U.S. patent application number 12/805244 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-24 for washing machine and method to control the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Jae Young Choi, Sung Jin Kim, Hong Seok Ko, Jong Hun Won.
Application Number | 20110041258 12/805244 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43604090 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110041258 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ko; Hong Seok ; et
al. |
February 24, 2011 |
Washing machine and method to control the same
Abstract
A washing machine having a plurality of washing units to
separately wash laundry according to quantity and type of the
laundry, and a method to control the same. In the washing machine
having the plurality of washing units to separately wash laundry
having different quantities and types, when the plurality of
washing units are being simultaneously operated, a current load
value of one of the washing units is detected through monitoring of
a power line, to thereby determine the operation state of the
washing unit. Therefore, the operation of the other washing unit
may be controlled so that the power limit is not exceeded. As a
result, the plurality of washing units may be operated
simultaneously within the range of allowable power capacity of the
installation place of the washing machine.
Inventors: |
Ko; Hong Seok; (Yongin-si,
KR) ; Kim; Sung Jin; (Seongnam-si, KR) ; Choi;
Jae Young; (Seongnam-si, KR) ; Won; Jong Hun;
(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: |
43604090 |
Appl. No.: |
12/805244 |
Filed: |
July 20, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/137 ; 68/9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 29/00 20130101;
D06F 2204/10 20130101; D06F 33/00 20130101; D06F 2202/12 20130101;
D06F 31/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
8/137 ; 68/9 |
International
Class: |
D06F 31/00 20060101
D06F031/00; D06L 1/20 20060101 D06L001/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 19, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-76656 |
Claims
1. A washing machine comprising: a plurality of washing units; a
power connection unit provided to any one of the washing units to
share electric power with the other washing unit; and a power
control device to monitor a power line of the other washing units
and control the operation of the washing unit having the power
control device so that the total power capacity of the plurality of
washing units does not exceed a power limit, when the plurality of
washing units are simultaneously operated.
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the power
control device comprises: a current sensor to monitor the power
line of the other washing unit through the power connection unit,
thereby detecting current load value; and a control unit to
determine the operation state of the other washing unit based on
the detected current load value and accordingly control the
operation of the washing unit having the power control device.
3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the power
control device is provided to any one of the plurality of washing
units and connected to the other washing unit not having the power
control device through the power line.
4. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of control units each provided to the plurality of
washing units to independently control the operations of the
washing units.
5. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein any one of the
plurality of control units is connected to the power control
device.
6. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the plurality
of washing units are operated independently from one another or in
connection with one another.
7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the plurality
of washing units comprise any one of a drum washing machine and a
full-automatic washing machine.
8. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the plurality
of washing units comprise washing machines of different capacities
arranged vertically.
9. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the plurality
of washing units comprise washing machines of different capacities
arranged horizontally.
10. A method to control a washing machine having a first washing
unit and a second washing unit, the method comprising: connecting a
power supply of the first washing unit to the second washing unit;
and monitoring a power line of the first washing unit and thereby
controlling the operation of the second washing unit such that a
power limit is not exceeded, when the first and the second washing
units are simultaneously operated.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the connecting is
performed by connecting a power cord of the first washing unit to a
power connection unit of the second washing unit.
12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the monitoring
comprises: detecting a current load value of the first washing
unit; and determining whether the power limit is exceeded, by
monitoring the operation state of the first washing unit based on
the current load value.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the determining is
performed by determining whether the total power capacity of the
first and the second washing units is equal to or greater than the
power limit when the washing units are being simultaneously
operated.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first and the
second washing units are simultaneously operated if the total power
capacity of the first and the second washing units is less than the
power limit.
15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the operation of the
second washing unit is controlled if the total power capacity of
the first and the second washing units is equal to or greater than
the power limit.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein controlling the
operation of the second washing unit is performed so that the power
limit is not exceeded when the first and the second washing units
are simultaneously driving heaters thereof.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein controlling the
operation of the second washing unit includes delaying driving of
the heater and performing other washing functions including soaking
while the driving of the heater is delayed.
18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising:
monitoring the operation state of the first washing unit during
control of the operation of the second washing unit so as to
determine whether the total power capacity is less than the power
limit; and performing a simultaneous operation of the first and the
second washing units when the total power capacity is less than the
power limit.
19. A washing machine comprising: a first washing unit and a second
washing unit; a power connection unit provided in one of the first
and second washing units to share electric power with the other
washing unit; and a power control device to monitor a power line of
the other washing unit and to control the operation of the washing
unit having the power control device wherein the power control
device controls total power consumption of the first and second
washing units to stay below a predetermined power limit.
20. The washing machine according to claim 19, wherein the first
washing unit has a capacity of approximately 13 kg, and the second
washing unit has a capacity of approximately 3 kg.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 2009-0076656, filed on Aug. 19, 2009 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 plurality
of washing units capable of separately washing laundry in
accordance with quantity and type of laundry, and a method to
control the same.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A washing machine, generally, a drum-type washing machine is
an apparatus equipped with a washing tub to wash contaminated
washing objects (hereinafter, referred to as `laundry`) using water
and detergent. The washing machine may perform washing through a
series of operations including a washing operation in which the
laundry is put into the washing tub and dirt is separated from the
laundry by water containing detergent, that is, a wash water, a
rinsing operation in which foam and residual detergent are rinsed
off the laundry by water not containing detergent, that is, a rinse
water, and a spin-drying operation in which the washed laundry is
spin-dried at a high speed.
[0006] Some types of laundry should not be washed together in one
washing tub because of their different characteristics and
materials. With a general washing machine having one washing tub,
such different types of laundry that cannot be washed together need
to be washed separately. Therefore, it becomes cumbersome to wash
the laundry separately and operate the washing machine several
times, for example, at least twice, which also causes waste of time
and energy. Furthermore, when the washing tub has a large capacity,
the large washing tub needs to be wholly operated to wash even a
small quantity of laundry, thereby causing waste of electric
power.
[0007] Recently, some people having sufficient purchasing power use
two washing machines of different capacities such as a large
capacity and a small capacity. However, in this case, the power
capacity required to operate the two washing machines, for example
two heaters, simultaneously may exceed allowable power capacity of
the place in which the two washing machines are installed.
SUMMARY
[0008] Therefore, it is an aspect to provide a washing machine
having a plurality of washing units to separately wash different
quantities and types of laundry, and enabling simultaneous
operation of the plurality of washing units within the allowable
power capacity of an installation place of the washing machine, and
a method to control the same.
[0009] Additional aspects 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 embodiments.
[0010] In accordance with one aspect, a washing machine includes a
plurality of washing units; a power connection unit provided to any
one of the washing units to share electric power with the other
washing unit; and a power control device which monitors a power
line of the other washing units and thereby controls the operation
of the washing unit having the power control device so that the
total power capacity of the plurality of washing units does not
exceed a power limit, when the plurality of washing units are
simultaneously operated.
[0011] The power control device may include a current sensor
monitoring the power line of the other washing unit through the
power connection unit, thereby detecting current load value; and a
control unit determining the operation state of the other washing
unit based on the detected current load value and accordingly
controlling the operation of the washing unit having the power
control device.
[0012] The power control device may be provided to any one of the
plurality of washing units and connected to the other washing unit
not having the power control device through the power line.
[0013] The washing machine may further include a plurality of
control units each provided to the plurality of washing units to
independently control the operations of the washing units. Any one
of the plurality of control units may be connected to the power
control device.
[0014] The plurality of washing units may be operated independently
from one another or in connection with one another.
[0015] The plurality of washing units may include any one of a
drum-type washing machine and a full-automatic washing machine.
[0016] The plurality of washing units may include washing machines
of different capacities being accumulated in an up and down
direction.
[0017] The plurality of washing units may include washing machines
of different capacities arranged side by side.
[0018] In accordance with another aspect, a method to control a
washing machine having a first washing unit and a second washing
unit includes connecting a power supply of the first washing unit
to the second washing unit; and monitoring a power line of the
first washing unit and thereby controlling the operation of the
second washing unit so that a power limit is not exceeded, when the
first and the second washing units are simultaneously operated.
[0019] The connecting may be performed by connecting a power cord
of the first washing unit to a power connection unit of the second
washing unit.
[0020] The monitoring may include detecting a current load value of
the first washing unit; and determining whether the power limit is
exceeded, by monitoring the operation state of the first washing
unit based on the current load value.
[0021] The determining may be performed by determining whether the
total power capacity of the first and the second washing units is
equal to or greater than the power limit when the washing units are
being simultaneously operated.
[0022] The first and the second washing units may be simultaneously
operated if the total power capacity of the first and the second
washing units is less than the power limit.
[0023] The operation of the second washing unit may be controlled
if the total power capacity of the first and the second washing
units is equal to or greater than the power limit.
[0024] The controlling of the operation of the second washing unit
may be performed so that the power limit is not exceeded when the
first and the second washing units are simultaneously driving
heaters thereof.
[0025] The controlling of the operation of the second washing unit
may be performed in a manner that driving of the heater is delayed
or other washing functions such as soaking are performed although
the heater needs to be driven.
[0026] The method may further include monitoring the operation
state of the first washing unit during control of the operation of
the second washing unit so as to determine whether the total power
capacity is less than the power limit; and performing a
simultaneous operation of the first and the second washing units
when the total power capacity is less than the power limit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] These and/or other aspects 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:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of a
washing machine;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of the
washing machine;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a control system view of the washing machine;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a structure block diagram of a power control
device of the washing machine;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a current waveform view of the power control
device of the washing machine;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the control operations of
the washing machine; and
[0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the structure of a
washing machine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments,
examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements
throughout.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of a
washing machine according to an embodiment.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 1, the washing machine 10 includes a
plurality of, for example two, washing units 11 and 12 which may be
operated independently from each other or in connection with each
other. For example, the plurality of washing units 11 and 12 are
arranged vertically in a manner that a first washing unit 11 having
a large capacity such as 13 kg is disposed at the lower part and a
second washing unit 12 having a small capacity such as 3 kg is
disposed at the upper part. That is, the washing machine 10 having
the plurality of washing units 11 and 12 is installed by
accumulatively mounting the second washing unit 12 on an upper
surface 13 of the first washing unit 11.
[0038] In other words, the first and the second washing units 11
and 12 may be purchased by a user as independent washing machines.
Therefore, the first and the second washing units 11 and 12 may be
purchased together or separately as necessary, and applied in a
manner that the second washing unit 12 is mounted on the upper
surface 13 of the first washing unit 11.
[0039] The first and the second washing units 11 and 12 may have
the same capacity. However, it is exemplary that the washing units
11 and 12 are divided into a large capacity washing unit and a
small capacity washing unit considering that the washing machine 10
is characterized by having the plurality of washing units 11 and
12. In this case, as aforementioned, even a small quantity of
laundry, especially for steam cleaning, can be washed efficiently
by operating only the second washing unit 12 having a small
capacity. Therefore, waste of power may be prevented.
[0040] The washing units 11 and 12 respectively include doors 21
and 22 through which laundry is inserted, input units 31 and 32 to
input the user's command related to the operations thereof, and
display units 41 and 42 to display the operation states.
[0041] The input units 31 and 32 may each include a power button, a
start/stop button to start and stop the operation of a
corresponding one of the washing units 11 and 12, a washing unit
selection button to select one or more of the plurality of, for
example two, washing units 11 and 12 to perform independent
washing/drying operations, and a course and function button to
select a washing course and a washing function of the corresponding
one of the washing units 11 and 12. However, the input units 31 and
32 may have various other structures, and are not limited by this
embodiment.
[0042] According to the embodiment, the input units 31 and 32 and
the display units 41 and 42 are separately provided to the washing
units 11 and 12, respectively. However, an input unit and a display
unit may each be provided in an integrated form.
[0043] In addition, detergent supply units 51 and 52 are disposed
at a left upper end and a left middle of the washing machine 10
with respect to the drawing, to supply detergent to the washing
units 11 and 12, respectively.
[0044] Although the detergent supply units 51 and 52 are separately
formed for the plurality of washing units 11 and 12 in this
embodiment, a single integrated detergent supply unit may be
provided, by having a plurality of separate paths to supply
detergent to the washing units 11 and 12. Also, mounting positions
of the detergent supply units 51 and 52 are not limited to those
described above but may be varied according to the user.
[0045] The washing units 11 and 12 further include first and second
power cords 61 and 62, respectively, to supply electric power to
the washing units 11 and 12. The second washing unit 12 is equipped
with a power control device 400 to share the power supply with the
first washing unit 11 and thereby control the operation of the
second washing unit 12.
[0046] FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of the
washing machine according to the embodiment.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 2, the first and the second washing units
11 and 12 of the washing machine 10 respectively include first and
second washing tubs 71 and 72 therein to separately wash laundry
according to quantity and type of the laundry. The other basic
structures of the first and the second washing units 11 and 12 are
equivalent to each other.
[0048] First and second cylindrical drums 81 and 82 each having a
plurality of holes are rotatably mounted in the first and the
second washing tubs 71 and 72. First and second motors 101 and 102
are mounted at outer rear parts of the first and the second washing
tubs 71 and 72, respectively, as driving devices which rotate first
and second rotational shafts 91 and 92 connected to the first and
second drums 81 and 82 so as to perform washing, rinsing and
spin-drying operations. Motors and driving belts may be provided
instead of the first and the second motors 101 and 102. Also, the
washing tubs 71 and 72 may be simultaneously or independently
operated using other driving methods such as a clutch.
[0049] First and second wash heaters 111 and 112 are mounted at
inner lower parts of the first and the second washing tubs 71 and
72, respectively, to heat water present in the first and the second
washing tubs 71 and 72. First and second water supply devices 121
and 122 are mounted at upper parts of the first and the second
washing tubs 71 and 72, respectively, to supply wash water or rinse
water to the washing tubs 71 and 72. The first and the second water
supply devices 121 and 122 include first and second water supply
pipes 121a and 122a, and first and second water supply valves 121b
and 122b. The first and the second water supply pipes 121a and 122a
connect an external water supply pipe 130 with the first and the
second detergent supply units 51 and 52 so that wash water or rinse
water is supplied into the first and the second washing tubs 71 and
72. The first and the second water supply valves 121b and 122b are
mounted on the first and the second water supply pipes 121a and
122a to control supply of water. According to this structure, the
water is passed through the first and the second detergent supply
units 51 and 52 before being supplied into the first and the second
washing tubs 71 and 72. Therefore, detergent stored in the first
and the second detergent supply units 51 and 52 is supplied to the
first and the second washing tubs 71 and 72 along with the
water.
[0050] In addition, the first and the second washing units 11 and
12 further include first and second drying devices 201 and 202,
respectively, to dry the laundry in the first and the second
washing tubs 71 and 72. The first and the second drying devices 201
and 202 respectively include first and second drying ducts 211 and
212 disposed at upper parts of the first and the second washing
tubs 71 and 72 to supply hot air into the first and the second
washing tubs 71 and 72, first and second condensing ducts 221 and
222 mounted at the rear parts of the first and the second washing
tubs 71 and 72 to remove steam generated during the drying process,
and first and second drying heaters 231 and 232 and first and
second drying fans 241 and 242 mounted in the respective drying
ducts 211 and 212 to supply the hot air.
[0051] Although the first and the second washing tubs 71 and 72
respectively have the first and the second drying devices 201 and
202 to dry the laundry therein according to this embodiment, a
drying device may be provided at any one of the first and the
second washing units 11 and 12 considering the structure of the
washing machine 10.
[0052] The first and the second washing units 11 and 12 further
include first and second drain devices 301 and 302, respectively,
to discharge the water from the insides of the first and the second
washing tubs 71 and 72. The first and the second drain devices 301
and 302 include first and second drain pipes 311 and 312 connected
to lower parts of the first and the second washing tubs 71 and 72
to guide the water to the outside, and first and second drain pumps
321 and 322 mounted to the first and the second drain pipes 311 and
312, respectively. The drain devices 301 and 302 are respectively
in fluid communication with an external drain pipe 330.
[0053] According to this embodiment, the first and the second drain
pumps 321 and 322 are separately provided to drain water from the
first and the second washing tubs 71 and 72. However, considering
the structure of the washing machine 10, the second washing tub 72
disposed at the upper part may have a drain valve such that the
water in the second washing tub 72 is drained by gravity.
[0054] FIG. 3 is a control system view of the washing machine
according to the embodiment. The first washing unit 11 further
includes a first power supply unit 501, a first control unit 601,
and a first driving unit 701. The second washing unit 12 further
includes the power control device 400, a second power supply unit
502, a second control unit 602, and a second driving unit 702.
[0055] The first and the second power supply units 501 and 502
supply electric power applied through power lines to the first and
the second washing units 11 and 12, respectively.
[0056] The first and the second control units 601 and 602 may
include a micro computer that controls the overall operations of
the washing units 11 and 12, including washing, rinsing, spinning
and drying, in accordance with operation data input through the
input units 31 and 32.
[0057] According to driving control signals from the first and the
second control units 601 and 602, the first and the second driving
units 701 and 702 drive the first and the second motors 101 and
102, the first and the second wash heaters 111 and 112, the first
and the second water supply valves 121 and 122, the first and the
second drying heaters 231 and 232, the first and the second drying
fans 241 and 242, and the first and the second drain pumps 321 and
322, respectively.
[0058] The power control device 400 provided to the second washing
unit 12 connects the power supply of the first washing unit 11 to
the second washing unit 12 to share the power supply with the first
washing unit 11. Therefore, the power control device 400 monitors
the operation state of the first washing unit 11 so that the total
power capacity of the first and the second washing units 11 and 12
does not exceed an allowable power capacity.
[0059] FIG. 4 is a structure block diagram of the power control
device according to the embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a current
waveform view of the power control device.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 4, the power control device 400 includes a
power connection unit 410 connected with the first power cord 61 of
the first washing unit 11 to connect the power supply of the first
washing unit 11 to the second washing unit 12, a current sensor 420
connected to a power line 411 of the first washing unit 11 to
detect a current load value of the power line 411, and a voltage
conversion part 430 to convert the current load value detected by
the current sensor 420 into a voltage value and transmit the
voltage value to the second control unit 602 of the second washing
unit 12.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 5, the current sensor 420 monitors the
operation state of the first washing unit 11 and accordingly
generates a predetermined current at a second side thereof
proportional to a current of a first side. The second control unit
602 may determine the operation state of the first side of the
current sensor 420, that is, the first washing unit 11 using the
current generated at the second side of the current sensor 420.
[0062] The power conversion part 430 may be a general voltage
conversion circuit including resistors 431 and 432, a diode 433 and
a condenser 434.
[0063] When the first and the second washing units 11 and 12 are
being simultaneously operated, the second control unit 602 of the
second washing unit 12 monitors the operation state of the first
washing unit 11 based on the current load value detected by the
current sensor 420 and accordingly controls the operation of the
second washing unit 12 so that the first and the second washing
units 11 and 12 are operated within the allowable capacity
range.
[0064] According to the above-described embodiment, the power
control device 400 is formed at the second washing unit 12 to
monitor the operation state of the first washing unit 11 and the
operation of the second washing unit 12 is controlled so that the
power limit is not exceeded during the simultaneous operation of
the first and the second washing units 11 and 12. However,
embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. For
example, the power control device 400 may be formed at the first
washing unit 11 to monitor the operation state of the second
washing unit 12 and accordingly control the operation of the first
washing unit 11 so that the power limit is not exceeded during the
simultaneous operation.
[0065] Here, the simultaneous operation of the first and the second
washing tubs 71 and 72 may be performed in various manners. For
example, both of the first and the second washing tubs 71 and 72
may be supplied with laundry and operated simultaneously. In
another case, after one of the first and the second washing tubs 71
and 72 is supplied with laundry and operated, the other one may be
next supplied with laundry and operated while the former one is
operating.
[0066] Hereinafter, the operational processes and effects of the
above-structured washing machine will be described.
[0067] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the control operations of
the washing machine to perform the simultaneous operation of the
first and the second washing units 11 and 12 which are capable of
separately washing different quantities and types of laundry, such
that the power limit is not exceeded during the simultaneous
operation.
[0068] First, laundry is classified according to quantity or type
and is separately put into the first and the second washing tubs 71
and 72 of the first and the second washing units 11 and 12. When
the user selects the washing courses and functions corresponding to
the washing tubs 71 and 72, the operation data selected by the user
is input to the first and the second control units 601 and 602
through the first and the second input units 31 and 32,
respectively.
[0069] Here, the first power cord 61 of the first washing unit 11
is connected to the power connection unit 410 of the power control
device 400 provided to the second washing unit 12 (operation S800)
so that the simultaneous operation of the first and the second
washing units 11 and 12 is performed within the allowable power
capacity.
[0070] The first and the second control units 601 and 602 determine
whether the first and the second washing units 11 and 12 are being
simultaneously operated (operation S802). When it is determined
that the simultaneous operation is being performed, the power
control device 400 monitors the power line 411 of the first washing
unit 11 through the current sensor 420, thereby detecting the
current load value of the first washing unit as shown in FIG. 5
(operation S804).
[0071] The current load value detected by the current sensor 420 is
converted into a voltage value by the voltage conversion part 430
and then input to the second control unit 602 of the second washing
unit 12.
[0072] Accordingly, the second control unit 602 monitors the
operation state of the first washing unit 11 using the second side
current of the current sensor 420 input through the voltage
conversion part 430 (operation S806) and determines whether the
total power capacity of the first and the second washing units 11
and 12 is equal to or greater than the power limit (operation
S808).
[0073] Here, the power limit refers to a predetermined maximum
value of power defined so as not to exceed the allowable power
capacity in general homes. In an electric appliance including a
combination of at least two devices, the total power capacity
should not exceed the power limit even when the devices are
operating simultaneously.
[0074] When the total power capacity of the first and the second
washing units 11 and 12 is less than the power limit as a result of
the determination in operation S808, the first and the second
washing units 11 and 12 are simultaneously operated (operation
S810) and the process is fed back to operation S804 to continue
monitoring the operation state of the first washing unit 11.
[0075] If the total power capacity of the first and the second
washing units 11 and 12 is equal to or greater than the power limit
as a result of the determination in operation S808, the operation
of the second washing unit 12 is controlled (operation S812).
[0076] The operation of the second washing unit 12 may be
controlled in a manner that the second wash heater 112 or the
second drying heater 232 of the second washing unit 12 may be kept
on standby while the first wash heater 111 or the first drying
heater 231 of the first washing unit 11 is in operation. During
this, for example, other washing functions such as soaking may be
performed although the second wash heater 112 or the second drying
heater 232 needs to be driven. Accordingly, the first and the
second washing unit 11 and 12 may be simultaneously operated within
the range of the allowable power capacity.
[0077] It is determined whether the total power capacity of the
first and the second washing units 11 and 12 is less than the power
limit as the washing function of the second washing unit 12 is
controlled (operation S814). When the total power capacity is less
than the power limit, the process is fed back to operation S810 so
that the first and the second washing units 11 and 12 are
simultaneously operated.
[0078] If the total power capacity is not less than the power limit
as a result of the determination of operation S814, the process is
fed back to operation S812 and subsequent operations are
performed.
[0079] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the structure of a
washing machine according to another embodiment.
[0080] Referring to FIG. 7, the washing machine 10 according to
another embodiment of the present invention includes the plurality
of, for example two, washing units 11 and 12 which may be operated
independently from each other or in connection with each other. The
washing units 11 and 12 are arranged side by side, for example, in
a manner that the first washing unit 11 having a large capacity
such as 13 kg is disposed on the left while the second washing unit
12 having a small capacity such as 3 kg is disposed on the right
with respect to the drawing.
[0081] Therefore, the user may purchase the first and the second
washing units 11 and 12 separately as independent washing machines.
That is, the first and the second washing units 11 and 12 may be
purchased together or separately as necessary, and applied by being
arranged side by side.
[0082] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 as well, the first power
cord 61 of the first washing unit 11 is connected to the power
connection unit 410 of the power control device 400 provided to the
second washing unit 12 so that the simultaneous operation of the
first and the second washing units 11 and 12 is performed within
the range of the allowable power capacity.
[0083] If a general washing machine without the power control
device 400 is newly purchased in addition to the existing second
washing unit 12 having the power control device 400, a power supply
of the general washing machine may be monitored by the second
washing unit 12 by connecting a power cord of the general washing
machine. Accordingly, the first and the second washing units 11 and
12 may be simultaneously operated within the range of allowable
power capacity.
[0084] On the other hand, when the second washing unit 12 having
the power control device 400 is purchased in addition to an
existing general washing machine without the power control device
400, the power supply of the general washing machine may be
monitored by the second washing machine 12 by connecting a power
cord of the second washing unit 12. Accordingly, the first and the
second washing units 11 and 12 may be simultaneously operated
within the range of allowable power capacity.
[0085] Furthermore, although the washing units 11 and 12 both have
been explained as drum-type washing machines in the embodiments,
the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.
The same purpose and effect may be achieved when the first and the
second washing units 11 and 12 are both full-automatic washing
machines, or a drum-type washing machine and a full-automatic
washing machine.
[0086] As is apparent from the above description, in a washing
machine having a plurality of, for example two, washing units to
separately wash laundry having different quantities and types, when
the plurality of washing units are being simultaneously operated, a
current load value of one of the washing units is detected through
monitoring of a power line, to thereby determine the operation
state of the washing unit. Therefore, the operation of the other
washing unit may be controlled so that the power limit is not
exceeded. As a result, the plurality of washing units may be
operated simultaneously within the range of allowable power
capacity of the installation place of the washing machine.
[0087] Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it
would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may
be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles
and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the
claims and their equivalents.
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