KR102200698B1 - Washing machine including a plurality of washing tanks and method for operating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the present invention, disclosed are a washing machine including a plurality of washing tubs independent from each other and a method of operating the same. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a washing machine may comprise: a housing forming an outer frame and an outer surface; a plurality of storage tanks for storing water in the housing; a plurality of washing tubs each forming an individual washing space within the storage tanks, washing laundry through a rotational motion, and having a cylindrical shape; and main driving motors provided individually for each of the washing tubs and connected to the washing tubs through a first drive shaft to rotate the washing tubs.

Description

A washing machine including a plurality of washing tanks and its operating method TECHNICAL FIELD [WASHING MACHINE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF WASHING TANKS AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a washing machine including a plurality of washing tubs, and more particularly, to a washing machine including a plurality of washing tubs and an operating method thereof.

A washing machine is a household appliance that uses electric power to wash clothes. There are two types of washing machines: a drum washing machine in which laundry is washed by raising and falling upward while the washing tub rotates, and an electric washing machine in which laundry is washed by using water flow generated by a pulsator when the rotating tub is rotated.

When the washing machine is operated by putting laundry in the washing tank, a certain amount of water is supplied into the storage tank, and then the drive motor operates to repeatedly rotate the washing tank in the forward or reverse direction.This rotational motion causes the laundry to rise and fall in the washing tank. During repetition, it collides with the water inside the washing tub, and the laundry is washed by the impact generated by the collision.

Meanwhile, in recent years, the needs of consumers to separate laundry according to the material and type of clothes are increasing. For example, because children's immunity is weaker than adults, children's clothes tend to be washed separately from adult clothes.

In order to reflect the needs of these consumers, the recent drum washing machine has a structure in which a separate sub-space is provided in addition to the existing washing tank, and separate laundry can be put into the sub-space. However, these sub-spaces are washed depending on the rotational force of the existing washing tub without independent rotational force, and dust and various contaminants move from the washing tub to the sub-space because the sub-space and the existing washing tub share the same water. There is a problem.

An object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a washing machine including a plurality of washing tubs independent from each other, and an operating method thereof.

One aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is to provide a washing machine including a plurality of washing tubs.

The washing machine may include: a housing forming an external frame and an external surface; A plurality of storage tanks storing water in the housing; A plurality of washing tubs each forming an individual washing space within the reservoirs, washing laundry through rotational motion, and having a cylindrical shape; And main driving motors that are individually provided for each of the washing tubs and connected to the washing tubs through a first drive shaft to rotate the washing tubs.

The washing tubs include: a first washing tub and a second washing tub disposed to have the same horizontal axis at an upper end of the housing; And a third washing tub disposed to have the same vertical axis as the first washing tub and a fourth washing tub disposed to have the same vertical axis as the second washing tub at the lower end of the housing.

The washing machine may further include front doors through which laundry can be individually injected into each of the washing tubs in the front of the housing.

The washing machine may include: a first control panel receiving an input for operating a washing operation for the first washing tub; A second control panel for receiving an input for operating a washing operation for the second washing tub; A third control panel for receiving an input for operating a washing operation for the third washing tub; And a fourth control panel receiving an input for operating a washing operation for the fourth washing tank.

The washing machine may further include a plurality of heaters that heat water stored in each of the storage tanks and have a number corresponding to the number of washing tanks.

The washing machine may further include a plurality of temperature sensors that sense the temperature of water stored in each of the storage tanks and have a number corresponding to the number of washing tanks.

Each of the water storage tanks may be arranged to surround at least two washing tanks from the outside, so that the at least two washing tanks may share water to be used for washing.

The washing machine may further include a separating device for spatially separating the interior of the storage tank within each of the storage tanks.

The separating device may include a sub drive motor providing rotational force through a second drive shaft; A curtain accommodating part connected to the sub drive motor and the second drive shaft to perform a rotational motion; A separation curtain that is wound on the curtain receiving portion and moves in the direction of gravity through a rotational motion to spatially separate the interior of each of the reservoirs; And a fixing part that is attached to the separation curtain to fix the separation curtain.

The washing machine controls the washing machine to support an interlocking mode in which the at least two washing tanks sharing one water tank are operated in conjunction with each other using the separating device, and an independent mode in which each of the washing tanks operates independently of each other. It may further include a control unit.

The control unit may include at least one processor; A memory storing instructions for instructing the at least one processor to perform at least one step; And a communication module for receiving a user input by wirelessly communicating with an external user terminal or an Internet of Things (IoT) device.

In the case of using a washing machine including a plurality of washing tubs and an operating method thereof according to the present invention as described above, since the washing tubs are configured independently of each other, laundry can be completely separated and washed.

In addition, there is an advantage in that only some of the plurality of washing tubs can be selectively driven, or two or more washing tubs are interlocked to each other to perform a washing operation.

1 is an exemplary view showing a washing machine including a plurality of washing tubs according to an embodiment.
2 is a view showing a cross-section of the washing machine in a plane parallel to the front of the washing machine according to FIG.
3 is a view showing a cross section of the washing machine cut in a plane parallel to the right side of the washing machine according to FIG. 1.
4 is a view for explaining the operating principle of the separation device according to FIG. 2.
5 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit according to FIG. 3.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment.
7 is a first flowchart partially embodied in the flowchart according to FIG. 6.
8 is a second flowchart partially embodied in the flowchart according to FIG. 6.
9 is a flowchart showing steps after the flowchart of FIG. 8.

In the present invention, various modifications may be made and various embodiments may be provided, and specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to a specific embodiment, it is to be understood to include all changes, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. In describing each drawing, similar reference numerals have been used for similar elements.

Terms such as first, second, A, and B may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by the terms. These terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element. The term and/or includes a combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of a plurality of related listed items.

When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it is understood that it may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but other components may exist in the middle. Should be. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there is no other component in the middle.

The terms used in the present application are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the present application, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but one or more other features. It is to be understood that the presence or addition of elements or numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof, does not preclude in advance.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Terms as defined in a commonly used dictionary should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related technology, and should not be interpreted as an ideal or excessively formal meaning unless explicitly defined in this application. Does not.

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

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1 is an exemplary view showing a washing machine including a plurality of washing tubs according to an embodiment. 2 is a view showing a cross-section of the washing machine in a plane parallel to the front of the washing machine according to FIG. 1. 3 is a view showing a cross section of the washing machine cut in a plane parallel to the right side of the washing machine according to FIG. 1. 4 is a view for explaining the operating principle of the separation device according to FIG. 2.

1 to 3, a washing machine 100 according to an embodiment includes a housing 110, a plurality of washing tubs 170a, 170b, 170c, and 170d, and washing tubs 170a, 170b, 170c, and 170d. A plurality of control panels (120a, 120b, 120c, 120d) separately provided for each of the washing tanks (170a, 170b, 170c, 170d) of at least two of the washing tanks (160a, 160b) surrounding the outside. Can include.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 1, only the first control panel 120a and the second control panel 120b are shown to include a predetermined button part, but this is only a selection for convenience of drawing, and the plurality of control panels Each of the s 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d may include a predetermined button portion and/or a touch type display.

The housing 110 may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape that forms an outer frame and an outer surface of the washing machine 100 and has rounded corners. For example, the housing 110 may have an external shape in which four sub-washers having a rectangular parallelepiped shape are arranged in two vertically, horizontally and horizontally.

The washing tubs 170a, 170b, 170c, and 170d each form a laundry space therein, wash laundry through a rotational motion, and may have a drum (or cylinder) shape, where at least a portion of one surface of the drum shape is open. Can be. In addition, it may be disposed inside the housing 110 so that one open surface faces the front surface of the housing 110. Specifically, the third washing tub 170c and the fourth washing tub 170d may be disposed to have the same horizontal axis (for example, a virtual axis penetrating the drum) inside the housing 110, and the first washing tub 170a And the second washing tub 170b may be disposed above the third washing tub 170c and the fourth washing tub 170d so as to have the same horizontal axis. At this time, the first washing tub 170a may be disposed to have the same vertical axis as the third washing tub 170c (a virtual axis that penetrates the drum and is at an angle of 90 degrees to the horizontal axis), and the second washing tub 170b and the second washing tub 170b 4 The washing tub 170d may be disposed to have the same vertical axis. Accordingly, when viewed from the front of the housing 110, the first washing tub 170a is disposed on the left side of the upper end of the housing 110, the second washing tub 170b is disposed on the right side of the upper end of the housing 110, and the housing ( The third washing tub 170c may be disposed on the left side of the lower end of 110 ), and the fourth washing tub 170d may be disposed at the right side of the lower end of the housing 110.

The reservoirs 160a and 160b are tubs for storing water (washing water or hemp water) to be used in the washing step or the rinsing step, and each of the reservoirs 160a and 160b surrounds at least two washing tubs from the outside. Can be placed. For example, the first storage tank 160a may be disposed to surround the first washing tank 170a and the second washing tank 170b from the outside, and the second storage tank 160b may include a third washing tank 170c and a fourth washing tank. It may be arranged to surround the washing tub 170d from the outside.

The control panels 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d are disposed above each of the washing tubs 170a, 170b, 170c, and 170d in the front of the housing 110 to receive an input for operating the washing machine 100. have. For example, the first control panel 120a may receive an input for manipulating the washing operation in the first washing tub 170a, and the second control panel 120b is washing in the second washing tub 170b. An input for manipulating an operation may be received, the third control panel 120c may receive an input for manipulating the washing operation in the third washing tank 170c, and the fourth control panel 120d may be 4 An input for operating a washing operation in the washing tub 1704 may be received.

Each of the control panels 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d may include a display area in which various information about the washing machine 100 is displayed. Here, the display area may be implemented as a touch screen to receive an input for operating the washing machine 100. For example, the display area may display a power icon for controlling power on/off of the washing machine 100, and a washing tub controlled by a corresponding control panel may be turned on through a touch input to the power icon. In addition, the display area includes an icon for starting or stopping washing, an icon for selecting a washing mode, an icon for selecting additional operations that can be performed when washing according to the selected mode, an icon for setting a target temperature of water, and a washing tub. An icon for selecting the rotation speed of the devices may be displayed, and an input corresponding to a function of the displayed icon may be received.

Front doors 140a, 140b, 140c, and 140d through which laundry can be individually injected into each of the washing tubs 170a, 170b, 170c, and 170d may be disposed on the front of the housing 110. In addition, hooks 150a, 150b, 150c, 150d may be included at one side of each of the front doors 140a, 140b, 140c, and 140d, and the hooks 150a, 150b, 150c, 150d may be included in the housing 110 The front doors 140a, 140b, 140c, and 140d may be locked by combining with hook receiving portions (not shown) disposed at positions corresponding to the hooks 150a, 150b, 150c, and 150d.

Front door holes 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d may be included in the center of the front doors 140a, 140b, 140c, and 140d. The front door holes 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d may be configured to face an open surface of the washing tubs 170a, 170b, 170c, and 170d in a transparent circle. Accordingly, the interior of the washing tubs 170a, 170b, 170c, and 170d can be observed from the outside through the front door holes 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d.

Each of the front door holes 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d may include an auxiliary door (not shown) so that laundry can be injected even when the front doors 140a, 140b, 140c, and 140d are closed.

The washing machine 100 may include a plurality of heaters 172a capable of heating water stored in each of the reservoirs 160a and 160b. The heaters 172a may be a number corresponding to the number of washing tubs. For example, each of the plurality of heaters 172a may be disposed adjacent to the washing tank 170a disposed inside each water storage tank 160a. For example, the first heater 172a may be disposed adjacent to the first washing tank 170a in the first storage tank 160a, and the second heater (not shown) is inside the first storage tank 160a. It may be disposed adjacent to the second washing tub (170b). The heater 172a may generate heat as a current supplied from an external power source is conducted.

The washing machine 100 may include a temperature sensor 173a capable of sensing the temperature of water stored in each of the reservoirs 160a and 160b. The temperature sensors 173a may be a number corresponding to the number of washing tubs. For example, each temperature sensor 173a may be disposed adjacent to the assigned washing tank 170a in each water storage tank 160a. For example, the first temperature sensor 173a may be disposed adjacent to the first washing tank 170a inside the first storage tank 160a, and the second temperature sensor (not shown) is the first storage tank 160a. ) May be disposed adjacent to the second washing tub 170b inside.

Meanwhile, each of the washing tubs 170a, 170b, 170c, and 170d may include perforated holes 174 on the inner surfaces thereof. Water stored in the water storage tanks through the perforated holes 174 may flow into the washing tanks 170a, 170b, 170c, and 170d. The perforated holes 174 may be circular or oval, and when the washing tubs 170a, 170b, 170c, and 170d have a cylindrical shape, perforated holes 174 may be formed around the cylinder, but the washing tubs 170a, 170b , 170c, 170d) may be formed with perforated holes 174 in the rear facing the open front.

The inner surfaces of the washing tubs 170a, 170b, 170c, and 170d may further include lifters 171a protruding outward of the surface. The lifters 171a protrude outward from the inner surfaces of the washing tubs, so that the laundry inside the washing tubs may rise and fall repeatedly according to the rotation of the washing tubs.

The washing machine 100 is a main driving motor connected to the washing tubs 170a, 170b, 170c, and 170d through a drive shaft 175b on the rear facing the open front of each of the washing tubs 170a, 170b, 170c, and 170d. It may include s 176b. The main driving motors 176b are individually disposed for each of the washing tubs 170a, 170b, 170c, and 170d, and transmit the rotational force through the drive shaft 175b to the washing tubs 170a, 170b, 170c, and 170d to (170a, 170b, 170c, 170d) can be rotated.

The washing machine 100 may include at least one damper 190 and 191 supporting the reservoirs 160a and 160b inside the housing 110. For example, the first damper 190 may be disposed above the second reservoir 160b to stably support the first reservoir 160a. The second damper 191 is disposed so that the housing 110 is in contact with the lower portion of the second storage tank 160b, so that the second storage tank 160b can be stably supported inside the housing 110. In FIG. 2, each of the first damper 190 and the second damper 191 is shown, but is not limited thereto, and the first damper 190 and the second damper 191 may each be composed of a plurality of dampers. have.

The washing machine 100 may include a water supply device 200 that individually supplies water to the reservoirs 160a and 160b. The water supply device 200 may be connected to each of the storage tanks through a pipe, and the pipe may include a valve to selectively supply a flow of water to the storage tanks. In addition, a pipe connected to the water supply device 200 may be connected to the storage tanks so as to be adjacent to the rear surface of each of the washing tanks. For example, water may be supplied from the water supply device 200 to a pipe connected to the first storage tank 160a adjacent to the rear surface of the first washing tank 170a through the valve operation of the pipe, or the second washing tank 170b Water may be supplied through a pipe connected to the first storage tank 160b adjacent to the rear surface. That is, it may be configured to individually receive water for each washing tub.

The washing machine 100 may further include a drain pump 210 that drains water stored in the reservoirs 160a and 160b. The drain pump 210 is disposed at the lower end of the housing 110 and may drain water through a drain pipe connected to each of the reservoirs 160a and 160b. That is, it may be configured to drain water individually for each washing tub.

Meanwhile, in one embodiment, the first washing tub 170a and the second washing tub 170b may share water to be used in the washing step or the rinsing step through one first reservoir 160a, and the third washing tub ( 170c) and the fourth washing tank 170d may share water to be used in the washing step or the rinsing step through one second storage tank 160b. Therefore, there is an advantage that the first washing tub 170a and the second washing tub 170b are synchronized with each other (and the third washing tub 170c and the fourth washing tub 170d are synchronized with each other) to perform washing. There may be a problem in that it is difficult for the 1 washing tub 170a and the second washing tub 170b to independently perform washing.

In order to solve this problem, in one embodiment, the washing machine 100 may include a separating device 180 for separating the interior of the storage tank into a space within each storage tank. The separating device 180 includes a sub-drive motor 184a that provides rotational force through the drive shaft 183, a curtain receiving part 180a that is connected through the sub-drive motor 184a and the drive shaft 183a to perform rotational motion, A separation curtain (181a) that is wound around the curtain receiving portion (180a) and moves in the direction of gravity through a rotational motion to spatially separate the interior of the reservoir, and the separation curtain (181a) by binding to the separation curtain (181a). It may include a fixing portion (182a). The separating device 180 may have a number corresponding to the number of reservoirs.

The curtain accommodating portion 180a has a cylindrical shape, wraps and accommodates the separation curtain 181a, and allows the separation curtain 181a to fall through a rotational motion.

The separation curtain 181a may have an area corresponding to the central cross-section so that a plurality of metal rods are tightly connected to each other to spatially separate the central cross-section of the storage tank.

The fixing part 182a may be attached to the separation curtain 181a descending in the direction of gravity. For example, the fixing part 182a may generate a magnetic energy corresponding to an applied current, and may be coupled to a metal rod-shaped separation curtain 181a with magnetism generated by the magnetic field. For example, the fixing part 182a may generate a magnetic field corresponding to the rotational force of at least two washing tanks included in the storage tank. Specifically, a magnetic field may be generated in the first storage tank based on a current supplied to the main driving motors required for rotation of the first washing tank and the second washing tank or an amount of current in a ratio corresponding to the power. Accordingly, the fixing part 182a can always stably fix the separation curtain even when the washing tank performs washing quickly or slowly.

The washing machine 100 may include a controller 220 that controls the components included in the washing machine 100 as a whole. For example, the control unit 220 may be electrically connected to the control panels 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d at the front side of the housing 110, but is not limited thereto. For example, the control unit 220 may be disposed at one of an upper end, a rear end, and a lower end of the housing 110. The control unit 220 may mount various chips as a PCB (Programmable Circuit Board).

In one embodiment, the control unit 220 uses the separating device 180 to support an interlocking mode in which at least two washing tubs sharing one water tank operate in conjunction with each other and an independent mode in which each washing tub operates independently of each other. I can. For example, the independent mode is set to the default mode so that the separation curtain 181a of the separation device 180 spatially separates the reservoir, and when the interlocking mode is activated, the separation device ( By operating 180), two washing tanks that share one water tank can be operated in conjunction with each other.

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5 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit according to FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 5, the control unit 220 includes at least one processor 211 and a memory 212 storing instructions instructing the at least one processor 211 to perform at least one step. , And a communication module 213 for wirelessly communicating with an external user terminal or IoT device.

Here, the at least one processor 211 means a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor on which methods according to embodiments of the present invention are performed. I can. The memory 212 may be at least one of a volatile storage medium and a nonvolatile storage medium. For example, the memory 212 may be at least one of a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM).

The communication module 213 includes an external user terminal or IoT device and code division multiple access (CDMA) technology, wideband CDMA (WCDMA) technology, time division multiple access (TDMA) technology, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) technology, and OFDM ( Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) technology, Filtered OFDM technology, CP (cyclic prefix)-OFDM technology, DFT-s-OFDM (discrete Fourier transform-spread-OFDM) technology, OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiple access) technology, SC (single carrier) )-FDMA technology, NOMA (Non-orthogonal Multiple Access) technology, GFDM (generalized frequency division multiplexing) technology, FBMC (filter bank multi-carrier) technology, UFMC (universal filtered multi-carrier) technology, SDMA (Space Division Multiple Access) technology ) Wireless communication can be performed based on technology or the like.

The communication module 213 may wirelessly receive an input corresponding to an icon touch input that can be displayed on the above-described control panels from an external user terminal or IoT device.

The controller 220 may transmit a control command corresponding to a user input received from the control panel group 120 or a user input received from the communication module 210 to each of the components. The control panel group 120 may include the control panels 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d described in FIGS. 1 to 3.

For example, the processor 211 generates a control command corresponding to a user input, transmits the generated control command to the main driving motor group 176 to control the rotation of the washing tubs, and transmits the generated control command to the sub driving motor group 184. It transmits to control space separation of each of the reservoirs, transmits to the heater group 172 to control the water temperature for each of the reservoirs, and transmits to the temperature sensor group 173 to sense the water temperature for each of the reservoirs. Can receive. In addition, the processor 211 may transmit a control command to the water supply device 200 to control water supply to the reservoirs through the water supply device 200. In addition, the processor 2110 may transmit a control command to the drain pump 210 to control drainage of water stored in the reservoirs. The main driving motor group 176 may include the main driving motor 176b shown in FIG. 3. The sub drive motor group 184 may include the sub drive motor 184a shown in FIG. 4. The heater group 172 may include heaters 172a and 172b shown in FIGS. 2 to 3. The temperature sensor group 173 may include temperature sensors 173a and 173b shown in FIGS. 2 to 3.

Specifically, for example, the processor 211 may generate a control command to sequentially perform a water supply phase, a washing step, a draining step, a rinsing step, and a spin-drying step in each of the washing tanks. Hereinafter, the water supply phase, the washing step, the draining step, the rinsing step, and the dewatering step may all be collectively referred to as an operating state.

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6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment. 7 is a first flowchart partially embodied in the flowchart according to FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the operation method of the washing machine, first receiving a washing start input for a first washing tank (S100), a first washing tank and a second washing tank sharing the same first storage tank as the first washing tank are interlocked with each other. Determining whether the interlocking mode to be operated is activated (S110), determining the operation state of the second washing tub in response to the determination (S120), and the first washing tub based on the determined operation state of the second washing tub And controlling the second washing tank together (S130).

Here, the first washing tub may be the first washing tub 170a among the above-described washing tubs 170a, 170b, 170c, and 170d, and the second washing tub is a second washing tub among the above-described washing tubs 170a, 170b, 170c, and 170d. Although it may be the washing tank 170b, it may be interpreted by replacing it with the third washing tub 170c and the fourth washing tub 170d, respectively.

For example, determining the operation state of the second washing tub (S120) may be performed when the interlocking mode is activated. When it is determined in step S110 that the interlocking mode is not activated, it is not necessary to determine the operation state of the second washing tub, and the first washing tub is independently controlled to start the water supply step for the first washing tub.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S120 that the operation state of the second washing tub is the water supply step (S200), the operating method of the washing machine includes the step of stopping the water supply step for the second washing tub (S210), and It may further include controlling the drive motor to open the separation curtain spatially separating the first storage tank (S220).

That is, when the operation state of the second washing tank is in the water supply stage, it is considered that the interlocking washing with the first washing tank is possible, and the space of the first storage tank may be opened after stopping the water supplying stage to the second washing tank. Since water partially supplied to the second washing tub is also delivered to the first washing tub according to the opening of the space, it is required to determine the amount of water supply input commonly applied to the first washing tub and the second washing tub.

Accordingly, after step S220, a step S230 of determining a water supply input amount to the first storage tank based on the first water supply input amount to the first washing tank and the second water supply input amount to the second washing tank (S230) may be further included. Here, the first water supply input amount may be an amount of water set by the user to operate the first washing tub, and the second water supply input amount may be an amount of water set by the user to operate the second washing tub.

Specifically, the step of determining the water supply input amount for the first storage tank (S230) is to correspond to the second water supply input amount set first in the second washing tank in the interlocking mode (water according to the second water supply input amount set in the second washing tank). It is possible to determine the water supply input amount to the first storage tank so that it is the same as the water level. As another example, the step of determining the water supply input amount for the first storage tank (S230) is to correspond to the average of the first water supply input amount and the second water supply input amount (to be the same as the water level according to the average) for the first storage tank. You can determine the amount of water input.

After step S230, the operation method of the washing machine may further include a step S240 of simultaneously performing a water supply step for the first washing tub and a water supply step for the second washing tub based on the determined water supply input amount. That is, after the water supply to the second washing tank is temporarily stopped, water supply to the first washing tank and the second washing tank may be simultaneously performed according to the water supply input amount of the first storage tank shared by the first washing tank and the second washing tank. Since water supply is performed according to the amount of water input to the first storage tank, the water supply step to the first washing tank and the second washing tank may be terminated at the same time.

Accordingly, when both the water supply steps for the first washing tub and the second washing tub are completed, the washing steps for the first washing tub and the washing steps for the second washing tub are synchronized with each other to perform the same time sequence.

Here, the meaning that the washing step for the first washing tub and the washing step for the second washing tub are synchronized with each other means that the main drive motor connected to the first washing tub and the first washing tub are connected so that the rotational motion direction of the first washing tub and the second washing tub are the same. This may mean controlling the main main drive motor connected to the second washing tub. That is, the two washing tubs may be controlled to rotate a certain number of times in a clockwise direction in the same manner as each other, and then a certain number of rotations in a counterclockwise direction in the same manner as each other. In this synchronization control, since the two washing tanks rotate in the same direction in one storage tank, the flows of water stored in the storage tank can be kept the same. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that power consumption required for rotating the first and second washing tubs can be reduced.

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8 is a second flowchart partially embodied in the flowchart according to FIG. 6. 9 is a flowchart showing steps after the flowchart of FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 8, when the operation state of the second washing tank is determined to be the washing step in step S120 (S300), the interlocking mode may be supported. That is, when it is determined that the operation state of the second washing tank is the washing step (S300), the operating method of the washing machine includes stopping the washing step of the second washing tank (S310), and controlling the sub-drive motor installed in the first storage tank. The step of opening the separation curtain spatially separating the first storage tank (S320), and a water supply input amount to the first storage tank based on the first water supply input amount to the first washing tank and the second water supply input amount to the second washing tank. It may include a determining step (S330).

Here, the step of determining the water supply input amount (S330) may be performed in the same manner as in step S230 of FIG. 7.

On the other hand, the operating method of the washing machine, unlike step S240, after the step (S330) of determining the water supply input amount, further includes a step (S340) of independently performing a water supply step for the first washing tank based on the determined water supply input amount. can do. That is, by performing the water supply step for the first washing tub alone, the washing step of the second washing tub may be stopped until the first washing tub enters the washing step.

The operation method of the washing machine is, after step S340, after the water supply step for the first washing tub is finished, the washing step for the second washing tub is resumed, and the washing step for the first washing tub is performed for the second washing tub. It may further include a step (S350) of performing synchronization with each other.

On the other hand, in step S350, since the operation step of the second washing tank enters the washing step first, it is difficult to perform the washing steps of the first washing tub and the second washing tub for the same time. For example, when the first washing tub and the second washing tub perform the washing step in the same washing method, the washing step for the second washing tub may be terminated first. In addition, even in the preceding step S250, even if the first washing tub and the second washing tub are controlled to enter the washing step at the same time, if the set washing method is different, one of the first washing tub and the second washing tub may end the washing step first.

Accordingly, referring to FIG. 9, a method of operating a washing machine includes a step of detecting that one of a washing step for a first washing tub and a washing step for a second washing tub ends first (S360), a first washing tub and a second washing tub. Determining the remaining time for the washing step of the washing tub in which the end of the washing step is not detected (S370), it is determined whether the remaining time is within a preset threshold (S380), and if it is within the threshold value, it is detected to terminate first Temporarily stopping the operation of the old washing tub (S390), detecting that the remaining one of the washing step for the first washing tub and the washing step for the second washing tub is terminated (S400), and the first washing tub and the second It may further include a step (S410) of controlling the washing tub to enter the drainage step at the same time.

That is, if any one of the first washing tank and the second washing tank is terminated first, the draining step of the first washing tub may not be immediately executed. This may be because the first washing tub and the second washing tub synchronize with each other to share one first reservoir, and thus, if any one of the draining steps is performed, washing of other washing tubs may be affected.

For this reason, in an embodiment, the operation method of the washing machine determines the remaining time of the washing step of the washing tub in which the washing step has not been completed, and if the determined remaining time is determined to be within a threshold value, until the washing step of the other washing tub is finished. It is possible to control the drainage so that it is not drained, and when both washing tanks finish the washing step, they can enter the drainage step simultaneously.

In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, when the remaining time is not within a preset threshold (S380), the step of closing the separation curtain for the first reservoir by controlling the sub-drive motor (S381) and first termination It may further include a step (S382) of controlling the washing tub detected to enter the drainage step alone.

In other words, if a considerable amount of remaining time remains, in order to prevent excessive delay in washing time, the separation curtain is closed to spatially separate the first storage tank, and then the previously terminated washing tank is independently entered into the drainage step to enter the independent mode. Can be switched.

On the other hand, if the operation state of the second washing tub in step S120 is not the water supply state (S200) or the washing state (S300) (not shown), the interlocking mode may not be supported. Therefore, when the operation state of the second washing tub in step S120 is not the water supply state (S200) or the washing state (S300) (not shown), the interlocking mode may be deactivated, and the first washing tub may enter the water supply step alone. .

The operating method of the washing machine described in FIGS. 6 to 8 may be performed by the washing machine 100 according to FIGS. 1 to 5. Specifically, it may be performed as the processor 211 shown in FIG. 5 performs at least one step. That is, a method of operating the washing machine may be stored in the memory 212 in the form of commands (isntructions) and read by the processor 211.

The methods according to the present invention may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer means and recorded in a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like alone or in combination. The program instructions recorded on the computer-readable medium may be specially designed and configured for the present invention, or may be known and usable to those skilled in computer software.

Examples of computer-readable media may include hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions may include high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like, as well as machine language codes such as those produced by a compiler. The above-described hardware device may be configured to operate as at least one software module to perform the operation of the present invention, and vice versa.

In addition, the above-described method or apparatus may be implemented by combining all or part of its configuration or function, or may be implemented separately.

Although the above has been described with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will variously modify and change the present invention within the scope not departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention described in the following claims. You will understand that you can do it.

100: washing machine 110: housing
120a, 120b, 120c, 120d: control panel
130a, 130b, 130c, 130d: front door hole
140a, 140b, 140c, 140d: front door
150a, 150b, 150c, 150d: hook
160a, 160b: reservoir
170a, 170b, 170c, 170d: washing tank
180: separation device 190, 191: damper
200: water supply device 210: drain pump
220: control unit 211: processor
212: memory 213: communication module

Claims (5)

In the washing machine,
A housing forming an external frame and an external surface;
A plurality of storage tanks storing water in the housing;
A plurality of washing tubs each forming an individual washing space within the plurality of reservoirs, washing laundry through a rotational motion, and having a cylindrical shape;
Main drive motors provided individually for each of the plurality of washing tubs and connected to the plurality of washing tubs through a first drive shaft to rotate the plurality of washing tubs;
A plurality of heaters for heating water stored in each of the storage tanks and having a number corresponding to the number of the washing tanks;
A plurality of temperature sensors sensing the temperature of water stored in each of the storage tanks and having a number corresponding to the number of the washing tanks;
A separation device for spatially separating the interior of the storage tank in each of the storage tanks; And
A control unit for controlling the separation device; Including,
The plurality of washing tubs,
A first washing tub and a second washing tub disposed to have the same horizontal axis at the upper end of the housing, and
A third washing tub disposed to have the same vertical axis as the first washing tub and a fourth washing tub disposed to have the same vertical axis as the second washing tub, at a lower end of the housing,
The plurality of reservoirs,
A first storage tank disposed to surround the first washing tank and the second washing tank from the outside,
And a second storage tank disposed to surround the third washing tank and the fourth washing tank from the outside,
The separation device,
A sub drive motor providing rotational force through a second drive shaft,
A curtain accommodating part connected through the sub-drive motor and the second drive shaft to perform a rotational motion,
A separation curtain that is wound on the curtain receiving portion and moves in the direction of gravity through a rotational motion to spatially separate the interior of each of the plurality of reservoirs;
It is coupled to the separation curtain and includes a fixing portion for fixing the separation curtain,
The control unit,
When the washing machine is set to an independent mode, in order to spatially separate the first washing tub and the second washing tub, the sub-drive motor is controlled so that the second drive shaft rotates in a first direction. Make the curtain come down in the direction of gravity so that it is attached to the fixing part,
When the washing machine is set to an interconnect mode, the first washing tub and the second washing tub share the water stored in the first storage tub arranged to surround the first washing tub and the second washing tub from the outside. For this purpose, by controlling the sub-drive motor so that the second drive shaft rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the separation curtain is wound on the curtain receiving portion,
At least one metal rod is provided on one side of the separation curtain,
The fixing unit is characterized in that by generating a magnetic field based on the amount of current corresponding to the power of the main drive motors is coupled to the at least one metal rod,
washer. In claim 1,
The washing machine,
Front doors through which laundry can be individually injected into each of the plurality of washing tubs in the front of the housing; And
A communication unit for receiving a user input by wirelessly communicating with an external user terminal or an Internet of Things (IoT) device; Further comprising,
washer. In claim 1,
The washing machine,
A first control panel for receiving an input for operating a washing operation for the first washing tub,
A second control panel for receiving an input for operating a washing operation for the second washing tub,
A third control panel for receiving an input for operating a washing operation for the third washing tub,
Further comprising a fourth control panel for receiving an input for operating a washing operation for the fourth washing tank,
washer. delete delete

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