EP2868792B1 - Washing machine and control method thereof - Google Patents
Washing machine and control method thereof Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2868792B1 EP2868792B1 EP14178420.7A EP14178420A EP2868792B1 EP 2868792 B1 EP2868792 B1 EP 2868792B1 EP 14178420 A EP14178420 A EP 14178420A EP 2868792 B1 EP2868792 B1 EP 2868792B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- temperature
- tub
- washing
- drying
- washing machine
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Links
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 title claims description 286
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 17
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 claims description 267
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 94
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 description 35
- 239000003599 detergent Substances 0.000 description 13
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 7
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 7
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000004753 textile Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000003344 environmental pollutant Substances 0.000 description 3
- 231100000719 pollutant Toxicity 0.000 description 3
- 239000008400 supply water Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009987 spinning Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010981 drying operation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011899 heat drying method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004973 liquid crystal related substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/32—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/34—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers characterised by the purpose or target of the control
- D06F58/50—Responding to irregular working conditions, e.g. malfunctioning of blowers
-
- 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
- D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2103/02—Characteristics of laundry or load
- D06F2103/08—Humidity
-
- 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
- D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2103/28—Air properties
- D06F2103/32—Temperature
-
- 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
- D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2103/28—Air properties
- D06F2103/36—Flow or velocity
-
- 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
- D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2103/38—Time, e.g. duration
-
- 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
- D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2105/16—Air properties
- D06F2105/24—Flow or velocity
-
- 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
- D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2105/28—Electric heating
-
- 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
- D06F25/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and having further drying means, e.g. using hot air
-
- 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
- D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/22—Lint collecting arrangements
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a washing machine capable of drying laundry and a controlling method thereof.
- a washing machine is an apparatus configured to wash laundry inside of a tub retaining water by rotating a drum rotatably installed in the tub to accommodate the laundry.
- the washing machine may perform a washing cycle using water to separate pollutants from the laundry, a rinsing cycle rinsing the laundry, a spin-dry cycle removing water from the wet laundry, and a drying cycle drying the laundry.
- the drying cycle may use a heat-drying method which dries the laundry by heating the air inside of the tub and the drum.
- the washing machine needs a drying duct configured to heat the air inside of the tub and the drum.
- the drying duct may be provided with a lint filter configured to prevent the flow of lint, that is, an accumulation of textile fibers separated from the laundry, from being introduced into the drying duct.
- a lint filter configured to prevent the flow of lint, that is, an accumulation of textile fibers separated from the laundry, from being introduced into the drying duct.
- the drying efficiency may be decreased since the air is not being smoothly circulated between the tub and the drying duct.
- EP2 607 546 discloses a laundry machine having a washable lint filter.
- the control unit may calculate a filter blockage index based on a difference between the temperature of the drying duct and the temperature of the tub, and the initial turning-on time of the drying heater, and may wash the lint filter according to the filter blockage index.
- the control unit may calculate the filter blockage index by dividing the difference between the temperature of the drying duct and the temperature of the tub with the initial turning-on time of the drying heater.
- the control unit may wash the lint filter for a filter washing time according to the filter blockage index if the filter blockage index is equal to or larger than a predetermined reference value.
- the control unit reduces the rotation speed of the blowing fan during washing of the lint filter.
- the control unit may reduce the rotation speed of the drum during washing of the lint filter.
- the washing machine may further include a washing water injection nozzle injecting the washing water to the lint filter, a washing water supply pipe supplying the washing water to the washing water injection nozzle, and a washing water supply valve opening/closing the washing water supply pipe.
- the control unit may open the washing water supply valve depending on whether the lint filter is blocked, after the start of a drying cycle when the drying heater is initially turned off.
- the washing of the lint filter may include calculating the filter blockage index based on the temperature of the drying duct, the temperature of the tub, and the initial turning-on time of the drying heater, and washing the lint filter according to the filter blockage index calculated.
- the calculation of the filter blockage index may include dividing the difference between the temperature of the drying duct and the temperature of the tub with the turning-on time of the drying heater.
- the washing of the lint filter according to the filter blockage index calculation may include washing the lint filter for a filter washing time according to the filter blockage index if the filter blockage index is equal to or larger than the predetermined reference value.
- the washing of the lint filter may include supplying washing water to a washing water injection nozzle injecting the washing water to the lint filter.
- the washing of the lint filter includes reducing the rotation speed of the blowing fan.
- the description also describes a washing machine that includes a tub, a drum rotatably installed inside of the tub, a drying unit including a blowing fan suctioning air inside of the tub and the drum and a drying heater heating the air inside of the tub and the drum, a lint filter filtering foreign substance contained in the suctioned air, and a control unit turning on/off the drying heater and the blowing fan according to a temperature of a drying duct during a drying cycle.
- the control unit may wash the lint filter according to a period of time during which a temperature of the drying duct reaches a predetermined reference temperature of the drying duct, and a temperature of the tub in a process of the drying cycle.
- the control unit may wash the lint filter if the period of time during which the temperature of the drying duct reaches the reference temperature of the drying duct is less than a predetermined reference time, and the temperature of the tub is less than a predetermined reference temperature of the tub after the predetermined drying time expires.
- the control unit may reduce the rotation speed of the blowing fan during washing of the lint filter.
- the description also describes a control method of a washing machine includes driving a blowing fan introducing air in a tub into a drying duct, driving a drying heater heating the air in the drying duct, and turning off the drying heater when a temperature of the drying duct is equal to or higher than a high temperature limit. If a period of time during which the temperature of the drying duct reaches a predetermined reference temperature of the drying duct is less than a predetermined reference time, and a temperature of the tub is less than a predetermined reference temperature of the tub after the predetermined drying time expires, washing of the lint filter may be performed.
- the washing of the lint filter may include reducing the rotation speed of the blowing fan.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a configuration of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- a washing machine 1 includes a cabinet forming an external appearance of the washing machine 1, a tub 20 accommodating water used for washing, a drum 30 being rotated to wash laundry, a driving motor 40 rotating the drum 30, a water supply unit 50 supplying water, a water discharge unit 60 discharging water accommodated in the tub 20, a detergent supply unit 70 supplying detergent, and a drying unit 80 drying the laundry accommodated in the drum 30.
- an inlet 11 is formed to which the laundry is put into or taken out of.
- the inlet 27 may be opened and closed by the door 13.
- the door 13 is rotatably coupled to the cabinet 10 by a hinge and is not easily opened by a hook when the inlet 11 is closed.
- a control panel 90 is provided to receive an operation command of the washing machine 1 by a user and to display operation information of the washing machine 1.
- the control panel 90 includes a plurality of buttons 91 and 93, a dial 92 configured to receive an operation command of the washing machine 1 by a user, and a display panel 94 displaying operation information of the washing machine 1 by a user.
- the washing machine 1 receives a course selected among predetermined plurality of washing courses via the dial 92 by a user.
- the washing machine 1 receives detailed information, e.g. a water temperature, the number of rinses, and strength of spinning, according to the selected course, via the plurality of buttons 91 and 93.
- the plurality of buttons 91 and 93 may employ a micro switch, a membrane switch or a touch pad.
- the display panel 94 displays a wash course selected by a user, a water temperature, the number of rinses, strength of spinning and a washing time.
- the display panel 95 may employ a Liquid Crystal Display: LCD panel, a Light Emitting Diode: LED panel, or an Organic Light Emitting Diode: OLED panel.
- the tub 20 is provided inside the cabinet 10, and includes the rear tub member 22 in the shape of a cylinder having the rear thereof closed, and the front tub member 21 disposed at the front of the rear tub member 22.
- a bearing 25 to which a driving motor 40, which will be illustrated later, is rotatably fixed, and a bearing housing 24 are provided at the rear of the rear tub member 22.
- An air discharge port 22a through which the drying unit 80 draws in the air of the tub 20 and the drum 30 is provided at an upper portion of the rear tub member 22.
- An opening 21a is configured to let the laundry be put into the drum 30 or withdraw the laundry from the drum 30 and is disposed at the front of the front tub member 21.
- an air intake port 21b configured to direct the air heated by the drying unit 80 toward the tub 20 and the drum 30 is disposed.
- a tub temperature sensor 26 detecting a temperature of the inside of the tub 20 is provided.
- the tub temperature sensor 26 may employ a thermistor whose electrical resistance varies according to the temperature.
- the tub 20 is connected to a water supply unit 50 and a detergent supply unit 70 through a connection pipe 74 provided at an upper portion of the tub 20, and to a water discharge unit 60 through a water discharge pipe 61 provided at a lower portion of the tub 20.
- the drum 30 is rotatably installed inside of the tub 20, and includes a drum body 31 formed in the shape of a cylinder, a drum front plate 32 disposed at the front of the drum body 31, and a drum rear plate 33 dispose at the rear of the drum body 31.
- a plurality of holes 31b configured to introduce the water stored in the tub 20 into the inside of the drum 30, and a lifter 31a configured to lift the laundry are provided.
- a opening 32a configured to let the laundry be put into the drum 30 or be removed from the drum 30 is provided.
- a flange 34 to which the driving motor 40 is connected is installed at the drum rear plate 33.
- the driving motor 40 includes a stator 41 fixed to the rear surface of the tub 20, a rotor 42 rotated by magnetic interaction with the stator 41, a rotation shaft 43 in which one side thereof is coupled to the rotor 42 and the other side thereof is coupled to the flange 34 by passing through the rear surface of the tub 20, and a hall sensor 45 configured to detect the rotational displacement of the rotor 42.
- the rotation shaft 43 is rotatably coupled to the tub 20 by the bearing 25 and the bearing housing 24 both of which are provided at the rear surface of the tub 20, as described above.
- the driving motor 40 may employ a BLDC (BrushLess Direct Current) motor capable of easily controlling a rotation speed, and an AC (Alternating Current) motor.
- the supply water unit 50 is provided at the upper portion of the tub 20, and includes a supply water pipe 51 connecting an outside source (not shown) to the supply detergent unit 70, which will be describe later, and a water supply valve 52 disposed at the water supply pipe 51 to open/close the water supply pipe 51.
- the water supply valve 52 may employ a solenoid valve which opens and closes the water supply pipe 51 by an electric signal.
- the supply detergent unit 70 is provided at the upper portion of the tub 20, and is connected to the tub 20 by the connection pipe 74.
- the supply detergent unit 70 includes a detergent storage 71 configured to store detergents and rinse additives, and a detergent storage housing 72 accommodating the detergent storage 71.
- the drying unit 80 is disposed at the upper portion of the tub 20 and suctions the air to the inside of the tub 20 and the drum 30. In addition, the drying unit 80 exhausts to the tub 20 and the drum 30 after heating the air.
- drying unit 80 will be described.
- FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a drying unit of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a lint filter of the drying unit of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the lint filter of the drying unit of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 6 is a view of a washing water supplying pipe and a washing water supplying valve of the drying unit of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the drying unit 80 includes a drying duct 81 used as a flow path in which the air suctioned (drawn) from the tub 20 flows, a blowing member 84 suctioning (drawing) the air from the inside of the tub 20 and then blowing the same, a guide pipe 87 guiding the air suctioned from the tub 20 to the drying duct 81, and a connection member 85 connecting the drying duct 81 to the guide pipe 87.
- the drying duct 81 includes a duct top plate 81a and a duct bottom plate 81b, and extends from a proximal end of the tub 20 to a distal end of the tub 20.
- the front portion of the drying duct 81 is connected to the air intake port 21b, and the rear portion of the drying duct 81 is connected to the air discharge port 22a by the connection pipe 87.
- a drying heater 82 heating the air passing through the drying duct 81, and a duct temperature sensor 83 detecting a temperature of the air passing through the drying duct 81 are provided in the inside of the drying duct 81.
- the duct temperature sensor 83 is disposed downstream of the drying duct 81 with respect to the airflow to detect the temperature of the air heated by the drying heater 82.
- the duct temperature sensor 83 may employ a thermistor whose electrical resistance varies according to the temperature.
- the blowing (circulation) member 84 includes a fan 84b (also referred to as a blowing fan) suctioning (drawing) the air from inside the tub 20, and a fan motor 84a driving the fan.
- the fan 84b may be disposed at an opening bottom plate 81d formed at the duct bottom plate 81b.
- the fan motor 84a may be disposed at an opening top plate 81c formed at the duct top plate 81a.
- the blowing member 84 suctions (draws) the air from inside the tub 20 through the air discharge port 22a and the guide pipe 87, directs the suctioned (drawn in) air to the drying duct 81, and exhausts the air heated by the drying duct 81 into the tub 20 through the air intake port 21b of the tub.
- the blowing member 84 allows the air inside the tub 20 to be circulated between the tub 20 and the drying duct 81.
- the guide pipe 87 is disposed between the drying duct 81 and the tub 20.
- One side of the guide pipe 87 is connected to the tub 20, and the other thereof is connected to the connection member 85.
- the guide pipe 87 guides the air suctioned from the inside of the tub 20 to the drying duct 81.
- connection member 85 is formed in the shape of a cylinder having an upper surface thereof open and a lower surface thereof close.
- the blowing member 84 is disposed at the inside of the connection member 85.
- a connection port opening 85a in which the air is introduced from the guide pipe 87 is provided, and a connection port 85c connecting the connection member 85 to the guide pipe 87 is provided.
- the connection port opening 85a at the lower portion of the connection member 85 includes a lint filter 85b configured to filter foreign substances contained in the air suctioned from the tub 20.
- the lint filter is provided with washing water injection nozzle 86a configured to inject washing water to remove foreign substances sticking to the lint filter 85b.
- the washing water injection nozzle 86a is connected to an outside water source (not shown) by a washing water supply pipe 86b.
- a washing water supply valve 86c opening/closing the washing water supply pipe 86b is provided.
- the washing water supply pipe 86b and the washing water supply valve 86c are separately provided from the water supply pipe 51 and the water supply valve 52, both of which supply the water to the tub 20, thereby supplying the washing water to the washing water injection nozzle 86a during the drying cycle, in which the water is not supplied to the tub 20.
- the washing water supply valve 86c may employ a solenoid valve which opens and closes the supply water pipe 51 by an electric signal.
- FIG. 7 is a control block diagram illustrating the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the washing machine 1 includes a control unit 100, a driving unit 110, and a storage unit 120 to drive and control the driving motor 40, the water supply unit 50, the water discharge unit 60, the drying unit 80, and the control panel 90.
- the driving unit 110 supplies current to drive the driving motor 40, the water supply valve 52, the water discharge pump 62, the drying heater 89, the blowing fan motor 84a, and the washing water supply valve 86c by control signals of the control unit 100.
- the driving unit 110 may include an inverter (not shown) to drive the driving motor 40.
- the storage unit 120 may include a non-volatile memory (not shown) for permanent storage of control programs and control data of the washing machine 1, such as a magnetic disc, a solid state disc, and the like, and a volatile memory (not shown) for temporary storage of data generated in the course of controlling the operation of the washing machine 1, such as a D-RAM, S-RAM, and the like.
- a non-volatile memory for permanent storage of control programs and control data of the washing machine 1
- a volatile memory for temporary storage of data generated in the course of controlling the operation of the washing machine 1, such as a D-RAM, S-RAM, and the like.
- the control unit 100 generates a control signal to control the driving motor 40, the water supply unit 50, the water discharge unit 60, the drying unit 80, and the control panel 90 according to an operation command by a user, a detected result by the duct temperature sensor 83 and the tub temperature sensor 26. For example, if the user selects a wash course via the control panel 90 and inputs a wash command, the control unit 100 transmits a supplying water command signal to the driving unit 120 so that the water supply unit 50 opens the water supply valve 52, and transmits a driving motor signal to the driving unit to drive the driving motor 40.
- the washing machine 1 performs a washing cycle separating pollutants from the laundry by driving the drum 30 after supplying detergents and water to the tub 20, a rinsing cycle rinsing the pollutant and the detergents from the laundry by driving the drum 30 after supplying rinse additives and water to the tub 20, a spin-drying cycle removing water from the wet laundry by driving the drum 30 at high speed , and a drying cycle drying the laundry by heating air inside the tub 20 and the drum 30.
- the washing machine 1 may supply detergents and water to the tub 20 and rotate the drum 30 clockwise and counterclockwise at a certain RPM.
- the washing machine 1 may repeat operations including rotating the drum 30 clockwise for approximately 20 seconds (on time), stopping the drum 30 for 5 seconds (off time), rotating the drum 30 counterclockwise for approximately 20 seconds (on time), and stopping the drum 30 for 5 seconds (off time).
- the washing machine 1 may rotate the drum 30 clockwise or counterclockwise at hundreds or thousands of RPM.
- the washing machine 1 may rotate the drum 30 clockwise or counterclockwise at hundreds of RPM and drive the blowing member 84 (refer to FIG. 3 ) and the heating heater 82.
- FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a drying cycle of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an air flow during the drying cycle of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating a temperature of inside of the drying duct during the drying cycle of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the washing machine 1 detects the weight of laundry (410). For example, the washing machine1 rotates the drum 30 at a predetermined RPM, and detects driving current supplied to the driving motor 40 when the drum is rotated at the predetermined RPM. The washing machine 1 calculates the amount (weight) of the laundry based on the detected driving current. In summary, the washing machine 1 calculates the amount of the laundry based on a load of the driving motor 40.
- the washing machine 1 drives the blowing member 84 and the drying heater 82 (415).
- the washing machine 1 suctions the air inside of the drum 30 by driving the blowing member 84, heats the air suctioned to the driving duct 81 by driving the drying heater 82, and exhausts the heated air to the tub 20 and the drum 30.
- the air inside the drum 30 is discharged to between the drum 30 and the tub 20 through holes 31b formed on an outer circumferential surface of the drum 30, and the air inside the tub 20 is suctioned to the drying duct 81 by the guide pipe 87 and the connection member 85 both of which are disposed at the rear of the tub 20.
- the air introduced to the drying duct 81 is directed to the front of the drying duct 81 by the blowing member 84, and then is heated by the heater 82.
- the heated air is discharged into the air intake port 21b disposed at the front of the tub 20.
- the air discharged into the air intake port 21b is introduced to the inside of the drum 30 and contacts with the laundry inside the drum 30 via the opening 32a (refer to FIG. 2 ) disposed at the front of the drum 30.
- the washing machine 1 detects a temperature (T) of the inside of the drying duct 81 (420).
- the washing machine 1 may detect the temperature (T) of the inside of the drying duct 81 by the duct temperature sensor 83 provided inside the drying duct 81.
- the duct temperature sensor 83 disposed at the lower portion of the drying heater 82 detects the temperature of the air heated by the drying heater 82.
- the washing machine 1 determines whether the temperature (T) of the inside of the drying duct 81 is equal to or higher than a predetermined high temperature limit (TH) (425).
- TH high temperature limit
- section 0-t1 is a first time period of turning on the drying heater 82 after the washing machine 1 starts the drying cycle.
- t1 will refer to a first period time of turning on the drying heater.
- the washing machine 1 If the temperature (T) of the inside of the drying duct 81 is less than the high temperature limit (TH) (No in 425), the washing machine 1 repeatedly detects the temperature (T) of the inside of the drying duct 81 while driving the blowing member 84 and the drying heater 82.
- TH high temperature limit
- the washing machine 1 stops driving the drying heater 82 (430). If the temperature (T) of the inside of the drying duct 81 is steadily increased, there is a risk of fire. Therefore, if the temperature (T) of the inside of the drying duct 81 exceeds the high temperature limit (TH), the washing machine 1 stops driving the drying heater 82. At this time, the washing machine 1 maintains the driving of the blowing member 84 so that drying of the laundry may be performed when the drying heater 82 is not driven.
- the washing machine 1 once again detects the temperature (T) of the inside of the drying duct 81 (435).
- the washing machine 1 may detect the temperature (T) of the inside of the drying duct 81 by the duct temperature sensor 83 provided inside the drying duct 81.
- the washing machine 1 determines whether the temperature (T) of the inside of the drying duct 81 is equal to or lower than a predetermined low temperature limit (TL) (440). When stopping driving of the heater 82 in a state where the blowing member 84 is driven, the temperature of the drying duct 81 is decreased, and then reaches the low temperature limit (TL), as illustrated in section t1-t2 of FIG. 10 .
- TL low temperature limit
- the washing machine 1 repeatedly detects the temperature (T) of the inside of the drying duct 81 in a state where the drying heater 82 is not driven.
- the washing machine 1 drives the drying heater 82 (415) again.
- the washing machine repeatedly drives the drying heater 82 and stops driving the drying heater 82 according to the temperature (T) of the inside of the drying duct 81 for a predetermined drying time based on the amount of the laundry.
- the drum 30 provided inside the tub 20 continuously rotates, and pieces of textile fibers are separated from the laundry as the laundry inside the drum 30 is dried. That is, friction between the laundry is generated due to the rotation of the drum 30, so that the pieces of textile fibers are separated from the laundry.
- the pieces of textile fibers refer to lint. Lint is discharged to the tub 20 via holes 31a of the drum 30 (refer to FIG. 2 ), is moved along the guide pipe 87, and is filtered by the lint filter 85b provided at the connection member 85. In addition, as the drying cycle is performed, the lint filter 85b is slowly blocked by the lint.
- the washing machine 1 determines whether the lint filter 85b is blocked, and washes the lint filter 85b when the filter 85b is determined to be blocked.
- FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating determining whether the lint filter is blocked by the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the washing machine 1 detects the amount of the laundry (510), and drives the blowing member 84 and the drying heater 82 (515).
- the washing machine 1 initializes duct maximum temperature (Dmax) and tub maximum temperature (Wmax) (520).
- the duct maximum temperature (Dmax) refers to a maximum temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81 until driving the drying heater 82 is initially stopped after the washing machine 1 started to perform the drying cycle
- the tub maximum temperature (Wmax) refers to a maximum temperature of the inside of the tub 20 until driving the drying heater 82 is initially stopped after the washing machine 1 started to perform the drying cycle.
- the washing machine 1 detects the temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81 (525).
- the temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81 may be detected by the duct temperature sensor 83, as described above.
- the washing machine 1 determines whether the temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81 detected through the operation 525 is higher than the duct maximum temperature (Dmax) (530).
- the washing machine 1 updates the duct maximum temperature (Dmax). That is, if the temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81 is higher than the duct maximum temperature (Dmax), the washing machine 1 inputs a present detected temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81 into the duct maximum temperature (Dmax). The temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81 is continuously increased until driving the drying heater 82 is initially stopped after the drying cycle was initiated (time ti), as illustrated in FIG. 10 , and thereby the duct maximum temperature (Dmax) is updated while the drying heater 82 is driven.
- the washing machine 1 detects the temperature of the inside of the tub 20 (540).
- the washing machine 1 may detect the temperature of the inside of the tub 20 by the tub temperature sensor provided inside the tub 20.
- the washing machine 1 determines whether the temperature of the inside of the tub 20 detected through the operation 540 is higher than the tub maximum temperature (Wmax) (545).
- the washing machine 1 updates the tub maximum temperature (Wmax). That is, if the temperature of the inside of the tub 21 is higher than the tub maximum temperature (Wmax), the washing machine 1 inputs a present detected temperature of the inside of the tub 20 into the tub maximum temperature (Wmax). If the temperature of the inside of the tub 20 is less than the tub maximum temperature (Wmax) (No in 545) the washing machine 1 does not update the tub maximum temperature (Wmax).
- the washing machine 1 detects the temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81, determines whether the temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81 is higher than the duct maximum temperature (Dmax), and repeatedly updates the duct maximum temperature (Dmax) if the temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81 is higher than the duct maximum temperature (Dmax).
- the washing machine 1 detects the temperature of the inside of the tub 20, determines whether the temperature of the inside of the tub 20 is higher than the tub maximum temperature (Wmax), and repeatedly updates the tub maximum temperature (Wmax) if the temperature of the inside of the tub 20 is higher than the tub maximum temperature (Wmax).
- the washing machine 1 determines whether a difference between the temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81 detected and the duct maximum temperature (Dmax) is equal to or greater than 2 degrees (555). There is a possibility that the temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81 may be incorrectly determined to be decreased since heat is not transmitted smoothly to the duct temperature sensor 83.
- the washing machine 1 determines that the temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81 is decreased only when a difference between the temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81 and the duct maximum temperature (Dmax) is equal to or greater than 2 degrees.
- Dmax duct maximum temperature
- 2 degrees is chosen as an appropriate threshold to ensure that the duct temperature is actually decreasing, but the threshold is not limited to this specific figure.
- the washing machine 1 does not update the duct maximum temperature (Dmax), detects the temperature of the inside of the tub 20 and updates the tub maximum temperature (Wmax) based on the detected temperature of the inside of the tub 20 (545 ,550).
- the washing machine 1 calculates a filter blockage index (F) (560).
- the filter blockage index (F) refers to whether the lint filter 85b is blocked, and the extent of the blockage of the lint filter 85b.
- the washing machine 1 determines whether to wash the lint filter 85b depending on the filter blockage index (F).
- the filter blockage index is a measure of how blocked the filter is based on a temperature difference between the drying duct temperature and the tub temperature.
- the filter blockage index (F) is calculated based on the duct maximum temperature (Dmax), the tub maximum temperature (Wmax) and the first turning on time of the drying heater (ti of FIG. 10 ), that is, a period of time between the heater 82 being initially turned on until the heater 82 is turned off.
- the filter blockage index (F) is great as the lint filter 85b is blocked by the lint. It may be determined that the lint filter 85b is severely blocked by the lint if the filter blockage index (F) is relatively large.
- the washing machine 1 determines whether to wash the lint filter 85b according to the filter blockage index (F). It is contemplated that the washing machine 1 instantly washes the lint filter when the lint filter 85b is determined to be blocked based on the filter blockage index (F).
- a method of determining whether the lint filter is blocked is carried out by determining the duct maximum temperature (Dmax) and the tub maximum temperature (Wmax) while the drying heater 82 is driven, and then when the temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81 is decreased as a result of the drying heater being turned off, using the duct maximum temperature (Dmax) and the tub maximum temperature (Wmax) to determine whether the filter is blocked.
- FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a washing of the lint filter by the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a rotation of a drum during the washing of the lint filter by the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the washing machine 1 determines whether the filter blockage index (F) is equal to or larger than a first reference value (610).
- the first reference value refers to criteria to determine whether the lint filter 85b is blocked, and may be set through prior experiments.
- the washing machine 1 determines that the lint filter 85b is not blocked. That is, the washing machine 1 proceeds with the drying cycle without washing the lint filter 85b.
- the washing machine 1 continuously drives the blowing fan 84b at a lower speed (620). As described above, if the filter blockage index (F) is equal to or larger than the first reference value, the washing machine 1 determines that the lint filter 85b is partially or completely blocked. Therefore, during the drying cycle, the washing machine 1 may inject the washing water to the lint filter 85b to wash the lint filter 85b. However, as described above, during the drying cycle, the injected washing water may be introduced to the drying duct 81 by the blowing fan 84b since the blowing fan is rotated at high speed. To prevent the injected washing water to be introduced to the drying duct 81, the rotation speed of the blowing fan 84 b is reduced before injecting the washing water to the lint filter 85b.
- the washing machine may rotate the drum 30 clockwise at low speed.
- the washing machine may rotate the drum 30 counter clockwise at low speed, contrary to what was illustrated in FIG. 13 .
- the washing water is smoothly discharged.
- the washing machine 1 determines whether the filter blockage index (F) is equal to or larger than a second reference value (625).
- the second reference value refers to criteria to determine whether the lint filter 85b is partially or completely blocked, and may be set through prior experiments.
- the washing machine 1 injects the washing water to the lint filter 85b for a first washing time (630). At this time, if the filter blockage index (F) is equal to or larger than the second reference value, the washing machine 1 determines that the lint filter 85b is completely blocked. Therefore, the washing machine 1 may inject the washing water for the first washing time, which is enough time to wash the completely blocked lint filter 85b. That is, the washing machine 1 may open the washing water supply valve 86c during the first washing time.
- the washing machine 1 injects the washing water to the lint filter 85b for a second washing time (635). At this time, if the filter blockage index (F) is less than the second reference value, the washing machine 1 determines that the lint filter 85b is partially blocked. Therefore, the washing machine 1 may inject the washing water for the second washing time, which is enough time to wash the partially blocked lint filter 85b. That is, the washing machine 1 may open the washing water supply valve 86c during the second washing time.
- the second washing time is for example less than the first washing time.
- the washing machine 1 returns to the drying cycle (640). That is, the washing machine 1 completes washing the filter, and once again drives the blowing fan 84b at high speed.
- the method of calculating the filter blockage index (F) and performing washing the lint filter 85b based on the calculated filter blockage index (F) by the washing machine 1 is described.
- FIG 14A and 14B are flow charts illustrating determining whether a lint filter is blocked by a washing machine in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.
- a washing machine 1 detects the amount of the laundry (710), and drives a blowing member 84 and a drying heater 82 (715).
- the washing machine 1 detects an initial temperature of the tub 20 (720).
- the initial temperature of the tub 20 refers to a temperature of the inside of the tub 20 when the washing machine 1 starts the drying cycle.
- the washing machine 1 may attain the initial temperature of the tub 20 by the tub temperature sensor 26.
- the washing machine detects a temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81 (725).
- the washing machine 1 may attain the temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81 by the duct temperature sensor 83 provided inside of the drying duct 81.
- the washing machine 1 determines whether the temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81 is equal to or higher than a reference temperature of the drying duct (730).
- the reference temperature of the drying duct may be changed according to the heat value of the drying duct 81 and capacities of the drying duct 81 and the tub 20, and may be set to be approximately 70 degrees to approximately 80 degrees.
- the washing machine 1 continuously detects the temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81.
- the washing machine 1 determines whether a reference time expires from when the drying cycle was initiated (735).
- the reference time may be changed according to the heat value of the drying duct 81 and capacities of the drying duct 81 and the tub 20, and may be set to be approximately 5 minutes to approximately 10 minutes.
- the washing machine 1 determines that the lint filter 85b is not blocked, and proceeds with the drying cycle (780). If the air is circulated normally between the drying duct 81 and the tub 20, the temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81 is slowly increased together with the temperature of the inside of the tub 20, and thereby the washing machine 1 may determine that the lint filter 85b is not blocked except when the temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81 is quickly increased.
- the washing machine 1 determines whether a first drying time expires from when the drying cycle was initiated (740).
- the first drying time may be changed according to the heat value of the drying duct 81 and capacities of the drying duct 81 and the tub 20, and may be set to be approximately 10 minutes to approximately 20 minutes.
- the washing machine 1 detects the temperature of the inside of the tub 20 (745).
- the washing machine 1 determines whether a difference between the temperature of the inside of the tub 20 detected through the operation 745, and an initial temperature of the inside of the tub 20 is less than a reference temperature difference (750).
- the reference temperature difference may be changed according to the heat value of the drying duct 81 and capacities of the drying duct 81 and the tub 20, and may be set to be approximately 5 degrees to approximately 15 degrees.
- the washing machine 1 determines that the lint filter 85b is not blocked, and proceeds with the drying cycle (780).
- the air is circulated normally between the drying duct 81 and the tub 20, the temperatures of the inside of the drying duct 81 is increased together with the temperature of the inside of the tub 20, and thereby the washing machine 1 may determine that the lint filter 85b is not blocked when the temperature of the inside of the tub 20 is properly increased as compared to when the drying cycle is initiated.
- the washing machine 1 determines whether the temperature of the inside of the tub 20 detected through the operation 745 is less than a first tub reference temperature (755).
- the first tub reference temperature may be changed according to heat value of the drying duct 81 and capacities of the drying duct 81 and the tub 20, and may be set to be approximately 25 degree to approximately 35 degree.
- the washing machine 1 determines that the lint filter is not blocked, and proceeds with the drying cycle (780).
- the air is circulated normally between the drying duct 81 and the tub 20, the temperatures of the inside of the tub 20 is increased together with the temperature of the drying duct 81, and thereby the washing machine 1 may determine that the lint filter 85b is not blocked when the temperature of the inside of the tub 20 is properly increased.
- the washing machine 1 determines whether a second drying time expires from when the drying cycle was initiated (760).
- the second drying time may be changed according to the heat value of the drying duct 81 and capacities of the drying duct 81 and the tub 20, and may be set to be approximately 20 minutes to approximately 30 minutes.
- the washing machine 1 detects the temperature of the inside of the tub 20 (765).
- the washing machine 1 determines whether the temperature of the inside of the tub 20 detected through the operation 765 is less than a second tub reference temperature (770).
- the second tub reference temperature may be changed according to the heat value of the drying duct 81 and capacities of the drying duct 81 and the tub 20, and may be set to be approximately 35 degrees to approximately 45 degrees.
- the washing machine 1 determines that the lint filter is not blocked, and proceeds with the drying cycle (780).
- the air is circulated normally between the drying duct 81 and the tub 20, the temperatures of the inside of the tub 20 is increased together with the temperature of the drying duct 81, and thereby the washing machine 1 may determine that the lint filter 85b is not blocked when the temperature of the inside of the tub 20 is properly increased.
- the washing machine 1 determines that the lint filter 85b is blocked by the lint (775).
- the washing machine 1 performs washing the lint filter, which will be described later, and then proceeds with the drying cycle.
- FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating a washing of a lint filter by a washing machine in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the washing machine 1 rotates the blowing fan 84b at low speed (810). If the lint filter 85b is determined to be blocked, the washing machine 1 injects the washing water to the lint filter 86b to wash during the drying cycle. However, as described above, during the drying cycle, the injected washing water may be introduced to the drying duct 81 by the blowing fan 84b since the blowing fan is rotated at high speed. To prevent the injected washing water to be introduced to the drying duct 81, the rotation speed of the blowing fan 84 b is reduced before injecting the washing water to the lint filter 85b. In addition, as illustrated in FIG.
- the washing machine may rotate the drum 30 clockwise at low speed.
- the washing machine may rotate the drum 30 counter clockwise at low speed, on the contrary to as illustrated in FIG. 13 .
- the washing water is smoothly discharged.
- the washing machine 1 injects the washing water to the lint filter 85b for the filter washing time (630). That is, the washing machine 1 may open the washing water supply valve 86c during the first washing time.
- the washing machine 1 returns to the drying cycle (830). That is, the washing machine 1 completes washing the filter, and rotates again the blowing fan 84b at high speed.
- the washing machine 1 determines whether the lint filter is blocked during the drying cycle, washes the lint filter 85b according to the determined result, and thereby the optimal drying efficiency may be attained.
- a washing machine may receive information of filter blockage and wash a lint filter according to the information of filter blockage during a drying cycle.
- the washing of the lint filter during the drying cycle allows the lint filter to be washed without performing a washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, or a spin cycle, and the air to be circulated between a drying duct and a tub.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a washing machine capable of drying laundry and a controlling method thereof.
- In general, a washing machine is an apparatus configured to wash laundry inside of a tub retaining water by rotating a drum rotatably installed in the tub to accommodate the laundry. The washing machine may perform a washing cycle using water to separate pollutants from the laundry, a rinsing cycle rinsing the laundry, a spin-dry cycle removing water from the wet laundry, and a drying cycle drying the laundry. In particular, the drying cycle may use a heat-drying method which dries the laundry by heating the air inside of the tub and the drum. To perform the drying cycle as mentioned above, the washing machine needs a drying duct configured to heat the air inside of the tub and the drum.
- At this time, the drying duct may be provided with a lint filter configured to prevent the flow of lint, that is, an accumulation of textile fibers separated from the laundry, from being introduced into the drying duct. However, if the lint fiter is blocked by the lint, the drying efficiency may be decreased since the air is not being smoothly circulated between the tub and the drying duct.
- Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a washing machine capable of determining whether a lint filter is blocked and washing the lint filter according to blockage of the lint filter during a drying cycle, and a control method thereof.
- Additional aspects of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
-
EP2 607 546 discloses a laundry machine having a washable lint filter. - According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a washing machine according to
claim 1. - The control unit may calculate a filter blockage index based on a difference between the temperature of the drying duct and the temperature of the tub, and the initial turning-on time of the drying heater, and may wash the lint filter according to the filter blockage index.
- The control unit may calculate the filter blockage index by dividing the difference between the temperature of the drying duct and the temperature of the tub with the initial turning-on time of the drying heater.
- The control unit may wash the lint filter for a filter washing time according to the filter blockage index if the filter blockage index is equal to or larger than a predetermined reference value.
- The control unit reduces the rotation speed of the blowing fan during washing of the lint filter.
- The control unit may reduce the rotation speed of the drum during washing of the lint filter.
- The washing machine may further include a washing water injection nozzle injecting the washing water to the lint filter, a washing water supply pipe supplying the washing water to the washing water injection nozzle, and a washing water supply valve opening/closing the washing water supply pipe.
- The control unit may open the washing water supply valve depending on whether the lint filter is blocked, after the start of a drying cycle when the drying heater is initially turned off.
- According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of controlling a washing machine according to claim 8.
- The washing of the lint filter may include calculating the filter blockage index based on the temperature of the drying duct, the temperature of the tub, and the initial turning-on time of the drying heater, and washing the lint filter according to the filter blockage index calculated.
- The calculation of the filter blockage index may include dividing the difference between the temperature of the drying duct and the temperature of the tub with the turning-on time of the drying heater.
- The washing of the lint filter according to the filter blockage index calculation may include washing the lint filter for a filter washing time according to the filter blockage index if the filter blockage index is equal to or larger than the predetermined reference value.
- The washing of the lint filter may include supplying washing water to a washing water injection nozzle injecting the washing water to the lint filter.
- The washing of the lint filter includes reducing the rotation speed of the blowing fan.
- The description also describes a washing machine that includes a tub, a drum rotatably installed inside of the tub, a drying unit including a blowing fan suctioning air inside of the tub and the drum and a drying heater heating the air inside of the tub and the drum, a lint filter filtering foreign substance contained in the suctioned air, and a control unit turning on/off the drying heater and the blowing fan according to a temperature of a drying duct during a drying cycle. During a drying cycle, the control unit may wash the lint filter according to a period of time during which a temperature of the drying duct reaches a predetermined reference temperature of the drying duct, and a temperature of the tub in a process of the drying cycle.
- The control unit may wash the lint filter if the period of time during which the temperature of the drying duct reaches the reference temperature of the drying duct is less than a predetermined reference time, and the temperature of the tub is less than a predetermined reference temperature of the tub after the predetermined drying time expires.
- The control unit may reduce the rotation speed of the blowing fan during washing of the lint filter.
- The description also describes a control method of a washing machine includes driving a blowing fan introducing air in a tub into a drying duct, driving a drying heater heating the air in the drying duct, and turning off the drying heater when a temperature of the drying duct is equal to or higher than a high temperature limit. If a period of time during which the temperature of the drying duct reaches a predetermined reference temperature of the drying duct is less than a predetermined reference time, and a temperature of the tub is less than a predetermined reference temperature of the tub after the predetermined drying time expires, washing of the lint filter may be performed.
- The washing of the lint filter may include reducing the rotation speed of the blowing fan.
- These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a configuration of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a drying unit of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a lint filter of the drying unit of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the lint filter of the drying unit of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 6 is a view of a washing water supplying pipe and a washing water supplying valve of the drying unit of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 7 is a control flow diagram illustrating the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a drying cycle of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an air flow during the drying cycle of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating a temperature of inside of the drying duct during the drying cycle of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating determining whether the lint filter is blocked by the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a washing of the lint filter by the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a rotation of a drum during the washing of the lint filter by the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG 14a and14b are flow charts illustrating determining whether a lint filter is blocked by a washing machine in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating a washing of a lint filter by a washing machine in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. - Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components throughout.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a configuration of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIGS 1 and2 , awashing machine 1 includes a cabinet forming an external appearance of thewashing machine 1, atub 20 accommodating water used for washing, adrum 30 being rotated to wash laundry, a drivingmotor 40 rotating thedrum 30, awater supply unit 50 supplying water, a water discharge unit 60 discharging water accommodated in thetub 20, adetergent supply unit 70 supplying detergent, and adrying unit 80 drying the laundry accommodated in thedrum 30. - At the center of the front surface of the
cabinet 10, an inlet 11 is formed to which the laundry is put into or taken out of. The inlet 27 may be opened and closed by thedoor 13. Thedoor 13 is rotatably coupled to thecabinet 10 by a hinge and is not easily opened by a hook when the inlet 11 is closed. - At an upper portion of the front surface of the
cabinet 10, acontrol panel 90 is provided to receive an operation command of thewashing machine 1 by a user and to display operation information of thewashing machine 1. Thecontrol panel 90 includes a plurality ofbuttons dial 92 configured to receive an operation command of thewashing machine 1 by a user, and adisplay panel 94 displaying operation information of thewashing machine 1 by a user. Thewashing machine 1 receives a course selected among predetermined plurality of washing courses via thedial 92 by a user. Thewashing machine 1 receives detailed information, e.g. a water temperature, the number of rinses, and strength of spinning, according to the selected course, via the plurality ofbuttons buttons display panel 94 displays a wash course selected by a user, a water temperature, the number of rinses, strength of spinning and a washing time. The display panel 95 may employ a Liquid Crystal Display: LCD panel, a Light Emitting Diode: LED panel, or an Organic Light Emitting Diode: OLED panel. - The
tub 20 is provided inside thecabinet 10, and includes therear tub member 22 in the shape of a cylinder having the rear thereof closed, and thefront tub member 21 disposed at the front of therear tub member 22. Abearing 25 to which a drivingmotor 40, which will be illustrated later, is rotatably fixed, and a bearinghousing 24 are provided at the rear of therear tub member 22. Anair discharge port 22a through which thedrying unit 80 draws in the air of thetub 20 and thedrum 30 is provided at an upper portion of therear tub member 22. Anopening 21a is configured to let the laundry be put into thedrum 30 or withdraw the laundry from thedrum 30 and is disposed at the front of thefront tub member 21. At an upper portion of theopening 21a, anair intake port 21b configured to direct the air heated by the dryingunit 80 toward thetub 20 and thedrum 30 is disposed. - At the inside of the
tub 20, atub temperature sensor 26 detecting a temperature of the inside of thetub 20 is provided. Thetub temperature sensor 26 may employ a thermistor whose electrical resistance varies according to the temperature. - The
tub 20 is connected to awater supply unit 50 and adetergent supply unit 70 through aconnection pipe 74 provided at an upper portion of thetub 20, and to a water discharge unit 60 through awater discharge pipe 61 provided at a lower portion of thetub 20. - The
drum 30 is rotatably installed inside of thetub 20, and includes adrum body 31 formed in the shape of a cylinder, adrum front plate 32 disposed at the front of thedrum body 31, and a drumrear plate 33 dispose at the rear of thedrum body 31. - At an inner surface of the
drum body 31, a plurality ofholes 31b configured to introduce the water stored in thetub 20 into the inside of thedrum 30, and alifter 31a configured to lift the laundry are provided. At thedrum front plate 32, anopening 32a configured to let the laundry be put into thedrum 30 or be removed from thedrum 30 is provided. Aflange 34 to which the drivingmotor 40 is connected is installed at the drumrear plate 33. - The driving
motor 40 includes astator 41 fixed to the rear surface of thetub 20, arotor 42 rotated by magnetic interaction with thestator 41, arotation shaft 43 in which one side thereof is coupled to therotor 42 and the other side thereof is coupled to theflange 34 by passing through the rear surface of thetub 20, and a hall sensor 45 configured to detect the rotational displacement of therotor 42. In addition, therotation shaft 43 is rotatably coupled to thetub 20 by thebearing 25 and the bearinghousing 24 both of which are provided at the rear surface of thetub 20, as described above. The drivingmotor 40 may employ a BLDC (BrushLess Direct Current) motor capable of easily controlling a rotation speed, and an AC (Alternating Current) motor. - The
supply water unit 50 is provided at the upper portion of thetub 20, and includes asupply water pipe 51 connecting an outside source (not shown) to thesupply detergent unit 70, which will be describe later, and awater supply valve 52 disposed at thewater supply pipe 51 to open/close thewater supply pipe 51. Thewater supply valve 52 may employ a solenoid valve which opens and closes thewater supply pipe 51 by an electric signal. - The
supply detergent unit 70 is provided at the upper portion of thetub 20, and is connected to thetub 20 by theconnection pipe 74. In addition, thesupply detergent unit 70 includes adetergent storage 71 configured to store detergents and rinse additives, and adetergent storage housing 72 accommodating thedetergent storage 71. - The drying
unit 80 is disposed at the upper portion of thetub 20 and suctions the air to the inside of thetub 20 and thedrum 30. In addition, the dryingunit 80 exhausts to thetub 20 and thedrum 30 after heating the air. - Hereinafter, the drying
unit 80 will be described. -
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a drying unit of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a lint filter of the drying unit of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the lint filter of the drying unit of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 6 is a view of a washing water supplying pipe and a washing water supplying valve of the drying unit of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIGS 3 to 6 , the dryingunit 80 includes a dryingduct 81 used as a flow path in which the air suctioned (drawn) from thetub 20 flows, a blowingmember 84 suctioning (drawing) the air from the inside of thetub 20 and then blowing the same, aguide pipe 87 guiding the air suctioned from thetub 20 to the dryingduct 81, and aconnection member 85 connecting the dryingduct 81 to theguide pipe 87. - As illustrated on
FIG. 3 , the dryingduct 81 includes aduct top plate 81a and aduct bottom plate 81b, and extends from a proximal end of thetub 20 to a distal end of thetub 20. In addition, the front portion of the dryingduct 81 is connected to theair intake port 21b, and the rear portion of the dryingduct 81 is connected to theair discharge port 22a by theconnection pipe 87. - In addition, in the inside of the drying
duct 81, a dryingheater 82 heating the air passing through the dryingduct 81, and aduct temperature sensor 83 detecting a temperature of the air passing through the dryingduct 81 are provided. Theduct temperature sensor 83 is disposed downstream of the dryingduct 81 with respect to the airflow to detect the temperature of the air heated by the dryingheater 82. In addition, theduct temperature sensor 83 may employ a thermistor whose electrical resistance varies according to the temperature. - As illustrated in
FIG. 3 , the blowing (circulation)member 84 includes afan 84b (also referred to as a blowing fan) suctioning (drawing) the air from inside thetub 20, and afan motor 84a driving the fan. Thefan 84b may be disposed at an openingbottom plate 81d formed at theduct bottom plate 81b. Thefan motor 84a may be disposed at anopening top plate 81c formed at theduct top plate 81a. - The blowing
member 84 suctions (draws) the air from inside thetub 20 through theair discharge port 22a and theguide pipe 87, directs the suctioned (drawn in) air to the dryingduct 81, and exhausts the air heated by the dryingduct 81 into thetub 20 through theair intake port 21b of the tub. Thus the blowingmember 84 allows the air inside thetub 20 to be circulated between thetub 20 and the dryingduct 81. - As illustrated in
FIG. 3 , theguide pipe 87 is disposed between the dryingduct 81 and thetub 20. One side of theguide pipe 87 is connected to thetub 20, and the other thereof is connected to theconnection member 85. Thus theguide pipe 87 guides the air suctioned from the inside of thetub 20 to the dryingduct 81. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 4 and5 , theconnection member 85 is formed in the shape of a cylinder having an upper surface thereof open and a lower surface thereof close. At the inside of theconnection member 85, the blowingmember 84 is disposed. In addition, at a lower portion of theconnection member 85, aconnection port opening 85a in which the air is introduced from theguide pipe 87 is provided, and a connection port 85c connecting theconnection member 85 to theguide pipe 87 is provided. Theconnection port opening 85a at the lower portion of theconnection member 85 includes alint filter 85b configured to filter foreign substances contained in the air suctioned from thetub 20. The lint filter is provided with washingwater injection nozzle 86a configured to inject washing water to remove foreign substances sticking to thelint filter 85b. - As illustrated in
FIG. 6 , the washingwater injection nozzle 86a is connected to an outside water source (not shown) by a washingwater supply pipe 86b. At the washingwater supply pipe 86b, a washingwater supply valve 86c opening/closing the washingwater supply pipe 86b is provided. In addition, the washingwater supply pipe 86b and the washingwater supply valve 86c are separately provided from thewater supply pipe 51 and thewater supply valve 52, both of which supply the water to thetub 20, thereby supplying the washing water to the washingwater injection nozzle 86a during the drying cycle, in which the water is not supplied to thetub 20. The washingwater supply valve 86c may employ a solenoid valve which opens and closes thesupply water pipe 51 by an electric signal. -
FIG. 7 is a control block diagram illustrating the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIG. 7 , thewashing machine 1 includes acontrol unit 100, adriving unit 110, and astorage unit 120 to drive and control the drivingmotor 40, thewater supply unit 50, the water discharge unit 60, the dryingunit 80, and thecontrol panel 90. - The driving
unit 110 supplies current to drive the drivingmotor 40, thewater supply valve 52, thewater discharge pump 62, the drying heater 89, the blowingfan motor 84a, and the washingwater supply valve 86c by control signals of thecontrol unit 100. In particular, the drivingunit 110 may include an inverter (not shown) to drive the drivingmotor 40. - The
storage unit 120 may include a non-volatile memory (not shown) for permanent storage of control programs and control data of thewashing machine 1, such as a magnetic disc, a solid state disc, and the like, and a volatile memory (not shown) for temporary storage of data generated in the course of controlling the operation of thewashing machine 1, such as a D-RAM, S-RAM, and the like. - The
control unit 100 generates a control signal to control the drivingmotor 40, thewater supply unit 50, the water discharge unit 60, the dryingunit 80, and thecontrol panel 90 according to an operation command by a user, a detected result by theduct temperature sensor 83 and thetub temperature sensor 26. For example, if the user selects a wash course via thecontrol panel 90 and inputs a wash command, thecontrol unit 100 transmits a supplying water command signal to thedriving unit 120 so that thewater supply unit 50 opens thewater supply valve 52, and transmits a driving motor signal to the driving unit to drive the drivingmotor 40. - Heretofore, a configuration of the
washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described. - Hereinafter, a description will be given with respect to an operation of the washing machine that is, a drying operation, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- Referring to
FIG.2 , as described above, with respect to the overall operations of thewashing machine 1, thewashing machine 1 performs a washing cycle separating pollutants from the laundry by driving thedrum 30 after supplying detergents and water to thetub 20, a rinsing cycle rinsing the pollutant and the detergents from the laundry by driving thedrum 30 after supplying rinse additives and water to thetub 20, a spin-drying cycle removing water from the wet laundry by driving thedrum 30 at high speed , and a drying cycle drying the laundry by heating air inside thetub 20 and thedrum 30. - For example, during the washing cycle and the rinsing cycle, the
washing machine 1 may supply detergents and water to thetub 20 and rotate thedrum 30 clockwise and counterclockwise at a certain RPM. In particular, thewashing machine 1 may repeat operations including rotating thedrum 30 clockwise for approximately 20 seconds (on time), stopping thedrum 30 for 5 seconds (off time), rotating thedrum 30 counterclockwise for approximately 20 seconds (on time), and stopping thedrum 30 for 5 seconds (off time). In addition, during the drying cycle, thewashing machine 1 may rotate thedrum 30 clockwise or counterclockwise at hundreds or thousands of RPM. - During the drying cycle, the
washing machine 1 may rotate thedrum 30 clockwise or counterclockwise at hundreds of RPM and drive the blowing member 84 (refer toFIG. 3 ) and theheating heater 82. - Hereinafter, detailed operations of the
washing machine 1 during the drying cycle will be described. -
FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a drying cycle of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an air flow during the drying cycle of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 10 is a graph illustrating a temperature of inside of the drying duct during the drying cycle of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIGS 8 and10 , when the drying cycle is started, thewashing machine 1 detects the weight of laundry (410). For example, the washing machine1 rotates thedrum 30 at a predetermined RPM, and detects driving current supplied to the drivingmotor 40 when the drum is rotated at the predetermined RPM. Thewashing machine 1 calculates the amount (weight) of the laundry based on the detected driving current. In summary, thewashing machine 1 calculates the amount of the laundry based on a load of the drivingmotor 40. - Thereafter, the
washing machine 1 drives the blowingmember 84 and the drying heater 82 (415). Thewashing machine 1 suctions the air inside of thedrum 30 by driving the blowingmember 84, heats the air suctioned to the drivingduct 81 by driving the dryingheater 82, and exhausts the heated air to thetub 20 and thedrum 30. In particular, as illustrated inFIG. 9 , the air inside thedrum 30 is discharged to between thedrum 30 and thetub 20 throughholes 31b formed on an outer circumferential surface of thedrum 30, and the air inside thetub 20 is suctioned to the dryingduct 81 by theguide pipe 87 and theconnection member 85 both of which are disposed at the rear of thetub 20. In addition, the air introduced to the dryingduct 81 is directed to the front of the dryingduct 81 by the blowingmember 84, and then is heated by theheater 82. The heated air is discharged into theair intake port 21b disposed at the front of thetub 20. The air discharged into theair intake port 21b is introduced to the inside of thedrum 30 and contacts with the laundry inside thedrum 30 via theopening 32a (refer toFIG. 2 ) disposed at the front of thedrum 30. - Next, the
washing machine 1 detects a temperature (T) of the inside of the drying duct 81 (420). In particular, thewashing machine 1 may detect the temperature (T) of the inside of the dryingduct 81 by theduct temperature sensor 83 provided inside the dryingduct 81. As described above, theduct temperature sensor 83 disposed at the lower portion of the dryingheater 82 detects the temperature of the air heated by the dryingheater 82. - The
washing machine 1 determines whether the temperature (T) of the inside of the dryingduct 81 is equal to or higher than a predetermined high temperature limit (TH) (425). When driving the blowingmember 84 and the dryingheater 82, the temperature of the dryingduct 81 is increased, and then reaches the high temperature limit (TH), as illustrated in section 0-t1 and section t2-t3 ofFIG. 10 . In particular, section 0-t1 is a first time period of turning on the dryingheater 82 after thewashing machine 1 starts the drying cycle. Hereinafter, t1 will refer to a first period time of turning on the drying heater. - If the temperature (T) of the inside of the drying
duct 81 is less than the high temperature limit (TH) (No in 425), thewashing machine 1 repeatedly detects the temperature (T) of the inside of the dryingduct 81 while driving the blowingmember 84 and the dryingheater 82. - If the temperature (T) of the inside of the drying
duct 81 is equal to higher than the high temperature limit (TH) (Yes in 425) thewashing machine 1 stops driving the drying heater 82 (430). If the temperature (T) of the inside of the dryingduct 81 is steadily increased, there is a risk of fire. Therefore, if the temperature (T) of the inside of the dryingduct 81 exceeds the high temperature limit (TH), thewashing machine 1 stops driving the dryingheater 82. At this time, thewashing machine 1 maintains the driving of the blowingmember 84 so that drying of the laundry may be performed when the dryingheater 82 is not driven. - Next, the
washing machine 1 once again detects the temperature (T) of the inside of the drying duct 81 (435). As described above, thewashing machine 1 may detect the temperature (T) of the inside of the dryingduct 81 by theduct temperature sensor 83 provided inside the dryingduct 81. - The
washing machine 1 determines whether the temperature (T) of the inside of the dryingduct 81 is equal to or lower than a predetermined low temperature limit (TL) (440). When stopping driving of theheater 82 in a state where the blowingmember 84 is driven, the temperature of the dryingduct 81 is decreased, and then reaches the low temperature limit (TL), as illustrated in section t1-t2 ofFIG. 10 . - If the temperature (T) of the inside of the drying
duct 81d is higher than the low temperature limit (TL) (No in 440), thewashing machine 1 repeatedly detects the temperature (T) of the inside of the dryingduct 81 in a state where the dryingheater 82 is not driven. - If the temperature (T) of the inside of the drying
duct 81 is equal to or lower than the low temperature limit (TL) (Yes in 440) thewashing machine 1 drives the drying heater 82 (415) again. - As in the above, the washing machine repeatedly drives the drying
heater 82 and stops driving the dryingheater 82 according to the temperature (T) of the inside of the dryingduct 81 for a predetermined drying time based on the amount of the laundry. - While the
washing machine 1 performs the drying cycle, thedrum 30 provided inside thetub 20 continuously rotates, and pieces of textile fibers are separated from the laundry as the laundry inside thedrum 30 is dried. That is, friction between the laundry is generated due to the rotation of thedrum 30, so that the pieces of textile fibers are separated from the laundry. The pieces of textile fibers, as mentioned above, refer to lint. Lint is discharged to thetub 20 viaholes 31a of the drum 30 (refer toFIG. 2 ), is moved along theguide pipe 87, and is filtered by thelint filter 85b provided at theconnection member 85. In addition, as the drying cycle is performed, thelint filter 85b is slowly blocked by the lint. - If the
lint filter 85b is slowly blocked by the lint, the air inside thetub 20 and thedrum 30 is not introduced to the dryingduct 81, thereby reducing the drying efficiency. To prevent reduction of the drying efficiency, thewashing machine 1 determines whether thelint filter 85b is blocked, and washes thelint filter 85b when thefilter 85b is determined to be blocked. - Hereinafter, a method of the
washing machine 1 determining whether thelint filter 85b is blocked and a method of washing thelint filter 85b will be described. -
FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating determining whether the lint filter is blocked by the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIG. 11 , during the drying cycle, thewashing machine 1 detects the amount of the laundry (510), and drives the blowingmember 84 and the drying heater 82 (515). - Next, the
washing machine 1 initializes duct maximum temperature (Dmax) and tub maximum temperature (Wmax) (520). The duct maximum temperature (Dmax) refers to a maximum temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81 until driving the dryingheater 82 is initially stopped after thewashing machine 1 started to perform the drying cycle, and the tub maximum temperature (Wmax) refers to a maximum temperature of the inside of thetub 20 until driving the dryingheater 82 is initially stopped after thewashing machine 1 started to perform the drying cycle. - The
washing machine 1 detects the temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81 (525). The temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81 may be detected by theduct temperature sensor 83, as described above. - Next, the
washing machine 1 determines whether the temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81 detected through theoperation 525 is higher than the duct maximum temperature (Dmax) (530). - If the temperature of the inside of the drying
duct 81 is higher than the duct maximum temperature (Dmax) (Yes in 530), thewashing machine 1 updates the duct maximum temperature (Dmax). That is, if the temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81 is higher than the duct maximum temperature (Dmax), thewashing machine 1 inputs a present detected temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81 into the duct maximum temperature (Dmax). The temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81 is continuously increased until driving the dryingheater 82 is initially stopped after the drying cycle was initiated (time ti), as illustrated inFIG. 10 , and thereby the duct maximum temperature (Dmax) is updated while the dryingheater 82 is driven. - The
washing machine 1 detects the temperature of the inside of the tub 20 (540). Thewashing machine 1 may detect the temperature of the inside of thetub 20 by the tub temperature sensor provided inside thetub 20. - Next, the
washing machine 1 determines whether the temperature of the inside of thetub 20 detected through theoperation 540 is higher than the tub maximum temperature (Wmax) (545). - If the temperature of the inside of the
tub 20 is higher than the tub maximum temperature (Wmax) (Yes in 545), thewashing machine 1 updates the tub maximum temperature (Wmax). That is, if the temperature of the inside of thetub 21 is higher than the tub maximum temperature (Wmax), thewashing machine 1 inputs a present detected temperature of the inside of thetub 20 into the tub maximum temperature (Wmax). If the temperature of the inside of thetub 20 is less than the tub maximum temperature (Wmax) (No in 545) thewashing machine 1 does not update the tub maximum temperature (Wmax). - Next, the
washing machine 1 detects the temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81, determines whether the temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81 is higher than the duct maximum temperature (Dmax), and repeatedly updates the duct maximum temperature (Dmax) if the temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81 is higher than the duct maximum temperature (Dmax). Thewashing machine 1 detects the temperature of the inside of thetub 20, determines whether the temperature of the inside of thetub 20 is higher than the tub maximum temperature (Wmax), and repeatedly updates the tub maximum temperature (Wmax) if the temperature of the inside of thetub 20 is higher than the tub maximum temperature (Wmax). - In a state where the duct maximum temperature (Dmax) and the tub maximum temperature (Wmax) are repeatedly updated, if the temperature of the inside of the drying
duct 81 detected through theoperation 530 is less than the duct maximum temperature (Dmax) (No in 530), thewashing machine 1 determines whether a difference between the temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81 detected and the duct maximum temperature (Dmax) is equal to or greater than 2 degrees (555). There is a possibility that the temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81 may be incorrectly determined to be decreased since heat is not transmitted smoothly to theduct temperature sensor 83. Therefore, to confirm that the temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81 is decreased as a result of the dryingheater 82 being switched off, thewashing machine 1 determines that the temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81 is decreased only when a difference between the temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81 and the duct maximum temperature (Dmax) is equal to or greater than 2 degrees. In other words, 2 degrees is chosen as an appropriate threshold to ensure that the duct temperature is actually decreasing, but the threshold is not limited to this specific figure. - If the difference between the detected temperature of the inside of the drying
duct 81 and the duct maximum temperature (Dmax) is less than 2 degrees (No in 555), thewashing machine 1 does not update the duct maximum temperature (Dmax), detects the temperature of the inside of thetub 20 and updates the tub maximum temperature (Wmax) based on the detected temperature of the inside of the tub 20 (545 ,550). - If the difference between the detected temperature of the inside of the drying
duct 81 and the duct maximum temperature (Dmax) is equal to or greater than 2 degrees (Yes in 555), thewashing machine 1 calculates a filter blockage index (F) (560). The filter blockage index (F) refers to whether thelint filter 85b is blocked, and the extent of the blockage of thelint filter 85b. Thewashing machine 1 determines whether to wash thelint filter 85b depending on the filter blockage index (F). The filter blockage index is a measure of how blocked the filter is based on a temperature difference between the drying duct temperature and the tub temperature. - More specifically, the filter blockage index (F) is calculated based on the duct maximum temperature (Dmax), the tub maximum temperature (Wmax) and the first turning on time of the drying heater (ti of
FIG. 10 ), that is, a period of time between theheater 82 being initially turned on until theheater 82 is turned off. In particular, the filter blockage index (F) is calculated by formula 1 - If the
lint filter 85b is blocked by the lint, the air is not smoothly being circulated between the dryingduct 81 and thetub 20, and thus a difference between the temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81 and the temperature of the inside of thetub 20 is great. Therefore, the temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81 is rapidly increased so that the first turning on time of the drying heater (ti) is reduced. As a result, the filter blockage index (F) is great as thelint filter 85b is blocked by the lint. It may be determined that thelint filter 85b is severely blocked by the lint if the filter blockage index (F) is relatively large. - When the filter blockage index (F) is calculated, the
washing machine 1 determines whether to wash thelint filter 85b according to the filter blockage index (F). It is contemplated that thewashing machine 1 instantly washes the lint filter when thelint filter 85b is determined to be blocked based on the filter blockage index (F). - In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of determining whether the lint filter is blocked is carried out by determining the duct maximum temperature (Dmax) and the tub maximum temperature (Wmax) while the drying
heater 82 is driven, and then when the temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81 is decreased as a result of the drying heater being turned off, using the duct maximum temperature (Dmax) and the tub maximum temperature (Wmax) to determine whether the filter is blocked. -
FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a washing of the lint filter by the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 13 is a view illustrating a rotation of a drum during the washing of the lint filter by the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIG. 12 , thewashing machine 1 determines whether the filter blockage index (F) is equal to or larger than a first reference value (610). The first reference value refers to criteria to determine whether thelint filter 85b is blocked, and may be set through prior experiments. - If the filter blockage index (F) is less than the first reference value (No in 610), the
washing machine 1 determines that thelint filter 85b is not blocked. That is, thewashing machine 1 proceeds with the drying cycle without washing thelint filter 85b. - If the filter blockage index (F) is equal to or larger than the first reference value (Yes in 610), the
washing machine 1 continuously drives the blowingfan 84b at a lower speed (620). As described above, if the filter blockage index (F) is equal to or larger than the first reference value, thewashing machine 1 determines that thelint filter 85b is partially or completely blocked. Therefore, during the drying cycle, thewashing machine 1 may inject the washing water to thelint filter 85b to wash thelint filter 85b. However, as described above, during the drying cycle, the injected washing water may be introduced to the dryingduct 81 by the blowingfan 84b since the blowing fan is rotated at high speed. To prevent the injected washing water to be introduced to the dryingduct 81, the rotation speed of the blowingfan 84 b is reduced before injecting the washing water to thelint filter 85b. - As illustrated in
FIG. 13 , if theguide pipe 87 of the dryingunit 80 is disposed at an upper right portion of thetub 20, the washing machine may rotate thedrum 30 clockwise at low speed. In addition, if theguide pipe 87 of the dryingunit 80 is disposed at an upper left portion of thetub 20, the washing machine may rotate thedrum 30 counter clockwise at low speed, contrary to what was illustrated inFIG. 13 . By the rotation of thedrum 30, as in the above, the washing water is smoothly discharged. - Next, the
washing machine 1 determines whether the filter blockage index (F) is equal to or larger than a second reference value (625). The second reference value refers to criteria to determine whether thelint filter 85b is partially or completely blocked, and may be set through prior experiments. - If the filter blockage index (F) is equal to or larger than the second reference value (Yes in 625), the
washing machine 1 injects the washing water to thelint filter 85b for a first washing time (630). At this time, if the filter blockage index (F) is equal to or larger than the second reference value, thewashing machine 1 determines that thelint filter 85b is completely blocked. Therefore, thewashing machine 1 may inject the washing water for the first washing time, which is enough time to wash the completely blockedlint filter 85b. That is, thewashing machine 1 may open the washingwater supply valve 86c during the first washing time. - If the filter blockage index (F) is less than the second reference value (No in 625), the
washing machine 1 injects the washing water to thelint filter 85b for a second washing time (635). At this time, if the filter blockage index (F) is less than the second reference value, thewashing machine 1 determines that thelint filter 85b is partially blocked. Therefore, thewashing machine 1 may inject the washing water for the second washing time, which is enough time to wash the partially blockedlint filter 85b. That is, thewashing machine 1 may open the washingwater supply valve 86c during the second washing time. The second washing time is for example less than the first washing time. - Next, the
washing machine 1 returns to the drying cycle (640). That is, thewashing machine 1 completes washing the filter, and once again drives the blowingfan 84b at high speed. - Heretofore, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method of calculating the filter blockage index (F) and performing washing the
lint filter 85b based on the calculated filter blockage index (F) by thewashing machine 1 is described. - Hereinafter, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, and performing washing of the
lint filter 85b based on the temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81 and the temperature of the inside of thetub 20 by thewashing machine 1 will be described. -
FIG 14A and14B are flow charts illustrating determining whether a lint filter is blocked by a washing machine in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIGS. 14a and14b , during a drying cycle, awashing machine 1 detects the amount of the laundry (710), and drives a blowingmember 84 and a drying heater 82 (715). - Next, the
washing machine 1 detects an initial temperature of the tub 20 (720). The initial temperature of thetub 20 refers to a temperature of the inside of thetub 20 when thewashing machine 1 starts the drying cycle. When the drying cycle is initiated, thewashing machine 1 may attain the initial temperature of thetub 20 by thetub temperature sensor 26. - Next, the washing machine detects a temperature of the inside of the drying duct 81 (725). The
washing machine 1 may attain the temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81 by theduct temperature sensor 83 provided inside of the dryingduct 81. - Next, the
washing machine 1 determines whether the temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81 is equal to or higher than a reference temperature of the drying duct (730). The reference temperature of the drying duct may be changed according to the heat value of the dryingduct 81 and capacities of the dryingduct 81 and thetub 20, and may be set to be approximately 70 degrees to approximately 80 degrees. - If the temperature of the inside of the drying
duct 81 is less than the reference temperature of the drying duct (No in 730), thewashing machine 1 continuously detects the temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81. - If the temperature of the inside of the drying
duct 81 is equal to or higher than the reference temperature of the drying duct (Yes in 730), thewashing machine 1 determines whether a reference time expires from when the drying cycle was initiated (735). The reference time may be changed according to the heat value of the dryingduct 81 and capacities of the dryingduct 81 and thetub 20, and may be set to be approximately 5 minutes to approximately 10 minutes. - If the reference time expires from when the drying cycle was initiated (Yes in 735), the
washing machine 1 determines that thelint filter 85b is not blocked, and proceeds with the drying cycle (780). If the air is circulated normally between the dryingduct 81 and thetub 20, the temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81 is slowly increased together with the temperature of the inside of thetub 20, and thereby thewashing machine 1 may determine that thelint filter 85b is not blocked except when the temperature of the inside of the dryingduct 81 is quickly increased. - If the reference time does not expire from when the drying cycle was initiated (No in 735), the
washing machine 1 determines whether a first drying time expires from when the drying cycle was initiated (740). The first drying time may be changed according to the heat value of the dryingduct 81 and capacities of the dryingduct 81 and thetub 20, and may be set to be approximately 10 minutes to approximately 20 minutes. - If the first drying time expires, the
washing machine 1 detects the temperature of the inside of the tub 20 (745). - Next, the
washing machine 1 determines whether a difference between the temperature of the inside of thetub 20 detected through theoperation 745, and an initial temperature of the inside of thetub 20 is less than a reference temperature difference (750). The reference temperature difference may be changed according to the heat value of the dryingduct 81 and capacities of the dryingduct 81 and thetub 20, and may be set to be approximately 5 degrees to approximately 15 degrees. - If the difference between the temperature of the inside of the
tub 20 and the initial temperature of the inside of thetub 20 is equal to or higher than the reference temperature difference (No in 750), thewashing machine 1 determines that thelint filter 85b is not blocked, and proceeds with the drying cycle (780). The air is circulated normally between the dryingduct 81 and thetub 20, the temperatures of the inside of the dryingduct 81 is increased together with the temperature of the inside of thetub 20, and thereby thewashing machine 1 may determine that thelint filter 85b is not blocked when the temperature of the inside of thetub 20 is properly increased as compared to when the drying cycle is initiated. - If the difference between the temperature of the inside of the
tub 20 and the initial temperature of the inside of thetub 20 is less than the reference temperature difference (Yes in 750), thewashing machine 1 determines whether the temperature of the inside of thetub 20 detected through theoperation 745 is less than a first tub reference temperature (755). The first tub reference temperature may be changed according to heat value of the dryingduct 81 and capacities of the dryingduct 81 and thetub 20, and may be set to be approximately 25 degree to approximately 35 degree. - If the temperature of the inside of the
tub 20 is equal to or higher than the first tub reference temperature (No in 755), thewashing machine 1 determines that the lint filter is not blocked, and proceeds with the drying cycle (780). The air is circulated normally between the dryingduct 81 and thetub 20, the temperatures of the inside of thetub 20 is increased together with the temperature of the dryingduct 81, and thereby thewashing machine 1 may determine that thelint filter 85b is not blocked when the temperature of the inside of thetub 20 is properly increased. - If the temperature of the inside of the
tub 20 is less than the first tub reference temperature (Yes in 755), thewashing machine 1 determines whether a second drying time expires from when the drying cycle was initiated (760). The second drying time may be changed according to the heat value of the dryingduct 81 and capacities of the dryingduct 81 and thetub 20, and may be set to be approximately 20 minutes to approximately 30 minutes. - If the second drying time expires, the
washing machine 1 detects the temperature of the inside of the tub 20 (765). - Next, the
washing machine 1 determines whether the temperature of the inside of thetub 20 detected through theoperation 765 is less than a second tub reference temperature (770). The second tub reference temperature may be changed according to the heat value of the dryingduct 81 and capacities of the dryingduct 81 and thetub 20, and may be set to be approximately 35 degrees to approximately 45 degrees. - If the temperature of the inside of the
tub 20 is equal to or higher than the second tub reference temperature (No in 770), thewashing machine 1 determines that the lint filter is not blocked, and proceeds with the drying cycle (780). The air is circulated normally between the dryingduct 81 and thetub 20, the temperatures of the inside of thetub 20 is increased together with the temperature of the dryingduct 81, and thereby thewashing machine 1 may determine that thelint filter 85b is not blocked when the temperature of the inside of thetub 20 is properly increased. - If the temperature of the inside of the
tub 20 is less than the second tub reference temperature (Yes in 770), thewashing machine 1 determines that thelint filter 85b is blocked by the lint (775). - If the
lint filter 85b is determined to be blocked, thewashing machine 1 performs washing the lint filter, which will be described later, and then proceeds with the drying cycle. -
FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating a washing of a lint filter by a washing machine in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIG. 15 , thewashing machine 1 rotates the blowingfan 84b at low speed (810). If thelint filter 85b is determined to be blocked, thewashing machine 1 injects the washing water to thelint filter 86b to wash during the drying cycle. However, as described above, during the drying cycle, the injected washing water may be introduced to the dryingduct 81 by the blowingfan 84b since the blowing fan is rotated at high speed. To prevent the injected washing water to be introduced to the dryingduct 81, the rotation speed of the blowingfan 84 b is reduced before injecting the washing water to thelint filter 85b. In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 13 , if theguide pipe 87 of the dryingunit 80 is disposed at an upper right portion of thetub 20, the washing machine may rotate thedrum 30 clockwise at low speed. In addition, if theguide pipe 87 of the dryingunit 80 is disposed at an upper left portion of thetub 20, the washing machine may rotate thedrum 30 counter clockwise at low speed, on the contrary to as illustrated inFIG. 13 . By the rotation of thedrum 30, as in the above, the washing water is smoothly discharged. - Next, the
washing machine 1 injects the washing water to thelint filter 85b for the filter washing time (630). That is, thewashing machine 1 may open the washingwater supply valve 86c during the first washing time. - Next, the
washing machine 1 returns to the drying cycle (830). That is, thewashing machine 1 completes washing the filter, and rotates again the blowingfan 84b at high speed. - As in the above, the
washing machine 1 determines whether the lint filter is blocked during the drying cycle, washes thelint filter 85b according to the determined result, and thereby the optimal drying efficiency may be attained. - As is apparent from the above description, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, a washing machine may receive information of filter blockage and wash a lint filter according to the information of filter blockage during a drying cycle. In addition, the washing of the lint filter during the drying cycle allows the lint filter to be washed without performing a washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, or a spin cycle, and the air to be circulated between a drying duct and a tub.
- Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims.
Claims (13)
- A washing machine, comprising:a tub (20);a drum (30) rotatably installed inside the tub;a drying unit (80) comprising a fan (84b) configured to draw air from the tub and the drum into a drying duct (81), and a heater (82) configured to heat the drawn in air;a lint filter (85b) configured to filter foreign substances contained in the drawn in air; anda control unit (100) configured to control the heater and the fan;wherein the control unit is arranged to wash the lint filter (85b) according to the difference between the temperature of the drying duct (81) and the temperature of the tub (20),characterised in that the control unit (100) is arranged to reduce the rotation speed of the fan (84b) during washing of the lint filter (85b).
- The washing machine of claim 1, wherein:
the control unit (100) is arranged to calculate a filter blockage index based on the difference between the temperature of the drying duct (81) and the temperature of the tub (20) and an initial time period for which the heater was on, and is arranged to wash the lint filter (85b) according to the filter blockage index. - The washing machine of claim 2, wherein:
the control unit (100) is arranged to calculate the filter blockage index by dividing the difference between the temperature of the drying duct (81) and the temperature of the tub (20) by the initial time period. - The washing machine of claim 2 or 3, wherein:
the control unit (100) is arranged to wash the lint filter (85b) for a filter washing time according to the filter blockage index when the filter blockage index is equal to or larger than a predetermined reference value. - The washing machine of any one of the preceding claims, wherein:
the control unit is arranged to reduce a rotation speed of the drum (30) during washing of the lint filter. - The washing machine of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:a washing water injection nozzle (86a) configured to inject washing water to the lint filter;a washing water supply pipe (86b) configured to supply the washing water to the washing water injection nozzle; anda washing water supply valve (86c) configured to open/close the washing water supply pipe.
- The washing machine of claim 6, wherein:
the control unit is arranged to open the washing water supply valve depending on whether to wash the lint filter (85b), after the start of a drying cycle when the drying heater is initially turned off. - A method of controlling a washing machine, the method comprising:driving a fan (84b) configured to introduce air in a tub into a drying duct;driving a heater (82) configured to heat the air in the drying duct;turning off the drying heater when a temperature of the drying duct is equal to or higher than a high temperature limit, andwashing a lint filter (85b) according to the difference between the temperature of the drying duct (81) and the temperature of the tub (20), characterised in that:
the washing of the lint filter (85b) comprises reducing the rotation speed of the fan (84b). - The method of claim 8, wherein:
the washing of the lint filter comprises:
calculating a filter blockage index based on a difference between the temperature of the drying duct and the temperature of the tub and an initial time period for which the heater was on, and washing the lint filter (85b) according to the filter blockage index calculated. - The method of claim 9, wherein:
the calculation of the filter blockage index comprises dividing the difference between the temperature of the drying duct and the temperature of the tub by the initial time period. - The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein:
the washing of the lint filter (85b) according to the filter blockage index calculation comprises washing the lint filter for a filter washing time according to the filter blockage index if the filter blockage index is equal to or larger than a predetermined reference value. - The method of any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein:
the washing of the lint filter (85b) comprises supplying the washing water to a washing water injection nozzle (86a) injecting the washing water to the lint filter. - The method of any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein:
the washing of the lint filter comprises reducing a rotation speed of the drum.
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KR102515954B1 (en) | 2016-01-05 | 2023-03-30 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Laundry treating apparatus and control method for cleaning nozzle thereof |
KR102662308B1 (en) * | 2016-09-05 | 2024-04-30 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Laundry treating apparatus and control method for the same |
KR102350480B1 (en) | 2017-03-10 | 2022-01-17 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Washing machine and control method thereof |
JP7392937B2 (en) * | 2019-04-25 | 2023-12-06 | 青島海爾洗衣机有限公司 | Washing and drying machine |
WO2020249073A1 (en) * | 2019-06-14 | 2020-12-17 | 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 | Laundry treatment apparatus |
CN110373854A (en) * | 2019-07-30 | 2019-10-25 | 长虹美菱股份有限公司 | A kind of roller washes baking machine |
KR20220113024A (en) * | 2021-02-05 | 2022-08-12 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Laundry treatment apparatus |
CN114232297B (en) * | 2021-11-30 | 2023-08-11 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Drying equipment and control method |
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JP2006000188A (en) * | 2004-06-15 | 2006-01-05 | Toshiba Corp | Washing/drying machine |
KR100925908B1 (en) * | 2005-07-28 | 2009-11-09 | 샤프 가부시키가이샤 | Drum type drying and washing machine |
KR101663610B1 (en) * | 2009-05-28 | 2016-10-07 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Laundry Machine |
EP2607546A4 (en) * | 2010-08-19 | 2016-03-23 | Lg Electronics Inc | Laundry machine having a drying function, and method for controlling same |
KR20120017608A (en) * | 2010-08-19 | 2012-02-29 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Laundry machine having a drying function |
EP2581490B1 (en) * | 2011-10-13 | 2018-04-04 | LG Electronics Inc. | Clothes treatment apparatus and control method thereof |
KR101882275B1 (en) * | 2012-02-22 | 2018-07-26 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Laundry treating machine |
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- 2013-11-01 KR KR1020130132033A patent/KR102155034B1/en active IP Right Grant
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KR102155034B1 (en) | 2020-09-11 |
EP2868792A1 (en) | 2015-05-06 |
KR20150050856A (en) | 2015-05-11 |
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