RU2776526C1 - Washing machine with an induction heater and method for controlling the machine - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: home appliances.

SUBSTANCE: embodiments of the present invention relate to a washing machine, more specifically to a washing machine that can heat the drum by means of an induction heater, and to a method for controlling the machine. The washing machine includes a tank; a drum that is installed rotatably in the tank and holds laundry for washing; an induction heater that is provided in the tank and configured to heat the outer circular surface of the drum located opposite; a motor that is configured to be driven in order to rotate the drum; a user interface containing a cycle selection block that is configured to make it possible for the user to select one of the cycles; and an option selection block that is configured to make it possible for the user to select information about options that is associated with the cycle selected in the cycle selection block; and a processor that is configured to control the rotation frequency of the drum and the actuation of the induction heater, while the cycle selection block contains a washing-drying cycle that performs heating-spinning by default, the heating-spinning cycle is configured to heat the drum by actuating the induction heater when the drum rotates during spinning.

EFFECT: expansion of the range of washing machines.

15 cl, 13 dwg

Description

The technical field to which the invention belongs

[1] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a washing machine, more specifically, a washing machine that can heat a drum by an induction heater, and a method for controlling the machine.

State of the art

[2] The washing machine includes a tank (or external tank) that holds wash water; and a drum (or inner tub) rotatably mounted in the tub. Laundry is loaded into the drum and washed with the detergent and the wash water as the drum rotates.

[3] In order to improve the washing result by stimulating the activation of the detergent and the breakdown of soils, high temperature wash water is supplied to the tub or the wash water is heated in the tub. To this end, the heater mounting piece is formed on the bottom of the tank in the form of a recess, and the heater can be installed in the heater mounting piece. Such a heater is typically a sheathed heater.

[4] The wash ends when the spin cycle ends. Spin means that the water contained in the laundry is removed by the centrifugal force of the drum rotating at a high rotation speed. After spinning is completed, the user can dry the laundry naturally or with a dryer. Accordingly, it is recommended to remove as much of it from the laundry during the spin cycle as possible. In other words, the water content can be reduced as much as possible.

[5] However, if the spinning time is increased, the amount of water separated from the laundry by centrifugal force is limited. Thus, it is traditional to define the rotational speed (RPM) for spinning and the spinning time as being between the energy consumption and the spinning efficiency.

[6] In order to improve the spin efficiency, heat-spin may be performed. Heat-spin means a technique designed to reduce the water content of laundry by raising the temperature of the wash water during spinning and softening the viscosity of the water contained in the laundry.

[7] The heating timing for heating-spinning may be when spinning is performed after preheating, or heating is performed during spinning. As another example, heating can be performed both before the start of the spin cycle and while the spin cycle is being performed.

[8] Such heating-spinning can be performed in a washing apparatus having washing and drying functions. In other words, the washing apparatus having the washing and drying functions may include a heater configured to heat air for such heating-spinning, as well as a sheathed heater configured to heat wash water. Here, such a washing apparatus having washing and drying functions may include a fan and a pipeline that are provided to supply heated air to the drum.

[9] The power consumed by the motor during spinning may be varied based on the speed and eccentricity of the laundry. As the rotational speed and the eccentricity of the laundry become higher and higher, the power consumed by the motor increases. The maximum power allowed for the washing machine, in other words, the maximum instantaneous power is limited. Specifically, the maximum instantaneous power of the washing machine is predetermined as the allowable power value or less so as to protect the washing machine. Accordingly, the upper limit of the heater output is preset considering the maximum allowable power for each segment of all other loads during spinning except for the heater, and the upper limit of the heater output during spin is preset. In other words, the heat-spin is performed based on the output of the heater having a fixed value.

[10] Accordingly, power stability of the washing machine can be ensured, but there may be a problem of failure to efficiently use the heat-spin. In particular, even in the case of low rotational speed and small eccentricity, only a limited output of the heater is used, so the efficiency is likely to be degraded.

[11] The material has the property that the mechanical stress causing deformation is reduced when the temperature is raised. When the spin speed is increased, the mechanical stress applied to the system (eg tub and bearing) is also increased. Accordingly, the system is likely to deform at a high rotational speed as the temperature rises. Considering the stability of the system, the maximum value of the heat-spin heating temperature can be set based on the maximum rotational speed. In other words, the uppermost limit of the heating temperature is preset, and the heating-squeezing is performed based on the uppermost limit. As one example, when the maximum target (set) speed for spinning is 1200 rpm in the washing machine, the uppermost heating temperature limit may be preset to 60°C.

[12] Accordingly, since one fixed uppermost temperature limit, in other words, one temperature limit is used, heating will not be performed at one temperature limit or more even if additional heating is possible, resulting in low efficiency. In particular, even if additional heating is possible at a low rotational speed, heating is not performed at the uppermost limit temperature or more, and the efficiency cannot but deteriorate.

[13] Meanwhile, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. JP2004-135998A (hereinafter, "material used in the examination of the application") describes a dryer or a dryer having a washing function that can heat a drum by a microwave heating device, electromagnetic induction device or infrared heating device.

[14] The material used in the examination of the application describes the main characteristic of performing drying by heating the drum. In addition, the material used in the examination of the application describes that the wash water or rinse water is heated during washing or rinsing so as to improve the washing effect and reduce the drying time after spinning.

[15] Accordingly, the material used in the examination of the application does not describe the control method for performing spinning by heating the spinning drum. In particular, the rotation of the drum and the heating of the drum, which are related to the rotational speed during the spin cycle, are not described in the material used in the examination of the application. In addition, the material used in the examination of the application does not describe the heating of the drum during the spin cycle, which is related to instantaneous power.

[16] Accordingly, it is necessary to ensure optimal spinning performance by efficiently heating the spinning drum.

[17] In a conventional washing machine having washing and drying functions, washing is the main function and drying is the auxiliary function. Unlike a dryer having only a drying function, a washing machine having washing and drying functions may provide the option to select drying as an option.

[18] Because of this, a conventional washing machine having washing and drying functions is not provided with a variety of drying functions, and the user is not disadvantageously allowed to select a variety of drying cycles or functions.

[19] In addition, it is unfavorably difficult in a conventional washing machine having washing and drying functions to sequentially and automatically perform washing and drying based on one selected cycle.

[20] In a particular region, the midnight electricity rate is relatively low, so that washing or drying can be performed at midnight. However, efficient washing or drying cannot be performed due to the noise problem.

[21] As one example, if sufficient spinning is not performed during washing based on the midnight course, it may often happen that spinning has to be performed again. As another example, if sufficient drying is not performed during midnight-based drying, it may also often occur that drying has to be performed again.

[22] Accordingly, there is a need for a washing machine that can enable a user to select a variety of drying conditions and provide such a variety of drying conditions. In particular, there is a need for a washing machine that can efficiently spin and dry when washing or drying is performed at midnight.

The essence of the invention

Technical problem

[23] Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to eliminate the above and other problems.

[24] Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can apply a convection heating method with an induction heater so as to solve the problem of a conventional hot air heating, spinning and/or drying method and a control method therefor.

[25] A further object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can enable a user to easily select a heat-spin configuration configured to perform spinning by drum heating and a normal spin configured to perform spinning without drum heating, and a control method for it.

[26] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can allow a user to select one cycle during washing to perform washing and drying, and a control method for it.

[27] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can allow a user to select a variety of drying cycles based on whether to perform heat-spin and/or heat-spin conditions and a control method for it.

[28] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can include a drying cycle (program) provided in a cycle selection block (program selection block) to perform a default heat-spin operation and a spin option provided in an options block. for selecting whether to perform heating-spinning, so that the user can select a variety of spinning and drying conditions easily, and a control method for it.

[29] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can achieve good spin performance by effectively reducing the water content even at a low drum speed, and a control method for it.

[30] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can efficiently perform spinning even in a washing environment requiring low noise and low vibration, and a control method for the same.

[31] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can satisfy the spin performance and/or the drying function by allowing the user to select night mode or quiet mode in an environment requiring low noise or low vibration, and control the automatic execution of heating. spinning in such modes, and the control method for it. In particular, the washing machine can satisfy the spin performance and/or the drying function by automatically increasing the heating amount even when spinning is performed at a relatively low rotational speed.

[32] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can achieve stability by changing the output of the heater based on the spin speed and improve user satisfaction in terms of spinning and drying and a control method for it. In particular, it is an object to provide a washing machine that can efficiently spin and dry at midnight when quiet operation and low vibration are required, and a control method for the same.

[33] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can improve the output power of the heater to closer to the maximum allowable power value, and a control method for it. In particular, it is an object to provide a washing machine that can efficiently spin and dry at midnight when quiet operation and low vibration are required, and a control method for the same.

[34] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can perform a drying function without a fan configured to circulate air, a pipeline and an additional heater configured to heat air, and a control method therefor.

Solution

[35] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a washing machine comprising a tub; a drum that is rotatably mounted in the tub and holds the laundry; an induction heater which is provided in the tub and configured to heat an outer circumferential surface of the drum opposite; a motor that is configured to be driven to rotate the drum; a user interface comprising a cycle (program) selector that is configured to allow the user to select one of the cycles (one of the programs); and an option selector that is configured to allow the user to select option information that is associated with the cycle selected in the cycle selector; and a processor that is configured to control the drum speed and actuation of the induction heater, wherein the cycle selection unit may include a wash-dry cycle that performs a default heat-spin, the heat-spin is configured to heat the drum by means of a drive. induction heater when the drum rotates during the spin cycle.

[36] The wash-dry cycle may be a cycle configured to automatically and sequentially perform drying after washing, rinsing, and spinning are performed.

[37] The user is able to select heat-spin through the cycle selection unit intuitively, so that convenient use can be ensured.

[38] The target (set) speed of the drum during drying may be lower than the target speed of the drum during the extraction. The spinning time can be set longer than the drying time. In particular, the drying time can be set to the maximum allowable time. When the drying condition is satisfied before the maximum allowable time, the drying may end.

[39] The wash-dry cycle may include a plurality of cycles having respective target drum speeds that are predetermined to be different from each other.

[40] The heat-spin time of one cycle having a low target spin speed (e.g., the first wash-dry cycle) can be set to be longer than the heat-spin time of another cycle having a high target spin speed at spin cycle (for example, the second wash-dry cycle).

[41] The processor may control the output of the induction heater to be variable during the heat-spin of the first wash-dry cycle.

[42] The washing machine may further comprise an instantaneous power output unit configured to calculate and output an instantaneous power output, wherein the processor controls the output power of the induction heater to be variable based on an output of the instantaneous power output unit. Accordingly, the drum can be heated at the maximum allowable output so as to reduce the heating time.

[43] The processor can control the target (set) heating temperature, which is raised by actuating the induction heater in the first wash-dry cycle, to be higher than the target heating temperature in the second wash-dry cycle.

[44] The option selector may include an option that allows the user to select whether or not to heat-spin.

[45] The option selector may include an option that allows a user to select a target speed and a target temperature of the heat-spin drum.

[46] When the target drum speed, which is selected by the user, becomes higher, the corresponding target temperature can be set to become lower.

[47] The wash-dry cycle may include a cycle that is configured to automatically and sequentially perform drying after washing, rinsing and spinning; and a cycle that is configured to perform washing, rinsing and spinning and to perform heat-spin during spinning. Accordingly, a default heat-spin cycle can be selected and a default drying cycle can be selected, so that a variety of heat-spin and drying conditions can be provided to the user through the cycle selection unit.

[48] A cycle including drying may include a plurality of cycles having respective target spin speeds to be set to be different from each other.

[49] The target drum speed and target drum temperature in spinning a cycle having drying may be higher than the target drum speed and target drum temperature in spinning a cycle that ends after heat-spin.

[50] The heat-spin time of a cycle having a low target spin speed (first wash-dry cycle) can be set longer than the heat-spin time of a cycle having a high target spin speed (second cycle). washing-drying), among the cycles having drying.

[51] The target spin speed of the cycle that ends after the heat-spin cycle (third wash-dry cycle) may be equal to the target spin speed of the second wash-dry cycle.

[52] The spin time of the third wash-dry cycle may be equal to the spin time of the second wash-dry cycle.

[53] The option selector may include an option that allows the user to select a target drum speed and a target heat-spin temperature.

[54] Embodiments of the present invention may also provide a washing machine including a tub; a drum that is rotatably mounted in the tub and holds the laundry; an induction heater that is provided in the tub and is configured to heat the opposite outer circumferential surface of the drum; a motor that is configured to be driven to rotate the drum; a user interface comprising a cycle selection block that is configured to allow the user to select one of the cycles; and an option selector that is configured to allow the user to select option information that is associated with the cycle selected in the cycle selector; and a processor that is configured to control the speed of the drum and drive the induction heater.

[55] The cycle selection unit may include a wash-dry cycle that performs a default heat-spin, the heat-spin is configured to heat the drum by driving the induction heater when the drum is rotated in the spin cycle; and a normal wash cycle that performs a spin except for the activation of the induction heater during the spin.

[56] Accordingly, the user can select whether to perform heat-spin through the cycle selection unit. The user can also choose whether or not to dry. Thus, the washing machine according to the present invention is very easy and intuitive to use. Also, an option that is associated with heat-squeezing or drying can be further provided so that a variety of spinning and drying conditions can be provided.

[57] The wash-dry cycle may include a plurality of cycles that are categorized based on the target heat-spin speed of the drum.

[58] Accordingly, optimal spinning and drying results can be achieved regardless of spinning speeds, which are most associated with noise and vibration.

Useful results of the invention

[59] The present invention has the result of providing a washing machine that can apply a convection heating method with an induction heater so as to solve the problem of a conventional hot air heating, spinning and/or drying method and a control method therefor.

[60] In addition, the present invention results in providing a washing machine that can enable a user to easily select a heat-spin configuration configured to perform spinning by drum heating and a normal spin configured to perform spinning without drum heating, and a control method for it. .

[61] In addition, the present invention results in providing a washing machine that can enable a user to select one wash cycle to perform washing and drying, and a control method therefor.

[62] In addition, the present invention results in providing a washing machine that can enable a user to select a variety of drying cycles based on whether to perform heat-spin and/or heat-spin conditions and a control method for it.

[63] In addition, the present invention results in providing a washing machine that can include a drying cycle provided in the cycle selection box for performing heating-spinning by default, and a spin option provided in the option box for selecting whether to perform whether heating-spinning, so that the user can select a variety of spinning and drying conditions easily, and the control method for it.

[64] In addition, the present invention results in providing a washing machine that can achieve good spin performance by efficiently reducing water content even at a low drum speed, and a control method for the same.

[65] In addition, the present invention results in providing a washing machine that can efficiently perform spinning even in a washing environment requiring low noise and low vibration, and a control method for the same.

[66] In addition, the present invention results in providing a washing machine that can satisfy the spin performance and/or drying function by allowing the user to select night mode or quiet mode in an environment requiring low noise or low vibration, and control automatic performing heating-spinning in such modes, and a control method for it. In particular, the washing machine can satisfy the spin performance and/or the drying function by automatically increasing the heating amount even when spinning is performed at a relatively low speed.

[67] In addition, the present invention has as a result the provision of a washing machine that can achieve stability by changing the output of the heater based on the rotational speed for spinning, and improve user satisfaction in terms of spinning and drying, and a control method for it. In particular, it is an object to provide a washing machine that can efficiently spin and dry at midnight when quiet operation and low vibration are required, and a control method for the same.

[68] In addition, the present invention results in providing a washing machine that can improve the output of the heater to closer to the maximum allowable power, and a control method for it. In particular, it is an object to provide a washing machine that can efficiently spin and dry at midnight when quiet operation and low vibration are required, and a control method for the same.

[69] In addition, the present invention results in providing a washing machine that can perform a fanless drying function configured to circulate air, a pipeline and an auxiliary heater configured to heat air, and a control method therefor.

Brief description of the drawings

[70] The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description provided herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of illustration only and thus do not limit the present invention, and in which:

[71] FIG. 1 is a sectional drawing illustrating a washing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[72] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a washing control configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[73] FIG. 3 is a graph for describing the change in output of an induction heater provided in a washing machine;

[74] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating one example of a control panel provided in a washing machine according to one embodiment;

[75] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating one example of a method for controlling a washing machine according to one embodiment;

[76] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a spin cycle according to one example of the control method; and

[77] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating specific steps that are involved in the heater control step of the spin cycle shown in FIG. 5 and 6;

[78] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating one example of a control panel provided in a washing machine according to another embodiment;

[79] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating one example of a method for controlling a washing machine according to another embodiment;

[80] FIG. 10 and 11 are a diagram illustrating one example of a control panel provided in the washing machine according to a further embodiment;

[81] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating one example of a method for controlling a washing machine according to a further embodiment; and

[82] FIG. 13 is a graph illustrating a comparison of target heating temperature and drying time with each other based on a wash/dry cycle according to a further embodiment.

Optimal Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[83] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1, a washing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[84] Regardless of the numerical references, the same or equivalent components can be provided with the same reference numbers, and their description will not be repeated.

[85] For the sake of a brief description with reference to the drawings, the dimensions and profiles of the elements illustrated in the accompanying drawings may be exaggerated or reduced, and it should be understood that the embodiments provided herein are not limited to the accompanying drawings.

[86] The accompanying drawings are used to help facilitate understanding of various technical features, and it should be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited to the accompanying drawings. As such, the present invention is to be construed as extending to any alterations, equivalents and substitutions in addition to those set forth in particular in the accompanying drawings.

[87] The washing machine according to one embodiment may include a body 1 that defines an exterior design; tank 2 provided in the housing; and a drum 3 which is rotatably mounted in the tub 2 and holds the laundry (for example, laundry items, drying items, and refreshing items). As one example, when washing clothes with wash water, the laundry may be the objects to be washed. When drying washed clothes with heated air, the laundry can be objects for drying. When refreshing dried clothes with hot air, cold air or steam, laundry items may be objects for refreshment. Accordingly, the process of washing, drying or refreshing clothes can be performed in the drum 3 provided in the washing machine.

[88] The body 1 may have a body opening provided in the front side of the body 1 for receiving laundry, and a door 12 rotatably connected to the body to open and close the body opening.

[89] The door 12 may include a circular door frame 121 and a transparent window 122 provided in the central region of the door frame.

[90] In this case, since the definition of directions to help specify the specific design of the washing machine to be described later should be easily understood, the direction towards the door 12 relative to the center of the cabinet 1 can be defined as the front direction.

[91] Also, the opposite direction to the door 12 can be defined as the back direction. The right and left directions can be naturally defined relative to the front and back directions defined above.

[92] The tank 12 may be formed into a cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis that is oriented parallel to the bottom of the body or maintains an inclined state at an angle of 0-30° relative to the bottom, and defines a predetermined water storage space. The tub 12 may include a tub opening 21 that is in communication with the housing opening.

[93] The tank 2 may be attached to the bottom surface (or bottom) of the body 1 by a bottom support 13 including a support beam 13a and a damper 13b connected to the support beam 13a. Accordingly, the vibration generated in the tub 2 by the rotating drum 3 can be temporarily eliminated or extinguished.

[94] In addition, a flexible support piece 14 attached to the upper surface of the housing 1 can be connected to the upper surface of the tank 2 so as to dampen the vibration transferred to the body 1 from the tank 2.

[95] The drum 3 may be formed into a cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis that is parallel to or inclined at an angle of 0-30° relative to the lower surface (or bottom) of the housing 1. The drum 3 may include a drum opening 31 formed in the front side and communicating with the hole 21 of the tank. The angle formed by the central axis of the tank 2 and the central axis of the drum 3 relative to the bottom may be equal.

[96] The drum 3 may include a plurality of through holes 33 penetrating the outer circumferential surface of the drum 3 so that air and wash water can flow between the inside of the drum 3 and the inside of the tub 2 through the through holes 33.

[97] A lifting device 35 may be further provided in the inner circumferential surface of the drum 3 to agitate the laundry while the drum is rotating. The drum 3 can be rotated by means of a drive unit 6 provided on the rear side of the tub 2.

[98] The drive unit 6 may include a stator 61 attached to the rear surface of the tank 2; a rotor 63 which is rotatable based on electromagnetic interaction with the stator; and a shaft 65 provided for connecting the drum 3 and the rotor 63 to each other through the rear surface of the tub 2.

[99] The stator 61 may be attached to the rear surface of the bearing housing 66, which is provided in the rear surface of the tub 2. The rotor 63 may be configured of a rotor magnet 632, which is provided in the outer region with respect to the radial direction of the stator, and the rotor housing 631, provided for connecting the magnet 632 of the rotor and the shaft 65 to each other.

[100] Bearing housing 66 may include a plurality of bearings 68 that support shaft 65.

[101] A spider 67 may be provided in the rear surface of the drum 3 to smoothly transfer the rotational force of the rotor 63 to the drum 3, and a shaft 65 may be attached to the spider 67 to transfer the rotational power of the rotor 63.

[102] Meanwhile, the washing machine according to the embodiment may further include a water supply hose 51 that is configured to receive water from an external water supply source. The water supply hose 51 may form a channel configured to supply water to the tank 2.

[103] In addition, the cuff 4 may be provided between the opening of the body and the opening 21 of the tank. Cuff 4 can be configured to prevent water from leaking from the tank into body 1 and transferring vibration from tank 2 to body 1.

[104] Meanwhile, the washing machine according to the embodiment may further include a water draining unit 52 configured to drain the water held in the tub 2 to the outside of the cabinet 1.

[105] The water drain unit 52 may include a water drain pipe 522 that forms a water drain channel for water held in the tank 2, and a water drain pump 521 configured to generate a pressure differential inside the water drain pipe 522.

[106] More specifically, the water drain pipe 522 may include a first water drain pipe 522a provided for connecting the bottom surface of the tub 2 and the water drain pump 521 to each other; and a second water drain pipe 522a having one end connected to the water drain pump 521 to form a passage for water to flow out of the case 1.

[107] In addition, the washing machine may further include a heating unit 8 that is configured to inductively heat the drum 3.

[108] The heating unit 8 may be mounted on the circumferential surface of the tub 2 and configured to inductively heat the circumferential surface of the drum 3 by means of a magnetic field that is generated after an electric current is applied to a coil having wires wound around it. Accordingly, the heating unit can be said to be an induction heater. After such an induction heater is operated, the circular surface of the drum, which is opposite the induction heater 9, can quickly be heated to a very high temperature.

[109] The heating unit 8 may be controlled by the controller 9 fixedly provided in the housing 1, and the controller 9 may be configured to control the actuation of the heating unit 8 to control the temperature inside the tank. The controller 9 may include a processor configured to control the driving of the washing machine and an inverter processor configured to control the heating unit. In other words, the driving of the washing machine and the driving of the heating unit 8 can be controlled by one processor.

[110] However, in order to prevent overload of the processor and improve the control efficiency, a processor for controlling the driving of the washing machine and another processor for controlling the driving of the heating unit are provided independently while they are communicatively connected with each other.

[111] A temperature sensor 95 may be provided in the tank 2. A temperature sensor 95 may be connected to the controller 9 to report temperatures inside the tank 2 to the controller 9.

[112] A temperature sensor 95 may be provided near the bottom inside the tank. Accordingly, the temperature sensor 95 may be located below the lowest region of the drum. In FIG. 1 temperature sensor 95 is provided in contact with the bottom of the tank. However, it can be spaced a predetermined distance from the bottom. That is, to allow the wash water or air to surround the temperature sensor so as to measure the temperature of the wash water or air. Although installed through the tank from the bottom up, the temperature sensor 95 can be installed through the tank from the front to the rear. In other words, it may pierce the front side (or the surface that forms the opening of the tank) rather than the circular surface of the tank.

[113] Accordingly, when the washing machine is operated to heat the wash water by the induction heater 8, the temperature sensor may determine whether the wash water has heated to the target temperature or not. The actuation of the induction heater may be controlled based on the temperature measurement result.

[114] In addition, when all the wash water is drained, the temperature sensor 95 can measure the temperature of the air. In particular, the temperature of the air heated by the induction heater 8, in other words, the drying temperature, can be measured.

[115] Meanwhile, the washing machine according to one embodiment may include a drying temperature sensor 96 . The drying temperature sensor 96 may have a different installation position and a different temperature measurement object from the aforementioned temperature sensor 95 . Accordingly, it can be detected whether the air has warmed up to the target temperature based on the temperature sensed by the drying temperature sensor. The actuation of the induction heater may be controlled based on the result of the temperature measurement taken by the drying temperature sensor.

[116] The drying temperature sensor 96 may be located in the upper region of the tub 2 and adjacent to the induction heater 8. In other words, the drying temperature sensor 96 may be provided in the inner surface of the tub 2 to measure the temperature of the outer circumferential surface of the drum 3, which is located opposite . While the temperature sensor 95 mentioned above is configured to measure water or air nearby, the drying temperature sensor 96 can be configured to measure the temperature of the drum.

[117] Since the drum 3 is a rotating member, the air temperature near the outer circumferential surface of the drum 3 can be measured to measure the temperature of the outer circumferential surface indirectly.

[118] A temperature sensor 95 may be provided to determine whether to maintain actuation of the induction heater to a target temperature or change the output of the induction heater. A dryer temperature sensor 96 may be provided to determine if the drum is overheated, or if the drum is heating continuously during spinning or drying. When it is determined that the drum has overheated or that the air has heated up to the target temperature, the actuation of the induction heater may be forcibly stopped.

[119] The washing machine according to one embodiment may have a drying function. In this example, the washing machine according to the embodiment may be a washing machine having washing and drying functions or a washer having a drying function. To this end, the washing machine may further include a fan 72 configured to force air into the tub 2; and a conduit 71 into which the fan 72 is installed. Here, even if such components are not further provided, the drying function can be performed. In other words, air can cool in the inner circumferential surface of the tank and moisture can condense to drain. That is, moisture condensation can be performed even without air circulation so as to perform the drying function. In order to improve drying efficiency by more efficient moisture condensation, refrigerant can be supplied to the tank. It is better when the surface area where the refrigerant meets the tank, in other words where the refrigerant contacts the air, is wider. To do this, the refrigerant may be supplied while being widely distributed from the rear surface or some area of the tank or both side surfaces of the tank. This refrigerant supply can flow along the inner surface of the tank rather than be drawn into the interior of the drum. Accordingly, a drying pipeline or blower can be omitted, so that the washing machine can be easily manufactured and assembled.

[120] In this case, it is not necessary to provide an additional heater for drying. In other words, the induction heater 8 can be used in performing the drying. Specifically, one induction heater can be used in heating wash water during washing, heating laundry during spinning, and heating drying objects during drying.

[121] After the induction heater 8 is driven together with the drum 3, the entire outer circumferential surface area of the drum can be heated to a large extent. The heated drum may exchange heat with the wet laundry and the laundry may become warm. Of course, the air inside the drum can get hot. Accordingly, when supplied to the drum 3, the air can be exchanged with heat, and the air having moisture evaporated from it can be discharged to the outside of the drum 3. In other words, the air can be circulated between the pipeline 71 and the drum 3. Here, the fan 72 can be powered for air circulation.

[122] The air supply position and the air discharge position can be determined to uniformly supply air to drying objects or washed clothes and discharge humid air without interference. To do this, air can be supplied from the front upper region of the drum 3 and discharged from the rear lower region of the drum, in other words, the rear lower region of the tub.

[123] The air discharged through the rear lower region of the tank can flow through the conduit 71.

Moisture can be condensed from humid air through condensate supplied to conduit 71 through condensate passage 51 formed in conduit 71. When moisture is condensed from humid air, humid air can change to low temperature dry air, and such low temperature dry air can flow through conduit 71 and re-feed to drum 3.

[124] Because the air is not directly heated, the temperature of the heated air can be lower than the heated air in a conventional heater-heated dryer. Accordingly, the effect of preventing damage or deformation of clothing that may be caused by high temperature can be expected. Also, clothes can be overheated in a drum heated at a high temperature.

[125] However, the induction heater is driven along with the drum as mentioned above, and the clothes are lifted and dropped repeatedly when the drum is driven. Also, the drum heating position is in the upper region of the drum and not in the lower region. Accordingly, overheating of the clothes can be effectively prevented.

[126] The control panel 92 may be provided in the front or top surface of the washing machine. A control panel may be provided for the user interface. Various user commands are entered and various pieces of information can be displayed on the control panel. In other words, the control panel 92 may include a keying unit configured to provide user manipulation and a display unit configured to display information.

[127] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system that is provided in a washing machine according to one embodiment.

[128] The controller 9 may be implemented to control the actuation of the heating unit, in other words, the induction heater 8 based on the measurement of the temperature sensor 95 and the drying temperature sensor 96. The controller 9 may also control the actuation of a drive unit configured to rotate the drum by means of a motor and the actuation of a variety of sensors and hardware. The controller 9 can control a variety of valves or pumps for water supply, water drain and refrigerant supply and fan control.

[129] Specifically, the washing machine according to the embodiment may further include a refrigerant valve 97 configured to change the high temperature humid air to the low temperature dry air. The refrigerant valve 97 can supply cold water to a tank or pipeline to cool the air and condense moisture from the air.

[130] The pump 421 to drain the water may be periodically or at intervals to be activated during the extraction and/or supply of refrigerant.

[131] The washing machine according to the embodiment may include a door lock mechanism 98 . A door locking mechanism may be provided to prevent the door from being opened while the washing machine is in operation. According to the illustrated embodiment, door opening can be restricted when the inside temperature is a predetermined temperature or more during operation of the washing machine or even after operation.

[132] In addition, the controller 9 can control a variety of display units 922 that are provided in the control panel 92. The controller 9 can be provided with a signal input from various manipulation units 921 that are provided in the control panel 92, and control the overall actuation of the washing machine based on the signal.

[133] Meanwhile, the controller 9 may include a main processor configured to control the conventional driving of the washing machine and an auxiliary processor configured to control the driving of the induction heater. The main processor and the sub-processor may be independently provided and communicatively connected with each other.

[134] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the power output of the induction heater may be variable. The output power of the induction heater can be improved within the maximum allowable conditions or range so as to reduce the heating time, and the maximum effect can then be obtained. To this end, the washing machine according to one embodiment may include an instantaneous power output unit 99, which will be described in detail later.

[135] Referring to FIG. 3, the change in the output power of the induction heater that can be applied to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[136] The maximum allowable power can be preset in the washing machine. In particular, the washing machine can be made to drive at a predetermined value that is less than the maximum power capability, which is referred to as the system power capability in FIG. 3.

[137] The hardware that consumes the most power in the washing machine may be the induction heater 8, a motor configured to rotate the drum, in other words, the drive unit 6.

[138] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the power used in the drive unit, in other words, the instantaneous power consumed in the drive unit tends to increase more when the rotation speed becomes higher. Also, the instantaneous power also tends to increase more when the eccentricity of the laundry becomes larger. As the power used in the drive unit increases, it is shown that the instantaneous power consumed in the entire system can also increase. In particular, it can be calculated that most of the instantaneous power consumed in the entire system is the power consumed in the drive unit.

[139] When heating-squeezing, the control panel 92, the various valves 97, the water drain pump 521, and the various sensors 95 and 96, as well as the induction heater 8 and the drive unit 6, may also consume power. Accordingly, after the allowable power value is determined in the washing machine, the upper limit of the total power that can be used in the washing machine can be predetermined in view of the tolerance.

[140] The heat-spin output of the jacketed heater can be preset in a conventional washing machine. In particular, the output power of the jacketed heater may be preset to be less than the value obtained after subtracting the maximum power value, excluding the maximum power allowed for the jacketed heater during heat-spin, from the upper limit of the total power.

[141] An easy description about this will follow. When the allowable power of the washing machine system is 100 and the tolerance is 10, the upper limit of the total power can be set to 90. When the maximum power value excluding the wrapped heater during spinning is 70, the output power of the wrapped heater should be set to less than 20 Here, the maximum power value excluding the jacketed heater may be the value that is obtained after all the power consumed by the hardware excluding the jacketed heater at the maximum rotational speed and in the laundry eccentricity environment (high eccentricity environment) , summed up.

[142] The variation in the output power of the encapsulated heater is rather limited. When such an encapsulated heater is used, the heater may not be used in either a normal environment as much as possible or a complex environment.

[143] In order to solve the problem, the washing machine according to the embodiment may further include an instantaneous power output unit 99, in particular, an output unit configured to calculate instantaneous power or calculate and output instantaneous power. Such an instantaneous power output unit 99 may be independently provided from the controller 9 or partially independent of the controller. Alternatively, it may be dependently provided in the controller.

[144] As mentioned above, the hardware element that uses the most power except for the induction heater 8 in the heat-squeeze operation may be a motor, in other words, a drive unit 6. The maximum heat-spin power of other hardware items, except for the induction heater and drive unit, can be preset. The maximum power of other hardware elements may be relatively small.

[145] Accordingly, the instantaneous power output unit 99 may be configured to estimate or calculate the instantaneous power of the drum driving motor.

[146] As one example, the motor input current and direct current (DC) link voltage may be measured, and the instantaneous power of the motor may be calculated based on the measured current and voltage.

[147] As another example, the instantaneous power of the motor may be calculated based on the input current and voltage that are input to the motor.

[148] As another example, the instantaneous power of the motor may be calculated based on the input current that is input to the motor and the input alternating voltage (AC) that is applied to the washing machine.

[149] Accordingly, the instantaneous current output unit 99 may include a device, element, or circuit that is configured to measure current and voltage. There may be a block configured to output the calculated instantaneous motor power.

[150] After the instantaneous power of the motor is calculated, the allowable output power of the induction heater 8 can be calculated. In particular, the allowable output power of the induction heater may be a value obtained after the calculated instantaneous power of the motor and the calculated value of other hardware items are subtracted from the upper limit of the total power.

[151] Here, the instantaneous power of the motor can change over a wide range, since the change in the rotational speed and the change in the eccentricity of the laundry are abrupt. Accordingly, the motor power may be a calculated value of instantaneous power or current power. In contrast, the maximum output power of other hardware elements may vary in a small or narrow range and such that the maximum power may be pre-set as an upper limit and used as a fixed value. Here, the maximum output power of other hardware elements may also be calculated based on the instantaneous power. However, the output value of other hardware elements is relatively small, so that an additional device or circuit for measuring or calculating power based on the output value as a fixed value is not excluded.

[152] Meanwhile, the instantaneous power output unit 99 may be configured to estimate or calculate the total instantaneous power of the washing machine. As one example, the total instantaneous power of a washing machine may be calculated based on current and voltage variable (AC) inputs that are applied to the washing machine. The total instantaneous heat-spin power may be the total sum of the output powers of the induction heater, motor, and other hardware items. Accordingly, the difference between the total instantaneous power and the upper limit of the total power may mean additional power, which can improve the power output of the induction heater. As one example, when the current apparent instantaneous power is 50 and the upper limit of the total power is 90, this means that the maximum power of the induction heater can be increased by 40.

[153] According to this embodiment, this means that the output power of the induction heater is provided as much as possible in the state of allowable power in the current system. In particular, when the motor draws a lot of power, the output power of the heater can be reduced. When the motor draws small currents, the heater output can be increased.

[154] FIG. 4 illustrates one example of a front side provided in the control panel 92 including a manipulation unit 921 and a display unit 922.

[155] The manipulation unit 921 may include a cycle selection unit 9215 to allow the user to select one of the wash cycles. The plurality of wash cycles may be varied based on laundry types and purposes. The user may select a particular wash cycle from among the wash cycles, and the processor may be implemented to perform the selected particular wash cycle based on a predetermined control logic.

[156] The wash cycles may include a wash cycle, a rinse cycle, and a spin cycle. Such cycles may be sequentially performed and the wash cycle may be completed. In each cycle of the wash cycles, one or more of the cycle duration, the drum movement speed, and the spin speed may be set to be different.

[157] As one example, the spin speed may be preset at about 1000 rpm or 1200 rpm in a normal cycle or an anti-allergic wash cycle. In the silent cycle, underwear/wool cycle (or delicate cycle) and night cycle, the spin speed can be set to approximately 400-800 rpm. In a particular cycle, the rotational speed for spinning can be set to be changed if necessary. In another particular cycle, the spin speed can be set to be fixed.

[158] To change the spin speed, a normal spin option block 9211 may be provided. In the normal spin option block 9211, the user can change the spin speed set by the cycle selection. As one example, when the spin speed is set to 1000 rpm in the default normal cycle, the user can change the spin speed to 800 rpm via the normal spin option block 9211. In this case, spinning can be performed up to 800 rpm as the target speed while the normal cycle is running.

[159] Here, the spin speed means the target spin speed in the spin cycle. While the drum is rotating at a low rotation speed, the laundry distribution and rotation are eliminated. The rotation of the drum may be maintained for a predetermined period of time at the target rotational speed after the target rotational speed is eventually reached.

[160] When washing is performed in a very quiet state (eg, night mode), the spin speed preset by default (eg, 600 rpm) can be limited to change through the normal spin option block 9211.

[161] The normal spin option block 9211 may allow the user to select one of the spin speed steps.

[162] According to this embodiment, a heating-squeezing option unit 9212 may be provided. The heat-spin option block 9212 may be a selection block configured to select whether or not to heat the garment by actuating the induction heater during the spin cycle.

[163] When the temperature of the clothes rises, the release of moisture from the clothes by centrifugal force can be stimulated more. Accordingly, the rotation of the drum along with the heat may contribute to the spin efficiency more than the rotation of the drum alone.

[164] The user can select one particular cycle through the cycle selection block 9212, and also select the heating-spin option block 9212 to improve the spin efficiency. Here, the user can select the heating-spin options block 9212 only to perform heating during the spin for the selected particular cycle. However, the processor can control the output power of the induction heater based on the instantaneous power while performing heat-spin.

[165] In other words, when the current spin speed is higher, the instantaneous power increases more, enough to reduce the output of the induction motor. In contrast, when the current spin speed is lower, the instantaneous power decreases more, enough to increase the heater output.

[166] If it is necessary to perform washing late at night or in a rather quiet state, the user can select a quiet cycle or a cycle in the night mode through the cycle selection block 9215. In such cycles, the degree of movement of the drum (or the proportion of time that the drum is substantially rotated in the drum section) can be reduced to minimize noise during washing. Here, the washing time may be increased compared to other cycles so as to ensure the washing performance.

[167] While washing can be performed in such a night mode cycle or a quiet cycle, it is difficult to ensure spinning. Since noise and vibration are likely to occur during a high RPM spin, the target spin speed is set low in such cycles. When it is about 1200 rpm or more in normal cycles, the target spin speed may be about 800 rpm in such cycles.

[168] Accordingly, a lot of moisture remains in the clothes after the spin cycle, so that the user can determine that sufficient spin cycle has not been performed.

[169] However, according to this embodiment, the output power of the induction heater can even be increased when spinning is performed at a low target rotation speed, so that the spinning performance can be improved by increasing the temperature. In other words, dehumidification driven by moisture evaporation can be performed as well as dehumidification driven by centrifugal force.

[170] During the spin cycle, the wash water may be mostly drained from the tub.

In particular, there is some wash water that remains in the tub as the wash water is drained. Accordingly, when the induction heater is operated to heat the drum and clothing, the temperature inside the tub may rise. At this time, the temperature sensor 95 can measure the temperature inside the tank. In other words, the processor is implemented to stop driving the induction heater to finish heating after determining that the temperature sensor 95 detects the heating target temperature. When the actuation of the induction heater stops, the temperature can be lowered in the tank. Accordingly, when the temperature inside the tub falls to a predetermined temperature or less, for example, 5° C. from the target heating temperature, actuation of the induction heater may be restarted. After the heating temperature reaches the target heating temperature again, the actuation of the induction heater can be stopped.

[171] Basically, the processor 9 may drive the induction heater 8 while the drum is driven. The driving of the drum and the driving of the induction heater can be synchronized. However, in this case, the heat damage to the fabric would probably occur at the start or end of the rotation of the drum. The reason is that the induction heater can heat the drum to a very high temperature in an instant, and the rotational speed of the drum is very low at the start and end of the rotation of the drum, so that the contact time between the drum and the clothes may increase.

[172] The drum tipping mode can be performed between 40 ~ 60 rpm. During this time, clothes may rise and fall repeatedly. Accordingly, the start point of driving the induction heater may be later than the start point of rotation of the drum. As one example, when it takes about 1 second for the drum speed to reach the tipping speed, after the drum rotation starts and accelerates, the start timing of driving the induction heater may be about 0.5 second after the start of the drum rotation. Here, the driving of the induction heater may start after the rotational speed of the drum reaches the overturning rotational speed.

[173] However, the time taken to reach the heating target may become shorter than the heating time. Accordingly, in order to prevent tissue damage from heating and provide sufficient heating time at the same time, the processor may control the induction heater to turn it on before the drum speed reaches the tipping speed after the drum rotation starts (or the motor is turned on). To this end, the driving timing of the induction heater may be set so that the rotation of the drum is performed for a predetermined period of time, or so that the rotational speed of the drum reaches a predetermined rotational speed.

[174] An algorithm configured to distribute the laundry and avoid resonance by repeating the rotation of the drum and pausing can be applied to the spin cycle. In other words, the drum speed may be accelerated from the start of spinning to reach the target speed for spinning, and then spinning may not be performed.

[175] Accordingly, the spin cycle can be classified into initial spin and late spin. The late spin is the length in which the drum is rotated at the target spin speed in order to perform a real spin. After the late spin is completed, the spin can end. The initial spin may be the length in which the late actual spin is prepared. During the initial spin, the drum may be driven at an average speed that may be below the final target spin speed to determine if the laundry is distributed and resonated as the drum rotates at a lower speed. The time taken to perform such processes may be variable based on the distribution of laundry for washing and the amount of laundry.

[176] Heating-squeezing can be performed when heating is excluded at the late spin after the induction heater is driven to the target heating temperature at the initial spin. At this time, even if the drum speed does not reach the target heating temperature after initial spinning, late spinning can be performed. The reason is that the initial spinning stage can enter the late spinning stage at a moment's notice.

[177] The heating-squeezing may be performed when the induction heater is driven to the target late-spin heating temperature. At this time, heating-spinning can end right after late spinning. Thereafter, the spin time can be reduced in the heating environment and the user may not take out the items immediately because the heating temperature must be lowered.

[178] Heating-spinning can be performed during the initial spin and the late spin. In this case, the duration of the heating medium can be increased further so as to be likely to reach the target heating temperature. Also, it is more likely that the target heating temperature will be reached in the early late spin state, rather than just before the end of the late spin. Accordingly, it is more likely that the clothes will be removed immediately after the spin cycle.

[179] The washing machine according to this embodiment may be a washing machine without a drying function. However, heating-spinning can be performed by means of the induction heater 8. In particular, heating-spinning can be performed when spinning is performed at a low spin speed, so that a more efficient spinning result can be expected in a night wash cycle or a silent cycle. . Such a result would not be realized in a traditional washing machine. In addition, the output power of the induction heater can be increased at low spin speed relatively more because the instantaneous power at low spin speed can be relatively low.

[180] The induction heater in this embodiment can control the output power by an inverter other than the encapsulated heater. Accordingly, substantially linear control of the output power can be provided so that the change in instantaneous power, in particular, the change in instantaneous power of the motor can be detected immediately to control the induction heater within the maximum allowable range if necessary.

[181] This means that the heating time is reduced, and that the total time spent washing or drying can be reduced just to be more economical.

[182] The present Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0101333 (hereinafter "cited application") describes a washing machine including an induction heater. Accordingly, the technical features described in the cited application can be applied to an embodiment of the present invention, as long as they are not exclusive and contrary to the present invention. In particular, the design of the induction heater or the mounting structure and the refrigerant supply structure can be equally applied to the embodiment of the present invention.

[183] The drum, clothing, and air inside the tub and drum can be heated by an induction heater. Of course, the water contained in and released from clothing can be heated. Accordingly, the air inside the tub and the drum may become high temperature humid air. The moist environment after wringing can be kept as it is. To prevent this, the refrigerant can be supplied to the inner surface of the tank.

[184] In particular, the refrigerant may flow on the back surface or the side surface of the tub so as to condense moisture from the high temperature humid air. Condensed water can be drained from the tub, along with water that has accumulated from clothes during the spin cycle.

[185] The refrigerant valve may be opened intermittently or at intervals during the heat-spin operation to remove moisture from the air and perform the heat-spin operation more efficiently. Also, the high temperature wet environment after pressing can be easily changed to the low temperature dry environment. Such a refrigerant may cause an error in the measurement of the temperature sensor. Accordingly, a temperature sensor may be provided in the front bottom region of the tank since the coolant will contact air on the rear surface or rear side surface of the tank to be discharged through the rear bottom region of the tank.

[186] The washing machine according to the present embodiment may be a washing machine having washing and drying functions. In this example, the washing machine may further include a pipe and a fan which are provided to force air circulation. Unlike a conventional washing machine, the washing machine of the present invention does not require an additional drying heater, so that the whole system can become very simple. It is important for a washing machine to have a drying function to condense moisture from humid air. Such moisture condensation can be performed in the space defined in the additional pipe, rather than the space defined in the tank. In this case, the wash water temperature sensor may be provided in the rear surface of the tub spaced a predetermined distance up from the bottom of the tub. The distance may be approximately 10-15 mm, so that the coolant can be prevented from directly contacting the wash water temperature sensor, and then the temperature of the humid air can be measured effectively.

[187] The refrigerant may be supplied to the pipe instead of the tank. Moisture can be condensed from the air, which is cooled as the coolant falls from the top area in a piece of pipe that extends up from the bottom area of the tank.

[188] Such a pipe and cooling structure can change the high-temperature wet environment in the tub and drum after the heating-squeezing or drying is completed to a low-temperature dry environment.

[189] In a washing machine having a drying function, drying may be performed independently of washing, or automatically performed after washing.

[190] As one example, the cycle selector 9215 may include a cycle configured to sequentially perform a washing cycle and a drying cycle. When the drying function is provided as a basic option, the user can select a washing cycle and a drying cycle from the cycle selection block 9215 and the drying option block 9216. After the selected cycle is completed, drying can be automatically carried out. Accordingly, washing, rinsing, spinning and drying cycles can be sequentially and automatically performed.

[191] When the user selects only the drying option 9216, only the drying cycle can be performed.

[192] The user can apply power to the washing machine through the power selection block 9214, and then load objects to dry or clothes into the drum 3. Thereafter, the user can select a variety of cycles and options from the cycle selection block 9215 and the options block 9211, 9212, and 9216 . Therefore, when the user selects the start/suspend selection block 9213, the washing machine can be driven based on the control logic selected by the user.

[193] Referring to FIG. 5 and 6, the control method of the washing machine according to one embodiment will be described in detail. Fig. 5 is one example of a control sequence for a washing cycle including a washing or drying cycle. Fig. 6 is one example of the control sequence for the spin shown in FIG. 5.

[194] When the user enters a pause/start after the completion of the selection, the door locking S10 may be performed first, and the laundry amount determination S20 may be performed thereafter. Therefore, washing S30 and rinsing S40 can be performed based on the determined amount of laundry.

[195] When the user selects a wash cycle, spinning S50 may be performed after rinsing S40. In other words, the drum can be rotated at a high speed and moisture can be removed from the laundry. Normal spin S53 or heat spin S54 can be performed based on user selection or no selection (or default).

[196] Each of the normal pressing and heating-pressing may include an initial pressing and a late pressing. Unlike conventional spinning, heat-spinning can be configured to heat both the drum and the laundry via an induction heater in the middle of the spin cycle.

[197] After the user selects the heat-spin or drying option, the spin cycle may perform the heat-spin. When the user selects only a wash cycle or a normal spin, the spin cycle can perform a normal spin.

[198] In normal spin S53, the maximum length of time can be preset. Accordingly, time counting S531 may be performed after spinning starts, and it may be determined whether S532 has passed a predetermined period of time. Thereafter, drum rotation may end S533 and the spin cycle may end.

[199] Even in heat-spin S54, the maximum length of time can be preset. Accordingly, heating-spin time counting S546 can be performed, and it can be determined whether S547 has passed a predetermined period of time. Thereafter, drum rotation may end S548 and the spin cycle may end. The control of the heating unit, in other words, the driving of the heating unit S541 may be performed after the drum driving starts. The actuation of the heating unit may be performed at intervals, intermittently or continuously. Here, the actuation of the heating unit may be suspended after the temperature reaches the heating target temperature. When the temperature drops, actuation of the heating unit can be continued.

[200] Meanwhile, in the spin cycle, the maximum length of time can be set for each of the initial spin and late spin. When the drum speed reaches the target speed and the drum is spinning at late spin, the preset late spin time can be equal to the maximum allowable time. Here, the predetermined time may be variable based on the amount of laundry to be washed. However, the initial spin may be the stage that tries to transition to the late spin, and the initial spin may fail to transition to the late spin when the opportunity occurs. In this case, the initial spin may be performed for a long period of time. After the maximum allowable initial spin time has elapsed, the spin cycle can end without entering the late spin. Accordingly, the predetermined time period in S532 and S547 may be the late spin duration time after the late spin starts.

[201] Meanwhile, the initial spin may be a process of performing spinning of the laundry by tipping after the water drain is completed after the rinsing cycle. Through this process, the distribution of the laundry can be performed and the eccentricity of the laundry can be solved. After such a distribution of the laundry and the decision of the eccentricity of the laundry, the main late spin can be performed.

[202] In this case, the drum heating may be performed only at the initial spin or only at the late spin. Alternatively, the heating of the drum can be performed at both the initial spin and the late spin.

[203] The initial spin may be performed by a tipping drive in which the drum is cyclically rotated in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. Accordingly, the drum heating can be controlled to turn on and off during the initial spin. In other words, only when the drum is rotating can the drum be heated. When it pauses, the drum may not heat up.

[204] Meanwhile, the late spin can rotate the drum at the spin speed in one direction. Accordingly, the heating of the drum can be continuously performed during the late spin. In other words, when the drum is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed or more, heating of the drum may start. Drum heating may end before the drum stops. This is the drum heating control logic that is related to the rotation of the drum. As one example, the heating of the drum may be stopped even during the late spin due to a temperature condition or the like.

[205] Immediately after completion of spinning S50, door unlocking S83 can be performed and the washing operation can end. In other words, the wash cycle can be completed. However, when performing the S50 heat-spin, the drum temperature and the tub temperature are likely to be high after the spin is completed. At this time, when the user opens the door, heat is likely to be released to the outside, and the user may feel discomfort, or a security incident may occur. Accordingly, the temperature inside the tub can be measured after completion of the spin cycle S81, and it is determined whether the measured temperature is lower or higher than the predetermined temperature S82. When the measured temperature is lower than the preset temperature, door unlocking S83 can be performed. In other words, the processor can maintain the locked state of the door through the door locking mechanism when the temperature inside the tub is higher than a predetermined temperature.

[206] At this time, when the measured temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, the temperature can be repeatedly measured while only the drum is rotating. However, only such rotation of the drum is not sufficient to lower the temperature, so that the refrigerant supply mentioned above can be performed to lower the temperature inside the tub forcibly.

[207] Meanwhile, when drying is selected, after it is determined whether the drying cycle is selected after spinning S60, in other words, drying is selected in the washing machine having the washing and drying functions, drying S70 can be performed. After measuring the temperature in the same way after drying is completed, the door can be unlocked.

[208] The induction heater may be operated continuously, repeatedly, or intermittently in the heat-squeeze S50 until the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 95 reaches the target heating temperature.

[209] Meanwhile, the total driving time of the induction heater at the time of heating-spinning can be predetermined. In other words, the maximum actuation time may be predetermined. Until the distribution of the laundry is done correctly, the clothes (eg socks) provided in the drum may form a large eccentricity sufficient to increase the initial spin time. In some specific cases, late spinning may not be performed because eccentricity as a precondition for entering late spinning cannot be resolved.

[210] Accordingly, the actuation of the induction heater may be controlled by the target heating temperature, and the maximum actuation time of the induction heater may be set so as to ensure stability. The actuation time of the heater may be set to be variable based on the amount of laundry, in other words, the amount of laundry to be washed. When there is a large amount of laundry to be washed, the maximum actuation time of the heater may be set to be increased. However, the target heating temperature is not related to the amount of laundry to be washed and may be set based on the wash cycle.

[211] The actuation of the induction heater may be completed after the temperature reaches the target heating temperature, and the temperature inside the tub may go down thereafter. Accordingly, when the temperature is reduced to a predetermined temperature, the actuation of the induction heater may be restarted. Overheating can be prevented and sufficient heating can be performed at the same time.

[212] It is not easy to dry the objects to be dried sufficiently by pressing and pressing-heating. When high temperature heating is performed in a space that is substantially hermetically sealed, evaporated moisture will still remain in the space. Because of this, the drying performance of the heat-spin is better than the drying performance of the normal spin. However, it cannot be called "drying". In particular, when drying is performed sequentially after spinning, spinning may be heat-spinning rather than conventional spinning.

[213] This is because the tub, drum, and drying object are in a heated state during the heat-spin. Accordingly, it is more effective in improving the drying performance to carry out drying after performing heating at the time of spinning than to perform heating not before performing drying.

[214] When a cycle including drying is selected through the cycle selection unit, or when drying is selected through the drying option unit, after the washing cycle is selected through the cycle selection unit, heat-spinning can be performed. In other words, even if the heat-spin option block is not optionally selected, the heat-spin can be performed at the default spin. Here, the target heating temperature may be set based on the currently selected cycle or independently of the selected cycle.

[215] Meanwhile, it is conventional that the drying time is longer than the spin time. Since pre-drying is performed during heat-spin, the total drying time can be reduced. In addition, when drying is completed, the temperature inside the tub may become higher and the user may not be able to open the door immediately. At this time, the circulation of cold air and/or the supply of coolant can cool the tank inside enough to allow the door to open. However, additional time is spent cooling the door in this case.

[216] Additionally, the target heating temperature during drying may be equal to or lower than the target temperature during heating-squeezing. As one example, the target heating temperature during drying may be equal to the predetermined temperature, which allows the door to be opened.

[217] When washing and drying are performed in the night cycle, heat-spin can be performed regardless of the heat-spin option. At this time, the rotation speed may be relatively low during the heating-squeezing, and the target heating temperature may be relatively high. As one example, the target heating temperature may be 60°C. The temperature to enable the door to be opened can be 50°C. After the heating-squeezing is completed, the induction heater is driven, along with air circulation and refrigerant supply, to perform drying. In this case, the target drying heating temperature may be equal to the door opening enabling temperature.

[218] In addition, when drying is performed in a normal wash cycle, spinning can be performed at a relatively high rotation speed until the target heating temperature is approximately 70°C. Even so, the target heating temperature during drying may be equal to the door opening enabling temperature.

[219] Accordingly, the door can be opened immediately after drying is completed. Since drying is performed at a relatively low temperature, deformation or damage to the fabric can be minimized.

[220] Referring to FIG. 7, the control sequence of the induction heater during heating-squeezing will be described in detail. The flowchart illustrated herein is a fleshed out and detailed illustration of the heat-squeeze S54 shown in FIG. 5 and 6.

[221] After the heating-spin cycle S54 starts, the drum may rotate and the induction heater may also be driven S541. The control step S5411 may be executed at the correct time to control not only the motor and the induction heater, but also other loads including the refrigerant valve and the water drain pump.

[222] The actuation of the induction heater may be performed up to the target heating temperature. In other words, it is continuously and repeatedly determined during the heating-spin time whether the target heating temperature S5412 has been reached.

[223] When the temperature reaches the target heating temperature, actuation of the induction heater may be suspended S5415. Such suspension of actuation of the induction heater may not signify the completion of the heat-spin cycle. The reason is that it can be determined whether the heating-spin cycle is completed based on various conditions of S547. As one example, it can be determined whether the target heating-spin time period passes after the suspension of the induction heater S5415. When the condition is satisfied, the actuation of the induction heater may finally be ended and the rotation of the drum may be ended, only to complete the heating-spinning S548.

[224] Until the target heating-spin time has passed, various load control S5411 may be performed, and it may be determined again whether the target temperature is reached.

[225] Until the temperature reaches the target heating temperature after the induction heater is driven, instantaneous power calculation S5413 can be performed.

[226] The initial output power value of the induction heater may be predetermined, and the output power value of the induction heater may be variable based on the calculated instantaneous power. In other words, a new output power value of the induction heater can be calculated based on the instantaneous power value, and the output power of the induction heater can be adjusted based on the currently calculated output power of the induction heater S5414. When the rotation speed is low with a good distribution of the laundry in the current heat-spin, a low instantaneous power value can be calculated. Accordingly, the output of the induction heater can be adjusted to have a higher output.

[227] Such temperature determination S5412, instantaneous power calculation S5413, output change control S5414 of the induction heater may be repeatedly performed during heating-spinning. Here, when the target heating temperature is reached during the heating-spin, the induction heater may be temporarily suspended.

[228] The control temperature for suspending the induction heater after activation may be different from the control temperature for reactivating the induction heater after suspension. In other words, the control temperature in step S5414 may be variable based on the state of the induction heater (eg, based on actuation or suspension of the induction heater). As one example, when the target heating temperature is 70°C, the temperature may rise to 70°C during actuation of the induction heater, and the induction heater may then be suspended. When the temperature reaches 65°C during the suspension of the induction heater, the induction heater can be reactivated. Actuation, suspension and reactivation of the induction heater may be repeated during the heat-squeeze process similar to changing the output of the induction heater.

[229] In this embodiment, heating is performed in the outer circumferential surface of the drum by an induction heater. In other words, the induction heater heats the outer circular surface of the drum, not the heated air or circulation of the heated air. Accordingly, a particular component, rather than the entire system (eg, just the drum), can be heated with an induction heater. Configuration of tank, bearing housing, shaft, bearing, etc. can be heated at least as much as possible at the time of driving the heater, so that deterioration in the heat resistance of the components can be prevented. In particular, the drum may be made of stainless steel so that it may have high heat resistance. Even if the drum is heated at a low spin speed for a relatively high output spin, deterioration in durability and reliability cannot occur. In particular, the output power of the induction heater may be variable based on the amount of instantaneous power so as to use the maximum output power of the induction heater in real time.

[230] In particular, when the eccentricity of the laundry is small, a larger output power of the induction heater can be used, and it can be very effective. When spinning is performed at low speed late at night, the output of the induction heater can be improved enough to expect very efficient spinning. In addition, efficient spinning can be expected in a shorter period of time or at a lower spin speed compared to conventional spinning. As a result, the effect of reducing the drying time and drying energy can be expected when drying is performed thereafter.

[231] In the above embodiment, the spinning performance and the drying performance can be improved by changing the output power of the induction heater based on the instantaneous power amount, especially at low rotation speed.

[232] Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described in detail, which can change the amount of heat provided by the induction heater based on the target heating temperature, which is variable based on the heat-spin rotation speed. In this embodiment, the spin performance and the speed drying performance can be expected to be improved, similar to the above embodiment.

[233] FIG. 8 illustrates one example of the front side provided in the control panel 92 including the manipulation unit 921 and the display unit 922, in other words, the front surface of the user interface 92. In particular, this embodiment may be similar to the above-mentioned embodiment (see FIG. 4) and the same distinguishing features or characteristics will be omitted accordingly.

[234] The user can select one particular cycle through the cycle selection block 9212, and also select the heating-spin options block 9212 to improve the spin efficiency. Here, the user can select the heating-spin option block 9212 only to perform heating during the spin cycle for the selected particular cycle. However, the processor may set the target heating temperature by actuating the induction heater to be different based on the target spin speed for the selected particular cycle.

[235] In particular, when the predetermined target spin speed is higher, the target heating temperature can be set lower. Conversely, when the target spin speed is lower, the target heating temperature can be set higher.

[236] As mentioned above, the target speed for spinning can be preset in a particular cycle, which is selected through the cycle selection block 9215, by default. Such a predetermined target speed for spinning can be preset after changing through the normal spinning option block 9211. Accordingly, after the heat-spin is selected, the target heating temperature may be set based on the current target spin speed predetermined finally.

[237] The target spin speed may include a plurality of steps 922a, 922b, 922c, and 922d. As an example, such steps may be provided as 800 rpm, 1000 rpm, 1200 rpm and 1400 rpm. Target heating temperatures can be preset as 75°C, 70°C, 65°C and 60°C for these steps, respectively. In FIG. 8 shows the spin target speed steps and the corresponding target heating temperatures set for them. The target spin speed can be displayed as a spin speed value or a quantitative expression (eg, extra high speed, high speed, low speed, and extra low speed).

[238] When the display unit 922 is implemented as a touch display, the user can select the target spin speed and the target heating temperature through the display unit 922. Here, when a specific heating option is selected via the heating-spin option block 9212, the selected target spin speed and the target heating temperature can be displayed on the display block 922 .

[239] In this case, such steps can be classified into more specific steps or three steps or less. When the target spin speed is classified into three steps, when an auspicious occasion occurs, the target heating temperature can be set to have a difference of 10°C.

[240] If it is necessary to perform washing late at night or in a rather quiet state, the user can select a quiet cycle or a night mode cycle through the cycle selection block 9215. In such cycles, the degree of movement of the drum (or the proportion of time that the drum is substantially rotated in the drum section) can be reduced to minimize noise during washing. Here, the washing time may be increased compared to other cycles so as to ensure the washing performance.

[241] While washing can be performed in such a night mode cycle or a quiet cycle, it is difficult to ensure spinning. Since noise and vibration are likely to occur during a high RPM spin, the target spin speed is set low in such cycles. When it is about 1200 rpm or more in normal cycles, the target spin speed may be about 800 rpm in such cycles.

[242] Accordingly, a lot of moisture remains in the clothes after the spin cycle, so that the user can determine that a sufficient spin cycle has not been performed.

[243] However, according to this embodiment, the heating target temperature can even be increased when spinning is performed at a low target rotation speed, so that the spinning performance can be improved by the increased temperature. In other words, dehumidification driven by moisture evaporation can be performed as well as dehumidification driven by centrifugal force.

[244] The control method of the washing machine according to this embodiment may be similar to the control method shown in FIG. 5 and 6, and the repeated description is omitted, respectively.

[245] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 9, the relationship between the target spin speed and the target heating temperature will be described in detail.

[246] After the spin cycle starts, it may be determined whether or not to perform heat-spin (S542). The target spin speed and the target heating temperature can be determined at this stage. The current target spin speed may be detected, and the target heating temperature can be machined to the respective current target spin speeds to set the target spin speed.

[247] After the rotation of the drum and the actuation of the induction heater S541 starts, step S542 may be performed.

[248] The target spin speed can be classified into 4 stages as one example. The first rotation speed may be 800 rpm or less, and the second rotation frequency may be 1000 rpm or less. The third rotation speed may be 1200 rpm or less, and the fourth rotation frequency may be more than 1200 rpm. The target heating temperature can be set based on the current target speeds for spinning S543. As one example, the target heating temperature may be set to 75°C, 70°C, 65°C, and 60°C for four stages, respectively. In other words, when the target spin speed is lower, the target heating temperature can be set higher.

[249] When the current rotational speed reaches a predetermined rotational speed or after a predetermined period of time, as soon as or after the drum is driven, the induction heater may be driven to perform heating-spinning.

[250] The temperature measurement S5441 can be performed during the heating-spin, and it is checked whether the measured temperature reaches the heating target temperature. When the measured current temperature reaches the heating target temperature, the actuation of the induction heater may be suspended S5452. Until it reaches the target heating temperature, actuation of the induction heater can be maintained by S5451.

[251] The drive control of the induction heater may be performed until the end of the heat-spin, and the end of the heat-spin may be performed based on time. In other words, it can be determined whether S547 passes a predetermined period of time, and the actuation of the induction heater may eventually end after the predetermined period of time, just to complete the heating-spin.

[252] The above-described embodiment may include a step S543 of setting the target heating temperature to a higher one when the predetermined target spin speed becomes lower based on the step of setting the target spin speed S542 and the predetermined target spin speed. In addition, the embodiment may include the step of performing heating-spinning based on the predetermined target spin speed and the target heating temperature.

[253] According to this embodiment, heating can be performed by heating the outer circumferential surface of the drum with an induction heater. In particular, the outer circumferential surface of the drum can be heated with an induction heater rather than heated air or heated air circulation, so that a particular configuration (eg, just the drum), rather than the entire system, can be heated. Accordingly, the heating of the configuration, which consists of the tank, the bearing housing, the shaft, and the bearing, can be minimized when the induction heater is driven. The thermal stability of such configurations may not deteriorate. In particular, the drum may be made of stainless steel so that it may be more durable when heated. Even if the drum is heated even to a high temperature at a relatively low spin speed, the drum will not suffer deterioration in durability and reliability. Accordingly, the effect of reducing the drying time and drying energy can be expected in subsequent drying when drying is set to be performed.

[254] As described above, the embodiment describes changing the output of the induction heater and changing the heating target temperature during the heating-spin.

[255] Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described that can enable a user to easily select a variety of drying conditions and perform efficient drying based on the selected drying condition. Of course, the above heating-squeezing characteristics can be applied to this embodiment, and the characteristics of the above embodiment can be applied to this embodiment equally and similarly.

[256] In a conventional dryer having a washing function or a dryer having a washing function, washing is the main function and drying may be an optional function. Accordingly, when the user selects wash cycles through the cycle selection block 9215, washing can be performed and performed based on the selected wash cycle. The wash cycle may be implemented to automatically perform and execute main cycles configured from wash, rinse and spin cycles that are predetermined.

[257] To perform drying, the user may select the drying option 9216 in FIG. 4 after the wash cycle so as to perform drying. Therefore, the user can select one particular wash cycle through the cycle selection block 9215 shown in FIG. 4 and select option 9216 drying. After the user selects a particular wash cycle, the selected wash cycle may be performed and then drying may be automatically performed thereafter.

[258] Accordingly, a conventional washing machine (eg, a dryer having a washing function) may not provide a variety of drying conditions. In particular, the user may not select one of the various drying conditions.

[259] As one example, the user may wish to perform natural drying after washing. In this case, high efficiency natural drying may be required in order to promote natural drying. The user may wish to wash and dry at midnight and wear the clothes the next morning as they are without further drying. If so, washing and drying can be done late at night so that vibration and noise can be minimized, along with an efficient drying effect. In addition, the user may wish that washing and drying are carried out automatically under normal conditions.

[260] In order to meet such user drying requirements efficiently and improve usability, this embodiment may provide a cycle selection unit 9215 to include a wash-dry cycle. The processor may control the operation of the washing machine to perform and cycle based on a particular wash-dry cycle selected by the user.

[261] The cycle selection unit 9215 may generally include a plurality of wash cycles 9215a. Such wash cycles can perform washing, rinsing and spinning sequentially and automatically. Here, the specific control variables for the respective wash cycles may be set to be different (for example, one or more of the amount of wash water, the temperature of the wash water, the wash time, the frequency of the rinse cycle, the presence of steam, the wash time, and the degree of washing (mechanical power difference ) and target spin speed).

[262] In this embodiment, the user may select the wash-dry cycle through the cycle selection block 9215, and the wash-dry cycle may be performed by default. The wash-dry cycle may be configured to perform heat-spin by default, and heat-spin is performed to heat the drum and perform spin together by driving the induction heater while the drum is rotating.

[263] The wash-dry cycle may include a cycle that is configured to perform drying after spinning. In particular, when only the wash-dry cycle is selected from the cycle selection block 9215, the cycle can be provided to perform the default heat-spin and then drying.

[264] Accordingly, the user can select only one cycle from the cycle selection unit, without additional selection of options, so as to perform washing and drying automatically. The user has the opportunity to wear clothes immediately after washing and drying at the end of the washing machine.

[265] A plurality of wash-dry cycles having a drying cycle can be provided. In other words, the user is able to select a variety of drying conditions. As one example, a plurality of wash-dry cycles may be provided based on the target drum speed. The cycles may include a cycle having a relatively low target spin speed (or a first wash-dry cycle and a cycle having a relatively high target spin speed (or a second wash-dry cycle).

[266] In the first wash-dry cycle, the target spin speed may be low so that it may be configured to perform washing and drying in a quiet environment or late at night. The second wash-dry cycle can carry out washing and drying in a normal environment.

[267] When the target drum speed is changed, changing the output power of the induction heater and/or changing the target heating temperature provided by the induction heating according to the above embodiments can be equally applied.

[268] In other words, the moisture separated by the centrifugal force can be reduced because the drum speed is low in spinning, but a satisfactory spinning performance can eventually be obtained by increasing the amount of heat, which will even affect the drying function, specified to be executed after that.

[269] The user may select a night wash-dry cycle as one example of the first wash-dry cycle 9215b. In this case, since drying can be performed after heating-spinning performed at a relatively low rotation speed, washing and drying with low noise and low vibration can be performed. Accordingly, when choosing to wash and dry late at night to immediately wear the washed and dried clothes in the morning, the user may select the first wash-dry cycle.

[270] The user may also select a normal wash-dry cycle as one example of the second wash-dry cycle 9215c. In this case, drying can be performed after heating-squeezing performed at a relatively high rotational speed, so that a reduction in drying time and efficient drying can be ensured. Accordingly, if a quick wash and dry is desired in the morning or afternoon, the user can select a second wash-dry cycle.

[271] The duration of the first wash-dry cycle may be relatively longer compared to the duration of the second wash-dry cycle. Of course, the control logics for post-heat-spin drying cycles can be equivalent to each other. As one example, drum drive patterns or target speeds, target heating temperatures, and drying completion timing conditions may be equivalent across drying cycles. Accordingly, it is expected that the amount of moisture remaining after heating-spinning is larger in the first wash-dry cycle compared to the second wash-dry cycle, and it can be said that the duration of the second wash-dry cycle is relatively shorter.

[272] However, washing-drying can be performed late at night, the time is relatively less limited. The reason is that low noise and low vibration may be a more important requirement late at night compared to time reduction. In this case, the drying performance of the same level can be achieved by increasing the amount of heat and/or the heating time during the heating-drying and drying time.

[273] The processor may control the output of the induction heater during heat-spin to be variable during the first wash-dry cycle. As one example, the output power of the induction heater may be controlled to be variable based on the output signal of the instantaneous power output unit. Changing the output power of the induction heater can only be done in the first wash-dry cycle. As another example, the power output change can be performed even in the second wash-dry cycle.

[274] The processor may control the heating target temperature raised by actuating the induction heater in the first wash-dry cycle to be higher than the heating target temperature in the second wash-dry cycle. In other words, the processor can perform control to increase the heating amount more.

[275] Meanwhile, the wash-dry cycle that is selectable from the cycle selector may include one wash-dry cycle configured to perform drying by default and another wash-dry cycle configured to not perform drying. The last of the two wash-dry cycles may be the cycle configured to perform and end heat-spin by default. The cycle can end after the heat-spin instead of the normal spin so that it can perform a very efficient spin. In other words, compared with ordinary spinning, the drying effect provided by heat-spinning can reduce the water content significantly, so that quick drying can be obtained in the last of two wash-dry cycles in the case of natural drying.

[276] The wash-dry cycle configured to end after the heat-spin may be the third wash-dry cycle 9215d. As one example, this may be a natural wash-dry cycle.

[277] Meanwhile, the target heating temperatures may differ from each other in the heat-spin in the three wash-dry cycles mentioned above. Specifically, the heat-spin heating target temperature of the first wash-dry cycle may be set to the highest, and the heat-spin target heat temperature of the third wash-dry cycle may be set to the lowest. Meanwhile, the target heat-spin speed of the third wash-dry cycle can be set to the highest, and the target heat-spin speed of the first wash-dry cycle can be set to the lowest. The target speed range may be approximately 800-1400 rpm, and the target heat-squeeze heating temperature range may be approximately 60~75°C.

[278] A plurality of wash-dry cycles may be provided, and target rotation speeds and target heating temperatures may be set to be different in respective cycles, so that a user can easily select one of a variety of wash-dry conditions when the opportunity arises.

[279] Meanwhile, this embodiment may also provide spin options 9211 and 9212. As one example, the user can select the normal spin option 9211 and change the target spin speed for the spin of the selected wash cycle. Here, the range of variable target speeds or variable target speeds can be changed based on a specific cycle of the wash cycles/as one example, the user can select the heat-spin option 9212 and change the spin for the selected wash cycle to heat-spin. Here, the heat-spin selection may be limited based on the specific wash cycle. As one example, the heat-spin selection may be limited in a functional garment wash cycle or a wool wash cycle.

[280] In addition, the heating-spinning of the washing-drying cycle can be performed by default. In this case, when the user selects the heat-spin option 9212, the heat-spin may be omitted. However, the heat-spin may be performed in a wash-dry cycle, and this may be a cycle that can provide optimum spin and dry. Accordingly, the user may be noted and displayed on the user interface display with instructions that the heat-spin may be performed in the default wash-dry cycle, so that the heat-spin option may be deselected. Here, the heating-spin option can be selected even in the wash-dry cycle and then deselected.

[281] Meanwhile, the wash-dry cycle may perform heat-spin by default as mentioned above. Here, the heat-spin option 9212 may be an option selection block for changing the heat-spin condition rather than for excluding the heat-spin execution.

[282] FIG. 10 illustrates one example that the normal wash-dry cycle is selected from the wash-dry cycles. When the heat-spin is performed by default, the user can change the drum speed condition and the target temperature condition in the heat-spin through the heat-spin option 9212. Because low noise and low vibration are likely to be required during the normal wash-dry cycle if necessary. Such a case is likely to occur even when the user is listening to music or studying while using the washing machine. The characteristics of the instructions displayed on the display may be equivalent to those described with reference to FIG. eight.

[283] FIG. 11 illustrates one example that the normal wash-dry cycle is selected from the wash-dry cycles. Since the heat-spin is performed by default in the normal wash-dry cycle, the user can change the drum speed condition and the target temperature condition in heat-spin through the heat-spin option 9212. The reason is that low noise and low vibration are likely to be required during a typical wash-dry cycle. This is very likely to happen when the user is listening to music or studying while using the washing machine. The characteristics of the instructions displayed on the display may be equivalent to those described with reference to FIG. eight.

[284] However, changing the drum speed condition and the target temperature condition may be limited when heating-spinning the overnight wash-dry cycle other than the normal wash-dry cycle and the natural wash-dry cycle. In other words, when the user selects the heat-spin option, the selection restriction may be signaled to the user via a buzzer or display. That is, in order to prevent washing noise from occurring at night due to an error in advance, since the night wash-dry cycle generally requires low noise and low vibration in the night wash-dry cycle. If a high spin speed in a night wash-dry cycle is desired, the user may select a normal wash-dry cycle or a normal wash-dry cycle with a heat-spin option rather than a night wash-dry cycle.

[285] Accordingly, the user can easily and intuitively use the user interface of the washing machine based on the selection inclusion and selection deletion communication between the cycle selection unit and the option selection unit.

[286] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 12, the control method of the washing machine according to one embodiment will be described in detail. The control method according to this embodiment may be similar to the control method mentioned above with reference to FIG. 5.

[287] When a normal wash cycle is selected from the cycle selection unit, the control method shown in FIG. 5. When a wash-dry cycle is selected from the cycle selection unit, the control method shown in FIG. 12.

[288] After a cycle is input to the cycle selection block S1, it can be determined which cycle is input to S2. It can be determined whether the natural wash-dry cycle S2a or the night wash-dry cycle S2b is selected. If both cycles are not selected, it may be determined that a normal wash-dry cycle is selected.

[289] When an appropriate cycle is determined, laundry amount detection S20, washing S30, rinsing S40, and spinning S50 can be performed based on the selected cycle.

[290] In the case of an overnight wash-dry cycle, a step S3 of waiting before detecting S20 the amount of laundry to be washed may be performed. In particular, in cycles, detection of the laundry amount may start immediately after the selected cycle is determined in other cycles. However, in the night wash-dry cycle, the current time can be measured S3a, and the measured time can be compared with the energy saving time zone S3b. When the current time reaches the energy saving time zone, the laundry amount detection S20 may finally begin to cycle.

[291] As mentioned above, the wash-dry cycle can perform heat-spin at spin S50 by default. However, the target temperature and spin speed for the heat-spin spin can be variable via the heat-spin option. Accordingly, all conditions selected from the cycle selection box and the heat-spin option can be reflected in the heat-spin. Therefore, heating-spinning can be performed at the final target temperature and spin speed.

[292] In addition, heat-spin may be excluded from all or some period of the wash-dry cycle through the heat-spin option. Accordingly, it can be determined in spinning S50 whether to perform heat-spin, and heat-spin or normal spin can be performed based on the determination result.

[293] In the case of a natural wash-dry cycle, after spinning, the cycle may end. In the case of a normal wash-dry cycle or an overnight wash-dry cycle, the cycle may end after drying S70.

[294] Accordingly, a wash-dry cycle, also a normal wash cycle, can be selected from the cycle selection unit. After the normal wash cycle is selected. The heating-spin operation can be selected via the options box. The wash-dry cycle can be selected and then the heat-spin option can then be changed.

[295] Accordingly, a variety of washing and washing-drying cycles can be provided, and a variety can be provided in the spin performance and drying performance. Accordingly, the user can select what he or she wants intuitively and easily, and the washing machine can perform an operation based on the user's selection.

[296] FIG. 13 illustrates the relationship between target heating temperatures and drying times in wash-dry cycles.

[297] As shown in the drawing, only heating-spinning can be performed in section AB in the natural wash-dry cycle. At this time, the target heating temperature may be relatively lower (for example, 60°C). In this case, heating-spinning can be performed at the highest speed.

[298] The heat-spin of a conventional wash-dry cycle may be equivalent to the heat-spin of a natural wash-dry cycle. However, drying can be performed after heat-spin.

[299] The target heating temperature in the heat-squeeze of the overnight drying cycle may be relatively high (eg, 75°C) compared to the heat-squeeze processes of other cycles. The heat-squeeze duration may be relatively longer compared to the durations of other cycles. Drying can be performed after heating-squeezing.

[300] Drying overnight wash-dry cycles may be equivalent to drying a normal wash-dry cycle. Since heating-spinning takes a long time, the total spinning and drying time, including drying, may increase. The target heating temperatures are equivalent so that the time taken to complete the drying process can be equal in two cycles when the two cycles have the same amount of laundry and the same water content.

[301] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is intended to cover modifications and variations of this invention provided that they are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[302] Since the present features can be implemented in several forms without departing from their characteristics, it should also be understood that the above described embodiments are not limited to any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise indicated, but rather should be broadly considered within its framework, as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the boundaries and limitations of the claims, or the equivalent of such boundaries and limitations, are therefore intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims (32)

1. Washing machine, containing: tank; a drum which is rotatably mounted in the tub and wherein the drum holds the laundry; an induction heater which is provided on the tub and configured to heat the drum; a motor configured to be driven to rotate the drum; a user interface comprising a program selection unit, which is configured to select one of the programs; an option selection unit, configured to select option information related to the program selected from the program selection unit; and a processor configured to control the rotational speed of the drum and actuate the induction heater, wherein the program selection block contains a washing-drying program configured to automatically and sequentially execute a washing cycle, a rinse cycle, a spin cycle and a drying cycle, wherein the processor controls the induction heater and the drum speed to perform a heat-squeeze operation that is configured to heat the drum during the spin cycle. 2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the heating-spin operation includes various predetermined drum speeds during the spin cycle. 3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the heating target temperature in the heating-spinning operation is set according to the respective target drum speed, and the heating target temperature is higher if the drum target speed is lower, and the heating target temperature is is lower if the predetermined drum speed is higher. 4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the time of the heating-spinning portion of the low predetermined speed operation is set to be longer relative to the time of the other portion of the heating-spinning operation of the high predetermined speed. 5. Washing machine according to any one of paragraphs. 3-4, in which the spin cycle of the washing-drying program is configured to perform a heating-spinning operation based on a predetermined heating temperature set according to a predetermined drum speed. 6. Washing machine according to any one of paragraphs. 3-4, further comprising: an instantaneous power output unit configured to calculate the instantaneous power of the motor to drive the drum, wherein the processor is configured to control the output power of the induction heater to change based on the output signal of the instantaneous power output unit. 7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the instantaneous power output unit is configured to calculate the instantaneous power of the motor based on the input current and voltage supplied to the motor, or based on the input current supplied to the motor and based on the input AC voltage applied to the washing machine. 8. Washing machine according to any one of paragraphs. 3-4, further comprising: an instantaneous power output unit configured to calculate the total instantaneous power of the washing machine, wherein the processor is configured to control the output power of the induction heater to change based on the output signal of the instantaneous power output unit. 9. The washing machine of claim 8, wherein the instantaneous power unit is configured to calculate the instantaneous power based on the input AC voltage and the input AC current that are applied to the washing machine. 10. Washing machine according to any one of paragraphs. 6-9, wherein the processor is configured to decrease the output of the induction heater as the output of the instantaneous output unit increases, and to increase the output of the induction heater as the output of the instantaneous output unit decreases. 11. Washing machine according to any one of paragraphs. 1-10, in which the processor is configured to control the total actuation time of the induction heater during heat-spin so that it is less than a preset time period, wherein the preset time period is set based on the amount of laundry to be washed. 12. Washing machine according to any one of paragraphs. 1-11, in which the washing-drying program is selected in the program selection box, and the heating-spinning operation is performed by default without being selected from the option selection box. 13. Washing machine according to any one of paragraphs. 1-12, in which the option selector contains the option to select the set speed and the set temperature of the drum heating for the heating-spin operation when the wash-dry program is selected from the program selector. 14. Washing machine according to any one of paragraphs. 1-13, further comprising a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature inside the tank, wherein the temperature sensor is provided on the underside of the tank. 15. Washing machine according to claim 14, further comprising: door; and a door locking mechanism configured to maintain the closed state of the door, wherein the processor is configured to control the door locking mechanism to maintain the locked state of the door when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is a preset temperature or a higher temperature.

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