MWPDOC4AG ipteeimmiamr2712251.docl20Mt Description METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING WATER SUPPLY IN WASHING MACHINE Technical Field 5 [1) The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to an apparatus and a method of controlling water supply in a washing machine capable of minimizing power consumption and improving washing efficiency by having a heater and a pulsator operate when washing water reaches a predetermined temperature. Background Art 10 [2] Generally, a washing machine is an electronic appliance for washing a laundry by sequentially performing a water-supply cycle, a washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, and a spinning cycle according to a set program. [3] Since a related art washing machine uses washing water of room temperature directly supplied from a water pipe, not only the temperature of washing water is low and 15 detergent dose not effectively dissolve in the washing water, but also a laundry stained with old dirt is not effectively washed. Accordingly, to solve the above problems, a heater is installed at the lower portion of a washing tub to heat the washing water to a predetermined temperature using heat generated from the heater, so that the detergent is completely dissolved and the laundry can be effectively washed. 20 [4] However, in the case of a washing machine having the heater therein, a user should keep operating the heater from an initial stage of a water-supply cycle so as to supply the water and heat the water to a temperature set by a washing course selected by a user, which causes a high power consumption. [5) Also, the related art washing machine performs heating without washing operation 25 while the heater operates during the waster-supply cycle, so that washing efficiency deteriorates. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem [6] An aim of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method of 30 controlling water supply in a washing machine capable of minimizing power consumption by allowing a water-supply cycle to be performed over a multi-step and PAWPDOCSNAOSpenlice4iopau22I2SI 4ot-221fOW2 -2 allowing a heater to operate when the temperature of washing water supplied to a reservoir tub reaches a predetermined temperature. (71 Another aim of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method of controlling water supply in a washing machine capable of not only completely 5 dissolving a detergent contained in washing water but also perfonning a micro washing cycle before a main washing cycle starts by having a pulsator operate simultaneously with a heater during a water-supply cycle. Technical Solution [8] One aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling 10 water supply in a washing machine including: receiving a washing condition; supplying washing water in a plurality of steps, wherein the volume and temperature of the washing water supplied in each of said steps may be the same or different so as to reach a set temperature according to a selected course; operating a heater and a pulsator while the washing water is supplied; and performing a washing cycle 15 according to a selected course when the supply of the washing water is completed. [9] Another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling water supply in a washing machine including: receiving a washing condition through a key-input part; receiving an operation command through the key-input part; primarily supplying cool water and hot water simultaneously into an inside of a 20 reservoir tub; secondarily supplying only hot water and stopping the supply of the cool water; and controlling an operation of a heater and/or a pulsator according to temperature of the washing water stored in the reservoir tub. [10] Still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling water supply in a washing machine, wherein cool water and hot water are 25 simultaneously supplied until the water reach an initial set temperature or an initial set water level, and then only the hot water is supplied until the water reaches a final set water level during a water-supply cycle for washing; and when the water supply is completed, an operation of a heater and/or a pulsator is controlled depending on whether a temperature of washing water reaches a final set temperature. 30 11] According to a further aspect the present invention provides an apparatus of controlling water supply in a washing machine including: a key-input part for inputting a washing condition; a controller for controlling a washing cycle to be P~W~FOCSmAopescannesIfl7Z251.dc.32Q9Z4M -3 performed according to a course selected by the key-input part and controlling washing water to be supplied in a plurality of steps during a water-supply cycle; a heater for heating the washing water according to a control signal of the controller; and a pulsator for performing an agitation motion according to a control signal of the 5 controller, Advantageous Effects [12] According to the above apparatus and method of controlling water supply in the washing machine, washing water is supplied in a plurality of steps and the heater is controlled to operate when the washing water reaches a predetermined temperature, 10 so that power consumption required for operating heater reduces. [13] Also, since the heater and the pulsator are simultaneously operated, the detergent swiftly dissolves and the micro- washing is performed before the main washing cycle, so that washing efficiency improves. [14] Also, since the washing water is supplied in a plurality of steps and the heater 15 operates at a predetermined point, a time required for the washing water to reach a set temperature reduces, which shortens a washing time. Brief Description of the Drawings [151 The above aims, other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing the preferred embodiments thereof with 20 reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [16] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus of controlling water supply in a washing machine according to the present invention; [17] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a water-supply process according to a method of controlling water in a washing machine supply according to the present invention; 25 and [18] Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a method of controlling water in a washing machine supply according to the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [19) To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the 30 present invention, as embodied and broadly described, there is provided an apparatus of P 1WPOC'Adm1ICmialinXU27Ifl$ dvs-32/ScU(Mbfl -3A controlling water supply in a washing machine including: a key-input part for inputting a washing condition; a controller for controlling a washing cycle to be performed according to a course selected by the key-input part and controlling washing water to be supplied over a multi-step during a water-supply cycle; a heater for heating the washing 5 water according to a control signal of the controller; and a pulsator for performing an agitation motion according to a control signal of the controller. Mode for the Invention [20] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 10 [21] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus of controlling water supply in a washing machine according to the present invention; [22] Referring to Fig. 1, the apparatus of controlling water supply includes a key-input part 100 for a user to input a washing condition and select a washing course, a water- level detection part 201 for detecting a water level according to water amount, a water 15 temperature detection part 202 for detecting a water temperature according to the course selected by the key-input part 100, a controller 300 for controlling a relevant cycle to be performed according to the course selected by the key-input part 100, a load driver 500 for controlling operations of the heater 600 and the motor 700 according to a control signal of the controller 300, a display part 800 for displaying an operation status 20 according to a control signal of the controller 300, and a memory device 400 for storing various reference values. In detail, the controller 300 controls the temperature of washing water to reach a temperature set by a course selected by a user by allowing the washing water to be supplied in a plurality of steps. When the heater is controlled to operate during the water-supply operation, the controller 300 controls the pulsator (not 25 shown) to simultaneously perform an agitation motion by simultaneously driving a motor 700.
WO 2006/006766 PCT/KR2005/001714 [23] In operation, when a user selects a desired washing course using the key-input part 100 and inputs an operation command, the controller 300 outputs a control command so that a cycle may be performed according to the selected course. [24] At this point, the controller 300 controls to perform detection of water amount first to set a water level according to the detected water amount and controls water to be supplied so as to reach the set water temperature according to the selected course. When the washing water reaches the set temperature and level, the supplying of the washing water stops and the pulsator regularly operates to perform a washing cycle. When the washing cycle finishes, the washing water is drained to the outside along a drain hose and clean washing water is supplied again. When the supplying of the washing water is completed, a rinsing cycle is performed. When the rinsing cycle is completed, a spinning cycle is performed, so that all of the washing cycles are completed. [25] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a water-supply process according to a method of controlling water in a washing machine supply according to the present invention. [26] Referring to Fig. 2, the washing water is supplied over at least two steps according to the inventive method of controlling water supply in the washing machine. Hot water and cool water are selectively or simultaneously supplied in each of the washing cycles. [27] In detail, the cool water and the hot water are simultaneously supplied during a primary water-supply interval A and on only the hot water is supplied during a secondary water-supply interval B. After that, the heater 600 is selectively controlled to operate depending on water temperature. Also, the pulsator (not shown) can be controlled to perform an agitation motion by driving the motor 700 simultaneously with the heater 600. When the washing water reaches a set water temperature, a relevant cycle is performed with the heater 600 not operated during a washing cycle interval C. [28] In more detail, when a user inputs a washing condition and presses an operation button, the washing water is supplied. Here, the primary water supply is performed until the wahing water reaches the first set temperature set in advance according to a control signal of the controller 300. At this point, the cool water and the hot water are simultaneously supplied. [29] For example, in the case where the first set temperature is about 32 0 C, when water temperature detected by the water temperature detection part 202 is detected to be the first set temperature, the primary water supply is finished. Also, when the primary water supply finishes, the supply of the cool water stops and only the hot water is supplied up to the set water level according to detection of water amount. Sub sequently, when the detected water temperature does not reach a temperature set by the WO 2006/006766 PCT/KR2005/001714 above-selected course after the water supply up to the set water level finishes, the heater 600 is operated so that the washing water may reach the relevant water temperature. [30] In the meantime, when the heater 600 starts to operate, the motor 700 is controlled to operate simultaneously so that the pulsator (not shown) may perform an agitation motion simultaneously with the operation of the heater 600. In other words, two-step water supply is preformed such that the primary water supply increases a detergent density with a small amount of water to remove a primary pollution and the secondary water supply supplies only the hot water to reduce a time for which the heater 600 operates. Since only the hot water is supplied during the secondary water supply, a time required for the temperature of the washing water to reach a set temperature is shortened. Also, since the washing water is supplied over a multi-step as described above, power consumption reduces. Also, it is possible to improve washing efficiency by operating the motor 700 while the heater 600 operates. [31] Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a method of controlling water in a washing machine supply according to the present invention. [32] Referring to Fig. 3, a user inputs a power-on command (S110) and selects a washing course (S 120). At this point, the temperature of washing water is set according to the above-selected washing course. After that, when a user inputs an operation command (S 130), the primary water supply is performed (S 140). Here, cool water and hot water are simultaneously supplied during the primary water supply. Also, an amount of the washing water supplied during the primary water supply, i.e., the first set water level may be automatically set by a program. [33] Also, whether the washing water reaches the first set temperature is judged (S 150) during the primary water supply (S 140). If the temperature of the washing water reaches the first set temperature as a result of the judgment, the secondary water supply starts (S 170). On the contrary, if the temperature of the washing water does not reach the first set temperature as a result of the judgment, it is possible to judge whether the water level of the washing water reaches the first set water level (S 160). Also, in the case where the water level is judged to have reached the first set water level, it is possible to control the primary water supply to finish and the secondary water supply to start regardless of whether the washing water reaching the first set water level or not. On the contrary, in the case where the water level is judged not to have reached the first set water level, it is possible to control the secondary water supply to start. [34] In the meantime, unlike the primary water supply, only the hot water is supplied during the secondary water supply. [35] In detail, in the secondary water supply, whether the washing water reaches the second set water level is judged (S 180). If the washing water is judged to have reached -6 the second set water level, whether the washing water reaches the second set water temperature is judged (S 190). If the washing water is judged to have reached the second set water temperature, a washing cycle is performed according to a set course (S220). On the contrary, if the washing water is judged not to have reached the 5 second set water temperature, a heater is controlled to operate (S210). Here, the operation of the heater and the pulsator is performed until the washing water reaches the second set water temperature. When the washing water reaches the second set water temperature, the operation of the heater stops and the pulsator is controlled to regularly operate. Here, when the washing water reaches the second set water 10 temperature, both the heater and the pulsator can be controlled to stop their operations and the pulsator can be controlled to operate again during a washing cycle. A washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, and a spinning cycle are performed according to a set course. When all of the cycles are performed, all of the cycles are finished. 15 [36] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purpose, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. Industrial Applicability 20 [37] According to an apparatus and a method of controlling water supply in a washing machine, power consumed for operating the heater reduces and a time required for heating the washing water to a set temperature reduces. [38] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as, an 25 acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. [39] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or 30 "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or P-iiPDCSVAGptesfic ,ia -27122,1 do22fl4Uaj0 .-7 group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.