Classifications

• • 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
  • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
  • D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers 
  • D06F58/26—Heating arrangements, e.g. gas heating equipment
• • 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
  • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
  • D06F58/32—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers 
  • D06F58/34—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers  characterised by the purpose or target of the control
  • D06F58/46—Control of the operating time
• • 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
  • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
  • D06F58/02—Domestic laundry dryers having dryer drums rotating about a horizontal axis
  • D06F58/04—Details 
• • 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
  • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
  • D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers 
  • D06F58/24—Condensing arrangements
• • 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
  • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
  • D06F58/32—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers 
  • D06F58/34—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers  characterised by the purpose or target of the control
  • D06F58/36—Control of operational steps, e.g. for optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
  • D06F58/38—Control of operational steps, e.g. for optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of drying, e.g. to achieve the target humidity
• • 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
  • D06F2101/00—User input for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
  • D06F2101/20—Operation modes, e.g. delicate laundry washing programs, service modes or refreshment cycles
• • 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
• • 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
  • D06F2103/26—Imbalance; Noise level
• • 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
  • D06F2103/28—Air properties
  • D06F2103/32—Temperature
• • 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
  • D06F2103/38—Time, e.g. duration
• • 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
  • D06F2105/28—Electric heating
• • 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
  • D06F2105/30—Blowers
• • 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
  • D06F2105/36—Condensing arrangements, e.g. control of water injection therefor
• • 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
  • D06F2105/46—Drum speed; Actuation of motors, e.g. starting or interrupting
• • 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
  • D06F2105/56—Remaining operation time; Remaining operational cycles
• • 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
  • D06F2105/58—Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• • 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
  • D06F25/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and having further drying means, e.g. using hot air 
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
  • Y02B40/00—Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a drum type washing machine, and more particularly, to a drum type washing machine having a short time for drying laundry and a drying method thereof.
• a drum type washing machine is designed such that a cylindrical drum in a washing tub is rotated to drop laundry from the upper side of the drum to the lower side of the drum to wash the laundry during the rotation of the drum.
• the drum type washing machine has properties such that damage of the laundry caused by tangling of the laundry is relatively less than that in a pulsator type washing machine and an agitator type washing machine and the quantity of washing water used in washing the laundry is relatively less than that in the pulsator type washing machine and the agitator type washing machine.
• the drum type washing machine dries the laundry that is completely washed using a dryer including a drying heater and a blower fan and a condenser for removing moisture in air by condensing humidity in air.
• the drying process is as follows.
• FlG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a drying cycle of a conventional drum type washing machine.
• the humidity, contained in the air due to moisture separated from the laundry is condensed by condensing water introduced into the condenser (S40) and is exhausted out of the drum type washing machine (S50).
• the conventional drying method can increase drying efficiency of the laundry and it is possible to prevent undesired power consumption and excessive use of condensing water.
• the laundry since the laundry is always dried at the same temperature in the conventional drying method, the laundry may be damaged as the drying cycle is carried out when the laundry is dried at high temperature, and it may take a long time for drying laundry when the laundry is dried at low temperature.
• the drying cycle may be finished before the drying of laundry is not yet finished, resulting in incomplete drying of the laundry. Otherwise, the drying cycle is continued even after the drying is finished so that the laundry may be damaged.
• the conventional drying method dries the laundry at low temperature and as a result, it takes a long time to dry laundry. Moreover, the laundry may be incompletely dried so that the drying efficiency may be deteriorated.
• the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a drying method of a drum type washing machine of controlling temperature of air supplied into a drum, RPM of the drum, and switching a drying heater on or off according to the temperature of air to reduce time for drying laundry and a drum type washing machine using the same.
• a drum type washing machine including a tub including a drum into which laundry is put, a drum motor for rotating the drum, a drying duct installed to communicate with the tub and to provide a path through which air, heated by a drying heater that is installed therein, flows, a blower installed at a side of the drying duct to supply air heated by the drying heater to the tub through the drying duct, a first temperature sensor installed in the drying duct to detect temperature of air to be supplied to the tub, and a microcomputer for dividing the temperature of air in the tub during a drying cycle into a first temperature range and a second temperature range, maintaining the temperature of air to be supplied to the tub within the first and second temperature ranges by controlling the drying heater during drying processes corresponding to the first and second temperature ranges, and controlling an RPM of the drum motor, when the first temperature sensor detects temperature of the drying duct.
• the drum type washing machine further includes a condenser for supplying condensing water to a wall of a condensing duct disposed between the tub and the blower to condense water vapor, in the wet condensing duct, formed during the drying cycle, and the first temperature sensor is installed at a side of the tub.
• the drum type washing machine further includes a second temperature sensor for detecting temperature in the tub and outputting the detected temperature to the microcomputer, wherein the second temperature sensor is installed between the tub and the drum to control the RPM of the drum motor based on the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor.
• a method of drying laundry includes the steps of (1) detecting temperature in a tub by a second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the tub when a drying mode is selected, (2) rotating a drum within a first motor driving range for a first predetermined time by a drum motor for rotating the drum when temperature detected by the second temperature sensor is less than a reference temperature, and of rotating the drum motor within a second motor driving range after that and heating and supplying air in a drying duct within a first temperature range by a drying heater and a blower which are installed in the drying duct communicated with the tub for a second predetermined time, (3) supplying condensing water to a wall of a condensing duct disposed between the tub and the blower to condense water vapor in the drying duct, when the second predetermined time has elapsed, and (4) rotating the drum within the first motor driving range by the drum motor for the first predetermined time when the second predetermined time has elapsed, and of rotating the drum motor
• the temperature, detected by the second temperature sensor for detecting inner temperature of the tub is equal to or greater than a reference temperature, preferably 50 degrees centigrade, only a sub-step (b) among sub-steps (a) and (b) is carried out.
• the reference temperature is 50 degrees centigrade
• the first predetermined time is 10 minutes
• the first motor driving range is 1000 RPM to 1200 RPM
• the second motor driving range is 40 RPM to 60 RPM
• he first temperature range is 110 degrees centigrade to 120 degrees centigrade
• the second temperature range is 95 degrees centigrade to 105 degrees centigrade.
• step (2) the drum motor is driven at an allowable maximal RPM of the drum type washing machine.
• Each of methods of drying laundry according to second, third, and fourth preferred embodiments of the present invention includes the steps of (1) detecting temperature of air in a tub including a drum and a drying duct communicating with the tub by a first temperature sensor when a drying mode is selected, (2) controlling a drying heater based on the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor to heat air in the drying duct within a first temperature range and to supply the heated air to the tub using a blower, (3) supplying condensing water to a wall of a condensing duct disposed between the tub and the blower to condense water vapor in the drying duct, and (4) controlling the drying heater based on the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor to heat air in the drying duct within a second temperature range such that the heated air is supplied to the tub by the blower.
• the step (1) includes the sub-step of measuring eccentricity of the drum and performing an detangling cycle when the measure eccentricity is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference eccentricity.
• the step (2) includes the sub-steps of (a) driving a drum motor for rotating the drum within a first motor driving range, and (b) driving the drum motor within a second motor driving range.
• the step (1) further includes the sub-steps of measuring the quantity of laundry when a completely drying mode is selected from the drying modes and the sub-step (a) is finished, and of estimating and displaying an expected remaining time of a drying cycle according to the measured quantity of laundry.
• step (2) when temperature, detected by a second temperature sensor for detecting inner temperature of the tub, is equal to or greater than a reference temperature, preferably 50 degrees centigrade, only the sub-step (b) among the sub- steps (a) and (b) is carried out.
• a reference temperature preferably 50 degrees centigrade
• step (3) a slope with respect to temperature change in the tub, which is detected by the second temperature sensor for detecting the inner temperature of the tub, is estimated, and when the detected slope is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference slope, the step (3) is carried out.
• the sub-steps (a) and (b) are carried out for a predetermined time within the first motor driving range and the second motor driving range, respectively.
• the first motor driving range is 1000 RPM to 1200 RPM
• the second motor driving range is 40 RPM to 60 RPM
• the first temperature range is 110 degrees centigrade to 120 degrees centigrade
• the second temperature range is 95 degrees centigrade to 105 degrees centigrade.
• FlG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a drying cycle of a conventional drum type washing machine
• FlG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating a drum type washing machine according a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• FlG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the drum type washing machine according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention
• FlG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a drying cycle of a drum type washing machine according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention
• FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts illustrating respective drying cycles in FlG. 4;
• FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 are flowcharts illustrating respective drying cycles in FlG. 7;
• FlG. 11 is a graph illustrating the relation between temperature and time during the drying cycle of the drum type washing machine according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention
• FlG. 12 is a graph illustrating the relation between temperature and time with respect to the quantity of laundry during the drying cycle of the drum type washing machine according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention
• FlG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a drying cycle of a drum type washing machine according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention
• FlG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a drying cycle of a drum type washing machine according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• FlG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating a drum type washing machine according a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• FlG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the drum type washing machine according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• the drum type washing machine 100 washes laundry by rotating a cylindrical drum within a washing tub and by dropping the laundry from the upper side of the drum to the lower side of the drum.
• the drum type washing machine 100 includes a housing 111 for forming an external appearance of the drum type washing machine 100, a tub 131 installed in the housing 111, a drum 130 rotated within the tub 131 to serve as the washing tub, a drum motor installed in the rear side of the drum 130 to rotate the drum 130, a drier 120 for drying the laundry, and a condenser 118 for removing moisture contained in internal air.
• a washing water supplying pipe 105 is provided to supply washing water from the exterior, and the washing water that is supplied through the washing water supplying pipe 105 is supplied into the tub 131 via a detergent container 106 for accommodating detergent.
• an exhaust pump 151 and an exhaust pipe 152 are provided to exhaust the washing water, used during the washing process, to the exterior.
• a door 102 is installed in the front side of the drum type washing machine 100.
• the front side means the left side in FlG. 2
• the rear side means the right side in FlG. 2.
• a plurality of holes is formed such that the washing water and air may flow therethrough. Through the holes formed in the drum 130, air in the drum 130 flows into a space formed between the drum 130 and the tub 131.
• the drier 120 jets warm air into the drum 130 to dry the laundry.
• the drier 120 heats and circulates air in order to dry the laundry in the drum 130.
• the drier 120 includes a drying heater 122 as a heating device for heating air and a blower for circulating air heated by the drying heater 122.
• the blower includes a blower fan motor (not shown) and a blower fan (not shown). The blower fan motor is driven to rotate the blower fan such that air heated by the drying heater 122 as described above is supplied into the tub 131 via the drying duct 112 when a drying cycle is carried out.
• the drier 120 includes a drying duct 112 for providing a path through which the heated air flows into the tub 131 and an air discharging part 114 communicated with the inside of the tub 131.
• An end 123 of the drying duct 112 is opened such that the heated air flows into the tub 131.
• the end 123 of the drying duct 112 may be installed to allow the heated air to flow into the drum 130.
• a first temperature sensor 115 is installed to detect temperature of air heated by the drying heater 112 and to output a detected data to a microcomputer 160 shown in FlG. 3.
• the first temperature sensor 115 is preferably installed at a side of the tub 131, that is, a side of the air discharging part 114.
• the drying heater 122 and the blower 121 of the drier 120 are turned on or off, according to a control signal outputted from the microcomputer 160 caused by the detected data that is inputted from the first temperature sensor 115, to perform the drying cycle in the washing machine of the present invention. This will be described in detail with reference to FlG. 3.
• the drying heater 122 is installed in the drying duct 112 between the blower 121 and an air introducing port 123.
• an electric heater for generating heat using electric current is used, and temperature of the drying heater 122 is controlled by a thermistor 125 that is installed in the air discharging part 114.
• the condenser 118 is disposed between the blower 121 and the tub 131 to remove moisture from the heated air using the principle as described above.
• the condenser 118 is connected to the washing water supplying pipe 105 that is installed in the upper side of the drum type washing machine 100 through which condensing water, supplied through a condensing water supplying pipe 113, can flow toward a wall of a condensing duct 116 such that high-temperature-and-high-humidity air in the condensing duct 116 contacts the condensing water with a relative lower temperature so that water vapor is condensed, resulting in removing moisture in the drum 130.
• a second temperature sensor is installed between the tub 131 and the drum 130 to detect washing temperature.
• the second temperature sensor 132 detects temperature of air in the tub 131 and outputs detected data to the microcomputer 160.
• the microcomputer 160 performs the drying cycle according to the detected data inputted from the second temperature sensor 132.
• the drum type washing machine 100 supplies the heated air from the drying duct 112 to the tub 131 for drying the laundry, and air discharged from the tub passes through the condensing duct 116 and meets the condensing water, and then is liquefied into water.
• the liquefied water is exhausted out through the exhaust pipe 151 via the lower side of the tub 131.
• the drum type washing machine 100 includes an air discharging part
• a side of the air discharging part 114 is communicated with the tub 131 and the other side 117a of the air discharging part 114 is communicated with the exterior.
• an extension part 117 where a fan (not shown) driven by a motor (not shown) is installed and a filter 119 is installed in the extension part 117.
• the display 180 displays key manipulations performed by a user, key manipulation result, and time of manipulation result.
• the display 180 is structured to display an expected remaining time of the drying cycle that is estimated by the microcomputer 170 such that the user can confirm time of finishing the drying cycle, when the user selects a complete mode among the drying mode through key input section 170.
• the drying mode is divided into a complete drying mode and a time drying mode.
• the complete drying mode is a mode where the drying cycle is continued until the laundry is completely dried
• the time drying mode is a mode where the drying mode is carried out only for a predetermined time.
• the complete drying mode it is advantageous that the drying cycle is carried out until the laundry is completely dried, but it takes a lot of time for the complete drying of the laundry and a great deal of electric power is required.
• the time drying mode has advantages and disadvantages opposite to those of the complete drying mode.
• the microcomputer 160 of the drum type washing machine determines whether or not temperature of air in the tub 131 that is inputted from the second temperature sensor 132 is equal to or greater than a reference temperature when the user selects the drying mode through the key input section 170 of the drum type washing machine 100.
• the microcomputer 160 performs the corresponding drying process according to whether or not the inputted air temperature is equal to or greater than the reference temperature, and controls the drum motor 140 and the drier 120 to perform the drying process of the present invention during respective drying processes.
• microcomputer 160 The operation of the microcomputer 160 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 14 illustrating the drying method according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• the drying method of the drum type washing machine is roughly divided into a main drying step and an auxiliary drying step.
• the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail according to whether the drum motor 140 is rotated at high speed within a first motor driving range and the drying heater 122 supplies heat simultaneously or for a time interval, based on an allowable current when the user selects the drying mode through the key input section 170.
• the allowable current in a case of rotating the drum motor 140 at high speed within the first motor driving range and supplying heat by the drying heater 122 simultaneously, the allowable current must be 15 A. However, in a case of rotating the drum motor 140 at high speed within the first motor driving range and supplying heat by the drying heater 122 for a time interval, 10 A is sufficient for the allowable current.
• FIGS. 7 to 12 illustrate the second preferred embodiment of the present invention carried out by selecting the completely drying mode
• FIG. 13 illustrates the third preferred embodiment of the present invention carried out by selecting the time drying mode
• FIG. 14 illustrates the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention of performing the auxiliary drying step and the main drying step according to a magnitude of a slope by estimating the slope with respect to temperature changes.
• the first preferred embodiment of the present invention can be applied to the completely drying mode and the time drying mode like the second, third, and fourth preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 illustrates the completely drying mode, and the same description as that of the time drying mode will be omitted.
• FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the drying cycle of the drum type washing machine according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention
• FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts illustrating respective drying cycles in FIG. 4.
• the drying method of a drum type washing machine is a method in which heat is not applied to the laundry when the drum motor 140 is driven with the first motor driving range, but in which heat is applied when the drum motor 140 is driven within a second motor driving range after that.
• the user firstly selects the drying mode through the key input section 170 (S710), and selects the completely drying mode of the drying modes, and then an eccentricity is measured (S720).
• the measured eccentricity is compared with a predetermined reference eccentricity. Whether the measured eccentricity is equal to or greater than the reference eccentricity is determined (S730), and when the measured eccentricity is equal to or greater than the reference eccentricity, a detangling cycle is performed (S735) to adjust the eccentricity.
• the detangling cycle is not carried out and the second temperature sensor 132 detects temperature in the tub 131 (S740) to output the detected data to the microcomputer 160.
• the microcomputer 160 determines whether or not the measured temperature in the tub 131 is equal to or greater than a reference temperature, preferably, 50 degrees centigrade, based on the detected data (S750).
• the second temperature sensor 132 detects the inner temperature of the tub 131 and the detected temperature is compared with the reference temperature such that the next processes are carried out, is to prevent the laundry from damage when air heated in the auxiliary drying step is supplied because the laundry is sufficiently heated when the inner temperature of the tub 131 is equal to or greater than the reference temperature, and to perform a power failure compensation when the electricity is cut off during the drying cycle.
• the drum motor 140 is driven within a first motor driving range, 1000 RPM to 1200 RPM and a second motor driving range, 40 RPM to 60 RPM for a time interval, and when the drum motor 140 is driven within the second motor driving range, the drying heater 122 and the blower fan are driven within a temperature range where temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 151 is within the first temperature range.
• the first motor driving range may be variously determined according to models of the drum type washing machine.
• the first motor driving range is increased as the capacity of the drum type washing machine is increased.
• the drum motor 140 is driven at a maximal RPM allowed in the corresponding drum type washing machine.
• the drum motor 140 of the drum type washing machine is preferably driven, for example, at the allowable maximal RPM, 1200 RPM when the drum type is of an 11 Kg model, and at 1400 RPM when the drum type washing machine is of a 14 Kg model.
• time is counted and whether or not a second predetermined time, preferably, 40 minutes has elapsed is determined (S766), and it is continued until the second predetermined time has elapsed.
• the main drying step is performed (S780).
• the drum motor 140 is driven within the first motor driving range (S781) and whether or not the first predetermined time, 10 minutes, has elapsed is determined (S782) such that the drum motor 140 is driven within the first motor driving range until the first predetermined time has elapsed.
• FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a drying cycle of a drum type washing machine according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention
• FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 are flowcharts illustrating respective drying cycles in FlG. 7
• FlG. 11 is a graph illustrating the relation between temperature and time during the drying cycle of the drum type washing machine according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention
• FlG. 12 is a graph illustrating the relation between temperature and time with respect to the quantity of laundry during the drying cycle of the drum type washing machine according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• the drying method of a drum type washing machine includes the steps of selecting the drying mode through the key input section 170 by the user (Sl 10), and measuring the eccentricity when the user selects the completely drying mode of the drying modes (S 120).
• the measured eccentricity is compared with the predetermined eccentricity and whether or not the measured eccentricity is equal to or greater than the reference eccentricity is determined (S 130).
• the detangling process is carried out (S 132) to adjust the eccentricity.
• the second temperature sensor 132 detects the inner temperature of the tub
• the microcomputer 160 determines whether the detected data, that is, the inner temperature of the tub 131 is equal to or greater than the reference temperature, preferably, 50 degrees centigrade (S 150).
• the second temperature sensor 132 detects the inner temperature of the tub 131 and the detected temperature is compared with the reference temperature such that the next processes are carried out based on the compared result, is to prevent the laundry from damage when air heated in the auxiliary drying step is supplied because the laundry is sufficiently heated when the inner temperature of the tub 131 is equal to or greater than the reference temperature, and to perform a power failure compensation when the electricity is cut off during the drying cycle.
• the drum motor 140 is driven within the first motor driving range, preferably, within 1000 RPM to 1200 RPM and the drying heater 122 and the blower 121 are driven (S 161).
• the drum motor 140 starts to drive within the first motor driving range and as time is simultaneously counted.
• the first temperature sensor 115 detects temperature of air heated by the drying heater 122 and outputs the detected temperature to the microcomputer 160.
• the microcomputer 160 controls the temperature of air heated by the drying heater 122 so as to maintain it within the predetermined first temperature range T2 to Tl.
• the first temperature sensor 115 detects the temperature of air heated by the drying heater 122 and continues to output the detected temperature of air to the microcomputer 160.
• the microcomputer 160 determines whether or not the detected data, that is, the detected temperature inputted from the first temperature sensor 115 is greater than the predetermined temperature Tl (S 163).
• the microcomputer 160 stops the drying heater 122 (S 165) and determines whether the detected data is equal to or less than the second predetermined temperature T2 after stopping the drying heater 122 (S 167).
• the microcomputer 160 repeats the process of driving the drying heater 122 (S 169).
• temperature of air supplied to the tub 131 is maintained within the first temperature range T2 to Tl, that is, 110 degrees centigrade to 120 degrees centigrade.
• the quantity of laundry is detected by detecting the humidity of the laundry after driving the drum motor 140 within the first motor driving range.
• the drying time at the weight of laundry is displayed as an experimental value to obtain the expected remaining time of the drying cycle.
• the detected quantity of laundry may be used as a reference data by taking the dehydration rate similarly appeared at a specific RPM into consideration when whether or not the laundry is completely dried is checked.
• the drum motor 140 is driven at the second motor driving range, 40 RPM to 60 RPM (S191), and the drying heater 122 and the blower 121 are driven (S191).
• the drum motor 140 starts to drive within the second motor driving range and simultaneously counts time.
• the first temperature sensor 115 detects temperature of air heated by the drying heater 122 and outputs the detected temperature of air to the microcomputer 160.
• the microcomputer 160 controls temperature of air heated by the drying heater 122 to be maintained within the first temperature range T2 to Tl.
• the first temperature sensor 115 detects the temperature of air heated by the drying heater 122 and continues to output the detected temperature of air to the microcomputer 160.
• the microcomputer 160 determines whether or not the detected data, that is, the detected temperature inputted from the first temperature sensor 115 is greater than the predetermined temperature Tl (S 193).
• the microcomputer 160 stops the drying heater 122 (S 195) and determines whether the detected data is equal to or less than the second predetermined temperature T2 after stopping the drying heater 122 (S 197).
• the microcomputer 160 repeats the process of driving the drying heater 122 (S 199) again.
• temperature of air supplied to the tub 131 is maintained within the first temperature range, that is, 110 degrees centigrade to 120 degrees centigrade.
• the first auxiliary drying process After the beginning of the first auxiliary drying process, whether or not a predetermined time t2, preferably, 20 minutes has elapsed is determined, the first auxiliary drying process is continued until the predetermined time t2 has elapsed. Thus, to carry out the first auxiliary drying process and the second auxiliary drying process, it takes about 40 minutes.
• the reason why the predetermined time t2 is set to 20 minutes and time until the second auxiliary drying process is finished is set to 40 minutes, is that it takes 40 minutes until the second auxiliary drying process is finished according to a curve of a reference temperature experimentally performed with respect to a general quantity of 10 Kg of laundry.
• the determined time t2 can be variously determined.
• the condensing water as described above, is supplied through the condensing water supplying pipe 113 by a valve for controlling the supply of the condensing water and moisture contained in air is removed during the condensing process.
• the condensed water is exhausted to the exterior through the exhaust pipe 152 via the lower side of the tub 131.
• the drum motor 140 is driven within the second motor driving range, preferably, 40 RPM to 60 RPM, and the drying heater 122 and the blower 121 are driven (S211).
• the drum motor 140 rotates at low speed and the heated air is supplied. Since the laundry is heated at temperature suitable to dry during the first and second auxiliary processes, the laundry is easily dried.
• the first temperature sensor 115 detects temperature of air heated by the drying heater 122 and outputs the detected temperature of air to the microcomputer 160.
• the microcomputer 160 controls temperature of air heated by the drying heater 122 to be maintained within a second temperature range T4 to T3, preferably, 95 degrees centigrade to 105 degrees centigrade.
• the first temperature sensor 115 detects the temperature of air heated by the drying heater 122 and continues to output the detected temperature of air to the microcomputer 160.
• the microcomputer 160 determines whether or not the detected data, that is, the detected temperature inputted from the first temperature sensor 115 is greater than the predetermined temperature T3, that is, 105 degrees centigrade (S213).
• the microcomputer 160 stops the drying heater 122 (S215) and determines whether the detected data is equal to or less than the predetermined temperature T4, that is, 95 degrees centigrade after stopping the drying heater 122 (S217).
• the microcomputer 160 repeats the process of driving the drying heater 122.
• temperature of air supplied to the tub 131 is maintained within 95 degrees centigrade to 105 degrees centigrade.
• the main drying step (S210) is preferably carried out for a predetermined time, for example, 10 minutes to 20 minutes.
• the drying method according to this preferred embodiment of the present invention may be carried out in various ways according to the quantity of laundry. As described above, according to the quantity of laundry, time when the second auxiliary drying process is finished is different from time when the main drying step is started. The slopes with respect to the temperature change during the first and second auxiliary drying processes are different from each other.
• the expected remaining time is varied according to a range of the respective quantities of laundry, it is possible to determine a completion time A of the drying cycle when the completion of drying is achieved from the above-mentioned graph, that is, the completely drying time can be determined from the time period where temperature suddenly rises after the complete drying.
• FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a drying cycle of a drum type washing machine according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• the drying method of a drum type washing machine according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention is similar as that according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• the drying method according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention relates a drying method in a case of selecting the time drying mode different from the case of selecting the completely drying mode when the user selects the drying mode in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• the second temperature sensor 132 It is determined whether or not the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 132 is equal to or greater than a reference temperature, preferably, 50 degrees centigrade (S350). When the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 132 is less than the reference temperature, the first auxiliary drying process (S360) is carried out for the predetermined time tl within the first motor driving range of 1000 RPM to 1200 RPM (S360 to S370).
• a reference temperature preferably, 50 degrees centigrade
• the first auxiliary drying process (S360) is not carried out but the processes after the first auxiliary drying process (S360) are carried out.
• the second auxiliary drying process (S370) is carried out.
• a process of drying laundry is carried out until the predetermined time t2 has elapsed by driving the drum motor 140 within the second motor driving range, preferably, 40 RPM to 60 RPM and maintaining temperature of air to be supplied to the tub 131 at the first temperature range T2 to Tl.
• the drum motor 140 is driven within the second motor driving range of 40 RPM to 60 RPM and temperature of air to be supplied to the tub 131 is maintained within the second temperature range T4 to T3, preferably, 95 degrees centigrade to 105 degrees centigrade so that the main drying step (S390) of drying laundry is carried out according to the time drying mode until the drying time has elapsed (S400).
• the drying time is set and the drying process is carried out only for the drying time.
• the process of obtaining the expected remaining time of the drying cycle by detecting the quantity of laundry is not carried out unlike the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, and it is not determined whether or not the laundry is completely dried. Therefore, when the predetermined drying time has elapsed, the drying process is finished by force.
• FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a drying cycle of a drum type washing machine according to the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• the drying method according to this preferred embodiment of the present invention can be applied without determining whether the drying mode is the completely drying mode or the time drying mode, the drying method according to this preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with respect to, for example, a case of selecting the completely drying mode. Since the case of selecting the time drying mode is similar as that of the completely drying mode and has been described in the third preferred embodiment of the present invention, its detail description will be omitted herein.
• the eccentricity is measured (S520) and it is determined whether or not the measured eccentricity is equal to or greater than the reference eccentricity (S530).
• the detangling cycle is carried out (S532).
• the second temperature sensor 132 detects temperature of air in the tub 131 (S540) and outputs the detected temperature.
• the first auxiliary drying process is carried out such that the drum motor 140 is driven within the first motor driving range, that is, at high speed of 1000 RPM to 1200 RPM and temperature of air to be supplied to the tub 131 is maintained within the first temperature range T2 to Tl, preferably, 110 degrees centigrade to 120 degrees centigrade (S560).
• the slope with respect to the temperature change detected by the second temperature sensor 132 is greater than a predetermined reference slope (S570). When the slope is equal to or greater than the reference slope, the first auxiliary drying process is finished and the next processes are carried out.
• the first auxiliary drying process is not carried out (S560) and the processes after the first auxiliary drying process (S560) are carried out.
• the first auxiliary drying process for the predetermined times tl and t2 as well as based on the slope with respect to temperature change.
• the first auxiliary drying process is carried out for the predetermined time tl, if the slope with respect to the temperature change is equal to or greater than the reference slope, the first auxiliary drying process is not carried out further and the next processes may be carried out even when the predetermined time tl is not elapsed.
• time of the drying cycle can be reduced and the laundry can be effectively dried without damage.
• the second auxiliary drying process is carried out as a next process (S600).
• the second auxiliary drying process (S600) it is determined whether or not the slope with respect to the temperature change detected by the second temperature sensor 132 is equal to or greater than the predetermined reference slope (S610), like the first auxiliary drying process.
• the slope with respect to the temperature change is less than the reference slope, a process of drying laundry is carried out by driving the drum motor 140 within the second motor driving range, that is, at low speed of 40 RPM to 60 RPM and maintaining temperature of air to be supplied to the tub 131 within the first temperature range T2 to Tl.
• the slope with respect to the temperature change is equal to or greater than the reference slope, the next processes are carried out.
• the condensing water is supplied through the condensing water supplying pipe 113 to remove moisture contained in air during the condensing process, the condensed water is exhausted to the exterior through the exhaust pipe 151 via the lower side of the tub 131 by performing the supply of condensing water and the exhaust of water (S620).
• the main drying step (S630) is carried out.
• the drum motor 140 is driven within the second motor driving range, that is, at low speed of 40 RPM to 60 RPM and temperature of air to be supplied to the tub 131 is maintained within the second temperature range of T4 to T3, preferably, 95 degrees centigrade to 105 degrees centigrade.
• the main drying step is carried out until the expected remaining time of the drying cycle has elapsed (S640 to S650).
• weight of laundry after the drying when the drying time of 223 minutes has elapsed is 5.19 Kg and the drying rate is 96.05 %.
• weight of laundry after the drying when the drying time of 180 minutes has elapsed is 5.25 Kg and the drying rate is 95.70 %.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)

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• 2006
  • 2006-03-24 KR KR1020060027154A patent/KR100692582B1/ko not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2007
  • 2007-02-02 WO PCT/KR2007/000581 patent/WO2007111413A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2007-02-02 JP JP2009502655A patent/JP2009531124A/ja active Pending
  • 2007-02-02 CN CNA2007800105478A patent/CN101410565A/zh active Pending
  • 2007-02-02 EP EP07708732A patent/EP2007941A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2007-03-20 US US11/723,475 patent/US20070220683A1/en not_active Abandoned

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