Washing machine and method of controlling the same

Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention relate to a washing machine, and more particularly but not exclusively, to a washing machine that is capable of washing delicate items with steam. The present invention also relates to a method of controlling such a washing machine.

For a conventional washing machine, a washing process is set based on the materials the laundry is made of. The washing temperature and the number of rinsing times are also set based on the materials of the laundry. Water is heated by a heater disposed in a water tub of the washing machine so that the heated water is used as wash water.

After a prescribed amount of water is supplied to the conventional washing machine, the washing machine heats water supplied into the washing tub using the heater until the temperature of the water reaches a prescribed washing temperature. As the washing tub is turned in alternating directions, a detergent supplied along with the water is dissolved, whereby the washing operation is carried out.

The conventional washing machine requires an installation space for the heater, which is provided below the washing tub for heating water. As a result, the size of the conventional washing machine is increased, which requires a corresponding increase in water. Also, a large amount of water is necessary to dissolve the detergent, which leads to further consumption of electric energy and an increase in the washing time.

To this end, a washing machine has been developed that is capable of washing the laundry with steam to reduce the amount of water to be used. When hot steam contacts the surfaces of the laundry of poor heat-resistance, such as wool, silk, or delicate clothes, however, the laundry is easily damaged. When the hot steam contacts the detergent applied to the clothes, on the other hand, the detergent sticks to the clothes. As a result, the washed clothes are stained. Therefore, it is desirable that the washing process be carried out at a suitable washing temperature when laundry of poor heat-resistance is to be washed using steam.

Therefore, embodiments of the invention aim to provide a washing machine that is capable of preventing laundry of poor heat-resistance from being stained and damaged due to hot steam when the laundry is washed using the steam.

Another aim of embodiments of the invention is to provide a method of controlling such a washing machine.

In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a washing machine comprising: a rotary drum for accommodating laundry; a water supply unit; a steam generating unit; and a controller for setting an amount of wetting water to be supplied as a set amount of wetting water, based on a material of the laundry, controlling the water supply unit to supply the set amount of wetting water, and controlling the steam generating unit to wash the laundry with generated steam.

In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a washing machine comprising: a rotary drum for accommodating laundry; a water supply unit; a steam generating unit; and a controller for controlling the steam generating unit and the water supply unit to simultaneously supply steam and water into the rotary drum when the laundry has poor heat resistance.

In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a washing machine comprising: a rotary drum for accommodating laundry; a water supply unit; a steam generating unit; and a controller for resetting an amount of wetting water to be supplied, controlling the water supply unit to supply a reset amount of wetting water, and controlling the steam generating unit and the water supply unit to simultaneously supply steam and water into the rotary drum to wash wet laundry when the laundry has poor heat resistance.

In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a method of controlling a washing machine, comprising the steps of: setting washing conditions as set washing conditions; resetting an amount of wetting water to wet the laundry based on the set washing conditions; supplying the reset amount of wetting water; and supplying steam to wet laundry.

In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a method of controlling a washing machine, comprising the steps of: setting washing conditions as set washing conditions; supplying a prescribed amount of water to wet the laundry when it is determined based on the set washing conditions that the laundry has poor heat resistance; and simultaneously supplying steam and water into a drum having the wet laundry accommodated therein.

In accordance with still another aspect, the present invention provides a method of controlling a washing machine, comprising the steps of: setting washing conditions as set washing conditions; resetting a prescribed amount of wetting water to wet laundry when it is determined based on the set washing conditions that the laundry has poor heat resistance; supplying the reset amount of wetting water; and simultaneously supplying steam and water into a drum having wet laundry accommodated therein.

Preferred features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims and the following description.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li>FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the configuration of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;</li><li>FIG. 2 is a block diagram applied to the washing machine shown in FIG. 1;</li><li>FIG. 3 is a view illustrating wash water levels applied to the washing machine shown in FIG. 1;</li><li>FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling a washing machine in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;</li><li>FIGS. 5A to 5E are schematic views illustrating respective washing steps in accordance with the control method shown in FIG. 4;</li><li>FIGS. 6A and 6B are flow charts illustrating a method of controlling a washing machine in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and</li><li>FIGS. 7A to 7E are schematic views illustrating respective washing steps in accordance with the control method shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.</li></ul>

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the configuration of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, for example, a drum washing machine 1 with a steam-generating unit equipped thereto.

The drum washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first water supply pipe 12 for supplying water introduced from an external water pipe 2 to a water tub 10; a third water supply pipe 13 for supplying the water into a rotary drum 11; and a second water supply pipe 14 for supplying the water to a heating tank 31 of a steam-generating unit 30.

The first water supply pipe 12 is provided with a first water supply valve 3 and a detergent storage box 16. The detergent storage box 16 serves to store a powder detergent. The water supplied through the first water supply valve 3 passes through the detergent storage box 16, and is then discharged along with the powder detergent through an outlet pipe 16a so that the water is introduced into the water tub 10.

The third water supply pipe 13 is provided with a third water supply valve 5 for supplying the water to the rotary drum 11. At the end of the third water supply pipe 13 is disposed an injection nozzle 13a for injecting the water into the rotary drum 11.

At the bottom of the water tub 10 is disposed a drain pipe 17. In the drain pipe 17 is mounted a pump motor 18 for pumping out the water and the detergent at the bottom of the water tub 10, and a drain valve 19. Between the pump motor 18 and the drain valve 19 is disposed a connection pipe 20, which is branched from the drain pipe 17. One end of the connection pipe 20 is connected to the drain pipe, and the other end of the connection pipe 20 is extended to the inlet of the rotary drum 11. In the middle of the connection pipe 20 is formed a cylindrical detergent dissolving space 20b having a diameter larger than that of the connection pipe 20. At the end of the connection pipe 20 is provided an injection nozzle 20a for injecting the detergent solution into the rotary drum 11.

At the connection pipe 20 is disposed a backward-flow preventing valve 21. When the drain valve 19 is opened while the flow channel is intercepted by the backward-flow preventing valve 21, the water pumped by the pump motor 18 is discharged to the outside without flowing backward to the connection pipe above the backward-flow preventing valve 21. When the drain valve 19 is closed while the flow channel is not intercepted by the backward-flow preventing valve 21, the water pumped by the pump motor 18 is introduced into the connection pipe above the backward-flow preventing valve 21.

To one side of the rotary drum 11 is mounted a drum motor 23, which is rotatable in a forward or reverse direction. The rotary drum 11 can be alternately rotated in one direction and in the opposite direction by the drum motor 23.

The steam-generating unit 30, which heats the water supplied through a second water supply valve 4, is connected to the second water supply pipe 14. The steam-generating unit 30 is provided with the heating tank 31. In the heating tank are mounted a heater for heating water to generate steam, a level sensor for detecting the level of the water, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the water. At the outlet of the steam-generating unit 30 is provided a steam supply valve 32.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram applied to the washing machine 1 shown in FIG. 1.

The washing machine 1 of the present invention further comprises a controller 60 for controlling the overall operation of the washing machine. The controller 60 includes a microcomputer 61 and a storage unit 62. The storage unit 62 stores information for washing the laundry with steam, such as wash water level, washing time, etc.

To the inputs of the microcomputer 61 are connected an input unit 63 for setting input instructions, which are set by a user, a first level sensor 64 mounted at a prescribed position of the water tub for detecting the level of water filled in the water tub, a first temperature sensor 65 mounted at a prescribed position of the water tub for detecting the temperature of water filled in the water tub, a second level sensor 34 mounted at a prescribed position of the heating tank 31 for detecting the level of water filled in the heating tank, and a second temperature sensor 35 mounted at a prescribed position of the heating tank for detecting the temperature of water filled in the heating tank.

To the outputs of the microcomputer 61 are connected a water supply valve driving unit 66 for driving the first to third water supply valves 3 to 5, the steam supply valve 32, the drain valve 19, and the backward-flow preventing valve 21, a motor driving unit 67 for driving the drum motor 23 and the pump motor 18, and a heater driving unit 68 for driving a steam-generating heater 33.

The microcomputer 62 controls the overall operation of washing the laundry with steam.

With embodiments of the present invention, the total amount of the wash water required to wash the laundry is not supplied all at once. The water supply operations, which are applied to embodiments of the present invention, are divided into a first water supply operation for supplying just water and a second water supply operation for supplying water during washing with steam. Specifically, the first water supply operation is a primary water supply operation for supplying water to a first wash water level so that the laundry is wet when the washing operation is initiated, as shown in Fig. 3. On the other hand, the second water supply operation is a secondary water supply operation for supplying water to a second wash water level so that the water is supplemented while the laundry is washed with steam, as shown in Fig. 3. The first and second wash water levels are previously set based on the weights of the laundry.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the first wash water level for the primary water supply is reset when the laundry of poor heat-resistance, such as wool, silk, or delicate clothes, is to be washed. At this time, the reset first wash water level is set larger than the previously set amount of water so that the laundry of poor heat-resistance is sufficiently wet. The reset information is stored in the storage unit 62. As the first wash water level is reset, the amount of wash water through the first water supply operation is increased. Consequently, a plurality of water curtain layers are formed at the laundry, thereby preventing the laundry from being stained and damaged when the laundry contacts the hot steam.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling a washing machine in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 5A to 5E are schematic views illustrating respective washing steps in accordance with the control method shown in FIG. 4 especially when delicate clothes are washed using steam.

After the laundry to be washed is put in the rotary drum 11 and a door, which is not shown, is closed, the weight, the material, and the washing temperature of the laundry are set based on user settings, which are input from the input unit 63 (S101). The microcomputer 61 determines whether it is a washing course or program for washing delicate clothes with steam (S103). If it is not determined that the delicate clothes are to be washed with the steam, for example, if it is another washing course for washing the delicate clothes with cold water and a detergent, the washing operation is carried out based on the corresponding washing course (S104).

If it is determined that the delicate clothes are to be washed with the steam in Step S103, the first wash water level for the primary water supply is set by the microcomputer 61. The first wash water level A is set based on the weight of the delicate clothes set in Step S101 (S105). The information of the first wash water level A on the basis of the weight of the delicate clothes is previously stored in the storage unit 62.

The first wash water level is reset on the basis of the washing temperature set in Step 101 by the microcomputer 61. The reset first wash water level B is set higher than the previously set first wash water level A so that the delicate clothes are sufficiently wet when the washing temperature is low (S107).

The microcomputer 61 controls the water supply valve driving unit 66 so that the third water supply valve 5 is opened. Consequently, water introduced from the external water pipe 2 is supplied into the rotary drum 11 through the injection nozzle 13a so that the laundry is wet. At the same time, the microcomputer 61 controls the water supply valve driving unit 66 so that the first water supply valve 3 is opened. Consequently, a powder detergent is supplied into the water tub 10 along with the water introduced through the first water supply pipe 12. The microcomputer 61 also controls the motor driving unit 67 so that the pump motor 18 is driven. Consequently, the water and the powder detergent are supplied into the cylindrical detergent dissolving space 20b, where the water and the powder detergent are mixed to obtain a detergent solution. After the detergent solution is obtained, the motor driving unit 67 is controlled by the microcomputer 61 so that the pump motor 18 is driven. As a result, the detergent solution in the detergent dissolving space is injected into the rotary drum through the injection nozzle 20a so that the detergent solution is sprayed onto the laundry. At this time, the motor driving unit 67 is controlled by the microcomputer 61 so that the rotary drum is driven in alternating directions (S109) (See Fig. 5A).

While the water is supplied, the level of the water in the water tub is detected by the first level sensor 64 (S111). The microcomputer 61 determines whether the detected level is the reset first wash water level B (S113). If it is determined that the detected level is not the reset first wash water level B, the rotary drum is driven in the alternating directions as shown in Fig. 5B so that water is continuously supplied (S114).

If it is determined that the detected level is the reset first wash water level B in Step S113, the valve driving unit 66 is controlled by the microcomputer 61 so that the water supply is stopped as shown in Fig. 5C (S115), and the rotary drum is driven in alternating directions for a prescribed period of time (S117).

Consequently, the delicate clothes are sufficiently wetted. At this time, the microcomputer 61 controls the valve driving unit 66 to open the second water supply valve 4 so that a prescribed amount of water is filled in the heating tank 31. The second water supply valve 4 is closed based on the water level detected by the second level sensor 34. At the same time, the microcomputer 61 controls the heater driving unit 68 so that the heater 33 is driven. As the heater is driven, the water in the heating tank 31 is heated. When the water is heated and thus steam is generated in the heating tank 31, the microcomputer 61 controls the valve driving unit 66 so that the steam supply valve 32 is opened. As a result, the hot steam generated in the heating tank 31 is injected into the rotary drum 11 through the injection nozzle 14a of the second water supply pipe 14. Also, the microcomputer 61 controls the motor driving unit 67 so that the rotary drum 11 is driven in alternating directions. At this time, the sufficiently wet delicate clothes are not stained or damaged although the clothes contact the hot steam, whereby the steam washing operation is satisfactorily carried out (S119) (See Fig. 5D).

While the laundry is washed with the steam, the water level in the water tub 10 is detected by the first level sensor 64 (S121). It is determined by the microcomputer 61 whether the detected level is the second wash water level C for steam washing (S123). If it is determined that the detected level is not the second wash water level C, the rotary drum is driven in alternating directions as shown in Fig. 5E so that a prescribed amount of water is supplemented (S124), and Step S119 is repeated so that the steam washing operation is carried out.

If it is determined that the detected level is the second wash water level C in Step S123, the water supply is stopped, and it is determined by the microcomputer 61 whether the steam washing operation is to be completed (S125). If it is determined that the steam washing operation is not to be completed, Step S119 is repeated so that the steam washing operation is carried out.

If it is determined that the steam washing operation is to be completed in Step S125, prescribed rinsing and dewatering operations are carried out (S127).

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, cold water is supplied simultaneously when the steam is injected so that the temperature of the steam contacting the surface of the laundry of poor heat-resistance, such as wool, silk, or delicate clothes, is lowered, thereby preventing the laundry from being stained and damaged when the laundry contacts the steam.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are flow charts illustrating a method of controlling a washing machine in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 7A to 7E are schematic views illustrating respective washing steps in accordance with the control method shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B especially when delicate clothes are washed using steam.

After the laundry to be washed is put in the rotary drum 11 and a door, which is not shown, is closed, the weight, the material, and the washing temperature of the laundry are set based on user settings, which are inputted from the input unit 63 (S201). The microcomputer 61 determines whether it is a washing course for washing delicate clothes with steam (S203). If it is not determined that the delicate clothes are to be washed with the steam, for example, if it is another washing course for washing the delicate clothes with cold water and a detergent, the washing operation is carried out based on the corresponding washing course (S204).

If it is determined that the delicate clothes are to be washed with the steam in Step S203, the first wash water level for the primary water supply is set by the microcomputer 61. The first wash water level A is set based on the weight of the delicate clothes set in Step S201 (S205). The information of the first wash water level A based on the weight of the delicate clothes is previously stored in the storage unit 62.

The microcomputer 61 controls the water supply valve driving unit 66 so that the third water supply valve 5 is opened. Consequently, water introduced from the external water pipe 2 is supplied into the rotary drum through the injection nozzle 13a so that the laundry is wetted. At the same time, the microcomputer 61 controls the water supply valve driving unit 66 so that the first water supply valve 3 is opened. Consequently, a powder detergent is supplied into the water tub 10 along with the water introduced through the first water supply pipe 12. The microcomputer 61 also controls the motor driving unit 67 so that the pump motor 18 is driven. Consequently, the water and the powder detergent are supplied into the cylindrical detergent dissolving space 20b, where the water and the powder detergent are mixed to obtain a detergent solution. After the detergent solution is obtained, the motor driving unit 67 is controlled by the microcomputer 61 so that the pump motor 18 is driven. As a result, the detergent solution in the detergent dissolving space is injected into the rotary drum through the injection nozzle 20a so that the detergent solution is sprayed onto the laundry. At this time, the motor driving unit 67 is controlled by the microcomputer 61 so that the rotary drum is driven in alternating directions (S207) (See Fig. 7A).

While the water is supplied, the level of the water in the water tub 10 is detected by the first level sensor 64 (S209). The microcomputer 61 determines whether the detected level is the first wash water level A (S211). If it is determined that the detected level is not the first wash water level A, the rotary drum 11 is driven in alternating directions as shown in Fig. 7B so that water is continuously supplied (S212).

If it is determined that the detected level is the first wash water level A in Step S212, the valve driving unit 66 is controlled by the microcomputer 61 so that the water supply is stopped as shown in Fig. 7C (S213), and the rotary drum 11 is driven in alternating directions for a prescribed period of time (S215).

The microcomputer 61 controls the valve driving unit 66 to open the second water supply valve 4 so that a prescribed amount of water is filled in the heating tank 31. The second water supply valve 4 is closed base on the water level detected by the second level sensor 34. At the same time, the microcomputer 61 controls the heater driving unit 68 so that the heater 33 is driven. As the heater is driven, the water in the heating tank 31 is heated. When the water is heated and thus steam is generated in the heating tank 31, the microcomputer 61 controls the valve driving unit 66 so that the steam supply valve 32 is opened. At this time, the valve driving unit 66 is controlled by the microcomputer 61 so that the third water supply valve 5 is opened.

As a result, the hot steam is injected into the rotary drum 11 through the injection nozzle 14a of the second water supply pipe 14. At the same time, cold water is supplied into the rotary drum 11 through the injection nozzle 13a of the third water supply pipe 13. Also, the microcomputer 61 controls the motor driving unit 67 so that the rotary drum 11 is driven in alternating directions. At this time, the hot steam and cold water are simultaneously injected into the rotary drum 11. Consequently, the delicate clothes are not stained or damaged although the clothes contact the hot steam, whereby the steam washing operation is satisfactorily carried out (S217) (See Fig. 7D).

While the laundry is washed with the steam, the temperature of the water is detected by the first temperature sensor 65 (S219). It is determined by the microcomputer 61 whether the detected temperature is below the steam washing temperature for steam washing (S221). If it is determined that the detected temperature is not below the steam washing temperature for steam washing, Step S217 is repeated.

If it is determined that the detected temperature is below the steam washing temperature for steam washing in Step S221, the water level in the water tub 10 is detected by the first level sensor 64 (S223). It is determined by the microcomputer 61 whether the detected level is the second wash water level C for steam washing (S225). If it is determined that the detected level is not the second wash water level C, the rotary drum is driven in alternating directions as shown in Fig. 7E so that a prescribed amount of water is supplied (S256), and Step S217 is repeated so that the steam washing operation is carried out.

If it is determined that the detected level is the second wash water level C in Step S225, the water supply is stopped, and it is determined by the microcomputer 61 whether the steam washing operation is to be completed (S227). If it is determined that the steam washing operation is not to be completed, Step S217 is repeated so that the steam washing operation is carried out.

If it is determined that the steam washing operation is to be completed in Step S227, prescribed rinsing and dewatering operations are carried out (S229).

As apparent from the above description, the amount of wetting water to be supplied is set based on the materials of the laundry according to the first embodiment of the present invention, thereby eliminating or at least minimising bad effects caused by washing laundry with steam. According to the second embodiment of the present invention, steam and water are simultaneously supplied into a rotary drum so that the real temperature of the steam contacting the surfaces of the laundry is lowered, thereby eliminating or at least minimising bad effects caused by washing laundry with the steam. It is possible that the construction for setting the amount of wetting water to be supplied based on the materials of the laundry as in the first embodiment and the construction for simultaneously supplying the steam and the water as in the second embodiment are simultaneously applied to a washing machine, whereby the laundry of poor heat-resistance is satisfactorily washed with the steam.

When laundry of poor heat-resistance, such as wool, silk, or delicate clothes, is to be washed with steam, the amount of wetting water to be supplied is increased so that the steam washing operation is carried out while the laundry is sufficiently wet in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, thereby preventing the laundry from being stained and damaged when the laundry contacts the steam. When the poor heat-resistant laundry, such as wool, silk, or delicate clothes, is to be washed with steam, steam and cold water are simultaneously injected into the rotary drum in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, thereby preventing the laundry from being stained and damaged when the laundry contacts the steam.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.