EP1983086B1 - Washing machine and control method thereof - Google Patents
Washing machine and control method thereof Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1983086B1 EP1983086B1 EP07121896A EP07121896A EP1983086B1 EP 1983086 B1 EP1983086 B1 EP 1983086B1 EP 07121896 A EP07121896 A EP 07121896A EP 07121896 A EP07121896 A EP 07121896A EP 1983086 B1 EP1983086 B1 EP 1983086B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- water
- tub
- washing machine
- unit
- heater
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- 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
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers
- D06F33/50—Control of washer-dryers characterised by the purpose or target of the control
- D06F33/52—Control of the operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
- D06F33/65—Control of the operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of conditioning or finishing phases, e.g. for smoothing or removing creases
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/04—Heating 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
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge 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
- D06F58/30—Drying processes
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2103/60—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers related to auxiliary conditioning or finishing agents, e.g. filling level of perfume tanks
- D06F2103/62—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers related to auxiliary conditioning or finishing agents, e.g. filling level of perfume tanks related to systems for water or steam used for conditioning or finishing
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2105/38—Conditioning or finishing, e.g. control of perfume injection
- D06F2105/40—Conditioning or finishing, e.g. control of perfume injection using water or steam
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a washing machine and a control method thereof, and, more particularly, to a washing machine and a control method thereof that are capable of removing a smell from an object to be deodorized.
- a washing machine (normally, a drum type washing machine) is a machine that washes laundry by lifting and dropping the laundry during the rotation of a cylindrical rotary tub.
- the drum type washing machine has advantages in that the damage to laundry and the water consumption are small, although the drum type washing machine has a long washing time, as compared with a conventional pulsator type washing machine, and therefore, the demand for the drum type washing machine has increased.
- the washing machine performs a washing operation, including washing, rinsing, and spin-drying processes, through a water supply action to supply water for washing and rinsing into a water tub and a drainage action to drain water from the water tub after the washing and rinsing.
- the conventional washing machine normally performs washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and drying functions; however, the washing machine does not include a deodorizing unit. For this reason, it is necessary for clothes to be rewashed if a smell has not been fully removed from the clothes. As a result, power and water consumption is excessively increased.
- Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2005-114106 discloses a washing machine and a deodorizing method thereof that is capable of removing a smell from laundry, without performing a washing operation, including washing, rinsing, and spin-drying processes, when the washing machine is used only for the purpose of deodorization.
- the disclosed washing machine includes a rotary tub, in which an object to be deodorized is put, a duct communicating with the rotary tub to allow air, containing smell particles separated from the object in the rotary tub, to pass therethrough, and a deodorant spray unit to spray deodorant to remove the contaminated smell particles from the air passing through the duct.
- the deodorizing method of the washing machine includes putting an object to be deodorized in the rotary tub, separating smell particles from the object by rotating the rotary tub, supplying hot air to the object, or supplying a small amount of water to the object through a water supply unit, and circulating air in the rotary tub through the duct using a blowing fan such that the smell particles do not permeate into the object.
- a deodorant nozzle is operated to spray deodorant into the deodorizing duct.
- the smell particles in the air passing through the deodorizing duct dissolve in the deodorant, and therefore the smell particles are removed from the air.
- the air, from which the smell particles are removed, is resupplied into the rotary tub such that the air is used for a deodorizing process.
- the smell particle separation efficiency is low when the smell particles are separated from the object.
- low-temperature misty water is directly supplied to the object using the water supply unit, with the result that it is difficult to maximize humidification, and the smell particle separation efficiency is lowered.
- Reference WO 2007/024050 A1 relates to a method for operating a washing machine, in which wrinkles are removed from laundry using steam.
- steam is produced by a steam supply unit and directed into the drum, wherein the steam supply unit is installed into the washing machine, however, outside the water tub.
- the control method requires several heating units, which might increase production costs.
- Reference EP 1 600 545 A1 relates to a washing machine having a deodorizing means and a control method thereof. Steam is produced by a steam generator, which is arranged outside the water tub within the washing machine. From the steam generator the steam is directed through a steam supply pipe into the water tub.
- Document DE 10 2005 046 163 A1 relates to a dryer apparatus circulating heated air through a tub, within which clothes are enclosed.
- the present invention provides a washing machine including a water supply unit, a rotary tub, a water tub, a first heater mounted in the water tub to generate steam necessary to humidify an object to be deodorized, and a blowing unit to suction air from the outside of the water tub and supply the suctioned air into the rotary tub.
- the washing machine further includes a control unit to control the water supply unit, the rotary tub, and the first heater.
- control unit rotates the rotary tub when the water supply unit is driven.
- the washing machine further includes an exhaust unit to exhaust air, containing smell particles separated from the object, to the outside.
- the water supply unit includes a water supply pipe and a water supply nozzle, the water supply nozzle being located adjacent to the first heater.
- the blowing unit includes a second heater to heat air.
- control unit drives the first heater, and, after the lapse of a predetermined time, drives the blowing unit.
- the present invention provides a control method of a washing machine, including a water tub and a rotary tub mounted in the water tub, to remove a smell from an object to be deodorized, the control method including humidifying the object by supplying steam to the object and deodorizing the humidified object by separating smell particles from the object.
- the humidifying the object includes supplying water into the water tub, and the supplying water into the water tub includes rotating the rotary tub to prevent the water from being supplied to the object in the rotary tub.
- the humidifying the object includes heating the water received in the water tub, and the object is humidified using steam generated by heating the water received in the water tub.
- the humidifying the object includes rotating the rotary tub to uniformly humidify the object.
- the deodorizing the humidified object includes draining water from the water tub.
- the deodorizing the humidified object includes supplying hot air to the object.
- the supplying hot air to the object includes rotating the rotary tub in alternating directions.
- the deodorizing the humidified object includes supplying air, introduced from the outside of the water tub, to the object.
- the deodorizing the humidified object includes draining the smell particles, separated from the object, to the outside.
- FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically illustrating a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating a water tub and a rotary tub of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- the washing machine according to the present invention is capable of performing washing, spin-drying, and rinsing operations as well as a deodorizing operation; however, only the deodorizing operation of the washing machine will be hereinafter described.
- the washing machine includes a machine body 10 forming the external appearance of the washing machine, a drum type water tub 20 mounted in the machine body 10 to receive wash water, a rotary tub 30 rotatably mounted in the water tub 20 to receive an object to be deodorized, a first heater 15 mounted in the water tub 20 to humidify the object during a deodorizing operation, a blowing unit 60 to separate smell particles from the object, and an exhaust unit 50 to exhaust the smell particles separated from the object.
- the fronts of the water tub 20 and the rotary tub 30 are open, such that an object to be deodorized is put in the rotary tub 30, and a deodorized object is taken out of the rotary tub 30.
- To the front of the machine body 10 is hingedly mounted a door 11 to open and close the open fronts of the water tub 20 and the rotary tub 30.
- a plurality of through-holes 31 In the circumference of the rotary tub 30 are formed a plurality of through-holes 31. To the inner circumferential surface of the rotary tub 30 are mounted a plurality of lifters 32 to lift the object such that the lifters 32 are arranged at predetermined intervals. Consequently, when the rotary tub 30 is rotated, the lifters 32 lift the object to a predetermined height and drop the object such that a smell is smoothly separated from the object.
- the drive motor 13 includes a stator 13a fixed to the rear of the water tub 20, a rotator 13b rotatably disposed around the stator 13a, and a rotary plate 13c connected between the rotator 13b and the rotary shaft 12.
- a detergent supply unit 14 to supply detergent
- a water supply unit 40 to supply wash water.
- a drainage unit 50 to drain water from the water tub 20.
- the detergent supply unit 14 is partitioned into several spaces.
- the detergent supply unit 14 is mounted at the upper part of the front of the machine body 10 such that a user easily puts detergent and softener in the respective spaces.
- the water supply unit 40 includes a first water supply pipe 41 to supply water to the detergent supply unit 14, a water supply valve 42 mounted on the first water supply pipe 41 to open and close a flow channel of the first water supply pipe 41, thereby controlling the supply of water, a second water supply pipe 43 mounted between the detergent supply unit 14 and the water tub 20 to supply water, having passed through the detergent supply unit 14, to the water tub 20, and a water supply nozzle 44 mounted to one end of the second water supply pipe 43.
- the water supply nozzle 44 fixedly extends through the outer circumference of the water tub 20 to supply water to a first heater 15, mounted at the bottom of the water tub, during a deodorizing operation.
- the rotary tub 30 is rotated, as shown in FIG. 2 , such that the water, introduced through the water supply nozzle 44, is not directly supplied to an object to be deodorized in the rotary tub 30.
- a control unit 75 which will be described below, controls the drive motor 13 to rotate the rotary tub 30 such that a centrifugal force is generated by the rotation of the rotary tub 30.
- the water is not introduced into the rotary tub 30 but flows into a space defined between the inner surface of the water tub 20 and the outer surface of the rotary tub 30 and then to the first heater 15. Consequently, the direct supply of the water to the object in the rotary tub 30 is prevented.
- the water supply level satisfies a heater safety level (a predetermined water level at which the first heater 15 is soaked; when the water supply level is the heater safety level, the first heater 15 is prevented from contacting air, whereby the damage to the first heater 15 due to the overheating of the first heater 15 is prevented), even when the amount of the water supplied is small.
- a heater safety level a predetermined water level at which the first heater 15 is soaked; when the water supply level is the heater safety level, the first heater 15 is prevented from contacting air, whereby the damage to the first heater 15 due to the overheating of the first heater 15 is prevented
- the nonuniform humidification of the object is prevented, and therefore, the smell separation efficiency is improved, and the deodorizing operation is prevented from being performed for a long period of time when the object is excessively wetted.
- the drainage unit 50 includes a drainage pipe 51 having one end connected to a drainage port 21 formed at the bottom of the water tub and the other end extending outside, and a drainage valve 52 mounted on the drainage pipe 51 to open and closed the drainage pipe 51. When the drainage valve 52 is opened, the water is naturally drained from the water tub 20.
- the drainage unit 50 may include a pump instead of the drainage valve.
- the first heater 15, mounted at the bottom of the water tub 20, is constructed in a serpentine fashion to achieve the maximum heat emission efficiency in a predetermined space.
- the first heater 15 is located in the location part 22, preferably adjacent to the bottom of the location part 22, with the result that the supply of water to the heater safety level is possible even with a small amount of water, and therefore, steam is rapidly generated when the first heater 15 is driven.
- the blowing unit 60 includes a blowing duct 63 having a suction port 64 to suction external air and a discharge port 65 to supply the suctioned air into the rotary tub 30, a blowing fan 61 mounted in the blowing duct 63 to generate a blowing force necessary to forcibly introduce air into the blowing duct 63, and a second heater 62 to heat the air introduced into the blowing duct 63 by the blowing fan 61.
- the blowing unit 60 suctions air from the outside of the water tub 20 through the suction port 64, heats the suctioned air, and supplies the heated air, i.e., hot air, to the object in the rotary tub 30 through the discharge port 65.
- the blowing unit 60 may include only the blowing fan 61 such that smell particles are separated from the object using room-temperature air. According to the first embodiment of the present invention, however, the blowing unit 60 also includes the second heater 62, such that the second heater 62 is driven to generate hot air, and the blowing fan 61 is driven to supply the hot air to the object in the rotary tub 30, thereby more smoothly accomplishing the separation of smell particles from the object, and therefore, improving the deodorization efficiency.
- the hot air is applied to the object, which is humidified by the high-temperature steam such that smell particles can be easily separated from the object, to accelerate the activity of the smell particles such that the smell particles are separated from the object or the smell particles are chemically changed into another composition having no smell.
- the exhaust unit 50 serves to exhaust the smell particles, separated from the object in the rotary tub 30 by the hot air supplied to the object from the blowing unit 60, to the outside.
- the exhaust unit 50 may be separately mounted in the washing machine; however, the drainage unit preferably functions as the exhaust unit as in the first embodiment of the present invention.
- the drainage unit and the exhaust unit are the same component. Accordingly, the drainage unit and the exhaust unit will be indicated hereinafter by the same reference numeral, and the drainage unit and the exhaust unit will be selectively used if necessary.
- the exhaust unit 50 serves to exhaust air, containing the smell particles separated from the object, to the outside.
- the water received in the water tub 20 is heated to increase the humidity in the water tub 20 such that the smell particles are easily separated from the object, and then hot air is supplied to the object. As a result, the smell particles are separated from the object.
- the air, containing the smell particles separated from the object, is exhausted out of the washing machine through the drainage pipe 51, mounted below the water tub 20. Consequently, the air is prevented from being introduced into the rotary tub through duct, and therefore, the deodorization efficiency is improved.
- FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the washing machine according to the present invention.
- the washing machine further includes a signal input unit 71, a water level detection unit 72, a temperature detection unit 73, a weight detection unit 74, a control unit 75, and a drive unit 76.
- the signal input unit 71 allows a user to input operation information, such as a deodorizing course selected depending upon a material of the object, to the control unit 75.
- the water level detection unit 72 detects the water level of wash water supplied into the water tub 20, and the temperature detection unit 73 detects the temperature of wash water supplied into the water tub 20.
- the weight detection unit 74 detects the weight of the object put in the rotary tub 30.
- the weight of the object may be detected using a current value sensed by torque generated during the rotation of the drive motor, a weight sensor, an optical sensor, or an infrared sensor.
- the control unit 75 is a microprocessor to control the washing machine according to the operation information inputted from the signal input unit 71.
- the control unit 75 controls the water supply valve 42 and the rotary tub 30 to be driven such that water supplied from the water supply nozzle 44 is not introduced into the rotary tub 30 but is supplied to the first heater 15 side at the bottom of the water tub 20.
- control unit 75 detects the water supply level, and determines whether the detected water supply level is the heater safety level. When it is determined that the detected water supply level is the heater safety level, the control unit 75 ends the supply of water and drives the first heater 15 to heat water in the water tub 20 such that steam is generated.
- the control unit 75 detects the temperature of the water heated by the first heater 15, and determines whether the detected temperature of the water is less than a predetermined temperature (a temperature stored in the control unit 75 based on the kinds of objects to be deodorized). When it is determined that the detected temperature of the water is less than the predetermined temperature, the control unit 75 determines whether the drive time of the first heater 15 (time span from a point of time when the first heater 15 is initially driven) is greater than a predetermined time (time span until an appropriate humidification amount based on the weight of an object to be deodorized is supplied to the object; data acquired through experiments is previously stored in the control unit 75; the appropriate humidification amount is approximately 2% to 5% of the weight of the object). When it is determined that the drive time of the first heater 15 is greater than the predetermined time, the control unit 75 controls the first heater 15 to be turned off and ends a humidification step.
- a predetermined temperature a temperature stored in the control unit 75 based on the kinds of objects to be deodorized.
- the control unit 75 drives the drainage valve 52 to drain water from the water tub 20 and drives the blowing fan 61 and the second heater 62 to supply hot air to the object in the rotary tub 30.
- the drainage valve 52 remains open, and therefore, the hot air supplied into the rotary tub 30 is discharged to the outside, while the hot air contains smell particles, through the exhaust unit 50, whereby the deodorization efficiency is improved.
- the rotary tub 30 is rotated simultaneously with the supply of the hot air, and therefore, the smell separation efficiency is further improved.
- the control unit 75 has a timer to count the drive time of the first heater 15. Also, data, such as a predetermined temperature (a temperature to heat the received water based on the kinds of objects to be deodorized) and a predetermined time (the drive time of the first heater 15 based on the amount of an object to be deodorized), is previously stored in the control unit in the form of a ROM table.
- a predetermined temperature a temperature to heat the received water based on the kinds of objects to be deodorized
- a predetermined time the drive time of the first heater 15 based on the amount of an object to be deodorized
- the drive unit 76 drives the water supply valve 42, the drainage valve 52, the drive motor 13, the first heater 15, and the blowing unit 60 according to the drive control signal of the control unit 75.
- FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a humidification step performed by the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a deodorization step performed by the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- the operation information selected by the user is inputted to the control unit through the signal input unit 71.
- the control unit 75 sets a received water heating temperature to a predetermined time based on the material of the object selected by the user.
- control unit 75 detects the weight of the object put in the rotary tub 30 through the weight detection unit 74 (S100) and compares the detected weight with stored data to set a drive time of the first heater 15 to a predetermined time.
- the water supply valve 42 is driven to supply water into the water tub 20 through the water supply nozzle 44 (S110).
- the control unit 75 drives the rotary tub 30 (S120) such that the water supplied into the water tub 20 is not introduced into the rotary tub 30 but flows into the space between the rotary tub 30 and the water tub 20 and is then supplied to the first heater 15 side at the bottom of the water tub 20, by a centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotary tub 30.
- the maximum level of the received water is controlled to be lower than the bottom height of the rotary tub 30 such that the water is not supplied to the object in the rotary tub 30.
- the water level of the received water is detected (S130), it is determined whether the detected water level is the heater safety level (the water level at which the first heater is fully soaked in the water) (S140), and, when it is determined that the detected water level is the heater safety level, the water supply valve 42 is turned off to end a water supply step (S 141).
- the first heater 15 is driven (S150) to heat the received water such that steam is generated.
- the object is humidified using the generated high-temperature steam.
- the rotary tub 30 remains driven to uniformly humidify the object.
- the temperature of the heated water is detected (S160), and it is determined whether the detected temperature of the water is less than a predetermined temperature (S170). When it is determined that the detected temperature of the water is less than the predetermined temperature, it is determined whether the heater drive time is greater than a predetermined time (S180). When it is determined that the heater drive time is greater than the predetermined time, the first heater is turned off (S190) to end a humidification step.
- Step S170 When it is determined at Step S170 that the detected temperature of the water is greater than the predetermined temperature, the first heater 15 is turned off (S171), and it is determined whether the drive time of the first heater 15 is greater than the predetermined time (S172). When it is determined that the drive time of the first heater 15 is greater than the predetermined time, the humidification step is ended.
- the temperature of the heated water and the drive time of the first heater 15 are changed depending upon the material and amount of the object, and therefore, it is possible to provide the humidification temperature and amount suitable for the object, thereby preventing the damage to the object and improving the deodorization efficiency.
- the washing machine performs deodorization step.
- the drainage valve 52 is driven to drain the water in the water tub 20 to the outside (S200).
- the blowing unit 60 is driven to suction air from the outside of the water tub and heat the suctioned air such that hot air is supplied to the object in the rotary tub 30 (S210).
- the volume of the supplied hot air is decided by experiments. When the air volume is large, the internal temperature is decreased, and the contact time between the object and the hot air is shortened. Consequently, the air volume is experimentally decided to improve the deodorization efficiency.
- the rotary tub 30 is driven (S220), such that the rotary tub 30 is rotated in alternating directions, simultaneously with the supply of the hot air, to further improve the smell particle separation efficiency due to the friction between the rotary tub 30 and the object, thereby improving the deodorization efficiency.
- the air, containing the smell particles separated from the object, is drained to the outside through the drainage unit 50. As a result, the smell particles are completely separated from the object.
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view schematically illustrating a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
- the washing machine according to the second embodiment includes the same components as the washing machine according to the first embodiment except for a water supply unit.
- the water supply unit of the washing machine includes a first water supply pipe 81 to supply water to the detergent supply unit 14, a second water supply pipe 83 connected between the detergent supply unit 14 and the water tub 20 to supply the water, having passed through the detergent supply unit 14, to the water tub 20, a first water supply nozzle 84 mounted to one end of the second water supply pipe 83, a third water supply pipe 85 extending to directly supply water to the first heater 15 side at the bottom of the water tub 20, a second water supply nozzle 86 mounted at one end of the third water supply pipe 85, and a water supply valve 82 to open and close a flow channel of the first water supply pipe 81 and the third water supply pipe 85, thereby controlling the supply of water.
- the second water supply nozzle 86 fixedly extends through the lower part of the rear of the water tub 20 to directly supply water to the bottom of the water tub through the second water supply nozzle 86, during a deodorizing operation, thereby preventing the supply of water to the object in the rotary tub 30 without the driving of the rotary tub 30.
- the water supply valve 82 is preferably an electric-powered three way valve to close both the first and third water supply pipes 81 and 85 or selectively close the first water supply pipe 81 or the third water supply pipe 85.
- FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a water supply step performed by the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
- the control method of the washing machine according to the second embodiment is identical to that of the washing machine according to the first embodiment except for the water supply step. Accordingly, only the water supply step performed by the washing machine according to the second embodiment will be described below.
- the control unit 75 controls the water supply unit 80 to be operated such that the third water supply pipe 85 is opened by the water supply valve 82 (S300).
- the control unit 75 controls the water supply unit 80 to be operated such that the third water supply pipe 85 is opened by the water supply valve 82 (S300).
- water is directly supplied to the first heater 15 side at the bottom of the water tub 20 through the third water supply pipe 85.
- the supply of water to the object in the rotary tub is prevented without the driving of the rotary tub 30, unlike the first embodiment.
- the water level of the received water is detected (S310), it is determined whether the detected water level is the heater safety level (the water level at which the first heater is fully soaked in the water) (S320), and, when it is determined that the detected water level is the heater safety level, the water supply unit 80 is turned off (S330) to end the water supply step.
- the heater safety level the water level at which the first heater is fully soaked in the water
- the washing machine according to the present invention and the control method thereof are capable of humidifying an object to be deodorized using the first heater mounted at the bottom of the water tub without the provision of an additional unit. Consequently, the manufacturing costs of the washing machine are reduced. Also, the object is humidified using high-temperature steam. Consequently, the deodorization efficiency is improved.
- the washing machine according to the present invention is capable of heating air introduced from the outside of the water tub, supplying hot air to the object, and draining smell particles, separated from the object, to the outside of the machine body through the drainage unit. Consequently, the deodorization efficiency is improved.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
- Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
- Accessory Of Washing/Drying Machine, Commercial Washing/Drying Machine, Other Washing/Drying Machine (AREA)
- Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a washing machine and a control method thereof, and, more particularly, to a washing machine and a control method thereof that are capable of removing a smell from an object to be deodorized.
- Generally, a washing machine (normally, a drum type washing machine) is a machine that washes laundry by lifting and dropping the laundry during the rotation of a cylindrical rotary tub. The drum type washing machine has advantages in that the damage to laundry and the water consumption are small, although the drum type washing machine has a long washing time, as compared with a conventional pulsator type washing machine, and therefore, the demand for the drum type washing machine has increased.
- The washing machine performs a washing operation, including washing, rinsing, and spin-drying processes, through a water supply action to supply water for washing and rinsing into a water tub and a drainage action to drain water from the water tub after the washing and rinsing.
- The conventional washing machine normally performs washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and drying functions; however, the washing machine does not include a deodorizing unit. For this reason, it is necessary for clothes to be rewashed if a smell has not been fully removed from the clothes. As a result, power and water consumption is excessively increased.
- In order to solve the problem, Korean Patent Application Publication No.
10-2005-114106 - The disclosed washing machine includes a rotary tub, in which an object to be deodorized is put, a duct communicating with the rotary tub to allow air, containing smell particles separated from the object in the rotary tub, to pass therethrough, and a deodorant spray unit to spray deodorant to remove the contaminated smell particles from the air passing through the duct. The deodorizing method of the washing machine includes putting an object to be deodorized in the rotary tub, separating smell particles from the object by rotating the rotary tub, supplying hot air to the object, or supplying a small amount of water to the object through a water supply unit, and circulating air in the rotary tub through the duct using a blowing fan such that the smell particles do not permeate into the object.
- At this time, a deodorant nozzle is operated to spray deodorant into the deodorizing duct. As a result, the smell particles in the air passing through the deodorizing duct dissolve in the deodorant, and therefore the smell particles are removed from the air. The air, from which the smell particles are removed, is resupplied into the rotary tub such that the air is used for a deodorizing process.
- In the deodorizing method disclosed in the above publication, however, the smell particle separation efficiency is low when the smell particles are separated from the object. Especially, low-temperature misty water is directly supplied to the object using the water supply unit, with the result that it is difficult to maximize humidification, and the smell particle separation efficiency is lowered. Furthermore, it is necessary to install an additional mist spray unit to the water supply unit, and therefore, the manufacturing costs are increased.
- In addition, air circulates through the rotary tub and the duct. Consequently, air containing smell particles is deodorized by the deodorant spray unit, and is then introduced into the rotary tub. However, the introduction of the smell particles completely removed by the deodorant spray unit into the rotary tub is not prevented, whereby the deodorization efficiency is lowered.
- Reference
WO 2007/024050 A1 relates to a method for operating a washing machine, in which wrinkles are removed from laundry using steam. During operation steam is produced by a steam supply unit and directed into the drum, wherein the steam supply unit is installed into the washing machine, however, outside the water tub. The control method requires several heating units, which might increase production costs. - Reference
EP 1 600 545 A1 relates to a washing machine having a deodorizing means and a control method thereof. Steam is produced by a steam generator, which is arranged outside the water tub within the washing machine. From the steam generator the steam is directed through a steam supply pipe into the water tub. -
Document DE 10 2005 046 163 A1 relates to a dryer apparatus circulating heated air through a tub, within which clothes are enclosed. - It is the object of the invention to provide a cost efficient washing machine, which is able to remove smelling particles from the clothes to be washed, and a method for the same.
- The object can be solved with the technical features of claim 1 or
independent claim 8. - Improved embodiments are provided by the technical features of the dependent claims.
- Therefore, it is an aspect of the invention to provide a washing machine and a control method thereof that are capable of improving the deodorization efficiency without the provision of an additional unit.
- In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a washing machine including a water supply unit, a rotary tub, a water tub, a first heater mounted in the water tub to generate steam necessary to humidify an object to be deodorized, and a blowing unit to suction air from the outside of the water tub and supply the suctioned air into the rotary tub.
- Preferably, the washing machine further includes a control unit to control the water supply unit, the rotary tub, and the first heater.
- Preferably, the control unit rotates the rotary tub when the water supply unit is driven.
- Preferably, the washing machine further includes an exhaust unit to exhaust air, containing smell particles separated from the object, to the outside.
- Preferably, the water supply unit includes a water supply pipe and a water supply nozzle, the water supply nozzle being located adjacent to the first heater.
- Preferably, the blowing unit includes a second heater to heat air.
- Preferably, the control unit drives the first heater, and, after the lapse of a predetermined time, drives the blowing unit.
- In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a control method of a washing machine, including a water tub and a rotary tub mounted in the water tub, to remove a smell from an object to be deodorized, the control method including humidifying the object by supplying steam to the object and deodorizing the humidified object by separating smell particles from the object.
- Preferably, the humidifying the object includes supplying water into the water tub, and the supplying water into the water tub includes rotating the rotary tub to prevent the water from being supplied to the object in the rotary tub.
- Preferably, the humidifying the object includes heating the water received in the water tub, and the object is humidified using steam generated by heating the water received in the water tub.
- Preferably, the humidifying the object includes rotating the rotary tub to uniformly humidify the object.
- Preferably, the deodorizing the humidified object includes draining water from the water tub.
- Preferably, the deodorizing the humidified object includes supplying hot air to the object.
- Preferably, the supplying hot air to the object includes rotating the rotary tub in alternating directions.
- Preferably, the deodorizing the humidified object includes supplying air, introduced from the outside of the water tub, to the object.
- Preferably, the deodorizing the humidified object includes draining the smell particles, separated from the object, to the outside.
- Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
- These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:
-
FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically illustrating a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating a water tub and a rotary tub of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the washing machine according to the present invention; -
FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a humidification step performed by the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a deodorization step performed by the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is a sectional view schematically illustrating a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and -
FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a water supply step performed by the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. - Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiment of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The embodiment is described below to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.
-
FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically illustrating a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating a water tub and a rotary tub of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. - The washing machine according to the present invention is capable of performing washing, spin-drying, and rinsing operations as well as a deodorizing operation; however, only the deodorizing operation of the washing machine will be hereinafter described.
- As shown in
FIGS. 1 and2 , the washing machine includes amachine body 10 forming the external appearance of the washing machine, a drumtype water tub 20 mounted in themachine body 10 to receive wash water, arotary tub 30 rotatably mounted in thewater tub 20 to receive an object to be deodorized, afirst heater 15 mounted in thewater tub 20 to humidify the object during a deodorizing operation, a blowingunit 60 to separate smell particles from the object, and anexhaust unit 50 to exhaust the smell particles separated from the object. - The fronts of the
water tub 20 and therotary tub 30 are open, such that an object to be deodorized is put in therotary tub 30, and a deodorized object is taken out of therotary tub 30. To the front of themachine body 10 is hingedly mounted adoor 11 to open and close the open fronts of thewater tub 20 and therotary tub 30. - In the circumference of the
rotary tub 30 are formed a plurality of through-holes 31. To the inner circumferential surface of therotary tub 30 are mounted a plurality oflifters 32 to lift the object such that thelifters 32 are arranged at predetermined intervals. Consequently, when therotary tub 30 is rotated, thelifters 32 lift the object to a predetermined height and drop the object such that a smell is smoothly separated from the object. - At the rear of the
water tub 20 is mounted a drive unit, i.e., adrive motor 13, to rotate arotary shaft 12 connected to therotary tub 30. Thedrive motor 13 includes astator 13a fixed to the rear of thewater tub 20, arotator 13b rotatably disposed around thestator 13a, and arotary plate 13c connected between therotator 13b and therotary shaft 12. - Above the
water tub 20 are mounted adetergent supply unit 14 to supply detergent and awater supply unit 40 to supply wash water. Below thewater tub 20 is mounted adrainage unit 50 to drain water from thewater tub 20. - The
detergent supply unit 14 is partitioned into several spaces. Thedetergent supply unit 14 is mounted at the upper part of the front of themachine body 10 such that a user easily puts detergent and softener in the respective spaces. - The
water supply unit 40 includes a firstwater supply pipe 41 to supply water to thedetergent supply unit 14, awater supply valve 42 mounted on the firstwater supply pipe 41 to open and close a flow channel of the firstwater supply pipe 41, thereby controlling the supply of water, a secondwater supply pipe 43 mounted between thedetergent supply unit 14 and thewater tub 20 to supply water, having passed through thedetergent supply unit 14, to thewater tub 20, and awater supply nozzle 44 mounted to one end of the secondwater supply pipe 43. - The
water supply nozzle 44 fixedly extends through the outer circumference of thewater tub 20 to supply water to afirst heater 15, mounted at the bottom of the water tub, during a deodorizing operation. - At this time, the
rotary tub 30 is rotated, as shown inFIG. 2 , such that the water, introduced through thewater supply nozzle 44, is not directly supplied to an object to be deodorized in therotary tub 30. Specifically, when thewater supply valve 42 is driven such that water is introduced through thewater supply nozzle 44, acontrol unit 75, which will be described below, controls thedrive motor 13 to rotate therotary tub 30 such that a centrifugal force is generated by the rotation of therotary tub 30. As a result, the water is not introduced into therotary tub 30 but flows into a space defined between the inner surface of thewater tub 20 and the outer surface of therotary tub 30 and then to thefirst heater 15. Consequently, the direct supply of the water to the object in therotary tub 30 is prevented. - As the object in the
rotary tub 30 is prevented from directly absorbing the water as described above, the water supply level satisfies a heater safety level (a predetermined water level at which thefirst heater 15 is soaked; when the water supply level is the heater safety level, thefirst heater 15 is prevented from contacting air, whereby the damage to thefirst heater 15 due to the overheating of thefirst heater 15 is prevented), even when the amount of the water supplied is small. In addition, the nonuniform humidification of the object is prevented, and therefore, the smell separation efficiency is improved, and the deodorizing operation is prevented from being performed for a long period of time when the object is excessively wetted. - The
drainage unit 50 includes adrainage pipe 51 having one end connected to adrainage port 21 formed at the bottom of the water tub and the other end extending outside, and adrainage valve 52 mounted on thedrainage pipe 51 to open and closed thedrainage pipe 51. When thedrainage valve 52 is opened, the water is naturally drained from thewater tub 20. Thedrainage unit 50 may include a pump instead of the drainage valve. - The
first heater 15, mounted at the bottom of thewater tub 20, is constructed in a serpentine fashion to achieve the maximum heat emission efficiency in a predetermined space. At the bottom of thewater tub 20 is formed alocation part 22 bent downward such that thefirst heater 15 is located in thelocation part 22. - Consequently, the
first heater 15 is located in thelocation part 22, preferably adjacent to the bottom of thelocation part 22, with the result that the supply of water to the heater safety level is possible even with a small amount of water, and therefore, steam is rapidly generated when thefirst heater 15 is driven. - The blowing
unit 60 includes a blowingduct 63 having asuction port 64 to suction external air and adischarge port 65 to supply the suctioned air into therotary tub 30, a blowingfan 61 mounted in the blowingduct 63 to generate a blowing force necessary to forcibly introduce air into the blowingduct 63, and asecond heater 62 to heat the air introduced into the blowingduct 63 by the blowingfan 61. - Consequently, the blowing
unit 60 suctions air from the outside of thewater tub 20 through thesuction port 64, heats the suctioned air, and supplies the heated air, i.e., hot air, to the object in therotary tub 30 through thedischarge port 65. - The blowing
unit 60 may include only the blowingfan 61 such that smell particles are separated from the object using room-temperature air. According to the first embodiment of the present invention, however, the blowingunit 60 also includes thesecond heater 62, such that thesecond heater 62 is driven to generate hot air, and the blowingfan 61 is driven to supply the hot air to the object in therotary tub 30, thereby more smoothly accomplishing the separation of smell particles from the object, and therefore, improving the deodorization efficiency. - Specifically, the hot air is applied to the object, which is humidified by the high-temperature steam such that smell particles can be easily separated from the object, to accelerate the activity of the smell particles such that the smell particles are separated from the object or the smell particles are chemically changed into another composition having no smell.
- The
exhaust unit 50 serves to exhaust the smell particles, separated from the object in therotary tub 30 by the hot air supplied to the object from the blowingunit 60, to the outside. Theexhaust unit 50 may be separately mounted in the washing machine; however, the drainage unit preferably functions as the exhaust unit as in the first embodiment of the present invention. - The drainage unit and the exhaust unit are the same component. Accordingly, the drainage unit and the exhaust unit will be indicated hereinafter by the same reference numeral, and the drainage unit and the exhaust unit will be selectively used if necessary.
- The
exhaust unit 50 serves to exhaust air, containing the smell particles separated from the object, to the outside. The water received in thewater tub 20 is heated to increase the humidity in thewater tub 20 such that the smell particles are easily separated from the object, and then hot air is supplied to the object. As a result, the smell particles are separated from the object. - The air, containing the smell particles separated from the object, is exhausted out of the washing machine through the
drainage pipe 51, mounted below thewater tub 20. Consequently, the air is prevented from being introduced into the rotary tub through duct, and therefore, the deodorization efficiency is improved. -
FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the washing machine according to the present invention. In addition to the components shown inFIG. 1 , the washing machine further includes asignal input unit 71, a waterlevel detection unit 72, atemperature detection unit 73, aweight detection unit 74, acontrol unit 75, and adrive unit 76. - The
signal input unit 71 allows a user to input operation information, such as a deodorizing course selected depending upon a material of the object, to thecontrol unit 75. - The water
level detection unit 72 detects the water level of wash water supplied into thewater tub 20, and thetemperature detection unit 73 detects the temperature of wash water supplied into thewater tub 20. - The
weight detection unit 74 detects the weight of the object put in therotary tub 30. The weight of the object may be detected using a current value sensed by torque generated during the rotation of the drive motor, a weight sensor, an optical sensor, or an infrared sensor. - The
control unit 75 is a microprocessor to control the washing machine according to the operation information inputted from thesignal input unit 71. At a water supply step, thecontrol unit 75 controls thewater supply valve 42 and therotary tub 30 to be driven such that water supplied from thewater supply nozzle 44 is not introduced into therotary tub 30 but is supplied to thefirst heater 15 side at the bottom of thewater tub 20. - Also, the
control unit 75 detects the water supply level, and determines whether the detected water supply level is the heater safety level. When it is determined that the detected water supply level is the heater safety level, thecontrol unit 75 ends the supply of water and drives thefirst heater 15 to heat water in thewater tub 20 such that steam is generated. - Also, the
control unit 75 detects the temperature of the water heated by thefirst heater 15, and determines whether the detected temperature of the water is less than a predetermined temperature (a temperature stored in thecontrol unit 75 based on the kinds of objects to be deodorized). When it is determined that the detected temperature of the water is less than the predetermined temperature, thecontrol unit 75 determines whether the drive time of the first heater 15 (time span from a point of time when thefirst heater 15 is initially driven) is greater than a predetermined time (time span until an appropriate humidification amount based on the weight of an object to be deodorized is supplied to the object; data acquired through experiments is previously stored in thecontrol unit 75; the appropriate humidification amount is approximately 2% to 5% of the weight of the object). When it is determined that the drive time of thefirst heater 15 is greater than the predetermined time, thecontrol unit 75 controls thefirst heater 15 to be turned off and ends a humidification step. - After the object is appropriately humidified, at a deodorization step, the
control unit 75 drives thedrainage valve 52 to drain water from thewater tub 20 and drives the blowingfan 61 and thesecond heater 62 to supply hot air to the object in therotary tub 30. At this time, thedrainage valve 52 remains open, and therefore, the hot air supplied into therotary tub 30 is discharged to the outside, while the hot air contains smell particles, through theexhaust unit 50, whereby the deodorization efficiency is improved. - Also, the
rotary tub 30 is rotated simultaneously with the supply of the hot air, and therefore, the smell separation efficiency is further improved. - The
control unit 75 has a timer to count the drive time of thefirst heater 15. Also, data, such as a predetermined temperature (a temperature to heat the received water based on the kinds of objects to be deodorized) and a predetermined time (the drive time of thefirst heater 15 based on the amount of an object to be deodorized), is previously stored in the control unit in the form of a ROM table. - The
drive unit 76 drives thewater supply valve 42, thedrainage valve 52, thedrive motor 13, thefirst heater 15, and the blowingunit 60 according to the drive control signal of thecontrol unit 75. - Hereinafter, the operation of the washing machine according to the present invention will be described.
-
FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a humidification step performed by the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a deodorization step performed by the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. - First, the humidification step will be described.
- When a user puts an object to be deodorized in the
rotary tub 30 and selects operation information, such as a deodorizing process, based on a material of the object, the operation information selected by the user is inputted to the control unit through thesignal input unit 71. Thecontrol unit 75 sets a received water heating temperature to a predetermined time based on the material of the object selected by the user. - Also, the
control unit 75 detects the weight of the object put in therotary tub 30 through the weight detection unit 74 (S100) and compares the detected weight with stored data to set a drive time of thefirst heater 15 to a predetermined time. - Subsequently, the
water supply valve 42 is driven to supply water into thewater tub 20 through the water supply nozzle 44 (S110). At this time, thecontrol unit 75 drives the rotary tub 30 (S120) such that the water supplied into thewater tub 20 is not introduced into therotary tub 30 but flows into the space between therotary tub 30 and thewater tub 20 and is then supplied to thefirst heater 15 side at the bottom of thewater tub 20, by a centrifugal force generated by the rotation of therotary tub 30. At this time, the maximum level of the received water is controlled to be lower than the bottom height of therotary tub 30 such that the water is not supplied to the object in therotary tub 30. - Subsequently, the water level of the received water is detected (S130), it is determined whether the detected water level is the heater safety level (the water level at which the first heater is fully soaked in the water) (S140), and, when it is determined that the detected water level is the heater safety level, the
water supply valve 42 is turned off to end a water supply step (S 141). - Subsequently, the
first heater 15 is driven (S150) to heat the received water such that steam is generated. The object is humidified using the generated high-temperature steam. At this time, therotary tub 30 remains driven to uniformly humidify the object. - Subsequently, the temperature of the heated water is detected (S160), and it is determined whether the detected temperature of the water is less than a predetermined temperature (S170). When it is determined that the detected temperature of the water is less than the predetermined temperature, it is determined whether the heater drive time is greater than a predetermined time (S180). When it is determined that the heater drive time is greater than the predetermined time, the first heater is turned off (S190) to end a humidification step.
- When it is determined at Step S170 that the detected temperature of the water is greater than the predetermined temperature, the
first heater 15 is turned off (S171), and it is determined whether the drive time of thefirst heater 15 is greater than the predetermined time (S172). When it is determined that the drive time of thefirst heater 15 is greater than the predetermined time, the humidification step is ended. - In this way, the temperature of the heated water and the drive time of the
first heater 15 are changed depending upon the material and amount of the object, and therefore, it is possible to provide the humidification temperature and amount suitable for the object, thereby preventing the damage to the object and improving the deodorization efficiency. - After the humidification step is ended, the washing machine according to the present invention performs deodorization step. First, the
drainage valve 52 is driven to drain the water in thewater tub 20 to the outside (S200). Subsequently, the blowingunit 60 is driven to suction air from the outside of the water tub and heat the suctioned air such that hot air is supplied to the object in the rotary tub 30 (S210). The volume of the supplied hot air is decided by experiments. When the air volume is large, the internal temperature is decreased, and the contact time between the object and the hot air is shortened. Consequently, the air volume is experimentally decided to improve the deodorization efficiency. - Although it is possible to separate smell particles from the object to some extent only with the supply of the hot air, according to this embodiment, the
rotary tub 30 is driven (S220), such that therotary tub 30 is rotated in alternating directions, simultaneously with the supply of the hot air, to further improve the smell particle separation efficiency due to the friction between therotary tub 30 and the object, thereby improving the deodorization efficiency. - The air, containing the smell particles separated from the object, is drained to the outside through the
drainage unit 50. As a result, the smell particles are completely separated from the object. - Hereinafter, a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
-
FIG. 6 is a sectional view schematically illustrating a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. - Components of the washing machine according to the second embodiment, which are identical to those of the washing machine according to the first embodiment, are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will not be given.
- As shown in
FIG. 6 , the washing machine according to the second embodiment includes the same components as the washing machine according to the first embodiment except for a water supply unit. - The water supply unit of the washing machine according to the second embodiment includes a first
water supply pipe 81 to supply water to thedetergent supply unit 14, a secondwater supply pipe 83 connected between thedetergent supply unit 14 and thewater tub 20 to supply the water, having passed through thedetergent supply unit 14, to thewater tub 20, a firstwater supply nozzle 84 mounted to one end of the secondwater supply pipe 83, a thirdwater supply pipe 85 extending to directly supply water to thefirst heater 15 side at the bottom of thewater tub 20, a secondwater supply nozzle 86 mounted at one end of the thirdwater supply pipe 85, and awater supply valve 82 to open and close a flow channel of the firstwater supply pipe 81 and the thirdwater supply pipe 85, thereby controlling the supply of water. - The second
water supply nozzle 86 fixedly extends through the lower part of the rear of thewater tub 20 to directly supply water to the bottom of the water tub through the secondwater supply nozzle 86, during a deodorizing operation, thereby preventing the supply of water to the object in therotary tub 30 without the driving of therotary tub 30. - The
water supply valve 82 is preferably an electric-powered three way valve to close both the first and thirdwater supply pipes water supply pipe 81 or the thirdwater supply pipe 85. - Hereinafter, the operation of the washing machine according to the second embodiment will be described.
-
FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a water supply step performed by the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. - The control method of the washing machine according to the second embodiment is identical to that of the washing machine according to the first embodiment except for the water supply step. Accordingly, only the water supply step performed by the washing machine according to the second embodiment will be described below.
- First, when an object to be deodorized is put in the
rotary tub 30, the weight of the object is detected, and the supply of water is initiated. Thecontrol unit 75 controls thewater supply unit 80 to be operated such that the thirdwater supply pipe 85 is opened by the water supply valve 82 (S300). As a result, water is directly supplied to thefirst heater 15 side at the bottom of thewater tub 20 through the thirdwater supply pipe 85. At this time, the supply of water to the object in the rotary tub is prevented without the driving of therotary tub 30, unlike the first embodiment. - Subsequently, the water level of the received water is detected (S310), it is determined whether the detected water level is the heater safety level (the water level at which the first heater is fully soaked in the water) (S320), and, when it is determined that the detected water level is the heater safety level, the
water supply unit 80 is turned off (S330) to end the water supply step. - The subsequent control method of this embodiment is identical to that of the previous first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be given.
- As apparent from the above description, the washing machine according to the present invention and the control method thereof are capable of humidifying an object to be deodorized using the first heater mounted at the bottom of the water tub without the provision of an additional unit. Consequently, the manufacturing costs of the washing machine are reduced. Also, the object is humidified using high-temperature steam. Consequently, the deodorization efficiency is improved.
- Furthermore, the washing machine according to the present invention is capable of heating air introduced from the outside of the water tub, supplying hot air to the object, and draining smell particles, separated from the object, to the outside of the machine body through the drainage unit. Consequently, the deodorization efficiency is improved.
- Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in this embodiment without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
Claims (13)
- A washing machine comprising:a water supply unit 40;a rotary tub 30;a water tub 20;characterized bya first heater 15 mounted in the water tub 20 adapted to generate steam necessary to humidify an object to be deodorized; anda blowing unit 60 to suction air from the outside of the water tub 20 and supply the suctioned air into the rotary tub 30.
- The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising:a control unit 75 to control the water supply unit 40, the rotary tub 30, and the first heater 15.
- The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the control unit 75 rotates the rotary tub 30 when the water supply unit 40 is driven.
- The washing machine according to one of the claims 1 to 3, further comprising:an exhaust unit 50 to exhaust air, containing smell particles separated from the object, to the outside.
- The washing machine according to one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the water supply unit 40 includes a water supply pipe 41 and a water supply nozzle 44, the water supply nozzle 44 being located adjacent to the first heater 15.
- The washing machine according to one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the blowing unit 60 includes a second heater 62 to heat air.
- The washing machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the control unit 75 drives the first heater 15, and, after the lapse of a predetermined time, drives the blowing unit 60.
- A control method of a washing machine, including a water tub 20 and a rotary tub 30 mounted in the water tub 20, to remove a smell from an object to be deodorized, the control method comprising:heating water received in the water tub 20, in order to humidify the object by supplying steam to the object; andsupplying hot air or room-temperature air introduced from the outside to the object, in order to deodorize the humidified object by separating smell particles from the object.
- The control method according to claim 8, wherein the humidifying the object includes supplying water into the water tub 20, and the supplying water into the water tub 20 includes rotating the rotary tub 30 to prevent the water from being supplied to the object in the rotary tub 30.
- The control method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the humidifying the object includes rotating the rotary tub 30 to uniformly humidify the object.
- The control method according to one of the claims 8 to 10, wherein the deodorizing the humidified object includes draining water from the water tub 30.
- The control method according to one of the claims 8 to 11, wherein the supplying of hot air to the object includes rotating the rotary tub 30 in alternating directions.
- The control method according to one of the claims 8 to 13, wherein the deodorizing the humidified object includes draining the smell particles, separated from the object, to the outside.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020070037233A KR100867122B1 (en) | 2007-04-17 | 2007-04-17 | Washing machine and control method of thereof |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP1983086A2 EP1983086A2 (en) | 2008-10-22 |
EP1983086A3 EP1983086A3 (en) | 2009-12-23 |
EP1983086B1 true EP1983086B1 (en) | 2013-02-27 |
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ID=39592888
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP07121896A Expired - Fee Related EP1983086B1 (en) | 2007-04-17 | 2007-11-29 | Washing machine and control method thereof |
Country Status (3)
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EP (1) | EP1983086B1 (en) |
KR (1) | KR100867122B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101289801B (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102015107500A1 (en) | 2015-05-13 | 2016-11-17 | Miele & Cie. Kg | Process for washing and / or drying laundry in a washer-dryer |
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DE102008042264B4 (en) * | 2008-09-22 | 2016-11-10 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Process for finishing laundry and suitable laundry treatment appliance |
DE102009026773B4 (en) | 2009-06-05 | 2019-07-18 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Process for finishing laundry and suitable laundry treatment appliance |
US8549770B2 (en) | 2009-12-18 | 2013-10-08 | Whirlpool Corporation | Apparatus and method of drying laundry with drying uniformity determination |
US9580860B2 (en) | 2009-12-18 | 2017-02-28 | Whirlpool Corporation | Method for operating a clothes dryer using load temperature determined by an infrared sensor |
US8245415B2 (en) | 2009-12-18 | 2012-08-21 | Whirlpool Corporation | Method for determining load size in a clothes dryer using an infrared sensor |
DE102010039182A1 (en) * | 2010-08-11 | 2012-02-16 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Process for the removal of odors in laundry items in a washer-dryer as well as suitable washer-dryer |
CN103915817B (en) * | 2013-01-06 | 2018-06-15 | 海尔集团公司 | Heater circuit autocontrol method and device and washing machine |
CN110079973B (en) * | 2019-05-24 | 2020-05-29 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Washing machine and control method thereof |
JP7199732B2 (en) * | 2020-07-31 | 2023-01-06 | アイリスオーヤマ株式会社 | Washing machine |
CN113201899B (en) * | 2021-04-13 | 2022-08-26 | 合肥美的洗衣机有限公司 | Clothes treating apparatus |
CN113152025B (en) * | 2021-04-13 | 2022-03-22 | 无锡小天鹅电器有限公司 | Drum assembly and clothes treatment equipment |
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JP2004167131A (en) * | 2002-11-22 | 2004-06-17 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Washing machine |
CN1473981A (en) * | 2002-11-26 | 2004-02-11 | 乐金电子(天津)电器有限公司 | Washing controlling device and method for washing machine |
KR20050112232A (en) * | 2004-05-25 | 2005-11-30 | 삼성전자주식회사 | A washer equipping a deodorization means and control method thereof |
AU2006238761B2 (en) * | 2005-08-25 | 2009-03-19 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Operating method for laundry machine |
DE102005046163A1 (en) * | 2005-09-27 | 2007-03-29 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Airing a textile article with an air stream in a treatment chamber comprises loading the air stream with vapor and passing it through a filter |
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2007
- 2007-04-17 KR KR1020070037233A patent/KR100867122B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2007-11-29 EP EP07121896A patent/EP1983086B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2007-11-30 CN CN2007101962136A patent/CN101289801B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102015107500A1 (en) | 2015-05-13 | 2016-11-17 | Miele & Cie. Kg | Process for washing and / or drying laundry in a washer-dryer |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1983086A3 (en) | 2009-12-23 |
KR20080093492A (en) | 2008-10-22 |
CN101289801B (en) | 2011-01-19 |
CN101289801A (en) | 2008-10-22 |
KR100867122B1 (en) | 2008-11-06 |
EP1983086A2 (en) | 2008-10-22 |
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