U.S. patent application number 14/333874 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-22 for washing machine and controlling method for the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Myunghun IM, Changoh KIM, Sooyoung OH, Bosung SEO.
Application Number | 20150020318 14/333874 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52342386 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150020318 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SEO; Bosung ; et
al. |
January 22, 2015 |
WASHING MACHINE AND CONTROLLING METHOD FOR THE SAME
Abstract
The present invention relates to a washing machine having a
shortened washing time and a method of controlling the washing
machine. A method of controlling a washing machine according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a water
supply step of supplying washing water into a tub; a steam step of
spraying steam into a drum disposed in the tub; and a centrifugal
washing step of circulating the washing water in the tub and of
rotating the drum such that laundry attachs to the drum.
Inventors: |
SEO; Bosung; (Seoul, KR)
; IM; Myunghun; (Seoul, KR) ; OH; Sooyoung;
(Seoul, KR) ; KIM; Changoh; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG Electronics Inc. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
52342386 |
Appl. No.: |
14/333874 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/137 ;
68/12.19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 35/005 20130101;
D06F 33/00 20130101; D06F 39/088 20130101; D06F 23/02 20130101;
D06F 39/008 20130101; D06F 2204/086 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
8/137 ;
68/12.19 |
International
Class: |
D06F 23/02 20060101
D06F023/02; D06F 35/00 20060101 D06F035/00; D06F 39/00 20060101
D06F039/00; D06F 33/02 20060101 D06F033/02; D06F 39/08 20060101
D06F039/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 18, 2013 |
KR |
10-2013-0084820 |
Claims
1. A method of controlling a washing machine, comprising: a water
supply step of supplying washing water into a tub; a steam step of
spraying steam into a drum disposed in the tub; and a centrifugal
washing step of circulating the washing water in the tub and of
rotating the drum such that laundry attachs to the drum.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein in the water supply step, the
amount of washing water flowing into the tub is smaller than the
amount of washing water in ordinary washing.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein in the water supply step, the
amount of washing water flowing into the tub is the minimum amount
that can circulate washing water in the centrifugal washing
step.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein in the water supply step, the
level of the washing water flowing in the tub is lower than the
drum.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising a balancing step of
balancing a balancer and the laundry by accelerating the drum such
that the laundry attachs to the drum.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the centrifugal washing step
rotates the drum at a higher speed than the balancing step, by
accelerating the drum in the balancing step.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising a laundry wetting step
of wetting laundry in the drum by circulating the washing water in
the tub and rotating the drum, after the water supply step.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein washing water supplied from an
external water source is sprayed into the drum in the centrifugal
washing step.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein washing water supplied from the
external water source is intermittently sprayed in the centrifugal
washing step.
10. A washing machine comprising: a tub that receives washing
water; a drum that is disposed in the tub and rotates with laundry
therein; a driving unit that rotates the drum;a water supply unit
that adjusts inflow of washing water from an external water source;
a steam unit that generates steam and sprays the steam into the
tub; a pump that pumps out the washing water in the tub and
circulates the washing water into the tub; and a control unit that
controls the driving unit, the water supply unit, and the pump,
wherein the control unit performs: a water supply step of supplying
washing water into the tub by operating the water supply unit; a
steam step of spraying steam into the drum by operating the steam
unit; and a centrifugal washing step of rotating the rum such that
laundry attachs to the drum by operating the driving unit and of
circulating the washing water in the tub by operating the pump.
11. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein the control unit
controls the water supply unit such that the amount of washing
water flowing into the tub is smaller than the amount of washing
water in ordinary washing, in the water supply step.
12. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein the control unit
controls the water supply unit such that the amount of washing
water flowing into the tub becomes the minimum amount that can
circulate the washing water in the tub, in the water supply
step.
13. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein the control unit
controls the water supply unit such that the level of the washing
water flowing in the tub is lower than the drum.
14. The washing machine of claim 10, further comprising a balancer
that balances laundry in the drum, wherein the control unit rotates
the drum by operating the driving unit and balances the balancer
with the laundry, after the steam step.
15. The washing machine of claim 14, wherein the control unit
performs a centrifugal step by rotating the drum at a higher speed
than the balancing step by accelerating the drum, by operating the
driving unit after balancing the balancer with the laundry.
16. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein the control unit
performs a laundry wetting step of wetting laundry in the drum, by
rotating the drum by operating the driving unit, and by circulating
washing water in the tub by operating the pump, after the water
supply step.
17. The washing machine of claim 10, further comprising a spray
nozzle that is connected with the water supply unit and sprays
washing water supplied from an external water source into the drum,
wherein the control unit makes washing water supplied from an
external water source be sprayed into the drum through the spray
nozzle by operating the water supply unit in the centrifugal
washing step.
18. The washing machine of claim 17, wherein the control unit
intermittently operates the water supply unit so that washing water
is intermittently sprayed in the centrifugal washing step.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Korean
Patent Application No. 10-2013-0084820, filed on Jul. 18, 2013, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Disclosure
[0003] The present invention relates to a washing machine and a
control method thereof, particularly a washing machine that has a
shortened washing time and a method of controlling the washing
machine.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In general, a washing machine is an apparatus that uses
water, detergent, and mechanical action to wash, for example,
clothing, bed linen, etc. (hereinafter referred to as `laundry`)
through the process of wash, rinse, and spin cycles to remove
contaminants from the laundry.
[0006] The washing machine largely falls into an agitator type
washing machine, a pulsator type washing machine, and a drum type
washing machine.
[0007] The agitator type washes laundry by rotating a washing bar,
which protrudes at the center in a tub, to the left and right, the
pulsator type washes laundry, using friction force between water
currents and the laundry by turning disc-shaped rotary blades,
which are formed on the bottom of a tub, to the left and right, and
the drum type washes laundry by rotating a drum with water, a
detergent, and laundry therein.
[0008] In the drum washing machine, a tub that receives washing
water is disposed in a cabinet forming the external appearance, a
drum that receives laundry is disposed in the tub, a driving unit
for rotating the drum is disposed on the rear side of the tub, and
a drive shaft connected to the rear side of the drum through the
tub is connected to the driving unit. A lifter is disposed in the
drum, and it pushes up laundry, when the drum rotates.
[0009] It is required for the drum washing machine to reduce the
washing time and the use of wash and electricity.
SUMMARY
[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a washing
machine having a shortened washing time and improved washing
performance, and a method of controlling the washing machine.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
washing machine using less water and electricity and having improve
washing performance, and a method of controlling the washing
machine.
[0012] The objects of the present invention are not limited to
those described above and other objects may be made apparent to
those skilled in the art from the following description.
[0013] In order to achieve the objects, a method of controlling a
washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention includes: a water supply step of supplying washing water
into a tub; a steam step of spraying steam into a drum disposed in
the tub; and a centrifugal washing step of circulating the washing
water in the tub and of rotating the drum such that laundry attachs
to the drum.
[0014] In order to achieve the objects, a washing machine according
to an exemplary embodiment of the preset invention includes: a tub
that receives washing water; a drum that is disposed in the tub and
rotates with laundry therein; a driving unit that rotates the drum;
a water supply unit that adjusts inflow of washing water from an
external water source; a steam unit that generates steam and sprays
the steam into the tub; a pump that pumps out the washing water in
the tub and circulates the washing water into the tub; and a
control unit that controls the driving unit, the water supply unit,
and the pump, in which the control unit performs: a water supply
step of supplying washing water into the tub by operating the water
supply unit; a steam step of spraying steam into the drum by
operating the steam unit; and a centrifugal washing step of
rotating the rum such that laundry attachs to the drum by operating
the driving unit and of circulating the washing water in the tub by
operating the pump.
[0015] The details of other exemplary embodiments are included in
the following detailed description and the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a washing machine
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure
of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the washing
machine shown in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the internal structure of the
washing machine shown in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the washing machine
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a
washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a partial detailed block diagram illustrating the
washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a partial detailed flowchart illustrating a method
of controlling a washing machine according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0024] FIG. 9 is a view showing a change in actual rotation speed
of a drum and the result of applying a low band filter in the
method of controlling a washing machine illustrated in FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT
[0025] The advantages and features of the present invention, and
methods of achieving them will be clear by referring to the
exemplary embodiments that will be describe hereafter in detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present
invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described
hereafter and may be implemented in various ways, and the exemplary
embodiments are provided to complete the description of the present
invention and let those skilled in the art completely know the
scope of the present invention and the present invention is defined
by claims. Like reference numerals indicate like components
throughout the specification.
[0026] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with
reference to the drawings illustrating a washing machine and a
method of controlling the washing machine according to exemplary
embodiments of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a washing machine
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the
washing machine shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a partial
cross-sectional view of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1, and
FIG. 4 is a front view showing the internal structure of the
washing machine shown in FIG. 1.
[0028] A washing machine 100 according to an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention includes a cabinet 111 that forms the
external appearance, a tub 122 that receives washing water, a drum
124 that is disposed in the tub and rotates with laundry therein, a
driving unit 113 that rotates the drum, a water supply unit 131
that adjusts inflow of washing water from an external water source,
a steam unit 145 that generates steam, a detergent box 133 that
receives a washing detergent and in which washing water and the
washing detergent are mixed, and a pump 136 that pumps out the
washing water in the tub and circulates it into the tub.
[0029] The cabinet 111 forms the external appearance of the washing
machine 100. The tub 122 is disposed in the cabinet 111. The
cabinet 111 has a laundry hole 120 through which laundry is put
in/out. A door 112 that can turn is disposed on the front side of
the cabinet 111 to be able to open/close the laundry hole 120. A
control panel 114 that receives orders from a user and displays the
information on various states of the washing machine 100 is
disposed on the cabinet 111. The detergent box 133 that receives
detergents such as a washing detergent, a rinsing detergent, or a
bleach and can be drawn in/out is disposed inside the cabinet
111.
[0030] The tub 122 disposed in the cabinet 111 can absorb a shock
with a spring (not shown) and a damper (not shown). The tub 122
receives washing water. The drum 124 is disposed in the tub
122.
[0031] The tub 122 may have a water level sensor 121 that senses
the level of the washing water in the tub. The water level sensor
121 may be implemented in various ways, and in this exemplary
embodiment, the level of the washing water is measured on the basis
of a change in capacitance by changing the gap between electrodes,
using an air pressure that changes with the level of the washing
water. A heater 143 for heating washing water may be disposed in
the tub 122.
[0032] The drum 124 rotates with laundry therein. The drum 124 has
a plurality of holes 124b for passing washing water. A lifter 124a
that pushes up laundry to a predetermined height, when the drum 124
rotates may be disposed in the drum 124. The drum 124 is rotated by
a rotational force from the driving unit 113.
[0033] The drum 124 is not disposed completely horizontally, but
may be disposed with a predetermined inclination such that the rear
of the drum 124 is under the horizontality.
[0034] A gasket 128 is disposed between the tub 122 and the cabinet
111 and seals the tub 122 and the cabinet 111. The gasket 128 is
disposed between the inlet of the tub 122 and the laundry hole 120.
The gasket 128 attenuates a shock transmitted to the door 112, when
the drum 124 rotates, and it prevents the washing water in the tub
122 from leaking outside.
[0035] The gasket 128 may be made one material, but the portion
coupled to the tub 122 is made of a hard material to ensure
strength for coupling to the tub 122 and sufficient rigidity. The
portion coupled to the cabinet 111 may be made of an elastic
material to attenuate vibration transmitted to the cabinet 111 from
the tub 122.
[0036] The gasket 128 may have a spray nozzle 151 and a circulating
nozzle 139 for spraying washing water into the drum 124, and a
steam nozzle 152 for spraying steam into the drum 124.
[0037] The driving unit 113 rotates the drum 124. The driving unit
113 can rotate the drum 124 at various speeds or in various
directions. The driving unit 113 may be composed of a motor, a
switching element for controlling the motor, and a clutch. The
driving unit 113 may include a sensor that senses the actual
rotation speed of the drum 124.
[0038] The detergent box 133 receives detergents such as a washing
detergent, a rinsing detergent, and a bleach. The detergent box 133
may be drawn in/out through the front of the cabinet 111. The
detergent in the detergent box 133 is mixed with washing water and
flows into the tub 112, when the washing water is supplied. The
detergent box 133 may be divided into a portion for receiving a
washing, a portion for receiving a rinsing detergent, and a portion
for receiving a bleach.
[0039] The water supply unit 131 that adjusts inflow of washing
water from an external water source, a first water supply hose
131a, a second water supply hose 131b, and a third water supply
hose 131c that are connected with the water supply unit 131 and
guide the washing water supplied from an external water source to
the detergent box 133 in accordance with operation of the water
supply unit 131, a fourth water supply hose 131d that is connected
with the water supply unit 131 and guides the washing water
supplied from the external water source to the spray nozzle 151 in
accordance with operation of the water supply unit 131, and a fifth
water supply hose 131e that is connected with the water supply unit
131 and guides the washing water supplied from the external water
source to the steam unit 145 in accordance with operation of the
water supply unit 131 are disposed in the cabinet 111. Further, a
water supply pipe 134 for delivering the washing water mixed with a
detergent in the detergent box 133 into the tub 122 may be disposed
in the cabinet 111.
[0040] The water supply unit 131 is connected with the water supply
hose 130 connected with the external water source and adjusts
inflow of the washing water supplied from the external source. The
water supply unit 131 distributes the washing water supplied from
the external source so that the washing water is supplied to at
least one of the first water supply hose 131 a to the fifth water
supply hose 131e. The water supply unit 131 may be a vario module
that can distribute washing water from one inlet to a plurality of
outlets and it may be composed of a plurality of valves, depending
on exemplary embodiments.
[0041] When the water supply unit 131 supplies washing water to the
first water supply hose 131a, the washing water supplied to the
first water supply hose 131a is mixed with a washing detergent
through the part receiving a washing detergent in the detergent box
133 and then supplied into the tub 122 through the water supply
pipe 134.
[0042] When the water supply unit 131 supplies washing water to the
second water supply hose 131b, the washing water supplied to the
second water supply hose 131b passes through the detergent box 133
without being mixed with a detergent in the detergent box 133 and
is then supplied into the tub 122 through the water supply pipe
134.
[0043] When the water supply unit 131 supplies washing water to the
third water supply hose 131c, the washing water supplied to the
first water supply hose 131a is mixed with a bleach through the
part receiving the bleach in the detergent box 133 and then
supplied into the tub 122 through the water supply pipe 134.
[0044] When the water supply unit 131 supplies washing water to the
fourth water supply hose 131d, the washing water supplied from the
external water source is sprayed into the drum 124 through the
spray nozzle 151.
[0045] When the water supply unit 131 supplies washing water to the
fifth water supply hose 131e, the washing water supplied to the
fifth water supply hose 131e is heated in the steam unit 145. The
steam unit 145 generates steam by heating the washing water. The
steam generated by the steam unit 145 is supplied to the steam
nozzle 152 through a steam supply hose 130 and sprayed into the
drum 124 through the steam nozzle 152.
[0046] A flowmeter 142 is disposed in the supply hose 130
connecting the external water source with the water supply unit
131. The flowmeter 142 measures the flow rate of the washing water
passing through the supply hose 130.
[0047] A drain pipe 135 through which the washing water in the tub
122 is discharged, the pump 136 that pumps out the washing water in
the tub 122, a circulating hose 137 that is connected with the
circulating nozzle 139 so that washing water is circulated and
sprayed into the drum 124, and a drain hose 138 through which
washing water is discharged to the outside are disposed in the
cabinet 111.
[0048] The pump 136 pumps out the washing water in the tub 122. The
pump 136 discharges the washing water, which is discharged from the
tub 122 through the drain pipe 135, to the outside through the
drain hose 138 or circulates the washing water into the tub 122
through the circulating hose 137. The pump 136 may be composed of a
circulating pump and a drain pump and they may be connected with
the circulating hose 137 and the drain hose 138, depending on
exemplary embodiments.
[0049] The circulating hose 137 connects the pump 136 with the
circulating nozzle 139. The washing water pumped out of the tub 122
by the pump 136 is sprayed into the drum 124 through the
circulating hose 137 by the circulating nozzle 139.
[0050] The control panel 114 may have an input section 114b through
which washing course selection, the operation time of cycles, and
various operation orders such as scheduling by a user are inputted,
and a display section 114a that displays the operation state of the
washing machine 100.
[0051] Based on the types or functions of laundry, the washing
course includes, other than a ordinary course, a lingerie/wool
course, a boiling course, a speed wash course, a functional cloth
course, a laundry protection course, a silent course, and an energy
saving course etc. The operation of the washing machine 100 is
divided into a washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, and a spinning
cycle, and a water supply step, a washing step, a rinsing step, a
draining step, a spinning step, or a drying step is performed in
each of the cycles.
[0052] The spray nozzle 151 is disposed in the gasket 128 and
sprays washing water into the drum 124. The spray nozzle 151 is
disposed close to the steam nozzle 127. The spray nozzle 151 is
connected with the fourth water supply hose 159 and sprays the
washing water, which is supplied from the external water source,
into the drum 124.
[0053] The spray nozzle 151 may be disposed at the top of the
gasket 128, and it may be disposed at various positions, for
example, on the bottom of the gasket 128, between the gasket 128
and the cabinet 111, or on the cabinet 111 or the tub 122,
depending on the exemplary embodiments.
[0054] The spray nozzle may be a whirling nozzle that discharges
washing water with a vortex, to the side or the rear of the drum
124.
[0055] The whirling nozzle is a nozzle that makes translation and
circular movement of washing water. The whirling nozzle may be
implemented in various types and it may have a plurality of curved
channels to make a vortex in the washing water passing through the
channel and spray it into the drum 124.
[0056] The steam nozzle 152 is disposed in the gasket 128 and
sprays steam into the drum 124. The steam nozzle 152 is connected
with the steam hose 146 and sprays the steam generated by the steam
unit 145 into the drum 124.
[0057] The steam nozzle 152 is disposed close to the spray nozzle
151 at the top of the gasket 128. Depending on exemplary
embodiments, the steam nozzle 152 may be disposed at various
positions, for example, on the bottom of the gasket 128, between
the gasket 128 and the cabinet 111, or on the cabinet 111 or the
tub 122.
[0058] The circulating nozzle 139 is disposed in the gasket 128 and
sprays washing water into the drum 124. The circulating nozzle 139
is connected with the circulating hose 137 and sprays the washing
water circulated by the pump 136 into the drum 124. The circulating
nozzle 139 may be formed integrally with the gasket 128.
[0059] The circulating nozzle 139 may be disposed under the rotary
shaft of the drum 124 and spray washing water upward. A plurality
of circulating nozzles 139 may be provided and two circulating
nozzles may be disposed at both sides on the bottom of the gasket
128. A first circulating nozzle 139a may be disposed at the left
side on the bottom of the gasket 128 and spray washing water upward
to the right side in the drum 124 and a second circulating nozzle
139b may be disposed at the right side on the bottom of the gasket
128 and spray washing water upward to the left side in the drum
124.
[0060] When a plurality of circulating nozzles 139 is provided, a
plurality of circulating nozzles 137 is provided, in which the
first circulating hose 137a may be connected with the first
circulating nozzle 139a and the second circulating hose 137b may be
connected with the second circulating nozzle 139b.
[0061] The washing water in the drum 124 moves to the pump 136
through the drain pipe 135 of the tub 122. The pump 136 pumps the
washing water to the circulating nozzle 139 through the circulating
hose 137. The washing water is sprayed into the drum 124 through
the circulating nozzle 139 and flows into the drum 122.
[0062] A balancer 126 is disposed around the drum 124 and maintains
the center of gravity of the drum 124, when laundry is concentrated
to a side. When the drum rotates with laundry concentrated on a
side, vibration and noise are generated by unbalance that the
geometric center of the rotary shaft of the drum 124 and the actual
center of gravity are not matched. The balancer 126 reduces the
unbalance of the drum 124 by making the actual center of gravity of
the drum 124 close to the rotation center.
[0063] The balancer 126 may be disposed at the front portion and/or
the rear portion of the drum 124, and it is on the front of the
drum 124 in this exemplary embodiment. Since the laundry in the
drum 124 is usually concentrated inside the drum 124, that is, at
the rear portion of the drum 124, when the drum 124 rotates, the
balancer 126 may be disposed on the front portion of the drum 124
to make balance with the laundry concentrated at the rear portion
in the drum 124.
[0064] The balancer 126 includes a material having predetermined
weight therein so that the center of gravity can move, and it
includes a path through which the material can circumferentially
move. The internal material of the balancer 126 is arranged to move
opposite to the center of gravity of laundry to make the center of
gravity of the drum 124 close to the rotation center.
[0065] The balancer may be a liquid balancer including liquid
having predetermined weight therein or a ball balancer including a
ball having predetermined weight. The balancer 126 is filled with a
filler fluid together with a ball in this exemplary embodiment.
[0066] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the washing machine
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0067] The control unit 141 controls the entire operation of the
washing machine in accordance with the operation orders that the
input unit 114 receives. The control unit 141 may be disposed in
the control panel 114. It may be composed of a microcomputer
controlling the operation of the washing machine, a memory, and
other electronic components. The control unit 141 determines
whether the cycles are performed, whether the operations such as
water supplying, washing rinsing, draining, spinning, and drying
are performed in each cycle, and the number of repetition, and
performs them, in accordance with the washing courses selected by a
user.
[0068] The control unit 141 receives and processes the flow rate of
washing water measured by the flowmeter 142. The control unit 141
receives and processes the rotation speed of the drum 124 measured
by the driving unit 113. The control unity 141 receives operation
orders from the input unit 114b and makes the display unit 114a
display the operation state of the washing machine 100. The control
unit 141 controls the water supply unit 131, the driving unit 113,
the pump 136, and the steam unit 145 in accordance with the
selected courses or other operation orders.
[0069] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a
washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0070] A method of controlling a washing machine according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be used, when a
user selects centrifugal washing through the input unit 114b of the
control panel 114 or when an order for performing centrifugal
washing is inputted to the control unit 141 in accordance with
input or determination by a user. Further, general washing courses
may be the washing methods to be described below, depending on
exemplary embodiments.
[0071] A step of sensing the laundry amount 211 is a step of
sensing the amount of laundry (hereafter, referred to as `laundry
amount`) in the drum 124. In the step of sensing the laundry amount
211, the laundry amount can be measured in various methods, and in
this exemplary embodiment, it is measured in a way that the control
unit 141 activates the driving unit 112 to rotate the drum 124 for
a predetermined time at a predetermined speed and then measures a
deceleration time. The longer the deceleration time of the drum
124, the higher the level of the laundry amount.
[0072] Depending on exemplary embodiments, the control unit 141 may
calculate the laundry amount by measuring the acceleration time or
the acceleration force when the drum 124 is accelerated. The
control unit 141 determines the amount of washing water to be
supplied into the tub 122 in a water supply step 211 and the amount
of washing water to be supplied into the tub 122 from the external
water source in a centrifugal washing step 216, in accordance with
the sensed laundry amount. Further, the control unit 141 can
determine the time for performing the centrifugal washing step 216
in accordance with the sensed laundry amount.
[0073] The control unit 124 perform the water supply step 212,
after finishing the laundry amount sensing step by stopping the
drum 124.
[0074] The water supply step 212 is a step of supplying washing
water into the tub 122. In the water supply step 212, washing water
not mixed with a washing detergent and washing water mixed with a
washing detergent may be simultaneously or sequentially supplied
into the tub 122. In this exemplary embodiment, the washing water
not mixed with a washing detergent and the washing water mixed with
a washing detergent are alternately supplied.
[0075] In the water supply step 212, the control unit 141 makes
washing water be supplied to the detergent box 133 through the
first water supply hose 131 a and/or the second water supply hose
131b by intermittently or continuously operating the water supply
unit 131.
[0076] The control unit 141 makes washing water be supplied to the
detergent box 133 through the second water supply hose 131b by
controlling the water supply unit 131. The washing water supplied
to the detergent box 133 through the second water supply hose 131b
passes through the detergent box 133, without being mixed with a
detergent in the detergent box 133, and is then supplied into the
tub 122 through the water supply pipe 134. The control unit 141
intermittently or continuously controls the water supply unit 131
so that the washing water not mixed with a detergent can be
intermittently or continuously supplied into the tub 122.
[0077] The control unit 141 makes washing water be supplied to the
detergent box 133 through the first water supply hose 131a by
controlling the water supply unit 131. The washing water supplied
to the detergent box 133 through the first water supply hose 131b
is mixed with a washing detergent through the part receiving the
washing detergent in the detergent box 133 and then supplied into
the tub 122 through the water supply pipe 134. The control unit 141
intermittently or continuously controls the water supply unit 131
so that the washing water mixed with a detergent can be
intermittently or continuously supplied into the tub 122.
[0078] Depending on exemplary embodiments, the control unit 141 can
make washing water be sprayed into the drum 124 through the spray
nozzle 151 by making the washing water supplied from the external
water source through the fourth water supply hose 131d flow to the
spray nozzle 151 by controlling the water supply unit 131. In the
water supply step 212, the control unit 141 may intermittently
operate the water supply unit 131 so that washing water is
intermittently sprayed through the spray nozzle 151.
[0079] In the water supply step 212, the desired water level that
is the amount of the washing water flowing into the tub 122 is
determined by the control unit 141 in accordance with the laundry
amount of the selected course before the water supply step 212. In
this exemplary embodiment, when the centrifugal washing course is
selected, the desired water level may be lower than that of the
ordinary washing course in the water supply step 212. The desired
water level is a little lower than the drum 124 in the water supply
step 212 and may be the minimum amount for washing water to be able
to circulate in the centrifugal washing step 216.
[0080] In the water supply step 212, the amount of washing water
flowing in the tub 122 is determined through the flowmeter 142. The
amount of washing water in the tub 122 cannot be measured by the
water level sensor 121 because the desired water level is too low
in the water supply step 212, so the control unit 141 calculates
the amount of washing water flowing in the tub 122 from the flow
rate of washing water measured by the flowmeter 142.
[0081] When washing water flows in the tub 122 up to the desired
water level, the control unit 141 finishes the water supply step
212 by stopping the water supply unit 131 and performs a laundry
wetting step 213.
[0082] The laundry wetting step 213 is a step of rotating the drum
124 by operating the driving unit 113 with the control unit 141 so
that washing water mixed with a washing detergent uniformly wets
laundry and the washing detergent is dissolved.
[0083] In the laundry wetting step 213, the control unit 141
rotates the drum 124 and operates the pump 136, thereby circulating
the washing water in the tub 122. As the control unit 141 sends the
washing water in the tub 122 to the circulating hose 137 under
pressure by operating the pump 136, the washing water is circulated
along the circulating hose 137 and sprayed into the drum 124
through the circulating nozzle 139.
[0084] Depending on exemplary embodiments, when the washing water
is sprayed into the drum 124 through the circulating nozzle 139 in
the laundry wetting step 213, the control unit 141 can make washing
water be sprayed into the drum 124 through the spray nozzle 151 by
making the washing water supplied from the external water source
through the fourth water supply hose 131d flow to the spray nozzle
151 by controlling the water supply unit 131. In the laundry
wetting step 213, the control unit 141 may intermittently operate
the water supply unit 131 so that washing water is intermittently
sprayed through the spray nozzle 151.
[0085] In the laundry wetting step, the control unit 141 may rotate
the drum 124 such that the laundry in the drum 124 rolls on the
bottom of the drum 124 by controlling the driving unit 113.
[0086] When the laundry is wetted by washing water in the laundry
wetting step 213, the amount of the washing water in the tub 122
reduces.
[0087] The control unit 141 rotates the drum 124 by controlling the
driving unit 113 for a predetermined time and circulates the
washing water by controlling the pump 136, thereby performing the
laundry wetting step 213, and when a predetermined time passed, the
control unit 141 stops the drum 124 by stopping the driving unit
112 and stops the pump 136, thereby finishing the laundry wetting
step 213. The control unit 141 performs a steam step 214 after
finishing the laundry wetting step 213.
[0088] The steam step 214 is a step of spraying steam into the drum
124. In the steam step 214, the control unit 141 makes washing
water be supplied to the steam unit 145 through the fifth water
supply hose 131e by controlling the water supply unit 131. The
control unit 141 generates steam by heating the supplied washing
water, by operating the steam unit 145. The steam generated by the
steam unit 145 is sprayed into the drum 124 through the steam
nozzle 152.
[0089] Depending on exemplary embodiments, the supply of washing
water to the steam unit 145 by controlling the water supply unit
131 with the control unit 141 may be performed in the water supply
step 212 or the laundry wetting step 213 before the steam step
214.
[0090] In the steam step 214, the high-temperature steam sprayed
into the drum 124 increases the temperature of the laundry in the
drum 124 and the washing water in the tub 122. The amount of
washing water supplied in the tub 122 in the water supply step 212
is small and it is difficult to heat the washing water with the
heater 143, so the washing performance is improved by increasing
the temperature of the washing water in the tub 122 by spraying
steam.
[0091] Depending on exemplary embodiments, the control unit 141 can
rotate the drum 124 by controlling the driving unit 113 in the
steam step 214.
[0092] The control unit 141 makes steam be sprayed into the drum
124 by controlling the steam unit 145 for a predetermined time, and
when a predetermined time passed, it stops the steam from being
sprayed into the drum 124 by stopping the steam unit 145.
[0093] The balancing step 215 is a step of balancing the balancer
126 and the laundry in the drum 124 by rotating the drum 124 at a
high speed. The balancing is to minimize vibration and noise by
making the rotation center of the drum 24 rotating close to the
center of gravity of the drum 124 with laundry therein.
[0094] In the balancing step 215, the control unit 141 accelerates
the drum by operating the driving unit 113 and maintains a
predetermined speed. The control unit 141 rotates the drum 124 at a
constant speed and determines whether balancing is made on the
basis of the actual rotation speed of the drum 124 measured by the
driving unit 113.
[0095] A method of determining whether balancing is made, by the
control unit 141 is described below with reference to FIG. 8.
[0096] In the balancing step 215, the control unit 141 may rotate
the drum 124 faster than the maximum speed of the drum 124 in the
laundry wetting step 213 by controlling the driving unit 113. In
the balancing step 215, the constant rotation speed of the drum 124
may be a speed at which laundry attachs on the drum 124 and may be
smaller than the speed in an excessive resonance range. The
resonance range is a rotation speed range of the drum 124 in which
vibration due to rotation of the drum 124 is matched with the
natural frequency of the washing machine 100, thereby generating
resonance, so the drum 124 may be rotated out of the resonance
range. In this exemplary embodiment, the drum 124 rotates at 130
rpm in the balancing step 215.
[0097] The control unit 141 performs the centrifugal washing step
216 by accelerating the drum 124, when balancing is achieved in the
balancing step 215.
[0098] The centrifugal step 216 is a step of spraying the
circulating washing water into the drum 124 rotating at a high
speed. In the centrifugal washing step 216, the control unit 141
accelerates the drum 124 and maintains a predetermined speed, and
operates the pump 136, thereby circulating the washing water in the
tub 122.
[0099] In the centrifugal washing step 216, the control unit 141
rotates the drum 124 faster than the maximum speed of the drum 124
in the balancing step 215. In the centrifugal step 216, the drum
124 may rotate such that laundry attachs on the drum 124, and the
drum 124 rotates at 380 rpm in this exemplary embodiment.
[0100] In the centrifugal washing step 216, the control unit 141
rotates the drum 124 at a predetermined speed and sends the washing
water in the tub 122 to the circulating hose 137 under pressure by
operating the pump 136. In the centrifugal washing step 216, the
washing water circulates through the circulating hose 137 and is
sprayed into thee drum 124 rotating at a high speed through the
circulating nozzle 139.
[0101] In the centrifugal washing step 216, the pump 136 may
circulate the washing machine by keeping operating for a
predetermined time, and the pump 136 may intermittently operate,
depending on exemplary embodiments.
[0102] Depending on exemplary embodiments, in the centrifugal
washing step 216, the control unit 141 can make washing water be
sprayed into the drum 124 through the spray nozzle 151 by making
the washing water supplied from the external water source through
the fourth water supply hose 131d flow to the spray nozzle 151 by
controlling the water supply unit 131. In the centrifugal washing
step 216, the control unit 141 may intermittently operate the water
supply unit 131 so that washing water is intermittently sprayed
through the spray nozzle 151.
[0103] The control unit 141 rotates the drum 124 by controlling the
driving unit 113 for a predetermined time and circulates the
washing water by controlling the pump 136, thereby performing the
centrifugal washing step 216, and when a predetermined time passed,
the control unit 141 stops the drum 124 by stopping the driving
unit 112 and stops the pump 136, thereby finishing the centrifugal
washing step 216. Depending on exemplary embodiments, the control
unit 141 stops the washing water from being sprayed, by stopping
the operation of the water supply unit 131, when the centrifugal
washing step 216 is stopped. The control unit 141 performs the
draining step 217 after finishing the centrifugal washing step
216.
[0104] The draining step 217 is a step of discharging the washing
water in the tub 122 to the outside of the cabinet 111. In the
draining step 217, the control unit 141 operates the pump 136 such
that the washing water in the tub 122 is discharged outside through
the drain hose 138. In the draining step 217, the drum 124 may be
stopped, but the control unit 141 may rotate the drum1 124 by
operating the driving unit 113, depending on exemplary
embodiments.
[0105] Further, depending on exemplary embodiments, it may be
possible to perform the draining step 217 with the drum 124
rotating at a high speed, without stopping the driving unit 113,
when the centrifugal washing 216 is finished.
[0106] After the draining step 217, a spinning step in which the
drum 124 rotates at a high speed so remove the washing water from
laundry may be performed, or general washing step or rinsing step
may be performed after a general water supply step is performed
again.
[0107] FIG. 7 is a partial detailed block diagram illustrating the
washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0108] The driving unit 113 of a washing machine according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a motor 113a
rotating the drum 124 and a speed detector 113b sensing the actual
rotation speed of the drum 124. The control unit 141 of a washing
machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention includes a low band filter 141 a that passes a low band
part of a rotation speed value sensed by the speed detector 113b
and a balancing unit 141b that controls the motor 113a to
accelerate the drum 124, when the value when the low band filter
141 a is applied is an acceleration time point value.
[0109] The motor 113a, which generates rotational force by
receiving power, includes a rotor (not shown) and a stator (not
shown).
[0110] The speed detector 113b detects the rotation speed of the
rotor (not shown) and senses the actual rotation speed of the drum
124, using a hole sensor or other sensing devices. Even if the
motor 113a rotates the drum 124 at a constant speed, the actual
rotation speed of the drum 124 is not constant and has a little
fluctuation due to unbalance of the drum 124. The speed detector
113b senses the actual rotation speed of the drum 124 and outputs
the rotation speed value by sensing the rotation speed of the rotor
(not shown) connected with the drum 124.
[0111] The low band filter 141a passes the low band part of the
rotation speed value sensed by the speed detector 113b. The larger
the fluctuation of the rotation speed value, the smaller the value
when the low band filter 141a is applied (hereafter, "low band
filter-applied value), and the larger the fluctuation, larger the
low band filter (141a)-applied value. The boundary value of the
passing band of the low band filter 141a may depend on the amount
of laundry in the drum 124, and the larger the amount of laundry,
the larger the boundary value, and the smaller the amount of
laundry, the smaller the boundary value.
[0112] The balancing unit 141b controls the motor 113a to
accelerate the drum 124, when the low band filter (141a)-applied
value is the acceleration time point value. The acceleration time
point value, which shows the point of time when the balancer 126
and the laundry in the drum 124 are appropriately balanced, is a
value between the maximum and the minimum of the low band filter
(141a)-applied value. When the drum 124 is accelerated and rotated
at a high speed at the acceleration time point value, vibration and
noise of the drum 124 can be minimized.
[0113] The balancing unit 141b accelerates the drum 124, when the
value when the low band filter 141 a is applied is an acceleration
time point value, before it reaches the maximum value over the
minimum value. An appropriate acceleration time point value is a
time point after the minimum value and before the maximum value, in
the values between the minimum value and the maximum value.
[0114] In the exemplary embodiment, the balancing unit 141b
accelerates the drum 124, when the low band filter (141a)-applied
value is the acceleration time point value, and the control unit
141 performs the centrifugal washing step 216.
[0115] FIG. 8 is a partial detailed flowchart illustrating a method
of controlling a washing machine according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 9 is a view showing a
change in actual rotation speed of a drum and the result of
applying a low band filter in the method of controlling a washing
machine illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0116] The motor 113a rotates the drum 124 at a predetermined
distance (S310). For balancing, the motor 113a rotates the drum 124
at a predetermined speed and the predetermined speed may be a speed
at which laundry attachs on the drum 124 and may be smaller than
the speed in an excessive resonance range. In this exemplary
embodiment, the motor 113a rotates the drum 124 at 130 rpm.
[0117] The speed detector 113b senses the actual rotation speed of
the drum 124 (S320). The speed detector 113b detects the rotation
speed of the rotor (not shown) and senses the actual rotation speed
of the drum 124, using a hole sensor or other sensing devices.
[0118] Referring to (a) of FIG. 9, even if the motor 113a rotates
the drum 124 at a constant speed, the actual rotation speed of the
drum 124 is not constant and has a little fluctuation due to
unbalance of the drum 124. The speed detector 113b senses the
actual rotation speed of the drum 124 and outputs the rotation
speed value by sensing the rotation speed of the rotor (not shown)
connected with the drum 124.
[0119] The low band filter 141a is applied to the sensed rotation
speed value (S330). As shown in (a) of FIG. 9, the boundary value
of the passing band of the low band filter 141a may depend on the
amount of laundry in the drum 124, and the larger the amount of
laundry, the larger the boundary value, and the smaller the amount
of laundry, the smaller the boundary value. When the low band
filter 141 a is applied to the rotation speed value, the larger the
fluctuation of the rotation speed value, the smaller the low band
filter (141a)-applied value, and the smaller the fluctuation, the
larger the low band filter (141a)-applied value, as in (b) of FIG.
9.
[0120] The balancing unit 141b determines whether the low band
filter (141a)-applied value is an acceleration time point value B
before the maximum value over the minimum value m (S340). The
acceleration time point value B is a time point after the minimum
value and before the maximum value, in the values between the
minimum value and the maximum value, and when the drum 124 is
accelerated and rotated at a high speed at the acceleration time
point value B, vibration and noise of the drum 124 can be
minimized.
[0121] When the low band filter (141a)-applied value is the
acceleration time point value B before the maximum value over the
minimum value m, the balancing unit 141b accelerates the drum 124
by controlling the motor 113a (S350). The balancing unit 141b
accelerates the drum 124, when the low band filter (141a)-applied
value is the acceleration time point value, and the control unit
141 performs the centrifugal washing step 216.
[0122] Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention are
illustrated and described above, the present invention is not
limited to the specific exemplary embodiments and may be modified
in various ways by those skilled in the art without departing from
the scope of the present invention described in claims, and the
modified examples should not be construed independently from the
spirit or the scope of the present invention.
[0123] According to a washing machine and a method of controlling
the washing machine of an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, one or more effects can be achieved as follows.
[0124] First, it is possible to reduce use of water by minimizing
washing water supplied to the tub, when water is supplied.
[0125] Second, it is possible to increase the temperature of
washing water with relatively less energy and improve washing
performance by spraying steam into the drum after washing water is
supplied to the tub.
[0126] Third, it is possible to reduce the washing time and improve
washing performance by spraying circulating washing water with the
drum rotating at a high speed.
[0127] Fourth, it is possible to reduce the washing time by
efficiently performing balancing with the balancer, before the drum
rotates at a high speed.
[0128] Fifth, it is possible to improve washing performance by
spraying washing water, which is supplied from the external water
source, into the drum rotating at a high speed.
[0129] The effects of the present invention are not limited to
those described above and other effects not stated herein may be
made apparent to those skilled in the art from claims.
* * * * *