U.S. patent application number 12/000329 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-11 for washing machine and method for controlling spin-drying thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Hyung Woo Lee, Mi Hyun Sa.
Application Number | 20080216249 12/000329 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39592802 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080216249 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sa; Mi Hyun ; et
al. |
September 11, 2008 |
Washing machine and method for controlling spin-drying thereof
Abstract
Disclosed are a washing machine having a drying device, which
performs a spin-drying operation at a maximally low RPM and
supplies cold air to clothes in a delicate course so as to minimize
damage to the clothes and improve rinsing and spin-drying
efficiencies, and a method for controlling spin-drying of the
washing machine. The method for controlling spin-drying of the
washing machine, which has a rotary drum for containing clothes, a
motor for rotating the rotary drum, and a fan for circulating air
into the rotary drum, includes determining whether or not a
delicate course is selected; performing low-speed spin-drying in
which the rotary drum is rotated at a low speed by operating the
motor at a low RPM, when it is determined that the delicate course
is selected; and supplying cold air to the inside of the rotary
drum by operating the fan together with the low-speed
spin-drying.
Inventors: |
Sa; Mi Hyun; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; Lee; Hyung Woo; (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: |
39592802 |
Appl. No.: |
12/000329 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/158 ;
68/12.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 35/007 20130101;
D06F 25/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
8/158 ;
68/12.12 |
International
Class: |
D06F 25/00 20060101
D06F025/00; D06F 37/36 20060101 D06F037/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 5, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0021487 |
Claims
1. A method for controlling spin-drying of a washing machine, which
has a rotary drum for containing laundry, a motor for rotating the
rotary drum, and a fan for circulating air, comprising: determining
whether a delicate course is selected; performing low-speed
spin-drying in which the rotary drum is rotated at a low speed by
operating the motor at a low revolutions per minute (RPM), when the
delicate course is selected; and supplying cold air to the inside
of the rotary drum by operating the fan together with the low-speed
spin-drying.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the low RPM of the
motor is at least 250 RPM.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the low RPM of the
motor is in the range of 250.about.400 RPM.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the low-speed
spin-drying is performed such that the motor is operated at the low
RPM in a middle spin-drying operation after a washing
operation.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the low-speed
spin-drying is performed such that the motor is operated at the low
RPM in a final spin-drying operation.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cold air is
supplied to the inside of the rotary drum such that the fan is
operated during operation of the motor at the low RPM so as to
supply the cold air generated from the fan to the inside of the
rotary drum rotating at the low speed.
7. A washing machine comprising: a rotary drum to contain laundry;
a motor to rotate the rotary drum; a fan to circulate air; and a
control unit to control spin-drying in a delicate course by
operating the motor at a low revolutions per minute (RPM) so as to
perform low-speed spin-drying in which the rotary drum is rotated
at a low speed, and to operate the fan together with the low-speed
spin-drying so as to supply cold air to the inside of the rotary
drum.
8. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the control
unit controls the motor such that the low-speed spin-drying is
performed in a middle spin-drying operation after a washing
operation.
9. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the control
unit controls the motor such that the low-speed spin-drying is
performed in a final spin-drying operation.
10. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the low RPM
of the motor is at least 250 RPM.
11. The washing machine according to claim 10, wherein the low RPM
of the motor is in the range of 250.about.400 RPM.
12. The washing machine according to claim 7, further comprising a
duct for guiding the route of the air circulated by the fan,
wherein the fan is installed in the duct.
13. The method of claim 1, further comprising: performing washing
and rinsing operations; and skipping a middle spin-drying operation
after washing and rinsing operations are completed to perform the
low-speed spin drying.
14. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the control
unit controls the washing machine to perform washing and rinsing
operations and to skip a middle spin-drying operation after washing
and rinsing operations are completed in order to perform the
low-speed spin drying.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Korean
Patent Application No. 2007-0021487, filed Mar. 5, 2007, in the
Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Embodiments relate to a washing machine having a drying
device, and more particularly, to a washing machine, which
increases a spin-drying effect while minimizing damage to laundry
such as clothes, and a method for controlling spin-drying
thereof.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, drying devices are devices, which dry wet laundry
(such as clothes) by supplying hot air heated by a heater to the
inside of a drum containing the laundry while rotating the drum at
a low speed. Recently, a washing and drying machine (usually, a
drum washing machine) having such a drying device has come onto the
market, and performs a drying operation independently or after
spin-drying in connection with a washing operation.
[0006] In order to minimize damage to clothes made of a fabric
requiring delicate washing, such as wool and silk, the above
washing machine having the drying device performs a delicate
course, in which a middle spin-drying operation after washing and
rinsing operations is skipped or the spin-drying operation is
carried out at a low revolutions per minute (RPM). Further, in the
delicate course, a final spin-drying operation is restrictively
applied, thus minimizing damage to the clothes.
[0007] Since the middle spin-drying operation after the washing and
rinsing operations is skipped or the spin-drying operation is
carried out at a low RPM, the above delicate course minimizes
damage to the clothes. However, the delicate course is
disadvantageous in that the rinsing of the clothes is poor.
Further, in order to minimize damage to the clothes, the final
spin-drying operation is restrictively applied, and thus a final
spin-drying degree is low and a spin-drying efficiency is
deteriorated.
[0008] In order to solve the above problem, Japanese Patent
Laid-open Publication No. 2005-334346 proposes a method for
supplying hot air to improve a spin-drying degree in a final-spin
drying operation. This method improves a spin-drying efficiency
through hot air supply using a drying device, but cannot be used in
clothes, which are damaged by heat. Further, this method is
accompanied by energy consumption due to heat.
SUMMARY
[0009] In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a washing
machine having a drying device, which performs a spin-drying
operation at a maximally low RPM and supplies cold air in a
delicate course so as to minimize damage to clothes and improve
rinsing and spin-drying efficiencies, and a method for controlling
spin-drying of the washing machine.
[0010] In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a method
for controlling spin-drying of a washing machine, which has a
rotary drum for containing laundry, a motor for rotating the rotary
drum, and a fan for circulating air, including determining whether
a delicate course is selected; performing low-speed spin-drying in
which the rotary drum is rotated at a low speed by operating the
motor at a low revolutions per minute (RPM), when the delicate
course is selected; and supplying cold air to the inside of the
rotary drum by operating the fan together with the low-speed
spin-drying.
[0011] The low RPM of the motor may be at least 250 RPM.
[0012] The low RPM of the motor may be in the range of
250.about.400 RPM.
[0013] The low-speed spin-drying may be performed such that the
motor is operated at the low RPM in a middle spin-drying operation
after a washing operation.
[0014] The low-speed spin-drying may be performed such that the
motor is operated at the low RPM in a final spin-drying
operation.
[0015] The cold air may be supplied to the inside of the rotary
drum such that the fan is operated during operation of the motor at
the low RPM so as to supply the cold air generated from the fan to
the inside of the rotary drum rotating at the low speed.
[0016] In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a
washing machine including a rotary drum to contain laundry; a motor
to rotate the rotary drum; a fan to circulate air; and a control
unit to control spin-drying in a delicate course by operating the
motor at a low revolutions per minute (RPM) so as to perform
low-speed spin-drying in which the rotary drum is rotated at a low
speed, and to operate the fan together with the low-speed
spin-drying so as to supply cold air to the inside of the rotary
drum.
[0017] The control unit may control the motor such that the
low-speed spin-drying is performed in a middle spin-drying
operation after a washing operation.
[0018] The control unit may control the motor such that the
low-speed spin-drying is performed in a final spin-drying
operation.
[0019] The low RPM of the motor may be at least 250 RPM.
[0020] The low RPM of the motor may be in the range of
250.about.400 RPM.
[0021] The washing machine may further comprise a duct for guiding
the route of the air circulated by the fan, and the fan may be
installed in the duct.
[0022] The washing machine may perform washing and rinsing
operations, and may skip a middle spin-drying operation after
washing and rinsing operations are completed to perform the
low-speed spin drying.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] These and/or other aspects, features, and advantages will
become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a washing machine having a
drying device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the washing
machine having the drying device in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment; and
[0026] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling
spin-drying of the washing machine having the drying device in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary
embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like
elements throughout. Exemplary embodiments are described below to
by referring to the figures.
[0028] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a washing machine having a
drying device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a washing
machine includes a tub 11 having a drum shape installed in a main
body 10 for containing water (washing water or rinsing water), and
a rotary drum 12 rotatably installed in the tub 11 and provided
with a plurality of dehydration holes.
[0030] A motor 13 for rotating the rotary drum 12 in a regular or
opposite direction so as to perform washing, rinsing, and
spin-drying operations is installed under the tub 11, and a washing
heater 16 for heating the water (specifically, the washing water)
supplied to the inside of the tub 11 when a user selects the
temperature of the water is installed on the bottom of the tub
11.
[0031] An opening 14 is formed through the front surfaces of the
tub 11 and the rotary drum 12 such that the user can put or take
clothes into and out of the main body 10, and a door 15 for opening
and closing the opening 14 is installed at the front surface of the
main body 10.
[0032] A detergent supply device 18 for supplying a detergent, and
a water supply device 20 for supplying water (the washing water and
the rinsing water) are installed above the tub 11.
[0033] The inside of the detergent supply device 18 is divided into
a plurality of spaces. The detergent supply device 18 is installed
in the front portion of the main body 10 so that the user can
easily put the detergent and a fabric softener into the respective
spaces of the detergent supply device 18.
[0034] The water supply device 20 includes a water supply pipe 22
for supplying the water, and a water supply valve 24 installed in
the water supply pipe 22 so as to control the water supply through
the water supply pipe 22. The water supply pipe 22 is connected to
the detergent supply device 18 so that the water from the outside
is supplied to the detergent supply device 18. A separate
connection pipe 26 is installed between the detergent supply device
18 and the tub 11 so as to supply the water, passed through the
detergent supply device 18, together with the detergent to the tub
11, and a water supply nozzle 28 is installed at an outlet of the
connection pipe 26. This structure allows the detergent in the
detergent supply device 18, under the condition that the detergent
is dissolved in the water, to be supplied to the tub 11.
[0035] Further, a drain device 30 for draining the water in the tub
11 is provided. The drain device 30 includes a drain pipe 31
connected to the lower portion of the tub 11 so as to guide the
water in the tub 11 to the outside, and a drain pump 32 installed
in the drain pipe 31.
[0036] Further, a drying device 40 for drying clothes (laundry) is
provided.
[0037] The drying device 40 includes a fan 41 installed on the tub
11, a drying duct 42 connecting an outlet hole 41b of the fan 41
and an air inflow hole 45 formed through the upper portion of the
opening 14 of the tub 11, a condensation duct 43 disposed on the
rear portion of the tub 11 so as to connect an air discharge hole
46 formed through the lower portion of the rear surface of the tub
and an inlet hole 41a of the fan 41, and a drying heater 44
installed in the drying duct 42 so as to generate air of a high
temperature supplied to the inside of the rotary drum 12.
[0038] A spray nozzle 47, for spraying condensation water (cold
water) into the condensation duct 43 so that water is condensed and
thus is removed when air in a high-temperature and high-humidity
state obtained by drying the clothes (laundry) passes through the
condensation duct 43, is provided in the upper portion of the
condensation duct 43. The spray nozzle 47 is connected to the water
supply device 20 through a condensation water supply pipe 48 and a
condensation water valve 49 so as to supply the condensation
water.
[0039] Accordingly, the condensation water sprayed from the spray
nozzle 47 flows down along the inner surface of the condensation
duct 43, and thus increases contact with the ascending air in the
high-temperature and high-humidity state, thereby improving a
condensing effect.
[0040] Further, a discharge hole 43a for discharging condensed
water is formed through the lower portion of the condensation duct
43, and the condensed water discharged through the discharge hole
43a flows into the drain pipe 31 of the drain device 30.
[0041] Hereinafter, the operation of the above washing machine
having the drying device will be described.
[0042] When the washing machine is operated under the condition
that clothes (laundry) to be washed are put into the rotary drum
12, the water supply valve 24 of the water supply device 20 is
opened, and water (washing water) is supplied to the tub 11 through
the water supply pipe 22 and the detergent supply device 18.
[0043] When the supply of the washing water is completed, the
washing heater 16 is operated and thus heats the washing water
contained in the tub 11 to a temperature required to wash the
clothes. Then, the rotary drum 12 is rotated in a regular or
opposite direction by the driving of the motor 13, and the clothes
are washed by means of the friction with the rotary drum 12 and the
decomposition power of the detergent.
[0044] After the washing of the clothes is completed, a rinsing
operation, in which the supply of water and the drain of water are
repeated, is carried out approximately 1.about.5 times and a
spin-drying operation, in which the rotary drum 12 is rotated, is
carried out.
[0045] Thereafter, in order to dry the clothes (laundry), the
drying heater 44 and the fan 41 are operated under the condition
that the rotary drum 12 is slowly rotated by the driving of the
motor 13. Then, the inhalation of the air in the rotary drum 12 to
the fan 41 through the condensation duct 43 and the discharge of
the air to the inside of the rotary drum 12 through the drying duct
42 are repeated.
[0046] Here, the air in the drying duct 42 is heated into a
high-temperature and low-humidity state by the drying heater 44,
and the air in the high-temperature and low-humidity state is
supplied into the rotary drum 12. Then, the air in the
high-temperature and low-humidity state (i.e., hot air) heats the
clothes in the rotary drum 12, and thus evaporates moisture
contained in the clothes, thereby drying the clothes.
[0047] In the above drying operation, the air in the
high-temperature and low-humidity state absorbs moisture from the
wet clothes and thus is converted into a high-temperature and
high-humidity state, and the air in the high-temperature and
high-humidity state is transferred to the condensation duct 43.
Then, the air in the high-temperature and high-humidity state
transferred to the condensation duct 43 contacts the condensation
water (cold water) sprayed from the spray nozzle 47, and thus
moisture in the air is condensed into water and the air is
converted into a low-humidity state. The air in the low-humidity
state is heated again by the drying heater 44 and then is supplied
into the rotary drum 12. This process is repeated, and thus dries
the clothes.
[0048] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the washing
machine having the drying device in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment. In addition to the elements, as shown in FIG. 1, the
washing machine in an exemplary embodiment further includes a
signal input unit 100, a water level sensing unit 110, a
temperature sensing unit 120, a drying sensing unit 130, a control
unit 140, and a driving unit 150.
[0049] The signal input unit 100 allows a user to input operation
data, such as a washing course (for example, a delicate course, a
standard course, etc.), a washing temperature, a spin-drying RPM,
the selection of the addition of rinsing, etc., which are selected
according to the kind of clothes (laundry), to the control unit
140. Here, the delicate course can be applied to clothes requiring
delicate washing, such as a wool or silk fabric, a shirt, a rayon
fabric, and a women's top.
[0050] The water level sensing unit 110 senses the level of water
supplied to the tub 11, the temperature sensing unit 120 senses the
temperature of the water supplied to the tub 11, and the drying
sensing unit 130 detects the temperature and humidity of the
clothes (laundry) so as to sense the drying state of the clothes
(laundry).
[0051] The control unit 140 is a microcomputer, which controls the
washing machine based on the operation data inputted from the
signal input unit 100. In the delicate course, the control unit 140
reduces the rotational frequency of the motor 13 to a low RPM
(approximately 250.about.400 RPM) in a middle spin-drying operation
after a washing operation and in a final spin-drying operation
after a final rinsing operation so that the rotary drum 12 is
slowly rotated to achieve the spin-drying operation, and
simultaneously operates the fan 41 so that cold air is supplied to
the inside of the rotary drum 12.
[0052] The driving unit 150 serves to drive the motor 13, the
washing heater 16, the water supply valve 24, the drain pump 32,
the fan 41, the drying heater 44, the condensation water valve 49,
etc. according to a driving control signal of the control unit
140.
[0053] Hereinafter, the operation of the above washing machine and
the effect of a method for controlling spin-drying of the washing
machine will be described.
[0054] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the method for
controlling spin-drying of the washing machine having the drying
device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. A method of an
exemplary embodiment relates to spin-drying of the washing machine
in a delicate course so as to minimize damage to clothes and
improve a spin-drying efficiency in a middle spin-drying operation
after a washing operation and in a final spin-drying operation
after a final rinsing operation.
[0055] First, when a user selects the delicate course under the
condition that clothes (laundry) requiring delicate washing, such
as a wool or silk fabric, a shirt, a rayon fabric, and a women's
top, are put into the rotary drum 12 (S200), operation data,
selected by the user, are inputted to the control unit 140 through
the signal input unit 100.
[0056] Thereafter, the control unit 140 performs washing and
rinsing operations proper to the delicate course according to the
operation data inputted from the signal input unit 100. Here, the
control unit 140 first determines whether or not the washing
machine is turned on (S202).
[0057] When it is determined that the washing machine is turned on,
the control unit 140 sets a water amount for the washing and
rinsing operations and a rinsing frequency according to a load (the
weight or amount of the clothes) put into the rotary drum 12, and
then turns on the water supply valve 24 so that water is supplied
to the detergent supply device 18 through the water supply pipe 22.
Then, the water (washing water) supplied to the detergent supply
device 18 contains a detergent in the detergent supply device 18,
and the obtained detergent water (water+detergent) is supplied to
the tub 11 through the connection pipe 26.
[0058] When the detergent water is supplied to the tub 11, the
control unit 140 operates the motor 13 at a predetermined motor RPM
and motor operation factor, and thus performs a washing operation,
in which the clothes are well mixed with the detergent water by the
rotation of the rotary drum 12 and are washed by the friction with
the rotary drum 12 and the falling force of the clothes (S204).
[0059] After the washing operation, the control unit 140 operates
the drain pump 32 so as to drain the detergent water in the tub 11
through the drain pipe 31 (S206). Then, the control unit 140
performs a middle spin-drying operation at a predetermined RPM
(approximately 250.about.400 RPM) and operates the fan 41 of the
drying device 40 so as to supply cold air from the drying duct 42
to the inside of the rotary drum 12 (S208).
[0060] In the case of the delicate clothes, which cannot be
spin-dried, the middle spin-drying operation after the washing
operation is not skipped, the RPM of the motor 13 in the
spin-drying operation is maximally reduced, and cold air is
supplied to the rotary drum 12. Then, it is possible to minimize
damage to the clothes and increase a spin-drying effect. Further,
it is possible to prevent the deterioration of a rinsing efficiency
due to the low spin-drying degree.
[0061] As described above, the reason why the RPM of the motor 13
in the middle spin-drying operation in the delicate course is
reduced to approximately 250.about.400 RPM, being lower than the
RPM of the motor 13 in the middle spin-drying operation in the
standard course, i.e., approximately 600.about.1,000 RPM, is that
damage to the clothes is minimized and cold air is supplied to the
rotary drum 12 so as to increase the spin-drying effect.
[0062] When the middle spin-drying operation is completed after the
washing operation, the control unit 140 turns on the water supply
valve 24 so as to perform a rinsing operation, and then water
(rinsing water) is supplied to the inside of the tub 11.
[0063] When the water (rinsing water) is supplied to the inside of
the tub 11, the control unit 140 operates the motor 13 at a
predetermined motor RPM and motor operation factor, and thus
performs the rinsing operation (S210).
[0064] After the rinsing operation, the control unit 140 operates
the drain pump 32 so as to drain the detergent water in the tub 11
through the drain pipe 31 (S212). Then, the control unit 140
determines whether or not the rinsing operation is a final rinsing
operation (S214).
[0065] The frequency of the rinsing operation is set to
approximately 1.about.5 times according to the load or the data
regarding the addition of rinsing, which is selected by a user.
[0066] As a result of the determination of the step S214, when it
is determined that the rinsing operation is not the final rinsing
operation, a method of an exemplary embodiment is fed back to the
step S210, and the rinsing operation is repeated at the set
frequency. On the other hand, when it is determined that the
rinsing operation is the final rinsing operation, the control unit
140 performs a final spin-drying operation at the predetermined RPM
(approximately 250.about.400 RPM) identically with the middle
spin-drying operation after the washing operation, and operates the
fan 41 of the drying device 40 so as to supply cold air from the
drying duct 42 to the inside of the rotary drum 12 (S216).
[0067] In the case of the delicate clothes, which restrictively
employs the final spin-drying operation due to damage to the
clothes, the final spin-drying operation is not skipped, the RPM of
the motor 13 in the spin-drying operation is maximally reduced, and
cold air is supplied to the clothes. Then, it is possible to
minimize damage to the clothes and increase a spin-drying effect.
Further, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of a
spin-drying efficiency due to the low spin-drying degree.
[0068] As described above, the reason why the RPM of the motor 13
in the final spin-drying operation in the delicate course is
reduced to approximately 250.about.400 RPM, being lower than the
RPM of the motor 13 in the final spin-drying operation in the
standard course, i.e., approximately 1,100.about.1,200 RPM, is that
damage to the clothes is minimized and cold air is supplied to the
rotary drum 12 so as to increase the spin-drying effect (the
shortening of a drying time by 25% compared with a conventional
method: 6 minutes.fwdarw.4 minutes 30 seconds).
[0069] As apparent from the above description, an exemplary
embodiment provides a washing machine having a drying device, which
performs a spin-drying operation at a maximally low RPM and
supplies cold air to clothes in a delicate course so as to minimize
damage to the clothes and improve rinsing and spin-drying
efficiencies, and another exemplary embodiment provides a method
for controlling spin-drying of the washing machine.
[0070] Further, since the supply of the cold air does not require
high energy consumption and is applied to any kind of clothes, a
washing machine of an exemplary embodiment has a high utility.
[0071] Although a few exemplary embodiments have been shown and
described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
changes may be made in these exemplary embodiments, the scope of
which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *