KR20100094953A - Washing machine and control method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A washing apparatus and a control method thereof are provided to save the energy by notifying a user of the water amount and the power consumption which depend on the amount of laundry and a selected course. CONSTITUTION: A washing apparatus is composed of a cabinet, a display unit(221), a drum, a power measuring unit(212), and a control unit. The cabinet forms a frame. On the display unit, washing related information is indicated. Laundry is accepted in the drum. The power measuring unit measures the power provided to the washing apparatus. The controller indicates the measured power on the display unit. The controller changes the measured power into electric charges and indicates it on the display unit.

Description

Washing Machine and Control Method {Washing Machine and Control Method for the same}

The present invention relates to a laundry machine and a control method thereof.

In general, a laundry machine is a home appliance including a device for separating contaminants from laundry through the action of water and washing water and a device for supplying and drying hot air to wet laundry.

Looking at the operation process of the washing machine, first measure the amount of laundry (hereinafter, the amount of water), and then set the amount of washing water, the amount of detergent, and the washing time according to the measured quantity of laundry, and then the washing administration proceeds during the set washing time. do.

After the washing process is completed, the washing water is discharged, and then a new rinsing cycle is performed to supply new washing water to rinse the laundry.

In the case of the above-described washing machine, it is difficult to estimate the amount of washing water consumed or the amount of power consumed during washing, and it is difficult to calculate or predict the water tax or the electric bill charged based on the consumption amount.

The present invention was devised to solve the above-described problems, and can predict and display the amount of washing water or power consumption to be consumed by the washing machine, and can also display the amount of washing water consumed or power consumption. It is an object of the present invention to provide a laundry machine and a control method thereof.

The present invention provides a cabinet for forming an outer shape to solve the above-described problems, a display unit provided on the outside of the cabinet to display laundry related information, a drum provided inside the cabinet, and laundry is accommodated; It provides a washing apparatus including a power amount measuring means for measuring the amount of power supplied to the washing machine, and a control unit for displaying the power consumption measured by the power amount measuring means on the display.

In this case, the controller may convert the measured amount of power consumption into an electric charge and display it on the display unit.

The laundry machine may further include at least one of a hot air supply device for supplying hot air to the drum and a steam supply device for supplying steam to the drum.

In this case, the laundry machine of the present invention further includes a quantity detecting means for measuring the amount of laundry put into the drum, and a database storing an amount of power consumption expected according to the quantity of the laundry. The estimated power consumption stored in the database may be displayed on the display unit.

In addition, the laundry machine of the present invention further includes an input unit for selecting a washing course, and the database stores the amount of power consumption expected according to the washing course and the quantity inputted through the input unit, and the control unit selects the selected washing course and the measured amount. The estimated power consumption stored in the database may be displayed on the display unit based on the amount of capacity.

In this case, the controller may control the display unit to display the estimated power consumption before measuring the actual power consumption through the power measurement unit.

The controller may convert the estimated power consumption into an electric charge.

Meanwhile, the laundry machine of the present invention may further include a tub provided inside the cabinet, the tub in which the drum is accommodated, and a supply hose supplying the washing water to the tub.

In this case, the database further includes consumption prediction data of the washing water to be supplied to the tub according to the quantity and the washing course, and the control unit consumes the washing water stored in the database based on the selected washing course and the measured quantity of water. Prediction data may be displayed on the display unit.

In addition, the laundry machine of the present invention further includes a flow rate measuring means for measuring the amount of the wash water supplied to the tub, the control unit may display the washing water consumption measured by the flow rate measuring means on the display unit. .

The control unit may convert the measured consumption amount of wash water into a water rate and display it on the display unit.

On the other hand, the present invention the washing apparatus is provided in the inside of the cabinet, the tub is accommodated, the supply hose for supplying the wash water to the tub, the temperature sensing means for measuring the temperature of the wash water supplied to the tub Further, the database stores the amount of power consumption expected according to the washing course, the quantity and the wash water temperature, the control unit is estimated consumption stored in the database based on the selected washing course, the measured amount and the measured wash water temperature The amount of power may be displayed on the display unit.

In addition, the present invention provides a detection step of collecting information necessary for washing in order to solve the above-described problems related to the prior art, and an estimated amount display step of notifying the user of the expected power consumption based on the information collected in the detection step; The present invention provides a control method of a washing apparatus including a measuring step of measuring an amount of power consumed during washing, and a consumption amount displaying step of notifying a user of the measured power consumption amount.

In this case, the sensing step may be characterized in that the quantity detection step for measuring the amount of laundry.

In addition, the sensing step may further include a washing course detection step of confirming the washing course information.

In addition, the estimating amount display step may further display the washing water consumption amount estimated based on the information collected in the sensing step.

In addition, the measuring step may further include a water supply amount measuring step of measuring the amount of the wash water supplied to the washing apparatus, the consumption display step may further display the consumption amount of the wash water measured in the water supply amount measuring step.

In addition, the consumption display step may be displayed by converting the measured amount of washing water consumption and power consumption into water and electricity rates, respectively.

The present invention can predict and display the amount or power consumption of the washing water to be consumed by the washing machine, and the effect of providing a laundry machine and a control method capable of displaying the amount of washing water or power consumption actually consumed. We can plan.

Therefore, the present invention can achieve the effect of inducing energy savings by notifying the user of the amount of laundry put in by the user, the amount of power consumption expected, and the amount of washing water consumption expected according to the washing course selected by the user.

In addition, the present invention can notify the predicted value and the actual value of the electric charge, the water rate according to the use of the washing machine can be expected to the effect of economical use and energy saving of the washing machine.

1 is a conceptual diagram of a washing apparatus according to the present invention.
2 is a perspective view of a washing apparatus according to the present invention.
3 is a block line for the control of the laundry machine of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart showing a control method of the laundry machine according to the present invention.

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

Unless otherwise defined, all terms in the specification are the same as the general meaning of the terms understood by those skilled in the art, and if the terms used herein conflict with the general meaning of the terms Is in accordance with the definitions used herein.

On the other hand, the configuration or control method of the device to be described below is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but to describe the embodiment of the present invention, the same reference numerals are used throughout the specification the same components Indicates.

Hereinafter, a description will be given based on a device for washing clothes using washing water, but this is for convenience of description only and is not intended to exclude the washing device as a device for drying wet clothes.

1 is a conceptual diagram of a washing apparatus according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view of a washing apparatus according to the present invention. The washing apparatus 100 of the present invention includes a cabinet 110 forming an exterior, a tub 120 provided inside the cabinet 110 and storing wash water, and rotatable inside the tub 120. The drum 130 is installed, and a motor 160 for driving the drum 130.

The cabinet 110 is coupled to an upper portion of the main body 111 and a front plate 112 forming a front surface of the cabinet, and the upper surface of the main body 111 to form both sides and rear and bottom surfaces of the main body 111 It is preferable to include a top plate 113 constituting the upper surface.

In this case, the front plate 112 includes an inlet (112a) to enable the loading and withdrawal of the laundry, the inlet (112a) is opened and closed by the door 115.

On the other hand, the tub 120 includes a tub opening provided to correspond to the inlet, the tub is supported by the hanging spring 121 and the damper 122. Since the back of the tub 120 is provided with a motor 160 for rotating the drum, vibrations induced by the drum and the motor are transmitted to the tub when the drum is rotated. Therefore, the hanging spring and the damper serve to reduce the vibration of the tub is transmitted to the main body when the drum 130 rotates.

The drum 130 is rotatably provided in the tub and includes a drum opening formed at a position corresponding to the tub opening. Accordingly, the user can inject laundry into the drum or withdraw the laundry inside the drum by opening the door.

In addition, the drum is connected to the motor provided on the back of the tub through the rotary shaft 166, the inner peripheral surface of the drum 130 may be further provided with a lifter 131 and a plurality of through holes 132.

The lifter 131 facilitates the stirring of the laundry by raising the laundry inside the drum to a predetermined position when the drum 130 rotates, and the through hole 132 allows the wash water supplied to the tub to communicate with the inside of the drum. To help.

That is, the clothes put into the drum may be in contact with the wash water stored in the tub through the through hole 132 during washing and rinsing, and the wash water in the clothes may be discharged to the tub through the through hole when dewatering.

Meanwhile, the tub 120 receives wash water through a supply hose 140 connected to a water supply source, and the water supply hose is provided with a water supply valve 141 for opening and closing the water supply hose.

In this case, the detergent supply device 142 may be positioned between the water supply hose and the tub so that detergent required for washing is introduced into the tub as the washing water when the washing water is supplied to the tub. However, the detergent supply device 142 is preferably provided in the front plate 112 to be drawn out in front of the user convenience.

The lower portion of the tub 120 may be further provided with a drain hose 150 for discharging the wash water stored in the tub, the drain hose is preferably provided with a drain pump 151.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the front surface of the washing apparatus may further include a control panel 220 for inputting a control command to the washing apparatus and displaying the control details.

In this case, the control panel 220 includes an input unit 222 provided to allow a user to select a desired washing course, and a display unit 221 displaying information about control commands and washing inputted through the input unit. It is preferably provided to.

The input unit 222 may be provided as a rotary type input device as shown in the drawing, and the user may input the input unit clockwise or counterclockwise by displaying a name of a selectable washing course around the input unit. It is preferable to be provided to select the desired washing course by turning.

However, since the form of the input unit is exemplary, the button type input unit does not exclude the case where the user selects the washing course selectable every time the user presses the button type input unit.

In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the washing apparatus may further include an exhaust type hot air supply device or a circulating hot air supply device for drying the wet laundry.

In the case of the exhaust type hot air supply device, the washing apparatus includes a discharge duct (not shown) for discharging the inner air of the tub to the outside of the tub, an inlet duct for introducing air from the outside of the tub into the tub, and the inlet duct. It will include a heater (not shown) provided.

In the case of the circulating hot air supply device, the washing apparatus is provided with a circulation duct (not shown) for circulating air in the tub, and dehumidifying and heating (heat exchange) the air introduced into the circulation duct. It will be equipped with a heat exchanger.

In this case, the heat exchange device may be an example of a heat pump provided with a condenser, a compressor, an evaporator, and an expander.

In addition, the laundry machine may further include a steam supply device (not shown) for removing odors and sterilization of laundry, in which case the steam supply device includes a storage unit (not shown) for storing water and a storage unit. It may be provided with a heater (not shown) for heating the water stored in the injector (not shown) for injecting the generated steam into the tub.

On the other hand, the laundry machine according to the present invention can predict and display the amount or power consumption of the washing water to be consumed when washing, the control unit 200, so as to display the actual amount of consumption water or power consumption Reference), it may further include a detector 210 (see FIG. 3) and a database (not shown).

3 is a block diagram for controlling the washing apparatus of the present invention. Hereinafter, the controller, the sensing unit, and the database will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

The database DB is configured to store the predicted consumption data and the estimated power consumption data of the washing water experimentally measured according to the amount of laundry (hereinafter, the amount of water) and the washing course.

In this case, the "predicted consumption amount of washing water" means experimental data on the amount of washing water to be supplied to the washing apparatus according to the amount of washing put into the drum and the washing course selected by the user, and the "predicted power consumption". Means the experimental data of the amount of power to be supplied to the washing machine according to the quantity and the washing course.

The detection unit 210 is a quantity detection means (not shown) for measuring the amount of water injected into the drum, flow rate measuring means 211 for measuring the amount of wash water supplied to the tub, the amount of power consumed by the washing apparatus It may include a power amount measuring means 212 for measuring.

The quantity detecting means (W) may be provided as a sensor for measuring the weight of the drum when the laundry is put into the drum, it may be provided as a means for measuring the current value (or voltage value) supplied to the motor. .

In the latter case, the controller 200 monitors the current value supplied to the motor while rotating the drum at a preset rotation angle or rotating the drum a predetermined number of times before supplying the wash water, and monitoring the current value and the database. By comparing the current value according to the amount stored in the stored amount can be measured.

The flow rate measuring means 211 is provided in the supply hose 140 to measure the amount of wash water flowing into the tub from the water supply source provided on the outside of the washing apparatus. Therefore, the control unit can determine the amount of wash water used for washing through the flow rate measuring means.

The power measuring means 212 is a means for measuring the actual amount of power consumed by the motor, heat exchanger or steam generator during washing may be provided on the back of the cabinet 110 as shown in FIG. However, as long as it is connected to the control unit 200 so as to implement the above-described function, the power amount measuring means may be provided at any position of the washing apparatus.

The control unit 200 receives information necessary for controlling the washing apparatus from the operation unit 221, the database DB, and the sensing unit 210, and through the display unit 222 provided in the control panel 220. Display information related to laundry.

That is, the control unit receives the washing course desired by the user through the operation unit 221, and receives the quantity value input to the drum through the quantity detecting means (not shown). Thereafter, the controller receives from the database the consumption value of the wash water and the estimated power consumption, which are predicted according to the quantity of the laundry and the selected washing course, which is notified to the user through the display unit 222.

Therefore, when the user executes the washing course selected by the user, the washing water consumption and the power consumption can be predicted, thereby preventing energy waste.

That is, when the user puts laundry into the drum, the quantity of water will be measured by the quantity detecting means, and then each time the user selects the washing course preset in the washing machine through the operation unit 221, the estimated consumption amount of the washing water at the time of executing the course and By knowing the estimated power consumption, it is possible to prevent energy waste caused by selecting a washing course that implements more washing power than necessary.

Further, the controller may convert the wash water forecast consumption amount and the predicted power consumption amount provided from the database into a water rate and an electricity rate, respectively, and then display them on the display unit. Of course, the above-described effects may be implemented even if the database includes water rate and electricity rate data according to the amount of washing water consumption and power consumption.

The sensing unit 210 may further include a temperature sensing means 213 for measuring the temperature of the wash water supplied to the tub in addition to the quantity sensing means (W), the flow rate measuring means (211), the electrical power measuring means. .

Although it is possible to estimate the power consumption based on the quantity and the washing course, the running time of the washing course may vary according to the temperature of the washing water supplied to the tub, and the amount of washing water to be supplied to the tub depends on the temperature of the washing water. Since the temperature sensing means 213 may be more accurate, the washing water consumption and power consumption may be more accurately predicted.

That is, when the selected washing course uses hot water, the washing machine must raise the temperature of the washing water stored in the tub to the set temperature, and to increase the washing water temperature to the set temperature, the washing water heating device (not shown) provided in the washing machine. Power should be supplied.

On the other hand, the amount of power consumed by the washing water heating device will be increased when the temperature of the washing water supplied to the tub is low, and will be smaller when the temperature of the washing water supplied to the tub is high, so that the temperature sensing means 213 heats the washing water. It serves to provide the controller with temperature data for the prediction of the amount of power that the device will consume.

However, in this case, it is preferable that the estimated power consumption data and the washing water consumption prediction data stored in the database are provided based on the temperature of the washing water supplied to the tub as well as the amount of washing and the washing course.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the laundry machine according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the control method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

The control method of the present invention includes a detection step (S100), a prediction amount display step (S200), a measurement step (S300) and the consumption amount display step (S400).

The sensing step (S100) may include a quantity detection step (S110) and a washing course detection step (S120) as a data collection step for the prediction of the amount of washing water consumption and the power consumption.

The quantity detection step (S110) is carried out by the above-described quantity detection means (not shown) providing the quantity data to the control unit when the user puts the laundry in the drum, the washing course detection step (S120) is the control unit the input unit In step 222, the user is provided with information on a washing course to be selected.

However, the quantity detection step and the washing course detection step may be performed at the same time or, unlike the above description, the washing course detection step may be performed prior to the quantity detection step.

When the sensing step is finished, the predicted amount displaying step S200 is performed. The estimating amount display step is a step in which the control unit 200 displays on the display unit 221 the estimated consumption amount and the estimated power consumption data of the wash water stored in the database DB based on the data collected in the sensing step.

That is, the control unit 200 extracts the prediction data corresponding to the quantity data and the washing course data provided in the sensing step among the prediction data stored in the database DB and displays it on the display unit. Accordingly, the user can know the estimated power consumption required for washing and the estimated consumption amount of the washing water.

On the other hand, the estimated power consumption and the estimated consumption of the washing water displayed through the estimated amount display step (S200) may be converted into electricity rates or water rates, respectively. In this case, the estimating amount displaying step S200 may include converting, by the controller, a predicted power consumption from the database DB into a fee according to a preset formula.

In the case of washing the selected washing course, if the user directly informs the user of the electricity or water bill to be charged, the user can more efficiently predict the expenditure range according to the energy use, so that the user can induce energy saving more efficiently.

After the predicted amount displaying step (or at the same time as the predicted amount displaying step), the washing course selected by the user is performed, and the measuring step S300 is performed while the washing course is in progress.

In the measuring step (S300), the flow rate measuring means 211 transmits the actual consumption of the wash water supplied to the tub to the control unit, the power amount measuring means 212 to the driving unit (motor, etc.) of the washing machine during the course of the washing course The amount of power supplied is measured and transmitted to the controller. However, the water supply amount measuring step S310 and the power consumption amount measuring step S320 may be sequentially performed as shown in the drawing, or may be simultaneously performed.

The actual usage amount and the actual power consumption of the washing water measured through the measuring step S300 are notified to the user through the consumption display step S400. That is, the actual consumption of wash water and power measured by the flow rate measuring unit 211 and the electric power measuring unit 212 is displayed on the display unit 221 by the control unit 200.

However, the consumption display step (S400) may proceed after the washing step is completed (S300) as shown in Figure 4, but may display the amount of power consumption or the amount of washing water during the course of the washing course.

That is, the washing course includes a plurality of strokes such as water supply, washing, rinsing, and dehydration for washing the laundry. The displaying step includes the amount of wash water actually consumed in the corresponding stroke at the end of each of the above-described strokes. However, the amount of power can also be displayed.

In addition, the amount of power consumed and the amount of washing water consumed measured in the usage display step S400 may be converted into electricity rates and water rates, and then displayed on the display unit as in the above-described predicted amount display step.

Therefore, the present invention can induce energy savings by notifying the user of the amount of laundry put in by the user, the amount of power consumption expected, and the amount of washing water expected according to the washing course selected by the user.

In addition, the present invention enables the user to verify the expected energy consumption and the actual energy consumption by notifying the user of the amount of washing water actually used and the amount of power consumed.

In addition, the present invention can notify the predicted value and the actual value of the electric charge, water rate according to the washing course can lead to economical use of the washing machine and more efficient energy saving.

Although not disclosed in the drawings, the control method of the present invention may further include a temperature sensing step performed before the predicted amount displaying step S200.

The temperature sensing step is a step of measuring the temperature of the wash water supplied to the tub through the temperature sensing means 213 may be performed while supplying the wash water to the tub.

Therefore, in the control method according to the present embodiment, the water supply step is performed after the sensing step, and the temperature measurement step is performed between the water supply step and the predicted amount display step.

In this case, the control unit 200 consumes data stored in the database DB based on the quantity data measured in the quantity detection step, the washing course data confirmed in the washing course detection step, and the temperature data of the washing water measured in the temperature detection step. After determining the estimated value of the amount of electricity and the predicted value of the amount of washing water, the user is notified of the estimated amount through the predicted amount display step.

However, in the present embodiment, the database DB is preferably provided to include prediction data of power consumption and washing water consumption classified based on the temperature of the washing water supplied to the tub as well as the amount of water and the washing course. Do.

The present invention may be practiced in various forms and is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Therefore, if the modified embodiment includes the components of the claims of the present invention will be seen as belonging to the scope of the present invention.

Laundry unit: 100 Cabinet: 110 Tub: 120
Drum: 130 Supply Hose: 140 Motor: 160
Control: 200 Sensor: 210 Control Panel: 220

Claims (18)

A cabinet forming an appearance;
A display unit provided outside the cabinet to display laundry related information;
A laundry machine comprising: a drum provided inside the cabinet, in which laundry is accommodated.
Power amount measuring means for measuring the amount of power supplied to the washing apparatus; And
And a control unit which displays the power consumption measured by the power measurement unit, on the display unit. The method of claim 1,
The control unit
Washing apparatus, characterized in that the measured amount of power consumption converted into an electric charge and displayed on the display. The method of claim 1,
Washing apparatus further comprises at least one of a hot air supply device for supplying hot air to the drum and a steam supply device for supplying steam to the drum. The method of claim 3,
It further comprises a quantity of storage means for measuring the amount of laundry put into the drum, and a database for storing the amount of power consumption expected according to the amount of laundry,
And the control unit displays the predicted power consumption amount stored in the database on the display unit based on the measured quantity value. The method of claim 4, wherein
Further comprising an input unit for selecting a washing course,
The database stores the amount of power consumption expected according to the washing course and the quantity inputted through the input unit,
And the control unit displays the estimated power consumption stored in the database on the display unit based on the selected washing course and the measured quantity. The method of claim 5,
And the control unit controls the display unit to display the estimated power consumption before measuring the actual power consumption through the power measurement unit. The method of claim 6,
The control unit is a laundry machine, characterized in that for converting the estimated power consumption into an electric charge. The method of claim 6,
A tub provided inside the cabinet and accommodating the drum;
Washing apparatus further comprises a supply hose for supplying the wash water to the tub. The method of claim 8,
The database further includes consumption prediction data of the washing water to be supplied to the tub according to the quantity and the washing course,
The control unit is a washing apparatus, characterized in that for displaying on the display on the display of the consumption consumption data of the wash water stored in the database on the basis of the selected washing course and the measured amount. 10. The method of claim 9,
Further comprising a flow rate measuring means for measuring the amount of wash water supplied to the tub,
The control unit is a washing apparatus, characterized in that for displaying the washing water consumption measured by the flow rate measuring unit on the display. The method of claim 10,
The control unit
Washing apparatus, characterized in that the measured amount of wash water consumption is converted into a water rate and displayed on the display unit. The method of claim 5,
A tub provided inside the cabinet to accommodate the drum;
A supply hose for supplying wash water to the tub;
Further comprising: a temperature sensing means for measuring the temperature of the wash water supplied to the tub,
The database stores the power consumption expected according to the washing course, the quantity of the wash and the temperature of the washing water,
And the control unit displays the estimated power consumption stored in the database on the display unit based on the selected washing course, the measured amount of water and the measured washing water temperature. A sensing step of collecting information necessary for washing;
An estimated amount displaying step of notifying a user of an expected amount of power consumption based on the information collected in the sensing step;
Measuring step of measuring the amount of power consumed when washing; And
And a consumption display step of notifying the user of the measured amount of power consumption. The method of claim 13,
The detecting step
Method for controlling a laundry machine, characterized in that the amount of laundry detection step of measuring the amount of laundry. The method of claim 14,
The detecting step
Washing course control step of confirming the washing course information, the control method of the laundry machine characterized in that it further comprises. 16. The method of claim 15,
The estimating amount displaying step
The control method of the laundry machine, characterized in that for further displaying the washing water consumption is estimated based on the information collected in the sensing step. The method of claim 16,
The measuring step further includes a water supply measuring step of measuring the amount of wash water supplied to the washing apparatus,
The consumption display step is a control method for a laundry machine, characterized in that for further displaying the consumption amount of the wash water measured in the water supply amount measuring step. The method of claim 17,
The consumption display step is a control method for a washing machine, characterized in that the measured amount of washing water consumption and power consumption converted into a water rate and an electricity rate, respectively.

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