KR100672369B1 - Method for washing by steam in drum type washer - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing method of a laundry apparatus, and more particularly, to provide a new washing method that enables a more smooth washing of laundry even with a small amount of washing water and low power consumption.

To this end, the present invention in the steam washing control to perform the washing by supplying steam into the drum, comprising the step of performing a sieve in the heating section for providing steam into the drum, for the circulation of the wash water Provided is a method of controlling a steam washing of a drum washing machine, wherein the driving time of the circulation pump is controlled based on a change time point at which the temperature gradient is shifted by the tub temperature detection.

Laundry unit, steam supply, drum washing machine, circulation pump, packing, temperature gradient

Description

Steam washing control method of drum washing machine {Method for washing by steam in drum type washer}

Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view for explaining the internal structure of a conventional drum washing machine

Figure 2 is a front sectional view for explaining the internal structure of a conventional drum washing machine

Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the washing apparatus according to the present invention

Figure 4 is a front sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the laundry apparatus according to the present invention

5 is an operation flowchart showing the entire stroke of the laundry machine according to the present invention.

6 is a flow chart for steam laundry control according to the present invention

7 is a flow chart for controlling the circulation pump during steam washing according to the present invention

8 is a graph showing the circulation pump driving control using the temperature change during the steam washing stroke according to the present invention

Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

110. Body 111.Inlet

112. Limbu 113. Washing water supply pipe

114. Detergent box 120. Tub

121. Drainage flow path 122. Heater for washing water

130. Drum 131. Through hole

140. Door 150. Temperature sensor

160. Circulation pump 170. Circulation flow path

210. Heater 220. Steam supply pipe

230. Injection nozzle

The present invention relates to a method of operating a washing apparatus, and more particularly, to a drum washing machine that enables efficient washing using a small amount of washing water by controlling the driving of a circulation pump by using a change in temperature due to tub water supply. It relates to a method for controlling the steam washing of.

Generally, a washing machine is classified into a pulsator washing machine in which a drum is set in a vertical direction, and a drum washing machine in which the drum is laid in a horizontal direction.

Here, since the drum washing machine is laid down in the horizontal direction as described above, the drum washing machine performs washing by dropping the laundry introduced into the drum.

1 and 2 schematically show a conventional structure of the aforementioned drum washing machine.

That is, the drum washing machine includes a main body 10, a tub 20 mounted in the main body 10, a drum 30 rotatably mounted in the tub 20, and the drum 30. It comprises a drive means for driving.

Here, an inlet 11 through which laundry is introduced is formed on the front surface of the main body 10, and a door 40 that opens and closes the inlet is mounted at a peripheral portion of the inlet 11.

In addition, a rim 50 for sealing between the door 40 and the inlet 11 is mounted on the inner circumference of the inlet 11.

In addition, the tub 20 is provided with dampers 21 at both bottoms of the outer circumferential surface thereof to form a state of being supported in the main body 10.

In addition, the driving means comprises a drive motor 71 for driving the drum 30, and a belt 72 connected to transfer the driving force of the drive motor 71 to the drum 30.

However, the conventional washing machine as described above not only consumes a lot of washing water unnecessarily even when washing a small amount of laundry and washing the laundry with a low contamination level, but also the process is performed at about the same time as the general washing process. Since it is made, the consumption of electricity is unnecessarily large.

In particular, performing the soaking process before washing is more effective in washing performance, but since the consumption of the washing water for the soaking process is considerably large, the soaking process is omitted in the normal washing process, thereby obtaining the best washing performance. It has a number of problems.

In addition, in the conventional washing process, there is no separate process for sterilizing laundry.

Of course, although not shown in recent years, a separate washing water heater for heating the washing water is also provided in the washing machine so that it can be boiled laundry structure, but since the sterilization of the laundry was made only by the boiling stroke is required for the boil administration Due to the increased washing water and power consumption is not preferred.

Therefore, there is a need for a new stroke that enables efficient washing of laundry even with a small amount of wash water and low power consumption.

The present invention has been made to solve the various problems of the prior art described above, by controlling the operation of the circulation pump using a change in temperature by the tub feed water to enable efficient washing using a small amount of washing water It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling a steam washing of a drum washing machine.

Steam washing control method of the drum washing machine according to the present invention for achieving the above object in the steam washing control to perform the washing by supplying steam into the drum, in the heating section for providing steam into the drum It includes the step of performing, characterized in that the driving time of the circulation pump for the circulation of the wash water is controlled based on the change time point of the temperature gradient transition by the tub temperature detection.

Here, when the time required for heating for steam supply is smaller than the reference time, it is preferable to further proceed to the filling step.

The target water level at the time of replenishment and the target water level at the time of initial water supply before the core filling step are set to be the same, or the target water level at the time of initial water supply is set higher.

And it is characterized in that the target water level is set so that the timing of the transition of the temperature gradient occurs and the time to reach the target water level at the time of water supply.

In this case, it is characterized in that the moment of contact with the wash water supplied with a temperature sensor for temperature sensing is set to the target water level.

The water supply completion time after the change of the temperature gradient occurs is controlled to be the driving time of the circulation pump.

And it is characterized in that the driving time of the circulation pump is controlled based on the time when the temperature gradient is the first transition after water supply.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments.

Referring to the accompanying drawings with respect to a preferred embodiment of the method for controlling steam washing of the drum washing machine according to the present invention will be described in detail as follows.

The present invention is to improve the efficiency of the washing stroke by performing the sieve by the circulation pump and the drum drive in the heating section for steam supply.

In addition, the driving of the circulation pump is controlled based on the temperature change of the tub so that the wash water is circulated in the most suitable section.

To this end, the slope of the temperature change of the tub is tracked and controlled to start the circulation pump at the time point of the temperature change by the tub feed.

3 and 4 are views illustrating an example of a drum washing machine having a steam supply unit for applying the method for controlling steam washing according to the present invention. The present invention relates to a washing machine having another type of steam supply unit and capable of steam washing. Naturally, it can be applied.

Washing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is largely the main body 110, the tub 120, the drum 130, the steam supply, the temperature sensor 150, the circulation pump 160, the circulation passage 170, a drum type washing machine is used as an example.

Here, the main body 110 forms the appearance of the drum washing machine, the inlet 111 is formed on the front thereof.

In this case, a door 140 for opening and closing the inlet 111 is mounted at a portion where the inlet 111 of the main body 110 is formed, and the door 140 and the inner peripheral surface of the inlet 111 are formed. Rim 112 for sealing between the inlet 111 is mounted.

In addition, the main body 110 is provided with a washing water supply pipe 113 for supplying the washing water into the tub 120, the detergent box 114 is provided on the pipeline of the washing water supply pipe 113.

In addition, the tub 120 is provided in a state of being supported in the main body 110.

At this time, the bottom of the tub 120 is connected to the drainage passage 121 for draining the wash water.

In addition, the lower portion of the tub 120 is further provided with a washing water heater 122 for heating the wash water supplied into the tub 120.

In addition, the drum 130 is rotatably installed in the tub 120, and is mounted such that a side opened toward the inlet 111 of the main body 110 is positioned.

In this case, a plurality of through holes 131 are formed on the circumferential surface of the drum 130 so that the washing water and steam supplied into the tub 120 may be introduced into the drum 130.

In addition, the steam supply unit is configured to provide a predetermined amount of steam into the tub 120 and / or the drum 130, and is provided with at least one.

The steam supply unit is installed to provide water into the tub 120 and / or the drum 130 by vaporizing water with high temperature heat, and a heat generating unit 210 which provides high temperature heat to vaporize water. It is configured to include a steam supply pipe 220 through which the flow of steam vaporized by the heating unit 210 is made.

In addition, the steam supply unit is configured to further include a spray nozzle 230 for discharging the steam flowing through the steam supply pipe 220 into the tub and / or the drum 130.

In this case, the injection nozzle 230 is configured in the shape of a nozzle (nozzle) to enable a smooth divergence of steam, the end of the injection nozzle 230 is discharged steam is directed to the inside of the drum 130 It is preferable to penetrate through 112.

In addition, the temperature sensor 150 is provided at any one portion of the tub 120 to sense a temperature inside the tub 120.

In this case, the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 150 is used to control the operation of the steam supply unit.

In particular, the temperature sensor 150 is preferably configured not to be directly affected by the steam provided into the tub 120 by the steam supply for sensing the correct temperature.

In addition, the circulation pump 160 is provided on the drain passage 121 connected to the tub 120, and is operated to circulate by pumping the washing water supplied into the tub 120.

In addition, the circulation passage 170 is connected to the circulation pump 160 and is a conduit for guiding the circulating flow of the wash water pumped by the circulation pump 160.

At this time, the side of the washing water discharged at the end of the circulation passage 170 is installed to face the inner wall surface of the drum 130 through the rim 112.

In particular, the end of the circulation passage 170 is more preferably connected to the steam supply pipe 220 as in the accompanying drawings in the embodiment of the present invention.

Steam washing of the drum washing machine configured as described above proceeds as follows.

5 is an operation flowchart showing the entire stroke of the laundry machine according to the present invention.

First, water is supplied to the tub and steam supply unit, and the water supply is stopped when the water supply is completed up to the set level.

In addition, while the heating operation for the generation of steam, the circulation pump is driven to uniformly penetrate the detergent and reduce the number of wash water, and the water is re-supplied in the tub according to the level detection result.

When the heating is completed up to the set temperature, washing is performed for the set time.

During such washing process, the water is resupplied in the tub according to the water level detection, and the driving of the circulation pump is repeatedly performed based on the set number of times or the set time in the circulation pump driving section based on the temperature change of the tub.

After washing is performed for a set time, drainage, dehydration and rinsing are performed.

The present invention provides a more precise method for controlling steam washing in order to reduce the amount of washing water used, reduce the power consumption, and increase the washing effect in the new type of steam washing operation.

Referring to the steam laundry control method according to the present invention in detail.

6 is a flow chart for steam laundry control according to the present invention.

Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, when the power supply is made and the quantity detection proceeds, the water supply valve is turned on to supply the wash water to the tub and the steam supply (SG) (S601).

Here, the reference water level set for supplying the wash water may be different according to the quantity of the water on the basis of the quantity detection value. However, the water level may be set equally at all the water levels at the minimum level regardless of the amount of water to reduce the washing water.

And the set water level should be set equal to the standard level at the time of the first water supply and the standard level at the next additional water supply, or the standard level at the time of the first water supply and the subsequent additional water supply Set the water level differently.

In the case where the set water level is different, it is preferable to set the water level as a reference value at the time of additional water supply to be smaller than the water level at the initial water supply, thereby increasing the effect of reducing the number of washing water.

In addition, the present invention is applied to both an algorithm for setting the water level differently based on the detected quantity of water and an algorithm for setting the same water level to the minimum possible washing regardless of the amount of water.

Subsequently, when it is determined that the target water level is reached as a result of the water level detection (S602), the water supply valve is turned off to stop the water supply.

In addition, the steam is supplied by proceeding heating to the set temperature to generate the steam to the atmosphere inside the drum to a high temperature state, and to drive the circulation pump and drum motor for the sake of the laundry and uniform penetration of detergent. (S604)

The packing of laundry is carried out for various purposes such as creating a laundry atmosphere in the drum, preventing damage to the laundry due to high temperature steam, and uniform penetration of detergent.

Here, the driving section of the circulation pump is made based on the temperature change of the tub, which will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 7.

And by using the steam at a high temperature so as to achieve a temperature that can obtain the most efficient washing performance by the activation of the detergent inside the drum to improve the washing effect, wherein the temperature is more than 40 ℃, preferably Preferably between 40 ° C and 80 ° C.

While driving the heating and circulation pump and the drum motor as described above, the water level in the steam generator (SG) and the tub is sensed (S605) to determine whether additional water supply is necessary.

If it is determined that additional water is required, the water is supplied while the circulating pump is turned off (S607), or it is determined whether the current temperature in the drum has risen to the set temperature without additional water (SS608).

If the current temperature in the drum does not rise to the set temperature, the process is repeated from the step of detecting the water level while driving the circulation pump and the drum motor according to the setting criteria.

When the current temperature in the drum does not rise to the set temperature, the heating operation for steam supply is continued, and the water level of the steam supply unit is sensed to determine whether water supply is required for the steam supply unit (S609).

If it is determined that water supply is required in the steam supply unit, the heating is stopped and the heating is continued after the water supply is continued (S610). If it is determined that the water supply is not necessary, the heating is continued until the temperature inside the drum increases to the set temperature.

When the temperature inside the drum has risen to the set temperature, the heater of the steep supply part is turned off.

Further, in comparison with the reference time set for the SG heating time and the most appropriate state of initiation (S612), if the SG heating time is small (S613), it is determined that the initiation of the initiation is not sufficient, and an additional initiation step is performed. Proceed (S614).

This is to prevent the washing effect from deteriorating due to a subsequent stroke in a state in which the current laundry is not optimized enough for the subsequent stroke when the heating capacity for the steam generation is short because the capacity of the heater is sufficient.

If the SG heating time is large, it is determined that the execution of the foaming has been sufficiently performed, and the subsequent washing operation is performed without a separate loading core. (S615)

Subsequent strokes include washing strokes and rinsing and dehydrating strokes which are carried out through the rotation of the drum and the on / off drive of the circulation pump without supply of steam.

And the driving of the circulation pump in the method for controlling the steam washing of the drum washing machine of the present invention detects the temperature change of the tub as follows and determines the driving section of the circulation pump based on this.

7 is a flow chart for controlling the circulating pump driving during steam washing according to the present invention, Figure 8 is a graph showing the circulating pump driving control using the water level change and temperature change during the steam washing stroke according to the present invention.

The driving control of the circulation pump according to the present invention is calculated by using the temperature detection value of the tub temperature sensor to control the time point at which the change in the slope according to the temperature change is detected as the driving time point of the circulation pump.

This is to allow the circulation of the wash water in an optimal state by controlling the driving of the circulation pump according to the temperature change.

FIG. 7 illustrates the control process of the section “A” of FIG. 6 in detail.

First, the tub temperature is detected (S701), and the detected temperature value is compared with previous temperature values to detect a time point at which the temperature gradient is changed (S702).

If there is no change in the temperature gradient, it is determined whether rewatering is necessary based on the water level detection result (S704).

If it is determined that the water supply is necessary, the water supply is re-watered into the tub while the circulation pump is turned off, and the temperature detection and the temperature gradient change detection steps are repeated.

If there is a change in the temperature gradient (S703), the change point (or section) is determined as the start point of the driving of the circulation pump (S706).

Then, the circulation pump is driven in the corresponding section (S707). That is, the time point at which the change in the temperature gradient is detected is the on point of the circulation pump.

Such a change in temperature gradient is caused by the supply of the washing water. A detailed principle will be described below with reference to FIG. 8.

In the graph of FIG. 9, (a) is an air level where washing water is almost absent in the tub, and (b) shows a set water level when additional water is supplied. The water level is a washing water heater and a temperature sensor of the washing machine. The water level at the moment of contact with the supplied wash water.

In the case of additional water supply, the target water level is set to a lower level than the initial water supply in order to reduce the washing water used.

Therefore, the temperature sensor is exposed to the air and detects the ambient temperature until water is supplied to (b) the water level.

And (c) shows the set water level at the time of initial water supply, and in the initial water supply, the washing water is absorbed by the laundry which does not contain any washing water. .

In the graph of FIG. 8, sections T0 to T1, sections T2 to T3, and sections T4 to T5 are water supply sections where washing water is supplied, sections T1 to T2, sections T3 to T4, and sections T5 to T6 provide circulation of the washing water. For the circulation pump drive section.

In the graph of FIG. 8, the driving of the circulation pump and the water supply of the washing water are performed three times, but the number of times is not fixed.

First, the water level detected by starting the initial water supply gradually rises (c) and stops water supply when it reaches the water level (T0 ~ T1).

In this way, when water supply is completed, heating for steam generation is performed.

In this initial water supply, when the water level passes (b), the temperature sensor contacts the wash water supplied, so that the change in the temperature gradient is detected as in (d).

Of course, when the target water level at the time of initial water supply and additional water supply is the same, it is natural that the shape of the point of change of temperature gradient of (D) and (B) is the same.

As shown in (D), when the first transition change of the temperature gradient is detected, the corresponding time is determined as the start time of the driving section of the circulation pump to drive the circulation pump.

When the set water level during initial water supply is increased as in (C), the change in temperature gradient is detected without stopping the water supply as in (D) .In this case, after the change in temperature gradient is detected The completion time of water supply is determined as the time of driving the circulation pump.

The circulation of the wash water is made by the driving of the circulation pump, and in this state, the temperature generated by the steam generated by the heating is continuously supplied into the drum.

Here, while the temperature sensor is in contact with the wash water, the washing water is absorbed by the laundry, and the detected water level is lowered.

In this state, if water level is detected, additional water is supplied again, which is performed when the circulation pump is turned off.

The transition of the temperature gradient is detected at the time T3 when the water level rises by the additional water supply and reaches the water level where the temperature sensor contacts the wash water.

The time point (e) of change of the temperature sensing slope is determined as the driving time point of the circulation pump.

Further water is supplied again at the time point T4 at which the air level (a) is detected, which is performed when the circulation pump is turned off.

The transition of the temperature gradient is sensed at the time T5 when the water level rises by the additional water supply and reaches the water level where the temperature sensor contacts the wash water.

The time point (bar) of the change of the temperature sensing slope is determined as the driving time point of the circulation pump.

Although the embodiment of the present invention for controlling the transition time point of the temperature gradient using the same principle as the start point of the driving section of the circulation pump has been described in FIG. 6, it is only applied when the circulation pump is driven in the SG heating step. Naturally, the same applies to the operation of the circulation pump in the washing step in which the steam supply is completed and proceeds for a set time.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the embodiments, but should be defined by the claims.

As described above, the steam washing control method of the drum washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention has the effect that it is possible to wash the laundry with a small amount of washing water consumption and low power consumption.

In particular, since the circulation pump and drum drive for the core in the heating section for steam supply without a separate core core section to enable efficient washing in a short time.

In addition, when the heating capacity for steam generation is short because the capacity of the heater is sufficient, the washing process may be performed by proceeding to the next step after making the laundry optimally efficient by performing an additional washing step. The effect can be enhanced.

And by controlling the driving of the circulation pump on the basis of the change in the temperature gradient of the water supply to enable more accurate washing control, it is possible to minimize the amount of washing and at the same time optimize the washing performance.

Claims (12)

In the steam washing control to perform the washing by supplying steam into the drum, Performing a sieve in a heating section for providing steam into the drum, The method of controlling the steam washing of a drum washing machine, characterized in that the driving time of the circulation pump for circulation of the washing water is controlled based on a change time point at which the temperature gradient is shifted by the tub temperature detection. The method of claim 1, wherein the additional washing step is further performed when the time required for heating for steam supply is smaller than the reference time. The method of claim 1, wherein if it is determined that additional water supply is necessary according to the water level detection result, the water supply is resupplied to a preset water level, and the driving of the circulation pump is stopped during the water supply. The method of claim 3, wherein the target water level set for water supply is set differently according to the amount of water or is set to the minimum amount that can be washed regardless of the amount of water. The steam washing of the drum washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the target water level at the time of replenishment and the target water level at the initial water supply before the filling stage are set equal, or the target water level at the initial water supply is set higher. Control method. The method for controlling steam washing of a drum washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the target water level is set to coincide with the timing at which the change in the temperature gradient occurs and the timing at which the target water level is reached during water supply. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the moment of contacting the wash water supplied with the temperature sensor for temperature sensing is set to a target water level. The steam washing control method according to claim 1, wherein the water supply completion time after the change of the temperature gradient occurs is controlled to be the driving time of the circulation pump. The method of claim 8, wherein if it is determined that additional water is required for the steam supply unit SG in the heating section, the heating is stopped during the additional water supply and heating is performed again when the water supply is completed. . The method of claim 1, in order to determine the driving time of the circulation pump, Detecting a time point at which the temperature gradient is changed by performing a tub temperature detection, comparing the detected temperature value with previous temperature values; If there is a change in the temperature gradient, the change time point is determined as the start time of the driving section of the circulation pump, and the step of driving the circulation pump in the section, characterized in that the steam washing control method for a drum washing machine. 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising: determining whether refilling is necessary based on the level detection result if there is no change in the temperature gradient; If it is determined that the re-water supply is necessary, the method of controlling the steam washing of the drum washing machine, characterized in that to repeat the step of re-watering the tub and detecting the temperature change and the temperature gradient change. The method of claim 1, wherein the driving time of the circulation pump is controlled based on the time when the temperature gradient is the first transition after water supply.

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