U.S. patent application number 12/230807 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-23 for method for operating washing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG ELECTRONICS INC.. Invention is credited to Seong-Hae Jeong, Hyung-Yong Kim, Pyoung-Hwan Kim, Deug-Hee Lee, Eun-Jin Park.
Application Number | 20090100608 12/230807 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39479711 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090100608 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Deug-Hee ; et
al. |
April 23, 2009 |
Method for operating washing machine
Abstract
Disclosed is a method for operating a washing machine. The
method includes a rinsing step for rinsing the laundry by supplying
water after the rinsing step, the supplying of the circulation
water being stopped or executed for only a certain time.
Accordingly, the circulation water is not continuously supplied
during the rinsing step, thus it is capable of preventing bubbles
from being generated caused by continuously supplying the
circulation water. Accordingly, it is capable of preventing
detergent dregs from remaining on the laundry even after the
rinsing step. And, it is capable of preventing large load from
being applied to the washing motors due to the bubbles, thereby
being capable of enhancing efficiency of the washing motors and
preventing a fire due to increase of a temperature.
Inventors: |
Lee; Deug-Hee; (Changwon,
KR) ; Kim; Pyoung-Hwan; (Changwon, KR) ; Park;
Eun-Jin; (Changwon, KR) ; Kim; Hyung-Yong;
(Changwon, KR) ; Jeong; Seong-Hae; (Changwon,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE LLP
1900 K STREET, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Assignee: |
LG ELECTRONICS INC.
Yeongdeungpo-Gu
KR
|
Family ID: |
39479711 |
Appl. No.: |
12/230807 |
Filed: |
September 4, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/159 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 35/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
8/159 |
International
Class: |
D06F 39/08 20060101
D06F039/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 5, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0090115 |
Claims
1. A method for operating a washing machine, the method comprising:
washing laundry by continuously supplying circulation water;
rinsing the laundry by stopping supplying the circulation water or
by supplying the circulation water only for a certain time; and
finally dehydrating the laundry.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the rinsing step is executed in
order of processes of draining, intermittent dehydrating, main
dehydrating, water supplying and rinsing, wherein supply of the
circulation water is stopped over entire sections of the rinsing
process.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the rinsing step is executed in
order of processes of draining, intermittent dehydrating, main
dehydrating, water supplying and rinsing, wherein the circulation
water is supplied at a section of the rinsing process.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the rinsing step is repeated
multiple times between the washing step and the final dehydrating
step, wherein the circulation water may be supplied only at a part
of a plurality of rinsing steps that are repeated.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the rinsing steps are executed in
order of processes of draining, intermittent dehydrating, main
dehydrating, water supplying and rinsing, respectively, wherein the
circulation water is supplied over entire sections of the rinsing
process.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the rinsing steps are executed in
order of processes of draining, intermittent dehydrating, main
dehydrating, water supplying and rinsing, respectively, wherein the
circulation water is supplied at a section of the rinsing
process.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the rinsing step comprises a
first rinsing step, a second rinsing step and a third rinsing step
that are sequentially executed in order of processes of draining,
intermittent dehydrating, main dehydrating, water supplying and
rinsing, respectively, wherein supply of the circulation water is
stopped over entire sections of the rinsing process.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the rinsing step comprises a
first rinsing step, a second rinsing step and a third rinsing step
that are sequentially executed in order of processes of draining,
intermittent dehydrating, main dehydrating, water supplying and
rinsing, respectively, wherein the circulation water is supplied at
a section of the rinsing process.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the rinsing step comprises a
first rinsing step, a second rinsing step and a third rinsing step
that are sequentially executed in order of processes of draining,
intermittent dehydrating, main dehydrating, water supplying and
rinsing, wherein the circulation water is supplied over entire
sections of the rinsing process of any one of the first, second and
third rinsing steps.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the rinsing step comprises a
first rinsing step, a second rinsing step and a third rinsing step
that are sequentially executed in order of processes of draining,
intermittent dehydrating, main dehydrating, water supplying and
rinsing, respectively, wherein the circulation water is supplied at
a section of the rinsing process of any one of the first, second
and third rinsing steps.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained
in priority Korean Application No. 10-2007-0090115, filed on Sep.
5, 2007, which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a method for operating a
washing machine.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In general, washing machines are roughly classified into a
top rod type washing machine having a vertical drum and a drum type
washing machine having a horizontal drum.
[0006] The top rod type washing machine or the drum type washing
machine is provided with a circulation pump for supplying water to
a drum by circulating the water stored in a tub. By circulating the
water for washing and rinsing processes, it is capable of reducing
consumption of the water.
[0007] Also, by circulating the water, detergent can be rapidly
dissolved in the water and a detergent solution (i.e., a solution
fabricated by dissolving the detergent into the water) can be
uniformly absorbed into laundry in the washing process, thereby
being capable of enhancing washing performance.
[0008] However, in the rinsing process, as a result of circulation
of the water, it may create a condition easy to generate bubbles
due to continuous circulation of the remaining detergent solution
even though it can reduce consumption of the water.
[0009] Due to the bubbles, the laundry cannot be smoothly rinsed.
Accordingly, dregs of the detergent may remain on the laundry even
after the rinsing process.
[0010] And, if the bubbles are accumulated between the tub and the
drum, the bubbles may serve as friction that interrupts rotation of
the drum. Accordingly, large load may be applied to a washing motor
for rotating the drum, which causes temperature of the washing
motor to go up.
[0011] If the temperature of the washing motor continuously goes up
over a proper temperature, efficiency of the washing motor may be
deteriorated. Also, if the temperature of the washing motor
continuously goes up until the washing motor is overheated, a fire
may occur.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Therefore, the present invention is directed to providing a
method for operating a washing machine which is capable of
preventing bubbles from being generated in a rinsing process. And,
another object of the present invention is to provide a method for
operating a washing machine which is capable of implementing
enhanced rinsing performance.
[0013] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described herein, there may be provided a method for operating a
washing machine in accordance with the present invention, the
method comprising: washing laundry by continuously supplying
circulation water; rinsing the laundry by stopping supplying the
circulation water or by supplying the circulation water only for a
certain time; and finally dehydrating the laundry.
[0014] The rinsing step may be executed in order of processes of
draining, intermittent dehydrating, main dehydrating, water
supplying and rinsing. Here, supply of the circulation water is
stopped over entire sections of the rinsing process,
preferably.
[0015] Alternately, the rinsing step may be executed in order of
processes of draining, intermittent dehydrating, main dehydrating,
water supplying and rinsing. Here, the circulation water is
supplied at a section of the rinsing process, preferably.
[0016] Alternately, the rinsing step may be repeated multiple times
between the washing step and the final dehydrating step. And, the
circulation water may be supplied only at a part of the plurality
of rinsing steps that are repeated. And, the rinsing steps may be
executed in order of processes of draining, intermittent
dehydrating, main dehydrating, water supplying and rinsing,
respectively. Here, the circulation water is supplied over entire
sections of the rinsing process, preferably.
[0017] Alternately, the rinsing step may be repeated multiple times
between the washing step and the final dehydrating step. And, the
circulation water may be supplied only a part of the plurality of
rinsing steps that are repeated. And, the rinsing steps may be
executed in order of processes of draining, intermittent
dehydrating, main dehydrating, water supplying and rinsing,
respectively. Here, the circulation water is supplied at a section
of the rinsing process, preferably.
[0018] Alternately, the rinsing step may comprise a first rinsing
step, a second rinsing step and a third rinsing step. The first,
second and third rinsing steps may be sequentially executed in
order of processes of draining, intermittent dehydrating, main
dehydrating, water supplying and rinsing, respectively. Here,
supply of the circulation water is stopped over entire sections of
the rinsing process, preferably.
[0019] Alternately, the rinsing step may comprise a first rinsing
step, a second rinsing step and a third rinsing step. The first,
second and third rinsing steps may be sequentially executed in
order of processes of draining, intermittent dehydrating, main
dehydrating, water supplying and rinsing, respectively. Here, the
circulation water is supplied at a section of the rinsing process,
preferably.
[0020] Alternately, the rinsing step may comprise a first rinsing
step, a second rinsing step and a third rinsing step. The first,
second and third rinsing steps may be sequentially executed in
order of processes of draining, intermittent dehydrating, main
dehydrating, water supplying and rinsing. Here, the circulation
water is supplied over entire sections of the rinsing process of
any one of the first, second and third rinsing steps,
preferably.
[0021] Alternately, the rinsing step may comprise a first rinsing
step, a second rinsing step and a third rinsing step. The first,
second and third rinsing steps may be sequentially executed in
order of processes of draining, intermittent dehydrating, main
dehydrating, water supplying and rinsing, respectively. Here, the
circulation water is supplied at a section of the rinsing process
of any one of the first, second and third rinsing steps,
preferably.
[0022] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and
advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from
the following detailed description of the present invention when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred
embodiments of the invention and together with the description
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0024] In the drawings:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a drum type washing
machine operated by a method for operating a washing machine in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the method for operating a
washing machine in accordance with the one embodiment of FIG.
1;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a method for operating a
washing machine in accordance with a second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a method for operating a
washing machine in accordance with a third embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0029] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a method for operating a
washing machine in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] Description will now be given in detail of the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0031] Hereafter, a method for operating a washing machine in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail.
[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a drum type washing
machine operated by a method for operating a washing machine in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, the drum type washing machine operated
by the method for operating a washing machine in accordance with
the one embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 5
forming an external appearance, a tub 3 installed in the cabinet 5
so as to store water therein, a drum 9 rotatably installed in the
tub 3 and receiving laundry therein, washing motors 7, 8 for
rotating the drum 9, a rotation shaft 17 for transferring a
rotational force from the washing motors 7, 8 to the drum 9, a
bearing 11 for supporting the rotation shaft 17, a sealing member
13 for preventing water between the tub 3 and the drum 9 from
penetrating into the bearing 11, a detergent supply device 30 for
supplying water mixed with detergent to the tub 3, a water supply
device 20 configured with a plurality of valves so as to supply or
stop supplying water to the detergent supply device 30, a drain
pump 40 for draining the water stored in the tub 3 by outwardly
pumping it, a circulation pump 50 for circulating the water stored
in the tub 3 therein so as to enhance washing and rinsing
performance, and a control panel 70 for controlling an overall
operation of the washing machine by receiving a manipulation
command from a user.
[0034] A door 1 is disposed at a front side of the cabinet 5, and a
gasket 2 is installed between the door 1 and the tub 3.
[0035] A locking spring 4 for supporting the tub 3 is installed
between an upper inner surface of the cabinet 5 and an outer upper
surface of the tub 3. A friction damper 10 for reducing vibration
of the tub 3 is installed between a lower inner surface of the
cabinet 5 and an outer lower surface of the tub 3.
[0036] A plurality of lifters 9a for moving the laundry up and down
are disposed in the drum 9.
[0037] The washing motors 7, 8 consist of a stator 7 implemented as
a direct drive type motor and provided with a coil wound at a slot,
and a rotor 8 rotating on an outer circumferential surface of the
stator 7 and provided with a permanent magnet 12 therein.
[0038] The stator 7 is coupled to a rear wall of the tub 3 by a
plurality of coupling members 19.
[0039] The rotor 8 is coupled to a rear end portion of the rotation
shaft 17 by a coupling member 18.
[0040] Once the coil of the stator 7 receives a power and thus to
become electromagnetic, the rotor 8 is rotated by an interaction
between the coil of the stator 7 and the permanent magnet 12
attached into the rotor 8. A rotational force of the rotor 8 is
transferred to the drum 9 through the rotation shaft 17.
[0041] The bearing 11 is installed in a bearing housing 15 and
includes a front bearing positioned at a front side of the rotation
shaft 17 and a rear bearing positioned at a rear side of the
rotation shaft 17.
[0042] The sealing member 13 is insertedly installed on the outer
circumference of the rotation shaft 17, thereby preventing water
between the tub 3 and the drum 9 from penetrating into the bearing
11.
[0043] The detergent supply device 30 serves to mix the supplied
water with detergent and then supply it to the tub 3 through a
supply pipe 31. One exemplary detergent supply device 30 can be
configured as follows. That is, the detergent supply device 30 may
include a case and a detergent container installed in the case so
as to store various kinds of detergent.
[0044] A siphon pipe is formed on a bottom of the detergent
container. And, a supply inlet connected to a connection pipe 22 is
formed at the upper side of the case, and a detergent outlet
connected to a supply pipe 31 is formed on the bottom of the
case.
[0045] With the configuration mentioned above, the water supplied
through the connection pipe 22 is mixed with the detergent stored
in the detergent container, and then flows out of the detergent
container through the siphon pipe when the water mixed with the
detergent reaches a specific level. The water mixed with the
detergent is supplied to the tub 3 through the supply pipe 31.
[0046] A supply pipe 21 connected to an external water supply
source and the connection pipe 22 connected to the detergent supply
device 30 are installed at the water supply device 20.
[0047] A drain pipe 41 connected to the lower side of the tub 3 and
a connection pipe 42 connected to an external drain are
respectively installed at the drain pump 40.
[0048] A circulation pipe 51 connected to the lower side of the tub
3 and a connection pipe 52 connected to the gasket 2 are
respectively installed at the circulation pump 50.
[0049] Here, in case that the circulation pump 50 is operated, the
drain pump 40 stops operating. But, in case that the drain pump 40
is operated, the circulation pump 50 stops operating.
[0050] The control panel 70 is provided with a plurality of buttons
and dials allowing the user to manipulate the washing machine, and
a displayer for displaying a state of the washing machine.
[0051] Hereafter, the method for operating a washing machine in
accordance with the one embodiment of the present invention will be
described.
[0052] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the method for operating a
washing machine in accordance with the one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the method for operating a
washing machine in accordance with the one embodiment of the
present invention includes washing laundry by continuously
supplying circulation water S10, rinsing the laundry after stopping
supplying the circulation water S20, and finally dehydrating the
laundry S30.
[0054] In the washing step S10, the detergent supply device 30
mixes the water supplied from the water supply device 20 with
stored detergent and then supplies the water mixed with the
detergent to the tub 3 through the supply pipe 31. The circulation
pump 50 is then operated so that the water stored at the lower side
of the tub 3 may be continuously supplied to the drum 9 through the
circulation pipe 51 and the connection pipe 52 during the entire
washing step.
[0055] And, at the same time, the washing motors 7, 8 rotate the
drum 9 in forward or reverse, which causes the laundry to drop or
to have reciprocal friction for washing.
[0056] The rinsing step S20 is repeated at least once between the
washing step S10 and the final dehydrating step S30 so as to
enhance the rinsing performance. In this embodiment, since the
rinsing step S20 consists of a first rinsing step S21, a second
rinsing step S22 and a third rinsing step S23, the same rinsing
steps are repeated three times. The rinsing step may be repeated
more than three times so as to further enhance the rinsing
performance.
[0057] The first rinsing step S21, the second rinsing step S22 and
the third rinsing step S23 are sequentially executed in order of
processes of draining S41, intermittent dehydrating S42, main
dehydrating S43, water supplying S44 and rinsing S45,
respectively.
[0058] The draining process S41 serves to outwardly drain the water
stored at the lower side of the tub 3 through the drain pipe 41 and
the connection pipe 42.
[0059] The intermittent dehydrating process S42 serves to dehydrate
the laundry by rotating the drum 9, by the washing motors 7, 8, in
forward or reverse with a low speed (350.about.400 rpm) before
executing the main dehydrating process S43. Through the
intermittent dehydrating process S42, the tangled laundry is
disentangled. Accordingly, the drum 9 comes to be balanced, thereby
preventing vibration and noise from being generated during the
dehydrating process.
[0060] The main dehydrating process S43 serves to dehydrate the
laundry by rotating the drum with a high speed (800.about.1200 rpm)
after the intermittent dehydrating process S42 is finished.
[0061] The water supplying process S44 serves to supply water, by
the water supply device 20, to the tub 3 through the supply pipe
31.
[0062] The rinsing process S45 serves to rinse the laundry by
rotating the drum 9 in forward or reverse resulting from that the
washing motors 7, 8 are repeatedly rotated in forward (+) or
reverse (-).
[0063] In the entire sections of the rinsing step S20 including the
first, second and third rinsing steps S21, S22, S23, the
circulation pump 50 is switched off. Accordingly, the drum 9 (see
FIG. 1) stops receiving the circulation water, thus it is capable
of preventing bubbles caused by continuously supplying the
circulation water during the first, second and third steps S21,
S22, S23.
[0064] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a method for operating a
washing machine in accordance with a second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0065] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the method for operating a
washing machine in accordance with the second embodiment of the
present invention includes washing laundry by continuously
supplying circulation water S10, rinsing the laundry by supplying
the circulation water for a certain time S20, and finally
dehydrating the laundry S30.
[0066] In the washing step S10, the detergent supply device 30
mixes the water supplied from the water supply device 20 with the
stored detergent and then supplies the water mixed with the
detergent to the tub 3 through the supply pipe 31. And then, the
circulation pump 50 is operated thus to continuously supply the
water stored at the lower side of the tub 3 to the drum 9 through
the circulation pipe 51 and the connection pipe 52 during the
washing step.
[0067] At the same time, the washing motors 7, 8 rotate the drum 9
in forward or reverse, which causes the laundry to drop or to have
reciprocal friction for washing.
[0068] The rinsing step S20 is repeated at least once between the
washing step S10 and the final dehydrating step S30 so as to
enhance the rinsing performance. In this embodiment, since the
rinsing step S20 consists of a first rinsing step S21, a second
rinsing step S22 and a third rinsing step S23, the same rinsing
steps are repeated three times. The rinsing step may be repeated
more than three times so as to further enhance the rinsing
performance.
[0069] The first rinsing step S21, the second rinsing step S22 and
the third rinsing step S23 are sequentially executed. And,
processes of draining S41, intermittent dehydrating S42, main
dehydrating S43, water supplying S44 and rinsing S45 are
sequentially executed within the first rinsing step S21, the second
rinsing step S22 and the third rinsing step S23.
[0070] The draining process S41 serves to outwardly drain, by the
drain pump 40, the water stored at the lower side of the tub 3
through the drain pipe 41 and the connection pipe 42.
[0071] The intermittent dehydrating process S42 serves to dehydrate
the laundry by rotating the drum 9, by the washing motors 7, 8, in
forward or reverse with a low speed (350.about.400 rpm) before
executing the main dehydrating process S43. Through the
intermittent dehydrating process S42, the tangled laundry is
disentangled. Accordingly, the drum 9 comes to be balanced, thereby
preventing vibration and noise from being generated during the
dehydrating process.
[0072] The main dehydrating process S43 serves to dehydrate the
laundry by rotating the drum 9 with a high speed (800.about.1200
rpm) after the intermittent dehydrating process S42 is
finished.
[0073] The water supplying process S44 serves to supply water, by
the water supply device 20, to the tub 3 through the supply pipe
31.
[0074] The rinsing process S45 serves to rinse the laundry by
rotating the drum 9 in forward or reverse resulting from that the
washing motors 7, 8 are repeatedly rotated in forward (+) or
reverse (-).
[0075] Here, the circulation pump 50 is switched on at a section of
the rinsing process S45 thus to supply the circulation water to the
drum 9.
[0076] Accordingly, the circulation water is continuously supplied
over entire sections of the rinsing S45, thereby preventing bubbles
from being generated.
[0077] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a method for operating a
washing machine in accordance with the third embodiment of the
present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the method for
operating a washing machine in accordance with the third embodiment
includes washing laundry by continuously supplying circulation
water S10, finally dehydrating the laundry S30, and rinsing the
laundry repeatedly multiple times between the washing step S10 and
the final dehydrating step S30, water being supplied at any one
time of the multiple times S20.
[0078] In the washing step S10, the detergent supply device 30
mixes the water supplied from the water supply device 20 with the
stored detergent and then supplies the water mixed with the
detergent to the tub 3 through the supply pipe 31. And then, the
circulation pump 50 is operated thus to continuously supply the
water stored at the lower side of the tub 3 to the drum 9 through
the circulation pipe 51 and the connection pipe 52 during the
washing step.
[0079] At the same time, the washing motors 7, 8 rotate the drum 9
in forward or reverse, which causes the laundry to drop or to have
reciprocal friction for washing.
[0080] The rinsing step S20 is repeated at least once between the
washing step S10 and the final dehydrating step S30 so as to
enhance the rinsing performance. In this embodiment, the rinsing
step S20 consists of a first rinsing step S21, a second rinsing
step S22 and a third rinsing step S23, and the same rinsing steps
are repeated three times. The rinsing step may be repeated more
than three times so as to further enhance the rinsing
performance.
[0081] The first rinsing step S21, the second rinsing step S22 and
the third rinsing step S23 are sequentially executed. And,
processes of draining S41, intermittent dehydrating S42, main
dehydrating S43, water supplying S44 and rinsing S45 are
sequentially executed within the first rinsing step S21, the second
rinsing step S22 and the third rinsing step S23.
[0082] The draining process S41 serves to outwardly drain, by the
drain pump 40, the water stored at the lower side of the tub 3
through the drain pipe 41 and the connection pipe 42.
[0083] The intermittent dehydrating process S42 serves to dehydrate
the laundry by rotating the drum 9, by the washing motors 7, 8, in
forward or reverse with a low speed (350.about.400 rpm) before
executing the main dehydrating process S43. Through the
intermittent dehydrating process S42, the tangled laundry is
disentangled. Accordingly, the drum 9 comes to be balanced, thereby
preventing vibration and noise from being generated during the
dehydrating process.
[0084] The main dehydrating process. S43 serves to dehydrate the
laundry by rotating the drum with a high speed (800.about.1200 rpm)
after the intermittent dehydrating process S42 is finished.
[0085] The water supplying process S44 serves to supply water, by
the water supply device 20, to the tub 3 through the supply pipe
31.
[0086] The rinsing process S45 serves to rinse the laundry by
rotating the drum 9 in forward or reverse resulting from that the
washing motors 7, 8 are repeatedly rotated in forward (+) or
reverse (-).
[0087] Here, the circulation pump 50 is switched on only at the
first rinsing step S21, more particularly, is operated over entire
sections of the rinsing process S45 of the first rinsing step S21,
thus to supply the circulation water to the drum 9. The circulation
water may be supplied over entire sections of the rinsing process
S45 of the second rinsing step S22 or entire sections of the
rinsing process S45 of the third rinsing step S23.
[0088] Accordingly, it is capable of preventing bubbles from being
generated caused by supplying the circulation water at all steps of
the first rinsing S21, the second rinsing S22 and the third rinsing
S23.
[0089] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a method for operating a
washing machine in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the
present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the method for
operating a washing machine in accordance with the fourth
embodiment includes washing laundry by continuously supplying
circulation water S10, finally dehydrating the laundry S30, and
rinsing the laundry repeatedly multiple times between the washing
step S10 and the final dehydrating step S30, water being supplied
at any one time of the multiple times S20. Here, the rinsing step
S20 includes processes of draining S41, intermittent dehydrating
S42, main dehydrating S43, water supplying S44 and rinsing S45.
And, the water is supplied only at any one process of the processes
of draining S41, intermittent dehydrating S42, main dehydrating
S43, water supplying S44 and rinsing S45.
[0090] In the washing step S10, the detergent supply device 30
mixes the water supplied from the water supply device 20 with the
stored detergent and then supplies the water mixed with the
detergent to the tub 3 through the supply pipe 31. And then, the
circulation pump 50 is operated thus to continuously supply the
water stored at the lower side of the tub 3 to the drum 9 through
the circulation pipe 51 and the connection pipe 52 during the
washing step.
[0091] At the same time, the washing motors 7, 8 rotate the drum 9
in forward or reverse, which causes the laundry to drop or to have
reciprocal friction for washing.
[0092] The rinsing step S20 is repeated multiple times between the
washing step S10 and the final dehydrating step S30 so as to
enhance the rinsing performance. In this embodiment, since the
rinsing step S20 consists of a first rinsing step S21, a second
rinsing step S22 and a third rinsing step S23, the same rinsing
steps are repeated three times. The rinsing step may be repeated
more than three times so as to further enhance the rinsing
performance.
[0093] The first rinsing step S21, the second rinsing step S22 and
the third rinsing step S23 are sequentially executed. And,
processes of draining S41, intermittent dehydrating S42, main
dehydrating S43, water supplying S44 and rinsing S45 are
sequentially executed within the first rinsing step S21, the second
rinsing step S22 and the third rinsing step S23.
[0094] The draining process S41 serves to outwardly drain, by the
drain pump 40, the water stored at the lower side of the tub 3
through the drain pipe 41 and the connection pipe 42.
[0095] The intermittent dehydrating process S42 serves to dehydrate
the laundry by rotating the drum 9, by the washing motors 7, 8, in
forward or reverse with a low speed (350.about.400 rpm) before
executing the main dehydrating process S43. Through the
intermittent dehydrating process S42, the tangled laundry is
disentangled. Accordingly, the drum 9 comes to be balanced, thereby
preventing vibration and noise from being generated during the
dehydrating process.
[0096] The main dehydrating process S43 serves to dehydrate the
laundry by rotating the drum 9 with a high speed (800.about.1200
rpm) after the intermittent dehydrating process S42 is
finished.
[0097] The water supplying process S44 serves to supply water, by
the water supply device 20, to the tub 3 through the supply pipe
31.
[0098] The rinsing process S45 serves to rinse the laundry by
rotating the drum 9 in forward or reverse resulting from that the
washing motors 7, 8 are repeatedly rotated in forward (+) or
reverse (-).
[0099] Here, the circulation pump 50 is switched on only at the
first rinsing step S21, more particularly, is operated at a section
of the rinsing process S45 of the first rinsing step S21, thus to
supply the circulation water to the drum 9. The circulation water
may be supplied at a section of the rinsing process S45 of the
second rinsing step S22 or a section of the rinsing process S45 of
the third rinsing step S23.
[0100] Accordingly, it is capable of preventing bubbles from being
generated caused by supplying the circulation water at all steps of
the first rinsing. S21, the second rinsing S22 and the third
rinsing S23.
[0101] As aforementioned, the method for operating the washing
machine in accordance with the present invention includes the
rinsing step for rinsing the laundry by supplying water after the
rinsing step. Here, the supplying of the circulation water is
stopped or executed for only a certain time.
[0102] Since the circulation water is not continuously supplied
during the rinsing step, it is capable of preventing bubbles from
being generated caused by continuously supplying the circulation
water. Accordingly, it is capable of preventing detergent dregs
from remaining on the laundry even after the rinsing step. And, it
is capable of preventing large load from being applied to the
washing motors due to the bubbles, thereby being capable of
enhancing efficiency of the washing motors and preventing a fire
due to increase of a temperature.
[0103] The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely
exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present
disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other
types of apparatuses. This description is intended to be
illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many
alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and
other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein
may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or
alternative exemplary embodiments.
[0104] As the present inventive features may be embodied in several
forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should
also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not
limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless
otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within
its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all
changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of
the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore
intended to be embraced by the appended claims.
* * * * *