US20130291313A1 - Washing machine and control method thereof - Google Patents
Washing machine and control method thereof Download PDFInfo
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- US20130291313A1 US20130291313A1 US13/886,409 US201313886409A US2013291313A1 US 20130291313 A1 US20130291313 A1 US 20130291313A1 US 201313886409 A US201313886409 A US 201313886409A US 2013291313 A1 US2013291313 A1 US 2013291313A1
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- drum
- time
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- D06F33/02—
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F35/00—Washing machines, apparatus, or methods not otherwise provided for
- D06F35/002—Washing machines, apparatus, or methods not otherwise provided for using bubbles
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F35/00—Washing machines, apparatus, or methods not otherwise provided for
- D06F35/005—Methods for washing, rinsing or spin-drying
- D06F35/006—Methods for washing, rinsing or spin-drying for washing or rinsing only
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2103/02—Characteristics of laundry or load
- D06F2103/04—Quantity, e.g. weight or variation of weight
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2103/18—Washing liquid level
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2103/68—Operation mode; Program phase
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2105/06—Recirculation of washing liquids, e.g. by pumps or diverting valves
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2105/08—Draining of washing liquids
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers
- D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control
- D06F33/32—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
- D06F33/36—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of washing
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
Abstract
A washing machine provided with a structure thereof capable of draining and circulating by using a single pump and capable of enhancing washing performance by using a circulation of water and a rotation of a drum, and a control method thereof, in which the structure of the washing machine is simplified through the change of the flow path that enables the draining and the circulation of water by using a general pump while decreasing the number of the components of the washing machine. The manufacturing cost of the washing machine is reduced, because the washing machine accelerates the dissolution of detergent by generating large amount of bubbles by using the circulation of water and the rotation of the drum, without additional components, thereby washing performance of the washing machine is enhanced, and by maintaining the bubbles that are generated, the non-tangible quality that a user feels in the course of washing is enhanced.
Description
- This application claims the priority benefit of the Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0046673, filed on May 3, 2012, and the priority benefit of the Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0112509, filed on Oct. 10, 2012, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- 1. Field
- Embodiments relate to a washing machine capable of enhancing washing performance by using a circulation of water and a rotation of a drum, and a control method thereof.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- In general, a washing machine, that is, a drum washing machine in general, while provided with a tub configured to store water, that is, washing water or rinsing water, a drum rotatably installed at an inside the tub and configured to accommodate a laundry, and a motor to generate rotation force to rotate the drum, is an apparatus configured to have a washing of the laundry at an inside thereof take place through ascending and descending motions along an inner wall of the drum.
- The washing machine as such is configured to proceed with washing through a series of motions including a washing cycle configured to separate contamination of the laundry by use of the water, in particular, the washing water, provided with detergent dissolved therein, a rinsing cycle configured to rinse the bubbles or the remaining detergent of the laundry by use of the water, in particular, the rinsing water, provided with no detergent therein, and a spin-drying cycle configured to spin-dry the laundry at high speed.
- The washing cycle from the cycles mentioned above is configured to input detergent along with the water, in particular, the washing water, into an inside the tub, alternate the drum forward/backward according to the driving of the motor to generate a water current to deliver the washing water, that is, the water having the detergent, to the laundry, and remove the contamination of the laundry.
- However, a conventional washing machine is needed to be provided with water filled up to the space between the tub and the drum to perform a washing, and thus the consumption of water is large and the detergent is needed to be used in proportion to the amount of the water, and in a case of performing a washing using heat, as to increase the temperature of the water being input into the conventional washing machine, the amount of energy is as large in proportion to the amount of the water.
- In addition, as to enhance washing performance of the conventional washing machine, washing water is needed to be effectively delivered to the laundry that is positioned at a center of an inner portion of the conventional washing machine, but due to the structural characteristics of the conventional washing machine, without additional use of water, the height ascension of the washing water is difficult while some of the detergent that is being input into the conventional washing machine along with the washing water may be wasted without being dissolved, and thus the concentration of the washing water may be reduced, and accordingly, a limitation in implementing a high-concentration washing may be present.
- As to overcome the difficulty as such, a method, which is configured to enhance washing performance by accelerating the dissolution of detergent while minimizing the usage of water by using an apparatus to circulate water at an inside the tub or to generate bubbles, is traditionally being suggested.
- However, as to circulate the water or to generate bubbles at an inside the tub, additional components such as a pump, a hose, and other injection-molded product, are needed to be added thereto, and accordingly, an additional process is added in manufacturing the conventional washing machine and the material cost of the conventional washing machine is increased.
- In an aspect of one or more embodiments, there is provided a washing machine provided with a structure thereof capable of draining and circulating by using a single pump and capable of enhancing washing performance by using a circulation of water and a rotation of a drum, and a control method thereof.
- In an aspect of one or more embodiments, there is provided a method of controlling a washing machine provided with a tub, a drum rotatably installed inside the tub, and a pump configured to circulate water in the tub, includes (a) rotating the drum toward one direction for a first period of time after supplying washing water to the tub, (b) stopping the drum for a second period of time after rotating the drum toward the one direction, (c) rotating the drum toward an opposite direction opposite to the one direction for a third period of time after the second period of time is expired; and (d) stopping the drum for a fourth period of time after rotating the drum toward the opposite direction. During a forward/backward alternate operation of the drum comprising (a) to (d), a bubble generating cycle to generate bubbles through rotation of the drum and friction of the circulated water may be performed by driving the pump.
- The bubble generating cycle may be performed after a water supplying cycle in which water and detergent are supplied to the tub to perform a washing.
- The method may further include a washing motor configured to rotate the drum. During the rotating of the drum toward the one direction, the washing motor may be driven toward a normal direction for the first period of time while maintaining at a predetermined revolutions per minute (RPM).
- During the rotating of the drum toward the opposite direction, the washing motor may be driven toward a reverse direction for the third period of time while maintaining at a predetermined RPM.
- The first period of time may be same as the third period of time.
- The second period of time may be same as the fourth period of time.
- The second period of time may be set to be shorter than the first period of time.
- The first period of time may be about 14 seconds.
- The second period of time may be about 6 seconds.
- The first period of time may be different from the third period of time.
- The second period of time may be different from the fourth period of time.
- During the forward/backward alternate operation of the drum, the predetermined RPM may be at least 80 RPM.
- The method may further include, during the forward/backward alternate operation of the drum, changing the RPM of the motor.
- The method may further include, during the forward/backward alternate operation of the drum, changing a driving time of the motor or a stopping time of the motor.
- The forward/backward alternate operation of the drum including from (a) to (d) may be performed for a predetermined period of time.
- The method may further include counting the number of proceedings of the bubble generating cycle, wherein if the counted number of proceedings of the bubble generating cycle reaches to a predetermined reference number of proceedings, the bubble generating cycle may be finished.
- The predetermined reference number of proceedings may be determined by considering a washing time at each washing cycle.
- In an aspect of one or more embodiments, there is provided a washing machine which includes a tub, a drum, a washing motor, a flow path, and a control unit. The tub may be configured to accommodate water. The drum may be rotatably installed inside the tub. The washing motor may be configured to rotate the drum. The flow path switching apparatus may be configured to switch a flow path of water such that water in the tub is drained or circulated. The control unit, after water and detergent are supplied to the tub, may be configured to perform a bubble generating cycle in which water in the tub is circulated by controlling the flow path switching apparatus and the drum is alternately rotated forward and backward by controlling the washing motor.
- The control unit, during the forward and backward alternate rotation of the drum, may be configured to drive the washing motor at a predetermined RPM and a predetermined driving factor.
- The control unit may be configured to alternately rotate the drum while having the RPM of the motor at 80 RPM or above.
- The control unit, during the forward/backward alternate rotation of the drum, may be configured to change the RPM of the motor.
- The control unit, during the forward/backward alternate rotation of the drum, may be configured to change the driving factor of the motor.
- The control unit may be configured to count a time that the forward/backward alternate rotation of the drum is performed, and to stop the forward/backward alternate rotation of the drum if the counted time reaches to a predetermined period of time.
- The flow path switching apparatus may include a pump configured to pump the water in the tub, and a flow path switching valve configured to switch a flow path such that water being discharged from the tub is drained to an outside or the water is circulated to the tub.
- In an aspect of one or more embodiments, there is provided a method of controlling a washing machine provided with a tub, a drum rotatably installed inside the tub, a washing motor to rotate the drum, and a pump configured to circulate water in the tub includes supplying water and detergent to the tub, performing a bubble generating cycle, in which water being discharged from the tub is circulated to the tub by driving the pump at the same time of alternately rotating the drum forward and backward by driving the washing motor at a predetermined RPM and a predetermined driving factor, and performing a washing cycle, in which the drum alternately rotates forward and backward, by driving the washing motor at a target RPM and a target driving factor. A proceeding time of the bubble generating cycle and a proceeding time of the washing cycle may be counted, and if the counted proceeding time of the bubble generating cycle and the counted proceeding time of the washing cycle pass over a predetermined period of time, the bubble generating cycle and the washing cycle may be alternately performed with each other.
- The bubble generating cycle includes an operation of rotating the drum toward one direction for a first period of time, an operation of stopping the drum for a second period of time after rotating the drum toward the one direction, an operation of rotating the drum toward an opposite direction for the first period of time after the second period of time is expired, and an operation of stopping the drum for the second period of time after rotating the drum toward the opposite direction.
- The bubble generating cycle may include generating bubbles through rotation of the drum and friction of the circulated water by driving the pump during the forward and backward alternate rotation of the drum.
- The bubble generating cycle may include driving the washing motor toward a normal direction or toward a reverse direction for the first period of time while maintaining the washing motor at a predetermined RPM during the forward and backward alternate rotation of the drum.
- An RPM of the washing motor of the bubble generating cycle may be set to be higher than an RPM of the washing motor of the washing cycle.
- A proceeding time of the bubble generating cycle may be set to be shorter than a proceeding time of the washing cycle.
- The method may further include counting the number of proceedings of the bubble generating cycle, and finishing the bubble generating cycle when the counted number of the proceedings reaches to a predetermined reference number of proceedings.
- The method may further include only performing the washing cycle during a remaining washing time after the finishing of the bubble generating cycle.
- The predetermined reference number of proceedings may be at least twice.
- In an aspect of one or more embodiments, there is provided a method of controlling a washing machine provided with a tub, a drum rotatably installed at an inside the tub, a pump to pump water in the tub, and a flow path switching valve configured to switch a flow path to drain or circulate the water in the tub includes determining whether a current cycle is a washing cycle, switching the flow path so that water being discharged from the tub is introduced to the tub by driving the flow path switching valve if determined as the washing cycle, introducing the water being discharged from the tub by driving the pump to the tub, and performing a bubble generating cycle to generate bubbles through friction of the water introduced to the tub and the drum by rotating the drum.
- In an aspect of one or more embodiments of a washing machine and control method thereof, by using a conventional drain pump, through the switch of the flow path that enables the draining and the circulation of water, the structure of the washing machine may be simplified while the number of the components of the washing machine may be decreased, and thereby the manufacturing cost of the washing machine may be reduced.
- In an aspect of one or more embodiments of a washing machine and control method thereof, by generating large amount of bubbles by using the circulation of water as well as the rotation of the drum, without additional components, the dissolution of detergent may be accelerated, and thereby washing performance of the washing machine may be enhanced, and by maintaining the bubbles that are generated, the non-tangible quality that a user feels in the course of washing may be enhanced.
- These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exterior appearance of a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 3 is s control block diagram of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIGS. 4A and 4B are flow charts showing a control method of a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment; -
FIG. 5 is a graph showing a driving profile of a washing motor during a bubble generating cycle of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment; and -
FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the bubble generating cycle in accordance with an embodiment. - Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exterior appearance of a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment, andFIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment. - On
FIG. 1 andFIG. 2 , awashing machine 1 in accordance with an embodiment includes abody 10 having an approximate shape of a box and forming an exterior appearance of thewashing machine 1, atub 11 having a shape of a drum installed at an inside thebody 10 and provided to store water, that is, washing water or rinsing water, and adrum 12 having a shape of a cylinder rotatably installed at an inside thetub 11 and provided with a plurality ofholes 13 formed thereto. - At on outer side of a rear surface unit of the
tub 11, awashing motor 15 is installed as a driving apparatus configured to rotate arotation axis 15 a connected to thedrum 12 so that a washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, and a spin-drying cycle may be performed. - In general, as the
washing motor 15, a universal motor composed of field coils and an armature, or a BLDC motor (Brushless Direct Motor) composed of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet is being used, and any motor capable of being applied to thedrum 12 provided with a mid-to-small size thereof may be used. - At a lower side of an inside the
tub 11, awater level sensor 16, which is changed according to the level of the water as to detect the amount of the water, that is, the level of the water, in thetub 11, awashing heater 17 configured to apply heat at the water in thetub 11, and atemperature sensor 18 configured to detect the temperature of the water, that is, washing water or rinsing water, in thetub 11 are installed. - In addition, at a front surface unit of the
body 10, adoor 19 is installed as to insert a laundry into thedrum 12 or to withdraw a laundry at an inside thedrum 12. - At an upper portion of the
body 10, adetergent supply apparatus 20 configured to supply detergent, as well as awater supply apparatus 30 configured to supply water, that is, washing water or rinsing water, is installed. - The
detergent supply apparatus 20 is provided with an inside thereof divided into a plurality of space, and is installed at a front surface portion of thebody 10 so that a user may be easily able to insert detergent and rinsing substance at each of the plurality of space. - In addition, the
water supply apparatus 30 includes acold water 31 and a hotwater supply pipe 32 connecting the in-between of an outside water supply pipe and thedetergent supply apparatus 20 as to supply water, that is, washing water or rinsing water, to an inside thetub 11, acold water value 33 and ahot water valve 34 configured to control the supply of water while being installed in between the coldwater supply pipe 31 and the hotwater supply pipe 32, and awater supply pipe 35 connecting thedetergent supply apparatus 20 to thetub 11. The structure allows the water being supplied to an inside thetub 11 to pass through thedetergent supply apparatus 20, so that the detergent at an inside thedetergent supply apparatus 20 may be supplied to thetub 11 along with water. - In addition, at an upper portion of the front surface of the
body 10, acontrol panel 40, at which various buttons and displays configured to control thewashing machine 1 are disposed, is provided, and at one side of thecontrol panel 40, adetergent input unit 21 connected to thedetergent supply apparatus 20 to input washing machine-purpose detergent into thewashing machine 1 is provided. - In addition, in accordance with an embodiment, the
washing machine 1 is provided with a flowpath switching apparatus 50 installed thereto as to drain or circulate the water at an inside thetub 11, and the flowpath switching apparatus 50 includes apump 51 installed at a lower portion of thetub 11 and configured to pump the water at an inside thetub 11 and a flowpath switching valve 52 configured to change the flow path of the water, which is being discharged from thetub 11 by thepump 51, toward a draining direction or toward a circulating direction. - The
pump 51 is connected to apump case 53 to drain the water being discharged from thetub 11 to the outside or to circulate to thetub 11, and afirst connection pipe 54 is installed between thetub 11 and thepump case 53 to guide the water contained in thetub 11 to thepump case 53. - The flow
path switching valve 52 is installed at an exit side of thepump 51, while an entry of the flowpath switching value 52 is connected to thepump 51 and an exit of the flowpath switching valve 52 is connected to adrain flow path 55 a or acirculation flow path 56 a. Adrain pipe 55 is connected thedrain flow path 55 a provided the exit side of the flowpath switching valve 52 so that the water that is guided to thepump case 53 is drained to an outside, and acirculation pipe 56 is connected to thecirculation flow path 56 a provided at the other exit side of the flowpath switching valve 52 so that the water that is guided to thepump case 53 is introduced to an inside thetub 11. - That is, at the time when a draining is being taken place, the direction of the flow path of the flow
path switching valve 52 is changed to thedrain flow path 55 a, so that the water discharged from thetub 11 is drained to an outside through thedrain pipe 55 without being introduced to thetub 11, and at the time when a washing is being taken place, the direction of the flow path of the flowpath switching valve 52 is changed to thecirculation flow path 56 a, so that the water discharged from thetub 11 is introduced again to thetub 11 through thecirculation pipe 56 without being drained to an outside. - As the above, according to the change of the flow path of the flow
path switching valve 52, at the time when a draining is being taken place, the water being discharged from thetub 11 is drained to an outside through thedrain pipe 55, and at the time when a washing is being taken place, the water being discharged from thetub 11 is introduced again to thetub 11 through thecirculation pipe 56. - The direction of the flow path of the flow
path switching valve 52 is normally connected to thedrain flow path 55 a. - The
circulation pipe 56 is provided a structure that one side of thecirculation pipe 56 is connected to the flowpath switching valve 52 while the other side thereof is connected to thetub 11, so that in a case when thepump 51 is in motion, the water in thetub 11 is guided to thepump case 53 through afirst connection pipe 54, the water guided to thepump case 53 is guided to the flowpath switching valve 52 through asecond connection pipe 57, and the water guided to the flowpath switching valve 52 is circulated while being supplied again to thetub 11 through thecirculation pipe 56. At this time, in order for the water being circulated to be smoothly supplied to a lower portion of thetub 11, the position of thecirculation pipe 52 connected to thetub 11 is installed as low as possible. - In addition, in between the
pump 51 and the flowpath switching valve 52, thesecond connection pipe 57 configured to guide the water stagnantly remaining at thepump case 53 to the flowpath switching valve 52 is installed. - In addition, in accordance with an embodiment, the
washing machine 1 is provided with asuspension spring 60 elastically supporting thetub 11 at an upper portion of thetub 11 so as to prevent the vibration from being generated, as well as adamper 62 configured to reduce the vibration at a lower portion of thetub 11, in the process of thewashing machine 1 being in motion. - The
suspension spring 60 and thedamper 62 as such are configured to movably support thetub 11 at an upper portion of thetub 11 and at a lower portion of thetub 11, respectively. That is, a vibration is generated in all directions toward a front, a rear, an upper, and a lower side as thetub 11 is vibrated as a result of the vibratory exciting force that is generated while thedrum 12 is being rotated, and the vibration of thetub 11 as such is reduced by thesuspension spring 60 and thedamper 62. -
FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment. - On
FIG. 3 , in accordance with an embodiment, thewashing machine 1 includes aninput unit 70, acontrol unit 72, amemory 73, a drivingunit 74, and adisplay unit 76. - The
input unit 70 is configured to receive an input of a command to implement a washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, and a spin-drying cycle of thewashing machine 1 by a manipulation of a user, and may be composed of keys, buttons, switches, and a touch pad, and includes all apparatuses that generate predetermined input data by manipulations such as pressing, contacting, pressurizing, and rotating. - In addition, the
input unit 70 is provided at thecontrol panel 40, and includes a plurality of buttons, such as a power button, a reservation button, a temperature button, a soaking button, a washing button, a rinsing button, a spin-dry button, and a detergent selection button, through which a command of a user related to a motion of thewashing machine 1 is input. The plurality of buttons includes a course selection button configured to select a washing course, including a standard course, a wool course, and a delicate course, depending on the type of a laundry being inserted into thewashing machine 1, for example, the standard course that a user selects according to the type of a laundry. - The
control unit 72 is referred to as a micro computer configured to control the overall motion of thewashing machine 1 including a washing, a rinsing, and a spin-drying according to the driving information that is input from theinput unit 70, and is configured to establish a target washing level, a target rinsing level, a target RPM, a target driving factor, that is, the ON/OFF time of the motor, a washing time, and a rinsing time according to the weight, that is, the load, of the laundry during the selected washing course. - In addition, the
control unit 72 is configured to proceed with a bubble generating cycle configured to supply the water that is set according to the weight (the load) of the laundry during a washing, generate bubbles in large quantity by using the rotation of thedrum 12 and the circulation of the water, and proceed with a washing by maintaining the generated bubbles generated. - With respect to the bubble generating cycle, by driving the
pump 51 after the supply of washing water is taken place, the water, that is, the detergent water, at an inside thetub 11 is circulated, and at the same time, while thewashing motor 15 is maintained at a predetermined RPM, that is, the RPM at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM in which bubbles may be generated as friction occurs between the drum and the tub, thewashing motor 15 is driven at the driving factor of about 14 seconds of the motor-ON/about 6 seconds of the motor-OFF, so that thedrum 12 is alternately rotated toward left and right directions of thedrum 12. According to the above, when the water in between thedrum 12 and thetub 11 is introduced again to an inside thetub 11 after being circulated, the drum is rotated at the predetermined RPM, that is, the RPM at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM, bubbles are generated by the friction between the water being introduced again and thedrum 12. If a bubble generating cycle, in which thewashing motor 15 is driven at a predetermined RPM (about 80 to 89 RPM) and a predetermined driving factor (about 14 seconds of the motor-On/about 6 seconds of the motor-Off) while driving thepump 51 so as to alternately rotate thedrum 12 toward left and right directions of thedrum 12, is performed for a predetermined period of time, that is, the period of time estimated to be about 1 minute to 2 minutes suitable for bubbles to be generated in large quantity by the friction between the drum and the water in the tub, large quantity of bubbles are generated at an inside thedrum 12. The large quantity of the bubbles generated through the bubble generating cycle expedites the dissolving of the detergent that is introduced along with the water, that is, the washing water, to thetub 11, and thus the washing performance is enhanced, and as the large quantity of the bubbles overflows toward a diaphragm of thedoor 19 positioned at a front surface of thedrum 12, the non-tangible quality that a user feels with respect to the washing performance in the course of washing may be enhanced. - However, the large quantity of the bubbles generated according to the proceeding of the bubble generating cycle is dissipated after about 5 to 6 minutes, and thus, by proceeding again with the bubble generating cycle within the predetermined period of time, that is, the period of time estimated at about 5 minutes maximum to proceed the bubble generating cycle before the large amount of the bubbles is dissipated, the large quantity of the bubbles are maintained at an inside the
drum 12, so that the visibility of the bubbles that a user feels is also increased. - In addition, the
control unit 72 determines the number of the proceedings ‘Ns’ of the bubble generating cycle by considering the washing time of the selected washing course. - The
memory 73 stores the setting information, including the control data configured to control the motion of thewashing machine 1, the reference data being used during the controlling of the motion of thewashing machine 1, the operation data being generated while thewashing machine 1 performs a predetermined operation, the setting data being input by theinput unit 70 for thewashing machine 1 to perform a predetermined operation, the usage information including the frequency by which thewashing machine 1 performs a particular operation and the model information of thewashing machine 1, and the malfunction information including the cause or the position of a malfunction in a case when the malfunction is occurred. - The driving
unit 74, according to the driving control signal of thecontrol unit 72, is configured to drive the washingmotor 15, thewashing heater 17, the cold water andhot water valve pump 51, and the flowpath switching valve 52 that are related to the operation of thewashing machine 1. - The
display unit 76 is provided at thecontrol panel 40, and according to the display control signal of thecontrol unit 72, displays the operation status of thewashing machine 1 and the manipulation status of a user. - Hereinafter, the operation process and the effect of the control method of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment will be described.
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FIGS. 4A and 4B are flow charts showing operations of the control method of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment, and are referred to as the algorithms capable of enhancing the washing performance and the non-tangible quality by adding generating of bubbles in addition to a basic washing cycle. - On
FIGS. 4A to 4B , a user inputs a laundry into an inside thedrum 12, and also inputs detergent into thedetergent supply apparatus 20. Then, by manipulating the buttons of theinput unit 70 disposed at thecontrol panel 40, a washing course is selected (100) from a standard course, a wool course, and a delicate course, and for example, the standard course that a user selects according to the type of the laundry. At this time, the driving information of the washing course selected by the user is being input into thecontrol unit 72 through theinput unit 70. - Thus, the
control unit 72 detects the weight, that is, the load, of the laundry being inserted into thedrum 12 to proceed with the washing cycle (102). At this time, as for a method of measuring the weight of the laundry, a method of detecting a weight of the laundry by measuring the length of time of thewashing motor 15 reaching at predetermined speed or a predetermined number of rotations by use of the instantaneous acceleration of thewashing motor 15, or as disclosed in the Japanese Publication No. 2002-336593, in the Japanese Publication No. 2004-267334, and in the Japanese Publication No. 07-90077, a method of measuring a weight of the laundry by directly or indirectly measuring the amount of inertia of thedrum 12 by applying torque to thewashing motor 15 for a predetermined period of time, and then by using the second law of motion (torque=inertia×acceleration). - Other than the above, the weight, that is, the load, of the laundry may be able to be detected by using a load cell.
- When the weight, that is, the amount of the load, of the laundry is detected, the
control unit 72, according to the detected weight, that is, the amount of the load, of the laundry, sets a target washing water level, a target rinsing water level, a target RPM, a target driving factor, that is, the target ON/OFF time of the motor, a washing time, and a rinsing time (104). - The setting of the target washing water level, the target rinsing water level, the target RPM, the target driving factor, that is, the ON/OFF time of the motor, the washing time, and the rinsing time represents the case when a separate command with reference to the operation of the
washing machine 1 is not additionally input by a user. In a case when a separate command with reference to the operation of thewashing machine 1 is additionally input by a user, the target washing water level, the target rinsing water level, the target RPM, the target driving factor, that is, the ON/OFF time of the motor, the washing time, and the rinsing time, all of which are set according to the weight, that is, the amount of the load, of the laundry, are being changed according to the command of the user. - Then, the
control unit 72 determines the number of the standard proceedings ‘Ns’ of the bubble generating cycle by considering the washing time of the selected washing course (106). - The number of the standard proceedings ‘Ns’ of the bubble generating cycle is set to be at least twice, and according to the washing time of each washing course, the number of the standard proceedings ‘Ns’ of the bubble generating cycle is changed. For example, as the washing time is extended, by increasing the number of the standard proceedings ‘Ns’ of the bubble generating cycle, the washing performance is enhanced, and at the same time, the visibility of the bubbles that a user feels is also increased.
- Then, the
control unit 72 drives thecold water valve 33 or thehot water valve 34 to supply the water, that is, the washing water, needed for the washing cycle according to the weight, that is, the amount of the load, of the laundry, or the command of a user. - When the
cold water valve 33 or thehot water valve 34 is being driven, thecold water valve 33 or thehot water valve 34 is open, and the water, that is, the washing water, that is supplied through an outside water supply pipe is supplied to thetub 11 after passing through the coldwater supply pipe 31 or the hotwater supply pipe 32 and also through thedetergent supply apparatus 20. At this time, the detergent at an inside thedetergent supply apparatus 20 is dissolved by the water, that is, the washing water, and is introduced into thetub 11 after passing through theconnection pipe 35 along with the water, that is, the washing water, and thus the detergent water, that is, the water mixed with the detergent is supplied to a lower portion, that is, the in between the tub and the drum to be specific, of the tub 11 (108). - Thus, the
control unit 72 determines whether the level of the water being supplied to thetub 11 is at the target washing level, that is, the level that is determined according to the predetermined amount of the laundry, by detecting the level of the water being supplied to thetub 11 by use of thewater level sensor 16, and continues the water supply motion until the level of the water being supplied to thetub 11 is reached at the target washing level. - When the level of the water being supplied to the
tub 11 through the water supply operation is reached at the target washing level, thecontrol unit 72 stops the water supply operation by stopping thecold water valve 33 or thehot water valve 34. - When the supply of the washing water, that is, the detergent water is finished up to the target washing level, the
control unit 72 proceeds with the bubble generating cycle configured to generate bubbles in large quantity by using the circulation of the washing water, that is, the detergent water, and the rotation of the drum 12 (110). - The basic washing cycle is referred to as the alternate rotating of the drum forward and backward 12 by driving the
washing motor 15 at the target RPM and the driving factor, that is, the ON/OFF time of the motor, both of which are set according to the weight, that is, the amount of the load, of the laundry after the detergent water, that is, the detergent mixed with the washing water, is supplied, and the proceeding of a washing during a predetermined washing time by using the movement of the laundry and the water current that are generated by alternately rotating thedrum 12 backward and forward. - In the contrary, the bubble generating cycle represents circulating the water, that is, the detergent water, at an inside the
tub 11 by driving thepump 51 after the detergent water, that is, the washing water mixed with detergent, is supplied, and at the same time of alternately rotating thedrum 12 forward and backward by driving thewashing motor 15 at the predetermined RPM, that is, the RPM at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM and at the driving factor of about 14 seconds of the motor-ON/about 6 seconds of the motor-OFF. As a result of the above, when the water in between thedrum 12 and thetub 11 is circulated to be introduced again to an inside thetub 11, a large quantity of bubbles is generated by the friction according to the rotation of thedrum 12, and the detergent solution is accelerated as a result, and as the bubbles generated overflow toward the diaphragm of thedoor 19 positioned at a front surface of thedrum 12, the non-tangible quality that a user feels with respect to the washing performance in the course of washing is enhanced. The direction of the flow path of the flowpath switching valve 52 at the time of a washing is changed toward thecirculation flow path 56 a, and the water being pumped from thetub 11 according to the driving of thepump 51 is not drained to an outside, but is introduced again into thetub 11 through thecirculation pipe 56. - With respect to the proceeding of the algorithm of the bubble generating cycle, the detailed description will be provided by referring to
FIG. 5 andFIG. 6 . - At this time, the
control unit 72 determines whether a predetermined period of time, that is, the period of time of approximately 1 minute to 2 minutes, and hereafter referred to as the fifth period of time, is expired by counting the proceeding time of the bubble generating cycle (112). - If the fifth period of time, that is, the period of time of approximately 1 minute to 2 minutes, is not expired as a result of the determination of the
operation 112, thecontrol unit 72 returns to theoperation 110 and proceeds with the bubble generating cycle until the fifth period of time is expired. - If the fifth period of time is expired as a result of the determination of the
operation 112, thecontrol unit 72 stops the bubble generating cycle, and counts the number of the proceedings ‘N’ (that is, the number of the drum being rotated and of the water being circulated by driving the pump and the washing motor) of the bubble generating cycle (114). - As the above, after the bubbles are generated in large quantity through the bubble generating cycle, the
control unit 72, by alternately rotating thedrum 12 forward and backward by driving thewashing motor 15 at the target RPM, that is, the RPM at the rate of about 40 RPM to 50 RPM and at the driving factor, that is, the ON/OFF time of the motor, both of which are predetermined for the washing cycle, generates the water current that delivers the detergent water, that is, the washing water mixed with detergent, to a laundry, thereby proceeding with the basic washing cycle (116). - Since the basic washing cycle proceeds in a state that the large quantity of the bubbles that are generated through the bubble generating cycle is applied on the laundry at an inside the
drum 12, the washing performance is enhanced, and at the same time, the visibility of the bubbles that a user feels is also increased. - At this time, the
control unit 72 determines whether a predetermined period of time, that is, the predetermined period of time of approximately 5 minutes required to proceed with the bubble generating cycle before the bubbles are dissipated, is expired by counting the time when the bubble generating cycle is stopped (118). - The large quantity of the bubbles that is generated according to the proceeding of the bubble generating cycle, after approximately 5 to 6 minutes are expired, is dissipated, and thus the bubble generating cycle is needed to be proceeded again within a predetermined period of time, that is, the predetermined period of time of approximately 5 minutes, and hereafter referred to as the sixth period of time, so that the bubbles that are applied at an inside the
drum 12 are maintained. - If the sixth period of time, that is, the period of time of approximately 5 minutes, is not expired as a result of the determination of the
operation 118, thecontrol unit 72 returns to theoperation 116 and proceeds with the bubble generating cycle until the sixth period of time is expired. - If the sixth period of time is expired as a result of the determination of the
operation 118, thecontrol unit 72 stops the basic washing cycle, and determines whether the counted number of the proceedings ‘N’ of the bubble generating cycle is reached at the predetermined number of the standard proceedings ‘Ns’, that is, the optimal number of the standard proceedings of approximately 2 to 4 times at which the detergent dissolution is accelerated according to the washing time of each washing course and at which the visibility of the bubbles that a user feels may be increased (120). - If the number of the proceedings ‘N’ of the bubble generating cycle is not reached at the predetermined number of the standard proceedings ‘Ns’ as a result of the determination of the
operation 120, thecontrol unit 72 returns to theoperation 110 to proceed with the bubble generating cycle in which the water is circulated by driving thepump 51 until the number of the proceedings ‘N’ of the bubble generating cycle is reached at the predetermined number of the standard proceedings ‘Ns’ that is decided according to the washing time of the each washing course, and at the same time, thedrum 12 is alternately rotated forward and backward by driving thewashing motor 15 toward normal and reverse directions thereof. - As the above, if the number of the proceedings ‘N’ of the bubble generating cycle is reached at the predetermined number of the standard proceedings ‘Ns’, the
control unit 72 finishes the bubble generating cycle, and drives thewashing motor 15 at the target RPM, that is, the RPM at the rate of about 40 RPM to 50 RPM and at the driving factor, that is, the ON/OFF time of the motor, both of which are predetermined to continuously proceed with the washing for the remaining period of the washing time. By alternately rotating thedrum 12 forward and backward according to the driving of thewashing motor 15, the water current that delivers the detergent water, that is, the washing water mixed with detergent to the laundry is generated to proceed with the basic washing cycle (122). - Then, the
control unit 72 determines whether the washing time, which is predetermined according to the weight of the laundry, is expired (124). - If the washing time is not expired as a result of the determination of the
operation 124, thecontrol unit 72 returns to theoperation 122 and proceeds with the basic washing cycle until the remaining washing time is expired. - If the washing time is expired as a result of the determination of the
operation 124, thecontrol unit 72 stops thewashing motor 15, drains the detergent water, that is, the washing water mixed with detergent (126), and proceeds with an interim spin-drying (128). At the time of a draining, the direction of the flow path of the flowpath switching valve 52 is changed toward thedrain flow path 55 a, so that the water being discharged from thetub 11 according to the driving of thepump 51 is not introduced to thetub 11, and is drained to an outside through thedrain pipe 55. If the direction of the flow path of the flowpath switching valve 52 is in a state of being changed toward thedrain flow path 55 a at normal times, that is, at the time except for the period of the washing time, the direction of the flow path of the flowpath switching valve 52 is not needed to be changed, and in the case as such, the flowpath switching valve 52 is not needed to be operated through the drivingunit 74. - Then, the
control unit 72 drives thecold water valve 33 or thehot water valve 34 to supply the water, that is, the rinsing water, needed for the rinsing cycle. - When the
cold water valve 33 or thehot water valve 34 is being driven, thecold water valve 33 or thehot water valve 34 is open, and the water, that is, the rinsing water, is supplied to thetub 11 after passing through the coldwater supply pipe 31 or the hot water supply pipe 32 (130). At this time, thecontrol unit 72 controls the water supply operation into an alternation water supply operation configured to supply rinsing water while alternately rotating thedrum 12 forward and backward so as to enhance rinsing performance, so that the laundry being stuck at thedrum 12 is loose to be well mixed with water, and accordingly, the effect of the enhanced rinsing performance is attained. - Thus, the
control unit 72 determines whether the level of the water being supplied to thetub 11 is at the target rinsing level, that is, the level that is determined according to the predetermined amount of the laundry, by detecting the level of the water being supplied to thetub 11 by use of thewater level sensor 16, and continues the water supply operation until the level of the water being supplied to thetub 11 is reached at the target rinsing level. - When the supply of the rinsing water up to the target rinsing level is finished, the
control unit 72, thecontrol unit 72 drives thewashing motor 15 at the target RPM and the driving factor, that is, the ON/OFF time of the motor, both of which are predetermined for the rinsing cycle to alternately rotate thedrum 12 forward and backward and to generate the water current bringing the rinsing water into contact with the laundry, thereby proceeding with the rising cycle (132). - When the rinsing is finished during the predetermined rinsing time, the
control unit 72 stops thewashing motor 15, and drains the water, that is, the rinsing water (134). The proceeding of the rinsing cycle as such is repeated during the predetermined number of proceedings. - When the last rinsing cycle is finished as the rinsing cycle is proceeded during the predetermined number of proceedings, the
control unit 72 determines whether the current cycle is the spin-drying cycle (136). - If the current cycle is not the rinsing cycle as a result of the determination of the
operation 136, thecontrol unit 72 returns to theoperation 128 to proceed with the interim spin-drying, and then proceeds with the operations that follow thereafter. - If the current cycle is the rinsing cycle as a result of the determination of the
operation 136, thecontrol unit 72 proceeds with the spin-drying cycle at the predetermined final spin-drying RPM approximately above the range of 700 RPM and 1,000 RPM (138). - During the bubble generating cycle, the driving profile of the
washing motor 15 configured to alternately rotate thedrum 12 forward and backward is illustrated onFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 5 is a graph showing the driving profile of the washing motor during the bubble generating cycle of the washing machine in accordance with an embodiment. - On
FIG. 5 , with respect to the bubble generating cycle, after the water, that is, the washing water, is supplied to an inside thedrum 12, friction is generated at the water, that is, the detergent water to be specific, in between thedrum 12 and thetub 11, by alternately rotating thedrum 12, while thewashing motor 15 is maintained at the predetermined RPM, that is, the RPM at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM at which friction is generated between the drum and the tub and bubbles may be generated by the friction, and is driven at the driving factor of about 14 seconds of the motor-ON/about 6 seconds of the motor-OFF. The large quantity of bubbles is generated by the friction of the water, that is, the detergent water, in between thedrum 12 and thetub 11, accelerates the dissolving of the detergent, and as the large quantity of the bubbles overflows toward a diaphragm of thedoor 19 positioned at a front surface of thedrum 12, the non-tangible quality that a user feels with respect to the washing performance in the course of washing is enhanced. - The bubble generating cycle as such is started after the supply of the washing water is finished. As to generate bubbles, when the diameter of the
drum 12 is approximately 500±50 mm, thewashing motor 15 is driven for more than 1 minutes, approximately for about 1 minute to 2 minutes, at the RPM at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM, and at this time, the driving of thewashing motor 15 is not performed in a continuous manner, but the ON-time and the OFF-time of thewashing motor 15 is repeated, as illustrated onFIG. 5 . The OFF-time is configured to induce the additional generation of the turbulent current through the stopping and driving of thedrum 12, other than the turbulent current caused by the alternately rotating of thedrum 12 forward and backward, and also configured to provide the time for the generated bubbles to move toward the diaphragm of thedoor 19 positioned at a front surface of thewashing machine 1. - The predetermined RPM, that is, the RPM in the approximate range of 80 RPM to 89 RPM, to generate bubbles is set to be higher than the washing RPM, that is, the RPM in the approximate range of 40 RPM to 50 RPM, and is set to be lower than the spin-drying RPM that is, the RPM greater than 700 RPM.
- In addition, the bubbles generated through the bubble generating cycle is dissipated after about 5 to 6 minutes, and thus, by proceeding with the additional rotation of the
drum 12 in an alternating manner forward and backward within about 5 minutes maximum to generate the large amount of the bubbles, so that the visibility of the bubbles may be maintained. - Next, the proceeding of the algorithm of the bubble generating cycle will be described by referring to
FIG. 6 . -
FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operations of the bubble generating cycle in accordance with an embodiment. - On
FIG. 6 , when the supply of the water, that is, the detergent water, in between thedrum 12 and thetub 11 is finished, thecontrol unit 72 changes the direction of the flow path toward thecirculation flow path 56 a by driving the flowpath switching valve 51 through the driving unit 74 (200). When the direction of the flow path of the flowpath switching valve 52 is changed toward thecirculation flow path 56 a, a circulation structure is provided as the water being discharged from thetub 11 is not drained to an outside, but is introduced again into thetub 11 through thecirculation pipe 56. - In the state when the direction of the flow path of the flow
path switching valve 52 is changed toward thecirculation flow path 56 a, thecontrol unit 72 drives thepump 51 through the drivingunit 74, and drives thewashing motor 15 toward a normal direction at the predetermined RPM at the rate of approximately 80 RPM and 89 RPM, hereinafter referred to as the bubble generating RPM (201). - Then, the
control unit 72 counts the period of time that the pump 41 is driven and thewashing motor 15 is driven at the normal direction at the bubble generating RPM, thereby determining whether a predetermined first period of time, which is approximately 14 seconds, is expired (202). - If the first period of time is not expired as a result of the determination from the
operation 202, thecontrol unit 72 returns to theoperation 201 and drives thepump 51, and drives thewashing motor 15 toward the normal direction at the bubble generating RPM until the first period of time is expired. - As the above, when the
pump 51 is driven, the water, that is, the detergent water, in between thedrum 12 and thetub 11 is being circulated through thecirculation pipe 56, and is introduced toward an lower side of an inside thetub 11, and when thewashing motor 15 is driven toward a normal direction during the first period of time, which is approximately 14 seconds, at the bubble generating RPM, thedrum 12 is strongly rotated toward one direction. According to the strong rotation of thedrum 12, a friction is generated at the water that is being introduced through thecirculation pipe 56 to an inside thetub 11, and as a result, turbulence is generated. By the generation of the turbulence by the circulation of the water and the rotation of thedrum 12, bubbles are generated to expedite the detergent dissolution. - If the first period of time is expired as a result of the determination from the
operation 202, thecontrol unit 72 stops thepump 51 and thewashing motor 15 through the driving unit 74 (204), and then by counting the period of time during which thepump 51 and thewashing motor 15 stop, determines whether a predetermined second period of time, which is approximately 6 seconds, is expired (206). - If the second period of time is not expired as a result of the determination from the
operation 206, thecontrol unit 72 returns to theoperation 204 and stops thepump 51 and thewashing motor 15 until the second period of time is expired. - As the above, after the driving of the
washing motor 15 toward a normal direction, when thewashing motor 15 is stopped for the second period of time, which is approximately 6 seconds, other than the turbulence by the rotation of thedrum 12, an additional generation of the turbulence is induced as thedrum 12 repeats the process of stopping and driving, and as the bubbles generated are moved toward the diaphragm of thedoor 19 positioned at a front surface of thewashing machine 1, the non-tangible quality that a user feels with respect to the washing performance in the course of washing is enhanced. - If the second period of time is expired as a result of the determination from the
operation 206, thecontrol unit 72 drives thepump 51 through the drivingunit 74, and drives thewashing motor 15 toward a reverse direction at the bubble generating RPM (208). - Then, the
control unit 72 counts the period of time during which thepump 51 is driven and thewashing motor 15 is driven toward the reverse direction at the bubble generating RPM, thereby determining whether the first period of time is expired (210). - If the first period of time is not expired as a result of the determination from the
operation 210, thecontrol unit 72 returns to theoperation 208 to drive thepump 51 while driving thewashing motor 15 toward the reverse direction at the bubble generating RPM until the first period of time is expired. - As the above, when the
pump 51 is driven, the water, that is, the detergent water, in between thedrum 12 and thetub 11 is being circulated through thecirculation pipe 56, and is introduced toward an lower side of an inside thetub 11, and when thewashing motor 15 is driven toward a reverse direction during the first period of time, which is approximately 14 seconds, at the bubble generating RPM, thedrum 12 is strongly rotated toward an opposite direction. At this time, in the state of generating the additional turbulence, according to the reaction of the strong rotation of thedrum 12 that rotates toward the opposite direction, a strong friction is generated at the water that is being introduced through thecirculation pipe 56 to an inside thetub 11, and as a result, turbulence is generated further stronger. By the strong generation of the turbulence by the rotation of thedrum 12 toward the opposite direction, a large quantity of bubbles is generated to expedite the detergent dissolution. - If the first period of time is expired as a result of the determination from the
operation 210, thecontrol unit 72 stops thepump 51 and thewashing motor 15 through the driving unit 74 (212), and then by counting the period of time during which thepump 51 and thewashing motor 15 stop, thereby determining whether the second period of time is expired (214). - If the second period of time is not expired as a result of the determination from the
operation 214, thecontrol unit 72 returns to theoperation 212 and stops thepump 51 and thewashing motor 15 until the second period of time is expired. - As the above, after the driving of the
washing motor 15 toward the reverse direction, when thewashing motor 15 is stopped for the second period of time, which is approximately 6 seconds, other than the strong turbulence by the rotation of thedrum 12 toward an opposite direction, an additional generation of the turbulence is induced as thedrum 12 repeats the process of stopping and driving, and as the bubbles generated overflow toward the diaphragm of thedoor 19 positioned at a front surface of thewashing machine 1, the visibility of the bubbles that a user feels is enhanced. - If the second period of time is expired as a result of the determination from the
operation 214, thecontrol unit 72 counts the period of the proceeding time of the bubble generating cycle according to the driving of thepump 51, as well as the driving of thewashing motor 15 toward a normal direction and a reverse direction (216). - Then, the
control unit 72 proceeds to theoperation 112, and determines whether the counted period of the proceeding time of the bubble generating cycle is exceeded with respect to the fifth period of time, which is approximately 1 minute to 2 minutes. As a result of the determination, if the fifth period of time, which is approximately 1 minute to 2 minutes is not expired, thecontrol unit 72 continues with the proceeding of the bubble generating cycle until the fifth period of time is expired. - When the fifth period of time is expired, the
control unit 72 determines that a large quantity of bubbles is generated at an inside thedrum 12, and finishes the bubble generating cycle. - In an aspect of an embodiment, the maintaining of the RPM of the motor of the bubble generating cycle at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM is described as an example, but embodiments are not limited hereto, and by maintaining the RPM of the motor of the bubble generating cycle at any RPM between the washing RPM, which is at the rate of about 40 RPM to 50 RPM, and the spin-drying RPM, which is approximately above 700 RPM, the objective and the effect that are same as one or more embodiments may be able to be attained.
- In addition, in an aspect of an embodiment, the maintaining of the RPM of the motor and the driving factor each at the same rate regardless of the number of the times by which the
drum 12 is alternately rotated forward and backward, when thedrum 12 is alternately rotated forward and backward for the fifth period of time by driving at the driving factor of about 14 seconds of the motor-ON/about 6 seconds of the motor-OFF while maintaining the RPM of the motor of the bubble generating cycle at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM, is described as an example, but one or more embodiments are not limited hereto, and even when the ON-time or the OFF-time of the driving factor of the motor is changed according to the number of the times by which thedrum 12 is alternately rotated forward and backward, the objective and the effect that are same as one or more embodiments may be able to be attained. - For example, by using a method to strongly perform the alternate rotation on the
drum 12 by driving at the driving factor of about 14 seconds of the motor-ON/about 6 seconds of the motor-OFF while maintaining the RPM of the motor of the bubble generating cycle at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM at the time of a first alternate rotation of thedrum 12 forward and backward, and to strongly perform the alternate rotation on thedrum 12 by driving at the driving factor of about 12 seconds of the motor-ON/about 6 seconds of the motor-OFF while maintaining the RPM of the motor of the bubble generating cycle at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM at the time of a second alternate rotation of thedrum 12 forward and backward, a large quantity of bubbles is generated by changing the ON-time of the driving factor of the motor as the alternate rotation of thedrum 12 is proceeded forward and backward. - In addition, by using a method to strongly perform an alternate rotation on the
drum 12 by driving at the driving factor of about 14 seconds of the motor-ON/about 6 seconds of the motor-OFF while maintaining the RPM of the motor of the bubble generating cycle at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM at the time of a first alternate rotation of thedrum 12 forward and backward, and to strongly perform an alternate rotation on thedrum 12 by driving at the driving factor of about 14 seconds of the motor-ON/about 4 seconds of the motor-OFF while maintaining the RPM of the motor of the bubble generating cycle at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM at the time of a second alternate rotation of thedrum 12, a large quantity of bubbles is generated by changing the OFF-time of the driving factor of the motor as the alternate rotation of thedrum 12 is proceeded forward and backward. - Other than the above, by using a method to strongly perform an alternate rotation on the
drum 12 by driving at the driving factor of about 14 seconds of the motor-ON/about 6 seconds of the motor-OFF while maintaining the RPM of the motor of the bubble generating cycle at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM at the time of a first alternate rotation of thedrum 12 forward and backward, and to strongly perform an alternate rotation on thedrum 12 by driving at the driving factor of about 12 seconds of the motor-ON/about 4 seconds of the motor-OFF while maintaining the RPM of the motor of the bubble generating cycle at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM at the time of a second alternate rotation of thedrum 12 forward and backward, a large quantity of bubbles is generated by changing the ON-time and the OFF-time of the driving factor of the motor as the alternate rotation of thedrum 12 is proceeded forward and backward. - In an aspect of an embodiment, the maintaining of the RPM of the motor and the driving factor each at the same rate regardless of the number of the proceedings of the bubble generating cycle, when the bubble generating cycle is proceeded at the driving factor of about 14 seconds of the motor-ON/about 6 seconds of the motor-OFF while maintaining the RPM of the motor of the bubble generating cycle at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM, is described as an example, but one or more embodiments are not limited hereto, and even when the ON-time or the OFF-time of the driving factor of the motor is changed according to the number of the proceedings of the bubble generating cycle, the objective and the effect that are same as one or more embodiments may be able to be attained.
- For example, by using a method to strongly perform an alternate rotation on the
drum 12 by driving at the driving factor of about 14 seconds of the motor-ON/about 6 seconds of the motor-OFF while maintaining the RPM of the motor of the bubble generating cycle at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM at the time of a first bubble generating cycle, and to strongly perform an alternate rotation on thedrum 12 by driving at the driving factor of about 12 seconds of the motor-ON/about 6 seconds of the motor-OFF while maintaining the RPM of the motor of the bubble generating cycle at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM at the time of a second bubble generating cycle, a large quantity of bubbles is generated by changing the ON-time of the driving factor of the motor according to the number of the proceedings of the bubble generating cycle. - In addition, by using a method to strongly perform an alternate rotation on the
drum 12 by driving at the driving factor of about 14 seconds of the motor-ON/about 6 seconds of the motor-OFF while maintaining the RPM of the motor of the bubble generating cycle at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM at the time of a first bubble generating cycle, and to strongly perform an alternate rotation on thedrum 12 by driving at the driving factor of about 14 seconds of the motor-ON/about 4 seconds of the motor-OFF while maintaining the RPM of the motor of the bubble generating cycle at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM at the time of a second bubble generating cycle, a large quantity of bubbles is generated by changing the OFF-time of the driving factor of the motor according to the number of the proceedings of the bubble generating cycle. - Other than the above, by using a method to strongly perform an alternate rotation on the
drum 12 by driving at the driving factor of about 14 seconds of the motor-ON/about 6 seconds of the motor-OFF while maintaining the RPM of the motor of the bubble generating cycle at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM at the time of a first bubble generating cycle, and to strongly perform an alternate rotation on thedrum 12 by driving at the driving factor of about 12 seconds of the motor-ON/about 4 seconds of the motor-OFF while maintaining the RPM of the motor of the bubble generating cycle at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM at the time of a second bubble generating cycle, a large quantity of bubbles is generated by changing the ON-time and the OFF-time of the driving factor of the motor according to the number of the proceedings of the bubble generating cycle. - In an aspect of an embodiment, the maintaining of the RPM of the motor and the driving factor each at the same rate regardless of the number of the proceedings of the bubble generating cycle, when the bubble generating cycle is proceeded at the driving factor of about 14 seconds of the motor-ON/about 6 seconds of the motor-OFF while maintaining the RPM of the motor of the bubble generating cycle at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM, is described as an example, but the one or more embodiments are not limited hereto, and even when the RPM of the motor is changed according to the number of the proceedings of the bubble generating cycle, the objective and the effect that are same as one or more embodiments may be able to be attained.
- In an aspect of an embodiment, the maintaining of the RPM of the motor and the driving factor each at the same rate regardless of the number of the alternate rotations of the
drum 12 forward and backward, when thedrum 12 is alternately rotated forward and backward for the fifth period of time by driving at the driving factor of about 14 seconds of the motor-ON/about 6 seconds of the motor-OFF while maintaining the RPM of the motor of the bubble generating cycle at the rate of about 80 RPM to 89 RPM, is described as an example, but one or more embodiments are not limited hereto, and even when the RPM of the motor is changed according to the number of the alternate rotation of thedrum 12 forward and backward, the objective and the effect that are same as one or more embodiments may be able to be attained. - Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
Claims (34)
1. A method of controlling a washing machine provided with a tub, a drum rotatably installed inside the tub, and a pump configured to circulate water in the tub, the method comprising:
(a) rotating the drum toward one direction for a first period of time after supplying washing water to the tub;
(b) stopping the drum for a second period of time after rotating the drum toward the one direction;
(c) rotating the drum toward an opposite direction opposite to the one direction for a third period of time after the second period of time is expired; and
(d) stopping the drum for a fourth period of time after rotating the drum toward the opposite direction,
wherein during a forward/backward alternate operation of the drum comprising (a) to (d), a bubble generating cycle to generate bubbles through rotation of the drum and friction of the circulated water is performed by driving the pump.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the bubble generating cycle is performed after a water supplying cycle in which water and detergent are supplied to the tub to perform a washing.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
a washing motor configured to rotate the drum,
wherein during the rotating of the drum toward the one direction, the washing motor is driven toward a normal direction for the first period of time while maintaining at a predetermined revolutions per minute (RPM).
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein:
during the rotating of the drum toward the opposite direction, the washing motor is driven toward a reverse direction for the third period of time while maintaining at a predetermined RPM.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein:
the first period of time is same as the third period of time.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein:
the second period of time is same as the fourth period of time.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein:
the second period of time is set to be shorter than the first period of time.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein:
the first period of time is about 14 seconds.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein:
the second period of time is about 6 seconds.
10. The method of claim 4 , wherein:
the first period of time is different from the third period of time.
11. The method of claim 4 , wherein:
the second period of time is different from the fourth period of time.
12. The method of claim 4 , wherein:
during the forward/backward alternate operation of the drum, the predetermined RPM is 80 RPM or above.
13. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:
during the forward/backward alternate operation of the drum, changing the RPM of the motor.
14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
during the forward/backward alternate operation of the drum, changing a driving time of the motor or a stopping time of the motor.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the forward/backward alternate operation of the drum comprising from (a) to (d) is performed for a predetermined period of time.
16. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
counting the number of proceedings of the bubble generating cycle, wherein if the counted number of proceedings of the bubble generating cycle reaches to a predetermined reference number of proceedings, the bubble generating cycle is finished.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein:
the predetermined reference number of proceedings is determined by considering a washing time at each washing cycle.
18. A washing machine, comprising:
a tub to accommodate water;
a drum rotatably installed inside the tub;
a washing motor configured to rotate the drum;
a flow path switching apparatus configured to switch a flow path of water such that water in the tub is drained or circulated; and
a control unit, after water and detergent are supplied to the tub, configured to perform a bubble generating cycle in which water in the tub is circulated by controlling the flow path switching apparatus and the drum is alternately rotated forward and backward by controlling the washing motor.
19. The washing machine of claim 18 , wherein:
the control unit, during the forward and backward alternate rotation of the drum, is configured to drive the washing motor at a predetermined revolutions per minute (RPM) and a predetermined driving factor.
20. The washing machine of claim 19 , wherein:
the control unit is configured to alternately rotate the drum while having the RPM of the motor at 80 RPM or above.
21. The washing machine of claim 20 , wherein:
the control unit, during the forward/backward alternate rotation of the drum, is configured to change the RPM of the motor.
22. The washing machine of claim 20 , wherein:
the control unit, during the forward/backward alternate rotation of the drum, is configured to change the driving factor of the motor.
23. The washing machine of claim 18 , wherein:
the control unit is configured to count a time that the forward/backward alternate rotation of the drum is performed, and to stop the forward/backward alternate rotation of the drum if the counted time reaches to a predetermined period of time.
24. The washing machine of claim 18 , wherein:
the flow path switching apparatus comprises a pump configured to pump the water in the tub, and a flow path switching valve configured to switch a flow path such that water being discharged from the tub is drained to an outside or the water is circulated to the tub.
25. A method of controlling a washing machine provided with a tub, a drum rotatably installed inside the tub, a washing motor to rotate the drum, and a pump configured to circulate water in the tub, the method comprising:
supplying water and detergent to the tub;
performing a bubble generating cycle, in which water being discharged from the tub is circulated to the tub by driving the pump at the same time of alternately rotating the drum forward and backward by driving the washing motor at a predetermined revolutions per minute (RPM) and a predetermined driving factor; and
performing a washing cycle, in which the drum alternately rotates forward and backward, by driving the washing motor at a target RPM and a target driving factor,
wherein a proceeding time of the bubble generating cycle and a proceeding time of the washing cycle are counted, and if the counted proceeding time of the bubble generating cycle and the counted proceeding time of the washing cycle pass over a predetermined period of time, the bubble generating cycle and the washing cycle are alternately performed with each other.
26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the bubble generating cycle comprises:
rotating the drum toward one direction for a first period of time;
stopping the drum for a second period of time after rotating the drum toward the one direction;
rotating the drum toward an opposite direction for the first period of time after the second period of time is expired; and
stopping the drum for the second period of time after rotating the drum toward the opposite direction.
27. The method of claim 25 , wherein:
the bubble generating cycle comprises generating bubbles through rotation of the drum and friction of the circulated water by driving the pump during the forward and backward alternate rotation of the drum.
28. The method of claim 26 , wherein:
the bubble generating cycle comprises driving the washing motor toward a normal direction or toward a reverse direction for the first period of time while maintaining the washing motor at the predetermined RPM during the forward and backward alternate rotation of the drum.
29. The method of claim 25 , wherein:
the predetermined RPM of the washing motor of the bubble generating cycle is set to be higher than the target RPM of the washing motor of the washing cycle.
30. The method of claim 25 , wherein:
a proceeding time of the bubble generating cycle is set to be shorter than a proceeding time of the washing cycle.
31. The method of claim 25 , further comprising:
counting the number of proceedings of the bubble generating cycle, and
finishing the bubble generating cycle when the counted number of the proceedings reaches to a predetermined reference number of proceedings.
32. The method of claim 31 , further comprising:
only performing the washing cycle during a remaining washing time after the finishing of the bubble generating cycle.
33. The method of claim 31 , wherein:
the predetermined reference number of proceedings is at least twice.
34. A method of controlling a washing machine provided with a tub, a drum rotatably installed inside the tub, a pump to pump water in the tub, and a flow path switching valve configured to switch a flow path to drain or circulate the water in the tub, the method comprising:
determining whether a current cycle is a washing cycle;
switching the flow path so that water being discharged from the tub is introduced to the tub by driving the flow path switching valve if determined as the washing cycle;
introducing the water being discharged from the tub by driving the pump to the tub; and
performing a bubble generating cycle to generate bubbles through friction of the water introduced to the tub and the drum by rotating the drum.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
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KR10-2012-0046673 | 2012-05-03 | ||
KR20120046673 | 2012-05-03 | ||
KR1020120112509A KR20130143474A (en) | 2012-05-03 | 2012-10-10 | Washing machine and control method thereof |
KR10-2012-0112509 | 2012-10-10 |
Publications (1)
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US20130291313A1 true US20130291313A1 (en) | 2013-11-07 |
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US13/886,409 Abandoned US20130291313A1 (en) | 2012-05-03 | 2013-05-03 | Washing machine and control method thereof |
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US (1) | US20130291313A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2660379A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN103382633A (en) |
Cited By (5)
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CN110506140A (en) * | 2017-04-05 | 2019-11-26 | 东芝生活电器株式会社 | Washing machine |
US11021827B2 (en) * | 2015-10-02 | 2021-06-01 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Method for controlling washing machine |
US20210198829A1 (en) * | 2019-12-30 | 2021-07-01 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Washing machine and control method thereof |
JP2021536290A (en) * | 2018-08-30 | 2021-12-27 | エルジー エレクトロニクス インコーポレイティドLg Electronics Inc. | Washing machine |
US11242634B2 (en) | 2018-02-19 | 2022-02-08 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Clothes treatment apparatus and method for controlling the same |
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EP3002356B1 (en) * | 2014-10-03 | 2017-04-12 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Laundry washing machine and control method thereof |
CN107304507A (en) * | 2016-04-21 | 2017-10-31 | 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 | The clothes washing method and washing machine of a kind of washing machine |
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KR101138881B1 (en) * | 2006-06-19 | 2012-05-15 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Washing machine and method to control laundry thereof |
US8522380B2 (en) * | 2006-06-19 | 2013-09-03 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Control method of washing machine |
KR20120043932A (en) * | 2010-10-27 | 2012-05-07 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Washing machine and method to control thereof |
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2013
- 2013-05-03 US US13/886,409 patent/US20130291313A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2013-05-03 CN CN2013101607337A patent/CN103382633A/en active Pending
- 2013-05-03 EP EP13166422.9A patent/EP2660379A1/en not_active Withdrawn
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US7127767B2 (en) * | 2002-05-09 | 2006-10-31 | Whirlpool Corporation | Time-varying agitator oscillations in an automatic washer |
US20100236000A1 (en) * | 2009-03-23 | 2010-09-23 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Washing machine and control method thereof |
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US11021827B2 (en) * | 2015-10-02 | 2021-06-01 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Method for controlling washing machine |
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US11242634B2 (en) | 2018-02-19 | 2022-02-08 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Clothes treatment apparatus and method for controlling the same |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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CN103382633A (en) | 2013-11-06 |
EP2660379A1 (en) | 2013-11-06 |
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