Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F35/00—Washing machines, apparatus, or methods not otherwise provided for
  • D06F35/005—Methods for washing, rinsing or spin-drying
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
  • D06F34/14—Arrangements for detecting or measuring specific parameters
  • D06F34/20—Parameters relating to constructional components, e.g. door sensors
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
  • D06F39/40—Steam generating arrangements

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a washing machine having a steam supply unit. More specifically, the present invention relates to a washing course with steam.
• washing machines there are pulsator type washing machines and drum type washing machines, and drying and washing machines which not only wash, but also dry laundry.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a drum type washing machine as an example of the related art washing machine.
• the washing machine is provided with a body 110, a tub 120, a drum 130, and a steam supply unit.
• the body 110 forms an exterior of the drum type washing machine, and the tub 120 is suspended in the body 110.
• the drum 130 is rotatably mounted in the tub 120, with an opening positioned to face a laundry opening 111 in the body 110.
• the drum 130 has a plurality of pass through holes in a circumferential surface for introduction of washing water and steam into the drum 130.
• the steam supply unit is provided to supply a predetermined amount of steam to the drum 130.
• the steam supply unit vaporizes water with heat to provide steam to the drum 130.
• the steam supply unit is provided with a heat generating unit 210 for vaporizing water with heat, and a steam supply tube 220 which is a flow passage for introducing the steam from the heat generating unit 210 to the drum.
• the steam supply unit is also provided -with a spray nozzle 230 for spraying the steam through the steam supply tube 220 into the drum 130.
• the spray nozzle 230 has a shape of a nozzle for smooth spray of the steam, and an end directed to an inside of the drum 130 for spray of the steam.
• the spray nozzle in the above is directed to the inside of the drum directly, the spray nozzle can be mounted to be directed to an inside of the tub.
• the steam sprayed into the tub can be introduced into the drum through the pass through holes in the drum.
• a related art normal washing course of the washing machine having the steam supply unit thus is provided with a washing step, a rinsing step, and a spinning step. As each of the steps are progressed, progressing of the step and a progressed or remained time period are displayed.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a graph showing time versus a temperature in the drum (or the tub) in a washing step or a rinsing step of the related art normal washing course.
• the washing step has a drum temperature set to approx. 40 0 C and a washing time period set to approx.40 minutes.
• the drum rotates in a regular direction and a reverse direction alternately, with a on-time period and a off-time period set to 18 seconds and 6 seconds respectively at a ratio, which is a service ratio, of 3:1 as shown in FIG. 3.
• the rinsing step is performed for three times for fixed time periods respectively, using cold water at a final rinsing.
• the spinning is performed at 800rpm of the drum rotation.
• washing temperature (hereafter called as a washing temperature) set for the washing step
• the steam is sprayed into the drum, or, if necessary, hot water is circulated with a circulating pump (not shown in FIG. 1) from the tub to the drum.
• a temperature of the drum or the tub is sensed with a temperature sensor.
• the conventional washing course is set to be suitable for general clothes, it is not suitable for washing the functional clothes. If the functional clothes is washed with the convetional washing course, the cloth is liable to be damaged to loss the function, or shrink, to spoil the expensive functional clothes. Due to the washing time period, the washing temperature, the service ratio of the motor, the on-time period and the off-time period of the motor, the number of times of rinsing, a rotation speed of the drum in the spin-drying step, and so on, the cloth of the functional clothes is liable to be shrinked or damaged to lose the function.
• washing clothes of delicate cloth, such as pure cotton, or linen causes damage to the clothes.
• underwear of the pure cotton, or thin summer clothes of the linen are susceptible to be damaged due, not . only to the delicacy of the cloth, but also to the thinness and tenderness of the cloth.
• the present invention is for a new washing course which is suitable for washing functional clothes, such as sportswear, or delicate clothes of delicate cloth, such as pure cotton, or linen.
• a controlling method of a washing machine includes a washing step for washing laundry with steam, having a washing temperature set substantially to 27 ⁇ 33°C, a rinsing step for rinsing the laundry, and a spin-drying step for spin-drying the laundry.
• the washing temperature is set to 27 ⁇ 33°C, preferably 30 0 C.
• the control unit controls supplying of hot water and steam with checking a temperature of the drum sensed by a temperature sensor until the washing temperature is reached. For reaching the washing temperature, the drum may be rotated, and the hot water may be circulated from the tub with a circulating pump.
• a case in which the washing temperature is reached by using steam and hot water is much more effective in view of time and energy than a case in which the washing temperature is reached by using the hot water only. It is more effective if the drum is rotated and the circulating pump is used.
• the drum is rotated in regular/reverse directions alternately with a motor service ratio of 1:2 in the washing step.
• a motor on-time period is 11 ⁇ 15 seconds.
• the motor service ratio can be 13 seconds: 24 seconds.
• the drum is rotated in regular/reverse directions alternately with a motor service ratio of 1:5 in the washing step. In this instance, preferably, a motor on-time period is 4 ⁇ 6 seconds.
• the motor service ratio can be 4.5 seconds: 19 seconds.
• a washing time period in the washing step may be set to 21 ⁇ 27 minutes, preferably 24 minutes.
• the method for controlling a washing machine may further include a step for supplying detergent.
• the detergent supply step may be at an initial stage of a course.
• the detergent supplied in the detergent supply step may be neutral detergent or alkali detergent.
• the alkali detergent can prevent the cloth form suffering from damage further.
• the neutral detergent is used for functional clothes, such as sports wear, and the alkali detergent is used for delicate clothes, such as underwear.
• the detergent box in the washing machine may have a partition for holding the alkali detergent and a partition for holding other kind of detergent.
• the water flowing from the water supply valve to the detergent box is introduced to the alkali detergent partition and therefrom to the tub together with the alkali detergent.
• the neutral detergent is used, the water is supplied to the neutral detergent partition, to supply the neutral detergent to the tub.
• the control unit may give a message to the user to determine existence of the alkali detergent or the neutral detergent in the detergent box. For an example, a message may be displayed on an LCD screen requesting to check existence of the alkali detergent or the neutral detergent in the detergent box. If the user checks the detergent box, and takes a required action, the control unit may start water supply to supply the washing water together with the detergent. In this instance, the user's action may be an opening/closing of the detergent box (the washing machine may be provided with a sensor that can sense opening/closing of the detergent box), or user's pressing of a button, for an example, a start bottom.
• the step for receiving the neutral detergent or alkali detergent may be a step for introducing the detergent to the washing machine by the user.
• the control unit may stand by for a preset time period while issuing a preset warning sound and displaying a preset warning message, and the user may supply the neutral or alkali detergent to the washing machine during the standby.
• the rinsing step includes two times of rinsing.
• the related art rinsing step has three times of rinsing or more.
• the spin-drying step has a drum rotation speed of 360 ⁇ 440 rpm, preferably, 400 rpm.
• the washing machine of the present invention has the above decribed method.
• the washing machine includes a steam supply unit for supplying steam to a drum, and a controller to control the steam supply unit to perform by using the steam a washing step having a washing temperature set to 27 ⁇ 33°C.
• the controller controls the water supply valve to supply hot water to the tub, controls the steam generating unit to supply the steam, and checks a temperature with a temperature sensor provided for sensing a temperature in the drum to meet the washing temperature.
• the controller may have a functional clothes course, or delicate clothes course as washing courses set according to control methods.
• the courses may be programmed at the controller.
• a course selector may be provided to an input unit for enabling the user to select the course, the input unit enabling the user to select the washing course, and to input orders, such as starting of operation of the course.
• the present invention has following advantageous effects.
• the present invention can provide a good washing effect while giving no damage to delicate clothes of delicate cloth, such as pure cotton or linen, or functional clothes such as sports clothes. [53] The present invention can provide significantly good washing effect while showing almost no difference in view of cloth damage compared to the conventional wool washing course.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a related art washing machine
• FIG. 2 illustrates a related art 40 0 C normal course
• FIG. 3 illustrates a service ratio of a motor in a washing step of a related art 40 0 C normal course
• FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate controlling methods in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, respectively
• FIG. 6 illustrates a service ratio of a motor in a washing step of the embodiment in
• FIGS. 4 and 5 [61] FIG. 7 illustrates a controlling method in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; [62] FIG. 8 illustrates a service ratio of a motor in a washing step of the embodiment in
• FIG. 7; [63] FIG. 9 illustrates a graph showing test results of washing effects for different courses.
• FIG. 10 illustrates a graph showing test results of shrinkages of cloth for different courses.
• FIG. 5 illustrates time versus temperature in the washing step and the rinsing step.
• the washing step S20 is performed at a washing temperature of
• the control unit puts the steam supply unit into operation, to supply the steam to the drum.
• the circulating pump is operated to circulate the washing water to the tub.
• the control unit supplies the hot water, circulates the washing water to the tub with the circulating pump, supplies the steam, and checks a temperature with a temperature sensor which can sense a temperature of the drum. If the control unit determines that the sensed temperature is 30 0 C, which is a set washing temperature, the control unit stops steam supply and keeps performing the washing step S 20.
• the washing step S20 preferably, neutral detergent is used.
• the detergent box already has the detergent filled by the user, and the control unit controls to open the water supply valve such that the washing water is supplied to the tub together with the detergent as the washing water passes through the detergent box.
• the drum rotates in regular/reverse directions alternately, with a service ratio of the motor set to 13 seconds:24 seconds. That is, power applying steps are repeated, in which the power is applied to the motor to rotate the motor in a regular direction for 13 seconds, to turn off the power for 24 seconds, and to rotate the motor in a reverse direction for 13 seconds.
• the drum may be controlled to rotate only in one direction.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a power wave form for above motor service ratio.
• the washing step S20 is performed for a washing time period set to 24 minutes.
• the rinsing step is performed.
• rinsing step S30 two times of rinsing is performed. Each time of the rinsing is performed for a preset time period, by using hot water at the first rinsing, and cold water at the second rinsing.
• a rotation speed of the drum is set to 400rpm. In order to prevent the functional clothes suffering from damage, it is preferable that the spinning of the drum is performed at a comparatively low speed.
• washing conditions set in the washing step is milder than the washing conditions in the related art washing course, only two times of rinsing is performed in the rinsing step, and spinning is set to be performed at a lower rotation speed of the drum, damage to the functional clothes can be prevented.
• a series of steps set suitable for the course is performed, including a washing step S 120, a rinsing step S 130, a spinning step S 140.
• Time versus washing temperature in the washing step and the rinsing step are similar to FIG. 5.
• the washing step S 120 is performed at a washing temperature of 30 0 C, a washing time period of 24 minutes, and a motor service ratio of 13 seconds:24 seconds, and so on.
• the control unit puts the steam supply unit into operation, to supply the steam to the drum.
• the circulating pump is operated to circulate the washing water to the tub.
• the control unit supplies the hot water, circulates the washing water to the tub with the circulating pump, supplies the steam, and checks a temperature with a temperature sensor which can sense a temperature of the drum. If the control unit determines that the sensed temperature is 30°C, which is a set washing temperature, the control unit stops steam supply and keeps performing the washing step.
• alkali detergent is used.
• the detergent box already has the detergent filled by the user, and the control unit controls to open the water supply valve to supply the washing water to the tub together with the detergent as the washing water passes through the detergent box.
• the control unit may display a guide message on an LCD screen to verify presence of the alkali detergent in the detergent box.
• the drum rotates in regular/reverse directions alternately, with a service ratio of the motor set to 4.5 seconds:19 seconds. That is, power applying steps are repeated, in which the power is applied to the motor to rotate the motor in a regular direction for 3 seconds, to turn off the power for 19 seconds, and, then, to rotate the motor in a reverse direction for 3 seconds.
• the drum may be controlled to rotate only in one direction.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a power wave form for above motor service ratio.
• the washing step S 120 is performed for a washing time period set to 24 minutes.
• the rinsing step is performed.
• rinsing step S 130 two times of rinsing is performed. Each time of the rinsing is performed for a preset time period, by using hot water at the first rinsing, and cold water at the second rinsing.
• a rotation speed of the drum is set to 400rpm. In order to prevent the delicate clothes suffering from damage, it is preferable that the spinning of the drum is performed at a comparatively low speed.
• the washing conditions set in the washing step S 120 is milder than the washing conditions in the related art washing course, only two times of rinsing is performed in the rinsing step S 130, and spinning is set to be performed at a lower rotation speed of the drum, damage to the delicate clothes can be prevented.
• FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate graphs showing test results on washing effects and degrees of clothes damages in a related art general washing course (so called 40°C normal course) and a course for washing wool (so called wool course) and washing courses of the control methods of the foregoing embodiments, respectively.
• the washing course of the present invention has washing effects almost similar to the related art general washing course, and better than the related art wool course, significantly.
• FIG. 10 illustrates a graph showing test results of shrinkages of delicate cloth for different courses.
• the 40 0 C normal course shows more than 5% of shrinkage of cloth, which is a degree unable to wear the clothes again, and the wool course shows shrinkage in a range of 3.24% which is acceptable, whereas the delicate clothes course or the functional clothes course shows shrinkage in a range of middle of 3% which is acceptable similar to the wool course.
• the washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention has an exterior which is not different from the washing machine in FIG. 1 significantly, the present invention has been described focused on different points.
• the washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention has a control unit having a program for performing the foregoing control method.
• An input unit, for allowing a user to select a washing course and to start operation of the course, is provided with a selecting unit for enabling selection to perform washing by the control method.
• a selecting unit is provided to the input unit for enabling to select the functional clothes course, or the delicate clothes course.
• the present invention relates to a washing machine having a steam supply unit.
• the present invention relates to a washing course with steam.
• the present invention can provide a washing effect the same as the related art washing course while giving no damage to delicate clothes of delicate cloth, such as pure cotton or linen, or functional clothes such as sports clothes.

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• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)

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• 2008
  • 2008-01-25 WO PCT/KR2008/000462 patent/WO2008091124A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2008-01-25 EP EP08704954.0A patent/EP2118354B1/de active Active

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