CONTROL METHOD OF LAUNDRY MACHINE

Abstract

A control method of a laundry machine includes steps of selecting an operation course provided in the laundry machine, selecting one of at least two delay modes, setting a predetermined delay time according to the selected delay mode, and starting an operation of the laundry machine according to the selected course after the predetermined delay time passes.

Description

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, laundry machines are electric appliances which includes at least one of washing, rinsing, spinning and drying cycles to wash clothes, clothing, bedding and cloth items and the like (hereinafter, laundry). Here, a user may select a desired course provided in such a laundry machine and he/she may operate the laundry machine. However, when going out, the user may wish to operate the laundry machine in predetermined hours and it may be necessary to invent a control method of a laundry machine for such the delayed driving accordingly.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

To solve the problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a control method of a laundry machine which includes a variety of delay modes.

Solution to Problem

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a control method of a laundry machine includes steps of: selecting an operation course provided in the laundry machine; selecting one of at least two delay modes; setting a predetermined delay time according to the selected delay mode; and starting an operation of the laundry machine according to the selected course after the predetermined delay time passes.

The delay modes may include a first mode configured to input the waiting time and a second mode configured to delay the operation of the laundry machine until a preset time.

The first mode may include an operation start mode configured to input the waiting time until the time of the laundry machine operation starting and an operation finish mode configured to input the waiting time until the time of the laundry operation finishing.

A controller provided in the laundry machine may set the input waiting time as the delay time, in case the operation start mode is selected.

A controller provided in the laundry machine may set the time computed after subtracting the estimated operation time of the selected course from the input waiting time as the delay time, in case the operation finish mode is selected.

A controller provided in the laundry machine may set the difference between the time of the mode selecting and the preset time as the delay time, in case the second mode is selected.

The preset time may be directly inputted by a user or pre-inputted in the controller.

The pre-inputted in the controller may be the starting time of a time zone in which a relatively low power-rate is billed.

The controller may recognize the time of the mode selecting by using a clock work provided therein or by the user's inputting.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The present invention has following advantageous effects.

According to the control method, the various delay modes are provided and user convenience may be improved.

Furthermore, according to the control method, the operation of the laundry machine may be reserved to start in a night time zone in which a relatively low power-rate is billed and power consumption may be economized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the disclosure.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a laundry machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side-sectional view of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 to 6 are front views illustrating an operation panel; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a control method of the laundry machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As follows, a laundry machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and a washing method using the laundry machine will be described in reference to the accompanying drawings. First of all, the laundry machine according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described and a control method of the laundry machine will be described later.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a laundry machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 2 is a side-sectional view of FIG. 1.

In reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a laundry machine 10 includes a cabinet 10 configured to define an exterior appearance thereof, a tub 30 provided in the cabinet 10 to hold wash water therein, a drum 50 rotatable in a vertical direction inside the tub 30, a driving part 70 configured to give a torque to the drum 50 to wash, rinse and spin laundry loaded into the drum, a controller 60 configured to control each of the other elements to operate the laundry machine 100, and an operation panel 20 connected with the controller 60 to control each of the elements.

The cabinet 20 defines the exterior appearance of the laundry machine 100 and various configuration elements, which will be described later, are mounted inside and outside the cabinet 20. A door configured to introduce the laundry 1 is rotatably coupled to a front of such the cabinet 10.

The tub 30 is provided in the cabinet 10 to hold the wash water and it is formed in an enclosure-structure shape having an opening toward the door 12 to receive the laundry 1 introduced via the door.

The driving part 70 configured to rotate the drum may be mounted to a rear surface of the tub 30. Such the driving part 70 including a motor and the like is configured to rotate the drum 50 and the rotation speed of the driving part 70 is controlled according to the control of the controller 60. Here, the structure of such the driving part 70 is well-known to anyone skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains and it may have various embodiments. Because of that, detailed description of the structure will be omitted.

The tub 30 may be flexibly supported by a spring 31 connectedly provided beyond the tub and a damper 32 connectedly provided below the tub. As a result, when it is transmitted to the cabinet 10 via the tub 30, the vibration generated during the rotation of the drum 50 may be suspended and dampened by the spring 31 and the damper 32 only to reduce the vibration transmitted to the cabinet 10.

Furthermore, above the tub 30 may be connectedly installed a water supply hose 33 configured to supply water to the tub from an external water supply source, a water supply valve 34 installed in the water supply hose 33 to control the water flow and a detergent supply unit 35 configured to supply detergent to the tub 30 together with the water supplied from the water supply hose 33.

Below the tub 30 may be connectedly installed a drainage hose 36 and a drainage pump 37 which are configured to drain the water used to wash and rinse the laundry.

In the meanwhile, the laundry machine according to this embodiment may have a function of laundry drying. In this case, the laundry machine may include a circulation duct 40 provided in an outer portion to the tub 30, to circulate air for a drying cycle of the laundry machine 100. That is, the circulation duct 40 exhausts internal air of the tub 30 and it heats the air to re-supply the heated air to the tub 30.

Here, the circulation duct 40 may be configured of a drying duct 41 and a condensing duct 47. A heater 43 and a fan 45 may be installed in the drying duct 41 to exhaust the heated air toward the tub 30. Such the drying duct and the condensing duct 47 are in communication with an inside of the drum 50 as well as with each other. An inlet 38 configured to suck the heated air having passed the drying duct 41 and an outlet 39 configured to exhaust air into the condensing duct 47 may be formed in the tub 30. A water supplier 49 may be installed in the condensing duct 47 to supply cold water, which will be used to condense humidity of the air, to the condensing duct 47.

The drum 50 is rotatably mounted in the tub 30 and the laundry 1 is introduced and loaded in the drum 50 via an opening coupled to the door 12. a plurality of drainage holes 52 may be formed in the drum 50 to pass the water there through and a plurality of lifters 54 may be formed in the drum 50 to lift and drop the laundry 1 loaded in the drum 50, such that a washing ability may be improved according to the movement of the laundry caused by the lifters 54.

The controller 60 may control an overall operation of the laundry machine 100 and it may operate the laundry machine based on settings predetermined in the laundry machine 100. that is, the controller 60 implements controls for a normal operation set to operate the laundry machine normally and an reservation operation set to operate the laundry machine at a specific reversed time. For that, the controller 60 may include a timer (not shown) or a clock work configured to accumulate and compute the time based on the user's setting. The controller 60 may display the time computed by the timer or clock work on the operation panel 20.

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating the operation panel 20.

In reference to FIG. 3, the operation panel 20 may include a selecting part 22 configured to allow the user to input an operational command and a display part 26 configured to display a variety of information on the laundry machine.

The selecting part 22 may include a course selecting part 24 configured to allow the user to select operation courses of the laundry machine. The user operates the course selecting part 24 to select a desired course. According to FIG. 3, the course selecting part 24 is a rotary type and the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the course selecting part 24 may be a plurality of buttons.

The selecting part 22 may further include an operation selecting part 23 configured to allow the user to select at least one optional condition of the washing cycle, rinsing cycle, spinning cycle or drying cycle. For example, the user operates the option selecting part 23 to select the water temperature, the number of washings, the amount of laundry and the amount of wash water in the washing cycle and to select the number of rinsings in the rinsing cycle and to select the number of spinnings and the RPM in the spinning cycle and to select the drying temperature in the drying cycle.

According to the laundry machine of this embodiment, in case the user selects an operation course, the laundry machine may include a delay mode configured to put the laundry machine into operation after a predetermined time period, not to put it into operation right away when the user selects an operation course. Here, at least two kinds of delay modes may be provided in the laundry machine. Because of that, the selecting part 22 may include a mode selecting part 25 configured to allow the user to select a desired delay mode. For example, the user pushes the mode selecting part 25 repeatedly to select a desired delay mode.

Here, the user has to input the waiting time based on the type of the delay modes directly. Because of that, the selecting part 22 may further include a time selecting part 25a configured to allow the user to input the delay time directly. The delay mode and the waiting time will be described in detail later.

The display part 26 may display a variety of the information on the laundry machine and the information inputted by the user. For example, the display part 26 may display the course selected by the user, the operation time of the course, the remaining operation time of the course, the cycle in progress currently, the temperature of wash water, the amount of laundry and the like. The display part 26 may include mode displays 27, 28 and 29 configured to display which one of the at least two delay modes is selected and the user may identify the selected delay mode on the mode display. For example, only the mode display corresponding to the delay mode selected by the user may be luminescent or on and off periodically, to inform the user of the selected delay mode.

As follows, a control method of the laundry machine having the above configuration will be described in detail.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a control method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In reference to FIG. 7, the user may select an operation course of the laundry machine having the above configuration (S710) and the user may operate the course selecting part 24 provided in the operation panel 20 to select a desired course. As follows, the control method according to this embodiment will be described, assuming that the user selects a standard course.

Hence, the user may select the delay mode (S730). As mentioned above, the laundry machine according to the above embodiment may include at least two delay modes configured to delay the operation of the laundry machine for a predetermined time period, not to operate the laundry machine immediately according to the selected course.

At this time, the delay mode may include a first mode configured to allow the user to input the waiting time directly and a second mode configured to delay the operation of the time at the predetermined time. FIG. 3 shows the display part 26 configured to allow the user to select one of the first and second modes. In this state, the user operates the mode selecting part 25 and he or she may select one of the modes.

Once selecting the first mode from the mode selecting part 25, the user is allowed to select one of operation start and operation finish modes. Here, the operation start mode configured to allow the user to input the waiting time until the operation start time and the operation finish mode is configured to allow the user to input the waiting time until the operation finish time. In even this case, the user may operate the mode selecting part 25 and he or she may select one of the operation start/finish modes.

Here, the operation start mode can delay the operation start of the laundry machine. That is, once the user selects the operation start mode and inputs the waiting time, the controller of the laundry machine may set the input waiting time as delay time (S750). This means that the user may set the input waiting time to be the delay time immediately. As a result, the controller of the laundry machine may start the operation of the laundry machine after the delay time passes (S770). For example, in case he or she is expected to go out, the user may select the operation start mode and inputs the time of going-out as waiting time, such that the operation of the washing machine may start after the user's going out. Because of that, the user may avoid inconvenience of noise generated by the laundry machine and the like.

FIG. 5 shows the display part configured to allow the user to input the waiting time in case of selecting the operation start mode. In this state of FIG. 5, the user may operate the time selecting part 25a and he or she may input a desired waiting time. For example, once the user inputs ‘2 hours’ as waiting time in the operation start mode after selecting the standard course, the controller may set ‘2 hours’ as waiting time and it may start the operation of the laundry machine after 2 hours of the delay time. In this case, the user may input the waiting time and then he or she may push ‘start’ button, for example, to notify a starting point of the delay time to the controller. Specifically, in case the user pushes the start button, the controller identifies whether the delay time passes and it may start the operation of the laundry machine after the preset delayed-time.

In the meanwhile, the operation finish mode may be configured to set the time of the laundry machine operation finishing after the selected course is complete. That is, once the user selects the operation finish mode and inputs the waiting time, the user may expect that the operation of the laundry machine will finish after the waiting time passes. For example, in case he or she can estimate the time of the returning home, the user may input the time difference between the current time and the returning time as waiting time. If he or she returns home, the user may unload the laundry right after the operation of the laundry machine.

In case the operation finish mode is selected, the controller may set the time computed after subtracting the expected operation time of the selected course from the input waiting time, as delay time (S750). Descriptions of a case of selecting the operation finish mode as shown in FIG. 4 and a case of inputting the waiting time as shown in FIG. 5 are similar to the description of the operation start mode mentioned above and repeated description will be omitted accordingly.

For example, the user may select ‘4 hours’ as waiting time in the operation finish mode, after selecting the standard course. At this time, in case the estimated operation time of the standard course is 1 and ½ hour, for example, the controller may set ‘2 and 1/2 hours’ as delay time because ‘2 and ½ hours’ remains after ‘1 and ½ hour’ which is the expected operation time of the selected standard course is subtracted from ‘4 hours’ which is the waiting time. As a result, the controller may start the operation of the laundry after ‘2 and ½ hours’ which is the delay time. In case the user pushes the start button even in the operation finish mode, the controller may identify whether the delay time passes and it may start the operation of the laundry machine after the preset delayed-time passes.

In the meanwhile, if the user selects the second mode from the mode selecting part 25, the controller delays the operation of the laundry machine at the preset time. That is, in case the second mode is selected, the controller may set the difference between the time of selecting the mode and the preset time as delay time (S750).

Here, the preset time may be set in various methods. For example, the preset time may be directly inputted by the user in case the user selects the second mode. This is may be somewhat similar to the operation start mode mentioned above. However, compared with the operation start mode mentioned above, there may be an advantageous effect that the time of the laundry machine starting may be set more accurately.

Furthermore, the preset time may be pre-inputted and set to the controller. For example, the preset time may be a start of the time zone which has a relatively low power-rate according to an area in which the laundry machine is installed. The power-rate may be set to be billed variably based on country to country, area to area and time zones of a day. Especially, to prevent operations of home electric appliances and factory equipments from intensively concentrated into a day time zone, a lower power-rate may be billed in a night time zone. In this case, it is advantageous for the user to use the laundry machine in a predetermined time zone having a lower power-rate (hereinafter, ‘night time zone’). Because of that, information relating to the night time zone may be stored in the controller.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the display part 26 in case the predetermined time is preset as starting point of the night time zone, when the user selects the second mode. That is, once the user selects the second mode, the controller may display ‘waiting’ until the night time zone, without operating the laundry machine.

Such the information relating to the night time zone may be pre-stored in the controller based on the area having the laundry machine installed therein, when the laundry machine is released. Alternatively, when the laundry machine is installed in the user's house for the first time, an installation engineer input information relating to the night time zone corresponding to a local area and country, together with a local time, a country or area which the laundry machine will be installed. As a result, the controller may set the difference between the time of the second mode selecting and the start point of the night time zone, as delay time.

Here, the second mode may be configured to delay the operation of the laundry machine at the predetermined time and a clock work may be provided in the laundry machine. That is, the operation of the laundry machine may start after the delay time passes in the first mode mentioned above. In other words, only the timer may be sufficient because the operation of the laundry machine starts after the delay time and the clock work may be provided in the second mode because the time difference between the current time and the preset time as delay time in the second mode. That is, in case the clock work is provided, the controller may recognize the time of the second mode selecting and it may set the time difference between the current time and the preset time as delay time. In case the clock work is not provided, it is possible for the user to input the current time directly. As a result, the controller may set the difference between the input current time and the start time of the preset time zone as delay time. In this case, only the timer may be sufficient to identify which the delay time passes.

As mentioned above, the display part 26 may include the mode displays 27, 28 and 29. For example, in case the operation start mode of the first mode is selected, the operation start mode display may be luminescent or periodically on/off. In case the operation finish mode is selected, the operation finish mode display 28 may be luminescent or periodically on/off and in case the second mode is selected, the second mode display 29 may be luminescent or periodically on/off. The user may recognize the selected mode via the mode display during the selecting or operation of the laundry machine.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention has an industrial applicability.

According to the control method of the present invention as mentioned above, the various delay modes may be provided and user convenience may be improved.

Furthermore, according to the control method of the present invention, the operation of the laundry machine may reserved to start in the night time zone when the relatively low power-rate is billed and the billed power-rate may be reduced accordingly.

Claims

1. A control method of a laundry machine comprising:

selecting an operation course provided in the laundry machine;

selecting one of at least two delay modes provided in the laundry machine;

setting a predetermined delay time based on the selected delay mode; and

performing operation of the laundry machine based on the selected course after the predetermined delay time passes.

2. The control method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the delay modes comprise a first mode configured to input waiting time and a second mode configured to delay the operation of the laundry machine until a preset time.

3. The control method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first mode comprises an operation start mode configured to input the waiting time until the time of the laundry machine operation starting and an operation finish mode configured to input the waiting time until the time of the laundry operation finishing.

4. The control method as claimed in claim 3, wherein a controller sets the input waiting time as the delay time, in case the operation start mode is selected.

5. The control method as claimed in claim 3, wherein a controller sets the time computed after subtracting the estimated operation time of the selected course from the input waiting time as the delay time, in case the operation finish mode is selected.

6. The control method as claimed in claim 2, wherein a controller sets the difference between the time of the mode selecting and the preset time as the delay time, in case the second mode is selected.

7. The control method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the preset time is directly inputted by a user or pre-inputted in the controller.

8. The control method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pre-inputted in the controller is the starting time of a time zone in which a relatively low power-rate is billed.

9. The control method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the controller recognizes the time of the mode selecting by using a clock provided in the laundry machine or by the user's inputting.