RU2294994C1 - Washing machine and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: mechanical engineering.

SUBSTANCE: washing machine has steam generating device adapted for direct heating of washing water. Method involves measuring temperature of steam generating device; controlling operation of water feeding device for feeding of water into steam generating device in accordance with temperature within the latter at which temperature water is fed into steam generating device for performing washing process; controlling water quantity fed for performing washing process; providing steam controlling process in accordance with time needed for controlling said water feeding device. Steam is fed for fast wetting of cloths to thereby reduce washing time and consumption of power. Steam is sprayed onto cloths for providing sterilizing effect.

EFFECT: increased efficiency, improved wetting of cloths for improving washing quality and preventing crease formation.

9 cl, 4 dwg

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to a washing machine with a steam generating device for generating steam directly from washing water, and more particularly, to a washing machine with rapidly heating the supplied washing water to provide optimal steam, and a method for controlling the washing machine.

State of the art

Typically, a drum type washing machine is a device for washing clothes by applying forces to raise the laundry, and then drop the laundry down in the cylindrical drum when it is rotated. Compared to a conventional vibratory type washing machine, the drum type washing machine has a long washing time, but provides gentle washing in which deterioration of the laundry is minimized and consumes a small amount of washing water. Thus, the demand for drum-type washing machines is growing.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-149685 discloses a drum-type washing machine with a device for heating water for washing clothes.

The washing machine according to the patent comprises a washing water tank, a drum mounted rotatably in the tank and driven by a rotation force provided by the electric drive, and a heater installed under the tank for heating the water contained in the tank.

When the washing machine performs a washing operation, provided that the washing water and the laundry are loaded into the tub, the laundry, along with the washing water, rises along the inner peripheral surface of the drum and falls down due to rotation of the drum in the tub, thereby washing the laundry. Since the wash water is heated by the heater, the washing efficiency is increased.

Since the large amount of washing water contained in the tank is heated by the heater installed under the tank after the water has been supplied, a conventional washing machine takes a long time to heat the washing water to the temperature necessary to wash the laundry, thus the total washing time increases.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine and a method for controlling a washing machine in which the supplied washing water is quickly heated to supply optimum steam to the tub to reduce the washing time, high temperature steam is directly sprayed onto the laundry to achieve sterilization and soaking effects so that improve the washing mode and reduce the energy consumption for heating water for washing.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a washing machine and a method for controlling a washing machine in which steam with a high temperature is sprayed onto the laundry to increase the temperature of the laundry in a short period of time, to improve the washing ability and increase the washing effect, as well as to prevent wrinkling on the laundry.

The problem according to the present invention is solved by creating a method of controlling a washing machine in which the supplied washing water is heated by a steam generating device for generating steam, the method consists in measuring the temperature of the steam generating device, controlling the supply of washing water to the steam generating device in accordance with measured by the temperature of the steam generating device and steam processing is carried out while controlling the steam generated by the steam generating device property in accordance with the time required to control the water supply device.

In addition, the water supply device can be controlled so that washing water is supplied to the steam generating device when the temperature of the steam generating device exceeds a predetermined temperature, and the water supply device can be controlled such that the supplied washing water to the steam generating device is turned off when the temperature of the steam generating device does not exceed the set temperature.

In addition, the washing water supplied to the steam generating device can be turned off to stop the steam generation when the time during which the water supply device is turned on and the water supply exceeds the predetermined water supply time, and the washing water can be supplied to the steam generating device for generating steam when the time during which the water supply device is turned off exceeds a predetermined time for stopping the water supply.

According to another object of the invention, there is provided a method for controlling a washing machine in which the supplied washing water is heated by a steam generating device for generating steam, the method is that the steam generating device is preheated before the washing water is supplied to the steam generating device, the temperature of the preheated is measured a steam generating device, control the device for supplying washing water to the steam generating device by comparing the measured rate Aturi steam generating device to a predetermined temperature, and control the generation of vapor by comparing the time required to control the water supply device, a predetermined time for the water supply and the water supply stop time specified.

In addition, the washing water supplied to the steam generating device can be turned off to stop generating steam when the time during which the water supply device is turned on exceeds a predetermined water supply time, and the washing water can be supplied to the steam generating device for generating steam when the time during which the water supply device is turned off exceeds the preset time for stopping the water supply.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a washing machine comprising a steam generating device for heating supplied washing water, characterized in that it comprises a device for measuring the temperature of the steam generating device, a device for supplying washing water to the steam generating device and a device for controlling the water supply device in such a way that the steam generated by the steam generating device is controlled in accordance with the temperature of the steam generating device.

In addition, the control device can control the steam generating device so that the steam generating device is preheated before the washing water is supplied to the steam generating device, the control device can compare the time required to control the water supply device with a predetermined water supply time and a predetermined stop time water and controls the generation of steam in accordance with the result of the comparison.

As the water supply device, a steam valve can be used that is turned on and off to control the supply of washing water supplied to the steam generating device in accordance with the control of the control device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further, the present invention is illustrated by a description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 depicts a longitudinal section of a washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

figure 2 is a block diagram of a washing machine according to the invention;

figure 3 is a sequence diagram of a method for controlling a washing machine according to the invention;

4 is a flowchart of a process for heating water for washing and laundry using steam.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following are preferred non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The washing machine comprises a drum-type tank 11 (FIG. 1) installed in the main body 10 and intended for washing water, and a drum 12 rotatably mounted in the tank 11.

The tub 11 is positioned relative to the mounting surface of the washing machine at an angle (α) so that the front surface 11a of the tub 11 in which the inlet 11b is formed has a level higher than the level of the rear surface 11c of the tub 11. In this case, the drum 12 mounted in the tub 11 is inclined at the same angle as the tank 11, so that the front surface 12a of the drum 12 in which the inlet 12b is formed has a level higher than the level of the rear surface 12c of the drum 12.

Thus, the front surface 12a of the drum 12, in which the inlet 12b is formed, faces slightly upward, and the central rotation line A of the drum 12 is positioned relative to the mounting surface of the washing machine at a certain angle (α). A shaft 13 mounted in the center of the rear surface 12c of the drum 12 is rotatably supported in the center of the rear surface 11c of the tank 11, allowing the drum 12 to rotate in the tank 11.

A plurality of through holes 12d are formed on the outer surface of the drum 12. A plurality of drain holes 12e for draining washing water from the drum 12 while rotating the drum at high speed are formed on the front surface 12a of the drum 12. In addition, a large number of protrusions 14 for raising and dropping laundry during rotation of the drum 12 are located along the inner surface of the drum 12.

An electric drive 15 used as a drive device for rotating the shaft 13 connected to the drum 12 is mounted outside the inner surface 11c of the tank 11. The electric drive 15 includes a stator 15a mounted on the rear surface 11c of the tank 11, a rotor 15b rotatably outside the stator 15a and a drive disk 15c for connecting the rotor 15b and the rotational shaft 13.

An inlet 16 for loading or removing laundry from the drum 12 is formed on the front surface of the main body 10 and corresponds to the position of the inlet 12b of the drum 12 and the inlet 11b of the tank 11. A door 17 for opening and closing the inlet is installed at the inlet 16.

A device 18 for supplying detergent to the tank 11, a steam generating device 30 for generating optimal steam in the tank 11, and a device 20 for supplying water to the tank 11 and the steam generating device 30 are installed above the tank 11.

The device 18 for supplying detergent contains compartments for washing means and is installed at the front surface of the main body 10, so that the user can put the washing means in the device 18 for supplying detergent.

The water supply device 20 includes a pipe 21 for supplying water to the tank 11 and a water supply valve 22 mounted in the pipe 21 for supplying water and designed to control the flow of water in the pipe 21 for supplying water. In the present invention, the water supply pipe 21 is connected to the washing means supply device 18 so that water delivered from an external source is supplied to the washing means supply device 18. A connecting pipe 23 is installed between the washing agent supply device 18 and the tub 11 so that water, after passing through the washing agent supply device 18, is supplied to the tub 11. Through the connecting pipe 23, the water that is supplied to the tub 11 passes through the supply device 18 detergent, providing the dissolution of the detergent contained in the device 18 for supplying detergent in water and then serving in the tank 11.

In addition, the water supply device 20 comprises a pipe 24 for supplying water to the steam generating device 30, as well as to a device 18 for supplying washing means and a steam valve 25 installed in the pipe 24 for supplying water to control the water supply in the steam generating device 30.

Although the water supply device 20 includes a water supply valve 22 and a steam valve 25, which are installed separately as described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the water supply device 20 may comprise a combined water supply valve 22 and a steam valve 25 using a conventional electric three-way or four-way valve.

The steam generating device 30 comprises a U-shaped steam heater 32 for quickly heating the water passing through it, for generating steam at a high temperature of at least 100 ° C, a temperature sensor 34 mounted on one side of the steam generating device 30 and designed to measure the temperature of the steam generating device 30, a steam supply pipe 36 exiting from the steam generating device 30 into the tank 11, and a nozzle 38 mounted on the outlet of the steam supply pipe 36.

Although the steam heater 32 is installed in the steam generating device 30, as described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the steam heater 32 may be an external heater having a structure in contact with the outer surface of the upper or lower part of the steam generating device 30, or surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the steam generating device 30.

A heater 40 for heating the washing water supplied to the tub 11 is installed in the lower part of the tub 11. A receiving compartment 41 for installing the heater 40 and collecting a certain amount of washing water is formed on the bottom surface of the tub 11 so that the receiving compartment 41 for the heater has protruding downward part. This design of the heater receiving compartment 41 allows the heater 40 to be immersed in the washing water collected in the heater receiving compartment 41. The heater 40 is installed in the receiving compartment 41 of the heater and rotates without interference for the drum 12.

The washing machine according to the invention further comprises a drain device 50 for draining water from the tank 11 and a water circulation device 60 for supplying washing water to the tank 11, heated by the heater 40, in the drum 12.

The drain device 50 includes a first drain pipe 51 connected to a drain hole 42 formed in the receiving compartment 41 of the heater on the bottom surface of the tank 11 for directing water from the tank 11 to the outside, a drain pump 52 installed in the first drain pipe 51, and a second drain pipe 53 connected to the outlet of the drain pump 52.

The washing water circulation device 60 includes a passage changing valve 61 installed in a second drain pipe 53 connected to an outlet of the drain pump 52, a washing water circulation pipe 62 exiting from the passage changing valve 61 into the inlet 12b of the drum 12, and a spray nozzle 63 mounted on the outlet of the washing water circulation pipe 62. The valve 61 serves to change the passage so that the washing water in the outlet of the drain pump 52 is poured out or enters the circulation pipe 62 and is an electric three-way valve.

The operation of the above washing machine is as follows.

When the washing machine is turned on and the laundry is loaded into the drum 12 and the washing means is added to the washing means supply device 18, the water supply valve 22 of the water supply device 20 is opened to supply water to the washing means supply device 18.

The detergent in the detergent supply device 18 dissolves in the washing water supplied to the tub 11 through the detergent supply device 18 and then is supplied to the tub 11. For a washing machine, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, containing the washing water circulation device 60, it is not necessary to supply washing water to a level in the drum 12, which provides wetting of the laundry in the drum 12, while the amount of washing water is compared to a conventional washing m ashina decreases.

After the washing water supply is completed, the heater 40 is turned on to heat the washing water poured into the tub 11. Since the washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention requires a small amount of supplied washing water compared to a conventional washing machine, the temperature of the washing water heated by the heater 40 rises rapidly, reducing the total washing time and reducing the amount of electricity consumed to heat the washing water.

After the water for washing is heated to the temperature necessary for washing the laundry, the valve 61 changes the passage of the device 60 of the circulation of water for washing. A passage is formed in which the outlet of the drain pump 52 communicates with the washing water circulation pipe 62, while washing water from the bottom of the tub 11 is supplied to the drum 12 through the first drain pipe 51 and the washing water circulation pipe 62 during operation of the drain pump 52.

Since the washing water supplied to the drum 12 is sprayed onto the laundry through the spray nozzle 63, the washing water uniformly wets the laundry. The drum 12 rotates at a slow speed during operation of the electric drive 15, thereby performing a washing operation.

During washing, when the level of washing water contained in the drum 12 is higher than the height of the drain holes 12e, the washing water enters the tub 11 through the drain holes 12e. The washing water is circulated in such a way that the water contained in the tub 11 is again supplied to the drum 12 through the first drain pipe 51 and the circulation pipe 62 when the drain pump 52 is operating.

When the user selects the steam mode, the steam valve 25 is opened to supply washing water to the steam generating device 30 through the pipe 24 for supplying water for steam generation, while the washing water supplied to the steam generating device 30 is quickly heated by the steam heater 32 to generate steam at high temperature at least 100 ° C.

Steam at high temperature is supplied to the tank 11 through the steam supply pipe 36 and the spray nozzle 38 and is used to further heat the washing water and laundry in the tank 11, previously heated by the heater 40.

When the temperature of the washing and laundry water rises to a certain temperature during the circulation of the washing water and the steam supply, the steam supply is stopped and the drum 12 rotates at a slow speed during operation of the electric drive 15, thereby performing the washing operation.

After the washing operation is completed, a rinsing operation is performed, in which there is a spin and re-supply of water for washing. During the rinse operation, the water supply valve 22 is opened to supply water to the tank 11 through the water supply pipe 21. The passage change valve 61 opens to open the outlet of the drain pump 52 for the outer drain pipe 53, and the drain pump 52 is turned on, discharging water from the tank 11. When the final spin is performed after the rinsing operation, the drain pump 52 is turned on, provided that the outlet of the drain pump open to the outer drain pipe 53, and the drum 12 rotates at high speed for a certain time, squeezing the laundry in the tank 11.

2 is a block diagram of a washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The washing machine includes an input signal device 100, a water level measuring device 110, a temperature measuring device 120, a control device 130, and an operation unit 140.

The input signal device 100 enables the user to enter selected operating parameters, such as the washing process, the washing temperature, the spin speed and an additional rinse operation. The water level measuring device 110 measures the level of the water supplied to the tank 11. The temperature measuring device 120 includes a temperature sensor 34 for measuring the temperature of the washing water supplied to the tank 11 and the temperature of the steam generating device 30.

The control device 130 is a microcomputer for controlling the washing machine in accordance with operating parameters inputted from the input signal device 100. The control device 130 controls the modes of the steam valve 25 and the steam heater 32 based on the temperature measured by the temperature measuring device 120, thereby forcing a steam generating device 30 generate a large amount of steam at a high temperature of at least 100 ° C.

The operation unit 140 controls the electric actuator 15, the water supply valve 22, the steam valve 25, the steam heater 32, the heater 40, the drain pump 52, and the passage change valve 61 using the operating control signal of the control device 130.

Next will be described in detail the operation and the effect of the specified washing machine and the method of controlling this washing machine.

Figure 3 presents a sequence diagram of operations, a method of controlling a washing machine according to the invention, where "S" denotes an operation.

The method for controlling the washing machine of the present invention includes the steps of (S100 ~ S200) supplying washing water to the tub 11 in accordance with the steam washing mode selected by the user; operations (S300 ~ S400) for heating the washing water supplied to the tank 11 using the heater 40; operations (S500 ~ S600) of heating the washing water and laundry in the tub 11 heated by the heater 40 by spraying a high temperature steam of at least 100 ° C; an operation (S700) for performing the washing in accordance with the washing mode selected by the user after heating the washing water and laundry with the heater 40 and the heater; operation (S800) rinsing, spinning and drying after completion of the washing operation.

Next, a method for controlling said washing machine will be described in more detail.

When the user selects the operating parameters, such as the washing mode (for example, the steam washing mode), the washing temperature, the spin speed and the extra rinse operation, the operating parameters selected by the user are input to the control device 130 through the input signal device 100 (S100) .

Then, the control device 130 includes a water supply valve 22 for supplying water to the washing means supply device 18, and washing means in the washing means supply device 18 is dissolved in the washing water supplied to the tub 11 through the washing means supply device 18, and then supplied into tank 11 (S200).

In the method for controlling the washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the washing water circulation device 60 is turned on, the water supply to the level in the drum 12 is not required to wet the laundry in the drum 12. Therefore, the required amount of washing water is reduced compared to conventional washing by cars.

After supplying a certain amount of washing water to the tub 11 through the water supply pipe 21, the control device 130 turns off the water supply valve 22 to stop supplying the washing water through the water supply pipe 21.

After the supply of washing water is completed, the heater 40 is turned on by the control device 130, heating the washing water in the tub 11 (S300). Since the control method of the washing machine in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention requires a small amount of supplied washing water compared to the conventional method, the temperature of the washing water heated by the heater 40 rises rapidly, thereby reducing the total washing time and reducing the amount of electricity consumed for heating washing water.

The working time of the heater 40 is measured for verification and it is determined whether or not the predetermined time T1 (S400) has elapsed - the time required to heat the washing water to the temperature necessary to perform the washing operation using the heater 40. When it is determined that the predetermined time T1 has expired, heater 40 is turned off.

The control device 130 controls the steam valve 25, while the washing water is supplied to the steam generating device 30 through the pipe 24 for supplying water for steam generation, while the washing water supplied to the steam generating device 30 is quickly heated by the steam heater 32 to generate steam at high temperature at least 100 ° C.

Steam at high temperature is supplied to the tank 11 through the steam supply pipe 36 and the spray nozzle 38 and is used to further heat the washing water and laundry in the tank 11, which were previously heated by the heater 40 (S500).

Since in the said method of controlling the washing machine according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a small amount of supplied washing water is required due to the use of the washing water circulation device 60 and a large amount of steam is supplied at a high temperature of at least 100 ° C to the tank 11 through the steam generating device 30, the temperature of the washing water rises rapidly compared to the conventional method in which the washing water is heated only by the heater 40, set nnym the bottom of the tank 11, thereby significantly reducing the overall washing time and reducing the amount of energy consumed to heat the wash water.

In addition, since steam is sprayed at high temperature onto the laundry that is completely moistened with washing water, the temperature of the laundry rises rapidly, thereby shortening the washing time and improving the washing effect, which increases the washing efficiency.

The steam supply time by the steam generating device 30 is measured for verification and it is determined whether or not the predetermined time T2 expires (S600) —the total working time of the steam generating device 30 from the moment of preheating by the heater 32, about 6-10 minutes. When it is determined that the time T2 has expired, the steam heater 32 is turned off and the drum rotates at a low speed during operation of the electric drive 15 for washing in accordance with the selected washing mode (S700).

After washing, at least one or all of the rinsing, spinning and drying operations are carried out in accordance with the selected operating parameters, and the steam washing mode ends (S800).

The process of heating water for washing and laundry using steam with the method of controlling the washing machine will be described in more detail (figure 4).

In order to supply a large amount of steam at high temperature to the tank 11, the steam heater 32 installed in the steam generating device 30 is preheated (S510).

The steam heater 32 is preheated so that the steam generating device 30 in the initial operating stage delivers pure steam, which is not mixed with water at room temperature (23-24 ° C), to the tank 11.

The temperature measuring device 120 measures the temperature (S _T ) of the steam generating device 30 (after preheating the steam heater 32) and outputs the measured temperature (S _T ) to the control device 130 (S520). The control device 130 determines whether or not the temperature (S _T ) of the steam generating device 30 entered in the temperature measuring device 120 is higher than the predetermined initial temperature S _TS — the lowest temperature for heating the steam heater 32 for generating steam, equal to about 100 ° C (S530).

As a result of the comparison, when it is determined that the temperature (S _T ) of the steam generating device 30 is higher than a predetermined initial temperature (S _TS ), the control device 130 includes a steam valve 25 (S540).

When the steam valve 25 is turned on, washing water is supplied to the steam generating device 30 through the steam supply pipe 24 and the washing water supplied to the steam generating device 30 is quickly heated by the steam heater 32 to generate steam at a high temperature of at least 100 ° C.

Steam at high temperature is supplied to the tank 11 through the steam supply pipe 36 and the spray nozzle 38 and further heats the washing water and laundry in the tank 11, which were previously heated by the heater 40.

When a certain time T3 — the time required to generate steam at a high temperature of at least 100 ° C. for about 2 seconds — expires from turning on the steam valve 25 (S550), the control device 130 turns off the steam valve 25 (S560).

Measure the time during which the steam valve 25 is turned off, and when a certain time T4 — the time required to raise the temperature of the steam generating device 30 to a high temperature of at least 100 ° C, about 10 seconds — expires (S570), device 130 the control turns on the steam valve 25 again until a certain time T2 has elapsed, so that the above process is repeated.

As can be seen from the above description, the object of the present invention, i.e. the creation of a washing machine and a method of controlling a washing machine in which the supplied water is quickly heated in a short period of time to supply a large amount of steam at a high temperature of at least 100 ° C to the tank to quickly increase the temperature of the washing water and reduce the total washing time , reduce energy consumption for heating water for washing, resolved.

In addition, since steam is sprayed at high temperature onto laundry that is completely moistened to quickly increase the temperature of the laundry, the overall washing time is shortened and the sterilizing effects are improved. In addition, the effect of wetting the laundry is increased and thus the washing efficiency is increased, the amount of electricity consumed for performing the washing operation is reduced, and wrinkles due to the use of steam are prevented.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that changes are possible in these embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims (9)

1. A method of controlling a washing machine in which the supplied washing water is heated by a steam generating device for generating steam, the method comprising: measuring the temperature of the steam generating device, controlling the water supply device by supplying washing water to the steam generating device in accordance with the measured temperature of the steam generating device , and carry out the operation of controlling the steam generated by the steam generating device, in accordance with the time required to control the device p water garden. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the water supply device is controlled in such a way that washing water is supplied to the steam generating device when the temperature of the steam generating device exceeds a predetermined initial temperature. 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the water supply device is controlled in such a way that the washing water supplied to the steam generating device is turned off when the temperature of the steam generating device does not exceed a predetermined initial temperature. 4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the washing water supplied to the steam generating device is turned off to stop generating steam when the time during which the water supply device is turned on to supply water exceeds a predetermined time of water supply. 5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the water for washing is supplied to the steam generating device for generating steam when the time during which the water supply device is turned off and the water supply is stopped exceeds a predetermined time for stopping the water supply. 6. A method of controlling a washing machine in which the supplied washing water is heated by a steam generating device for generating steam, which is that the steam generating device is preheated before the washing water is supplied to the steam generating device, the temperature of the preheated steam generating device is measured, the water supply device for washing into a steam generating device by comparing the measured temperature of the steam generating device with a given initial temperature and control They generate steam by comparing the time required to control the water supply device with a given water supply time and a predetermined time for stopping the water supply. 7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the washing water supplied to the steam generating device is turned off to stop generating steam when the time during which the water supply device is turned on to supply water exceeds a predetermined time of water supply. 8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the washing water is supplied to the steam generating device for generating steam when the time during which the water supply device is turned off and the water supply is stopped exceeds a predetermined time for stopping the water supply. 9. A washing machine with a steam generating device for heating the supplied washing water, comprising a device for measuring the temperature of the steam generating device, a device for supplying washing water to the steam generating device, a device for controlling the water supply device in such a way that the steam generated by the steam generating device is controlled in in accordance with the temperature of the steam generating device, while the control device is designed to control the steam generating device in such a way that the arogenizing device is preheated before the washing water is supplied to the steam generating device, in order to compare the time required to control the water supply device with the predetermined water supply time and the predetermined stop time of the water supply and to control the generation of steam in accordance with the comparison result.

Images