METHOD FOR CONTROLLING WASHING MACHINE

Abstract

A method for controlling a washing machine is provided. The method may include determining an amount of laundry in an inner tub, setting a supply water level according to the amount of laundry determined, supplying the water into the inner tub until a water level in an outer tub reaches the supply water level set, setting a rotation speed of a pump motor according to the amount of laundry determined, operating the pump motor at the rotation speed set, and alternatively rotating a pulsator in different directions.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Application Nos. 10-2015-0139279, filed on Oct. 2, 2015, 10-2015-0139272, filed on Oct. 2, 2015, 10-2015-0139276, filed on Oct. 2, 2015, and 10-2015-0141714, filed on Oct. 8, 2015, whose entire disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments relate to a method for controlling a washing machine.

2. Background

A washing machine is a device configured to process laundry through various operations such as laundry, dehydrating, and/or drying. The washing machine includes an outer tub configured to receive water and an inner tub rotatably provided in the outer tub. A through hole is formed through the inner tub so that water passes through the through hole. If laundry or clothes or bedding is provided into the inner tub and a user selects a desired course using a control panel, the washing machine may perform water supply and drainage, washing, rinsing, and dehydration by running a preset algorithm corresponding to the selected course.

A water supply amount in the washing machine may be determined depending on an amount of laundry or clothes, or a laundry or clothes amount, provided into the inner tub. In recent years, water supply amounts have been reduced to save energy. However, if the water supply amount is reduced, a possibility of the clothes being exposed to air is increased so that washing performance may be degraded, laundry or clothes become stained or secondary pollution occurs due to residual detergent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a washing machine according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side section of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating a structure of a hanger of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a relationship between constituent elements of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A illustrates a state in which water is sprayed through a circulating nozzle when an inner tub is in an unloaded condition;

FIG. 5B illustrates a state in which water is sprayed through a circulating nozzle when an inner tub is under a maximum load condition;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a top cover viewed from a top;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a top cover viewed from a front;

FIG. 8A is a view illustrating a rear surface of a top cover viewed when a circulating nozzle is installed;

FIG. 8B is a view illustrating a rear surface of a top cover viewed when a circulating nozzle is separated;

FIG. 9A illustrates a rear surface of a circulating nozzle;

FIG. 9B is a view illustrating a coupling between a top cover and a circulating nozzle;

FIG. 10A illustrates a circulating nozzle and a nozzle cap assembly installed at a top cover viewed from a side;

FIG. 10B is a perspective view illustrating a circulating nozzle installed at a top cover;

FIG. 10C is a side section illustrating the circulating nozzle;

FIG. 11A is a schematic view illustrating a height of water sprayed through a circulating nozzle reaching an inner tub according to a rotating speed of a washing motor;

FIG. 11B is a schematic view illustrating an angle of water sprayed through a circulating nozzle to be distributed in a width direction according to a rotating speed of a washing motor;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating a spray range of a circulating nozzle and a direct nozzle;

FIG. 13 illustrates a circulating nozzle according to another embodiment;

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a pump;

FIG. 14B is a side view of the pump;

FIG. 14C illustrates a state of a pump where a pump housing is removed from the pump;

FIG. 14D is a front view of the pump;

FIG. 15 is a cut-way view illustrating a pump shown in FIG. 14 so that an inside of the pump housing is visible;

FIG. 16 illustrates an inner surface of the pump housing;

FIG. 17A illustrates a rear surface of the pump;

FIG. 17B is a side section of the pump;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a pump bracket;

FIG. 19 illustrates a plurality of lateral sides of a pump installed on a base;

FIG. 20 illustrates a pump according to another embodiment;

FIG. 21A illustrates a pump where a first pump housing and a second pump housing are removed from the pump;

FIG. 21B illustrates an assembled state of the first pump housing and a second pump housing viewed from an (I) direction shown in FIG. 21A;

FIG. 21C illustrates an assembled state of the first pump housing and a second pump housing viewed from an (II) direction shown in FIG. 21A;

FIGS. 22A and 22B are partial perspective views illustrating a relationship between a bottom end of a circulating hose and peripheral constituent elements shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 23 is a partial perspective view illustrating a relationship between a top end of a circulating hose and peripheral constituent elements shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating a circulating hose shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustrating a circulating hose according to another embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a washing operation performed in step S6 shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a washing operation performed in step S6 shown in FIG. 26; and

FIG. 29A is a schematic view illustrating water flow when a water level in an outer tub is lower than a reference water level; and

FIG. 29B is a schematic view illustrating water flow when a water level in an outer tub is higher than a reference water level.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a base 9, a cabinet 1, a top cover 2, a lid 4, and a control panel 3. The base 9 may have a flat shape corresponding to a bottom on which the washing machine is installed. The base 9 may be supported by four support bridges 16 which are provide close to four corners of a cabinet 1. The base 9 may be installed therein with a pump 100. The base 9 has a substantial square appearance. The support bridges 16 are installed spaced inward apart from four vertexes of the square. The support bridges 16 protrude to a lower side of the base 9 to make contact with a floor, for example, an indoor floor on which the washing machine is installed. The four support bridges 16 support the base 9, and the base 9 supports the whole parts of the washing machine.

The cabinet 1 is supported by the base 9. The cabinet 1 includes a front surface 1a, both lateral surfaces 1b and 1c, and a rear surface 1d. A top surface and a bottom surface of the cabinet 1 may be opened. The top cover 2 may be coupled with a top end of the cabinet 1. An introduction hole for introducing and releasing laundry or clothes may be formed in the top cover 2. A lid 4 for opening/closing the introduction hole may be rotatably coupled with the top cover 2.

An outer tub 6 for receiving water may be provided in the cabinet 1. The outer tub 6 may be provided in the cabinet 1 by a hanger 8 in the hanged form. The hanger 8 may include a support rod 81 having a top end pivotably engaged with the top cover 2 and a suspension installed in the support rod 81 to buffer vibration of the outer tub 6. The suspension may be configured in various forms. For example, the suspension may include an outer tub support member which supports the outer tub 5 and is moved along the support rod 81 when the outer tub 6 vibrates.

Referring to FIG. 3, a hanger bracket 88 may be provided at a top side of the outer tub 6 in the cabinet 1. The hanger bracket 88 may be located at the top cover 2. A top end of the support rod 81 may be pivotably connected with the hanger bracket 88. The hanger 80 includes a support rod 81, a cap 85, and an elastic member 86. The cap 85 may be moved along the support rod 81 while being instead into the support rod 81. The outer tub 6 is supported by the cap 85 and is moved integrally with the cap 85 during a vibration procedure.

The support rod 81 may include a support rod base 82 formed at a bottom end thereof. The base 82 radially extends outward from a bottom end of the support rod 81. The elastic member 86 provided at an inner side of the cap 85 is located on a top surface of the support rod base 82. The elastic member 86 may be a spring. A top end of the spring supports the cap 85. Accordingly, while the cap 85 is displaced together with the outer tub 6, if the cap 85 is moved downward, the spring 86 is compressed. In contrast, if the cap 85 is moved upward, the spring 86 is recovered to an original state.

Hanger brackets 88 may be provided around four corners of the cabinet 1 and/or the top cover 2. Four hangers 80 may be connected to the hanger brackets 88, respectively. When viewed from the top, the hangers 80 are installed around four corners of the cabinet 1, respectively.

A top side of the outer tub 6 is opened. An outer tub cover 7 may be provided at the open top side of the outer tub 6. A center portion of the outer tub cover 7 may have an open ring shape to introduce/release the laundry. An inner tub 5 for receiving laundry and being rotated based on a vertical axis may be provided in the outer tub 6. The inner tub 5 is formed therein with a plurality of holes through which water pass. The water may communicate between the inner tub 5 and the outer tub 6 through the hole 5a.

A drainage bellows 18 for exhausting water from the outer tub 6 and a drain valve 44 for blocking the drainage bellows 18 may be provided. The drainage bellows 18 is connected to a pump 100. When the drain valve 44 is opened under control of a controller 30, the water may be supplied into the pump 100 through the drainage bellows 18. Hereinafter, it should be understood that the pump 100 is operated in a state that the drainage bellows 18 is opened without separate description.

A pulsator 15 may be rotatably installed at a lower inner side of the inner tub 5. The pulsator 15 may include a plurality of radial ribs which protrude upward. When the pulsator 15 is rotated, a water stream may be formed by the ribs.

A washing motor 41 for providing power to rotate the inner tub 5 and the pulsator 15 may be provided in the cabinet 1. The washing motor 41 is provided at a lower side of the outer tub 6, and may be provided in a hanged form in the cabinet 1 together with the outer tub 6. A rotating shaft of the washing motor 41 is always coupled with the pulsator 15, and may be coupled or released with or from the inner tub 5 according to a switching operation of a clutch. Accordingly, when the washing motor 41 is operated in a state that the rotating shaft of the washing motor 41 is coupled with the inner tub 5, the pulsator 15 and the inner tub 5 are integrally rotated. When the rotating shaft is separated from the inner tub 5, only the pulsator 15 is rotated in a state that the inner tub 5 stops.

Speed of the washing motor 41 may be controlled and may be controlled under control of the controller 30. It is preferable that the washing motor 41 is a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor. The speed of the BLDC motor may be controlled by using a proportional-integral (PI) controller, or a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller. The controllers may vector-control an input current of a motor by receiving water feedback of an output from the motor.

There is a need for at least one pump to exhaust or circulate water in the outer tub 6 through the circulating hose 90. A pump for drainage and a pump for circulation may be separately provided, respectively. However, according to an embodiment, the drainage and the circulation may be selectively performed using one pump 100.

The circulating hose 90 guides water pumped from the pump 100 to a circulating nozzle 12. One end of the circulating hose 90 may be connected to a circulation water exhaustion port 144 and an opposite end of the circulating hose 90 may be connected to the circulating nozzle 12. The circulation water exhaustion port 144 protrudes in a lateral direction of the pump 100 and is coupled with an end of the circulating hose 90. The circulation water exhaustion port 144 may horizontally extend in an upward inclined direction. In the present embodiment, the circulation water exhaustion port 144 extends backward and upward.

The pump 100 may include a pump motor 170 (see FIG. 6) and an impeller 150 which is rotated by the pump motor 170 to pump the water. The pump motor 170 may be rotated in a forward/reverse direction and a rotating direction of the impeller 150 is changed corresponding to a rotating direction of the pump motor 170.

Speed of the washing motor 41 may be controlled and may be controlled under control of the controller 30. It is preferable that the washing motor 41 is a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor. The speed of the BLDC motor may be controlled by a proportional-integral (PI) controller, or a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller. The controllers may vector-control an input current of a motor by receiving water feedback of an output from the motor.

The pump 100 may include two ports, that is, the circulation water exhaustion port 144 and a drainage port 143 configured to exhaust the water pumped from the impeller 150. When the pump motor 170 is rotated in a forward direction, the water is exhausted through the circulation water exhaustion port 144. When the pump motor 170 is rotated in a reverse direction, the water is exhausted through the drainage port 143.

A dispenser 17 for supplying additives acting in the laundry into the inner tub 5 together with water may be installed at the top cover 2. The additives supplied from the dispenser 17 may include detergent and fiber softener. The dispenser 17 includes a dispenser housing 171 which is provided at an inner side of the top cover 2 and a drawer 171 receives additives and is received in the dispenser housing 171 to be drawn out from the dispenser housing 171. The top cover 2 is formed therein with a drawer entrance through which the drawer 172 passes. An opening portion may be formed at one surface opposed to the drawer entrance in the housing dispenser 171 corresponding to the drawer inlet.

An inside of the drawer 172 may be divided into a detergent receiving portion 172a for receiving detergent and a fiber softener receiving portion 172b for receiving a fiber softener. A plurality of water supply ports may be formed on a top surface of the dispenser housing 171. The water supply ports may include a first water supply port 171a for introducing hot water to be supplied to the detergent receiving portion 172a, a second water supply port 171b for introducing cold water to be supplied to the detergent receiving portion 172a, and a third water supply port 171c for introducing the cold water or hot water to be supplied to the fiber softener receiving portion 172b. Although the cold water is introduced into the third water supply port 171c as an example, the hot water may be introduced according to an embodiment.

A washing machine may include one or more water supply hoses for guiding water supplied from an external water source such as a water tap. The water supply hoses may include a first water supply hose for guiding water supplied from a cold water source to a first water supply port 171a, a second water supply hose for guiding water supplied from a hot water source to a second water supply port 171b, a third water supply hose for guiding the water supplied from the cold water source to a third water supply port 171c, and a fourth water supply hose or a direct water supply hose for supplying the water to a direct water nozzle 13.

The cold water may be supplied through the direct water supply hose. The fourth water supply hose may be connected to a water source such as a tap. The fourth water supply hose may be fluid-connected to the first water supply hose and the third water supply hose. The present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the cold water, the hot water, or a mixing water of the cold water and the hot water may be supplied through the water supply hose.

Further, one or more water supply valves 43 for blocking water supply hoses may be included. For example, the water supply valves 43 may include a first water supply valve for blocking a first water supply hose, a second water supply valve for blocking a second water supply hose, a third water supply valve for blocking a third water supply hose, and a fourth water supply valve for blocking the direct water supply hose. The respective water supply valves may be operated under control of the controller 30.

The washing machine may include a water level sensor 42 for sensing a water level in the outer tub 6. The controller 30 may control a water supply valve 43 and/or a drain valve 44 according to the water level sensed by the water level sensor 42.

A control panel 3 may include an input unit 46 such as keys, buttons, and a touch panel capable of setting, selecting, and adjusting various operation modes provided from the washing machine and a display such as a lamp, an LCD panel, and an LED panel to display an operation state of the washing machine and various information such as a response, warning, and alarm according to selection of the operation mode. A memory 47 stores various data necessary to operate the washing machine, and may include various recording media such as volatile/non-volatile RAM, ROM, and a flash memory.

Referring to FIG. 6 to FIG. 10C, the washing machine may include a circulating nozzle 12 and a direct water nozzle 13 as a nozzle for spraying water into the inner tub. The circulating nozzle 12 and the direct water nozzle 13 may be installed at the top cover 2. The circulating nozzle 12 and the direct water nozzle 13 may be provided at both sides of the drawer 172, respectively. The circulating nozzle 12 and the direct water nozzle 13 may be installed at a top side of the outer tub 13. The circulating nozzle 12 may be provided in a rear direction of a top side of the outer tub 6. The circulating nozzle 12 and the direct water nozzle 13 may be installed at the top cover 2. The circulating nozzle 12 and the direct water nozzle 13 may be provided at both sides of the drawer 172, respectively.

When viewed from the front, if both sides with a left side and a right side are divided based on the dispenser 17, the circulating nozzle 12 may be provided at one side of the dispenser 17 and the direct water nozzle may be provided at another side of the dispenser 17. The pump 100 may be provided in the same direction of the circulating nozzle 12 based on the dispenser 17 on the base 9.

In an embodiment, when viewed from the front, the circulating nozzle 12 is provided at a left side of the dispenser 17, and the pump 100 is also located in the same direction of the circulating nozzle 12. According to an embodiment, when the circulating nozzle 12 is provided in an opposite direction, that is, a right side of the dispenser 17, the pump 100 may be provided at a right side of the dispenser 17.

The circulating nozzle 12 may include a water supply pipe 121 for guiding water supplied through the circulating hose 90 and a diffuser 122 sprays water released from the water supply pipe 121 by refracting the water downward. The circulating nozzle 12 may be formed by one component of a synthetic resin. The water supply pipe 121 may straightly extend from an inlet 121a for introducing water from a direction water supply hose to an outlet 121b for exhausting the water to the diffuser 122. It is preferable that a diameter of the outlet 121b is smaller than a diameter of the inlet 121a so that water pressure exhausted through the outlet 121b may be increased.

A radial protrusion 125 may protrude from an outer peripheral surface of the water supply pipe 121. A pair of radial protrusions 125 at symmetrical locations based on a center of the water supply pipe 121. A hose coupling protrusion 126 may protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the water supply pipe 121. A protrusion coupling groove in which the hose coupling protrusion 126 is inserted may be formed at an inner peripheral surface of the circulating hose 10.

The circulating nozzle 12 may include a plate 123 which radially extends outward from the outer peripheral surface of the water supply pipe 121. A rear surface of the plate 123 is opposed to a front surface of the top cover 2. The diffuser 122 may be formed at a front surface of the plate 123.

The diffuser 122 may include a collision surface 124 with which the water exhausted through the outlet 121b and which is refracted downward. The diffuser 122 includes a spray hole 122h which protrudes from a front surface of the plate 123 and sprays the water into the inner tub 5. That is, the diffuser 122 has a chamber or funnel shape recessed from the spray hole 122h. The diffuser 122 may have a fluid path cross section gradually increased from the outlet 121b of the water supply pipe 121 to the spray hole 122h. A part of an inner surface of the diffuser 122 forming a chamber located at a front end of the outlet 121b of the water supply pipe 121 is inclined so that the water exhausted from the outlet 121b collides with the part to be refracted downward. The inclined part corresponds to the collision surface 124.

The circulating nozzle 20 may include an inclined portion 123a which protrudes from the plate 123, extends to the spray hole 122h from a top side of the spray hole 122h, and has an inclination gradually protruded from the plate 123 in the direction of the spray hole 122h. There is an interval between an end of the inclined portion 123a and a front surface of the top cover 2. Accordingly, although water passes through the spray hole 122h to be fallen after the water flows along the inclined portion 123a, the inclined portion 123a may prevent the fallen water from making contact with the top cover 2.

A fixing protrusion 128 may protrude from a rear surface of the plate 123. The fixing protrusion 128 may include a pin 128a vertically extending from the rear surface of the plate 123 and a head 128b having an external diameter greater than that of the pin 128a which is formed at an end of the pin 128a. The plate 123 may be formed therein with an opening portion 123h. The plate 123 may be formed therein with a locking tab 127 which long protrudes from an edge of the opening portion 123h into the opening portion 123h. The locking tab 127 has a cantilever shape which includes an end located in the opening portion 123h. The locking tab 127 may be bent based on a connection part with the plate 123. A pressing protrusion 127a may protrude in an oriented direction of the rear surface of the plate 123 in an end of the locking tab 127.

A nozzle mount 2a having a shape recessed backward may be formed at a front surface of the top cover 2. The nozzle mount 2a may be formed therein with a first installation member h1 and a second installation member h2 having an arc shape circumferentially extending from a center of the first installation member h1 or the water supply pipe 121 to be spaced apart from the first installation member h1.

The first installation member h1 may include a circular water supply pipe insertion section h11 in which the water supply pipe 121 is inserted, first and second radial protrusion insertion sections h12 and h13 radially extending from the water supply pipe insertion section h11 to both sides thereof, and a pressing protrusion insertion section h14 radially extending from the second radial protrusion insertion section h13.

The second installation member h2 may include a head insertion section h21 in which the head 128b is inserted when the radial protrusions 125 are inserted into the first and second radial protrusion insertion sections h12 and h13, respectively, and a protrusion guide section h22 circumferentially extending from the head insertion section h21 to have a width smaller than a diameter of the head insertion section h21.

A procedure of installing the circulating nozzle 12 is as follows. After aligning the radial protrusions with the first and second radial protrusion insertion sections h12 and h13, the water supply pipe 121 is inserted into the water supply pipe insertion section h11 from a forward direction of the top cover 2. In this case, a procedure of inserting a head 128b of the fixing protrusion 128 into the head insertion section h21 is simultaneously performed. A rear surface of the plate 123 is located on a front surface of the top cover 2. Moreover, a pressing protrusion 127a of the locking tab 127 adheres to the front surface of the top cover 2 so that locking tab 127 is elastically bent forward based on a connection part of the plate 123.

Next, if the circulating nozzle 22 is rotated, the head 128b is moved along the protrusion guide section h22. During the above procedure, the pressing protrusion 127a of the locking tab 127 is turned along the front surface of the top cover 2 while the pressing protrusion 127a is modified and reaches a predetermined location, the pressing protrusion 127a of the locking tab 127 is inserted into the locking tap insertion section h14 and is recovered to an original shape so that installation of the circulating nozzle 12 is completed.

In a state that installation of the circulating nozzle 12 is completed, the radial protrusion 125 is located on a rear surface of the top cover 2. Accordingly, the circulating nozzle 12 is not separated from a forward direction of the first installation member h1. In addition, since the fixing protrusion 128 is located in the protrusion guide section h22 having a width smaller than a diameter of the head 128b, the head 128b does not pass through the guide section h22, and the circulating nozzle 12 is not separated from a forward direction of the first installation member h1. Furthermore, a desired spray direction of the circulating nozzle 12 may be configured by suitably designing a length of the protrusion guide section h22 and locations of a locking tab 127 and a corresponding insertion section h14.

Referring to FIG. 11 through FIG. 12, when the water is supplied through the water supply pipe 121 with sufficient water pressure, the greatest water sprayed through the spray hole 122h is distributed to have a maximum spray width angle θw in left and right directions (see FIG. 7) when viewed from the front. The water sprayed through the spray hole 122h may be sprayed to have a maximum vertical spray angle θv with respect to a vertical line when viewed from the lateral side (see FIG. 10). If water pressure supplied through the water supply pipe 121 become low, a width and the greatest height of water stream sprayed through the circulating nozzle 12 are reduced.

Since pressure of the water supplied through the water supply pipe 121 is changed according to rotating speed of the pump motor 170, the controller 30 may control a shape of water stream sprayed through the circulating nozzle by changing the rotating speed of the pump motor 170. In the order of a case where the pump motor 170 is rotated at low speed (I), a case where the pump motor 170 is rotated at intermediate speed (II), and a case where the pump motor 170 is rotated at high speed (III), the greatest height of the water stream sprayed from the circulating nozzle 12 making contact with the inner tub 5 is increased (see FIG. 11A), and a horizontal spray angle of the circulating nozzle 12 is increased (see FIG. 11B).

The controller 30 may include a laundry amount determining module 31 and an operation control module 32. The laundry amount determining module 31 may determine an amount of laundry or ‘laundry amount’ received in the inner tub 5. An inertia of the inner tub 5 or the pulsator 15 may be an indicator to determine the laundry amount. For example, since a stop inertia of the inner tub 5 is great if the laundry amount is increased when the inner tub 5 in a stop state is rotated, there is a need for more time until the inner tub 5 reaches preset purpose speed. Accordingly, the laundry amount determining module 31 may determine the laundry amount based on a time taken when the inner tub 5 reaches the purpose speed.

As another example, when the rotated inner tub 5 brakes, the laundry amount determining module 31 may determine the laundry amount based on a time taken until the inner tub 5 stops. The above case uses a rotating inertia of the inner tub 5 changed according to the laundry amount. In addition, the laundry amount may be determined by taking into consideration a variation value of an input or output current and an electromotive force of the washing motor 41. Since a method of calculating the laundry amount is well known in the art, a detailed description thereof is omitted. However, the laundry amount determining module 31 may determine the laundry amount in various schemes which were known in the art.

The operation control module 32 may control various electronic devices such as a washing motor 41, a water supply valve 43, a drain valve 44, and a pump motor 170. The operation control module 32 may control the above devices based on the water level sensed by the water level sensor 42 or the laundry amount determined by the laundry amount determining module 31.

After the water is supplied into the inner tub 5 by control of the water supply valve 43, the operation control module 32 may control rotating speed of the pump motor 170 according to the laundry amount determined by the laundry amount determining module 31. For example, if the laundry amount determined by the laundry amount determining module 31 is great, the operation control module 32 may control rotating speed of the pump motor 170. When the laundry amount introduced into the inner tub 5 is great, the operation control module 32 increases a spray width angle θw and a maximum vertical spray angle θv by increasing spray water pressure of the circulating nozzle 12.

The operation control module 32 may continuously rotate the washing motor 41 in one direction while the pump motor 170 is rotated. In this case, it is preferable that the washing motor 41 is rotated at speed enough to be rotated integrally with the inner tub 5 in a state that laundry in the inner tub 5 are stuck to an inner surface of the inner tub 5, that is, a drum D (see FIG. 12) by a centrifugal force. The water sprayed through the circulating nozzle 12 may uniformly soak the laundry.

The direct water nozzle 13 may substantially have the same structure as that of the circulating nozzle 12. The top cover 2 may be formed therein with a nozzle mount 2a′ for installing the direct water nozzle 13. The nozzle mount 2a′ substantially has the same structure as that of the nozzle mount 2a. As shown in FIG. 8, shapes of the first installation member h1 and the second installation member h2 may be mirror-symmetrical to the nozzle mount 2a.

Nozzle caps 14 may be coupled with the circulating nozzle 12 and the direct water nozzle 13, respectively. The nozzle cap 14 surrounds an outer side of a diffuser 122 of each nozzle 12 or 13. The nozzle cap 14 is formed therein with an opening portion communicated with a spray hole of the nozzle 12 or 13. The nozzle cap 14 may be coupled with the plate 123.

Referring to FIG. 12, a rotating axis c of the inner tub 5 is included in a vertical plane. If one side with respect to a reference surface F extending in forward and backward directions is defined as a first region S1 and another side is defined as a second region S2, the circulating nozzle 12 may be provided in the first region S1 to spray water to reach the second region S2, and the direct water nozzle 13 may be provided in the second region S2 to spray the water to reach the second region S1. That is, a spray hole of the circulating nozzle 12 is at least partially opened toward the second region S2. A spray hole of the direct water nozzle 13 is at least partially opened toward the first region S1.

The inner tub 5 may include a floor on which the pulsator 15 is provided and a cylindrical drum which extends upward from the floor. When the inner tub 5 is in an unloaded state, for example, when laundry is not introduced, the spray hole of the circulating nozzle 12 may be opened from a first part P(S1) on a top surface of the pulsator 15 included in the first region S1 toward a region corresponding to a second part D(S2) on an inner peripheral surface of the drum included in the second region S2.

When the inner tub 5 is in the unloaded state, the spray hole of the direct water nozzle 13 may be open from a third part P (S2) on a top surface of the pulsator 15 included in the second region S2 toward a region corresponding to a fourth part D (S1) on an inner peripheral surface of the drum included in the first region S1.

Referring to FIG. 13, the circulating nozzle 12′ according to another embodiment is different from the circulating nozzle 12 according to the above embodiment in that a part of the spray hole 122h forms a waveform. Remaining configuration of the circulating nozzle 12′ is the same as the circulating nozzle 12. For example, the waveform may be formed at a bottom end of the collision surface 124 configuring the spray hole 122h.

Referring to FIG. 14 to FIG. 17, the pump 100 may include a motor case 130 for receiving the pump motor 170 and a pump housing 140 for forming a space or impeller receiving space, for receiving the impeller 150 inward to be coupled with the motor case 130. The impeller 150 may include a plurality of vanes 151 which are radially provided. In an embodiment, four vanes 151 are included. The number of the vanes 151 is not always limited thereto.

The pump housing 140 may include a housing body 141 for forming an impeller receiving space, a supply port 142 extending forward from the housing body 141 and communicated with the impeller receiving space, and two ports, that is, a circulating water exhaustion port 144 and a drainage port 143 for exhausting water pumped from the impeller 150 to an outside of the impeller receiving space. The circulating water exhaustion port 144 and the drainage port 143 may extend outward from the housing body 141, respectively.

The circulating water exhaustion port 144 and a drainage port 143 may substantially the same diameter as that of the drainage port 143. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. According to an embodiment, the circulating water exhaustion port 144 may have an inner diameter than that of the drainage port 143.

The supply port 142 may be connected to a drainage bellows 18. The supply port 142 may be configured as a pipe extending in a rotation axis direction of the impeller 150. The water exhausted from the outer tub 6 to the drainage bellows 18 may pass through the supply port 142 to be supplied to the impeller receiving space.

The pump housing 140 may be formed therein with a drainage exhaustion hole 143a corresponding to an inlet of the drainage port 143 on a ring shaped inner surface 147 (see FIG. 15) having a clearance with the impeller 150 and a circulating water exhaustion hole 144a corresponding to an inlet of the circulating water exhaustion port 144. The inner surface 147 configures an inner peripheral surface of the housing body 141. The drainage exhaustion hole 143a and the circulating water exhaustion hole 144a may be circumferentially spaced by a predetermined interval on an inner surface 147. The drainage exhaustion hole 143a and the circulating water exhaustion hole 144a may be located in the range S of about 140° to 170° based on a rotating axis of the impeller 150. In this case, the range S is an angle formed between one end 144a1 of the circulating water exhaustion hole 144a and one end 143a1 of the drainage exhaustion hole 143a based on the rotating axis of the impeller 150. Further, an acute angle may be formed between another end 144a2 of the circulating water exhaustion hole 144a and another end 143a2 of the drainage exhaustion hole 143a based on the rotating axis of the impeller 150. An angle θp between the drainage exhaustion port 143 and the circulating water exhaustion port 144 may be in the range of about 30° to 90°.

When the pump motor 170 is rotated in a forward direction, water is applied into the circulating hose 90 through the circulating water exhaustion port 144. When the pump motor 170 is rotated in a reverse direction, the water is applied into the drainage hose 11 through the drainage port 143. In order to exactly perform drainage and a circulating operation of the water, when the water is exhausted through the circulating water exhaustion port 144, exhaustion of the water through the drainage port 143 should be prevented. In contrast, when the water is exhausted through the drainage port 143, exhaustion of the water through the circulating water exhaustion port 144 should be prevented. To this end, the circulating water exhaustion hole 144a may be located higher than the drainage exhaustion hole 143a in a water upstream side based on the case where the impeller 150 is rotated in a forward direction. Accordingly, the drainage exhaustion hole 143a is located at a water downstream side with respect to the circulating water exhaustion hole 144a.

The circulating water exhaustion port 144 and the drainage port 143 may extend from the circulating water exhaustion hole 144a and the drainage exhaustion hole 143a outward of the housing body 141, respectively. The circulating water exhaustion port 144 extends in a forward direction or direction inclined at a downstream side. The drainage port 143 extends in a backward direction or direction inclined at a upstream side with respect to the forward direction.

As shown in FIG. 14B, when the pump 100 viewed from the lateral side along a rotation axis of the impeller 150, a center of the circulating water exhaustion hole 144a is spaced apart from a center of the drainage exhaustion hole 143a by a predetermined distance d in a rotating axis direction of the pump motor 170. When the pump motor 170 is rotated in a forward direction, a drainage prevention rib 146 for preventing the water in the pump housing 140 from being exhausted into the drainage hose 11 through the drainage exhaustion hole 143a may protrude from an inner surface 147 of the pump housing 140. When the pump motor 170 is rotated in a reverse direction, a circulating water exhaustion prevention rib 148 for preventing the water in the pump housing 140 from being exhausted into the circulating hose 90 through the circulating water exhaustion hole 144a may protrude from the inner surface 147 of the pump housing 140.

FIG. 16 illustrates an inner surface of the pump housing where an upstream side Up(CW) and a downsteam side Dn(CW) of the circulating water exhaustion hole 144a are defined based on a water stream when the pump motor 170 is rotated in the forward direction, and an upstream side Up(CCW) and a downsteam side Dn(CCW) of the drainage exhaustion hole 143a are defined based on a water stream when the pump motor 170 is rotated in the reverse direction. According to the above definition, the drainage prevention rib 146 may be formed close to the drainage exhaustion hole 143a in the downsteam side Dn(CCW) and the circulating water exhaustion prevention rib 148 may be formed close to the circulating water exhaustion hole 144a in the downsteam side Dn(CW) in FIG. 15.

The drainage prevention rib 146 may be formed at an edge of the drainage exhaustion hole 143a, and the circulating water exhaustion prevention rib 148 may be formed at an edge of the circulating water exhaustion hole 144a. The drainage prevention rib 146 and the circulating water exhaustion prevention rib 148 are formed within an interval between the impeller 150 and an inner surface 147 of the pump housing 140, respectively. Ends of the ribs 146 and 148 are spaced apart from a vane 151 of the impeller 150 by a predetermined distance.

At least one of the drainage prevention rib 146 and the circulating water exhaustion prevention rib 148 may protrude from an inner surface 147 of the pump housing 140 by a length of about 3 to 6 mm. Accordingly, the distance between the impeller 150 and the inner surface 147 of the pump housing 140 should be greater than the protrusion length.

For example, at least one of the drainage prevention rib 146 and the circulating water exhaustion prevention rib 148 may form an acute angle with the inner surface 147 of the pump housing 140. Particularly, an angle θr between the drainage prevention rib 146 and the circulating water exhaustion prevention rib 148 may be in the range of 75° to 85°. The drainage prevention rib 146 and the circulating water exhaustion prevention rib 148 may vertically protrude from the inner surface 147 of the pump housing 140, as compared with a case where an angle between the drainage prevention rib 146 and the circulating water exhaustion prevention rib 148 is 40°, as shown in FIG. 15, an oblique angle is formed between the drainage prevention rib 146 and the circulating water exhaustion prevention rib 148 and the inner surface 147 of the pump housing 140. When an angle between the drainage prevention rib 146 and the circulating water exhaustion prevention rib 148 is 80°, an amount of the water leaked into the exhaustion port 144/drainage port 143 may be reduced during drainage/circulation.

The motor case 130 may be coupled with the pump housing 140. The pump housing 140 is formed therein with an opening portion at an opposite side of a supply port 142. The motor case 130 is coupled with the pump housing 140 so that the opening portion may be blocked. A ring type sealer 229 may be interposed along a coupling part between the motor case 130 and the pump housing 140.

The motor case 130 may include a case body 110 and a rear cover 220. The case body 110 may be provided therein with a motor housing 225 which receives a pump motor 170 at an inner side thereof. The motor case 130 may have a cylindrical shape which extends from a front portion through which the rotating axis of the motor 170 passes backward. An open rear end of the motor housing 225 may be coupled with the rear cover 220.

A front surface of the motor housing 225 may be opened so that the pump motor 170 may be inserted into the motor housing 225. The open region of the motor housing 225 may be coupled with a front surface of the case body 110.

One or more radiating holes 221b may be formed in the rear cover 220. A shielding plate 221 for shielding falling water from being introduced into the radiating hole 221h may be formed at a top side of the radiating hole 221h. The shielding plate 221 may be inclined downward. Further, the rear cover 220 may be formed therein with a power connector 224 for connecting the pump motor 170 to a power line.

Referring to FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, the pump 100 may be coupled with a base 8 by a pump supporter 50. The pump supporter 50 may include a plate 510 of a metallic material, a plate support damper 520 installed on the plate 510, and a pump support damper 530 installed on the plate 510 to support a bridge which formed at the pump 10. Three plate support dampers 520 may be included for a triangular pattern.

The plate support damper 520 and/or the pump support damper 530 may be made of elastic materials such as rubber. Accordingly, vibration occurring during an operation of the pump 100 may be buffered by the plate support damper 520 and the pump support damper 530.

The plate 510 may include a horizontal flat part 511, a plate support damper mount 515 extending upward from the flat part 511, and a pump support damper mount 519 extending downward from the flat part 511.

The plate support damper mount 515 may include an upper vertical portion 512 bent upward from the flat part 511, and an upper horizontal portion 513 formed therein with a hole in which the plate support damper 520 is installed. In a state that the plate support damper 520 is fixed on the upper horizontal portion 513, a bottom end of the plate support damper 520 is coupled with the base 8. The pump support damper mount 519 may include a lower vertical portion 516 bent downward from the flat part 511, and a lower horizontal portion 517 formed therein with a hole in which the pump support damper 530 is installed.

The pump 100 may include a pair of bridges 145 which protrude downward from the pump housing 140. In a state that the pump support damper 530 is fixed on the lower horizontal portion, a top end of the pump support damper 530 is coupled with a bridge 145 of the pump 100.

FIG. 20 illustrates a pump according to another embodiment. Hereinafter, same components may be assigned with the same reference numerals in the above embodiments, and repetition in the description about the same components may be omitted in order to avoid redundancy. Referring to FIG. 20, a pump 100a may include a check valve 160 rotatably connected to an inner surface 147 of the pump housing 140, and to close the drainage exhaustion hole 143a when the pump motor 170 is rotated in a forward direction, and to close the circulating water exhaustion hole 144a when the pump motor 170 is rotated in a reverse direction.

The check valve 160 is operated by water stream formed by the impeller 150. A rotating axis connected to an inner surface 147 of the pump housing 140 is substantially formed parallel to a rotating axis of the impeller 160. The rotating axis of the pump housing 140 may be located between the circulating water exhaustion hole 144a and the drainage exhaustion hole 143a. Accordingly, a rotating direction of the impeller 160 is opposed to a rotating direction of the check valve 160. Since the drainage exhaustion hole 143a is located at a water downstream as compared with the circulating water exhaustion hole 143a based on the case where the impeller 160 is rotated in a forward direction, the drainage exhaustion hole 143a maintains a closed state by the check valve 160. In this state, the rotating direction of the impeller 160 is changed to a reverse direction, the check valve 160 is rotated in the forward direction so that the drainage exhaustion hole 143a is opened and the circulating water exhaustion hole 144a is opened.

The check valve 160 may be made of a soft material such as rubber having a predetermined elasticity. A surface of the check valve 160 making contact with the inner surface of the pump housing 140 may be flat. Further, the inner surface 147 of the pump housing 140 may be formed horizontally to a peripheral portion of the circulating water exhaustion hole 144a and a peripheral portion of the drainage exhaustion hole 143a making contact with the check valve 160.

Since the check valve 160 closes the drainage exhaustion hole 143a and the circulating water exhaustion hole 143a corresponding to the rotating direction of the pump motor 170, unexpected leakage from the drainage pump 100a may be prevented.

Referring to FIG. 21A, the pump 100a includes a pump motor configured by a stepping motor. Each shaft of the stepping motor may be coupled with impellers 150a and 150b. The stepping motor is a two shaft motor. Each shaft is aligned on the same line, and is rotated by a common rotor. The pump 100b may include a first pump housing 140a and a second pump housing 140b for receiving a first impeller 150a and a second impeller 150b. The first pump housing 140a and the second pump housing 140b may be coupled with both sides of the pump case 130, respectively.

At least one of the first pump housing 140a and the second pump housing 140b may be formed therein with supply ports 142a and 142b. In an embodiment, a first supply port 142a and a second supply port 142b are formed in the first pump housing 140a and the second pump housing 140b, respectively so that water exhausted through the drainage bellows 18 is supplied to the first supply port 142a and the second supply port 142b. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The first pump housing 140a communicates with the second pump housing 140b so that the water may be supplied into the first pump housing 140a and the second pump housing 140b through one supply port.

A circulating water exhaustion port 144 may be formed in the first pump housing 140a and a drainage exhaustion port 143 may be formed in the second pump housing 140b. The circulating water exhaustion port 144 and the drainage port 143 may be formed by substantially the same structure according to the above embodiments. The circulating water exhaustion port 144 and the drainage port 143 are different from those of the above embodiments in that the circulating water exhaustion port 144 and the drainage port 143 are formed in the first pump housing 140a and the second pump housing 140b instead of one common pump housing. The drainage port 143 may not be formed in the first pump housing 140a and the circulating water exhaustion port 144 may not be formed in the second pump housing 140b.

When the pump motor is rotated in a forward direction, water pumped from the first impeller 150a is exhausted through the circulating water exhaustion port 144. In contrast, when the pump motor is rotated in a reverse direction, water pumped from the second impeller 150b is exhausted through the drainage port 143.

Referring to FIG. 22A to FIG. 24, a circulating hose 90 may be provided inside a cabinet 1. The circulating hose 90 may be provided around an inner corner of the cabinet 1. The circulating hose 90 may be provided around an inner corner of inner corners of the cabinet 1 which is located in a rear direction.

The circulating hose 90 may include an upward extending part 91 which extends upward. The water pumped from the pump 100 flows upward from a bottom of the upward extending part 91. In the present embodiment, the upward extending part 91 extends to a lower side of a hanger bracket 88 fixed at an inner side of a corner configured upward by a lateral side 1c and a rear surface 1d (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3).

The upward extending part 91 may be located around a corner of the cabinet 1. The pump 100 may be provided at a lower side of the cabinet 1. In this case, the upward extending part 91 may be provided around a corner of the inner corners of the cabinet 1 which is located in a backward direction of the lower side of the cabinet 1. Alternatively, the upward extending part 91 may be provided in the same direction as the circulating nozzle 12 based on the dispenser 17. Further, the circulating hose 90 may include a pump connecting part 92 for connecting a bottom end of the upward extending part 91 to the pump 100, and a nozzle connecting part 94 for connecting a top end of the upward extending part 91 to the circulating nozzle 12.

A shape of the pump connecting part 92 is described in a flow direction of water as follows. The pump connecting part 92 may extend backward from the pump 100, is rounded in one of both lateral directions to horizontally extend, and is rounded upward to be connected to a bottom end of the upward extending part 91. The lateral direction is a direction toward one of two lateral sides 1b and 1c. For example, a part of the pump connecting part 92 extending backward from the pump 100 is upwardly inclined. The pump connecting part 92 extends backward to be upwardly inclined, is rounded in an adjacent inner corner of inner corners of the cabinet 1 to substantially and horizontally extend, and is rounded upward to be connected to a bottom end of the upward extending part 91.

In an embodiment where the upward extending part 91 is provided in one of the inner corners of the cabinet 1, the pump connecting part 92 extends to be upwardly inclined backward from the pump 100, is rounded in a direction of the inner corner in which the upward extending part 91 is provided to horizontally extend, and is rounded upward to be connected to a bottom end of the upward extending part 91.

A shape of the nozzle connecting part 94 is described in a flow direction of water as follows. The nozzle connecting part 94 is rounded in a different one of both lateral directions from a top end of the upward extending part 91 to horizontally extend, is rounded upward to extend, and is rounded forward to be connected to the circulating nozzle 12. The different one of the both lateral directions means a remaining one direction different from a bent direction of the pump connecting part 92 of the both lateral directions.

In another embodiment, the nozzle connecting part 94 is rounded in a direction opposite to an adjacent inner corner direction of the inner corners of the cabinet 1 from a top end of the upward extending part 91 to horizontally extend, is rounded upward to extend, and is rounded forward to be connected with the circulating nozzle 12.

In an embodiment where the upward extending part 91 is provided in one of the inner corners of the cabinet 1, the upward extending part 91 is rounded in a direction opposite to the inner corner direction to horizontally extend, is rounded upward to extend, and is rounded forward to be connected to the circulating nozzle 12.

Characteristics of the circulating hose 90 are described based on a relationship between peripheral constituent elements as follows. The circulating hose 90 may include a first curved part 93 which is connected to the circulating water exhaustion port 144 to be rounded at least once in a corner direction in which the upward extending part 91 is provided from a protrusion direction of the circulating water exhaustion port 144, and is rounded at least once upward from the corner direction to be connected to a bottom end of the upward extending part 91.

The circulating hose 90 may include a second curved part 95 which is connected to a top end of the upward extending part 91 to be rounded at least once in a direction close to the circulating nozzle 12. The second curved part 95 is horizontally rounded along one of a front surface 1a, both lateral surfaces 1b and 1c, and a rear surface 1d to extend close to the circulating nozzle 12. In another embodiment, the second curved part 95 is horizontally rounded along the rear surface 1d from a lower side of a hanger bracket 88 to extend a part close to a rear surface 1d in a backward direction of the circulating nozzle 12.

The circulating hose 90 may include a third curved part 97 which is rounded at least once upward from a downstream side of the second curved part 95 to extend to a height of the circulating nozzle 12, and is rounded at least once in a direction of the circulating nozzle 12 to be connected with the circulating nozzle 12.

The whole circulating hose 90 may be integrally formed by the same material or the circulating hose 90 may be formed so that materials of both ends 90a and 90c are different from that of a section 90b between both ends 90a and 90c. In an embodiment, the whole circulating hose 90 may be formed by a rubber material such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM).

Referring to FIG. 25, the circulating hose may include first and second end parts 90a and 90b, and an intermediate section 90b between the first and second end parts 90a and 90b. The first and second end parts 90a and 90b may be made of a soft material, and the intermediate section 90b may be made of a hard material. The first end part 90a and the second end part 90b may be made of a rubber material. The intermediate section 90b may be made of a material harder than the rubber material, for example, polypropylene (PP).

Since the intermediate section 90b is hard, when the pump 100 is operated, although water flows through the circulating hose 90′, the intermediate section 90b is not easily modified but maintains a location thereof. Accordingly, a possibility of the intermediate section 90b making contact with an inner surface of the cabinet 1 and the outer tub 6 is reduced.

Since the first end part 90a and the second end part 90b coupled with the pump 100 and the circulating nozzle 12, respectively are made of a flexible material, transfer of vibration of the pump 100 or vibration during a spray procedure through the circulating nozzle 12 to the intermediate section 90b is reduced.

In the present embodiment, an EPDM material hose part of the circulating hose 90 may have a pipe or hose thickness of 3 mm, an inner diameter of 18 mm, and an outer diameter of 24 mm. Further, a PP material hose part of the circulating hose 90 may have a pipe or hose thickness of 2.5 mm, an inner diameter of 20 mm, and an outer diameter of 25 mm. The circulating hose 90 may be attached to the outer tub 6. If the circulating hose 90 is firmly coupled with the outer tub 6, the circulating hose 90 may reduce danger which a coupling part between the outer tub 6 and the circulating hose 90 is damaged.

In the first embodiment, the upward extending part 91 may include a fixing part which may make contact with the outer tub 6 and extend upward, and fix the upward extending part 91 and the outer tub 6 to a specific location of the outer tub 6. Moreover, the pump connecting part 92 or the first curved part 93 may be attached to the outer tub 6. The upward extending part 91 may include a fixing part for fixing the pump connecting part 92 or the first curved part 93 to the outer tub 6. In addition, the nozzle connecting part 94, the second curved part 95, or the third curved part 97 may be attached to the outer tub 6. The upward extending part 91 may include a fixing part for fixing the pump connecting part 94, the second curved part 95, or the third curved part 97 to the outer tub 6.

In a second embodiment, the circulating hose 90 may be spaced apart from the outer tub 6. When the inner tub 5 is rotated, the outer tub 6 vibrates. Damage danger of the circulating hose 90 may be reduced and noise due to contact may be reduced by preventing a surface of the vibrated outer tub 6 from making contact with a surface of the circulating hose 90.

In the second embodiment, the washing machine may include a fixing part 71 which is spaced upward apart from a top side of the base 9 in an inner surface of the rear surface 1d. The first fixing part 71 may fix the upward extending part 91 to the rear surface 1d and the lateral sides 1b and 1c. The washing machine may include a second fixing part 72 which is spaced upward from the first fixing part 71 by 260 mm in an inner surface of the rear surface 1d. The second fixing part 72 may fix the upward extending part 91 to the rear surface 1d and lateral sides 1b and 1c. Accordingly, the upward extending part 91 may be fixed to the cabinet 1 by uniformly decomposing a load of the upward extending part 91. In the present description, the 280 mm and the 260 mm include an error range allowed in those skilled in the art.

In the second embodiment, the washing machine may include a third fixing part 73 which is provided at an inner surface of the top cover 2a to fix the circulating hose 90 to the top cover 2a in a downstream side of the third curved part 97. Accordingly, a top side supports a weight of the circulating hose 90, and the circulating hose 90 is spaced apart from a top surface of the outer tub 6.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, a washing machine may change a spray angle of the circulating nozzle to efficiently soak laundry exposed in air of the inner tub. Further, a washing deviation according to a laundry amount may be reduced by changing the spray angle of the circulating nozzle according to the laundry amount during washing. Laundry may be uniformly soaked while saving an amount of water used for washing. Since water may be supplied to laundry exposed in air using a circulating nozzle, discoloration occurring when the laundry are exposed in air or secondary pollution due to coagulation of detergent grounds can be prevented.

Referring to FIG. 11, FIG. 26, and FIG. 27, a method for controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a washing operation setting step S1, a laundry amount sensing step S2, a water supply level setting step S3, a water supply step S4, and a washing operation performing step S6. The washing operation setting step S1 inputs settings to configure a washing operation by an input unit 46. Settings necessary to perform a washing course, and washing, rinsing and/or dehydration cycles may be configuring a course. The settings may include a consumption time, a water supply time, and a drainage time of each cycle.

The laundry amount sensing step S2 senses a laundry amount in the inner tub 5. The laundry amount may be determined by a controller 30. An inertia of the inner tub 5 or the pulsator 15 may be an indicator to determine the laundry amount. For example, since a stop inertia of the inner tub 5 is great if the laundry amount is increased when the inner tub 5 in a stop state is rotated, there is a need for more time until the inner tub 5 reaches preset purpose speed. Accordingly, the controller 30 may determine the laundry amount based on a time taken when the inner tub 5 reaches purpose speed.

As another example, when the rotated inner tub 5 brakes, the laundry amount determining module 31 may determine the laundry amount based on a time taken until the inner tub 5 stops. The above case uses a rotating inertia of the inner tub 5 changed according to the laundry amount. In addition, the laundry amount may be determined by taking into consideration a variation value of an input or output current and an electromotive force of the washing motor 41. Since a method of calculating the laundry amount is well known in the art, a detailed description thereof is omitted. However, the controller 30 may determine the laundry amount in various schemes which were known in the art.

The water supply level setting step S3 sets a water level of water supply according to the laundry amount determined in step S2. The controller 30 may set to increase the water level of water supply if the laundry amount is increased. The water supply step S4 supplies water into the inner tub 5. The water may be supplied through at least one of the dispenser 17 and the direct water nozzle 13. Hereinafter, the water is supplied through the dispenser as an example.

If a water level sensed through the water level sensor 41 reaches a water supply level set in step S3, the controller 30 may stop water supply (S5). After the water supply is completed, a washing operation set in step S1 may be performed (S6). The washing operation may include an agitation mode where the pulsator is alternatively rotated in both directions when the inner tub 5 stops, and an inner tub rotating mode when the inner tub 5 is continuously rotated in one direction.

Referring to FIG. 27, the agitation mode may configure a part of the washing operation according to a preset algorithm. Step S61 starts the agitation mode while the washing operation is performed. The controller 30 may set rotating speed of the pump motor 170 according to the laundry amount determined in step S2 (S62). If the laundry amount determined in step S2 is increased, the rotating speed may be set to be increased.

Since laundry or clothes are filled to a high location in the inner tub 5, the water should be sprayed higher through the circulating nozzle 12. Accordingly, if the laundry amount is increased, high rotating speed of the pump motor 170 is set. As shown in FIG. 11, if the rotating speed of the pump motor 170 is increased, the water sprayed from the circulating nozzle 12 may reach a higher location on the inner tub 5, and may be widely and sprayed in left and right directions. The speed of the pump motor 170 is increased in the order of I, II, and III.

In step S63, the pump motor 170 may be operated at the rotating speed set in step S62. The water is sprayed through the circulating nozzle 12. Detergent introduced together water supply in step S4 is uniformed melted in the water. While the pump motor 170 is rotated, the pulsator 15 may be alternatively rotated in both directions (S64). In this case, rotation of the inner tub 5 stops. Pollution of laundry may be removed due to a physical friction force with the pulsator 15 as well as a chemical action according to the detergent melted in the water.

If a performed time of the agitation operation S64 exceeds a preset time TO, the controller 30 may stop an operation of the pump motor 170. In this case, the washing motor 41 may stop together (S66). Step S67 represents termination of the agitation mode. Next, remaining operation modes of the washing operation may be performed.

Referring to FIG. 28 to FIG. 29B, the inner tub rotating mode may configure a part of a washing operation according to a preset algorithm. Step S68 starts the inner tub rotating mode while performing the washing operation. The controller 30 compares a laundry amount M determined in step S2 with a reference laundry amount MO. When the M is less than the MO, the controller 30 may operate the pump motor 170 (S69, S70). Water may be sprayed through the circulating nozzle 12.

Next, the controller 30 may continuously rotate the inner tub 5 in one direction with preset speed while the pump motor 170 is operated. The preset speed may be set within a range satisfying following conditions. In order to rotate the inner tub 5 at the preset speed in a state that the water is filled to a water level corresponding to a reference laundry amount MO in an outer tub 6, the water rises between the outer tub 6 and the inner tub 5 and crosses a top end of the inner tub 5 to be poured in the inner tub 5 (see FIG. 29B). However, in order to rotate the inner tub 5 at the preset speed in a state that the water is filled to a water level lower than a water level corresponding to the reference laundry amount MO in the outer tub 6, the water risen between the outer tub 6 and the inner tub 5 does not cross the top end of the inner tub 5 (see FIG. 29A).

When the M is less than the MO, since the water raised between the outer tub 6 and the inner tub 5 does not cross the top end of the inner tub 5, a circulating water stream due to rotation of the inner tub 5 is not formed. Accordingly, the water may be circulated between the inner tub 5 and the outer tub 6 so that the water sprayed through the circulating nozzle 12 by operating the pump motor 170. In a washing cycle, detergent may be uniformly melted, and the water sprayed through the circulating nozzle 12 may be directly applied to laundry to uniformly soak the laundry. For example, in the rinsing cycle, laundry exposed in air may be efficiently rinsed.

When the M is greater than the MO in step S69, the controller 30 does not operate the pump motor 170 and may control the washing motor to be continuously rotated in one direction (S71). In this case, as shown in FIG. 29B, a circulating water stream may be formed.

If the performed time T of step S71 exceeds a preset time TO, the controller 30 may stop an operation of the pump motor 170, and may stop the washing motor 41 together (S73). Step S74 represents termination of the agitation mode, and then remaining operation modes of the washing operation may be performed.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a method for controlling a washing machine capable of soaking laundry while saving an amount of water used in washing. A method for controlling a washing machine may be capable of controlling a pattern of water to be sprayed through a circulation nozzle according a laundry amount. A method for controlling a washing machine may be capable of supplying water in laundry exposed in air using a circulating pump during a stirring operation. A method for controlling a washing machine may allow water to circulate an outer tub and an inner tub by operating a circulating pump even if a circulation water stream cannot be formed only by rotating an inner tub because a water level is low.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, a method for controlling a washing machine including an outer tub, an inner tub to receive laundry, the inner tub provided in the outer tub and being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, a pulsator rotatably provided in the inner tub, and a pump to pump the water from the outer tub to a circulating nozzle that sprays the water into the inner tub, wherein the pump includes a pump motor with variable speed and an impeller rotated by the pump motor, the method may include determining an amount of laundry in the inner tub, setting a supply water level according to the amount of laundry determined, supplying the water into the inner tub until a water level in the outer tub reaches the supply water level set, setting a rotation speed of the pump motor according to the amount of laundry determined, operating the pump motor at the rotation speed set, and alternatively rotating the pulsator in different directions.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, a method for controlling a washing machine including an outer tub for receiving water, an inner tub for receiving laundry to be rotated based on a vertical axis in the outer tub, a pulsator rotatably provided in the inner tub, and a pump for spraying the water exhausted from the outer tub into the inner tub through a circulating nozzle, wherein the pump includes a variable speed pump motor and an impeller rotated by the variable speed pump motor to pump the water, the method may include: (a) determining a laundry amount in the inner tub; (b) setting a supply water level according to the laundry amount determined in step (a); (c) supplying the water into the inner tub until a water level in the outer tub becomes the supply water level set in step (b); (d) setting rotating speed of the pump motor according to the laundry amount determined in step (a); (e) operating the pump motor at the rotating speed set in step (d); and (f) alternatively rotating the pulsator in both directions.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, a method for controlling a washing machine including an outer tub for receiving water, an inner tub for receiving laundry to be rotated based on a vertical axis in the outer tub, a pulsator rotatably provided in the inner tub, and a pump for spraying the water exhausted from the outer tub into the inner tub through a circulating nozzle, wherein the pump includes a variable speed pump motor and an impeller rotated by the variable speed pump motor to pump the water, the method may include: (a) determining a laundry amount in the inner tub; (b) setting a supply water level according to the laundry amount determined in step (a); (c) supplying the water into the inner tub until a water level in the outer tub becomes the supply water level set in step (b); and (d) continuously rotating the inner tub at preset speed in one direction, wherein when the laundry amount determined in step (a) is less than a preset reference laundry amount, the pump motor is operated, and step (d) is performed during the operation of the pump motor.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, a method for controlling a washing machine including an outer tub for receiving water, an inner tub for receiving laundry to be rotated based on a vertical axis in the outer tub, a pulsator rotatably provided in the inner tub, and a pump for spraying the water exhausted from the outer tub into the inner tub through a circulating nozzle, wherein the pump includes a variable speed pump motor and an impeller rotated by the variable speed pump motor to pump the water, the method may include: (a) determining a laundry amount in the inner tub; (b) setting a supply water level according to the laundry amount determined in step (a); (c) supplying the water into the inner tub until a water level in the outer tub becomes the supply water level set in step (b); and (d) continuously rotating the inner tub at preset speed in one direction, wherein step (d) comprises: operating the pump motor when the inner tub is continuously rotated in one direction at the preset speed when the laundry amount determined in step (a) is less than a preset reference laundry amount, and continuously rotating the inner tub in one direction at the preset speed while stopping the pump motor when the laundry amount determined in step (a) is greater than the preset reference laundry amount, and the preset speed in step (d) is set in such a way that the water rises between the outer tub and the inner tub and crosses a top end of the inner tub to be poured in the inner tub in order to rotate the inner tub at the preset speed in a state that the water is filled to a water level corresponding to a reference laundry amount in the outer tub, and the water risen between the outer tub and the inner tub does not cross the top end of the inner tub in order to rotate the inner tub at the preset speed in a state that the water is filled to a water level lower than a water level corresponding to the reference laundry amount in the outer tub.

This application relates to U.S. application Ser. No. 15/283,488 (Attorney Docket No. PBC-0584), Ser. No. 15/283,527 (Attorney Docket No. PBC-0586), Ser. No. 15/283,571 (Attorney Docket No. PBC-0587), Ser. No. 15/283,601 (Attorney Docket No. PBC-0588), and Ser. No. 15/283,763 (Attorney Docket No. PBC-0590), all filed on Oct. 3, 2016, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Further, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that features disclosed in these above-noted applications may be combined in any combination with features disclosed 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 disclosure. 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.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a washing machine including an outer tub, an inner tub to receive laundry, the inner tub provided in the outer tub and being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, a pulsator rotatably provided in the inner tub, and a pump to pump the water from the outer tub to a circulating nozzle that sprays the water into the inner tub, wherein the pump includes a pump motor with variable speed and an impeller rotated by the pump motor, the method comprising:

determining an amount of laundry in the inner tub;

setting a supply water level according to the amount of laundry determined;

supplying the water into the inner tub until a water level in the outer tub reaches the supply water level set;

setting a rotation speed of the pump motor according to the amount of laundry determined;

operating the pump motor at the rotation speed set; and

alternatively rotating the pulsator in different directions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the supply water level is set to be increased if the amount of laundry is increased.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein setting the rotation speed of the pump motor further includes setting the rotation speed to increase if the amount of laundry is increased.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein supplying the water into the inner tub further includes introducing detergent into the inner tub together with supply of the water into the inner tub.

5. A method for controlling a washing machine including an outer tub, an inner tub to receive laundry, the inner tub provided in the outer tub and being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, a pulsator rotatably provided in the inner tub, and a pump to pump the water from the outer tub to a circulating nozzle that sprays the water into the inner tub, wherein the pump includes a pump motor with variable speed and an impeller rotated by the pump motor, the method comprising:

determining an amount of laundry in the inner tub;

setting a supply water level according to the amount of laundry determined;

supplying the water into the inner tub until a water level in the outer tub reaches the supply water level set; and

continuously rotating the inner tub at a preset speed in one direction,

wherein, when the amount of laundry determined is less than a preset reference amount of laundry, the pump motor is operated to continuously rotate the inner tub at the preset speed in the one direction.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the preset speed in the one direction is set in such a way that the water rises between the outer tub and the inner tub and flows over a top edge of the inner tub to pour into the inner tub in order to rotate the inner tub at the preset speed when the water is filled to a water level corresponding to a reference amount of laundry in the outer tub, and the water risen between the outer tub and the inner tub does not flow over the top edge of the inner tub in order to rotate the inner tub at the preset speed when the water is filled to a water level lower than a water level corresponding to the reference amount of laundry in the outer tub.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the supply water level is set to increase if the amount of laundry is increased.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein supplying the water into the inner tub further includes introducing detergent into the inner tub together with the water.

9. A method for controlling a washing machine including an outer tub, an inner tub for receiving laundry, provided in the outer tub and being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, a pulsator rotatably provided in the inner tub, and a pump and a pump to pump the water from the outer tub to a circulating nozzle that sprays the water into the inner tub, wherein the pump includes a pump motor with variable speed and an impeller rotated by the pump motor, the method comprising:

determining an amount of laundry in the inner tub;

setting a supply water level according to the amount of laundry determined;

supplying the water into the inner tub until a water level in the outer tub reaches the supply water level set; and

continuously rotating the inner tub at a preset speed in one direction, which includes: operating the pump motor when the inner tub is continuously rotated in one direction at the preset speed when the amount of laundry determined is less than a preset reference amount of laundry, and continuously rotating the inner tub in one direction at the preset speed and stopping the pump motor when the amount of laundry determined is greater than the preset reference amount of laundry, wherein the preset speed is set in such a way that the water rises between the outer tub and the inner tub and crosses a top end of the inner tub to be poured in the inner tub in order to rotate the inner tub at the preset speed when the water is filled to a water level corresponding to a reference amount of laundry in the outer tub, and the water risen between the outer tub and the inner tub does not cross the top end of the inner tub in order to rotate the inner tub at the preset speed when the water is filled to a water level lower than a water level corresponding to the reference amount of laundry in the outer tub.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the supply water level is set to be increased if the amount of laundry is increased.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein supplying the water into the inner tub further includes introducing detergent into the inner tub together with supply of the water.