US20100275386A1

US20100275386A1 - Washing machine and method of controlling the same

Info

Publication number: US20100275386A1
Application number: US12/662,436
Authority: US
Inventors: Hong Seok Ko; Sung Jin Kim; Sang Yeon Pyo; Jae Hong Kim; Sang Up Lee; Myung Sun Kang
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2009-04-30
Filing date: 2010-04-16
Publication date: 2010-11-04
Also published as: KR20100119451A; CN101876137A

Abstract

A washing machine which prevents wash water in a plurality of tubs from being simultaneously drained, and a method of controlling the washing machine. The washing machine includes a plurality of tubs, a plurality of drain devices to discharge wash water in the plurality of tubs to the outside, and a control device connected to the plurality of tubs to selectively drain the wash water in the plurality of tubs.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2009-0038562, filed on Apr. 30, 2009 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field
Embodiments relate to a drain structure of a washing machine with a plurality of tubs, in which laundries are divisionally washed according to volumes and kinds of laundry, and a method of controlling drainage of the washing machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, washing machines (usually, drum washing machines) are apparatuses which include one tub and wash contaminated laundry using water and a detergent. Each washing machine performs washing of laundry through a series of cycles including a wash cycle, in which laundry is put into a tub and contaminants are removed from the laundry using water containing a detergent (specifically, wash water), a rinse cycle, in which foam and the remainder of the detergent are removed from the laundry using water not containing the detergent (specifically, rinse water), a drain cycle, in which the wash water is drained, and a spin-dry cycle, in which the laundry is dehydrated through spinning at a high speed.
However, laundries may not be put into one tub due to difference in kinds or materials of the laundries. In a washing machine including one tub, the laundries must be divided and thus the divided laundries must be washed separately. In this case, since the separate washing causes inconvenience and the washing machine needs to be operated several times (for example, twice), time and energy waste is severe. Further, in a case where a small amount of laundry needs to be washed, a washing machine having a large-capacity tub causes unnecessary power waste due to the driving of the large-capacity tub.
Recently, as purchasing power is increased, individuals may purchase two washing machines, i.e., a large-capacity washing machine and a small-capacity washing machine, in order to solve the above problem. However, when the two washing machines simultaneously perform drain or spin-dry cycles respectively, wash water may overflow a sewer due to a limited sewerage capacity of a mounting space.
Further, since each washing machine requires a drain device, manufacturing expenses are increased, and drain cycles of the two washing machines cannot be articulately controlled.
Moreover, in a case where a conventional washing machine includes a plurality of tubs, a structure of a drain device of the washing machine has not been disclosed.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is one aspect to provide a washing machine, which prevents wash water in a plurality of tubs from being simultaneously drained, and a method of controlling the washing machine.
It is a further aspect to provide a washing machine, in which drainage of a plurality of tubs is selectively carried out, and a method of controlling the washing machine.
It is another aspect to provide a washing machine having a plurality of tubs, in which manufacturing expenses of a drain device are reduced, and a method of controlling the washing machine.
Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the embodiments.
In accordance with one aspect, a washing machine includes a plurality of tubs, a plurality of drain devices to discharge wash water in the plurality of tubs to the outside, and a control device connected to the plurality of tubs to selectively drain the wash water in the plurality of tubs.
The plurality of tubs may include a pair of first and second tubs, and the plurality of drain devices may include a first drain device connected to the first tub, and a second drain device connected to the first tub and the first drain device.
The first drain device may include a first drain pipe provided with one end communicated with the first tub and the other end extended to the outside, and the second drain device may include a second drain pipe provided with one end communicated with the second tub and the other end communicated with the first drain pipe, and a drain valve to open and close the second drain pipe.
The first drain device may further include a drain valve to open and close the first drain pipe.
The first drain device may further include a drain pump provided downstream of a junction of the first drain pipe and the second drain pipe.
The other end of the second drain pipe may be extended to the outside of the main body, and the first drain device may further include a connection pipe provided with one end communicated with the first drain pipe and the other end communicated with the second drain pipe.
At least one of the connection pipe and the second drain pipe may include a connector to facilitate connection between the connection pipe and the second drain pipe.
The control device may be a microcomputer to selectively open and close the first and second drain valves.
The microcomputer may close the second drain valve and open the first drain valve when draining the first tub.
The microcomputer may close the first drain valve and open the second drain valve when draining the second tub.
When instructions indicating simultaneous draining of the first and second tubs are input to the control device, the control device may first drain any one of the first and second tubs and then drain the other one of the first and second tubs.
The control device may be an opening and closing device to selectively open and close the first and second drain pipes by flows of wash water in the first and second drain pipes.
The opening and closing device may include an opening and closing member provided to be rotatable by the flows of wash water in the first and second drain pipes.
The opening and closing device may further include stoppers to prevent excessive rotation of the opening and closing member.
The stoppers may include a first stopper to support the opening and closing member, if the opening and closing member closes the first drain valve, and a second stopper to support the opening and closing member, if the opening and closing member closes the second drain valve.
The first drain device may further include a drain pump provided in the middle of the first drain pipe, and the opening and closing member, when the drain pump is driven, may be rotated by a pump pressure of the drain pump and thus open the first drain pipe and close the second drain pipe.
The second tub may be disposed above the first tub, the opening and closing member, when only the drain valve among the drain valve and the drain pump is driven, may be rotated by the pressure of wash water in the second tub and thus open the second drain pipe and close the first drain pipe.
The plurality of tubs may include first and second tub disposed at upper and lower parts.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a washing machine including a first tub, a second tub disposed above the first tub, a first drain pipe to discharge wash water in the first tub to the outside, a second drain pipe to discharge wash water in the second tub to the outside, and an opening and closing device to selectively open and close the first and second drain pipes.
The opening and closing device may close the second drain pipe while opening the first drain pipe, and close the first drain pipe while opening the second drain pipe.
A drain pump may be provided in the middle of the first drain pipe, and a drain valve may be provided in the middle of the second drain pipe.
The opening and closing device may be an opening and closing member moving by pressures of wash water in the first and second drain pipes.
The opening and closing member may be rotatably connected to a connection portion between the first and second drain pipes.
In accordance with another aspect, a washing machine includes a first tub, a second tub disposed above the first tub, a first drain pipe to discharge wash water in the first tub to the outside, a second drain pipe to discharge wash water in the second tub to the outside, a pair of drain valves to respectively open and close the first and second drain pipes, and a control device to selectively open and close the pair of drain valves.
A junction, where the wash water in the first drain pipe and the wash water the second drain pipe are joined, may be provided, and a drain pump may be provided downstream of the junction.
The control device may close the drain valve to open and close the second drain pipe and drives the drain pump while opening the drain valve to open and close the first drain pipe.
The control device may close the drain valve to open and close the first drain pipe while opening the drain valve to open and close the second drain pipe.
In accordance with another aspect, a method of controlling a washing machine, which has a plurality of tubs, and drain devices to discharge wash water in the plurality of tubs to the outside, includes judging whether or not drain cycles of all the plurality of tubs are performed, and controlling the drain devices such that wash water in the plurality of tubs is sequentially drained, when it is judged that the drain cycles of all the plurality of tubs are performed.
The plurality of tubs may include first and second tubs, and the sequential draining of the plurality of tubs may be achieved by first draining any one of the first and second tubs and then draining the other one of the first and second tubs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects 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 perspective view illustrating the external appearance of a washing machine in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the washing machine in accordance with the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the washing machine in accordance with the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a washing machine in accordance with a further embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a washing machine in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an essential portion of the washing machine in accordance with the embodiment;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged views illustrating the operation of the washing machine in accordance with the embodiment during draining; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an essential portion of a washing machine in accordance with a modified embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of a washing machine in accordance with one embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the washing machine in accordance with the embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the washing machine in accordance with this embodiment includes plural (for example, two) doors 11 and 12 formed at upper and lower parts of a main body 10 forming the external appearance of the washing machine such that laundries are divisionally put into the main body through the plural doors 11 and 12, an input unit 20 provided between the plural doors 11 and 12 to input user instructions regarding washing courses and an operation of the washing machine, and a display unit 21 to display the washing courses and the operating state of the washing machine.
In this embodiment, the main body 10 is configured to surround first and second tubs 41 and 42, and the first tub 41 and the second tub 42 are communicated with each other in the main body 10.
The input unit 20 includes a power button, an operation/start button to start the operation of the washing machine, a tub selection button to select a washing tub to be used so as to perform the operation, such as simultaneous washing or independent washing, using plural (for example, two) tubs, which divisionally wash laundries, and a course and function button to select washing courses and washing functions of the respective tubs. The shape of the input unit 20 is not limited thereto, but may be variously modified.
Further, detergent supply parts 31 and 32 to supply detergents to the plural tubs 41 and 42 are respectively provided the upper end and the center of the left side of the main body 10.
Although this embodiment illustrates that the detergent supply parts 31 and 32 to supply detergents to the plural tubs 41 and 42 are respectively provided, one detergent supply part 31 or 32 may be provided so as to supply the detergents to the tubs 41 and 42 via separate channels. The positions of the detergent supply parts 31 and 32 are not limited thereto, but the detergent supply parts 31 and 32 may be located at any positions, where a user may easily provide the detergents to the tubs 41 and 42 respectively.
In FIG. 2, in the washing machine in accordance with this embodiment, the plural (for example, two) tubs to divisionally wash laundries according to volumes or kinds of the laundries are provided in upper and lower parts of the main body 10. That is, a first tub 41 having a large capacity (for example, more than 10 Kg) to wash laundry having a large volume is installed at the upper part of the main body 10, and a second tub 42 having a smaller capacity than the first tub 41 to wash laundry having a small volume is installed at the lower part of the main body 10.
The first and second tubs 41 and 42 may have the same capacity, if necessary. However, the first and second tubs 41 and 42 may be divided into a tub having a large capacity and a tub having a small capacity from the viewpoint of characteristics of the washing machine having the plural tubs 41 and 42. As stated above, the above structure of the washing machine allows only the small-capacity second tub 42 to be driven when a small volume of laundry is desired to be washed (particularly, through boil-washing), thereby prevent unnecessary power waste.
The fundamental configurations of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 are the same. Cylindrical first and second drums 51 and 52 provided with multiple holes are rotatably installed in the first and second tubs 41 and 42, and a driving device to rotate first and second rotary shafts 61 and 62 connected to the first and second drums 51 and 52 so as to perform the wash, rinse, and drain cycles is installed at the outer surfaces of the rear parts of the first and second tubs 41 and 42. The driving device includes a direct drive motor 71 to rotate the first rotary shaft 61, a motor 72 fixed to the outer surface of the second tub 42, and a driving belt 73 to transmit driving force of the motor 72 to the second rotary shaft 62. The driving device is not limited to the above structure, but may have a reverse structure. Further, direct drive motors may be respectively mounted at the first and second rotary shafts 61 and 62, or motors and driving belts may be respectively mounted at the first and second rotary shafts 61 and 62. Moreover, the tubs 41 and 42 may be simultaneously or independently driven by a driving method using a clutch.
First and second water supply devices 81 and 82 to supply water (wash water or rinse water) to the tubs 41 and 42 are respectively installed above the first and second tubs 41 and 42. The first and second water supply devices 81 and 82 include first and second water supply pipes 81 a and 82 a connecting an external water supply pipe 80 and the first and second detergent supply parts 31 and 32 to supply water (wash water or rinse water) to the tubs 41 and 42, and first and second water supply valves 81 b and 82 b installed in the middle of the first and second water supply pipes 81 a and 82 a. This configuration causes water supplied to the insides of the tubs 41 and 42 to pass through the first and second detergent supply units 31 and 32, thereby allowing the detergent in the first and second detergent supply units 31 and 32 to be supplied together with water to the first and second tubs 41 and 42.
Although this embodiment exemplarily discloses only the fundamental configuration of the washing machine, a drying device to achieve an additional function may be independently provided at each of the tubs.
The washing machine in accordance with this embodiment may further include first and second drain devices 100 and 110 to drain water in the first and second tubs 41 and 42, and a control device (hereinafter, referred to as a ‘control unit’; with reference to FIG. 3) 120 electrically connected with the drain devices 100 and 110 to selectively drain the wash water in the first and second tubs 41 and 42 to the outside.
The first drain device 100 includes a first drain pipe 101 provided with one end communicated with the first tub 41 and the other end extended to the outside, and a first drain valve 102 to open and close the first drain pipe 101. A drain pump 103 to forcibly discharge wash water and a drain guide pipe 104 to guide the wash water discharged by the drain pump 103 to the outside may be provided at an outlet side of the first drain valve 102.
The second drain device 110 includes a second drain pipe 111 provided with one end communicated with the second tub 42 and the other end extended to the first drain device 100, and a second drain valve 112 to open and close the second drain pipe 111.
The second drain pipe 111 is extended from the second tub 42 to the first tub 41 through the opened upper surface of the first tub 41 and the opened lower surface of the second tub 42 under the condition that the second drain pipe 111 is not exposed to the outside of the main body 10.
Therefore, the second drain pipe 111 is extended to the first tub 41 without being exposed to the outside, and is joined with the first drain pipe 101 between the first drain valve 102 and the drain pump 103.
After the second drain pipe 111 is joined with the first drain pipe 101, the first drain pipe 101 is connected to the drain pump 103, and the drain pump 103 is connected to an external drain pipe 104.
FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. The washing machine includes an input unit 20, a sensor unit 122, a control unit 120, and a driving unit 121.
The input unit 20 serves to input operation data, regarding a washing course (for example, simultaneous washing or independent washing) and a washing function of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 to be selected so as to be used simultaneously or independently, to the control unit 120.
The sensor unit 122 serves to sense water levels of the respective tubs 41 and 42 and transmit the sensed water levels to the control unit 120.
The control unit 120 is a microcomputer to control the overall operation of the washing machine, such as the wash, rinse, drain, and spin-dry cycles of the first and second tubs 41 and 42, according to the operation data input through the input unit 120. If both the first and second tubs 41 and 42 are used to perform washing under the condition that times when laundries are respectively put into the first and second tubs 41 and 42 or volumes of the laundries put into the first and second tubs 41 and 42 and washing courses of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 are different, the first and second tubs 41 and 42 perform respective cycles according to times for the respective cycles stored in the control unit 120.
While the first and second tubs 41 and 42 perform cycles through the control unit 120, the drain cycle of one of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 may be performed before the drain cycle of the other one of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 is not finished.
In this embodiment, if the drain cycles of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 are simultaneously started, the drain cycle of one of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 is performed first while holding the drain cycle of the other one of the first and second tubs 41 and 42, and then the held drain cycle of the other one of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 is performed. That is, the drain cycles of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 are sequentially performed.
Further, if the drain cycle of one of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 is started after the drain cycle of the other one of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 is not finished, the drain cycle of the one of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 is held until the first started drain cycle of the other one of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 is finished, and then the drain cycle of the one of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 is performed after the first started drain cycle of the other one of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 is finished.
For this reason, the control unit 120 controls the first and second drain valves 102 and 112 and the drain pump 103 such that if the drain cycle of any one of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 is performed, the drain cycle of the other one of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 is not performed until the drain cycle of the one of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 is finished.
In this embodiment, if instructions requiring drain cycles of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 are simultaneously input, the control unit 120 opens the first drain valve 102 and closes the second drain valve 112 so as to first perform the drain cycle of the first tub 41, and then drives the drain pump 103. Thereafter, when it is judged that the drain cycle of the first tub 41 is completed based on a value sensed by the sensor unit 122 including water level sensors (not shown), the control unit 120 closes the first drain valve 102 and opens the second drain valve 112, and then drives the drain pump 103, thereby completing the drain cycle of the second tub 42.
Further, when the second tub 42 starts its drain cycle under the condition that the drain cycle of the first tub 41 is performed by opening the first drain valve 102 and driving the drain pump 103, the control unit 120 holds the closed state of the second drain valve 112 until the drain cycle of the first tub 41 is completed.
Thereafter, when the drain cycle of the first tub 41 is completed, the sensor unit 122 senses the completion of the drain cycle of the first tub 41, and the control unit 120 closes the first drain valve 102 and opens the second drain valve 112 based on the result sensed by the sensor unit 122, thereby performing the drain cycle of the second tub 42. At this time, the drain pump 103 may be driven, or the drain cycle of the second tub 42 may be performed without driving of the drain pump 103 because the second tub 42 is mounted above the first tub 41.
In the same manner, when the first tub 41 starts its drain cycle under the condition that the drain cycle of the second tub 42 is performed, the control unit 120 holds the closed state of the first drain valve 102 until the drain cycle of the second tub 42 is completed.
Thereafter, when the drain cycle of the second tub 42 is completed, the control unit 120 closes the second drain valve 112 and opens the first drain valve 102, thereby performing the drain cycle of the first tub 41.
The control unit 120 sequentially performs the drain cycles of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 by selectively opening and closing the first and second drain valves 102 and 112, as described above, thus preventing the first and second tubs 41 and 42 from being simultaneously drained.
Further, the drain cycles of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 are performed using one drain pump 103, thus simplifying a drain structure of the washing machine and reducing manufacturing expenses of the washing machine.
Although this embodiment describes that the first and second tubs are divisionally installed at upper and lower parts of the washing machine, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the first and second tubs may be divisionally installed at right and left parts of the washing machine.
Hereinafter, a further embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A main body and drain devices in this embodiment differ from those in the former embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, but other parts in this embodiment may be substantially the same as those in the former embodiment.
Hereinafter, those parts in this embodiment, which are substantially the same as those in the former embodiment, are denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted in different drawings, and a detailed description thereof will thus be omitted because it is considered to be unnecessary.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a washing machine in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, a main body 200 includes a first main body 210, in which a first tub 41 is accommodated, and a second main body 220, in which a second tub 42 is accommodated, provided above the first main body 210.
The washing machine with the first and second tubs 41 and 42 may be installed by stacking the second main body 220 on an upper surface 213 of the first main body 210 by a user.
That is, the first main body 210 and the second main body 220 may be sold separately. If a user requires plural tubs, the user purchases the first and second main bodies 210 and 220 simultaneously or individually, and installs the second main body 220 on the upper surface 213 of the first main body 210.
In this embodiment, the washing machine includes a first drain device 300 provided in the first main body 210 to drain water in the first tub 41, a second drain device 310 provided in the second main body 220 to drain water in the second tub 42, and a control unit 120 (with reference to FIG. 3) electrically connected with the first and second drain devices 300 and 310 to selectively drain water in the first and second tubs 41 and 42 to the outside.
The first drain device 300 includes a first drain pipe 301 provided with one end communicated with the first tub 41, and a first drain valve 302 to open and close the first drain pipe 301. A drain pump 303 to forcibly discharge wash water and a drain guide pipe 304 to guide the wash water discharged by the drain pump 303 to the outside may be provided at an outlet side of the first drain valve 302.
The first drain device 300 further includes a connection pipe 305 provided with one end communicated with the first drain pipe 301 between the first drain valve 302 and the drain pump 303.
The second drain device 310 includes a second drain pipe 311 provided with one end communicated with the second tub 42 and the other end extended to the outside of the second main body 220, and a second drain valve 312 to open and close the second drain pipe 311. The second drain pipe 311 is extended to the outside of the second main body 220 through a rear surface 225 of the second main body 220.
The connection pipe 305 guides wash water, flowing through the second drain pipe 311 of the second drain device 310, to the first drain device 300. The other end of the connection pipe 305 is connected to a connector 230 for connection with the second drain pipe 311, and the connection pipe 305 is fixed to a rear surface of the first main body 210.
In the above configuration, in order to selectively perform drain cycles of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 in the same manner as the former embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, interconnection between the first drain device 300 of the first main body 210 and the second drain device 310 of the second main body 220 is required.
The second main body 220 is stacked on the upper surface 213 of the first main body 210, and the first drain device 300 and the second drain device 310 are interconnected by connecting the end of the second drain pipe 311, extended to the outside of the second main body 220, to the connector 230.
If the first main body 210 and the second main body 220 are stacked, as described above, the control unit 120 may control the first and second tubs 41 and 42 such that the drain cycles of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 are selectively performed, in the same manner as the former embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.
When the first and second tubs 41 and 42 perform washing of laundries, the control unit 120 controls the first and second drain valves 302 and 312 and the drain pump 303 in the same manner as the former embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and thus performs the same operation as that in the former embodiment, thereby achieving the same effect.
Although not shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 120 (with reference to FIG. 3) is a microcomputer provided in the first main body 210, and is electrically connected with the second drain valve 312 to control the second drain device 310 of the second main body 220.
Alternatively, a separate control unit to control the second tub 42 and a water supply device may be provided in the second main body 220, and the control unit 120 in the first main body 210 may be connected to the respective parts of the second main body 220 so as to control the second main body 220 using the control unit 120 in the first main body 210.
Further, according to mounted spaces for the washing machine, instead of the stacking of the second main body 220 on the upper surface 213 of the first main body 210, the first and second main bodies 210 and 220 may be mounted on a level or stepped ground such that they are adjacent to each other or are separated from each other by a designated distance, and then the second drain pipe 311 of the second main body 220 is connected to the connection pipe 350 of the first main body 210.
Hereinafter, another embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Drain devices in this embodiment differ from those in the former embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, but other parts in this embodiment may be substantially the same as those in the former embodiment.
Hereinafter, those parts in this embodiment, which are substantially the same as those in the former embodiment, are denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted in different drawings, and a detailed description thereof will thus be omitted because it is considered to be unnecessary.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal-sectional view illustrating the configuration a washing machine in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an essential portion of the washing machine in accordance with the embodiment, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged views illustrating the operation of the washing machine in accordance with the embodiment during draining.
The washing machine in accordance with this embodiment includes first and second drain devices 400 and 410 to drain wash water in first and second tubs 41 and 42, and a control device 500 mechanically connected to the drain devices 400 and 410 to selectively drain the wash water in the first and second tubs 41 and 42 to the outside.
The first drain device 400 includes a first drain pipe 401 provided with one end communicated with the first tub 41, and a drain pump 403 to forcibly discharge wash water and a drain guide pipe 404 to guide the wash water discharged by the drain pump 403 to the outside may be provided at an outlet side of the first drain pipe 401.
A middle portion of the drain guide pipe 404 is located at a position higher than the highest level of water in the first tub 41 so as to prevent the water in the first tub 41 from being naturally drained.
If the first drain device 400 includes a drain valve (not shown) to open and close the first drain pipe 401, the height of the middle portion of the drain guide pipe 404 may be varied.
The second drain device 410 includes a second drain pipe 411 provided with one end communicated with the second tub 42 and the other end extended to the first drain pipe 401, and a second drain valve 412 to open and close the second drain pipe 411.
The control device 500 is an opening and closing device 500 to selectively open and close the first and second drain pipes 401 and 411. Although the opening and closing device 500 may be formed integrally with the first and second drain pipes 401 and 411 and the drain guide pipe 404, the control device 500 in this embodiment may be formed separately for the sake of convenience of manufacture.
The opening and closing device 500, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, includes a first opening 501 connected to the first drain pipe 401 such that wash water in the first drain pipe 401 flows into the opening and closing device 500, a second opening 502 connected to the second drain pipe 411 such that wash water in the second drain pipe 411 flows into the opening and closing device 500, and a third opening 503 connected to the drain guide pipe 404 such that the wash water flowing into the opening and closing device 500 through one of the first and second openings 501 and 502 is discharged to the drain guide pipe 404. The opening and closing device 500 is an approximately T-shaped or Y-shaped connection pipe.
The opening and closing device 500 includes an opening and closing member 510 provided in an inner channel of the opening and closing device 500 such that the opening and closing member 510 is rotated by a current of wash water, and stoppers 521 and 522 to prevent excessive rotation of the opening and closing member 510.
The opening and closing member 510 is rotatably hinged to one side of the inner channel of the opening and closing device 500, and the stoppers 521 and 522 support the opening and closing member 510 such that the rotating angle of the opening and closing member 510 becomes an approximately right angle and thus selectively opens and closes the first and second openings 501 and 502.
The stoppers 521 and 522 include a first stopper 521 supporting the opening and closing member 510 to prevent excessive rotation of the opening and closing member 510, if the opening and closing member 510 is rotated to a position to close the first opening 501, and a second stopper 522 supporting the opening and closing member 510 to prevent excessive rotation of the opening and closing member 510, if the opening and closing member 510 is rotated to a position to close the second opening 502.
Therefore, the opening and closing member 510 is rotated by a current of the wash water flowing through the first opening 501 or the second opening 502, and thus selectively opens and closes the first and second openings 501 and 502.
Hereinafter, an operation of the drain devices of the washing machine in accordance with this embodiment will be described.
If only the drain cycle of the first tub 41 is performed, the control unit 120 drives the drain pump 403 under the condition that the second drain valve 412 is closed. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, a current of wash water flowing through the first drain pipe 401 is fed into the opening and closing device 5000 through the first opening 501 by the force of the drain pump 403, and the fed current of wash water rotates the opening and closing member 510 upward and the opening and closing member 510 is located at a position to close the second opening 502 and open the third opening 503. Thereby, the first tub 41 is smoothly drained.
Further, if only the drain cycle of the second tub 42 is performed, the control unit 120 opens the second drain valve 412 under the condition that the drain pump 403 is switched off. Then, a current of wash water flowing through the second drain pipe 411 is fed into the opening and closing device 500 through the second opening 502, and the fed current of wash water rotates the opening and closing member 510 toward the first opening 501 and the opening and closing member 510 is located at a position to close the first opening 501 and open the second opening 502. Thereby, the second tub 42 is smoothly drained.
Moreover, in order to simultaneously perform the drain cycles of the first and second tubs 41 and 42, the control unit 120 may drive the drain pump 403 and open the second drain valve 412 simultaneously. Further, in order to perform the drain cycle of the second tub 42 while performing the drain cycle of the first tub 41, the control unit may drive the drain pump 403 and then open the second drain valve 412 sequentially.
In this case, since the pressure generated by the drain pump 403 is greater than the water pressure in the second tub 42, the opening and closing member 510 closes the second opening 502 and opens the first opening 501, and thus the drain cycle of the first tub 41 is performed first.
Thereafter, when the drain cycle of the first tub 41 is completed, the opening and closing member 510 is rotated to a position to close the first opening 501 and open the second opening 502 by the water pressure in the second tub 42, and thus the drain cycle of the second tub 42 is performed.
Further, when the drain cycle of the first tub 41 is completed, the sensor unit 122 may sense the completion of the drain cycle of the first tub 41, and the control unit 120 may switch off the drain pump 403 based on the result sensed by the sensor unit 122 and then perform the drain cycle of the second tub 42.
In order to require the drain cycles of both the first and second tubs 41 and 42, the drain cycle of the first tub 41 located at the lower part is performed first, and then the drain cycle of the second tub 42 located at the upper part is performed.
Hereinafter, a modified embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an essential portion of a washing machine in accordance with a modified embodiment.
In the modified embodiment, a first drain valve 402 is provided in the middle of a first drain pipe 401 and thus a drain pump is omitted, differing from the former embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 8. Further, a drain guide pipe 404 is extended to the outside at a position lower than the lower surface of the first tub 41.
In the above configuration, if only the drain cycle of the first tub 41 is performed, the control unit 120 opens the first drain valve 402 under the condition that the second drain valve 412 is closed.
A current of wash water flowing through the first drain pipe 401 is fed into the opening and closing device 500 through the first opening 501, and the fed current of wash water rotates the opening and closing member 510 upward and thus the opening and closing member 510 is located at a position to close the second opening 502 and open the third opening 503. Thereby, the first tub 41 is smoothly drained.
Further, if only the drain cycle of the second tub 42 is performed, the control unit 120 closes the first drain valve 402 and opens the second drain valve 412. Then, a current of wash water flowing through the second drain pipe 411 is fed into the opening and closing device 500 through the second opening 502, and the fed current of wash water rotates the opening and closing member 510 toward the first opening 501 and the opening and closing member 510 is located at a position to close the first opening 501 and open the second opening 502. Thereby, the second tub 42 is smoothly drained.
Moreover, in order to simultaneously perform the drain cycles of the first and second tubs 41 and 42, the control unit 120 may open the first and second drain valves 402 and 412 simultaneously. Further, in order to perform the drain cycle of the second tub 42 while performing the drain cycle of the first tub 41, the control unit may open the first drain valve 402 and the second drain valve 412 sequentially.
Since the second tub 42 is located above the first tub 41, wash water in the second tub 42 has a relatively high water pressure compared with wash water in the first tub 41.
Therefore, the current of wash water flowing through the second drain pipe 411 has a high pressure compared with the current of wash water through the first drain pipe 401, and thus the opening and closing member 510 is rotated in a direction of closing the first opening 501, thereby draining only the wash water in the second tub 42. When the drain cycle of the second tub 42 is completed, the opening and closing member 510 is rotated in a direction of closing the second opening 502 by the pressure of the current of wash water in the first tub 41, thereby draining the wash water in the first tub 41.
Further, in order to perform the drain cycle of the first tub 41 while performing the drain cycle of the second tub 42, the control unit opens the first drain valve 402 after opening the second drain valve 412. At this time, although wash water flows to the opening and closing device 500 through the first drain pipe 401, since the pressure of the current of the wash water through the second drain pipe 411 is higher, the opening and closing member 510 maintains a state of closing the first opening 501 and opening the second opening 502. Thereafter, when the drain cycle of the second tub 42 is completed, the opening and closing member 510 is rotated in a direction of opening the first opening 501 by the pressure of the current of wash water of the first tub 41. Thereby, the drain cycles of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 are completed.
By selectively draining the first and second tubs 41 and 42 using the above opening and closing member 510, the drain cycles of the first and second tubs 41 and 42 may be selectively performed using only the mechanical configuration of the washing machine without a separate control unit to selectively perform the drain cycles of the first and second tubs 41 and 42.
Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising:

a plurality of tubs;

a plurality of drain devices to discharge wash water in the plurality of tubs to the outside; and

a control device connected to the plurality of tubs to selectively drain the wash water in the plurality of tubs.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of tubs includes a first tub and a second tub; and

the plurality of drain devices includes a first drain device connected to the first tub, and a second drain device connected to the first tub and the first drain device.

3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein:

the first drain device includes a first drain pipe provided with one end communicated with the first tub and the other end extended to the outside; and

the second drain device includes a second drain pipe provided with one end communicated with the second tub and the other end communicated with the first drain pipe, and a drain valve to open and close the second drain pipe.

4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the first drain device further includes a drain valve to open and close the first drain pipe.

5. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the first drain device further includes a drain pump provided downstream of a junction of the first drain pipe and the second drain pipe.

6. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein:

the other end of the second drain pipe is extended to the outside of the main body; and

the first drain device further includes a connection pipe provided with one end communicated with the first drain pipe and the other end communicated with the second drain pipe.

7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the connection pipe and the second drain pipe includes a connector to facilitate connection between the connection pipe and the second drain pipe.

8. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the control device is a microcomputer to selectively open and close the first and second drain valves.

9. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the microcomputer closes the second drain valve and opens the first drain valve when draining the first tub.

10. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the microcomputer closes the first drain valve and opens the second drain valve when draining the second tub.

11. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein, when instructions indicating simultaneous draining of the first and second tubs are input to the control device, the control device first drains any one of the first and second tubs and then drains the other one of the first and second tubs.

12. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the control device is an opening and closing device to selectively open and close the first and second drain pipes by flows of wash water in the first and second drain pipes.

13. The washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the opening and closing device includes an opening and closing member provided to be rotatable by the flows of wash water in the first and second drain pipes.

14. The washing machine according to claim 13, wherein the opening and closing device further includes stoppers to prevent excessive rotation of the opening and closing member.

15. The washing machine according to claim 14, wherein the stoppers include a first stopper to support the opening and closing member, if the opening and closing member closes the first drain valve, and a second stopper to support the opening and closing member, if the opening and closing member closes the second drain valve.

16. The washing machine according to claim 13, wherein:

the first drain device further includes a drain pump provided in the middle of the first drain pipe; and

the opening and closing member, when the drain pump is driven, is rotated by a pump pressure of the drain pump and thus opens the first drain pipe and closes the second drain pipe.

17. The washing machine according to claim 16, wherein:

the second tub is disposed above the first tub; and

the opening and closing member, when only the drain valve among the drain valve and the drain pump is driven, is rotated by the pressure of wash water in the second tub and thus opens the second drain pipe and closes the first drain pipe.

18. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of tubs includes a first tub and a second tub disposed at upper and lower parts of the washing machine, respectively.

19. A washing machine comprising:

a first tub;

a second tub disposed above the first tub;

a first drain pipe to discharge wash water in the first tub to the outside;

a second drain pipe to discharge wash water in the second tub to the outside; and

an opening and closing device to selectively open and close the first and second drain pipes.

20. The washing machine according to claim 19, wherein the opening and closing device closes the second drain pipe while opening the first drain pipe, and closes the first drain pipe while opening the second drain pipe.

21. The washing machine according to claim 19, further comprising:

a drain pump provided in the middle of the first drain pipe; and

a drain valve provided in the middle of the second drain pipe.

22. The washing machine according to claim 19, wherein the opening and closing device is an opening and closing member moving by pressures of wash water in the first and second drain pipes.

23. The washing machine according to claim 22, wherein the opening and closing member is rotatably connected to a connection portion between the first and second drain pipes.

24. A washing machine comprising:

a first tub;

a second tub disposed above the first tub;

a first drain pipe to discharge wash water in the first tub to the outside;

a second drain pipe to discharge wash water in the second tub to the outside;

a pair of drain valves to respectively open and close the first and second drain pipes; and

a control device to selectively open and close the pair of drain valves.

25. The washing machine according to claim 24, further comprising:

a junction provided where the wash water in the first drain pipe and the wash water the second drain pipe are joined; and

a drain pump provided downstream of the junction.

26. The washing machine according to claim 25, wherein the control device closes the drain valve to open and close the second drain pipe and drives the drain pump while opening the drain valve to open and close the first drain pipe.

27. The washing machine according to claim 25, wherein the control device closes the drain valve to open and close the first drain pipe while opening the drain valve to open and close the second drain pipe.

28. A method of controlling a washing machine, which has a plurality of tubs, and drain devices to discharge wash water in the plurality of tubs to the outside, comprising:

judging whether or not drain cycles of all the plurality of tubs are performed; and

controlling the drain devices such that wash water in the plurality of tubs is sequentially drained, when it is judged that the drain cycles of all the plurality of tubs are performed.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein:

the plurality of tubs includes first and second tubs; and

the sequential draining of the plurality of tubs is achieved by first draining any one of the first and second tubs and then draining the other one of the first and second tubs.