KR20070074941A - Method for washing laundry with steam - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for washing laundry articles by using steam is provided to perform a washing operation optimally by differently determining the conditions for operation of a steam washing course according to the loads of the laundry articles. A method for washing laundry articles by using steam includes the steps of: selecting a steam washing course for washing laundry articles only with steam through a control assembly(S100); requesting for selection of the loads of the laundry articles for a steam washing course(S200); determining an operation condition of the steam washing course according to the selected loads(S300); and performing an operation for steam washing course by controlling at least one of a steam providing section, a water supply section, a drive section, a temperature sensing section, a water level detection section, and a water discharge section(S400).

Description

Method for washing laundry with steam

1 is a schematic block diagram for explaining the structure of a laundry machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a front view for explaining a control assembly of the laundry machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a steam washing method of a washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a series of processes of operating the steam washing course of the steam washing method of the laundry apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a control process of a steam providing unit according to temperature in a steam washing method of a laundry machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a schematic flow chart for explaining the control process of the drain according to the water level in the steam washing method of the laundry machine according to an embodiment of the present invention

7 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a control process after the steam washing course is completed in the steam washing method of the laundry machine according to the embodiment of the present invention;

Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

100. Control assembly 110. Course selection

120. Load selection section 130. Display section

140. Steam operation display unit 150. Load capacity display unit

200. Steam supply 210. Case

211.Supply line 212.Steam supply line

220. Heating heater 300. Water supply

310. Water supply valve 320. Euro valve

400. Drive 500. Controller

610. Water level detector 620. Drainage

621. Drainpipe 622. Drainage pump

630. Temperature sensing unit

The present invention relates to a laundry method, and more particularly, to a steam washing method using a laundry device configured to wash laundry only with steam.

In general, the washing apparatus includes a pulsator type washing machine in which the drum is set in the vertical direction, a drum washing machine in which the drum is laid in the horizontal direction, a combined-use washing machine having a drying function, and a clothes dryer for drying only clothes and the like. do.

Among the above washing machines, the pulsator type washing machine, the drum washing machine, and the combined dry washing machine usually perform washing-related strokes using washing water.

In particular, recently, a washing apparatus having a steam generator for supplying steam during a washing stroke has been disclosed.

However, the conventional washing machine having the steam generator described above was only used for the purpose of assisting the washing stroke with the steam provided by the steam generator.

That is, it was not possible to operate the washing only by steam without the need for rinsing or dehydration stroke.

Therefore, the consumer is not properly utilizing the function of the steam generator due to the burden of power consumption for the operation of the steam generator.

The present invention has been made to solve the problems according to the prior art described above, the object of the present invention is a relatively small amount, a method of washing the steam can be washed with a small amount of laundry using a minimum power and washing water It is to provide. In addition, the operating conditions are determined differently according to the load of the laundry to provide a new method for steam washing to achieve the best steam washing.

According to the steam washing method of the present invention for achieving the above object a first step of selecting a steam washing course for washing the laundry only with steam through the control assembly; Requesting to select a load of laundry for steam washing; Determining a driving condition of the steam laundry according to the selected load amount; And a fourth step of performing steam washing while controlling at least one or more of a steam providing unit, a water supply unit, a driving unit, a temperature sensing unit, a water level detection unit, and a drain unit under the determined operating conditions. It is done.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying Figures 1 to 7 will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the steam washing method according to the present invention.

Prior to describing the steam washing method according to an embodiment of the present invention, a washing apparatus for performing the steam washing will be described first. At this time, the washing apparatus may be a conventional washing machine, may be a dry-use washing machine, may be a clothes dryer.

As shown in FIG. 1, a washing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a control assembly 100, a steam providing unit 200, a water supply unit 300, a driving unit 400, and a controller 500. It is configured to include.

The washing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention described above will be described in more detail for each component as follows.

First, the control assembly 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

The control assembly 100 is a part where a user's manipulation is performed and includes a course selector 110, a load selector 120, and a display 130.

Here, the course selector 110 is configured to select various course-specific operations that can be performed using the laundry apparatus.

The various course-specific driving includes a steam washing course for washing laundry only with steam in addition to various washing courses that are commonly used.

In addition, the course selector 110 may include various buttons or dial knobs. The embodiment of the present invention suggests that the course selector 110 is composed of a dial knob.

In addition, the load selection unit 120 is a site for selecting a load of laundry for performing a steam washing course, for example, the number of clothes.

The load selector 120 may also be configured with various buttons or dial knobs. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the load selector 120 is configured as a single button.

In other words, the load amount is changed sequentially whenever a single button is selected, so that the load amount can be changed with a minimum structure.

The display unit 130 is a portion configured to display various types of information.

In this case, the display unit 130 may be configured as an LED or an LCD, and the display unit 130 may be configured to display a current operation progress or an elapsed time (or remaining time).

On the other hand, the embodiment of the present invention proposes that the steam operation display unit 140 is further included in the control assembly 100.

In this case, the steam operation display unit 140 is a configuration for displaying whether the steam washing is in progress, may be configured as a partial region of the display unit 130, as shown, separate from the display unit 130 It may also consist of a lamp or LED.

In addition, the embodiment of the present invention suggests that the load amount display unit 150 is further included in the control assembly.

The load amount display unit 150 is a configuration for displaying the load amount selected through the load amount selection unit 120, it is preferably configured as an LED window.

Of course, the load display unit 150 may be configured as an LCD window. In addition, the load display unit 150 may be integrated with the display unit 130 described above. That is, the display unit 130 may be configured to also perform the role of the load amount display unit 150.

Next, the steam providing unit 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

First, the steam providing unit 200 is configured to generate steam for the steam washing course and to provide it into the tub (11).

The steam providing unit 200 includes a case 210 and a heating heater 220.

Here, the case 210 is a container in which water used for steam generation is stored.

In particular, the case 210 is connected to the water supply pipe 211 and the steam supply pipe 212, respectively. The water supply pipe 211 is connected to the water supply unit 300 to receive water from the water supply unit 300, the steam supply pipe 212 is connected to the tub 11, the steam generated inside the case 210 To the tub (11).

In addition, the heating heater 220 is a heating element for generating steam by evaporating the water stored in the case 210, it is installed in the case 210. Of course, if the case 210 is made of a material that can be heated to a high temperature (metal or ceramic, etc.), the heating heater 220 outside the case 210 to heat the case 210 itself Or may be embedded in the wall surface of the case 210.

Next, the water supply unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

The water supply unit 300 is configured to supply water for steam generation to the steam providing unit 200.

At this time, the water supply unit 300 includes a water supply pipe 211 connected to the case 210 of the steam providing unit 200, and the other end of the water supply pipe 211 is exposed to the outside of the washing apparatus to the water pipe (shown) Is omitted).

In addition, the water supply unit 300 is configured to further include a water supply valve (310). At this time, the water supply valve 310 is installed on the pipeline of the water supply pipe 211, it is operated to selectively open and close the water supply pipe (211).

On the other hand, the water supply unit 300 is more preferably configured to supply the wash water into the tub 11 of the laundry apparatus, for this purpose in the embodiment of the present invention the water supply pipe 211 forming the water supply unit 300 It is further suggested that the tub 11 is connected to communicate with the inside of the tub 11.

In this case, one end of the water supply pipe 211 is connected to the case 210 of the steam providing unit 200, the other end is formed of at least two branched pipes connected to communicate with the inside of the tub 11. The branched portion of the water supply pipe 211 is further provided with a flow path valve 320 for guiding the water supply flow.

Next, the driving unit 400 will be described.

First, the driving unit 400 includes a motor driven to rotate the drum 12 in which the laundry is accommodated during steam washing. At this time, the drum 12 is rotatably installed in the tub (11).

In particular, the driving unit 400 is preferably configured to be directly axially coupled to the drum (12). Of course, although not shown, the driving unit 400 may be configured to indirectly drive the drum 12 using a belt and a belt pulley.

In addition, the driving unit 400 is configured such that the drum 12 can be rotated at a speed of 100 rpm or less during the steam washing, and more preferably, is configured to be rotatable at a speed of 40 rpm to 50 rpm.

In addition, the driving unit 400 is most preferably configured to rotate while selectively inverting the drum 12 in two directions opposite to each other, instead of rotating the drum 12 only in one direction.

Next, the controller 500 will be described.

The controller 500 is configured to interlock with the control assembly 100.

In addition, the controller 500 is configured to control the operations of the steam providing unit 200, the water supply unit 300, and the driving unit 400, respectively.

In this case, the controller 500 is interlocked with the control assembly 100 and the tub 11 or the drum 12 from the steam providing unit 200 according to the load selected through the load selection unit 120. It controls the supply amount of steam provided, the steam supply time or the steam supply cycle, and controls the operation of the water supply unit 300 and the driving unit 400, respectively.

On the other hand, the washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the water level detecting unit 610 is further provided. This is as shown in Figure 1 attached.

In this case, the water level detection unit 610 is configured to detect the water level of the water present in the tub 11, it is preferably configured as a water level detection sensor.

Of course, the water level detection unit 610 may also be configured as a pressure gauge configured to determine the water level by sensing the pressure fluctuating according to the water level of the water present in the tub (11).

In particular, the tub 11 is preferably further provided with a drain 620 for selectively draining the water inside the tub (11).

In this case, the drain 620 is configured to drain the water under the control of the controller 500 when the level detected by the water level detector 610 is greater than or equal to a preset level. Pump 622.

The drain pipe 621 is connected to the tub 11, a pipe for guiding the water in the tub 11 to the outside of the device.

In addition, the drain pump 622 is installed in the drain pipe 621 and is driven to drain the outside of the device through the drain pipe 621 by pumping the water inside the tub (11).

The structure of the drain 620 is as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the temperature sensing unit 630 is further provided.

The temperature sensing unit 630 is configured to sense the temperature inside the tub 11 or the drum 12 and provide the sensing value to the controller 500.

At this time, the temperature sensing unit 630 is preferably composed of a conventional temperature sensor.

Hereinafter, a steam washing method according to an embodiment of the present invention that proceeds using the above-described washing apparatus is as follows.

First, FIG. 3 to FIG. 7 are schematic flowcharts illustrating a steam washing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

At this time, the steam washing is a driving course for washing the laundry only with steam. That is, the laundry can be washed only with steam without proceeding with the conventional washing stroke, rinsing stroke and dehydration stroke.

In particular, the steam laundry is a series of driving courses for washing a small amount of laundry so that simple contaminants can be removed within a short time. At this time, the laundry for steam washing is stored in the drum 12 constituting the washing apparatus. Of course, it is more preferable that the drum 12 accommodates not only the laundry but also a contaminant transfer cloth (not shown) capable of transferring the contaminants accumulated in the laundry.

First, a steam washing course for washing laundry only with steam is received through the control assembly 100 as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 (S100).

At this time, the steam washing course is selected by the course selection unit 110.

That is, the steam washing course is selected through the operation of the course selection unit 110.

In addition, when the selection of the steam washing course is made as described above, the controller 500 controls the steam driving display unit 140 to inform the user that the steam driving is started.

In addition, the control assembly 100 controls the load amount display unit 150 to request a load amount selection for laundry (S200).

At this time, the information displayed on the initial load amount display unit 150 is basically information on the load amount set.

In this case, the user operates the load selector 120 to designate how many pieces of laundry are put into the actual drum 12.

For example, when two pieces of laundry are put, the load amount selecting unit 120 is operated so that the load amount displayed on the load amount display unit 120 becomes 2.

In addition, when the steam washing course is selected as described above, other operation buttons except for the course selector 110 and the load selector 120 may be controlled so as not to be operated. This is to prevent confusion of consumers due to the selection of functions not related to the operation of the steam washing course.

Then, when the load selection by the above-described series of processes is completed, the controller 500 determines an operating condition for the operation of the steam washing course according to the selected load (S300).

At this time, the operating conditions for the steam washing, at least one condition of the water supply to the steam providing unit 200, the temperature for the operation of the steam washing course, the operating time of the steam washing course, the steam providing cycle, the rotational speed of the drum This includes.

Here, the water supply amount is determined to increase or decrease relative to the load of the selected laundry.

For example, when the load of laundry is relatively large compared to the load set basically, the water supply of the water is also determined to be made relatively more than the water supply set basically, and the load of the laundry is relatively small compared to the load set basically. It is preferable that the water supply amount of the water is determined to be made relatively smaller than the water supply amount basically set.

In addition, the operating temperature for the operation of the steam washing course is determined relatively high or low in proportion to the load of the selected laundry.

For example, when the load of laundry is relatively large compared to the load set basically, the operating temperature is determined to be relatively high compared to the operating temperature basically set, and when the load of the laundry is relatively small compared to the load set basically. In the above, it is preferable that the operating temperature is determined to be relatively low compared to the operating temperature which is basically set.

In addition, the operating time of the steam washing course is determined relatively long or short in proportion to the load of the selected laundry.

For example, when the load of laundry is relatively large compared to the load set basically, the operation time is determined to be made for a relatively long time compared to the basically set operating time, and the load of the laundry is relative to the load set by default If less, it is preferable that the operation time is determined to be made for a relatively short time compared to the basically set operation time.

Then, when each operation condition of the steam washing by the above-described series of processes is determined, the controller 500 is the steam providing unit 200, the water supply unit 300, and the driving unit 400 in accordance with the determined operation conditions And, while controlling at least one or more of the temperature sensing unit 630, the water level sensor 610 and the drain 620 proceeds to the operation of the steam washing course (S400).

In the following, with reference to the flow chart of Figure 4 will be described in more detail the driving process of the steam washing course.

First, the steam washing course proceeds largely including a water supply step S410, a steam generation step S420, and a steam providing step S430.

If this is explained in each step as follows.

The water supply step (S410) is a series of processes for supplying water used for steam generation to the steam providing unit.

To this end, the controller 500 controls the water supply valve 310 constituting the water supply unit 300 to supply water into the case 210 of the steam providing unit 200.

When the process of supplying water to the steam providing unit 200 is performed as described above, it is preferable that water is not supplied into the tub 11 through the control of the flow path valve 320.

This is because, when water is supplied into the tub 11, the laundry in the drum 12 may be wetted by the water to be supplied.

In addition, the steam generation step (S420) is a series of processes for generating steam by evaporating the water supplied to the steam providing unit 200, and proceeds after the water supply step (S410) is completed.

That is, when the water supply step S410 is completed, the controller 500 generates the heating heater 220 constituting the steam provider 200. As a result, the water supplied into the case 210 is evaporated to generate steam.

In addition, the steam providing step (S430) is a series of processes for providing the steam generated through the steam generating step (S420) into the tub 11 or the drum 12.

That is, when steam is generated by the steam generation step (S420), the controller 500 controls the steam to be provided into the tub 11 and the drum 12 through the steam supply pipe 212.

Therefore, the inside of the drum 12 is in a high temperature and high humidity state due to the steam, the laundry inside the drum 12 is affected by the high temperature steam to remove a simple contamination and the like (eg, Fine stains, etc.), the laundry is washed.

On the other hand, when the operation of the above-described steam washing course is in progress it is preferable to further include a tumble step (S440) for controlling the drive unit 400 to rotate the drum 12.

This is to ensure that the steam is evenly provided to all parts of the laundry in the drum 12.

The tumble step S440 may be controlled to overlap the steam providing step S430 for at least a predetermined time. In particular, the tumble step (S440) is most preferably carried out before the steam providing step (S430) is controlled to end after the steam providing step (S430) is completed.

Of course, the tumble step (S440) may be performed only for the same time as the steam providing step (S430), or may be performed when the steam generating step (S420) or the water supply step (S410) is in progress.

In particular, in the tumble step S440, the drum 12 is most preferably rotated at a speed of approximately 40 rpm to 50 rpm.

This is to allow the steam to be evenly supplied to the laundry, so that the laundry rises to the upper space in the drum 12 by riding on the inner wall surface of the drum 12 so that a series of drops may be smoothly performed.

In addition, the drum 12 is more preferably driven so that the rotation direction is reversed with a predetermined time period.

This is to prevent tangling of the laundry and to maximize steam washing efficiency by allowing steam to be uniformly provided to all parts of the laundry.

At this time, the off time of the driving unit 400 at the time of reversal of the drum is as short as possible, it is most preferably determined as a time such that the load provided to the driving unit 400 can be minimized, in the embodiment of the present invention It is suggested that this time is between about 3 and 6 seconds (most preferably about 4 seconds).

On the other hand, the operating time of the steam washing course as described above is preferably set differently according to the load of the laundry as described above. For example, the more the load, the longer the operation for a relatively long time, the less the load is to operate for a relatively short time.

Of course, it is preferable that the steam washing course is set differently according to the load of the laundry. For example, the more the load, the more the operation in a relatively high temperature environment, the less the load is to operate in a relatively low temperature environment.

At this time, the flow chart of FIG. 5 is a series of processes for controlling the steam providing unit 200 through the tub 11 or the temperature sensing inside the drum 12 in the steam washing course.

Here, the checking of the operating temperature is made by the temperature sensing unit 630, while the temperature inside the tub 11 or the drum 12 is continuously sensed by the temperature sensing unit 630 (S431). It is provided to the controller 500.

In this case, the controller 500 repeatedly performs on / off control of the heating heater 220 constituting the steam providing unit 200 based on the provided temperature information.

That is, when the sensed temperature is equal to or higher than a preset temperature (temperature determined according to the load amount), the heating heater 220 is turned off to stop steam generation, and the sensed temperature is a preset temperature. When the temperature is lower than the temperature determined according to the load amount, the heating heater 220 is turned on to continuously generate steam.

Therefore, the laundry in the drum 12 is washed while sterilization is performed while simple contamination is removed by the hot steam. At this time, if the contaminant transition cloth is provided together with the laundry inside the drum 12, the simple contaminants accumulated on the laundry are completely removed from the laundry while being transferred to the contaminant transition cloth (not shown).

On the other hand, when the operation of the above-described steam washing course is in progress, it is preferable that the washing water inside the tub 11 does not exceed a predetermined level. In this case, the predetermined level is a level of a height lower than that of the drum 12.

This is to prevent a problem that the temperature of the tub 11 or the drum 12 may be lowered due to the wash water, and the laundry in the drum 12 may be wet with the wash water.

Accordingly, in the embodiment of the present invention, the water level inside the tub 11 is checked as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, and when the checked water level is higher than the set water level, the water is controlled by the drain 620. 12) suggests that a drainage step (S450) for draining the water is further included.

That is, when the water level inside the tub 11 is checked through the water level detecting unit 610 (S451) and the washing water inside the tub exceeds the preset level, the controller 500 washes the tub 11. It is to control the drain pump 622 of the drain 620 to drain the water (S452).

In particular, the draining step (S450) may be performed before the steam providing step (S430) of the steam washing course, or may be continuously performed during the steam providing step (S430).

In addition, when the steam washing course as described above is operated for an operation time set according to the load amount, the corresponding operation is terminated while the power of the heating heater 220 constituting the steam providing unit 200 is turned off.

Meanwhile, although the steam washing course is completed as described above, the user may not know whether the steam washing course ends.

In this case, problems such as wrinkles are caused due to the long standing of the laundry.

Therefore, it is preferable to further include the step (S460) of rotating the drum 12 after the steam washing is completed as shown in the flow chart of Figure 7 attached.

At this time, the rotation of the drum 12 is a predetermined period of time until the user opens the door (not shown) of the washing apparatus, or the operation of the control assembly 100 for a separate operation stop occurs It is preferable to carry out every time or continuously.

Steam washing method according to an embodiment of the present invention described above can obtain various effects as described later.

First, according to the steam washing method according to the embodiment of the present invention has the effect that a simple small amount washing using only steam.

Second, according to the steam washing method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the conditions for the operation of the steam washing course is determined differently according to the load of the laundry, and according to the determined conditions, the optimum steam washing is possible. Have

Third, according to the steam washing method according to the embodiment of the present invention, washing for laundry with a small amount and relatively less pollution has an effect that the washing can be performed with minimal power consumption and washing water consumption.

Claims (20)

A first step of selecting a steam washing course for washing laundry only with steam through the control assembly; Requesting to select a load of laundry for the progress of the steam washing course; Determining a driving condition of the steam washing course according to the selected load amount; And, And a fourth step of driving the steam washing course while controlling at least one or more of the steam providing unit, the water supply unit, the driving unit, the temperature sensing unit, the water level sensing unit, and the draining unit under the determined operating conditions. A steam washing method characterized by the above-mentioned. The method of claim 1, If the steam washing course is selected in the first step, controlling the steam operation display unit further comprising the step of notifying the user that the operation of the steam washing course is started. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And if the steam washing course is selected through the first step, controlling the control assembly so that the manipulation is not performed except for the operation required for driving the steam washing course. The method of claim 1, The operating condition of the third step is A steam washing method comprising at least one item of water supply to the steam providing unit, a temperature for operating the steam washing course, an operating time of the steam washing course, a steam providing cycle, a rotation speed of the drum, and a drum reversing cycle. The method of claim 4, wherein The water supply amount to the steam providing unit Steam washing method characterized in that it is determined to increase relatively in proportion to the load of the laundry. The method of claim 4, wherein The temperature for driving the steam washing course Steam washing method characterized in that it is determined relatively high in proportion to the load of the laundry. The method of claim 4, wherein Driving time of the steam washing course Steam washing method characterized in that determined in a relatively long time in proportion to the load of the laundry. The method of claim 1, The fourth step is A water supply step of supplying only the steam supply unit by controlling the water supply unit; A steam generation step of generating steam by controlling the steam providing unit; And, Steam providing method for providing the generated steam into the tub or the drum: steam washing method comprising the. The method of claim 8, The fourth step is Steam washing method further comprises a tumble step of rotating the drum. The method of claim 9, When the tumble step is performed Steam washing method characterized in that the control to overlap with the steam providing step for at least a predetermined time. The method according to claim 9 or 10, The rotation speed of the drum in the tumble step Steam washing method characterized in that the speed of about 40rpm to 50rpm. The method according to claim 9 or 10, The rotation direction of the drum in the tumble step Steam washing method characterized in that it is controlled to be inverted periodically. The method of claim 12, The off time of the driving unit at the time of inversion of the drum may be minimized, the load provided to the driving unit, characterized in that the steam washing method as short as possible. The method of claim 13, Off time of the drive unit Steam washing method characterized in that the time between approximately 3 to 6 seconds. The method of claim 8, Checking the water level inside the tub and the steam washing method characterized in that it further comprises a draining step of draining the water inside the tub by controlling the drain when the level is higher than the set water level. The method of claim 15, The draining step is Steam washing method characterized in that performed before the steam providing step. The method of claim 15, The draining step is Steam washing method characterized in that it is carried out continuously during the steam providing step. The method according to claim 1 or 8, After the steam washing course of the fourth step is completed Steam washing method further comprises the step of rotating the drum. The method of claim 18, Rotating the drum Steam washing method characterized in that it is performed every predetermined time period before the door of the washing apparatus is opened, or the operation of the control assembly for a separate operation stop occurs. The method of claim 18, Rotating the drum Steam washing method characterized in that it is carried out continuously until the door of the washing apparatus is opened, or the operation of the control assembly for a separate operation stop occurs.

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