CN1944769B - Washing machine and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A washing machine which maximally reduces noise generated from a washing process so as to satisfy a low-noise requirement of a user, and a method for controlling the same. The method includes determining whether a calm washing course is selected, and performing low-noise calm washing by controlling an intermediate dehydrating operation performed after washing and rinsing operations so that the intermediate dehydrating operation is performed at less than a designated speed, when it is determined that the calm washing course is selected.

Description

Washing machine and control method thereof

technical field

The invention relates to a washing machine and a control method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a washing machine capable of minimizing noise generated in a washing process and a control method thereof.

Background technique

In general, a conventional washing machine is an apparatus for washing laundry using power generated by lifting and dropping laundry placed in a cylindrical rotary drum when a rotary drum is rotated. A dehydration operation performed after all washing and rinsing operations (for example, an intermediate dehydration operation after a washing and rinsing operation, or a final dehydration operation after a final rinsing operation) is performed at a predetermined high rotational speed (about 800 rpm), so that the motor Undesirable noise due to vibration of the driving or rotating drum.

To solve the above problems, Korean Patent Laid-Open No. 1999-0055473 discloses a method of reducing noise of a washing machine by minimizing vibration generated by a dehydration operation.

In the method disclosed in the above patents, the initial rotation speed of the motor is set according to the local arrangement state of the laundry in the initial stage of the dehydration operation, and the motor is activated when the set initial rotation speed decreases or increases within a specified range. Rotating, the degree of vibration of the rotating motor is thus measured, and then the dehydration operation is performed at a rotational speed corresponding to the minimum value of the measured vibration degrees, thereby reducing noise. This method cannot eliminate the noise generated in the intermediate spin-drying operation performed after all the washing and rinsing operations, but can only minimize the noise generated in the final spinning operation performed after the washing and rinsing operations are completed, so it is difficult to meet the needs of users. required low noise requirements. For example, when the user wants to operate the washing machine at night.

Contents of the invention

Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a washing machine, and a control method thereof, in which an intermediate dehydration operation after all washing and rinsing operations is performed in a low-noise state (i.e., a quiet washing state) below a specified rotational speed. are performed to minimize noise.

Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention are 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.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention are achieved by providing a washing machine, and a control method thereof, in which time and speed of an intermediate dehydration operation after all washing and rinsing operations are controlled so that the intermediate dehydration operation is performed at a low It is carried out at the specified speed to achieve quiet washing and has the same effect as the standard washing process.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a washing machine, and a control method thereof, in which a spin duration and a rinse amount are controlled such that an intermediate spin operation is performed at a lower than specified rotation speed to compensate for rinsing capacity.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a washing machine, and a control method thereof, in which wash water is not drained outside in the final rinse operation and the rinse state is maintained to prevent noise from being generated due to the final spin operation and to prevent standby. Laundry wrinkled.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of controlling a washing machine, the method including determining whether the quiet washing course is selected, and performing quiet washing with low noise, that is, when it is determined that the quiet washing course is selected, by controlling The intermediate dehydration operation performed after the operation is performed such that the intermediate dehydration operation is performed below a specified rotation speed to perform the quiet washing with low noise.

The performance of quiet washing with low noise includes controlling the time and speed of the intermediate spin-drying operation performed after the washing and rinsing operations.

The execution of quiet washing with low noise includes controlling the time of the intermediate spinning operation performed after the rinsing operation and the number of rinsing times in the rinsing operation.

The specified speed is about 100 rpm.

The method further includes: when it is determined that the quiet washing course is selected, preventing wash water from being drained outward in a final rinsing operation and maintaining a final rinsing state.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of controlling a washing machine, wherein an intermediate dehydration operation following an operation of washing laundry is performed for a specified time below a specified speed to perform quiet washing in a low noise state.

The operation of washing the laundry includes washing and rinsing operations, and the designated speed is about 100 rpm.

When the rinsing operation is the final rinsing operation, the final rinsing state may be maintained without performing the final dehydration operation.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a washing machine having a motor and a drain device, the washing machine including a signal input part for selecting a quiet washing course, and for controlling the motor during the quiet washing course so that after washing and rinsing operations The control part that the intermediate dehydration operation is performed below the specified speed.

The control part controls the time and speed of the intermediate spin-drying operation following the washing and rinsing operations.

The control part controls the time of the intermediate dehydration operation after the rinsing operation and the number of rinsing in the rinsing operation is controlled.

The control part prevents the wash water from being discharged outside in the final rinsing operation, and maintains a final rinsing state.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a washing machine including a signal input part for selecting a quiet washing course, and a control part for controlling a motor during the quiet washing course so that the laundry is washed The intermediate dehydration operation after the operation is performed for a specified time below the specified speed.

The operation of washing the laundry includes washing and rinsing operations, and when the rinsing operation is a final rinsing operation, the control part maintains a final rinsing state without performing a final dehydration operation.

Description of drawings

These and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and easier and more comprehensible by the following description of embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 is a sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a schematic diagram showing a washing machine control system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The embodiments are described in order to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the washing machine of the present invention includes a cylindrical tub 11 installed in a main body 10 for containing washing water, and a drum 12 rotatably installed in the tub 11 .

The washing tub 11 is installed obliquely at an angle of a specified degree α with the installation plane of the washing machine so that the front surface portion 11a with the opening 11b of the washing tub 11 is located higher than the rear surface portion 11c of the washing tub 11. location location. In the same manner as the washing tub 11, the rotary drum 12 is installed obliquely in the washing tub 11 so that the front surface portion 12a of the drum 12 having the opening 12b is positioned higher than the rear surface portion 12c of the drum 12. Location.

That is, the rotation centerline of the rotary drum 12 makes an angle of a specified degree α with the installation plane of the washing machine so that the front surface portion 12a having the opening 12b faces upward. A rotary shaft 13 connected to the center of the rear surface portion 12c of the rotary drum 12 is rotatably supported by the center of the rear surface portion 11c of the washing tub 11, thereby allowing the rotary drum 12 to be rotatable in the laundry tub 11.

A plurality of through holes 12d are formed through the circumferential surface of the rotary drum 12, and a plurality of lifters 14 for lifting and dropping laundry are rotated and mounted on the rotary drum 12 when the rotary drum 12 is rotated. 12 on the inner surface.

A motor 15 serving as a driving means for rotating a rotary shaft 13 connected to the rotary drum 12 to perform washing, rinsing, and dehydration operations is installed on the outer surface of the rear surface portion 11c of the washing tub 11, Also, a washing heater 16 for heating washing water supplied into the washing tub 11 is installed at a lower portion of the washing tub 11 .

The motor 15 includes a stator 15a fixed to the rear surface portion 11c of the tub 11, a rotor 15b rotatably installed around the stator 15a, and a rotation plate 15c connecting the rotor 15b to the rotation shaft 13.

An opening 17b is formed through the front surface of the main body 10 at positions corresponding to the opening 12b of the rotary drum 12 and the opening 11b of the washing tub 11, so that laundry can be put into and taken out of the rotary drum 12 through the opening 17b. , and the door 17 for opening and closing the opening 17b is mounted on the opening 17b.

The detergent supply device 18 that provides detergent and the water supply device 20 that provides washing water are installed on the drum 11, and include a drain pipe 19a, a drain valve 19b, and a drain pump 19c for draining all the water in the washing tub 11. The drain device 19 is installed at the bottom of the washing tub 11.

The inside of the detergent supply device 18 is divided into a plurality of chambers, and the detergent supply device 18 is installed on the front surface of the main body 10 so that the user can easily add detergent and fiber softener to the corresponding chambers.

The water supply device 20 includes a cold water supply pipe 21 and a hot water supply pipe 22 for respectively supplying cold water and hot water, and water supply valves 23 and 24 are installed in the cold water and hot water supply pipes 21 and 22 to control the flow through the cold water supply pipes. 21 and hot water supply pipe 22 for water supply.

The cold water supply pipe 21 and the hot water supply pipe 22 are connected to the detergent supply device 18 so that water supplied from the outside is supplied to the detergent supply device 18 . A separate water supply pipe 25 is installed between the detergent supply device 18 and the washing tub 11 so that water that has flowed through the detergent supply device 18 is supplied to the washing tub 11, and a water supply nozzle 26 is installed at an outlet of the water supply pipe 25. . Thus, the water supplied to the tub 11 flows through the detergent supply device 18 to dissolve detergent in the detergent supply device 18 , and the detergent-containing water is supplied to the tub 11 .

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a control system of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The washing machine also includes a signal input part 100 , a temperature detection part 110 , a water level detection part 120 , a control part 130 , a driving part 140 , and a speed detection part 150 .

The signal input unit 100 is used to input operational data to the control unit 130, such as washing process, washing temperature, spinning speed, and whether to increase the rinsing operation, which are selected by the user according to the material of the laundry. The signal input part 100 allows a user to select a quiet washing course (for example, a low speed course) to control the rotation speed of an intermediate dehydration operation performed after washing and rinsing operations so that the intermediate dehydration operation is performed in a low noise state.

The temperature detecting part 110 detects the temperature of the washing water supplied to the washing tub 11 , and the water level detecting part 102 detects the water level of the washing water supplied to the washing tub 11 .

The control part 130 is a microcomputer for controlling the washing machine according to operation data input from the signal input part 100 . When the quiet washing course is selected, the control part 130 controls the operation of the motor 15 so that the dehydration operation after all the washing and rinsing operations (ie, the intermediate dehydration operation after the washing and rinsing operations) is performed below a specified rotation speed.

The control part 130 controls the time and speed of the dehydration operation after all the washing and rinsing operations so that the dehydration operation is performed below a specified rotation speed, thereby making the quiet washing process have the same effect as the standard washing process. In the rinsing operation, the control part 130 controls the dehydration duration and the rinsing time so that the dehydration operation is performed at a prescribed rotation speed, thereby compensating for the rinsing effect.

The control part 130 controls the operation of the drain device 19 so that the wash water is not drained out of the washing machine in the final rinsing operation and the rinsing state is maintained.

The drive part 140 drives the motor 15, the washing heater 16, the drain valve 19b, the drain pump 19c, and the water supply valves 23 and 24 according to the drive control signal of the control part 130, and the rotational speed detection part 150 detects the rotational speed of the motor 15 and detects The rotation speed of the input control part 130.

Hereinafter, functions and effects of the above washing machine and its control process will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling the washing machine of the present invention to realize quiet washing. In the method of the present invention, the quiet washing operation may be set as a default so that the intermediate spinning operation performed after all washing and rinsing operations is performed in a low noise state, or the quiet washing operation may be set as optional , so that the intermediate spin operation can be performed only when the user presses a separate option key.

When the user puts the laundry into the rotary drum 12, he selects the operating data according to the material of the laundry, such as the washing process, the washing temperature, the spin speed, and whether to increase the rinsing operation, and then selects the quiet washing process, which is determined by the user. The selected operation data is input to the control part 130 through the signal input part 100 in operation 100 .

The program runs from operation 100 to operation 110 in which the control part 130 performs washing and rinsing operations according to operation data input from the signal input part 100 . First, the control part 130 determines whether the washing machine is turned on.

When it is determined in operation 110 that the washing machine is turned on, the procedure proceeds to operation 120 in which the control part 130 turns on the water supply valves 23 and 24 so that wash water is supplied to the detergent supply device through the water supply pipes 21 and 22 18 , and the wash water supplied to the detergent supply device 18 is supplied into the washing tub 11 through the water supply pipe 25 .

When wash water is supplied into the washing tub 11 , the control part 130 drives the motor 15 at a predetermined rotation speed and a predetermined operation rate (on/off ratio), thereby rotating the rotary drum 12 . Thus, the washing water and the detergent are thoroughly mixed with the laundry, and a washing operation of washing the laundry using the force of the laundry falling is performed in operation 130 .

After the washing operation is performed in operation 130 , the process proceeds to operation 140 in which the intermediate dehydration operation is performed below a specified rotation speed (about 100 rpm) so that the user does not feel the rotation of the motor 15 . The rotation speed of the middle dehydration operation in the quiet washing course is lower than the rotation speed (about 600 rpm) of the middle dehydration operation in the standard washing course. Thereby, the noise generated in the intermediate spin-drying operation after the washing operation can be minimized, thereby providing a quiet environment.

The process runs from operation 140 to operation 150 where the control unit 130 determines the specified duration (T) of the intermediate spin operation (i.e., removes the minimum amount of water from the laundry by controlling the rotational speed such that the intermediate spin operation is at Whether the time to be performed in a low-noise state, approximately 3 minutes) has elapsed, wherein the intermediate dehydration operation is performed below a specified rotation speed after the washing operation. That is, the intermediate dehydration operation is performed below the specified rotational speed for the dehydration duration (T).

Since the rotation speed (about 100 rpm) of the middle dehydration operation in the quiet washing process is much lower than the rotation speed (about 600 rpm) of the middle dehydration operation in the standard washing process, it is necessary to prolong the spin duration (T ) to achieve the same capacity as the standard washing process. Therefore, the dehydration duration (T) (about 3 minutes) is maintained.

When it is determined in operation 150 that the dehydration duration (T) has passed the specified time, the process proceeds to operation 160 in which the control part 130 controls the water supply valves 23 and 24 to perform a rinsing operation, thereby allowing rinsing water to be supplied. To washing tub 11.

When rinsing water is supplied to the washing tub 11 , the control part 130 drives the motor 15 at a predetermined rotation speed and a predetermined operation rate (on/off ratio), thereby performing a rinsing operation in operation 170 .

After the rinsing operation is performed in operation 170, the process proceeds to operation 180 in which the control part 130 determines whether the adjusted rinsing amount (ie, the number of times the rinsing operation is performed) is completed. The rinse number in the quiet wash course is automatically adjusted so as to be obtained by increasing the rinse number over the rinse number in the standard wash course based on the amount of laundry and user-selected operating data.

Since the rotation speed (about 100 rpm) of the intermediate dehydration operation after the rinsing operation in the quiet washing process is much lower than the rotation speed (about 800 rpm) in the intermediate dehydration operation after the rinsing operation in the standard washing process, the number of rinsing in the quiet washing process must be larger than the standard The number of rinses in the wash process to obtain the same capacity as in the standard wash process. Of course, in the same manner as the intermediate dehydration operation after the washing operation, the dehydration duration (T) of the intermediate dehydration operation after the rinsing operation is extended.

When it is determined in operation 180 that the adjusted rinse quantity has not been completed, the process proceeds to operation 190, in which an intermediate dehydration operation is performed below a specified rotational speed (about 100 rpm) so that the user does not feel the motor 15 rotation. The rotation speed in the middle spin operation in the quiet washing course is lower than that in the middle spin operation in the standard washing course (approx. 800rpm). It is thus possible to minimize the noise generated in the intermediate spin-drying operation after the washing operation, thereby providing a quiet environment.

The process runs from operation 190 to operation 200, in which the control part 130 determines the specified duration (T) of the intermediate dehydration operation (in the same way as the intermediate dehydration operation after the washing operation, by controlling the rotation speed from the laundry to be Whether the time, about 3 minutes, has elapsed for the minimum amount of water to be removed from the object to allow the intermediate spinning operation performed at a specified speed or less after the rinsing operation. That is, the intermediate dehydration operation is performed below the specified rotational speed for the dehydration duration (T).

On the other hand, when it is determined in operation 180 that the adjusted amount of rinsing is completed, the process proceeds to operation 210 in which the control part 130 stops operations of all loads including the drain device 19 so that the washing water is not discharged out of the washing machine and the rinse state is maintained without performing a final spinning operation.

The above process may allow the laundry to be dried without wrinkling after the washing operation is completed and a predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

As can be clearly seen from the above description, the present invention provides a washing machine, and a control method thereof, in which the dehydration operation performed after all the washing and rinsing operations is controlled so that the dehydration operation is performed below a specified rotational speed in a low-noise state Thereby achieving quiet washing, and wherein the time and speed of the dehydration operation performed after all washing and rinsing operations are controlled so that the dehydration operation is performed less than a designated rpm to have the same effect as a standard washing process.

In addition, the washing machine controls the duration of the intermediate spin operation and the number of rinses so that the spin operation is performed below a designated speed (less than a designated rpm) and compensates for the rinse capacity, and does not drain water out of the washing machine in the final rinse operation and maintain Rinse state to prevent noise due to final spin operation and dry laundry without creases.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art can understand that the embodiments can be modified without departing from the principle and spirit of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and its equivalents.

Claims (20)

1. A method for controlling a washing machine having a quiet washing process comprising the steps of: Determine whether the quiet washing process is selected; When it is determined that the quiet washing course is selected, by controlling an intermediate spinning operation performed after washing and rinsing operations so that the intermediate spinning operation is performed at an intermediate spinning speed of the quiet washing course lower than that of a standard washing course , to perform quiet washing with low noise; and When it is determined that the quiet washing course is selected, the wash water is prevented from being drained outward and a final rinse state is maintained in a final rinse operation. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein performing quiet washing with low noise comprises controlling time and speed of the intermediate dehydration operation performed at an intermediate dehydration speed of the quiet washing process after washing and rinsing operations. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein performing quiet washing with low noise comprises controlling a time of the intermediate spin operation performed at an intermediate spin speed of the quiet wash process after the rinsing operation and a time during the rinse operation. number of rinses. 4. The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the intermediate spin speed of the quiet wash process is 100 rpm. 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: when it is determined that the quiet washing course is selected, performing automatic adjustment so that the number of rinses in the rinsing operation of the quiet washing course is higher than the number of rinsings in the rinsing operation of the standard washing course more than once. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein a spin time of an intermediate dehydration operation after a rinsing operation of the quiet washing course is set to be longer than an intermediate dehydration time of the rinsing operation of the standard washing course. 7. A method for controlling a washing machine having a quiet wash cycle comprising the steps of: When it is determined that the quiet washing course is selected, performing an intermediate spin operation at a speed below a designated speed for a designated time after the operation of washing the laundry to perform quiet washing in a low-noise state; and When it is determined that the quiet washing course is selected, the wash water is prevented from being drained outward and a final rinse state is maintained in a final rinse operation. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the operation of washing the laundry includes a washing operation and a rinsing operation. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the specified speed is 100 rpm. 10. The method of claim 7, wherein when the rinsing operation is a final rinsing operation, a final rinsing state is maintained without performing a final dehydration operation. 11. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of: when it is determined that the quiet washing course is selected, performing automatic adjustment so that the number of rinses in the rinsing operation of the quiet washing course is higher than that in the rinsing operation of the standard washing course One or more times. 12. The method of claim 7, wherein a spin time of an intermediate dehydration operation after a rinsing operation of the quiet washing course is set to be longer than an intermediate dehydration time of the rinsing operation of the standard washing course. 13. A washing machine having a motor and a drain, comprising: a signal input part for selecting a quiet washing course; and a control unit for: When it is determined that the quiet washing course is selected, the control part controls the motor so that an intermediate spinning operation after washing and rinsing operations is performed at an intermediate spinning speed of the quiet washing course lower than that of a standard washing course to perform Low noise and quiet washing process; and When it is determined that the quiet washing course is selected, the control part prevents wash water from being drained outside and maintains a final rinsing state in a final rinsing operation. 14. The laundry machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the control part controls a time and a speed of an intermediate dehydration operation performed at an intermediate dehydration speed of the quiet washing process after the washing and rinsing operations. 15. The laundry machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the control part controls the time of the intermediate dehydration operation performed at the intermediate dehydration speed of the quiet washing course after the rinsing operation and the number of times of rinsing in the rinsing operation. 16. The washing machine according to any one of claims 13-15, wherein the intermediate spin speed of the quiet wash cycle is 100 rpm. 17. The washing machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein, when it is determined that the quiet washing course is selected, the control part performs automatic adjustment so that the number of rinsing times in the rinsing operation of the quiet washing course is higher than that in the rinsing operation of the standard washing course. Rinse more often than once. 18. A washing machine comprising: a signal input part for selecting a quiet washing course; and a control unit for: When it is determined that the quiet washing course is selected, the control part controls an intermediate dehydration operation after the operation of washing the laundry so that the intermediate dehydration operation is performed below a specified speed for a specified time to perform low-noise washing; and When it is determined that the quiet washing course is selected, the control part prevents wash water from being drained outside and maintains a final rinsing state in a final rinsing operation. 19. The laundry machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein the operation of washing the laundry includes a washing operation and a rinsing operation. 20. The laundry machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein, when the rinsing operation is a final rinsing operation, the control part maintains a final rinsing state without performing a final dehydration operation.

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