KR100835356B1 - Washing Machine and Control Method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a washing machine having a washing machine barrel drying function for removing water remaining in a washing tank and a rotating tank after washing of laundry is finished and a control method thereof. .

To this end, the method for controlling the barrel drying function of the washing machine according to the present invention measures the temperature and humidity inside the washing tank when the barrel drying function is selected in the first step of determining whether the barrel drying function is selected or not. Calculate the relative humidity in the washing tank using the temperature and humidity, and when the relative humidity in the second step and the second step comparing the calculated relative humidity with the set value, the rotation speed of the rotating tank and the temperature inside the washing tank And a third step of controlling the air flow, and determining drying conditions inside the washing tank in the drying process of the tub, and controlling the rotation of the rotating tub and the operation of the tub drying unit according to the determined drying conditions, thereby providing a drying effect and energy consumption. Provides more efficient barrel drying.

Description

Washing machine and control method

1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

* Description of symbols on the main parts of the drawings *

20: drying unit 21: blowing fan

22: drying duct 23: condensation duct

24: drying heater 100: control unit

The present invention relates to a washing machine and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a washing machine having a washing machine barrel drying function for removing water remaining in a washing tank and a rotating tank after washing of laundry is finished and a control method thereof. .

In general, a washing machine (usually, a drum washing machine) includes a drum-type washing tank containing washing water and a rotating tank rotatably installed inside the washing tank, into which laundry is put, and the laundry therein when the cylindrical rotating tank rotates. It is a device to be washed by the force to drop the upper side to drop.

After washing the laundry, the washing machine is generally left for a long time in the laundry inlet, that is, the door is closed or opened until the next use, and as a result, mold and harmful bacteria are multiplied by the detergent and water remaining in the washing tank and the rotating tank. This will cause a variety of hygiene problems.

Therefore, the conventional washing machine uses a method in which the washing tank and the rotating tank are dried using a natural ventilation by air circulation by installing an air hole in the washing tank, but the above problem cannot be solved because the driving force causing the air circulation is weak.

In order to solve this problem, a method of drying the inside of a washing machine for a predetermined time using a heater and a blower has been proposed in Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1999-0040392.

However, since the method is a method of drying the washing machine unilaterally for a set time regardless of the temperature and humidity inside the washing machine, when the drying process is finished after the set time has elapsed or when the inside of the washing machine is not completely dried. Even if the drying of the washing machine is already completed before time, a problem may occur that the drying process continues unnecessarily.

The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to measure the temperature and humidity inside the washing tank in the washing machine having a tub drying function for drying the washing tank and the rotating tank after washing It is to provide a washing machine and a control method thereof that are more efficient in terms of drying effect and energy consumption by determining the drying state of the washing tank and controlling the barrel drying process according to the determined drying state.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a washing machine having a tub drying function for drying the washing tank and the rotating tank, the motor unit for driving the rotating tank, the drying unit for drying the washing tank and the rotating tank When the temperature and humidity measuring unit for measuring the temperature and humidity inside the washing tank and the barrel drying function are selected, the drying state of the washing tank and the rotating tank is determined using the temperature and humidity measured by the temperature and humidity measuring unit, and the motor unit and It characterized in that the washing machine including a control unit for controlling the operation of the drying unit.

In addition, the drying apparatus unit blowing means for sucking outside air, a drying duct for guiding the outside air sucked by the blowing means into the washing tank, a heating means for heating the outside air passing through the drying duct and the inside of the washing tank Characterized in that the exhaust means for discharging the outside air to the outside.

In addition, the drying apparatus unit blowing means for circulating the air in the washing tank, drying duct for guiding the air discharged from the blowing means into the washing tank, heating means for heating the air passing through the drying duct, inside the washing tank Condensation duct having a condensation device therein for condensing air to guide the blowing means and characterized in that it consists of drainage means for discharging the condensate discharged from the condensation duct to the outside.

In addition, the present invention is a control method of a washing machine having a tub drying function for drying the washing tank and the rotating tank, the first step of determining whether the barrel drying function is selected, the barrel drying function is selected in the first step In this case, the temperature and humidity inside the washing tank are measured, and the relative humidity inside the washing tank is calculated using the measured temperature and humidity, and the relative humidity calculated in the second step and the second step comparing the calculated relative humidity with a set value. The washing machine control method comprising a third step of controlling the rotational speed of the rotating tank, the temperature and the air flow in the washing tank when the set value is more than the set value.

In addition, the third step is a fourth step of sucking and heating the outside air until the inside of the washing tank reaches the set temperature, and supplying the heated outside air into the washing tank, the set time when the set temperature is reached in the fourth step Discharge the air inside the washing tank to the outside, and after the set time has elapsed in the fifth step and the fifth step of rotating the rotary bath at the set speed, the heating of the outside air is terminated, and the relative humidity in the washing tank is re-examined. The sixth step of comparing the set value with the set value and the sixth step if the relative humidity re-extracted in the sixth step is greater than the set value, and if the set value is less than the set value, It is characterized by consisting of seven steps.

In addition, the third step is a fourth step of heating and circulating the air inside the washing tank until the inside of the washing tank reaches a set temperature, condensing the heated internal air for a set time when the set temperature is reached in the fourth step Circulating, discharging the condensed water generated in the condensation process to the outside, and terminating the heating and condensation of the internal air when the set time has elapsed in the fifth step and the fifth step of rotating the rotary bath at the set speed, and the washing tank. The sixth step of recalculating the internal relative humidity and comparing it with the set value, and repeating the sixth step if the relative humidity recalculated in the sixth step is greater than or equal to the set value. Characterized in that the seventh step of terminating the discharge.

In addition, in the sixth and seventh step, the rotating tank is stopped or rotated at a speed slower than the set speed.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the washing machine 1 of the present invention is for the fresh water of the wash water, and is provided with a drum-type washing tank 11 installed inside the main body 10 and rotatably in the washing tank 11. It includes a rotating tub 12 in which a plurality of dehydration holes are formed.

An opening 14 is formed in front of the washing tub 11 and the rotating tub 12 so that a user can take out clothes from the front of the main body 10, and opens and closes the opening 14 in front of the main body 10. The door 15 is installed.

A detergent supply device 16 for supplying a detergent and a water supply device 17 for supplying washing water are installed at an upper portion of the washing tank 11, and a rotating tank 12 is provided at a lower side of the washing tank 11. A rotating tub motor 13 for rotating is provided.

In addition, the present invention includes a drying device unit 20 for drying the water remaining in the washing tank 11 and the rotating tank 12 after the use of the washing machine 1 is completed. The drying unit 20 is installed at the upper part of the washing tank 11, the blowing fan 21 for sucking outside air through the suction port 21a, the discharge port 21b of the blowing fan 21 and the opening of the washing tank 11 ( 14) includes a drying duct 22 connecting between the air inlet 25 formed on the upper side.

In addition, the drying apparatus unit 20 includes a drying heater 24 installed in the drying duct 22 to supply hot air into the washing tank 11.

In addition, the present invention is provided with a drain 30 for draining the water in the washing tank (11). The drainage device 30 includes a drain pipe 31 connected to the lower part of the washing tank 11 to guide the water of the washing tank 11 to the outside, and a drain pump 32 installed on the drain pipe 31.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

When the user selects the tub drying function for drying the washing tank 11 and the rotating tank 12, the input unit 110 transmits it to the control unit 100, the control unit 100 is a temperature sensor provided on one side of the washing tank (11) Using the information about the temperature and humidity in the washing tank 11 received from the 120 and the humidity sensor 130 and the timer 150 performs a drying process according to the operation program stored in the memory 140.

The controller 100 transmits a control signal necessary for the barrel drying process to the motor driver 160 and the heater driver 170, and the motor driver 160 and the heater driver 170 control signals received from the controller 100. As a result, the rotary tub motor 13, the fan motor 162, the drain pump motor 163 and the drying heater 24 are operated.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

After the use of the washing machine 1 is completed, the controller 100 determines whether a signal for selecting a barrel drying function is input to the input unit 110 (S10).

When the barrel drying function is selected in step S10, the control unit 100 uses the temperature and humidity data in the washing tank 11 received from the temperature sensor 120 and the humidity sensor 130 to determine the relative humidity in the washing tank 11. Calculate (S20, S30).

On the other hand, if the barrel drying function is not selected in step S10, the control unit 100 ends the control.

When the step S30 is completed, the control unit 100 determines whether the calculated relative humidity is greater than or equal to the set value (S40), and if less than the set value, terminates the control and if the set value is greater than or equal to the set value, the blower fan 21 and the drying heater 24. ) To operate (S50). At this time, the control unit 100 keeps the rotating tank at a stop state or a low speed to minimize unnecessary energy consumption.

After the step S50, the controller 100 determines whether the temperature inside the washing tank 11 received from the temperature sensor 120 is higher than or equal to the set temperature (S60, S70), and returns to step S60 if the temperature is lower than the set temperature.

On the other hand, if it is above the set temperature in step S70 control unit 100 transmits a control signal for rotating the rotating tub 12 at the set speed to the motor driving unit 160, and operates the exhaust device and the timer 150 ( S80).

At this time, the exhaust device is a device for discharging the outside of the humid air in the washing tank 11 generated during the drying process of the washing tank 11 and the rotary tank 12, provided with a separate discharge duct in the washing tank 11 or A tube connected to the detergent supply device 16 may be used, but the drainage device 30 is used in the present embodiment.

Therefore, the control unit 100 transmits a control signal for operating the drain pump 32 to the motor driving unit 160 in step S80.

In addition, the set speed refers to a high speed rotation in which turbulence may occur between the washing tank 11 and the rotating tank 12, which is obtained experimentally. The generated turbulence has the advantage of shortening the barrel drying time because it serves to remove bulky droplets, etc. remaining in the washing tank 11 or the rotating tank 12 by using a centrifugal force.

After the step S80, the control unit 100 determines whether the time accumulated in the timer 150 has passed the set time (S90), and if not, returns to step S90.

On the other hand, when the set time has elapsed in step S90, the control unit 100 stops the rotating tub 12 and turns off the drying heater 24 to the motor driving unit 160 and the heater driving unit 170, respectively. Transfer (S100). At this time, if necessary, the rotating tub 12 may be controlled to rotate at a low speed.

After the step S100 is completed, the control unit 100 calculates the relative humidity in the washing tank 11 using the temperature and humidity data of the washing tank 11 received from the temperature sensor 120 and the humidity sensor 130 again ( S110, S120).

The control unit 100 determines whether the calculated relative humidity is less than the set value (S130), and returns to step S50 if the set value is higher than the set value, and turns off the blower fan 21 and the exhaust apparatus if the set value is less than the set value and ends the control. (S140).

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the same reference numerals are given to the configuration overlapping with the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, since the clothes dryer of the conventional washing machine performs the function of the dryer unit 20, the configuration and operation of the dryer unit 20 are distinguished from those of the first embodiment.

The drying unit 20 of FIG. 4 is installed at an upper portion of the washing tank 11, and includes a blowing fan 21 for circulating air in the washing tank 11, a discharge port 21b of the blowing fan 21, and a washing tank 11; A drying duct 22 connecting between the air inlets 25 formed on the upper side of the opening 14 of the opening 14, between the air outlet 26 formed at the rear lower portion of the washing tank 11 and the inlet 21a of the blower fan 21. Condensation duct 23 is mounted to the rear of the washing tank 11 to connect the.

The drying device 20 is configured to dry the drying heater 24 installed in the drying duct 22 and the washing tank 11 and the rotating tank 12 so as to supply hot air into the washing tank 11. It includes a condenser installed in the condensation duct 23 so that the moisture generated through the condensation duct 23, the moisture is condensed and removed.

The condenser is installed on the inner upper portion of the condensation duct 23 and the cooling water injection nozzle 33 for injecting the cooling water into the condensation duct 23 and the water supply device 17 to supply the cooling water to the cooling water injection nozzle 33. Cooling water supply pipe 34 and the cooling water valve 35 is connected to the.

The condensing device has a dehumidifying effect by allowing the cooling water injected from the cooling water spray nozzle 33 on the upper portion to flow down to the lower portion along the inner surface of the condensation duct 23 so that the contact between the humid air rising from the lower portion and the cooling water increases. Is to be improved.

5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the same reference numerals are given to the configuration overlapping with the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.

The control unit 100 of the washing machine 1 according to the second embodiment transmits the necessary control signal to the valve driving unit 180 in addition to the motor driving unit 160 and the heater driving unit 170 described in the first embodiment in the barrel drying process. The valve driving unit 180 operates the coolant valve 35 according to the received control signal.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

After the use of the washing machine 1 is completed, the controller 100 determines whether a signal for selecting the barrel drying function is input to the input unit 110 (S210).

When the barrel drying function is selected in step S210, the control unit 100 uses the temperature and humidity data in the washing tank 11 received from the temperature sensor 120 and the humidity sensor 130 to determine the relative humidity in the washing tank 11. It is calculated (S220, S230).

On the other hand, if the barrel drying function is not selected in step S210, the control unit 100 ends the control.

When the step S230 is completed, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the calculated relative humidity is greater than or equal to the set value (S240), if the set value is less than the end of the control, if the set value is greater than the blowing fan 21 and the drying heater 24 ) To operate (S250). At this time, the control unit 100 keeps the rotating tank at a stop state or a low speed to minimize unnecessary energy consumption.

After the step S250, the control unit 100 determines whether the temperature inside the washing tank 11 received from the temperature sensor 120 is higher than or equal to the set temperature (S260, S270), and returns to step S260 if it is lower than the set temperature.

On the other hand, if the temperature is higher than the set temperature in step S270 the control unit 100 transmits a control signal for rotating the rotating tank 12 at the set speed to the motor drive unit 160, the condenser and condensate drainage device and timer 150 Operate (S280).

At this time, the condensing device means a device for dehumidifying the humid air passing through the condensation duct 23, but can be implemented in a known manner in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4 cooling water spray nozzle 33, It consists of a cooling water supply pipe 34 and a cooling water valve (35).

In addition, the condensate drainage device is a device for discharging condensate generated in the condensation process in the condensation duct 23 to the outside. In this embodiment, the drainage device 30 is used.

Therefore, the control unit 100 transmits a control signal for operating the drain pump 32 to the motor driving unit 160 in step S280.

In addition, the set speed refers to a high speed rotation in which turbulence may occur between the washing tank 11 and the rotating tank 12, which is obtained experimentally. The generated turbulence has the advantage of shortening the barrel drying time because it serves to remove bulky droplets, etc. remaining in the washing tank 11 or the rotating tank 12 by using a centrifugal force.

After step S280, the controller 100 determines whether the time accumulated in the timer 150 has passed the set time (S290), and if it does not pass, returns to step S290.

On the other hand, if the set time has elapsed in step S290, the control unit 100 stops the rotating tank 12, the control signal for turning off the drying heater 24 and the coolant valve 35, the motor driving unit 160, the heater Transmission to the driving unit 170 and the valve driving unit 180 (S300), respectively. At this time, if necessary, the rotating tub 12 may be controlled to rotate at a low speed.

After the step S300 is completed, the control unit 100 calculates the relative humidity in the washing tank 11 using the temperature and humidity data of the washing tank 11 received from the temperature sensor 120 and the humidity sensor 130 again ( S310, S320).

The control unit 100 determines whether the calculated relative humidity is less than the set value (S330), and returns to step S250 if the set value is higher than the set value, and turns off the blower fan 21 and the condensate drainage device if the set value is less than the set value and ends the control. (S340).

As described above in detail, the washing machine and its control method according to the present invention determine the drying state of the washing tank by measuring the temperature and humidity inside the washing tank when the barrel drying process after washing is completed and the determined drying state. Accordingly, by controlling the rotation of the rotating tank and the operation of the barrel drying unit, it provides a more efficient barrel drying function in terms of drying effect and energy consumption.

Claims (7)

In the washing machine having a barrel drying function for drying the washing tank and the rotating tank, A motor unit for driving the rotating tub; A drying device unit for drying the washing tank and the rotating tank; A temperature and humidity measurement unit for measuring a temperature and humidity inside the washing tank; And And a controller configured to determine a drying state of the washing tub and the rotating tub using the temperature and humidity measured by the temperature and humidity measuring unit when the barrel drying function is selected, and to control the operation of the motor unit and the drying apparatus unit according to the determination result. The method of claim 1, The drying apparatus unit includes a blowing means for sucking outside air, a drying duct for guiding the outside air sucked by the blowing means into the washing tank, a heating means for heating the outside air passing through the drying duct, and the outside air introduced into the washing tank. Washing machine consisting of exhaust means for discharging to the outside. The method of claim 1, The drying unit includes a blowing means for circulating air in the washing tank, a drying duct for guiding the air discharged from the blowing means into the washing tank, a heating means for heating the air passing through the drying duct, and condensing the air in the washing tank. Washing machine comprising a condensation duct having a condensation device therein and a drainage means for discharging the condensed water discharged from the condensation duct to the outside to guide the blower. In the control method of the washing machine having a barrel drying function for drying the washing tank and the rotating tank, A first step of determining whether the barrel drying function is selected; A second step of measuring a temperature and humidity inside the washing tank when the barrel drying function is selected in the first step, calculating a relative humidity inside the washing tank using the measured temperature and humidity, and comparing the calculated relative humidity with a set value; And Washing machine control method comprising a third step of controlling the rotational speed of the rotating tank, the temperature and the air flow inside the washing tank when the relative humidity in the second step is more than the set value. The method of claim 4, wherein The third step, A third step of sucking and heating the outside air until the inside of the washing tank reaches a set temperature, and supplying the heated outside air into the washing tank; Step 3-2 when the set temperature is reached in the step 3-1 discharges the air in the washing tank to the outside for a set time, and rotates the rotating tank at a set speed; Terminating the outside air when the set time elapses in the step 3-2, recalculating the relative humidity in the washing tank, and comparing the set value with the set value; And If the relative humidity recalculated in step 3-3 is greater than or equal to the set value, repeat steps 3-1 to 3-3; if less than the set value, step 3-4 for terminating the suction of outside air and discharging the air inside the washing tank; Washing machine control method consisting of. The method of claim 5, In step 3-2, When the set temperature is reached in step 3-1, the method further includes condensing and circulating the heated internal air for a set time, and discharging the condensed water generated in the condensation process to the outside. In step 3-3, Washing machine control method further comprising the step of terminating the condensation after the set time in the step 3-2. The method according to claim 5 or 6, Washing machine control method for stopping the rotating tank in the step 3-3, step 3-4 or at a slower speed than the set speed.

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