KR100672590B1 - Operating method in washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing method of a washing apparatus, and when an abnormality occurs in a washing water circulation system that circulates water in a tub into a drum, it prevents damage to laundry due to steam and enables effective washing.

To this end, the present invention comprises the steps of watering the wash water into the tub; Forcibly circulating the wash water supplied to the inside of the tub through the outside of the tub to the inside of the drum by using a circulation pump; Operating a steam generator to supply steam into the drum; Measuring the amount of change in the wash water level in the tub after the set time (t) has elapsed since the circulation pump is operated; When the washing water level change amount measured in the level change amount measuring step is less than the set value, the operation of the steam generator is stopped, and providing a washing method comprising a washing device comprising the step of switching to the normal washing mode.

Washing equipment, steam supply, circulation pump, circulation pump

Description

Operating method in washing machine

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

5A and 5B are flowcharts illustrating a washing method of a washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

110. Body 111.Inlet

112. Gasket 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

151. Cover 160. Circulation Pump

170. Circulating flow path 180. Feed valve assembly

210. Steam generator 220. Steam supply pipe

230. Injection nozzle

The present invention relates to a method of operating a laundry apparatus, and more particularly, to a method of performing a laundry with a laundry apparatus capable of washing using steam.

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 the structure of a conventional 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 gasket 50 for sealing between the door 40 and the inlet 11 is mounted at an 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, in recent years, as shown in the accompanying drawings, a separate washing water heater 60 for heating the washing water is provided in the tub 20 so that the washing can be boiled, but the sterilization of the laundry only by the boiling stroke. Because of this, life is not preferred due to the increase in the amount of wash water and power consumed for the administration.

Therefore, recently, a new washing apparatus has been developed that can further improve the washing performance of the laundry even with a small amount of washing water and low power consumption by discharging hot steam into the drum of the washing machine and also provide a sterilization function. have.

However, such a conventional washing machine having a steam injection function is abnormal in the process of performing washing using steam when an abnormality occurs in a steam generator that generates and sprays steam or other components supplying washing water into the drum. The generated device or a device associated therewith may be damaged or the laundry may be damaged by the high temperature steam that is sprayed. This causes the laundry to be stopped and stability is lowered.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems with the prior art, an object of the present invention is to safely protect the various devices and / or laundry of the washing machine when an abnormality occurs in the process of performing the washing by spraying steam, It is to provide a washing method of a washing apparatus so that an appropriate washing process can be performed.

In particular, the present invention provides a washing method of the washing apparatus to prevent damage to the laundry due to steam, when the abnormality occurs in the washing water circulation system for forcibly circulating the water of the tub inside the drum. Has its purpose.

Washing method of the present invention for achieving the above object, the step of watering the wash water into the tub; Forcibly circulating the wash water in the tub into the drum through the tub outside using a circulation pump; Supplying steam into the drum; Detecting abnormalities in the wash water circulation through the circulation pump; If the washing water circulation abnormality is detected in the above step provides a washing method of a laundry device configured to include the step of stopping the steam supply and switching to the normal washing mode.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the step of supplying the wash water into the tub; Forcibly circulating the wash water supplied to the inside of the tub through the outside of the tub to the inside of the drum by using a circulation pump; Operating the steam generator to supply steam into the drum until the internal temperature reaches the target temperature T; Measuring the amount of change in the wash water level inside the tub after the set time (t) has elapsed after operating the circulation pump; Stopping the operation of the steam generator when the amount of change in the washing water level measured in the step is less than or equal to the set value, and switching to the normal washing mode; If the wash water level change measured in the step exceeds the set value, the step (a) (b) (d) is repeatedly performed until the internal temperature of the tub reaches the target temperature A washing method of a constructed laundry apparatus is provided.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the washing method of the laundry apparatus according to the present invention.

First, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the washing apparatus 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 The pump 160, the circulation passage 170, and a water level sensor (not shown) for detecting the washing water level inside the tub, the drum type washing machine is an embodiment.

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. A gasket 112 for sealing between the inlets 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.

In this case, a drain passage 121 for draining the washing water (or washing water) is connected to the lower end of the tub 120.

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 configured to provide water into the tub 120 and / or the drum 130 by steaming water with high temperature hot air, and providing a high temperature heat to steam water water 210. And a steam supply pipe 220 through which the steam steamed by the steam generator 210 flows, and steam flowing through the steam supply pipe 220 to the inside of the tub and / or the drum 130. It is configured to include a spray nozzle 230. Although not shown in the drawing, the steam generator 210 directly generates a steam by heating the supplied washing water or by heating the vessel of the steam generator (not shown) (hereinafter referred to as 'steam heater'). Is installed).

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, the discharge of the steam is directed to the gasket 112 to the inside of the drum 130 It is preferable to be installed through.

In addition, the temperature sensor 150 is provided at any one portion of the tub 120 to sense a temperature inside the tub 120. The temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 150 may be used for the operation of the steam supply unit and the control of the washing water heater 122.

On the other hand, reference numeral 180 is a water supply valve assembly 180 for selectively supplying the wash water supplied from the outside to the detergent box 114 and the steam generator 210, 181 is the detergent box 114 Washing water supply valve for controlling the supply of the wash water into the tub 120 through, 182 is a steam water supply valve for controlling the water supply for steam generation to the steam generator (210).

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 circulation flow of the washing water pumped by the circulation pump 160.

At this time, it is preferable that 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 gasket 112. The end of the circulation passage 170 may be connected to the steam supply pipe 220 as shown in the accompanying drawings as an embodiment of the present invention, otherwise may be separated separately and connected to the drum.

Hereinafter, a washing method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention using the above-described drum type washing machine will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5A and 5B.

First, when a request for washing is performed by a user, a controller (not shown) constituting the washing apparatus controls the washing water supply valve 181 of the water supply valve assembly 180 to wash the water into the tub 120. To feed (S11).

At this time, the wash water passes through the detergent box 114 provided on the pipeline of the wash water supply pipe 113 while water is supplied through the wash water supply pipe 113.

In the detergent box 114, since a predetermined amount of detergent is stored, the wash water supplied into the tub 120 contains detergent stored in the detergent box 114.

At this time, the water level of the wash water to be supplied is most preferably such that the level of the bottom surface of the drum 130 is locked, that is, the level ("first water level") that the laundry in the drum 130 is wet. Do.

Meanwhile, while washing water is supplied to the tub 120, a predetermined amount of water is also supplied into the steam generator 210 through the steam water supply valve 182 of the water supply valve assembly 180 (S21).

Then, when the above-described water supply process is completed, the drum 130 is driven to proceed with washing with the water in the highly concentrated washing water. At the same time, the circulation pump 160 operates so that the washing water accumulated in the tub 120 is circulated through the upper portion of the drum 130 through the circulation passage 170 so that the laundry inside the drum is evenly wetted. That is, the packing core is advanced by the circulation pump 160. (S12)

And, as described above, while the core is made, the steam heater (not shown) of the steam generator 210 is operated while the tub 120 and / or through the steam supply pipe 220 and the injection nozzle 230 Steam is injected into the drum 130. (S22)

On the other hand, the laundry inside the drum absorbs the wash water while the bubble core by the circulation pump 160 as described above is gradually reduced the wash water level in the tub. Therefore, when the bubbling core by the circulation pump 160 proceeds for a predetermined time t, the rotation of the drum 130 is stopped and the operation of the circulation pump 160 is stopped (S13). C) detect the wash water inside the tub.

At this time, the steam supply through the steam supply unit continues.

And, if the water level inside the tub 120 is lower than the preset second water level, the water supply is re-supplied as much as the second water level into the tub 120 under the control of the water supply valve assembly 180 (S14), and set again. While the drum 130 rotates reciprocally in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction during the time, the circulation pump 160 is operated to circulate the washing water, thereby carrying out the packing.

Thereafter, the water supply is repeated through the tub 120, and the drum 130 and the circulation pump 160 are periodically turned on / off as described above, and the core is made several times. . Typically, the re-water recovery into the tub in a normal state is made five or more times, but may vary depending on various factors, such as the capacity and volume of the washing machine.

On the other hand, while hot water is injected into the drum 130 continuously or intermittently through the steam supply while the refilling water into the tub, the drum rotation, and the immersion by the operation of the circulation pump 160 is in progress. The atmosphere inside the drum 130 is controlled to achieve the most effective temperature for washing performance.

In other words, by using the above-described high-temperature steam to the drum inside to achieve the temperature (approximately 40 ℃ to 60 ℃) to obtain the most efficient washing performance by activation of the detergent to improve the washing effect.

As described above, the washing water is re-supplied several times in the tub 120, and the temperature in the tub 120 detected by the temperature sensor 150 while the circulation pump 160 and the drum 130 are rotated. Reaches a predetermined target temperature T (for example, 40 ° C. to 60 ° C.) (S23), the steam supply through the steam generator is stopped (S24), and the washing water is supplied to the tub to the third water level. (S25)

Subsequently, post-washing is performed by a program set while the drum 130 rotates clockwise and counterclockwise. (S26) At this time, in the tub 120 using the washing water heater 122 during the post-washing process. Washing may be performed by heating the wash water to a predetermined temperature, and as described above, the circulation pump 160 may be operated at a predetermined time interval to perform washing while circulating the wash water.

After the post-washing is completed, the selected stroke is performed in turn, such as a rinse stroke and a dehydration stroke.

On the other hand, while the washing machine of the present invention, while performing the siege using the circulation pump 160 while supplying steam into the drum as described above, abnormality occurs in the circulation pump 160 or the circulation flow path 170 is blocked. When the abnormality occurs in the circulation system and the washing water circulation is not normally performed, by stopping the steam supply through the steam generating unit and switching to the normal washing mode to prevent damage to the laundry.

That is, the circulation pump 160 is operated and stopped for a predetermined time (t), and then the water level change is measured by a water level sensor (not shown) (S16), and when the measured water level change is less than or equal to the set value, the circulation pump ( It is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the circulation system including the 160, the operation of the steam generator 210 of the steam generator is stopped, and the supply of steam to the drum is stopped (S31), and then the normal washing mode is switched (32). ), The tub 120 is resupplied to the third water level and proceeds to post-laundry. (S33)

As such, the reason for determining the abnormality of the circulation system by the change in the water level after the operation of the circulation pump 160 is that, if an abnormality occurs in the circulation system including the circulation pump 160, the water is not circulated and the core is not formed. Therefore, fluctuations in the water level of the wash water in the tub hardly occur.

Of course, in this embodiment, the rotation of the drum 130 is stopped, and after the power supply to the circulation pump 160 is cut off, the amount of water level is sensed to determine the abnormality of the circulation system so that more accurate water level measurement can be made. . However, unlike the above, the circulation system 160 may be judged to have an abnormality in the circulation system by the change in the water level for a predetermined time while the circulation pump 160 is operated, that is, while the power is continuously supplied to the circulation pump 160.

In addition, the reference set value for detecting the abnormality of the circulation system by the water level change amount is preferably set differently according to the amount of water.

In addition, even when the number of times of resupply to the tub 120 is less than or equal to the set number of times, it may be determined that an abnormality has occurred in the circulation system, so that the steam supply may be stopped and the mode may be switched to the normal washing mode.

More specifically, after stopping the circulation pump 160, if the measured wash water level in the tub is greater than or equal to the second water level, the tub resupply water recovery is checked (S17), and the water supply is stopped (S18). If the number of times of tub replenishment is less than the set number of times (for example, five times), it is determined that the washing water is not circulated and the abnormality of the circulation system. This is because, if an abnormality occurs in the circulation system and only a small amount of the washing water is circulated, the water is refilled in a state in which the laundry is not sufficiently filled. This is because the water level is reached.

Therefore, even when the number of times of resupply water is more than the set number of times, it is preferable to stop the water supply to the steam generator 210 and to stop the operation of the steam heater (not shown) to switch to the normal washing mode.

The general washing mode is a process of performing a washing stroke without supplying steam to the drum 130 as in the washing stroke of the conventional washing machine. For example, as in the above washing, the washing water is supplied to the tub 120 to the third water level, and the laundry is washed while the drum 130 is rotated clockwise and counterclockwise. Of course, at this time, washing may be performed by washing the washing water to a predetermined temperature using the washing water heater 122, but the circulation of the washing water using the circulation pump 160 is not performed because there is an abnormality in the circulation system.

As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the hot steam is injected into the drum during washing, thereby making the drum atmosphere at a desired high temperature, thereby further reducing the amount of washing water consumed and power consumption. There is an effect that can be performed effectively.

In particular, the washing method of the present invention has the effect of preventing damage to the laundry inside the drum since the steam supply is stopped when the abnormality in the wash water circulation system, including the circulation pump is switched to the normal washing mode.

Claims (13)

(A) watering the wash water into the tub; (B) forcibly circulating the wash water in the tub into the drum through the tub outside using a circulation pump; (C) supplying steam into the drum while the wash water in the tub is circulated; (D) detecting abnormalities in the wash water circulation through the circulation pump; (E) if the washing water circulation abnormality is detected in the step (d) stops the steam supply and comprises the step of switching to the normal washing mode. The method of claim 1, wherein the step (d) comprises: measuring a change amount of the wash water level in the tub after the set time (t) has elapsed after the operation of the circulation pump; When compared with the lower than the set value washing method of the laundry machine, characterized in that the step consisting of determining the washing water circulation abnormality. The method according to claim 2, wherein if the wash water level change measured in the step (d) is equal to or greater than a set value, the (a) (b) (c) (d) until the internal temperature of the tub reaches the target temperature (T). Method for washing a laundry machine, characterized in that to perform the step repeatedly. According to claim 3, If the washing water level in the tub after the step (b) is above the set level, if the number of times to perform the step (a) is less than the set number of times stop the operation of the steam generator and general washing Mode, and if the number of times the step (a) exceeds the set number of times, the step (a) is to be stopped until the tub internal temperature reaches the target temperature (T). How to wash. The method of claim 1, The general washing mode may include supplying water to a predetermined set level inside the tub; And washing the drum in both directions for a set time. The method of claim 5, wherein the general washing mode further comprises heating the washing water until the temperature inside the tub reaches a set temperature using a washing water heater. . The washing method according to claim 2, wherein the determining of the water level change in the step (d) is performed immediately after the supply of power to the circulation pump is stopped. The washing method according to claim 2, wherein the determining of the water level change in the step (d) is performed while power is supplied to the circulation pump. The method according to claim 1 or 2, Wherein (c) is the washing method of the laundry machine, characterized in that the continuous progress until the target temperature (T) from the time point (b) is started once. The method of claim 1, Washing method of the laundry machine, characterized in that the drum is rotated in at least one direction when the step (b). (A) watering the wash water into the tub; (B) forcibly circulating the wash water supplied into the tub through the outside of the tub into the drum by using a circulation pump; (C) operating the steam generator while the wash water in the tub is circulated to supply steam into the drum until the internal temperature of the tub reaches the target temperature (T); (D) measuring the amount of change in the wash water level in the tub after the set time (t) after the operation of the circulation pump; (E) stopping the operation of the steam generator when the washing water level change measured in step (d) is less than or equal to a predetermined value, and switching to a normal washing mode; (F) If the wash water level change measured in step (e) exceeds the set value, repeat steps (a) (b) (d) (d) until the internal temperature of the tub reaches the target temperature. Laundry method comprising a laundry device comprising the step of performing. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of reciprocating the drum in both directions during the step (b). 12. The method of claim 11, wherein if the washing water level in the tub after the step (b) is above the set level, if the number of times to perform the step (a) is less than the set number of times, the operation of the steam generator is stopped and the general washing mode When the number of times to perform the step (a) exceeds the set number of times, the washing step of (a) is to be stopped until the internal temperature of the tub reaches the target temperature (T) Way.

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