amount of wash water
that is determined based on the amount of laundry.
[0018] The controller may control the water supply device during
the preliminary washing cycle in such a manner that a lesser amount
of wash water than the desired amount of wash water, which is
determined based on the amount of laundry, is supplied to perform
the preliminary washing cycle, and a certain amount of wash water
is supplied additionally after completing the preliminary washing
cycle without draining the used wash water.
[0019] The controller may set the amount of wash water, to be
supplied during the preliminary washing cycle, to approximately 70%
of the desired amount of wash water.
[0020] Additionally, the controller may advance the main washing
cycle after supplying the certain amount of wash water.
[0021] The controller may set the certain amount of wash water, to
be supplied additionally during the main washing cycle, to
approximately 30% of the desired amount of wash water.
[0022] 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
[0023] These and/or other aspects and advantages of the exemplary
embodiments 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:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a
washing machine consistent with the invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing a washing control
mechanism of the washing machine consistent with an exemplary
embodiment of the invention; and
[0026] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the sequential operation of a
method for improving the effectiveness of preliminary washing in
association with the washing machine consistent with the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Reference will now be made in detail to an exemplary
embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in
the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to
like elements throughout. The embodiment is described below to
explain the invention by referring to the figures.
[0028] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a
washing machine consistent with the invention.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine consistent with the
invention includes a drum-shaped water tub 11 received in a body 10
to contain wash water therein, and a rotary drum 12 rotatably
received in the water tub 11.
[0030] The water tub 11 is generally tilted relative to a washing
machine mounting plane by a predetermined inclination .alpha. so
that a front wall 11a thereof, formed with a laundry entrance
opening 11b, is positioned higher than a rear wall 11c thereof. In
the same manner as the water tub 11, the rotary drum 12, received
in the water tub 11, is tilted so that a front wall 12a thereof,
formed with a laundry entrance opening 12b, is positioned higher
than a rear wall 12c thereof.
[0031] Specifically, the rotary drum 12 is mounted so that a
rotating center axis "A" thereof is tilted relative to the washing
machine mounting plane by the predetermined inclination .alpha. to
thereby allow the front wall 12a, formed with the opening 12b, to
face up and to the front. In this case, a rotary shaft 13, which is
coupled to the center of the rear wall 12c of the rotary drum 12,
is penetrated through and supported by the center of the rear wall
11c of the water tub 11. Accordingly, the rotary drum 12 is
rotatable in the water tub 11 about the rotary shaft 13.
[0032] A plurality of holes 12d are perforated through a
circumferential wall of the rotary drum 12, and a plurality of
lifters 14 are arranged along an inner wall surface of the rotary
drum 12 to raise and drop laundry contained in the drum 12 as the
rotary drum 12 rotates. A motor 15 is mounted at an outer surface
of the rear wall 11c of the water tub 11 to rotate the rotary shaft
13 connected to the rotary drum 12. Accordingly, when the motor 15
is driven, the washing, rinsing and spin-drying operations of the
washing machine can be performed. Also, a heater 16 is mounted in a
bottom region of the water tub 11 to heat wash water supplied into
the water tub 11.
[0033] The motor 15 includes a stator 15a fixed to the rear wall
11c of the water tub 11, a rotor 15b rotatably disposed around the
stator 15a, and a rotary plate 15c to connect the rotor 15b to the
rotary shaft 13.
[0034] The body 10 is formed, at a front wall thereof, with an
opening 17b to correspond to the opening 12b of the rotary drum 12
and the opening 11b of the water tub 11, so as to put laundry into
the rotary drum 12 or to take the laundry out of the rotary tub 12.
A door 17 is mounted at the opening 17b to open or close the
opening 17b.
[0035] A detergent supply device 18 and a water supply device 20
are mounted above the water tub 11, and a drainage device 19 is
mounted underneath the water tub 11 to drain wash water used from
the water tub 11. The drainage device 19 includes a drainage pipe
19a, a drainage valve 19b, and a drainage pump 19c.
[0036] The detergent supply device 18 is internally sectionalized
into a plurality of chambers, and is positioned close to the front
wall of the body 10 to facilitate the input of a detergent and
rinse agent into the respective chambers. The plurality of
sectionalized chambers include a preliminary washing detergent
chamber to store a detergent for use in a preliminary washing
cycle, a main washing detergent chamber to store a detergent for
use in a main washing cycle, and a rinse agent chamber to store a
rinse agent for use in a rinsing cycle. This arrangement is
disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 2003-0011317 filed by
the applicant of the invention. Admittedly, any other known
techniques may be employed to construct the above described
arrangement.
[0037] The water supply device 20 includes cold water and hot water
supply pipes 21 and 22 to supply cold water and hot water,
respectively, and water supply valves 23 and 24 mounted to the cold
water and hot water supply pipes 21 and 22 to control the supply of
cold water and hot water, respectively.
[0038] The cold water and hot water supply pipes 21 and 22 are
connected to the detergent supply device 18, such that water,
supplied from an exterior water source, can be supplied into the
detergent supply device 18. A separate water supply pipe 25 is
mounted between the detergent supply device 18 and the water tub 11
to supply the water, having passed through the detergent supply
device 18, into the water tub 11. The water supply pipe 25 is
provided at an outlet thereof with a water supply nozzle 26. With
this arrangement, the water is adapted to pass through the
detergent supply device 18 prior to being supplied into the water
tub 11, whereby the detergents inside the detergent supply device
18 can be supplied into the water tub 11 after being dissolved in
the water.
[0039] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing a washing control
mechanism of the washing machine consistent with an exemplary
embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the washing
control mechanism includes a signal input unit 100, a temperature
sensor 110, a water level sensor 120, a controller 130, a drive
unit 140, and a speed sensor 150.
[0040] The signal input unit 100 is used to input a variety of
operational information, including a wash program, a temperature of
wash water, revolutions per minute for a spin-drying cycle, and an
additional rinsing cycle, which are selected based on the material
of laundry, to the controller 130. The signal input unit 100 is
provided with a key for selecting the preliminary washing cycle, in
which the amount of water supplied is regulated, before the main
washing cycle in order to achieve an improvement in wash
performance.
[0041] The temperature sensor 110 is used to sense the temperature
of wash water supplied into the water tub 11. The water level
sensor 120 is used to sense the level of wash water supplied into
the water tub 11.
[0042] The controller 130 is a micro-computer to control the
washing machine in accordance with the operational information
inputted from the signal input unit 100. If the preliminary washing
cycle is selected, the controller 130 controls the operation of the
water supply device 20 to reduce the amount of wash water used, in
such a manner that 70% of the overall wash water is supplied during
the preliminary washing cycle and the remaining wash water of 30%
is supplied during the main washing cycle in a two-stage water
supply control manner.
[0043] As the wash water is supplied based on the selection of the
preliminary washing cycle, the controller 130 controls the supply
of detergent in accordance with a three-stage detergent supply
method. In a first stage, 30% of a predetermined amount of
detergent is supplied for the preliminary washing cycle, and 100%
of the predetermined amount of detergent is supplied for the main
washing cycle. In a second stage, 30% of the predetermined amount
of detergent is supplied for the preliminary washing cycle, and 80%
of the predetermined amount of detergent is supplied for the main
washing cycle. In a third stage, 50% of the predetermined amount of
detergent is supplied for the preliminary washing cycle, and 60% of
the predetermined amount of detergent is supplied for the main
washing cycle. This detergent supply method is proved to reduce the
amount of detergent used by 15% as compared to an amount of
detergent conventionally used, or to achieve an improvement in wash
performance with the amount of detergent conventionally used.
[0044] After completing the preliminary washing cycle, the
controller 130 controls the operation of both the drainage device
19 and the water supply device 20, such that the remaining wash
water is 30% of the desired amount, except for the wash water used
during the preliminary washing cycle, is supplied, along with the
main washing detergent, in order to top up the wash water to 100%
of the desired amount, while continuously maintaining the
preliminary washing state without draining or dehydrating the wash
water.
[0045] The drive unit 140 is adapted to drive the motor 15, wash
heater 16, drainage valve 19b, drainage pump 19c, and water supply
valves 23 and 24 based on drive control signals from the controller
130.
[0046] Now, the operational sequence and effects of a washing
control method associated with the washing machine having the
above-described configuration will be described.
[0047] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operational sequence of a
method for improving the effectiveness of preliminary washing in
association with the washing machine consistent with the invention.
The washing control method of the invention proposes to regulate
the amount of detergent and wash water used during both the
preliminary washing cycle and the main washing cycle, in order to
improve the efficiency of the preliminary washing cycle. For this,
the preliminary washing cycle may be set to a default, or a
separate optional key may be provided to selectively induce the
preliminary washing cycle only when it is pushed by a user.
[0048] If laundry is put into the rotary drum 12, and a variety of
operational information, including a wash course, a temperature of
wash water, revolutions per minute for a spin-drying cycle, and
addition of a rinsing operation, is manually selected based on the
material of laundry, the selected operational information is
inputted to the controller 130 via the signal input unit 100.
[0049] Accordingly, to advance washing and rinsing cycles based on
the operational information inputted from the signal input unit
100, the controller 130 first determines whether or not the
preliminary washing cycle is selected (S200).
[0050] If the preliminary washing cycle is selected, the controller
130 switches on the water supply valves 23 and 24, such that wash
water is supplied into the detergent supply device 18 through the
water supply pipes 21 and 22. After passing through the detergent
supply device 18, the wash water is supplied into the water tub 11
through the water supply pipe 25 until the wash water reaches a
preliminary washing water level (S210). Here, the preliminary
washing water level is 70% of the overall wash water that is
determined in accordance with the amount of laundry.
[0051] As the wash water for preliminary washing is supplied, a
detergent, which is stored in the preliminary washing detergent
chamber of the detergent supply device 18, is supplied by 30% to
50% of the amount of detergent used for the main washing cycle in
the same manner as a conventional detergent supply method. The
reason why the preliminary washing detergent is supplied along with
70% of the overall wash water is to achieve a high density rough
wash as compared to a conventionally performed preliminary washing
cycle that supplies 100% of the overall wash water.
[0052] After the wash water is supplied into the water tub 11 to
the preliminary washing water level, the controller 130 drives the
motor 15 based on a predetermined rpm and operation rate (on/off
rate), to rotate the rotary drum 12. As the rotary drum 12 rotates,
the preliminary washing cycle is performed to wash laundry
contained in the drum 12 using a force of gravity that results when
the laundry falls when the drum rotates and while, allowing the
preliminary washing detergent to be mixed well with the wash water
(S220).
[0053] During the preliminary washing cycle, the controller 130
determines whether or not a predetermined preliminary washing time
T has passed by timing an operation time of the preliminary washing
cycle (S230). If the predetermined preliminary washing time T has
passed, the controller 130 stops operations of all units including
the drainage device 19, such that the preliminary washing state is
continuously maintained without draining the wash water used.
[0054] Generally, after being used, the wash water looks dirty and
has a low bubble generation performance. Therefore, the used wash
water is considered to have a poor wash performance. However, in
accordance with an article entitled "The Principle of Detergent and
Wash", published in the Journal of the Japanese Textile Consumption
Science in November 1965, it has been proved, as a result of
qualitative and quantitative analyses of the wash water used once,
that the wash water contains 90% of detergent active components and
has a good wash ability, and therefore, is reusable for subsequent
washing cycles. Accordingly, when the detergent used for the
preliminary washing cycle is used again in the main washing cycle,
it achieves 100% effectiveness of the desired washing ability if
the new detergent is replenished by only 10% of the wash water.
[0055] Accordingly, the controller 130 supplies the remaining wash
water of 30% required for main washing, along with a detergent,
after completing the preliminary washing cycle (S240).
[0056] As the wash water for main washing is supplied, a detergent,
which is stored in the main washing detergent chamber of the
detergent supply device 18, is supplied in the same manner as a
conventional detergent supply method, or optionally, in an amount
of detergent that is 60% to 80% less than the amount of detergent
used for main washing cycle. When the same amount of detergent as
the conventional detergent supply method is used, for example, the
amount of detergent for the preliminary washing cycle is reduced by
30% to 50% and the amount of detergent used in the main washing
cycle detergent is unchanged, the reduction in the amount of
detergent only for the preliminary washing cycle has the effect of
improving the wash performance from 3% to 10%. Here, an improvement
in wash performance by 10% can be achieved by a European model
using a water temperature of 40.quadrature..
[0057] In the invention, for example, the first amount of detergent
of the conventional method is reduced by 15% when the amount of
detergent for the preliminary washing cycle is reduced by 30% to
50% and the amount of detergent for the main washing cycle is
reduced by 60% to 80% in a second amount of detergent. The washing
effect of the second amount of detergent is the same as the
conventional method. Thus, the results using the reduced second
amount of detergent for the preliminary washing cycle and the main
washing cycle are comparable to the conventional method using the
first amount of detergent.
[0058] If the remaining wash water is 30% and supplied into the
water tub 11 during the main washing cycle to top up the wash water
to 100% of the desired amount, the controller 130 drives the motor
15 based on a predetermined rpm and operation rate (on/off rate) to
rotate the rotary drum 12. As the rotary drum 12 rotates, the main
washing cycle is performed to wash laundry contained in the drum 12
using a force of gravity that results when the laundry falls as the
drum rotates, while allowing the main washing detergent to be mixed
well with the wash water (S250).
[0059] After that, the remaining general cycles of the washing
machine are successively performed (S260), and then, the operation
of the washing machine is finished.
[0060] As apparent from the above description, the invention
provides a washing machine and a washing control method thereof
having the following effects.
[0061] Firstly, according to the invention, it is possible to
achieve not only an improvement in the efficiency of a preliminary
washing cycle that is an optional function of the washing machine,
but also a reduction in the amount of detergent and wash water for
use in the preliminary washing cycle.
[0062] Secondly, according to the invention, the amount of
detergent and wash water used for the preliminary washing cycle can
be regulated. This has the effect of achieving an improvement in
wash performance by approximately 10% when the same amount of
detergent as a conventional detergent supply method is used, and
also reducing the amount of detergent to be used by 15% while
achieving the same wash effect as the conventional method. As a
result, the amount of wash water to be used can be reduced by up to
50%.
[0063] Although an embodiment of the invention has been shown and
described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
the described embodiment is merely exemplary so as to realize a
washing machine and a washing control method consistent with the
invention, and therefore, various 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.
* * * * *