WO2021187867A1

WO2021187867A1 - Clothing treatment apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2021187867A1
Application number: PCT/KR2021/003241
Authority: WO
Inventors: 한인재; 김우례; 홍상욱
Original assignee: 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2020-03-16
Filing date: 2021-03-16
Publication date: 2021-09-23
Also published as: EP4123077A1; EP4123077A4

Abstract

A clothing treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a drum for accommodating laundry; a motor for driving the drum; a drying unit for drying the laundry by heating the drum; and a current detection unit for detecting a current flowing through the motor, wherein drying of the laundry can end on the basis of a first current value detected by the current detection unit when the motor drives the drum at a first revolutions per minute and a second current value detected by the current detection unit when the motor drives the drum at a second revolutions per minute that are greater than the first revolutions per minute.

Description

clothes processing equipment

The present disclosure relates to a laundry treatment apparatus.

The laundry treatment apparatus may include a laundry apparatus for washing laundry, a dryer for drying laundry or wet clothing, and an apparatus for refreshing clothing. The washing machine may be a washing machine combined with drying including a drying function.

For example, the washing machine includes a tub (outer tub) for storing wash water and a drum (inner tub) rotatably provided in the tub. Laundry (cloth) is provided inside the drum, and as the drum rotates, the cloth is washed by detergent and washing water. The dryer rotates the drum and applies heat to the laundry inside the drum to dry the laundry.

In general, drying may be performed by supplying high-temperature hot air into the drum to heat the object to evaporate moisture. An exhaust-type dryer for discharging wet air to the outside of the washing machine and a circulation-type dryer for condensing moisture from the wet air and supplying it back to the drum may be provided.

On the other hand, the laundry treatment apparatus is also provided with a heater. The heater is operated in a state submerged in water in the tub, and a method of directly heating water has been widely used. Since this type of heater must always be operated in a state of being submerged in water for safety reasons, it can be used for heating water in the tub. Not suitable for heating applications. Recently, a laundry treatment apparatus in which a drum is heated by an induction heating system has been used.

As drying proceeds, the overall temperature rises. The degree of dryness can be detected using the temperature characteristics of the lower temperature sensor mounted on the lower side of the tub. At this time, according to the progress of the drying process of the lower temperature sensor, the temperature may be changed as follows.

That is, in the initial to mid-drying period, the heat of heating of the wet steam may be the same as the amount of heat of cooling of the condensed water. However, at the end of drying, the amount of cooling heat of condensed water may be relatively larger than that of heating dry air. Accordingly, the temperature in the tub may decrease.

However, at the end of drying, the wet steam in the tub is changed to dry air. At this time, since the amount of cooling heat of condensed water at the rear of the tub is greater than the heat of dry air, the detection value of the lower temperature sensor may decrease over time.

When the degree of drying is detected using the change in temperature detected by the upper temperature sensor and the lower temperature sensor and the change in the temperature difference (Delta T), depending on the temperature condition in the tub or the outside temperature, such as intermittent drying and continuous drying, etc. Due to a difference in the temperature difference (Delta T) value, accurate dryness detection may not be performed.

In addition, when the heating output of the heater fluctuates, the overall system temperature (eg, the temperature in the tub) also fluctuates greatly, so that the probability of false detection in dryness detection may increase. Also, depending on the water temperature of the condensed water, a false sense of dryness may occur.

As such, when the dryness is sensed using the change in temperature detected by the upper temperature sensor and the lower temperature sensor and the change in the difference between these temperatures (Delta T), it is highly likely to change depending on the external environment and the system environment. Accordingly, the accuracy of the dryness detection may be deteriorated, and there is a possibility of false detection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure aims to solve the above and other problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus, such as a dryer, a washing machine or a washing machine combined dryer, or an apparatus for refreshing clothes, which can accurately detect a degree of drying in a drying cycle.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a clothes treatment apparatus capable of effectively preventing overheating of clothes.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for detecting dryness that is relatively robust to an external environment.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus capable of minimizing the influence of an internal mechanical change such as a motor in determining the degree of drying.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus capable of accurately detecting a motor current.

When the laundry (clothes) is dried in the laundry treatment apparatus, the moisture content of the dried material is reduced, thereby reducing the weight. In this case, since the torque for rotating the drum may be reduced when the weight of the building is reduced, the magnitude of the motor current may be reduced compared to the initial stage of drying.

During the drying process of laundry, a drum containing laundry may be driven. As an example, the drum may be tumbling driven. In this case, the wet laundry may have a relatively high current difference between driving the drum at a high rotation speed and driving the drum at a relatively low rotation speed. For example, if a water balloon phenomenon occurs in laundry, a large difference in driving current may occur when the laundry in which the water balloon phenomenon occurs is driven at a high rotation speed and when the laundry is driven at a low rotation speed. On the other hand, the dried laundry may have a relatively low current difference between driving the drum at a high rotation speed and driving the drum at a relatively low rotation speed.

The laundry treatment apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure may determine the degree of drying of the clothes based on the motor current during the drying cycle.

The laundry treatment apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure may perform a drying cycle by changing the rotational speed of a drum, and may determine the drying degree of clothes based on a motor current when the drum is driven at a different rotational speed. have.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a laundry treatment apparatus, based on a current value when the drum is driven at a first rotation speed and a current value when the drum is driven at a second rotation speed greater than the first rotation speed, It is possible to determine the dryness of the clothes.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry treatment apparatus includes: a drum accommodating laundry; a motor driving the drum; a dryer for drying the laundry by heating the drum; and a current sensing unit sensing a current flowing through the motor, wherein when the motor drives the drum at a first rotation speed, a first current value sensed by the current sensing unit and the motor When the drum is driven at a second rotation speed greater than the rotation speed, drying of the laundry may be terminated based on a second current value sensed by the current sensing unit.

The first current value is a first current average value obtained by averaging currents sensed by the current sensing unit in a section driven at the first rotation speed, and the second current value is a section driven at the second rotation speed may be a second average current value obtained by averaging currents sensed by the current sensing unit.

When the ratio of the first current value to the second current value is less than a predetermined reference value, the drying may be terminated.

During the drying, an operation of driving the drum at a first rotational speed and an operation of driving the drum at the second rotational speed may be repeatedly performed.

The laundry treatment apparatus may further include a fan rotating during at least a part of the drying period, and when the current sensing unit senses a current flowing through the motor, the fan may be driven or stopped at a speed less than a predetermined speed.

At least one of the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed may be smaller than the rotational speed at which laundry included in the drum is attached to the drum.

The first rotation speed may be 60 rpm or less, and the second rotation speed may be 100 rpm or more.

The laundry treatment apparatus may further include a memory configured to store the first current value and the second current value.

The laundry treatment apparatus may further include a tub accommodating the drum.

The drying unit may include an induction heater for heating the drum.

The induction heater may be spaced apart from the drum. The induction heater may be installed in the tub. The induction heater may be fixed to the tub. In a laundry treatment apparatus such as a dryer without a tub, the induction heater may be disposed inside a case or on an inner wall.

The induction heater may be disposed at a position spaced apart from the drum on the upper side, the lower side, the left side, or the right side of the drum inside the case in a tubless laundry treatment apparatus such as a dryer.

The induction heater may be located at an outer upper portion of the drum.

The induction heater may generate a magnetic field. The induction heater heats the drum using a magnetic field.

The motor may rotate the drum at the first rotation speed, rotate the drum at the second rotation speed, and then stop the drum for a predetermined time.

The motor may rotate the drum at the second rotation speed for a time longer than the time for rotating the drum at the first rotation speed.

The drum may include a cylindrical body and a through hole formed in the body.

The laundry treatment apparatus may further include a controller configured to control driving of the motor.

In a laundry treatment apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure, when the motor drives the drum at a first rotational speed, a first current value sensed by the current sensing unit and a first current value greater than the first rotational speed of the motor When the drum is driven at 2 revolutions, the drying of the laundry may be terminated based on at least one of the second current values sensed by the current sensing unit.

More specifically, the first current value is a first average current value obtained by averaging currents sensed by the current sensing unit in a section driven at the first rotation speed, and the second current value is the second rotation speed. It may be a second average current value obtained by averaging currents sensed by the current sensing unit in the driving section, and when at least one of the ratio of the first current average value and the second average current value is less than a predetermined reference value, the drying will be terminated can

Alternatively, the drying cycle may be controlled based on at least one of a maximum, a minimum, and an intermediate value of a motor current sensed in a section driven at the first and second rotation speeds.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a first storage step of driving a drum at a first rotational speed and storing a first average current value by driving the drum; a second storage step of driving the drum at a second rotation speed greater than the first rotation speed and storing a second average value of current generated by the driving of the drum; By performing the step of calculating the ratio of the first average current value and the second average current value, it is possible to check the current weight level of the laundry. Therefore, it is possible to determine the degree of drying of the laundry through these steps.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of controlling a laundry treatment apparatus, the method comprising: performing a drying operation of laundry; a first storage step of driving the drum at a first rotation speed and storing a first average current value by driving the drum; a second storage step of driving the drum at a second rotation speed greater than the first rotation speed and storing a second average value of current generated by the driving of the drum; a calculation step of calculating a ratio of the first average current value and the second average current value; And it may include a determination step of determining whether the drying of the laundry is completed using the ratio.

In addition, if it is determined in the determining step that the laundry is not completely dried, the method may further include performing a drying operation.

In addition, after performing the drying operation, the first storage step, the second storage step, the calculation step, and the determination step may be re-performed.

In addition, the first storage step, the second storage step, the calculation step, and the determination step may be re-performed at regular time intervals.

In addition, when it is determined that the drying of the laundry is completed in the determining step, the method may further include performing additional drying and terminating drying.

In addition, at least one of the first rotation speed and the second rotation speed may be smaller than the rotation speed at which laundry included in the drum is attached to the drum.

In addition, in the determining whether the drying is completed, if the ratio is less than a specific value, it may be determined that the drying is completed.

In addition, the first rotation speed may be 60 rpm or less.

In addition, the second rotation speed may be 100 rpm or more.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry treatment apparatus includes: a tub accommodating washing water; a drum rotatably provided in the tub and accommodating laundry; a motor driving the drum; a drying unit for drying the laundry; and a control unit for controlling driving of the motor, wherein the control unit drives the drum at a first rotation speed and stores a first current average value by driving the drum, and a second rotation speed greater than the first rotation speed By driving the drum by a number, storing the second average current value by driving the drum, calculating the ratio of the first current average value and the second current average value, and determining whether the laundry is finished drying with the ratio can

Also, when it is determined that the laundry is not completely dried, the controller may perform a drying operation.

In addition, after a certain period of time after the drying operation is performed, the control unit stores the first average current value, stores the second average current value, and calculates a ratio of the first average current value and the second average current value. and the process of determining whether drying is completed at the above ratio may be re-performed.

In addition, the control unit stores the first current average value, stores the second current average value, calculates to calculate the ratio of the first current average value and the second current average value, and determines whether drying is completed by the ratio The process can be repeated at regular time intervals.

In addition, when it is determined that the drying of the laundry is completed, the controller may perform additional drying and end drying.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the degree of dryness may be accurately detected using a motor current.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to effectively prevent overheating of clothes and effectively dry clothes by using an induction heater.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is little variation due to external factors such as the external environment and the dryness is determined using only the motor current, so there is a strong advantage to the external environment. Accordingly, it is possible to determine the degree of dryness without being affected by changes in the external environment.

In addition, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, since the dryness is determined using the ratio of the current according to the driving of the drum at high and low rotational speeds, the influence of internal mechanical changes such as a motor can be minimized. can

1 is a perspective view illustrating the outside of a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the inside of a laundry treatment apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

4 to 6 are diagrams illustrating operating states during drum stop, tumbling driving, and filtration driving, respectively.

7 is a schematic diagram of a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

8 and 9 are graphs for explaining an example of determining the drying end time.

10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a laundry treatment apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

11 is a graph illustrating a drying operation (drying motion) according to a control method of a clothes treatment apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

12 is a graph illustrating a change in a current value according to a control method of a clothes treatment apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the same or similar components are assigned the same reference numerals regardless of reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The suffixes "module" and "part" for the components used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of only the ease of writing the specification, and do not have a meaning or role distinct from each other by themselves.

In addition, in describing the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, if it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known technologies may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and the technical spirit disclosed in the present specification is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and all changes included in the spirit and scope of the present disclosure , should be understood to include equivalents or substitutes.

The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Furthermore, although each drawing is described for convenience of description, it is also within the scope of the present disclosure that those skilled in the art implement other embodiments by combining at least two or more drawings.

Terms including an ordinal number, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

When a component is referred to as being “connected” or “connected” to another component, it may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but it is understood that other components may exist in between. it should be On the other hand, when it is mentioned that a certain element is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another element, it should be understood that there is no other element in the middle.

It is also understood that when an element, such as a layer, region, or module, is referred to as being “on” another element, it may be directly on the other element or intervening elements may exist in between. There will be.

Hereinafter, a laundry treatment apparatus and a control method thereof according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, as a laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure, a laundry apparatus will be described as a representative example. However, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 .

1 is a perspective view showing the outside of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

A washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a drum 30 and a drying unit 70 for heating the drum 30 . The drying unit may include at least one heater 70 . More preferably, the drying unit may include an induction heater 70 . The washing machine may further include a cabinet 10 forming an exterior.

The washing machine may further include a tub 20 accommodating the drum 30 . The tub 20 may be provided inside the cabinet 10 . The tub 20 may provide an accommodation space. The tub 20 may have an opening in the front. The tub 20 may accommodate washing water. The tub 20 may be provided to accommodate the drum 30 .

The drum 30 may be rotatably provided inside the tub 20 . The drum 30 may be provided in the accommodation space of the tub 20 . The drum 30 may accommodate laundry. An opening may be provided at the front of the drum 30 . Laundry may be introduced into the drum 30 through the opening.

A through hole 30h may be formed in the circumferential surface of the drum 30 so that air and washing water may communicate between the tub 20 and the drum 30 . Hereinafter, the circumferential surface of the drum 30 is also referred to as a body of the drum 30 . The body of the drum 30 may extend in a cylindrical shape.

The drum 30 may be made of a conductor. The body of the drum 30 may be made of a conductor. The body of the drum 30 may be made of metal.

The induction heater or IH module 70 may heat the drum 30 . The induction heater 70 may generate a magnetic field. The induction heater 70 may be provided to heat the drum 30 using a magnetic field.

The induction heater 70 may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tub 20 . The induction heater 70 may be provided on the tub 20 . The induction heater 70 may be fixed to the tub 20 . The induction heater 70 may be spaced apart from the drum 30 . Here, the induction heater 70 heats the drum 30 to perform a drying function of laundry. However, of course, a general heater may be provided in addition to the induction heater 70 . That is, various heaters such as a sheath heater and a heater using a heat pump may be provided.

The tub 20 and the drum 30 may be formed in a cylindrical shape. Accordingly, the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the tub 20 and the drum 30 may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape.

Meanwhile, a laundry treatment apparatus such as a dryer may not include a tub. The induction heater 70 may be provided in the cabinet. The induction heater 70 may be disposed inside the cabinet or on the inner wall. The induction heater 70 may be spaced apart from the drum 30 and fixed to the cabinet 10 .

FIG. 2 shows a washing machine in which the drum 30 is rotated based on a rotation axis parallel to the ground. Unlike the drawings, the drum 30 and the tub 20 may have a tilting shape inclined to the rear. The rotating shaft of the drum 30 may pass through the rear surface of the washing machine. That is, a straight line extending from the rotation shaft 42 of the driving unit 40 may pass through the rear surface of the washing machine.

The washing machine may further include a driving unit 40 provided to rotate the drum 30 inside the tub 20 . The driving unit 40 may include a motor 41 . The motor 41 may include a rotation shaft 42 . The rotating shaft 42 may be connected to the drum 30 to rotate the drum 30 in the tub 20 .

The motor 41 may include a stator and a rotor. The rotor may be connected to the rotation shaft 42 .

The driving unit 40 may include a spider 43 . The spider 43 is a configuration that connects the drum 30 and the rotation shaft 42 and can be said to be a configuration for uniformly and stably transmitting the rotational force of the rotation shaft 42 to the drum 30 .

The spider 43 may be coupled to the drum 30 in the form of being at least partially inserted into the rear wall of the drum 30 . To this end, the rear wall of the drum 30 may be formed in a shape recessed into the drum 30 . In addition, the spider 43 may be coupled to the drum 30 in the form of being further inserted into the drum 30 at the center of rotation of the drum 30 .

A lifter 50 may be provided inside the drum 30 . A plurality of lifters 50 may be provided along the circumferential direction of the drum 30 . The lifter 50 may perform a function of stirring the laundry. For example, as the drum 30 rotates, the lifter 50 may lift the laundry upward.

The laundry moved to the upper part is separated from the lifter 50 by gravity and falls to the lower part. Washing may be performed by the impact force caused by the falling of such laundry. Of course, agitation of laundry can improve drying efficiency. The lifter 50 may be formed by extending from the rear end of the drum 30 to the front end. Laundry may be evenly distributed back and forth in the drum 30 .

3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, a control configuration of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 .

The control unit 90 may be provided as a main processor to control the operation of the washing machine. The operation of various control structures to be described later may be controlled through the control unit 90 .

The motor 41 may drive the drum 30 . That is, the motor 41 may be provided to rotate the drum 30 . The rotational force of the motor 41 may be directly transmitted to the drum 30 or may be transmitted indirectly. For example, a direct-coupled motor in which the rotational force of the motor 41 is directly transmitted to the drum 30 may be used.

The driving pattern of the drum 30 may vary according to the driving pattern of the motor 41 . Accordingly, the controller 90 may control the driving of the motor 41 to generate various driving such as a tumbling driving, a filtration driving, and a spin driving of the drum. The driving state of the drum 30 may be referred to as an operation of the drum.

The tumbling drive of the drum 30 (refer to FIG. 5 ) may be referred to as a drive so that the cloth (laundry) inside the drum 30 is lifted and then dropped as the drum rotates at approximately 40 to 46 RPM. That is, the tumbling drive can be said to be a drive in which washing or wetting is performed by mechanical force through the fall of the fabric and friction with the drum. Since the cloth is driven in the drum 30, it can be said that it is a drive that is commonly used.

The filtration driving of the drum 30 (refer to FIG. 6 ) is a drive in which the drum 30 rotates at approximately 100 RPM by closely contacting the inner peripheral surface of the carriage drum 30 inside the drum 30 and rotating the drum and the cloth integrally. have. At this time, the laundry cloth is spread on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 30, and the washing water is separated from the cloth.

The spin driving of the drum 30 may be referred to as a driving of centrifugal dehydration of wash water from the cloth as the drum 30 rotates at about 800 RPM or more. Spin driving is performed in the final process of washing by a very large centrifugal force, so that all washing can be finished.

Accordingly, the rotation RPM of the drum increases in the order of the tumbling drive, the filtration drive, and the spin drive. The spin drive may be a drive that continuously rotates the drum 30 in one direction, and the tumbling drive and the spin drive may be a drive that repeats rotation and stop in the forward and reverse directions.

For washing, wash water must be supplied from the outside of the washing machine to the inside of the tub. To this end, the washing machine may be provided with a water supply valve 23 . The water supply valve is connected to an external water supply source, and when the water supply valve is operated, washing water may be supplied into the washing machine.

If necessary, a plurality of water supply valves 23 may be provided. A cold water valve 25 for supplying cold water from an external water supply source and a pre valve 24 for supplying water other than cold water such as hot water by being connected to a boiler may be provided.

When the wash water temperature is set to room temperature (cold water or cold water) during washing, heating of the wash water may not be required. Therefore, in this case, water supply may be performed only by the cold water valve 25 . However, when the wash water temperature is set to a constant temperature (25 degrees Celsius, 40 degrees Celsius, etc.) rather than room temperature during washing, the washing water may be supplied through the free valve 24 and the cold water valve 25 . Of course, in the latter case, washing water may be supplied only through the cold water valve 25 .

Meanwhile, the free valve 24 and the cold water valve 25 may be valves for supplying the same cold water. The water supply through the pre-valve 24 may be a case in which water is supplied to the tub through the inside of the drum, and the water supply through the cold water valve 25 may be supplied to the tub without passing through the drum inside. Of course, it could be the other way around.

In addition, the free valve 24 may be a water supply valve for supplying wash water to the tub through the detergent box, and the cold water valve 25 may be a water supply valve for directly supplying wash water into the tub without going through the detergent box. can Of course, it could be the other way around.

Accordingly, a plurality of water supply valves may be provided according to the temperature of the wash water and the water supply path of the wash water.

The water level sensor 26 may be provided to sense the level of the wash water supplied into the tub. That is, it can be called a sensor for controlling the water level so that an appropriate amount of washing water is supplied.

In general, as the water level sensor 26, a frequency sensor that senses the water level through a frequency may be frequently used. The water level is sensed using the difference in the sensed frequency according to the water level. When washing, the water level sensor 26 senses the water level so that water is supplied between the empty water level and the maximum water level. The maximum water level is the heater protection level as described above, and it may be referred to as the water level at which the lower part of the drum is submerged in the washing water. In general, water is supplied until the water level of the wash water after the cloth fully absorbs the wash water becomes the heater protection level.

In the frequency sensor, the air water level is approximately 25.5 Khz, and the heater protection level is approximately 24.7 Khz. Of course, the value of the specific frequency may vary depending on the size of the washing machine, the model of the frequency sensor, and the external environment. However, in the frequency sensor, the higher the frequency, the lower the water level will be the same.

The control unit 90 controls the operation of the water supply valve 23 based on the water level value detected by the water level sensor 26 .

As an example of the heater, the induction heater (IH module) 70 may be referred to as a heater that heats the drum 30 by induction. As described above, a heater other than the induction heater may be installed. Hereinafter, the induction heater 70 will be described as an example of the heater, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

When the drum 30 is heated by the induction heater 70 , the washing water may be heated. Of course, not only the wash water but also the fabric in contact with the drum 30 may be directly heated. By this heating method, the fabric absorbing the wash water is directly heated, making it possible to increase the heating effect. And since the diffusion of heat to the surroundings is reduced, the heating efficiency is higher.

During washing, heating through the induction heater 70 may be performed based on temperature data sensed by the wash water temperature sensor 28 . That is, when the temperature of the wash water reaches the set temperature, the heating may be terminated.

By the induction heater 70, the drum 30 can be heated to about 160 degrees Celsius in a short time. For example, the temperature of the outer peripheral surface of the drum 30 may rise to 160 degrees Celsius in about 3 seconds. Accordingly, it may be necessary to prevent overheating of the drum 30 or overheating of the induction heater 70 by transferring the heat from the drum 30 to the wash water and cloth.

A drying temperature sensor 29 may be provided to prevent overheating of the drum 30 . The drying temperature sensor 29 may be provided to directly or indirectly sense the temperature of the outer peripheral surface of the drum 30 . When it is determined through the drying temperature sensor 29 that the drum 30 is overheated, the controller 90 stops the operation of the induction heater 70 .

The wash water temperature sensor 28 may be mounted on the lower portion of the tub 20 to sense the temperature of the wash water. The drying temperature sensor 29 may be mounted on the upper portion of the tub 20 to sense the temperature of the outer peripheral surface of the drum 30 . Therefore, it is advantageous that both installation positions and sensing objects are different.

The wash water temperature sensor 28 may directly sense the temperature of the wash water. The drying temperature sensor 29 may indirectly sense the temperature of the drum 30 by non-contact with the rotating drum 30 . Therefore, it is advantageous that the sensing mechanisms or methods of the two are different.

The wash water temperature sensor 28 may be provided to sense the temperature of the wash water when the drum 30 is stopped. When the target temperature is reached, the induction heater 70 may be controlled not to operate. The drying temperature sensor 29 may be provided to sense the temperature of the drum 30 when the drum 30 rotates. In particular, it may be provided to sense the temperature when the drum 30 rotates and when the induction heater 70 is operated. Accordingly, it is advantageous that the sensing timings of the two are different from each other.

Through such a dual sensor configuration, it is possible to provide a safe washing machine and a control method thereof.

As the drum 30 is driven, the detergent water absorbed by the cloth may be gradually discharged to the tub 20 , thereby reducing the washing effect. Accordingly, a circulation pump 80 for supplying or resupplying detergent water to the cloth may be provided.

The circulation pump 80 may be configured to pump out a part of the wash water from the lower part of the tub 20 and then pump it to spray the prisoner wash water from the upper part of the drum 30 . The washing effect can be enhanced by the injection pressure of the washing water, and the washing water (detergent water) is re-supplied to the fabric so that the fabric can always maintain a sufficiently wet state. Therefore, effective washing can be performed even if the fabric is not immersed in washing water.

Washing through the washing machine may be performed through the initial water supply, soaking, heating, and the main washing step or section. After the main washing, rinsing and dehydration may be performed to complete washing. The entire washing process or washing course is automatically performed in the order of a washing process, a rinsing process, and a spin-drying process and ends.

The washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a memory (not shown) in which various data are stored. The memory may store control data for operation control of the washing machine, input operation setting data, data on an operation mode, reference data for determining an error, and the like.

In addition, data calculated, sensed, or measured during operation of the washing machine may be stored in the memory.

The washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a current sensing unit (not shown) for detecting a current flowing through the motor 41 . The current sensing unit may detect a current flowing through the motor 41 during operation, and input the sensed current value to the control unit 90 .

The controller 90 may control the motor 41 so that the drum 30 rotates at a predetermined number of revolutions.

The control unit 90 may control the drum 30 to rotate in a predetermined direction by rotating the drum 30 at a predetermined number of rotations in one direction and then stop and change the rotational speed after a predetermined time.

The control unit 90 may control the drum 30 to stop rotating after rotating in one direction, and to repeat rotating in the opposite direction after a predetermined time.

The control unit 90 may control to store the current value measured by the current sensing unit while the drum 30 rotates.

The control unit 90 may control the drum 30 to be rotated in any one direction in a stationary state to reach the target rotation speed by accelerating it for a predetermined time, maintain the target rotation speed for a predetermined time, and then stop.

Preferably, the current sensing unit may detect the motor current in a maintenance section of three sections: an acceleration section in which the drum 30 accelerates to a target speed, a maintenance section in which the target speed is maintained, and a stop section.

On the other hand, the control unit 90 may calculate the average of the current values of the holding period in which the drum 30 rotates at a predetermined number of revolutions. The calculated average value may be stored in the memory and/or the controller 90 . 4 to 6 are views illustrating the drum stop, the tumbling drive, and the filtration drive, respectively, among the control methods of the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 , washing water heating may be performed using the coil 71 of the induction heater 70 . As long as it does not contradict this, the sheath heater 12 provided under the tub may also be provided. That is, the washing machine according to the present embodiment may include both the induction heater 70 and the sheath heater 12 , and only the induction heater 70 may be provided.

Therefore, as in the prior art, a mode of heating wash water using the sheath heater 12 may be used, while a mode in which the sheath heater 12 is not operated and the induction heater 70 is used to heat the wash water may be used. could be used

As shown in FIG. 5 , as the drum 30 rotates during tumbling driving, the fabric may be lifted by the lifter 30 and then dropped by gravity, and circulating water may be injected into the drum 30 . In addition, the induction module may be driven to heat the drum 30 .

As shown in FIG. 6 , during filtration driving or filtration driving within circulation driving, as the drum rotates, the cloth W is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the drum 30 to rotate integrally with the drum 30 . can This is because the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the drum 30 is greater than gravity. At this time, the circulating water 30 may be injected into the drum, and the induction heater 70 may be driven to heat the drum 30 .

5 and 6 show a state in which washing water is circulated and injected into the drum 30 from the upper part of the drum 30, and an induction heater 70 (coil 71) is driven to provide a fluctuating magnetic field to the drum 30 appearance is shown. An eddy current is generated in the drum by the change of the magnetic field, and heat is generated by the eddy current.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the heater protection water level is destroyed in the entire heating section, so that the water level will always be lower than the lowermost end of the drum, that is, the water level will be lower than the circulation level.

As mentioned above, the tumbling drive of the drum can be said to be a drive that causes the cloth (laundry) inside the drum to be lifted and then dropped as the drum rotates at approximately 40 to 46 RPM. It can be said that washing or wetting is performed by mechanical force through the fall of the fabric and friction with the drum. It is a drive that is stirred in the drum, so it can be said that it is a drive that is commonly used.

That is, the rotation speed of about 40 to 46 RPM may correspond to the rotation speed range at which the laundry (cloth) flexes and falls within the drum 30 . A motion in which the laundry (cloth) flexes and falls within the drum 30 may be referred to as a tumble or tumbling process.

Meanwhile, the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may perform a drying function. In this case, the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be referred to as a drying and washing machine. Meanwhile, the clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a dryer for drying laundry or wet clothes.

Air cooling is performed on the inner circumferential surface of the tub 20 and moisture is condensed and discharged. In other words, even if there is no circulation of air inside the tub 20, it can be dried by itself condensing moisture.

Cooling water may be supplied into the tub 20 to more effectively perform moisture condensation to improve drying efficiency. The larger the surface area where the coolant and the tub 20 meet, that is, the larger the surface area that comes into contact with the coolant and air, is more advantageous. To this end, the cooling water may be supplied while being widely spread from the rear surface or one side or both sides of the tub 20 . Through this cooling water supply, the cooling water flows along the inner surface of the tub 20 to prevent it from being introduced into the drum.

In order to perform the drying function, in some cases, a fan (not shown) for blowing into the tub 20 and a duct (not shown) in which the fan is installed may be further provided. The blowing fan may control the flow of air inside the laundry treatment apparatus during the drying process.

A laundry treatment apparatus such as a dryer may not include the tub 20 . The blowing fan may circulate air in the drum 30 . Meanwhile, a separate heater may not be provided for drying laundry. That is, the laundry may be dried using the heater described above, for example, the induction heater 70 . That is, through one induction heater 70 , washing water heating during washing, heating of an object during dehydration, and heating of an object during drying may all be performed.

When the drum 30 is driven and the induction heater 70 is driven, substantially the entire outer circumferential surface of the drum 30 may be heated. The drum 30 heated in this way may heat the laundry while exchanging heat with the wet laundry.

In this process, the air inside the drum 30 may also be heated together. Accordingly, when air is supplied to the inside of the drum 30 , the air having evaporated moisture through heat exchange may be discharged to the outside of the drum 30 .

The supply position of the air and the discharge position of the air may be determined so that the heated air is uniformly supplied to the drying object and the wet air is smoothly discharged. To this end, air may be supplied from the front upper portion of the drum 30 and the air may be discharged through the rear side of the drum 30 .

As described above, the induction heater 70 is driven together with the drum 30 driving, and at this time, the laundry may repeat rising and falling according to the driving of the drum 30 . That is, drying may proceed by the tumbling driving described above. At this time, since the heating position of the drum 30 is the upper part of the drum 30 rather than the lower part, overheating of the clothes can be effectively prevented.

7 is a schematic diagram of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As described above, the washing machine according to the present embodiment may include two

temperature sensors

28 and 29 .

The wash water temperature sensor 28 may be mounted on the lower portion of the tub 20 to sense the temperature of the wash water. The drying temperature sensor 29 may be mounted on the upper portion of the tub 20 to sense the temperature of the outer peripheral surface of the drum 30 .

When washing is performed, the control unit 90, based on the temperature sensed by the drying temperature sensor 29, heats the washing water and the induction heater 70; or the coil 71 of the induction heater 70, hereinafter, the induction heater (70) will be collectively described.) is controlled.

7 , the coil 71 of the induction heater 70 may be mounted on the tub 20 . That is, the induction heater 70 may be mounted on the upper outer peripheral surface of the tub 20 . In a laundry treatment apparatus such as a dryer without the tub 20 , it may be disposed inside the case or on the inner wall. Even in this case, the induction heater 70 may be disposed above the drum 30 . Due to the mounting position of the induction heater 70 , the upper outer peripheral surface of the drum may be heated by the induction heater 70 .

On the other hand, the induction heater 70 may be disposed at a position spaced apart from the drum on the upper side, the lower side, the left side, or the right side of the drum inside the case in the laundry treatment apparatus without a tub, such as a dryer.

The position of the induction heater 70 may be determined to effectively prevent overheating of the object because the object inside the drum 30 does not come into contact with the upper part of the drum while the drum 30 is stopped. Accordingly, as the drum 30 rotates, the induction heater 70 can be controlled to be driven, which means that the object can be uniformly heated.

Here, the mounting position of the drying temperature sensor 29 may be important. This is because the temperature of the drum 30 by heating should be optimally measured and at the same time the temperature of the air inside the tub 20 should be optimally measured.

The mounting position of the drying temperature sensor 29 may be one side of the induction heater 70 , and it is advantageous to be a position outside the projection plane downward of the induction heater 70 . Specifically, the drying temperature sensor 29 may be mounted on the right side of the tub 20 at approximately 2 o'clock.

The drying temperature sensor 29 may be mounted to penetrate from the outside of the tub 20 to the inside. Accordingly, the signal line or wire of the dry temperature sensor 29 is provided outside the tub 20 , and the sensing part for sensing may be mounted to partially protrude radially from the inner circumferential surface of the tub 20 .

Accordingly, the drying temperature sensor 29 can directly sense the temperature of the air in the space between the outer peripheral surface of the drum 30 and the inner peripheral surface of the tub. Through this sensing temperature, it is possible to sense or estimate the temperature of the outer peripheral surface of the drum 20 indirectly and experimentally.

Based on the temperature sensed by the drying temperature sensor 29 , the controller 90 may control the operation of the induction heater 70 . That is, the drying temperature sensor 29 may be used to prevent overheating of the drum 30 and overheating of the internal temperature of the tub 20 .

By using the basic functions and characteristics of the drying temperature sensor 29, it is possible to detect the degree of dryness or humidity.

On the other hand, the wash water temperature sensor 28 is provided to sense the temperature of the wash water, it can be mounted on the lower portion of the tub (20). Accordingly, the mounting position of the wash water temperature sensor 28 may be the same as in a general washing machine. That is, it may be provided on the lower side of the inside of the tub 20 so as to be submerged in the wash water and sense the temperature of the wash water. The wash water temperature sensor 28 may be provided to be spaced upward from the inner bottom surface of the tub 20 . In this case, it may be located at a lower portion than the bottom surface of the drum 30 . Accordingly, the drying temperature sensor 29 may be referred to as an upper temperature sensor, and the washing water temperature sensor 28 may be referred to as a lower temperature sensor.

The drying end time can be determined using these two

temperature sensors

28 and 29 .

8 and 9 show changes in the temperature sensed by the upper temperature sensor 29 and the lower temperature sensor 28 and changes in the temperature difference (Delta T) over time in the drying process. For example, FIG. 8 shows a case where the dry load is 3 kg, and FIG. 9 shows a case where the dry load is 6 kg.

In a drying cycle in which drying is performed by heating a drum on a wet object, temperature change and temperature difference may have different aspects depending on the drying progress section.

As drying proceeds, the overall temperature rises. The degree of dryness can be detected using the temperature characteristic of the lower temperature sensor 28 mounted on the lower side of the tub 20 . At this time, according to the progress of the drying process of the lower temperature sensor 28, the temperature may be changed as follows.

That is, in the initial to mid-drying period, the heat of heating of the wet steam may be the same as the amount of heat of cooling of the condensed water. However, at the end of drying, the amount of cooling heat of condensed water may be relatively larger than that of heating dry air. Accordingly, the temperature in the tub 20 may decrease.

In other words, in the initial to mid-drying period, the cooling heat amount of the condensed water supplied from the rear surface of the tub 20 and the wet steam heating heat amount are in an equilibrium state, and the detection value of the lower temperature sensor 28 may also increase as the overall temperature rises.

However, at the end of drying, the wet steam in the tub 20 is changed to dry air. At this time, since the amount of cooling heat of condensed water at the rear of the tub 20 is greater than the heat of dry air, the detected value of the lower temperature sensor 28 increases over time. can decrease.

When the degree of drying is detected using the change in temperature detected by the upper temperature sensor 29 and the lower temperature sensor 28 and the change in the difference between these temperatures (Delta T), the tub 20 such as intermittent drying and continuous drying ), the difference in the temperature difference (Delta T) value may occur depending on the internal temperature condition or the outside air temperature, so that accurate dryness detection may not be achieved.

In addition, when the heating output of the heater 70 fluctuates greatly, the overall system temperature (eg, the temperature in the tub) also fluctuates greatly, so that the probability of false detection in dryness detection may increase. Also, depending on the water temperature of the condensed water, a false sense of dryness may occur.

As such, when the dryness is sensed using the change in temperature detected by the upper temperature sensor 29 and the lower temperature sensor 28 and the change in the difference between these temperatures (Delta T), depending on the external environment and the system environment It is very likely to change Accordingly, the accuracy of the dryness detection may be deteriorated, and there is a possibility of false detection.

On the other hand, when the laundry (clothes) is dried in the laundry treatment apparatus, the moisture content of the dried material is reduced, thereby reducing the weight. At this time, since the torque for rotating the drum 30 may be reduced when the weight of the building is reduced, the magnitude of the motor current may be reduced compared to the initial stage of drying. Accordingly, the laundry treatment apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure may determine the degree of drying of the clothes based on the motor current during the drying cycle.

In addition, the laundry treatment apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure may perform a drying cycle by changing the rotation speed of the drum 30 , and based on motor currents when the drum 30 is driven at a different rotation speed Thus, it is possible to determine the dryness of the clothes. In the drying process of laundry, the drum 30 containing laundry may be driven. For example, the drum 30 may be tumbling driven. In this case, the wet laundry may have a relatively high current difference between driving the drum at a high rotation speed and driving the drum at a relatively low rotation speed. For example, if a water balloon phenomenon occurs in laundry, a large difference in motor current for driving occurs when the laundry in which the water balloon phenomenon occurs is driven at a high rotation speed and when the laundry is driven at a low rotation speed. On the other hand, the dried laundry may have a relatively low current difference between driving the drum 30 at a high rotation speed and driving the drum 30 at a relatively low rotation speed.

Therefore, using this phenomenon, the control unit 90 controls the drum 30 at a second rotation speed greater than the first current value and the first rotation speed when the drum 30 is driven at the first rotation speed. Based on the second current value at the time of driving, the degree of drying of the clothes may be determined. In addition, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the current sensing unit, periodically or aperiodically, measures the motor current according to the driving of the drum 30 at a high rotation speed and a low rotation speed, and sets the measured motor current value to the control unit 90 ) and/or stored in memory.-

Meanwhile, the controller 90 may calculate an average value, a median value, etc. of currents sensed by the current sensing unit in a predetermined period such as a holding period. For example, the first current value is a first current average value obtained by averaging currents sensed by the current sensing unit in a section driven at the first rotation speed, and the second current value is the second rotation speed It may be a second average current value obtained by averaging currents sensed by the current sensing unit in a section driven by .

Meanwhile, the control unit 90 may determine the degree of dryness based on at least one of an average value, a maximum value, a minimum value, and an intermediate value of the motor current sensed by the current sensing unit in a section in which the drum 30 is driven at a predetermined number of revolutions. have. If the current value, which is the criterion for determining the dryness, does not decrease by more than a certain level compared to the previously sensed/calculated current value, it can be determined that the dryness is high.

According to an embodiment, the controller 90 may determine the degree of dryness by using a ratio of at least one of current values such as the average value, the maximum value, the minimum value, and the median value. For example, when the ratio of the first current value to the second current value is less than a predetermined reference value, it may be determined that the drying has been sufficiently performed.

The controller 90 may repeatedly perform an operation of driving the drum 30 at a first rotational speed and an operation of driving the drum 30 at the second rotational speed during the drying cycle. Accordingly, it is possible to repeatedly perform detection of at least one of the current values and determination of the dryness level.

The control unit 90 may additionally perform or end the drying process based on the determined drying level.

10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, a process of determining the degree of dryness using the motor current value according to the drum driving described above will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 10 .

First, a drying operation of laundry may be started.

According to the start of the drying operation, the motor 41 may drive the drum 30 at the first rotation speed (S10). The current sensing unit may detect a first current value when the drum 30 is driven at the first rotational speed. The first current value may be stored in the controller 90 and/or the memory. Since the first current value in the section in which the drum 30 rotates at the first rotational speed is stored, the section may also be referred to as the first storage step (S10).

According to the embodiment, the control unit 90 calculates a first average current value obtained by averaging currents sensed by the current sensing unit in a section driven at a first rotation speed, and the first current by driving the drum 30 . It can be controlled to perform the first storage step (S10) of storing the average value.

Next, the motor 41 may drive the drum 30 at a second rotation speed greater than the first rotation speed (S20). The current sensing unit drives the drum 30 at the second rotation speed. The current value can be detected. The first current value may be stored in the controller 90 and/or the memory. Since the second current value in the section in which the drum 30 rotates at the second rotational speed is stored, the section may also be referred to as the twelfth storage step (S20).

According to the embodiment, the control unit 90 calculates a first average current value obtained by averaging currents sensed by the current sensing unit in a section driven at a second rotation speed, and a second average current value by driving the drum 30 . It is possible to control to perform the second storage step (S20) of storing the.

In this case, it goes without saying that the order of the first storage step S10 and the second storage step S20 may be interchanged. That is, first, the drum 30 is driven at a second rotation speed greater than the first rotation speed, and a second current value (second current average value) by driving the drum 30 is stored, and then at the first rotation speed. It is also possible to drive the drum 30 and store the first current value (the first current average value) by driving the drum 30 .

At least one of the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed may be smaller than the rotational speed at which the laundry included in the drum 30 is attached to the drum 30 . That is, at least one of the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed may be a rotational speed corresponding to the tumbling driving.

This is because, as described above, the effect may be relatively large when drying is performed according to the tumbling drive. However, the number of tumbling rotations may vary depending on the situation. The rotational speed (rpm) optimized for the tumbling operation may vary according to variables such as the type of load (eg, laundry), weight, and the like. In order to take advantage of the difference in current when driving at different rotation speeds, it is preferable that the number of rotations of the low RPM section and the number of rotations of the high RPM section differ by more than a certain level.

For example, the first rotation speed may be 60 rpm or less. Also, as an example, the second rotation speed may be 100 rpm or more.

Next, the controller 90 may compare the first current value with the second current value (S30). For example, the control unit 90 may perform a calculation step S30 of calculating the ratio of the first current value (first current average value) and the second current value (second current average value).

In this way, when drying the dehydrated load in the washing machine or dryer, the average value of the current obtained by tumbling rotation at a relatively low rotation speed at the beginning and the average current value obtained by tumbling rotation at a relatively high rotation speed are obtained and the ratio thereof is obtained (low rpm current average/high rpm current average).

Next, a determination step ( S40 ) of determining whether the laundry is completely dried may be performed using the ratio of the first average current value and the second average current value.

Thereafter, a drying operation may be performed using the set drying motion (S50). That is, if it is determined that the laundry has not been completely dried in the determination step S40 of determining whether the laundry is completely dried, the drying operation may be performed.

After performing the drying operation (S50), the first storage step (S10), the second storage step (S20), the calculation step (S30), and the determination step (S40) may be performed again.

In addition, the first storage step (S10), the second storage step (S20), the calculation step (S30), and the determination step (S40) may be re-performed at regular time intervals. That is, it may be determined whether a set time has elapsed after the drying operation is performed (S50) (S60). In this case, when the set time elapses, the first storage step (S10), the second storage step (S20), the calculation step (S30), and the determination step (S40) may be re-performed.

Accordingly, the first storage step (S10), the second storage step (S20), the calculation step (S30), and the determination step (S40) may be re-performed at regular time intervals.

For example, the drying progress can be checked by obtaining an average current for tumble driving at low and high rotational speeds at 10-minute intervals and comparing it with previously measured values.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the laundry has been dried in the determining step (S40) of determining whether the laundry is completely dried, thereafter, additional drying may be performed for a predetermined time (S70) and drying may be terminated.

For example, in the step S40 of determining whether drying is complete, if the ratio of the first current value (first current average value) and the second current value (second current average value) is less than a specific value, it is determined that drying is complete can do.

For example, if the difference between the ratio of the previously measured current value and the ratio of the current measured current value is less than 5%, it may be determined that drying is complete.

Meanwhile, in a washing machine or dryer using a fan, the fan may be driven at a low speed or the drive may be turned off to measure the motor current in order to accurately measure the motor current. That is, when the current sensing unit senses a current flowing through the motor, the fan may be driven or stopped at a speed less than a predetermined speed.

11 is a graph illustrating a drying operation (drying motion) according to a control method of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

11 shows the number of rotations of the drying operation according to the progress of time.

In this drying operation, first, after rotating the drum at the first rotational speed clockwise for a predetermined time, the drum may be rotated for a predetermined time at the second rotational speed greater than the first rotational speed, and then the rotation may be stopped.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , after rotating the drum at 40 rpm for a predetermined time, the number of rotations may be increased to 52 rpm, and then the drum may be rotated for a predetermined time.

At this time, the drum can be rotated at a high rpm for a relatively long time. For example, after rotating the drum at 40 rpm for 27 seconds, the drum may be rotated at 52 rpm for 30 seconds. After that, the driving of the drum may be stopped for a predetermined time.

This operation may then be repeatedly performed by changing the rotation direction in a counterclockwise direction. That is, only the rotation direction of the drum 30 is reversed at the same rotation speed and time to perform driving of the drum 30 .

Thereafter, this rotational speed may be gradually increased. This ascending step may correspond to a certain number of times. For example, the initial driving rotation speed of the drum 30 may be increased stepwise from 40 rpm, 44 rpm, and 48 rpm, and then the same operation may be repeated by lowering the rotation speed again.

This operation may be repeatedly performed until drying is completed. That is, if it is determined that drying is not completed in step S40 of determining whether drying is complete, the above-described drying operation may be performed.

At this time, after the drying operation is performed in this way and as described above, after determining whether the set time has elapsed (S60), the first storage step (S10), the second storage step (S20), the calculation step (S30), and the determination step (S40) may be performed again.

12 is a graph illustrating a change in a current value according to a control method of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The change in the current value according to the driving of the drum 30 actually represents a change in the current value different with the progress of time in a load (laundry) weighing 3 kg.

Referring to FIG. 12 , it can be seen that the current value for driving the drum 30 gradually decreases as the drying time progresses.

As described above, according to the dryness determination method according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure described above with reference to FIG. 10 , it can be seen that the current value and the current average value gradually decrease over time. That is, it can be confirmed that the ratio of the current average value can also gradually decrease.

The decrease in the average current value is because, as the laundry (clothes) is dried, the moisture content of the dried material decreases and the weight decreases. That is, when moisture evaporates and the weight of the building decreases, the torque for rotating the drum 30 may decrease, so that the magnitude of the motor current may be reduced compared to the initial stage of drying.

In other words, the wet laundry may have a relatively high current difference between driving the drum at a high rotation speed and driving the drum at a relatively low rotation speed. On the other hand, the dried laundry may have a relatively low current difference between driving the drum at a high rotation speed and driving the drum at a relatively low rotation speed.

Therefore, using this phenomenon, as described above, the current (average current) according to the driving of the drum 30 is measured and stored at high and low rotational speed, and by using the ratio of this current value, it is transmitted to the external environment. The degree of dryness can be determined strongly.

That is, the dryness detection method using the motor current has little variation due to external factors such as the external environment and is detected using only the motor current, so it is a method for detecting dryness that is relatively robust to the external environment. In other words, the dryness detection method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may determine the dryness level without being affected by a change in the external environment.

In addition, since the dryness is determined by using the ratio of the current according to the driving of the drum 30 at high and low rotational speeds, the influence of internal mechanical changes such as a motor can be minimized.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical spirit of the present disclosure, and various modifications and variations will be possible without departing from the essential characteristics of the present disclosure by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are for explanation rather than limiting the technical spirit of the present disclosure, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present disclosure is not limited by these embodiments.

The protection scope of the present disclosure should be construed by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

a drum for receiving laundry;

a motor driving the drum;

a drying unit for drying the laundry by heating the drum; and

Including; a current sensing unit for sensing the current flowing through the motor;

When the motor drives the drum at the first rotation speed, the first current value sensed by the current sensing unit and when the motor drives the drum at a second rotation speed greater than the first rotation speed, the A laundry treatment apparatus terminating drying of the laundry based on a second current value sensed by the current sensing unit.
According to claim 1,

The first current value is a first current average value obtained by averaging currents sensed by the current sensing unit in a section driven at the first rotation speed, and the second current value is a section driven at the second rotation speed a second average current value obtained by averaging the currents sensed by the current sensing unit in the laundry treatment apparatus.
According to claim 1,

When the ratio of the first current value to the second current value is less than a predetermined reference value, the drying is terminated.
According to claim 1,

During the drying, an operation of driving the drum at a first rotation speed and an operation of driving the drum at the second rotation speed are repeatedly performed.
According to claim 1,

Further comprising; a fan rotating in at least some section of the drying;

When the current sensing unit senses a current flowing through the motor, the fan is driven or stopped at a speed less than a predetermined speed.
According to claim 1,

At least one of the first rotation speed and the second rotation speed is less than the rotation speed at which the laundry included in the drum rotates while attached to the drum.
According to claim 1,

and the first rotation speed is 60 rpm or less.
According to claim 1,

and the second rotation speed is 100 rpm or more.
According to claim 1,

The laundry treatment apparatus further comprising a; tub for accommodating the drum.
According to claim 1,

and the drying unit, an induction heater configured to heat the drum during drying.