KR101394514B1 - Operating method for washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of operating a washing machine for improving washing performance and effectively sterilizing laundry by including a sterilizing step of irradiating ultraviolet rays to the laundry during a steam step of supplying steam to the drum.

Drum washing machine, sterilization, ultraviolet rays, steam, refresh

Description

Operating method for washing machine [0002]

1 is a schematic sectional view of a drum washing machine to which embodiments of the present invention are applied;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a control unit of the drum washing machine shown in FIG. 1;

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

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.

100: drum washing machine 110: washing machine body

120: a tub 125: a driving device

130: Drum 135: Detergent supply unit

140: water supply device 150: drainage device

160: steam supply unit 170: dry air generating unit

180: ultraviolet ray generator 190:

The present invention relates to a method of operating a washing machine, and more particularly, to a method of operating a washing machine to which a steam function and an ultraviolet sterilizing function are added.

Generally, the laundry is washed in a washing machine while the laundry and a certain amount of detergent are put into the drum, and the washing, rinsing and dewatering steps are sequentially performed for a predetermined time.

Recently, a washing machine with a steam function is widely used to improve the washing performance. Such a steam washing machine performs a washing operation, a sterilizing operation, a refresh operation, and the like by spraying high-temperature steam into the drum.

However, there is a problem that the high temperature steam is insufficient to sufficiently sterilize biochemical contaminants such as bacteria present in the laundry. In other words, it is known that many kinds of germs do not die from these high temperature steam alone.

Furthermore, in view of the recent increasing awareness of consumers about sterilization, conventional steam washing machines are not sufficient to meet the consumer's confidence in sterilization functions.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of operating a washing machine which improves washing performance by using steam supply and ultraviolet irradiation and effectively sterilizes laundry.

A method of operating a washing machine according to the present invention includes: a steam step of supplying steam to the drum before supplying washing water into the drum into which the laundry is charged to perform a washing or rinsing step; and a step of operating the ultraviolet ray generating unit to sterilize the laundry And a sterilizing step of irradiating ultraviolet rays to the laundry during the steam step.

In the present invention, the sterilizing step may operate the ultraviolet ray generating part at the same time as the start of the steam step. Further, the steam step may stop the steam supply when the temperature inside the drum reaches the set temperature. Meanwhile, the sterilizing step may continue to operate the ultraviolet ray generator even after the steam supply is stopped.

In the present invention, in at least one of the steam step and the sterilizing step, the drum may be rotated.

A method of operating a washing machine according to the present invention includes a refreshing step of refreshing washed laundry in a drum, a sterilizing step of irradiating ultraviolet rays to the laundry during the refreshing step by operating the ultraviolet ray generator to sterilize the laundry, .

In the present invention, the refreshing step may include a steam step of supplying steam to the drum, and a drying step of supplying dry air to the drum after the steam supplying step.

The present invention may further include a takeout confirmation step of confirming a request to take out the laundry by the user prior to the refreshing step, and the refreshing step may be performed only when there is a request for taking out the laundry in the takeout confirmation step.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the structure of the drum washing machine 100 to which the embodiments of the present invention are applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a drum washing machine 100, and FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram for explaining a control unit 190 of the drum washing machine 100.

1, the drum washing machine 100 includes a washing machine main body 110 defining an inner space, a tub 121 disposed in the inner space so as to be able to be buffered by a spring 121 and a damper 122, A drum 130 rotatably disposed inside the tub 120 and having a plurality of through holes 131 through which washing water is received and through which wash water is passed; A lifter 132 disposed on the inner side of the drum 130 so as to cause the drum 130 to fall next and a driving device 125 disposed behind the tub 120 to supply a rotational force to the drum 130. [

The main body 110 includes a main body 111 defining a left side, a right side and a rear side of the internal space, a cover 114 defining a front surface of the internal space, And includes a top plate portion 112 and a base portion 113, respectively. The cover portion 114 is provided with an opening 117 through which the laundry enters and exits and a door 119 is rotatably provided to open and close the opening 117. [

A control panel 116 for displaying the operation of the drum washing machine 100 using a sound and / or display unit and controlling the operation of the drum washing machine 100 is disposed above the cover 114.

A gasket 118 is disposed between the door 119 and the tub 120. When the drum 130 rotates, the gasket 118 cushions the impact transmitted to the door 119 and prevents the wash water in the tub 120 from leaking to the outside. That is, the gasket 118 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, and absorbs vibration while buffering the vibration of the tub 120 while being folded back, forth, or up and down when the tub 120 vibrates due to rotation of the drum 130.

1, a drum washing machine 100 includes a water supply device 140 disposed between a top plate part 112 and a tub 120 to introduce wash water from the outside, And a drain device (not shown) disposed between the base part 113 and the tub 120 for draining wash water stored in the tub 120 to the outside 150).

The water supply device 140 includes a water supply valve 143, a first water supply hose 141 connecting one side of the water supply valve 143 and the detergent supply part 135, a water supply valve 143, And a second water supply hose 142 connecting the first water supply hose 161 and the second water supply hose 142. The other end of the water supply valve 143 is connected to the external water supply pipe 145 and the water supply pipe 146 so that the wash water flowing from the outside is supplied to the detergent supply unit 135 and / .

The detergent supply unit 135 is disposed so as to be housed in the washing machine body 110 and includes a detergent box (not shown) to which the powder detergent is administered. When the powder detergent is dispensed to the detergent box by the user, the powder detergent stored in the detergent box is mixed with the washing water flowing through the first water supply hose 141 and is mixed with the washing water introduced into the tub 120 through the water supply bellows 144, / RTI >

The drainage device 150 includes a drainage bellows 152 communicating with the lower side of the tub 120, a drainage hose 153 connected to the drainage bellows 152 for guiding residual water to the outside, And a drain pump 151 disposed between the drain hose 153 and the drain hose 153.

Referring to FIG. 1, the drum washing machine 100 further includes a steam supply unit 160 disposed between the top plate unit 112 and the tub 120 to supply a predetermined amount of steam into the drum 130. The steam supply unit 160 includes a steam heater 161 for heating the washing water flowing through the second water supply hose 142 to generate steam and a steam supply pipe 162 for guiding the generated steam into the drum 130 . One end of the steam supply pipe 162 is connected to the steam heater 161 and the other end of the steam supply pipe 162 is provided with a spray nozzle 163 for spraying steam into the drum 130. The injection nozzle 163 is formed in the shape of a nozzle for smooth divergence of steam and is installed to face the inside of the drum 130. An on-off valve (not shown) is provided on the flow path of the steam supply pipe 162. The on / off valve is controlled such that the steam supply unit 160 selectively supplies steam to the drum 130 in accordance with the washing progress of the drum washing machine 100.

A temperature sensor 129 for measuring the temperature inside the drum 130 when the steam is supplied is disposed in the tub 120. The temperature inside the drum 130 measured by the temperature sensor 129 is used to control the operation of the steam supply unit 160 or the ultraviolet ray generating unit 180. At this time, the temperature sensor 129 is preferably installed at a position that is not directly affected by the steam injected through the injection nozzle 163 so as to accurately measure the temperature inside the drum 130 when supplying steam.

1, the drum washing machine 100 further includes an ultraviolet ray generating unit 180 disposed in the gasket 118 and irradiating ultraviolet rays toward the interior of the drum 130. In this embodiment, the ultraviolet ray generating unit 180 is composed of an ultraviolet sterilizing lamp. In the washing operation, the ultraviolet ray generator 180 irradiates ultraviolet rays to sterilize the laundry loaded in the drum 130. That is, the ultraviolet ray generating unit 180 functions to sterilize biochemical contaminants such as bacteria existing in the laundry. The ultraviolet ray generating unit 180 of the present embodiment is disposed in the gasket 118. Alternatively, the ultraviolet ray generating unit 180 may be disposed at another position capable of irradiating the inside of the drum 130 with ultraviolet rays.

The germicidal effect of the ultraviolet germicidal lamp is related to the ultraviolet wavelength, and ultraviolet rays having a wavelength in the range of 250 nm to 260 nm are generally known to have excellent germicidal effect. In this embodiment, an ultraviolet sterilizing lamp which emits ultraviolet rays of 253.7 nm which has the best sterilization effect is used. Ultraviolet sterilization is effective for all species, unlike the sterilization method using drugs or heating, it does not give much change to the irradiated object, and the method of use is simple and economical.

Referring to FIG. 1, the drum washing machine 100 further includes a dry air generating unit 170 disposed between the top plate unit 112 and the tub 120 to supply a predetermined amount of dry air into the drum 130. The dry air generating unit 170 includes a dry heater 172 for heating the air, a dry air supply pipe 171 for guiding the heated dry air into the drum 130, And an air blowing fan 173 arranged to forcibly blow air.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram for explaining the control unit 190 of the drum washing machine 100 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 2, the drum washing machine 100 further includes a controller 190 for controlling the operation of the drum washing machine 100. The control unit 190 controls the water supply valve 143 and the water supply valve 143 to perform the washing operation based on the logic set based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 129, And controls the apparatus 125, the steam supply unit 160, the dry air generating unit 170, the ultraviolet ray generating unit 180, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method of operating the washing machine according to the present embodiment includes a steam step of supplying steam to the drum 130 before the washing water is supplied into the drum 130 into which the laundry is charged to perform a washing cycle, And a sterilizing step of irradiating ultraviolet rays to the laundry in the drum 130 during the steam operation by activating the steam generator 180.

Hereinafter, a method of operating the washing machine will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG.

First, the control unit 190 continuously checks a request for execution of the washing operation by the user through the control panel 116 in a state where laundry is loaded in the drum 130 (S110).

When the execution request of the washing operation is confirmed, the control unit 190 starts the steam supply operation of supplying the steam into the drum 130 by operating the steam supply unit 160 (S120). The steam generated by the steam heater 161 of the steam supply unit 160 is injected into the drum 130 through the steam supply pipe 162 and the injection nozzle 163 disposed toward the inside of the drum 130. The steam supplied into the drum 130 is continuously supplied until the temperature inside the drum 130 reaches the set temperature. The set temperature is in the range of about 60 캜 to about 80 캜 so as to obtain a sufficient effect on the laundry in the drum 130 by the steam supplied into the drum 130. This steam supply improves the washing performance in the washing cycle to be performed later, and the washing time is shortened in the same washing performance condition because the washing is performed in a shorter time than the washing process using only washing water .

After the start of the steam step, the controller 190 starts the sterilizing step of irradiating ultraviolet rays to sterilize the laundry in the drum 130 by operating the ultraviolet ray generator 180 (S130). At this time, the ultraviolet ray generator 180 preferably emits ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 253.7 nm, which has the best germicidal effect. On the other hand, the sterilization step may be controlled to start simultaneously with the steam step. That is, when the user requests to execute the washing operation, the controller 190 can simultaneously operate the steam supplying unit 160 and the ultraviolet ray generating unit 180. In general, the bactericidal effect of ultraviolet rays is related to the radiation intensity and irradiation time of ultraviolet rays, and the survival rate of bacteria is known to decrease exponentially with respect to irradiation dose (radiation intensity × irradiation time). Therefore, the sterilization step is performed for a time period in which reliable sterilization of biochemical contaminants such as bacteria remaining in the laundry can be performed. Further, the sterilization step can be continued even after the supply of steam is stopped. At this time, it is preferable that the irradiation time of the ultraviolet rays in the sterilization step is determined in consideration of the amount of laundry put into the drum 130, the temperature and humidity in the drum 130, and the like.

Meanwhile, the drum 130 is controlled to rotate at a low speed (for example, 100 rpm) as compared with a normal washing stroke while supplying steam and irradiating ultraviolet rays to the drum 130. This low speed rotation of the drum 130 causes steam and ultraviolet light to be evenly sprayed / irradiated onto the laundry in the drum 130.

After the start of the sterilization step, the control unit 190 opens the water supply valve 143 to supply an appropriate amount of wash water for the washing cycle to the tub 120 (S140). That is, the washing water introduced from the outside through the cold water pipe 145 or the hot water pipe 146 flows into the detergent supply unit 135 along the first water supply hose 141, and is mixed with the powder detergent in the detergent supply unit 135 And is supplied into the tub 120 through the water supply bellows 144. Here, the appropriate amount of the washing water may be automatically determined in consideration of the type of laundry course selected by the user, the amount of laundry laid in the drum 130, or may be manually input manually by the user.

While the wash water is being supplied, the controller 190 determines whether or not the temperature inside the drum 130 has reached the set temperature described above. At this time, the temperature inside the drum 130 is measured by the temperature sensor 129 disposed in the tub 120. When the temperature inside the drum 130 reaches the set temperature, the controller 190 stops supplying steam into the drum 130 (S150).

When the steam supply is stopped, the controller 190 performs a washing cycle according to the selected washing course (S160). In the meantime, when the laundry is not sufficiently called at the time of stopping the steam supply, the control unit 190 may perform the washing cycle after rotating the drum 130 at a low speed for a predetermined time without performing the washing cycle immediately . The washing cycle includes drainage, intermediate dehydration, and the like, and is performed in the same manner as a conventional general laundry washing cycle in the rotating direction, rotation speed, and stroke progress time of the drum 130.

When the washing cycle is completed, the controller 190 performs at least one rinsing cycle (S170). When the rinse cycle is at least two times, drainage, intermediate dehydration, re-watering, and the like are repeatedly performed.

When the rinsing cycle is completed, the controller 190 performs the final dewatering cycle (S180) to complete the method of operating the washing machine according to the present embodiment.

The method of operating the washing machine according to the present embodiment as described above improves the washing performance by supplying steam into the drum 130 and irradiates the drum 130 with ultraviolet rays to obtain a germicidal effect on the laundry.

Particularly, the method of operating the washing machine can improve the sterilizing effect by ultraviolet rays by irradiating ultraviolet rays to the laundry in the drum 130 when high temperature steam is supplied. This is because the effect of ultraviolet ray sterilization is influenced by the temperature of the surrounding environment, which increases with the temperature of the surrounding environment under the same ultraviolet radiation intensity and irradiation time.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. The method of operating the washing machine according to the present embodiment includes a steam step of supplying steam to the drum 130 before the washing water is supplied into the drum 130 into which the laundry is charged to perform the rinsing step, And a sterilizing step of irradiating ultraviolet rays to the laundry in the drum 130 during the steam operation by activating the steam generator 180.

Hereinafter, a method of operating the washing machine will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. FIG.

First, the control unit 190 continuously checks a request for execution of the washing operation by the user through the control panel 116 in a state where laundry is loaded in the drum 130 (S210).

When the execution request of the washing operation is confirmed, the controller 190 performs the washing operation according to the selected washing course (S220). The washing process includes water supply, drainage, and intermediate dehydration of washing water, and is performed in the same manner as a conventional general washing process in the rotating direction, rotation speed, and stroke progress time of the drum 130.

When the washing cycle is completed, the control unit 190 starts the steam supply operation of supplying the steam into the drum 130 by operating the steam supply unit 160 (S230). At this time, the steam supplied into the drum 130 is continuously supplied until the temperature inside the drum 130 reaches the set temperature. The set temperature is set to 80 DEG C or higher, which is a temperature at which sterilization of biochemical contaminants such as bacteria and the like adhered to the laundry in the drum 130 by the steam supplied into the drum 130 is possible. That is, in this embodiment, the high-temperature steam performs a function of sterilizing the laundry. Further, since the steam supply is performed after completion of the washing cycle, the function of improving the rinsing power in the rinsing cycle to be performed next is performed. That is, the steam supply provides an environment in which the detergent remaining in the laundry can be well dissolved during the rinsing cycle.

After the start of the steam step, the control unit 190 starts the sterilizing step of irradiating ultraviolet rays to sterilize the laundry in the drum 130 by operating the ultraviolet ray generating unit 180 (S240). On the other hand, the sterilization step may be controlled to start simultaneously with the steam step. The sterilization step is performed for a time period in which reliable sterilization of biochemical contaminants such as bacteria remaining in the laundry can be performed. Further, the sterilization step can be continued even after the supply of steam is stopped. At this time, it is preferable that the irradiation time of the ultraviolet rays in the sterilization step is determined in consideration of the amount of laundry put into the drum 130, the temperature and humidity in the drum 130, and the like.

Meanwhile, the drum 130 is controlled to rotate at a low speed (for example, 100 rpm) as compared with a normal washing stroke while supplying steam and irradiating ultraviolet rays to the drum 130. This low speed rotation of the drum 130 causes steam and ultraviolet light to be evenly sprayed / irradiated onto the laundry in the drum 130.

After the start of the sterilization step, the control unit 190 opens the water supply valve 143 to supply an appropriate amount of wash water for the rinsing cycle into the tub 120 (S250).

While the wash water is being supplied, the controller 190 determines whether or not the temperature inside the drum 130 has reached the set temperature described above. At this time, the temperature inside the drum 130 is measured by the temperature sensor 129 disposed in the tub 120. When the temperature inside the drum 130 reaches the preset temperature, the controller 190 stops supplying steam in the drum 130 (S260).

When the steam supply is stopped, the controller 190 performs at least one rinsing cycle (S270). When the rinse cycle is at least two times, drainage, intermediate dehydration, re-watering, and the like are repeatedly performed.

When the rinsing cycle is completed, the controller 190 performs a final dewatering cycle (S280) to complete the method of operating the washing machine according to the present embodiment.

The method of operating the washing machine according to the present embodiment as described above improves the washing performance by supplying steam into the drum 130 and irradiates the drum 130 with ultraviolet rays to obtain a germicidal effect on the laundry.

In particular, since the laundry is sterilized by ultraviolet rays and sterilized by high-temperature steam, the operation method of the washing machine can ensure more reliable sterilization effect.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. The method of operating the washing machine according to the present embodiment may include a refreshing step of refreshing the laundered laundry in the drum 130, a step of activating the ultraviolet ray generator 180 to sterilize the laundry, And a sterilizing step of sterilizing the microorganism. Here, the term 'refresh' refers to a series of processes that allow the wrinkles of the laundry generated during the washing, rinsing, and final dewatering processes to spread. In the present embodiment, the refreshing step comprises a steam step for supplying steam to the drum 130, and a drying step for supplying the drum 130 with dry air after the steam step. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the refreshing step of the present invention may be configured to include only the steam step for supplying steam for refreshing to the drum 130, and the drying step may be performed before the steam step .

Hereinafter, a method of operating the washing machine will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5. FIG.

First, the control unit 190 continuously checks a request for execution of the washing operation by the user through the control panel 116 in a state where the laundry is put in the drum 130 (S310).

When a request for execution of the washing operation is confirmed, the controller 190 sequentially advances the washing, rinsing, and final dewatering steps according to the selected washing course (S320, S330, S340).

When the final dewatering cycle is completed, the controller 190 starts the steam supply operation for supplying the steam for refreshing into the drum 130 by operating the steam supply unit 160 (S350). At this time, the steam is continuously supplied until the set time has elapsed. The set time is set to be within a range from 3 minutes to 10 minutes, for example, to such an extent that the laundry that has been washed in the drum 130 can be refreshed (that is, the laundry is not wetted by the supplied steam) Respectively. In the present embodiment, unlike the above-described embodiments, the steam step is not for washing the laundry or sterilizing the laundry, but for performing the refresh operation of the crumpled laundry. Therefore, the steam step of the present embodiment is performed for a shorter time than the steam step for washing the laundry or sterilizing laundry in the above-described embodiments.

After the steam step is started, the controller 190 starts the sterilizing step of irradiating ultraviolet rays to sterilize the laundry in the drum 130 by operating the ultraviolet ray generator 180 (S360). On the other hand, the sterilization step may be controlled to start simultaneously with the steam step.

Meanwhile, the drum 130 is controlled to rotate at a low speed (for example, 100 rpm) as compared with a normal washing stroke while supplying steam and irradiating ultraviolet rays to the drum 130. This low speed rotation of the drum 130 causes steam and ultraviolet light to be evenly sprayed / irradiated onto the laundry in the drum 130.

When the progress time of the steam reaches the set time, the controller 190 stops supplying steam to the drum 130 (S370)

When the steam supply is stopped, the controller 190 operates the drying heater 172 and the blowing fan 173 to supply dry air into the drum 130 for a set time (S380). The set time is set so that the laundry in the drum 130 can be refreshed. When the set time has elapsed, the controller 190 stops the drying air supply and the ultraviolet ray irradiation (S390) to complete the operation method of the washing machine according to the present embodiment.

In the method of operating the washing machine according to the present embodiment as described above, steam and dry air are supplied into the drum 130 after the final dewatering step and ultraviolet rays are irradiated to obtain a refreshing effect and a sterilizing effect on laundry have.

Particularly, in the present embodiment, since the sterilization step is performed after the final dewatering step is completed, it is possible to sterilize biochemical contaminants such as bacteria transferred to the laundry in the washing, rinsing and final dewatering stages, thereby improving the sterilizing effect .

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. The operating method of the washing machine according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as the operating method of the washing machine shown in Fig. 5, except that it further includes an extraction confirmation step for confirming a request for taking out the laundry by the user before the refreshing step. Hereinafter, the operation of the washing machine will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, focusing on differences from the operation of the washing machine shown in FIG.

First, the control unit 190 continuously checks a request for execution of a washing operation by the user through the control panel 116 in a state where the laundry is put in the drum 130 (S410).

When a request for execution of the washing operation is confirmed, the controller 190 sequentially advances the washing, rinsing, and final dewatering steps (S420, S430, and S440) according to the selected washing course.

When the final dewatering process is completed, the control unit 190 continuously confirms a request for taking out the laundry by the user (S450). At this time, a request for taking out the laundry by the user is inputted through a takeout request button (not shown) arranged on the control panel.

The control unit 190 proceeds to steps S460, S470, S480, S490, S460, and S460 in the same manner as the step after the final dewatering step in the operation method of the washing machine shown in Fig. 5, S495) to complete the operation method of the washing machine according to the present embodiment.

In the method of operating the washing machine according to the present embodiment as described above, the refreshing step and the sterilization step are performed immediately before the laundry is taken out. Accordingly, even if the laundered laundry is left in the drum 130 for a long time, the refresh effect and the sterilizing effect are not lowered, thereby improving the satisfaction of the user.

The method of operating the washing machine according to the present invention includes a sterilizing step of irradiating ultraviolet rays to the laundry during a steam step of supplying steam to the drum, thereby improving washing performance and effectively sterilizing laundry.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. It will also be appreciated that many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (8)

A washing water supplying step of supplying wash water into the tub; A step of requesting the user to take out the laundry after finishing the washing, rinsing and final dewatering steps; And And a sterilizing step of operating the ultraviolet ray generator to irradiate the laundry with ultraviolet rays. The method according to claim 1, Further comprising a refresh step of refreshing the laundered laundry in the drum when the user requests the laundry to be taken out, Wherein the sterilizing step starts during the refreshing step. 3. The method of claim 2, In the refresh step, A steam step of supplying steam to the drum; And And a drying step of supplying dry air to the drum after the steam supplying step. A drum in which the bag is received; A control panel for inputting laundry; And And an ultraviolet ray generating unit driven when a user inputs a take-out of the laundry through the control panel. 5. The method of claim 4, Wherein the ultraviolet ray generator comprises: The washing cycle, the rinsing cycle, and the final dewatering cycle. 5. The method of claim 4, The drum rotates while driving the ultraviolet ray generating unit, The rotational speed of the drum Wherein the washing machine is slower in driving the ultraviolet ray generator than in the washing cycle. 5. The method of claim 4, Wherein the ultraviolet ray generator comprises: Wherein the washer is driven during a refresh operation performed after a washing operation, a rinse operation, and a final dehydration operation. 8. The method of claim 7, A steam supply unit driven during the refresh operation; And Further comprising a dry air generating unit operable when the steam supplying unit stops driving, Wherein the ultraviolet ray generator comprises: Wherein the steam supply unit is driven to stop driving with the dry air generating unit.

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