KR101708665B1 - Method for controlling washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A control method of a washing machine according to the present invention includes a step of determining the quantity of laundry in an inner tub; a step of setting a water supply level according to the determined amount of laundry; a step of supplying water into the inner tub until a water level in an outer tub reaches the water supply level; a step of setting the rotational speed of a pump motor according to the determined amount of laundry; a step of operating the pump motor at the set rotational speed; and a step of alternately rotating a pulsator bidirectionally. So, the amount of water used in the washing machine can be reduced.

Description

[0001] METHOD FOR CONTROLLING WASHING MACHINE [0002]

The present invention relates to a control method of a washing machine.

Generally, a washing machine is a device that processes laundry through various operations such as washing, dehydrating and / or drying. The washing machine includes an outer tank containing water and an inner tank rotatably provided in the outer tank, and the inner tank is provided with a plurality of through holes through which water passes.

When a user selects a desired course using the control panel in a state where laundry (such as clothes) or bedding (hereinafter also referred to as " foam ") is put in the inner tub, a predetermined algorithm is executed corresponding to the selected course , Water supply and drainage, washing, rinsing, and dehydration.

Generally, the amount of water to be supplied is determined according to the amount of bolls put in the inner tank (hereinafter referred to as "bollard"). In recent years, the amount of water supplied is reduced to save energy. However, as the water supply amount is reduced, there is a high possibility that the bag is exposed to the air, resulting in poor washing performance, stains on the clothes, and secondary contamination due to the residual detergent.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a control method of a washing machine which can reduce the amount of water used for washing and uniformly spray the laundry.

Secondly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a control method of a washing machine capable of controlling a pattern of water sprayed through a circulation nozzle according to a spray amount.

Third, a control method of a washing machine which can apply water to a blanket exposed to air using a circulation pump during stirring operation is provided.

Fourth, a control method of a washing machine in which water circulation can be performed between the outer tub and inner tub by operating the circulation pump even when the circulation water (see FIG. 10 (a) .

A control method for a washing machine according to the present invention is a method for controlling a washing machine comprising an outer tub containing water, an inner tub which receives the tub and is rotated about a vertical axis in the outer tub, a pulsator rotatably provided in the inner tub, The pump includes a variable speed pump motor and an impeller rotated by the motor to pressurize the water. The control method comprises the steps of: (a) ) Determining the amount of the stuffing in the inner tank; (b) setting a water level according to the amount of the water determined in the step (a); (c) watering into the inner tank until the water level in the outer tank reaches the water level set in the step (b); (d) setting a rotational speed of the pump motor according to the amount of the fluid determined in the step (a); (e) operating the pump motor at a rotational speed set in step (d); And (f) alternately rotating the pulsator in both directions.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for a washing machine, comprising: an outer tank containing water; an inner tank which is rotatable about a vertical axis in the outer tank, The pump includes a variable speed pump motor and an impeller which is rotated by the motor and pressurizes water to be fed. In the control method of the washing machine, the water is jetted to the inner tank through a circulation nozzle (a) determining an amount of the waste in the inner tank; (b) setting a water level according to the amount of the water determined in the step (a); (c) watering into the inner tank until the water level in the outer tank reaches the water level set in the step (b); And (d) continuously rotating the inner tank in one direction at a predetermined set speed, wherein when the quantity determined in the step (a) is smaller than a predetermined reference quantity, the pump motor is operated, The step (d) is performed during the operation.

The control method of the washing machine of the present invention is as follows. First, the amount of water used for washing can be reduced, and the pouring can be evenly effected.

Secondly, there is an effect that the pattern of the water sprayed through the circulation nozzle can be adjusted according to the amount of the water.

Third, water can be applied to the blanks exposed in the air by using the circulation nozzle, thereby preventing discoloration caused by exposure of the blanket to the air or secondary contamination due to solidification of the detergent residue.

Fourth, even when circulating water (see FIG. 10 (a)) can not be formed only by rotation of the inner tank due to a low water level, the pump can be operated to circulate water between the outer tank and inner tank.

1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view showing main components of the washing machine shown in Fig.
3 is a block diagram showing the control relationship between the main components of the washing machine shown in FIG.
Figure 4 shows a front view of a portion of the top cover of Figure 1;
Figure 5 shows a circulation nozzle.
Fig. 6 (a) schematically shows a height at which water sprayed through the circulation nozzle contacts the inner tank, according to the rotation speed of the cleaning motor, and Fig. 6 (b) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a water jetting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a flowchart showing an example of washing operation performed in step S6 of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another example of washing operation performed in step S6 of FIG.
10 (a) schematically shows the water flow forming pattern when the water level in the outer tank is lower than the reference water level, (b) schematically shows the water flow forming pattern when the water level in the outer tank is higher than the reference water level Respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention and the manner of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. To fully disclose the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a perspective view showing main components of the washing machine shown in Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the control relationship between the main components of the washing machine shown in FIG. Figure 4 shows a front view of a portion of the top cover of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a circulation nozzle. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a base 9, a cabinet 1, a top cover 2, a lid 4, and a control panel 3.

The base 9 may be supported by four supporting legs 16 provided in the vicinity of the four corners of the cabinet 1 in a flat shape corresponding to the bottom on which the washing machine is installed. A pump 45, which will be described later, may be installed on the base 9.

The cabinet 1 may be supported by a base 9 and may include a front side, both side surfaces and a rear side which are installed along the outer edge of the base 9 so as to form a space for receiving the outer tank 6 inwardly .

A top cover 2 may be coupled to the upper end of the cabinet 1. The top cover 2 may be provided with a charging port for charging and discharging laundry (or "foil"), and a lead 4 for opening and closing the charging port may be rotatably coupled to the top cover 2 .

In the cabinet 1, an outer tank 6 for storing water can be disposed. The outer tub 6 may be provided in a form suspended from the cabinet 1 by a hanger 8. The hanger 8 can include a support rod 8a whose upper end is pivotably engaged with the top cover 2 and a suspension 8b provided on the support rod 8a to buffer the vibration of the outer tank 6. [ have. Such a suspension 8b may be configured in various forms. For example, the suspension 8b supports the outer tank 5 and is fixedly arranged on the lower end of the support rod 8a, with the outer tank support member being moved along the support rod 8a as the outer tank 6 vibrates , And a spring for elastically supporting the outer tub supporting member. The hanger 8 may be provided at four corners of the cabinet 1, respectively.

The outer tub 6 may be open on the upper side and the outer tub cover 7 may be provided on the opened upper side. The outer covering cover 7 may be formed in a ring shape having a central opening portion for the entry and exit of laundry.

In the outer tub 6, an inner tub 5 accommodating the laundry and rotated about a vertical axis may be disposed. The inner tank 5 may be formed with a plurality of holes 5a through which water can pass and water can be exchanged between the inner tank 5 and the outer tank 6 through the holes 5a.

A drainage bellows 18 for draining water from the outer tub 6 and a drain valve 44 for interrupting the drainage bellows 18 can be provided. The drainage bellows 18 is connected to the pump 45 and water can be supplied to the pump 45 through the drainage bellows 18 when the drainage valve 44 is opened under the control of the controller 30 . It will be understood that the pump 45 is operated in a state in which the drain valve 18 is opened, although it will not be described below.

A pulsator 15 (see Fig. 10) can be rotatably provided in the inner lower portion of the inner tank 5. [ The pulsator 15 may include a plurality of upwardly projecting radial ribs. When pulsator 15 is rotated, water flow can be formed by the ribs.

A washing motor 41 may be disposed in the cabinet 1 to provide power for rotating the inner tub 5 and the pulsator 15. The washing motor 41 may be provided below the outer tub 6 and may be provided in the form of hanging in the cabinet 1 together with the outer tub 6. The rotary shaft of the washing motor 41 is always engaged with the pulsator 15 and can be engaged or disengaged from the inner tub 5 in accordance with the switching operation of the clutch (not shown). The pulsator 15 and the inner tub 5 are integrally rotated when the washing motor 41 is operated in a state where the rotating shaft is engaged with the inner tub 5 and the rotating shaft is separated from the inner tub 5 Only the pulsator 15 is rotated in the state where the inner tank 5 is stopped.

The washing motor 41 is capable of speed control and can be controlled under the control of the control unit 30. [ As the washing motor 41, a BLDC motor (Brushless Direct Current Motor) which is widely applied to an ordinary washing machine is suitable, but it is not necessarily limited thereto. As a method of controlling the speed of the BLDC motor, a method of controlling the output of the motor by using a proportional-integral controller (PI controller) and a proportional-integral-derivative controller (PID controller) Various methods including vector control of the input current of the motor are already well known and the speed control of the washing motor 41 can be performed by the kind of the motor and the corresponding known method, Is omitted.

The control panel 3 includes an input unit 46 such as a key, a button, and a touch panel that can set, select, and adjust various operation modes provided by the washing machine, and an input unit 46 such as a washing machine, A display panel such as a lamp, an LCD panel, and an LED panel may be provided.

The washing machine may include a water level sensor (42) for sensing the water level in the outer tank (6). The control unit 30 can control the water supply valve 43 and / or the drain valve 44 according to the water level sensed by the water level sensor 42. [

The top cover 2 may be provided with a dispenser 17 for supplying an additive acting on laundry to the inner tank 5 together with water. The additives supplied by the dispenser 17 include detergents and fabric softeners.

At least one pump is required to drain or circulate the water in the outer tub 6 through the circulating hose 10. The pump for drainage and the pump for circulation may be separately provided, but it is also possible to selectively perform drainage and circulation by using one pump 45 as in the embodiment.

The pump 45 may include a pump motor 45a (see FIG. 3) and an impeller (not shown) that is rotated by the pump motor 45a and presses the water. The pump motor is capable of speed control and can be constituted by a BLDC motor or the like like the washing motor 41.

The pump 45 may include two ports, that is, a circulating water discharge port 451 and a drain port 452, for discharging water pumped by the impeller. When the pump motor is rotated in the forward direction, water is discharged through the circulation water discharge port 451, and when the pump motor is rotated in the reverse direction, the water can be discharged through the drain port 452.

The circulation hose 10 guides the water pumped by the pump 45 to the circulation nozzle 12 so that one end is connected to the circulation water discharge port 451 and the other end is connected to the circulation nozzle 12 .

The dispenser 17 may include a dispenser housing 171 disposed inside the top cover 2 and a drawer 172 containing the additive and being drawably received in the dispenser housing 171. The top cover 2 may be provided with a draw opening for allowing the drawer 172 to pass therethrough. An opening may be formed in the dispenser housing 171 corresponding to the draw opening, have.

A plurality of water supply ports may be formed on the upper surface of the drawer housing 171. These water supply ports are connected to a first water supply port 171a and a second water supply port 171b through which the hot water and cold water supplied to the detergent receiving portion 172a respectively enter and a cold water , And a third water supply port 171c through which hot water flows. Hereinafter, cold water flows into the third water supply port 171c as an example, but hot water may flow into the third water supply port 171c depending on the embodiment.

The washing machine may include one or more water supply hoses (not shown) for guiding water supplied from an external water source such as a faucet. These water supply hoses include a first water supply hose (not shown) for guiding the water supplied from the cold water source to the first water supply port 171a and a second water supply hose (not shown) for guiding the water supplied from the hot water source to the second water supply port 171b A water supply hose (not shown), and a third water supply hose (not shown) for guiding the water supplied from the cold water source to the third water supply port 171c.

Further, one or more water supply valves 43 for interrupting the water supply hoses may be provided. For example, a first water supply valve (not shown) for interrupting a first water supply hose (not shown), a second water supply valve (not shown) for interrupting the second water supply hose, (Not shown), and each of the water supply valves may be operated under the control of the control unit 30. [

The washing machine is a nozzle for spraying water into the inner tank 5, and may include a circulation nozzle 12 and a direct water nozzle 13. The circulation nozzle 12 and the direct water nozzle 13 may be installed on the top cover 2 and preferably on both sides with the drawer 172 therebetween. A direct water supply hose (not shown) for guiding the water supplied from the cold water source to the direct water nozzle 13, and a fourth water supply valve (not shown) for interrupting the direct water supply hose.

The circulation nozzle 12 includes a tubular water supply pipe 121 for guiding the water supplied through the circulation hose 10 and a diffuser for refracting the water discharged from the water supply pipe 121 downward into the inner tank 5 122). The circulation nozzle 12 may be formed of a single piece of synthetic resin.

The circulation nozzle 12 may include a plate 123 extending radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the water supply pipe 121. The rear surface of the plate 123 faces the front surface of the top cover 2 and the diffuser 122 can be formed on the front surface of the plate 123.

The diffuser 122 may include a collision surface 124 in which water discharged through the outlet of the water supply pipe 121 collides and is deflected downward. The diffuser 122 has a jet port 122h projecting from the front surface of the plate 123 and jetting water into the inner tank 5. [ The diffuser 122 may be gradually expanded in diameter from the outlet of the water supply pipe 121 to the injection port 122h as a chamber or a funnel form depressed from the injection port 122h. The portion of the inner surface of the diffuser 122 forming the chamber located at the front end of the outlet of the water supply pipe 121 is inclined so that the water discharged from the outlet can be deflected downward, Corresponds to the collision surface 124.

The lower end 123a of the plate 123 can be inclined so that the distance from the impact surface 124 becomes closer toward the injection port 122h. The lower end portion 123a is farthest from the top cover 2 at the edge portion constituting the jetting port 122h. Since the edge portion is separated from the top cover 2, when the water pressure is low and water flows along the lower end portion 123a, water falling from the edge is prevented from flowing on the top cover 2 .

When water is supplied through the water supply pipe 121 at a sufficient water pressure, the water sprayed through the injection port 122h is maximally spread in the left and right directions at the maximum spray width angle? W when viewed from the front (See FIG. 5 (a)) with respect to the vertical line H when viewed from the side, but the water pressure supplied through the water supply pipe 121 is lowered The width of the water flow jetted through the circulation nozzles 12 and the maximum height reaching the water flow are lowered.

The water pressure of the water supplied through the water supply pipe 121 varies depending on the rotational speed of the pump motor 45a and the control unit 30 varies the rotational speed of the pump motor 45a, The shape of the stream can be controlled.

On the other hand, the direct water nozzle 13 has a structure similar to that of the circulation nozzle 12, and is also connected to the top cover 2 in the same way, so that the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those described above, The explanation will be made as described above. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the direct water nozzle 13 and the circulation nozzle 12 may be arranged such that the elements constituting each nozzle are mirror symmetric.

(Not shown) for guiding the water supplied from the cold water source to the direct water nozzle 13, and a direct water injection water valve (not shown) for interrupting the direct water injection water hose may be provided .

The nozzle cap 14 may be coupled to the circulation nozzle 12 and the direct water nozzle 13, respectively. The nozzle cap 14 is formed to surround the outside of the diffuser 122 of each of the nozzles 12 and 13 and has an opening communicating with the ejection port of the nozzles 12 and 13. The nozzle cap 14 may be engaged with the plate 123.

Fig. 6 (a) schematically shows a height at which water sprayed through the circulation nozzle contacts the inner tank, according to the rotation speed of the cleaning motor, and Fig. 6 (b) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a water jetting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of washing operation performed in step S6 of FIG.

6 to 8, a method of controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a washing operation setting step S1, a laundry amount sensing step S2, a water level setting step S3, a water feeding step S4, , And a washing operation execution step (S6).

The washing operation setting step (S1) is a step for inputting the settings constituting the washing operation through the input unit (46). Necessary settings for the execution of washing, rinsing and / or dewatering constituting the washing course, the course can be inputted. The settings may include a time required for each stroke, a water supply time, a drain time, and the like.

The surplus amount sensing step S2 is a step of sensing a surplus amount in the inner tank 5. [ The amount can be determined by the control unit 30. The inertia of the inner tank 5 or the pulsator 15 may be an indicator for determining the amount of waste. For example, when rotating the inner tub 5 in the stopped state, since the stopping inertia of the inner tub 5 is larger the larger the filling amount, the more time is required until the inner tub 5 reaches the predetermined target speed. Therefore, the control unit 30 can determine the amount of packed rice based on the time taken for the inner tank 5 to reach the target speed. As another example, when braking the rotating inner drum 5, it is also possible to determine the drum take-off amount based on the time taken for the inner drum 5 to stop. In this case, the rotational inertia of the inner drum 5, . In addition, the amount of laundry may be determined in consideration of the change in the input or output current of the washing motor 41, the electromotive force, and the like. As a method for obtaining the amount of waste is well known in the related art, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, the control unit 30 can determine the amount of waste by various methods already known.

The water level setting step S3 is a step of setting the water level according to the amount of the water determined in the step S2. The control unit 30 can set the water level to be higher as the volume increases.

The water feeding step S4 is a step of supplying water into the inner tank 5. [ The water can be supplied through at least one of the dispenser 17 and the direct water nozzle 13. Hereinafter, it is assumed that water is supplied through the dispenser 17.

When the water level sensed by the water level sensor 41 reaches the water level set in S3, the controller 30 can stop the water supply (S5). After the water supply is completed, the washing operation set in the step S1 may be performed (S6). The washing operation may include a stirring mode in which the pulsator 15 is rotated alternately in both directions in a state where the inner tub 5 is stopped and an inner tubing rotation mode in which the inner tub 5 is continuously rotated in one direction.

Hereinafter, the stirring mode will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

The stirring mode may constitute a part of washing operation according to a predetermined algorithm, and step S61 shows that the stirring mode is started during the washing operation.

The control unit 30 can set the rotational speed of the pump motor 45a in accordance with the amount of fluid determined in step S2 (S62). The rotational speed may be set to be larger as the volume determined in step S2 is larger. The water is injected to a higher level through the circulation nozzle 12 because the water is filled up to a higher position in the inner tank 5 as the water volume increases. Accordingly, the rotation speed of the pump motor 45a is set higher as the water volume increases . 6, the higher the rotation speed of the pump motor 45a, the more the water sprayed from the circulation nozzle 12 reaches the higher position on the inner tank 5, and the wider the water in the lateral direction, have. (When the speed of the pump motor 45a increases in the order of I, II, and III)

In step S63, the pump motor 45a can be operated at the rotational speed set in step S62. The water is injected through the circulation nozzle 12, and the detergent supplied together with the water supply is uniformly dissolved in the water in step S4.

While the pump motor 45a is rotating, the pulsator 15 can be alternately rotated in both directions (S64). At this time, the rotation of the inner tank 5 is stopped. The contamination of the cloth can be removed by the physical friction force with the pulsator 15 as well as the chemical action by the detergent dissolved in the water.

The control unit 30 can stop the operation of the pump motor 45a when the predetermined time T0 after the time T in which the stirring operation S64 has been performed exceeds the predetermined time T0, ) Can also be stopped together (S66).

S67 indicates the end of the stirring mode, and the remaining operation modes of the washing operation can be performed thereafter.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another example of washing operation performed in step S6 of FIG. 10 (a) schematically shows the water flow forming pattern when the water level in the outer tank is lower than the reference water level, (b) schematically shows the water flow forming pattern when the water level in the outer tank is higher than the reference water level Respectively.

Hereinafter, the inner tone rotation mode will be described in more detail with reference to Figs. 9 to 10. Fig.

The inner tone rotation mode may constitute a part of the washing operation according to a predetermined algorithm, and step S68 indicates that the inner tone rotation mode is started during the washing operation.

The control unit 30 compares the quantity M of the quantity of fluid determined in the step S2 with the quantity of the reference quantity M0 and may operate the pump motor 45a if M is smaller than M0. The water can be injected through the circulation nozzle 12.

Thereafter, the control unit 30 can continuously rotate the inner tank 5 in one direction at a predetermined set speed while the pump motor 45a is operating. The set speed may be set within a range that satisfies the following conditions.

Water is raised between the outer tank 6 and the inner tank 5 when the inner tank 5 is rotated at the set speed in a state in which water is filled up to the water level corresponding to the reference volume M0 in the outer tank 6 (See Fig. 10 (b)) overflows into the inner tank 5 beyond the upper end of the inner tank 5 The raised water along the space between the outer tank 6 and the inner tank 5 does not exceed the upper end of the inner tank 5 when the inner tank 5 is rotated at the set speed in the state of FIG. .

When M is smaller than M0, the water rising along the inner tank 5 and the outer tank 6 can not pass over the upper end of the inner tank 5, so that circulating water flow due to the rotation of the inner tank 5 can not be generated. Therefore, in this case, the pump motor 45a is operated to spray water through the circulation nozzle 12, so that water can be circulated between the inner tank 5 and the outer tank 6. [ Not only the detergent can be uniformly dissolved in the laundry, but also the effect that the water sprayed through the circulation nozzle 12 can be directly applied to the pods can be evenly moistened. Particularly, in the rinse cycle, Can be effectively rinsed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S69 that M is larger than M0, the control unit 30 can control the washing motor S71 to continuously rotate in one direction without operating the pump motor 45a. In this case, a circulating water flow as shown in Fig. 10 (b) can be formed.

The controller 30 can stop the operation of the pump motor 45a when the time T at which the step S71 has been performed exceeds the predetermined time T0 (S73). S74 shows the end of the agitation mode, and the remaining operation modes of the washing operation can be performed thereafter.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims rather than the above detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of claims and their equivalents are included in the scope of the present invention Should be interpreted.

Claims (8)

delete delete delete delete A pulsator provided rotatably in the inner tub, and a water pump for injecting water, which is discharged from the outer tub, into the inner tub, Wherein the pump includes a variable speed pump motor and an impeller rotated by the motor to pressurize water, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) determining a stock amount in the inner tank;
(b) setting a water level according to the amount of the water determined in the step (a);
(c) watering into the inner tank until the water level in the outer tank reaches the water level set in the step (b); And
(d) continuously rotating the inner tank in one direction at a predetermined set speed,
The step (d)
Wherein the pump motor is operated while the inner tank is continuously rotated in one direction at the predetermined speed when the amount of the particles determined in the step (a) is smaller than the predetermined reference amount, , The inner tank is continuously rotated in one direction at the set speed in a state where the pump motor is stopped,
The set speed in the step (d)
When the inner tank is rotated at the set speed in a state in which water is filled up to the water level corresponding to the reference volume in the outer tank, water rises along the space between the outer tank and the inner tank to be poured into the inner tank When the inner tank is rotated at the predetermined speed in a state in which water is filled in the outer tank to a water level lower than the water level corresponding to the reference volume, water raised along the inner tank and the inner tank moves beyond the upper end of the inner tank Wherein the control unit is operable to control the washing machine. delete 6. The method of claim 5,
The water supply level in the step (b)
Wherein the larger the amount determined in the step (a), the greater the setting is made. 6. The method of claim 5,
The step (c)
Wherein the detergent is fed into the inner tank together with water.

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