Patent Application
20210108350
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Application No. 10-2019-0127724 filed on Oct. 15, 2019, whose entire disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a washing machine, and, more particularly, to a method for controlling a washing machine that spin-dries laundry that has been washed.
When an amount of laundry exceeds a capacity of a washing machine, the laundry may not be properly spin-dried. In addition, when the laundry is inclined to one side within a washing tub, normal spin-drying may not be achieved. Recently, in order to prevent damage to the laundry and optimally spin-dry the laundry, there is a tendency to lower a rotational force of the washing tub within a predetermined range. However, when the rotational force of the washing tub is lowered, a large amount of water may remain in the laundry without being removed from the laundry. In such a case, drying time may increase, and water may drip from the laundry during drying, which in turn may increase user dissatisfaction.
In this regard, in Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2000-0025011 (published on May 06, 2000; hereinafter referred to as “related art 1”), disclosed is a method for controlling spin-drying time in a washing machine. In related art 1, a weight W1 of dry laundry is obtained by performing a first weight detection at a beginning of washing. After the first weight detection is performed, washing and rinsing is performed. Then, a weight W2 of the laundry is obtained by performing a second weight detection prior to spin-drying.
In related art 1, a type of the laundry is recognized based on W2/W1. When W2/W1<K1, the laundry is determined to be chemical fiber-based laundry. In such a case, a spin-drying time is set to 5 minutes or less based on a result of the determination. When K1≤W2/W1≤K2, chemical fiber-based laundry and natural fiber-based laundry are determined to be mixed. In such a case, the spin-drying time is set to between 5 and 9 minutes based on a result of the determination. When K2<W2/W1, the laundry is determined to be natural fiber-based laundry. In such a case, the spin-drying time is set to 9 minutes or more based on a result of the determination. In related art 1, a proper spin-drying time may be calculated according to a type of laundry, such as chemical fiber-type laundry, natural fiber-type laundry, and blended fiber-type laundry. Accordingly, the laundry may not be damaged, or may be spin-dried properly.
However, in related art 1, when new laundry is added or some of the previously loaded laundry is removed just before the spin-drying starts, it may not be possible to detect such a situation. When some of the previously loaded laundry is removed before the spin-drying starts, the spin-drying time should be reduced to ensure proper spin-drying. In addition, when new laundry is added before the spin-drying starts, the spin-drying time should be increased to ensure proper spin-drying. In particular, when a large amount of laundry, such as jeans or towels, which requires a long time to spin-dry, is added, it is difficult to ensure proper spin-drying.
In addition, as mentioned above, in related art 1, only W2/W1 is used to recognize the type of laundry. However, it is difficult to accurately recognize the type of laundry using only W2/W1. Accordingly, there is a need for a technology for accurately recognizing laundry without installing additional devices. Nevertheless, even if the type of laundry is accurately recognized by using W2/W1, since a degree of spin-drying of the laundry varies depending on a degree to which the laundry gets inter-tangled or inclined to a certain side, it is difficult to ensure proper spin-drying.
Recently, an electric dryer is becoming popular. The electric dryer requires a long drying time. In particular, when an atmospheric temperature is low, the drying time becomes longer. In order to reduce the drying time, as much moisture as possible should be removed from laundry before loading the laundry into the electric dryer. On the other hand, even if the degree of the spin-drying of the laundry is low, the laundry taken out of the washing machine is quickly dried naturally in sunny or dry weather. However, even if the degree of the spin-drying of the laundry is high, natural drying is slow in cloudy or humid weather.
The above reference is incorporated by reference herein where appropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternative details, features and/or technical background.
The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein:
Hereinbelow, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, in describing the present disclosure, descriptions of already known functions or configurations will be omitted to clarify the subject matter of the present disclosure.
The washing tub 13, into which laundry is loaded, is located inside the outer tub 12. The driver 15 is configured to rotate the washing tub 13. The suspension bar 16 is configured to suspend the outer tub 12. The weight sensor 17 configured to detect a weight of the laundry is installed on the suspension bar 16.
The weight sensor 17 is provided as a load cell. The load cell may be manufactured using a strain gauge. As disclosed in Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1729577, the suspension bar 16 which suspends the outer tub 12 and the weight sensor 17 installed on the suspension bar 16 are well-known technologies, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The above reference is incorporated by reference herein where appropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternative details, features and/or technical background.
Water contained in the outer tub 12 and the inner tub 13 before spin-drying is discharged through a drain passage 18 to the outside. A drain pump 19 configured to discharge the water to the outside is installed on the drain passage 18. The drain passage 18 is opened or closed by a drain valve 20. A method for controlling a washing machine (S100, S200, S300, S400) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as described below, may be set in a controller (not shown) of the top loader washing machine 10.
As illustrated in
The step of measuring the weight of the dry laundry (S110) is a step of measuring the weight of the dry laundry loaded into the washing tub 13. The weight of the dry laundry represents a weight of laundry (an amount of laundry to be washed) before water is supplied to the washing tub 13.
The laundry is made of natural and/or synthetic fibers. As disclosed in the related art 1 mentioned above, the fibers have different water absorption properties depending on their type. Accordingly, a spin-drying speed and a spin-drying time are to be adjusted differently according to the type of the laundry so as to achieve a certain degree of spin-drying.
As an existing method for detecting a weight of laundry, there is a method for converting, by a hall sensor, a change in magnetic flux generated as a gear installed on a motor shaft is rotated, into a square wave, which is an electrical signal, and detecting the weight of the laundry based on the square wave. That is, there is a method for detecting the weight of the laundry by using the number of pulses obtained by detecting a rotational force that depends on the weight of the laundry.
There is also another method for detecting a weight of laundry, the method including causing a square wave to be generated when a signal generated by a back electromotive force of a motor is greater than or equal to a predetermined voltage, and detecting the weight of the laundry based on the number of pulses of the square wave, the number of pulses being generated by a rotational force that depends on the weight of the laundry. Alternatively, the weight of laundry may be detected using a separate weight sensor. The method for detecting the weight of laundry is a well-known technology, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
As illustrated in
When the washing step (S120) is completed, a step of measuring the weight of the wet laundry (S130) starts. The step of measuring the weight of the wet laundry (S130) is a step of discharging water contained in the washing tub 13 and then measuring the weight of the wet laundry. A controller of the washing machine 10 opens the drain valve 20 and operates the drain pump 19, before measuring the weight of the wet laundry.
The weight of the wet laundry represents a weight of laundry to be measured (an amount of laundry to be spin-dried) after the water contained in the washing tub 13 is discharged. As illustrated in
When the step of measuring the weight of the wet laundry (S130) is completed, the spin-drying starts (S140). As illustrated in
As illustrated in
While the washing tub 13 is being rotated constantly at the first speed (VM) (S142), the water absorbed in the laundry is gradually removed from the laundry. The step of measuring the weight of the laundry (S143) is a step of measuring the weight of the laundry by the weight sensor 17 while the washing tub 13 is being rotated at the first speed (VM). The step of determining whether to end the spin-drying (S144) is a step of ending spin-drying of laundry based on a weight measurement value.
When, in the step of determining whether to end the spin-drying (S144), a ratio of the weight measurement value to the weight of the dry laundry is equal to or less than a second reference value, the spin-drying of the laundry may be ended. The above condition is expressed by Equation 1 as follows:
where A: weight of dry laundry; C0: weight measurement value (e.g., weight of wet laundry after spinning at a speed (Vm) for a duration of time (To)); and X2: second reference value. In one example, the second reference value is as follows: X2=1.8
That is, when, assuming that the weight of the dry laundry is 100%, the weight measurement value is 180% or less, the spin-drying of the laundry may be ended. In other words, when, assuming that the weight of the dry laundry is 100%, the weight measurement value is 180% or less, the laundry is determined to have been sufficiently spin-dried. Accordingly, when the above condition is satisfied, the spin-drying of the laundry is ended.
As illustrated in
However, when, in the step of determining whether to end the spin-drying (S144), a ratio of a reduction amount of the weight measurement value to the weight of the wet laundry is determined to be less than a third reference value, the spin-drying of the laundry may be ended. The weight sensor 17 measures the weight of the laundry multiple times, once at each time (t). The above condition is expressed by Equation 2 as follows:
where B: weight of wet laundry (e.g., before spinning); C0: weight measurement value; Ct: weight measurement value after time t has elapsed since C0 was measured; X3: third reference value. In one example, the third reference value and the time t may be as follows: X3=0.01; and t=1 minute.
The above equation 2 is an equation that determines whether, assuming that the weight of the wet laundry is 100%, the reduction amount of the weight measurement value for 1 minute is less than 1%. When, assuming that the weight of the wet laundry is 100%, the reduction amount of the weight measurement value for 1 minute is less than 1%, the laundry is determined to have been sufficiently spin-dried. When the above condition is satisfied, the spin-drying of the laundry is ended.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The step of measuring the weight of the dry laundry (S210) is a step of measuring the weight (A) of the dry laundry loaded into the washing tub 13. The weight of the dry laundry represents a weight of laundry (an amount of laundry to be washed) before water is supplied to the washing tub 13.
As illustrated in
When the washing step (S220) is completed, a step of measuring the weight of the wet laundry (S230) starts. The step of measuring the weight of the wet laundry (S230) is a step of discharging water contained in the washing tub 13 and measuring the weight of the wet laundry. A controller of the washing machine 10 opens the drain valve 20 and operates the drain pump 19, before measuring the weight of the wet laundry.
The weight (B) of the wet laundry represents a weight of laundry to be measured (an amount of laundry to be spin-dried) after the water contained in the washing tub 13 is discharged and before spinning. As illustrated in
When the step of measuring the weight (b) of the wet laundry (S230) is completed, spin-drying starts (S240). As illustrated in
As illustrated in
While the washing tub 13 is being rotated at the first speed (VM1) for a predetermined period of time (S242), the water absorbed in the laundry is gradually removed from the laundry. The step of measuring the weight of the laundry (S243) represents a step of measuring the weight of the laundry by the weight sensor 17 at the first speed (VM1). The weight sensor 17 measures the weight of the laundry multiple times, once at each time (t).
The spin-drying of the laundry is ended when, in the step of determining whether to end the spin-drying (S244), a reduction rate of a weight measurement value is determined to be less than a first reference value. Whether or not to end the spin-drying is determined by using two or more of the weight measurement values as variables without using the weight of the dry laundry and the weight of the wet laundry as variables. The above condition is expressed by Equation 3 as follows:
where C0: weight measurement value; Ct: weight measurement value after time t has elapsed since C0 was measured; X1: first reference value. In one example, the first reference value and the time t are as follows: X1=0.01, and t=1 minute.
When, in the step of determining whether to end the spin-drying (S244), the reduction rate of the weight measurement value is determined to be greater than or equal to the first reference value, the washing tub 13 is again rotated at a first speed (VM1) for a predetermined period of time (S242). Then, the step of measuring the weight of the laundry (S243) and the step of determining whether to end the spin-drying (S244) are performed again.
When the reduction rate of the weight measurement value is less than 1 per minute, the step of determining whether to end the secondary spin-drying (S245) starts. When, in the step of determining whether to end the secondary spin-drying (S245), the ratio of the weight measurement value to the weight of the dry laundry is equal to or less than a second reference value, the spin-drying of the laundry may be ended. The above condition is expressed by Equation 4 as follows:
where A: weight of dry laundry; C0: weight measurement value; X2: second reference value. In one example, the second reference value is as follows: X2=1.8.
That is, when, assuming that the weight of the dry laundry is 100%, the weight measurement value is 180% or less, the spin-drying of the laundry may be ended. In other words, when, assuming that the weight of the dry laundry is 100%, the weight measurement value is 180% or less, the laundry is determined to have been sufficiently spin-dried. When the above condition is satisfied, the spin-drying of the laundry is ended.
In addition, when, in the step of determining whether to end the secondary spin-drying (S245), a ratio of a reduction amount of the weight measurement value to the weight of the wet laundry is less than a third reference value, the spin-drying of the laundry may be ended. The weight sensor 17 measures the weight of the laundry multiple times, once at each time (t). The above condition is expressed by Equation 5 (similar to equation 2), as follows:
where B: weight of wet laundry; C0: weight measurement value; Ct: weight measurement value after time t has elapsed since C0 was measured; X3: third reference value. In one example, the third reference value and the time t are as follows: X3=0.01, and t=1 minute.
That is, the above equation 5 is an equation that determines whether, assuming that the weight of the wet laundry is 100%, the reduction amount of the weight measurement value for 1 minute is less than 1%. When, assuming that the weight of the wet laundry is 100%, the reduction amount of the weight measurement value for 1 minute is less than 1%, the laundry is determined to have been sufficiently spin-dried. When the above condition is satisfied, the spin-drying of the laundry is ended.
As illustrated in
When the current first speed (VM1) is determined to be the maximum rotation speed with respect to the weight measurement value, the washing tub 13 is again rotated at the first speed (VM1) for a predetermined period of time (S242). Then, the step of measuring the weight of the laundry (S243), the step of determining whether to end the spin-drying (S244), and the step of determining whether to end the secondary spin-drying (S245) is performed again.
The first speed (VM1) may be set in the step of measuring the weight of the wet laundry (S230). That is, the first speed (VM1) may be a value corresponding to the weight of the wet laundry. The first speed (VM1) is set to a value inversely proportional to the weight of the laundry in the controller of the washing machine 10. In general, the weight measurement value is smaller than the weight of the wet laundry since it is the weight of the laundry measured after the spin-drying starts.
When the current first speed (VM1) is determined not to be the maximum rotation speed with respect to the weight measurement value, a step of resetting the first speed (VM1) (S247) starts. The first speed (VM1) is increased according to the weight measurement value.
Then, the washing tub 13 is rotated at the changed first speed (VM2) for a predetermined period of time (S242). Then, the step of measuring the weight of the laundry (S243), the step of determining whether to end the spin-drying (S244) and the step of determining whether to end the secondary spin-drying (S245) is performed again.
As illustrated in
The step of measuring the weight of the dry laundry (S310) is a step of measuring a weight of dry laundry loaded into the washing tub 13. The weight of the dry laundry represents a weight of laundry (an amount of laundry to be washed) before water is supplied to the washing tub 13.
As illustrated in
When the washing step (S320) is completed, a step of measuring the weight of the wet laundry (S330) starts. The step of measuring the weight of the wet laundry (S330) is a step of discharging water contained in the washing tub 13 and measuring the weight of the wet laundry. A controller of the washing machine 10 opens the drain valve 20 and operates the drain pump 19, before measuring the weight of the wet laundry.
The weight of the wet laundry represents a weight of laundry to be measured (an amount of laundry to be spin-dried) after the water contained in the washing tub 13 is discharged. As illustrated in
When the step of measuring the weight of the wet laundry (S330) is completed, the spin-drying starts (S340). As illustrated in
As illustrated in
When the step of rotating the washing tub at the first speed (VD) (S341) is completed, the weight sensor 17 measures the weight of the laundry (S342) and then determines the fabric quality (or characteristic) of the laundry (S343). In the step of determining the fabric quality of the laundry (S343), the fabric quality of the laundry may be determined based on a reduction rate of the weight measurement value. The weight sensor 17 measures the weight of the laundry multiple times, once at each time (t).
The fabric quality of the laundry may be determined by a result of Equation 6 below.
where C0: weight measurement value; Ct: weight measurement value after time t has elapsed since C0 was measured.
That is, the fabric quality of the laundry may be determined based on a reduction rate of the weight measurement value. As centrifugal force acts on the laundry, a rate at which water is removed from the laundry varies depending on a material of the laundry. Data about the spin-drying speed for each laundry material that depends on the rotation speed of the washing tub 13 is stored in the controller in advance.
The controller of the washing machine 10 stores a time elapsed from the step of starting the spin-drying (S340) to the step of determining the fabric quality of laundry (S343), and the rotation speed of the washing tub 13. Accordingly, the controller may determine the fabric quality of the laundry based on the reduction rate of the weight measurement value.
When the fabric quality of the laundry is determined (S343), the maximum spin-drying rotation speed (VM1) is reset according to the determined fabric quality of the laundry (S344). The washing tub is rotated at the reset maximum spin-drying rotation speed (VM2) (S345). As illustrated in
The measuring the weight of the dry laundry (S410) is a step of measuring a weight of dry laundry loaded into the washing tub 13. The weight of the dry laundry represents a weight of laundry (an amount of laundry to be washed) before water is supplied to the washing tub 13.
As illustrated in
When the washing step (S420) is completed, the step of measuring the weight of the wet laundry (S430) starts. The step of measuring the weight of the wet laundry (S430) is a step of discharging water contained in the washing tub 13 and measuring the weight of the wet laundry. A controller of the washing machine 10 opens the drain valve 20 and operates the drain pump 19, before measuring the weight of the wet laundry.
The weight of the wet laundry represents a weight of laundry to be measured (an amount of laundry to be spin-dried) after the water contained in the washing tub 13 is discharged. The weight of the wet laundry is measured by the method for detecting the weight of the laundry as described above while repeating acceleration and deceleration of the washing tub 13.
When the step of measuring the weight of the wet laundry (S430) is completed, the spin-drying starts (S440). While the spin-drying is performed, the washing tub 13 is gradually accelerated to rotate at a maximum rotation speed, thereby spin-drying the laundry. The processes from the step of starting the spin-drying (S440) to the step of ending the spin-drying (S441) proceed in the order of the processes from the step of starting the spin-drying (S140, S240, S340) to the step of ending the spin-drying, according to any one of the first to third embodiments of the present disclosure.
When the spin-drying of the laundry is ended (S441), the step of measuring the weight of the spin-dried laundry (S442) starts. The weight of the spin-dried laundry represents a weight of laundry to be measured after the spin-drying is ended. The weight of the spin-dried laundry is measured by the method for detecting the weight of the laundry as described above while repeating acceleration and deceleration of the washing tub 13.
When the step of measuring the weight of the spin-dried laundry (S442) is completed, the step of transmitting the first information to the terminal 30 of a user (S443) and the step of transmitting the second information to the dryer 20 (S444) starts. Alternatively, the first information may be transmitted to the dryer 20. The second information may be transmitted to the terminal 30 of the user. The first information may include the ratio of the weight of the spin-dried laundry to the weight of the dry laundry. The second information may include the ratio of the weight of the spin-dried laundry to the weight of the dry laundry.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to providing a method for controlling a washing machine that is capable of accurately recognizing laundry. The present disclosure is further directed to a method for controlling a washing machine that may cause laundry to be spin-dried to a certain degree of spin-drying.
The present disclosure is still further directed to providing a method for controlling a washing machine that is capable of facilitating use of a dryer after spin-drying is finished. The present disclosure is still further directed to providing a method for controlling a washing machine that allows a user to predict a natural drying time for spin-dried laundry.
In a method for controlling the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, while a driver is rotating a washing tub to spin-dry laundry, a weight sensor measures a weight of the laundry, and spin-drying of the laundry is ended based on a weight measurement value obtained as a result of the measurement.
The washing machine may include a washing tub, an outer tub, the driver, a suspension bar, and the weight sensor. The outer tub may be configured to accommodate the washing tub. The laundry may be loaded into the washing tub. The driver may be configured to rotate the washing tub. The suspension bar may be configured to suspend the outer tub.
The weight sensor may be configured to detect the weight of the laundry. The weight sensor may be installed on the suspension bar. The weight sensor may measure the weight of the laundry while the driver is rotating the washing tub constantly at a first speed to spin-dry the laundry. The weight sensor may measure the weight of the laundry multiple times. The spin-drying of the laundry may be ended based on a reduction rate of the weight measurement value being less than a first reference value. Accordingly, accuracy in recognizing the laundry may be improved without installing additional devices necessary for recognizing the laundry.
A weight of dry laundry may be measured before the laundry is washed. The spin-drying of the laundry may be ended based on the reduction rate of the weight measurement value being less than the first reference value and a ratio of the weight measurement value to the weight of the dry laundry being less than or equal to a second reference value.
The first speed may be set to be inversely proportional to the weight of the laundry. When the ratio of the weight measurement value to the weight of the dry laundry exceeds the second reference value, the first speed may be adjusted according to the weight measurement value. Accordingly, the laundry may be spin-dried to a certain degree of spin-drying even when new laundry is added or some of the previously loaded laundry is removed just before the spin-drying starts. In addition, the laundry may be spin-dried to the certain degree of spin-drying regardless of a degree to which the laundry gets inter-tangled or inclined to a certain side.
A weight of wet laundry may be measured before the laundry is spin-dried. The spin-drying of the laundry may be ended based on the reduction rate of the weight measurement value being less than the first reference value and a ratio of a reduction amount of the weight measurement value to the weight of the wet laundry being less than a third reference value.
The first speed may be set to be inversely proportional to the weight of the laundry. When the ratio of the reduction amount of the weight measurement value to the weight of the wet laundry exceeds the third reference value, the first speed may be adjusted according to the weight measurement value. Accordingly, the laundry may be spin-dried to the certain degree of spin-drying even when new laundry is added or some of the previously loaded laundry is removed just before the spin-drying starts. In addition, the laundry may be spin-dried to the certain degree of spin-drying regardless of the degree to which the laundry gets inter-tangled or inclined to the certain side.
The weight of the dry laundry may be measured before the laundry is washed. The spin-drying of the laundry may be ended based on the ratio of the weight measurement value to the weight of the dry laundry being less than or equal to the second reference value.
The weight of the wet laundry may be measured before the laundry is spin-dried. The spin-drying of the laundry may be ended based on the ratio of the reduction amount of the weight measurement value to the weight of the wet laundry being less than the third reference value.
The weight of the dry laundry may be measured before the laundry is washed. When the spin-drying of the laundry is ended, the weight of the spin-dried laundry is measured, and then first information may be transmitted to a terminal or a dryer of a user.
Accordingly, the user may predict a natural drying time for the spin-dried laundry. In addition, after the spin-drying is finished, the dryer may be conveniently used and the use time of the dryer may be shortened. The first information may include a ratio of the weight of the spin-dried laundry to the weight of the dry laundry. The weight of the wet laundry may be measured before the laundry is spin-dried.
When the spin-drying of the laundry is ended, the weight of the spin-dried laundry is measured, and then second information may be transmitted to the terminal or the dryer of the user. Accordingly, the user may predict a natural drying time for the spin-dried laundry. In addition, after the spin-drying is finished, the dryer may be conveniently used and the use time of the dryer may be shortened.
The second information may include the ratio of the weight of the spin-dried laundry to the weight of the wet laundry. The weight sensor may measure the weight of the laundry multiple times. The spin-drying of the laundry may be ended after the washing tub is rotated at a maximum spin-drying rotation speed.
The maximum spin-drying rotation speed may be set to be inversely proportional to the reduction rate of the weight measurement value. Accordingly, the laundry may be spin-dried to the certain degree of spin-drying even when new laundry is added or some of the previously loaded laundry is removed just before the spin-drying starts. In addition, the laundry may be spin-dried to the certain degree of spin-drying regardless of the degree to which the laundry gets inter-tangled or inclined to the certain side. The weight sensor may measure the weight of the laundry multiple times. A fabric quality of the laundry may be determined based on the reduction rate of the weight measurement value. Accordingly, the accuracy in recognizing the laundry may be improved without installing additional devices necessary for recognizing the laundry.
According to embodiments of the present disclosure, since, while the driver is rotating the washing tub to spin-dry the laundry, the weight sensor measures the weight of the laundry, and spin-drying of the laundry is ended based on a weight measurement value obtained as a result of the measurement, the accuracy in recognizing the laundry may be improved without installing additional devices necessary for recognizing the laundry.
In addition, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, since the spin-drying of the laundry is ended based on the reduction rate of the weight measurement value being less than the first reference value, the laundry may be spin-dried to the certain degree of spin-drying even when new laundry is added or some previously loaded laundry is removed just before the spin-drying starts. In addition, the laundry may be spin-dried to the certain degree of spin-drying regardless of the degree to which the laundry gets inter-tangled or inclined to the certain side.
Further, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, since, when the spin-drying of the laundry is ended, the weight of the spin-dried laundry is measured and then the first information or the second information is transmitted to the dryer, the dryer may be conveniently used and the use time of the dryer after the spin-drying is finished may be shortened.
In addition, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, since, when the spin-drying of the laundry is ended, the weight of the spin-dried laundry is measured and then the first information or the second information is transmitted to the terminal of the user, the user may numerically confirm a spin-drying completion time, thereby predicting a natural drying time for the spin-dried laundry.
In certain examples, a washing machine comprises: a washing tub into which laundry is received; an outer tub configured to accommodate the washing tub; and a motor configured to rotate the washing tub to spin-dry the laundry, and sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to detect a weight (C0) of the laundry while the driver is rotating the washing tub to spin-dry the laundry, and the motor is configured to selectively end spin-drying of the laundry based on the weight (C0) of the laundry
The sensor may be provided at the motor, and the sensor may measure a force of the motor when rotating the washing tub. The washing machine may further comprise a suspension bar configured to suspend the outer tub, and the sensor may be provided on the suspension bar.
The weight (C0) of the laundry may be determined while the motor is rotating the washing tub based on a first speed (VM1) to spin-dry the laundry. Another weight (Ct) of the laundry may be determined after additional spin drying, and the motor may end spin-drying of the laundry based on a reduction rate ((C0−C0/C0) of the weight of the laundry being less than a first reference value (X1).
A dry weight (A) of the laundry may be determined before the laundry is washed, and the motor may end spin-drying of the laundry based on the reduction rate ((C0−C0/C0) of the weight of the laundry being less than the first reference value (X1), and a ratio (C0/A) of the weight of the laundry to the dry weight of the laundry being less than or equal to a second reference value (X2).
When the ratio (C0/A) of the weight of the laundry to the dry weight of the laundry exceeds the second reference value, the first speed (VM1) may be adjusted according to the weight (C0) of the laundry during spin drying, and the first speed (VM1) may be adjusted to be inversely proportional to the weight (C0) of the laundry during spin drying.
A wet weight (B) of the laundry may be determined before the laundry is spin-dried, and the motor may end spin-drying of the laundry based on the reduction rate ((C0−C0/C0) of the weight of the laundry is being less than the first reference value (X1), and a ratio ((C0−Ct)/B) of a reduction amount of the weight of the laundry to the wet weight of the laundry being less than a third reference value (X3).
When the ratio ((C0−Ct)/B) of the reduction amount of the weight of the laundry to the wet weight of the laundry exceeds the third reference value (X3), the first speed (VM1) may be adjusted according to the weight (C0) of the laundry , and the first speed (VM1) may be set to be inversely proportional to the weight (C0) of the laundry.
A dry weight (A) of the laundry may be determined before the laundry is washed, and the motor may end spin-drying of the laundry based on a ratio (C0/A) of the weight of the laundry to the weight of the dry laundry being less than or equal to a second reference value (X2). A wet weight (B) of the laundry may be determined before the laundry is spin-dried, and the motor may end spin-drying of the laundry based on a ratio ((C−Ct)/B) of a reduction amount of the weight of the laundry to the wet weight of the laundry being less than a third reference value (X3).
A dry weight (A) of the laundry may be determined before the laundry is washed, when motor ends spin-drying of the laundry, a weight of the spin-dried laundry may be determined and information is transmitted to at least one of a terminal or a dryer, and the transmitted information may include a ratio of the weight of the spin-dried laundry to the dry weight (A) of the laundry. A wet weight (B) of the laundry may be determined before the laundry is spin-dried, when the motor ends spin-drying of the laundry, a weight of the spin-dried laundry is determined, and information is transmitted to at least one of a terminal or a dryer, and the transmitted information may include a ratio of the weight of the spin-dried laundry to the wet weight (B) of the laundry.
The weight (C0) of the laundry may be determined after spin drying the laundry, and another weight (Ct) of the laundry may be determined after additional spin drying for a period of time (t), the washing tub may be rotated at a maximum spin-drying rotation speed (VM1) during spin drying, and the maximum spin-drying rotation speed (VM1) may be set to be inversely proportional to a reduction rate ((C0−C0/C0) of the weight of the laundry. The weight (C0) of the laundry may be determined after spin drying the laundry, and another weight (Ct) of the laundry may be determined after additional spin drying for a period of time (t), and a fabric characteristic of the laundry may be determined based on a reduction rate ((C0−C0/C0) of the weight of the laundry.
In certain examples, an appliance comprises: a tub into which laundry is loaded; a motor configured to rotate the washing tub; and a controller configured to: determine a change in a weight of the laundry during a first spin-drying at a first rotational speed, determine, based on the change in the weight of the laundry during the first spin-drying, a maximum rotational speed for the laundry, and manage the motor to rotate the washing tub based on the maximum rotational speed during a second spin-drying.
The washing machine may further comprise: a suspension bar configured to suspend the outer tub; and a sensor provided on the suspension bar and configured to detect the weight of the laundry. The controller may be further configured to: determine a fabric type of the laundry based on the change in the weight of the laundry during the first spin-drying, and determine the maximum rotational speed for the laundry based on the fabric type of the laundry. The controller may be further configured to determine when to stop the second spin-drying based on a weight of the laundry during the second spin-drying.
It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can be directly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented “upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the disclosure. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2019-0127724 | Oct 2019 | KR | national |
