KR20090041542A - Laundry machine and controlling method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A washing device and a control method are provided to diversify a kind of the clothes laundered with the washing device by performing a non tumble course. A control method of a washing device comprises: a step for receiving a signal of a non tumble course choice; a step for performing the non tumble course and controlling the drive of a drum; a step for providing with the moisture to the inside of drum; a step for supplying the hot air to the drum inside after a moisture feeding step; and a step for supplying cold air.

Description

Laundry machine and control method {Laundry Machine and Controlling Method of the Same}

The present invention relates to a laundry machine. The washing apparatus includes a washing machine for washing laundry, a dryer for drying the laundry, and the like. In general, a washing machine includes a pulsator type washing machine and a drum washing machine, and there is also a combined washing machine that can perform drying as well as washing only.

Some conventional washing machines have a steam generator. In the case of a washing machine, the washing effect was greatly increased by washing with steam.

1 shows a drum washing machine as an example of a conventional washing machine.

The washing machine of FIG. 1 includes a main body 110, a tub 120, a drum 130, and a steam generator.

At this time, the main body 110 forms the appearance of the drum washing machine, the tub 120 is provided in a state supported in the main body 110.

In addition, the drum 130 is rotatably installed in the tub 120, and is mounted such that a side opened toward the inlet 111 of the main body 110 is positioned.

The door 140 for opening and closing the inlet 111 is mounted at a portion where the inlet 111 of the main body 110 is formed, and the door 140 and the inlet ( Rim 150 for sealing between the 111 is mounted.

In addition, a plurality of through-holes are formed on the circumferential surface of the drum 130 so that the washing water and steam can be introduced into the drum 130.

The steam generator is configured to provide a predetermined amount of steam into the drum 130.

Such a steam generator is installed to vaporize water with high temperature heat and provide it into the drum 130.

The steam generator includes a heat supply unit 210 for vaporizing water with high temperature heat and a steam supply pipe 220 for forming a flow path so that steam vaporized by the heat generating unit 210 flows into the drum. .

In addition, the steam generator is configured to further include a spray nozzle 230 for discharging the steam flowing through the steam supply pipe 220 into the drum 130.

At this time, the injection nozzle 230 is configured in the shape of a nozzle (nozzle) to enable a smooth divergence of steam, the end of the discharge of steam is installed to face the drum 130.

The injection nozzle is provided to inject steam directly into the drum, but in some cases it may be provided to be injected into the tub. Steam injected into the tub may be introduced into the drum through the through hole of the drum.

On the other hand, the dryer provided with a steam generator is spraying steam into the drum has the effect of removing the wrinkles of the laundry, odor removal.

As above, steam is applied to washing as well as drying and has a good effect. In general, the washing machine is applied as a steam course (aka steam course). The steam course may be provided by determining the timing, amount of injection, or injection time of steam so that steam can be effectively used for the basic purpose of the course.

Conventional washing courses, drying courses, steam courses and the like are intended for general clothing. Since such general clothing is not damaged even when tumbled, the course as described above is performed while tumbled as such. In addition, it is effective that the object is tumbled in performing the above course. For example, when washing general clothes with a drum washing machine, it is good for the washing effect that the laundry is tumbled while the drum is rotated. In addition, even when performing the drying course, the laundry is tumbled, the hot air is evenly transmitted to the laundry, which is good for the drying effect.

By the way, there are things that can be damaged if tumbled, such as hats or other accessories. Such things may be damaged by washing using a conventional washing apparatus. For example, a hat may need to be kept in shape. Such a hat may lose its shape when tumbled. For example, clothing with fragile material can break and damage the material when tumbled. Conventional laundry machines can be said to be useless for the above object because there is no function to perform washing or drying without tumble laundry.

The present invention aims to solve the above problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine and a control method of a new concept in which washing, drying and the like can be performed without washing the laundry. Here, washing and drying are only an example of processing laundry and do not limit the scope of the present invention. For example, in recent years, a laundry machine having a course (also called a refresh course) that performs only wrinkles or removes odors on laundry, etc. has appeared.

In addition, the laundry means an object to be processed by the laundry machine and should not be construed as being limited to washing.

Washing machine control method according to the invention, the step of receiving a signal of the selection of non-tumble course; And controlling the drum drive so that the object in the drum is not tumbled, and performing the non-tumble course.

The washing apparatus may have a control panel through which a user can select a vitrable course. The signal of selection of the tumble course may be implemented in various aspects. For example, a conventional control panel has a course selection dial and a plurality of option buttons through which a user can select a course. In this case, like the option buttons, it may be provided as an option button for the non-tumble course. Thus, when the user selects a course through the course selection dial and presses an option button for the nontumble course, the tumble course is performed. As another example, the above-described course selection dial may include a non-tumble course like other general courses. As such, the betumble course may be selected by a combination of multiple button or dial selections or by selecting the course once.

The non-tumble course refers to a course performed without washing the laundry in the drum, regardless of the name to be used in the actual washing machine. Thus, the beat tumble course is performed while the driving of the drum is controlled so that the laundry in the drum is not tumbled.

The drum may be controlled to swing. Swing means that the drum rotates forward / backward within a range that the laundry does not tumble.

The drum may also be stationary. And the drum may be controlled such that the swing and stop are mixed.

A selection unit may be added to allow the user to selectively select the movement of the drum. For example, a selection unit may be provided on the control panel to allow a user to select 'drum stop', 'drum swing', and 'drum swing + stop'.

The process of performing the tumble course may include a process of supplying moisture into the drum.

The water supply process may include supplying fine droplets of water to a drum. The washing apparatus may have a fine water-droplet generator to supply fine moisture particles.

The fine moisture generator may include a steam generator for heating the water to generate steam.

In addition, a sprayer may be used for supplying fine moisture particles. Such a sprayer turns water into fine moisture particles. The sprayer may be connected to the water tank and a hose to spray water directly to the drum. For example, a sprayer may be applied with a spray nozzle generally known. As another example, an apparatus for converting water into fine moisture particles by ultrasonic vibration may be used as a method mainly used in a humidifier for supplying the fine moisture particles.

The process of performing the tumble course may also include a process of supplying hot air into the drum. The washing machine may have a heater and a fan for supplying hot air. Such heaters and fans are conventionally used in dryers.

Hot air supply and moisture supply can be combined in various aspects. Hot air and water may be supplied at the same time, or may be sequentially supplied to each other.

In addition, the hot air supply process may include supplying hot air before or after the water supply process.

In addition, the process of performing the tumble course may have a process of supplying cold air after the hot air supply process is completed. If a heater and a fan are used to supply hot air, the fan may be used while the heater is turned off for cold air supply.

According to the washing apparatus and the control method thereof according to the present invention, even laundry that can be damaged when tumbled can be treated without causing such damage.

Since the objects that can be processed with the washing machine can be expanded from general clothes to various things, the utility of the washing machine can be greatly improved.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a washing apparatus and a control method thereof according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. For convenience, the top loading method, the electric type, and the condensation type dryer will be described as examples. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

A rotatable drum 20, a motor 70 for driving the drum 20, and a belt 68 are installed in the cabinet 10 constituting the exterior of the dryer. In addition, a heater 90 (hereinafter referred to as a "hot air heater" for convenience) generated by the hot air heater 90 to heat the air to create a high temperature air (hereinafter referred to as "hot air") at a predetermined position of the cabinet 10. Hot air supply duct 44 for supplying the hot air to the drum 20 is provided. In addition, an exhaust duct 80 for discharging humid air heat-exchanged with the laundry in the drum 20, a blower unit 60 for sucking the humid air, and the like are also provided. On the other hand, a steam generator 200 for generating high temperature steam is installed at a predetermined position of the cabinet 10. In this embodiment, an indirect drive method for rotating the drum 20 using the motor 70 and the belt 68 for convenience is illustrated and described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, it is also possible to apply the present invention to a direct drive method (Direct Drive Type) in which a motor is directly connected to the rear surface of the drum 20 to directly rotate the drum 20.

Each component will be described in detail as follows.

The cabinet 10 forms an outer shape of the dryer, and includes a base 12 forming a bottom surface, a pair of side covers 14 installed vertically from the base 12, and the side cover 14. The front cover 16 and the rear cover 18, which are respectively installed on the front and rear of the, is configured to include a top cover 17 located on the upper side of the side cover (14). The control panel 19 having various operation switches or the like is normally located on the top cover 17 or the front cover 16, and the door 164 is provided on the front cover 16. The rear cover 18 is provided with an inlet 182 for allowing outside air to flow therein and an exhaust hole 184, which is a final passage through which the air of the drum 20 is discharged to the outside.

The inner space of the drum 20 functions as a drying chamber in which drying proceeds, and has a lift 22 therein.

On the other hand, the front supporter 30 and the rear supporter 40 are provided between the drum 20 and the cabinet 10 (front cover 16 and rear cover 18). A drum 20 is rotatably installed between the front supporter 30 and the rear supporter 40, and a sealing for preventing leakage between the front supporter 30 and the rear supporter 40 and the drum 20, respectively. A member (not shown) is provided. That is, the front supporter 30 and the rear supporter 40 form a drying chamber by blocking the front and rear surfaces of the drum 20 and serve to support the front and rear ends of the drum 20.

The front supporter 30 is formed with an opening for communicating the drum 20 with the outside of the dryer, the opening is selectively opened and closed by the door 164. In addition, the front supporter 30 is connected to the lint duct 50 which is a passage through which the air of the drum 20 is discharged to the outside, and the lint duct 50 is provided with a lint filter 52. One side of the blower unit 60 is connected to the lint duct 50, the other side of the blower unit 60 is connected to the exhaust duct 80, and the exhaust duct 80 is provided at the rear cover 18. It communicates with the exhaust hole 184. Therefore, when the blower unit 60 is operated, the air in the drum 20 is discharged to the outside through the lint duct 50, the exhaust duct 80, and the exhaust hole 184. At this time, foreign matter such as lint is filtered in the lint filter 52. Typically, the blower unit 60 is composed of a blower 62 and a blower housing 64. The blower 64 is driven by a motor. In this embodiment, the blower 64 is driven by being connected to a motor 70 for driving the drum 20.

The rear supporter 40 is formed with an opening 42 which is usually composed of a plurality of through holes, and the hot air supply duct 44 is connected to the opening 42. The hot air supply duct 44 communicates with the drum 20 to serve as a passage for supplying hot air to the drum 20. Therefore, the hot air heater 90 is installed at a predetermined position of the hot air supply duct 44.

Meanwhile, a steam generator 200 for generating steam and supplying the steam to the inside of the drum 20 is installed at a predetermined position of the cabinet 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, the steam generator 200 includes a case 210 in which water is received therein, a heater 240 mounted inside the case 210, and a water level for measuring the water level of the steam generator. It comprises a sensor 260, and a temperature sensor 270 for measuring the temperature of the steam generator 200. The water level sensor is composed of a common electrode 262, a low level electrode 264, and a high level electrode 266, so that the common electrode 262 and the high level electrode 266 are energized or the common electrode 262 and the low level electrode 264 It detects high water level and low water level according to whether electricity is applied.

A water supply hose 220 for supplying water is connected to one side of the steam generator 200, and a steam hose 230 for discharging steam is connected to the other side, and a nozzle 250 is connected to the tip of the steam hose 230. It may be provided. The nozzle 250 is positioned to inject steam into the drum 20. In this embodiment, the nozzle 250 is installed in the supporter 40.

One end of the water supply hose 220 may be connected to a faucet and a water supply valve (not shown). If water is to be supplied to the steam generator, open the water supply valve to supply water. At this time, when the high water level is sensed by the water level sensor 260, the water supply valve is closed. In this way, after the water supply is completed, the heater 240 is turned on to start heating the water. When water is heated and steam starts to be generated, the steam is supplied to the drum through the steam hose 230. Steam supply is completed by turning off the heater 240. Even if the heater is turned off, the steam generated can still flow into the drum.

The steam generator may be provided in various forms in addition to the above type. In the present invention, it is not limited to the type of steam generator. The steam generator of this embodiment generates steam by heating in a state in which water is supplied to and stored in a case having a constant volume. Other types of steam generators may be heated rapidly as water flows into steam. In this type of steam generator, steam may continue to be generated as water is supplied.

5 and 6 illustrate a control panel 190 made to allow a user to select a viable course. First, the control panel 190 of FIG. 5 has a course dial 191 for selecting a course. By selecting a course from the course dial 191, selecting a desired option through various option buttons, pressing the 'start' button starts the selected course.

In the control panel 190 of FIG. 5, a button for selecting a non-tumble course is provided as an option button. Thus, when a user selects a course from the course dial 191 and then presses the 'not tumble' button 192, the selected course is performed as a non-tumble course. For example, if you select the 'refresh' course in the course dial 191 and then press the 'not tumble' button 192, the driving of the drum 20 is controlled within the range in which the laundry is not tumbled, and the refresh course is performed. .

Meanwhile, FIG. 6 illustrates another control panel 390. Here, the betumble course is provided in the course dial 391 so as to be selected like other courses. For example, if the 'tumble refresh' course is selected in FIG. 6, the refresh course is performed while driving the drum 20 so that the laundry is not tumbled.

The control panel for selecting a non-tumble course may be implemented in various ways in addition to those shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

7 illustrates how the washing apparatus is controlled to perform the tumble course.

First, when a user selects a non-tumble course through the control panels 190 and 390, the controller receives the selection signal. The betumble course may be implemented in various ways. Here, the course for refreshing clothes by supplying steam and hot air will be described as an example.

When the tumble course is selected as above, the controller first supplies hot air to the drum 20. The hot air can be supplied for a set time. And, the setting time may vary depending on the amount of laundry (aka quantity). The controller operates the hot air heater 90 and the blower 64 to supply hot air.

Next, the controller controls the steam generator 200 to supply steam to the drum 20. When there is insufficient water in the steam generator 200, first, water is supplied to the steam generator 200 by opening a water supply valve. After the set amount of water is supplied to the steam generator 200, the heater 240 of the steam generator 200 is turned on to start heating the water. After a predetermined time elapses, water is boiled and steam is generated, and the generated steam is supplied to the drum 20 through the steam hose 230. The supply of steam can also take place for a set time. Alternatively, steam may be supplied until the temperature inside the drum 20 reaches a set temperature. The steam supply is completed while the heater 240 of the steam generator 200 is turned off. Even if the heater 240 is off, the steam generated may be introduced into the drum 20. And, the time or amount of steam supply may also vary depending on the amount of steam. The quantity can be sensed through the sensor in the same manner as the conventional method. Alternatively, the user may enter a dose. For this purpose, a button for input of a dose may be provided to the control panels 190 and 390.

After the supply of steam is completed, hot air is again supplied to the drum 20. Laundry slightly wet by steam is dried by hot air.

Next, the controller supplies cold air to the drum 20. The controller operates the blower 64 while the hot air heater 90 is turned off to supply the cold air. Cooling air is supplied to cool the laundry in the drum 20.

Here, while performing the course as described above, the controller controls the driving of the drum 20 together, the driving of the drum 20 is controlled so that the laundry therein does not tumble.

To control such drum 20 drive, the controller controls the drive of a motor to drive the drum 20. The drum 20 may swing or remain stationary during the course.

The drum 20 is preferably controlled to swing while the hot air is supplied or while steam is supplied. In order to swing the drum 20, the controller rotates the motor forward / backward within a predetermined angle range. Then, as the motor is rotated forward / backward as described above, the drum 20 swings within a predetermined angle range as shown in FIG.

In the above, the refresh course has been described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to various courses, and what is described in the above embodiments should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention can be variously implemented.

1 shows a conventional washing machine.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a washing apparatus according to the present invention.

3 is a cross-sectional view of the washing apparatus of FIG.

4 is a cross-sectional view of the steam generator.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a control panel of the laundry machine according to the present invention.

6 shows another embodiment of a control panel.

7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a control method.

Figure 8 shows one embodiment where the drum is controlled to swing.

* Description of the main parts of the drawings *

10: cabinet 20: drum

30: front supporter 40: rear supporter

50: lint duct 60: blower unit

70: motor 80: exhaust duct

90: hot air heater 190: control panel

191: Course Dial 200: Steam Generator

250: nozzle 281: water supply valve

282: valve 283: quantity sensor

390: Control Panel 391: Course Dial

Claims (13)

Receiving a signal of non-tumble course selection; Controlling the drum drive so that the object in the drum is not tumbled and performing the non-tumble course; Washing device control method comprising a. The method of claim 1, wherein the course performing process includes supplying water into the drum. The method of claim 2, wherein the water supply process includes supplying steam into the drum. The method of claim 2, wherein the performing of the course further comprises supplying hot air into the drum. The method of claim 4, wherein the hot air supply process comprises supplying hot air after the water supply process. The method of claim 5, wherein the hot air supply process further comprises the step of supplying hot air before the water supply process. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of supplying cold air after the hot air supply process. The method of claim 4, wherein the hot air supply process comprises supplying hot air during the moisture supply process. The method of claim 3, wherein the drum is swinged for at least a predetermined time during the water supply. A control panel for allowing a user to select a viable course; A controller which controls the drum driving so that the object in the drum is not tumbled, and performs the non-tumble course; Laundry apparatus comprising a. 11. The laundry machine of claim 10 further comprising a fine water-droplet generator controlled by the controller to supply fine droplets of water into the drum. The washing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the micromoisture generator includes a steam generator for generating steam by heating water. The washing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a blower for blowing air to the drum and a hot air heater for heating the blown air.

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