KR20020067346A - Washing machine and controlling method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A washing machine and a control method thereof are provided to effectively reduce the power consumption required for boiling clothing by stopping the operation of a heater when the water to heat reaches a target temperature. CONSTITUTION: A washing machine includes a heating tub for receiving clothing and washing water, a heater for heating the water in the heating tub, and a control part for stopping the operation of the heater after the temperature of the water heated by the heater reaches a target temperature(S18,S24), wherein the control part re-operates the heater when the temperature of the water is lower than a predetermined reference temperature(S42,S44).

Description

Washing machine and its control method {WASHING MACHINE AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a washing machine and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a washing machine and a method of controlling the same so as to effectively reduce the power consumption used to boil the laundry.

In recent years, various types of washing machines are being widely used as technology of washing machines is gradually improved, such as increasing the washing efficiency by using air bubbles or increasing the washing efficiency by washing the laundry with the washing water. Thus, in the case of housewives, it is possible to significantly reduce the time and effort required for washing.

However, despite the improved technology of this washing machine, there is a drawback in that when washing white clothes, the steaming time is not completely removed. In addition, when washing underwear or baby clothes, the user wants a washing effect and a sterilizing effect.

Thus, in the case of washing white clothes, underwear, baby clothes, etc., in order to obtain the washing effect and the sterilization effect, the laundry is put in a pot or a pot together with the detergent and boiled. However, if care is not taken in the process of washing the laundry in this way, there is a disadvantage that can burn the laundry or a fire may occur.

Accordingly, in order to solve such a problem, a washing apparatus in which a predetermined heater is built so that laundry can be easily and safely boiled is disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 1991-779.

By the way, in the conventional laundry-boiling washing machine, since the heater operated to boil the laundry is continuously operated until the laundry boiling stroke is completed, the power consumption is increased.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine and a method of controlling the same, which can effectively reduce the power consumption used to boil laundry.

1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to the present invention;

2 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIG. 1;

3 is a control block diagram of the washing machine of FIG.

4 is a control flowchart of a washing machine according to the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

10: main cabinet 14: door

24: display unit 32: control unit

34: heating tank 38: heater

40: blocking plate 44: temperature sensor

46: water supply 52: drain

58: circulation pump

The above object, according to the present invention, a washing machine comprising: a heating tank for receiving laundry and washing water; A heater for heating the washing water in the heating bath; After the temperature of the wash water heated by the heater reaches the target temperature, it is achieved by a washing machine comprising a control unit for stopping the operation of the heater.

The temperature sensor may further include a temperature sensor configured to measure a water temperature of the washing water heated by the heater, wherein the controller is configured to restart the heater when the measured temperature of the washing water by the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined reference temperature. do.

The control unit stops the operation of the heater when the temperature of the washing water progresses for a predetermined time within a predetermined section of the target temperature band.

Further comprising a circulation pump for circulating the washing water in the heating tank during operation of the heater, and after the operation of the circulation pump is stopped, if the temperature of the washing water is lower than a predetermined reference temperature by measuring the temperature of the washing water, The heater will be restarted.

On the other hand, according to another field of the present invention, the object is a heating bath in which the laundry is accommodated, a heater provided in the heating bath for heating the wash water provided into the heating bath, and a temperature sensor for measuring the water temperature of the wash water 1. A method of controlling a washing machine having a washing machine, the method comprising: supplying washing water into the heating bath into which detergent and laundry are put; When the temperature of the washing water heated by the heater reaches the target temperature, and when a predetermined time has elapsed, the control method of the washing machine comprising the step of stopping the operation of the heater.

Here, when the measured temperature of the wash water is lower than the predetermined reference temperature, the method may further include restarting the heater.

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

1 and 2, the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, the main cabinet 10 having an upper opening 12 and the upper part of the main body cabinet 10 to inject laundry and detergent A door 14 for rotatably installed to open and close the upper opening 12 and a foot member 20 provided below the main cabinet 10 to support the main cabinet 10 are provided.

The inner surface of the door 14 is formed with a plurality of pushing protrusions 16 to prevent the laundry from rising to the upper side in the process of washing the laundry, the outer surface to be described later to discharge the steam generated in the process of boiling the laundry to the outside A vapor discharge port 18 in communication with the heating chamber 34 is formed.

A door opening / closing knob 22 for opening / closing the door 14 and a display unit 24 provided with at least one selection button 26 are provided in an upper region of the main cabinet 10. The display unit 24 displays information about the time of washing the laundry according to the material of the laundry, the number of rinsing cycles, and the like by the manipulation of the selection button 26. As described below through the series of input processes, the controller 32 ) Controls the water supply unit 46, the drain unit 52, the heating unit 39 and the circulation pump (58).

The main cabinet 10 is provided with a tubular heating tank 34 which is disposed with the main cabinet 10 and a predetermined separation space to accommodate laundry and detergent. The heating tank 34 may be formed of, for example, aluminum, iron, alloy steel, or the like, and the outer wall of the heating tank 34 is provided with a heat insulating material for thermal insulation and heat insulation inside the heating tank 34.

One side of the heating tank 34 is provided with a water level sensor 36 which communicates with the heating tank 34 and detects the level of the wash water provided into the heating tank 34. In the present embodiment, the water level sensor 36 is in communication with the heating tank 34 on one side of the lower portion of the heating tank 34, and then on the bureche 30 provided on the upper portion of the water level pipe 28 disposed upwardly Prepared. Therefore, when the wash water is supplied into the heating bath 34, some of the supplied wash water is raised along the water level pipe 28, and after being raised for a certain period, the water level sensor 36 is operated by moving the beret in the blahette 30. Be sure to

The heating tank 34 is provided with a heating unit 39 for heating the washing water to boil the laundry. The heating unit 39 is a temperature connected to the control unit 32 by measuring the water temperature of the heater 38 provided in the bottom region of the heating tank 34 and immersed in the washing water, and the washing water heated by the heater 38. Sensor 44. In the upper region of the heater 38, a blocking plate 40 is provided in the transverse direction of the heating tank 34 to prevent the laundry introduced into the heating tank 34 from coming into contact with the heater 38. The blocking plate 40 is formed in a plate shape and a plurality of through holes 42 through which washing water flows are formed on the plate surface.

On the other hand, the washing machine according to the present invention, the water supply unit 46 for supplying the washing water into the heating tank 34, the supplied washing water is heated to boil the laundry and then drained the washing water in the heating tank 34 to the outside And a control part 32 for controlling the water supply part 46, the drainage part 52, the heating part 39, and the circulation pump 58 based on the signal of the selection button 26. Include.

The water supply part 46 is connected to a water supply source such as tap water, one end of which is exposed to the outside of the main body cabinet 10, and the other end of the water supply pipe 48 and the other end of the water supply pipe 48, It is provided and has a water supply valve 50 for controlling the flow of the washing water flowing in the water supply pipe 48 based on the signal of the control unit 32.

One end portion of the drain portion 52 is exposed to the outside of the main cabinet 10 and connected to a drainage source such as a sewer, and the other end is in communication with the heating tank 34, and one region of the drain pipe 54. It is provided and includes a drain valve 56 to control the flow of the washing water flowing in the drain pipe 54 based on the signal of the control unit 32.

The circulation pump 58 is installed in the wash water circulation pipe 60 where one end branches from the drain valve 56 of the drain pipe 54 and the other end communicates with the upper portion of the heating tank 34. Accordingly, as the direction of the drain valve 56 is changed, the washing water in the heating tank 34 may be drained to the outside through the drain pipe 54 as well as back to the heating tank 34 through the washing water circulation pipe 60. It can be introduced.

Such, the water supply unit 46, the draining unit 52 and the washing water circulation pipe 60 is first, to form a flow path of the washing water for supplying the washing water to be introduced into the heating tank 34 and draining the wash water that has been boiled. In addition, on the basis of the control signal by the control unit 32 to form a flow path of the rinsing water for rinsing the boiled laundry with clean water. In addition, the water supply valve 50 and the drain valve 56 may be provided with a valve driving unit (not shown) operated by a signal from the control unit 32, respectively.

With this configuration, the control method of the washing machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 as follows.

First, the door opening and closing knob 22 is pressurized to open and open the door 14, and then a certain amount of laundry and detergent are put into the heating tank 34 (S10) and the door 14 is closed. Then, the selection button 26 is pressed to manually select information on the washing time and the number of rinses according to the material of the laundry displayed on the display unit 24 or a series of automatic programs.

When the selected signal is input to the control unit 32, the control unit 32 operates the water supply valve 50 so that the wash water is supplied into the heating bath 34 through the water supply pipe 48. (S12) At this time, the heating bath The water level sensor 36 in communication with one side of the 34 checks the amount of washing water flowing into the heating tank 34 through the water supply pipe 48 and transmits it to the control unit 32.

When the predetermined washing water is introduced into the heating tank 34 (S14), the control unit 32 again operates the water supply valve 50 to block the flow of the washing water in the water supply pipe 48, and then operates the heater 38. (S16) When the temperature of the washing water reaches a predetermined target heating temperature by the operation of the heater 38 (S18), washing is performed (S20), and the operation of the heater 38 is stopped. S24)

At this time, if the temperature of the wash water does not reach the target heating temperature, the heating time is counted (S34), when the heating time reaches the set time, washing again is performed (S20), if not again The heater 38 is activated.

In the process of washing the washing process for a predetermined time (S22), the controller 32 measures the temperature of the washing water. (S36) When the temperature of the washing water does not reach the set temperature, the heater 38 is operated. When the temperature of the washing water reaches the set temperature (S40), the operation of the heater 38 is stopped (S38), and the washing cycle is continued. At this time, since the heat insulating material is provided in the side wall of the heating tank 34, even if the heater 38 is stopped, the temperature in the heating tank 34 will not suddenly fall due to latent heat. Thus, the laundry in the heating bath 34 can be sufficiently washed and boiled.

During this washing cycle, the control unit 32 controls the drain valve 56 and the circulation pump 58 so that the washing water is circulated in the heating tank 34 via the wash water circulation pipe 60. (S26) When the washing is not completed, the temperature of the washing water is measured (S42), and if the measured temperature does not reach the set temperature, the heater 38 is operated again (S44), otherwise, the heater ( The operation stop state (S46) of 38) is maintained continuously.

Here, the circulation pump 58 may be operated continuously as well as intermittently until the washing cycle is completed, and the washing water circulated by the circulation pump 58 is washed in the heating tank 34. It can also help with cleaning.

When the washing cycle is completed (S28), the control unit 32 stops the operation of the circulation pump 58, and operates the drain valve 56 to wash water in the heating tank 34 to the outside through the drain pipe 54. Allow drainage. (S30)

After the wash water used to boil the laundry is drained, the drain valve 56 by the control unit 32 closes the flow path of the drain pipe 54 and the flow path of the wash water circulation pipe 60, so that the rinsing stroke is performed. (S32) That is, in a state in which the flow path of the drain pipe 54 is closed, the control unit 32 opens the flow path of the water supply pipe 48 through the water supply valve 50 to clean rinse water (refill water) into the heating tank 34. ) Is provided, and when the rinsing of the laundry is completed, it is drained to the outside through the drain pipe 54 again. At this time, the series of rinsing cycles is based on the number of rinses selected by the user and displayed on the display unit 24. On the other hand, even during the rinsing stroke, the rinsing water may be circulated in the heating bath by the circulation pump 58.

When the rinsing stroke is completed (at this time, the flow path of the water supply pipe 48 and the drain pipe 54 is blocked by the control unit 32), the user opens the door 14 to boil in the heating tank 34 and After taking out the laundry which has been rinsed out, it is dried to obtain clean laundry which has been carried out until washing and sterilization.

Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to effectively reduce the power consumption of the heater used to boil the laundry. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the washing and rinsing strokes including the water supply and drainage may be automatically performed.

In the above-described embodiment, although the heater is immersed in the wash water, the heater may be disposed outside the heating bath to heat the heating bath from the outside. In addition to this, in addition to the heater, it can be substituted by steam or burner.

In the above-described embodiment, although no mention is made of the foot member, the foot member may be employed in a movable wheel shape to smoothly move the position of the washing machine. In this case, the foot member is preferably provided with a predetermined brake device so that the movement of the washing machine is suppressed at the predetermined position.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the rinsing stroke is performed after the washing process is completed. However, if the user does not want the rinsing stroke, the user may not perform the rinsing stroke by operating the selection button.

In the above-described embodiment, the water supply and drainage are to be performed at the lower side of the heating bath, but it goes without saying that the water supply may be supplied to the top of the heating bath.

As described above, according to the present invention, a washing machine and a method of controlling the same are provided so as to effectively reduce the power consumption used to boil a laundry.

Claims (6)

In the washing machine, A heating bath accommodating laundry and washing water; A heater for heating the washing water in the heating bath; And a control unit for stopping the operation of the heater after the temperature of the washing water heated by the heater reaches a target temperature. The method of claim 1, Further comprising a temperature sensor for measuring the water temperature of the washing water heated by the heater, The control unit, the washing machine, characterized in that for restarting the heater when the measured temperature of the wash water by the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined reference temperature. The method of claim 1, The control unit is a washing machine, characterized in that for stopping the operation of the heater, when the temperature of the wash water for a predetermined time within a predetermined section of the target temperature band. The method of claim 1, Further comprising a circulation pump for circulating the wash water in the heating bath during operation of the heater, After the operation of the circulation pump is stopped, the washing machine, characterized in that for measuring the temperature of the wash water to restart the heater when the temperature of the wash water is lower than a predetermined reference temperature. In the control method of the washing machine having a heating bath in which the laundry is accommodated, a heater provided in the heating bath to heat the wash water provided into the heating bath, and a temperature sensor for measuring the water temperature of the wash water, Supplying wash water into the heating bath into which detergent and laundry are put; And stopping the operation of the heater when a predetermined time elapses after the temperature of the washing water heated by the heater reaches a target temperature. The method of claim 5, If the measured temperature of the wash water is lower than the predetermined reference temperature, the control method of the washing machine further comprising the step of restarting the heater.