The present invention relates to washing machines and methods for controlling the same. More particularly the invention relates to a method and device for preventing resonance from occurring during spinning of a washing machine.
In general, a washing machine washes laundry by the softening action of detergent, and friction of the laundry with water circulation caused by rotation of a pulsator or drum. Recently, the demand for drum type washing machines has increased, which can reduce an entire height compared to a pulsator type washing machine, and prevent wrinkles from forming.
Referring to
The tub 3 has springs 4 each with one end secured to an upper outside circumference thereof and the other end secured to the cabinet 5, and a friction damper 10 thereunder for damping vibration.
On a rear of the tub 3, there is a motor 6 directly coupled to the drum 9 with a rotation shaft 13. On front and rear portion of the rotation shaft 13, there are bearings 12 provided thereto, and on a rear surface of the tub 3, there is a bearing housing for supporting the bearing 12.
The motor 6 is provided with a stator 7 and a rotor 8, wherein the stator 7 is mounted to the rear surface of the tub 3, and the rotor 8 is fixed to the rotation shaft 13. Therefore, when the rotor 8 rotates, the drum 9 connected to the rotor 8 rotates at the same time.
There is a sensor (not shown) at one side of the motor 6 for detecting a rotation speed of the rotor 8, and on an upper portion of a front surface of the cabinet 5, there is a control panel having various buttons for controlling operation of the washing machine.
Upon introduction of the laundry into the drum 9, and selecting a washing course, a washing cycle and a rinsing cycle are performed, and a spinning cycle is performed after the above cycles are finished.
In the spinning cycle of the laundry, the rotation speed of the motor 6 is increased gradually until the rotation speed reaches a preset speed when the preset speed is maintained for a preset time period. In this instance, even though a water extraction performance is proportional to the rotation speed of the motor 6, the rotation speed may vary with the extent of eccentricity of the laundry. That is, if the eccentricity of the laundry is great, the rotation speed of the drum 9 drops, or the rotation shaft 13 suffers damage. Therefore, it is required to measure the eccentricity before the spinning of the washing machine starts.
During the spinning, there can be resonance of the washing machine installed on a floor at a particular rotation speed of the motor 6. That is, if the rotation speed of the motor and the drum approaches close to a natural frequency of the frame, such as the cabinet and the like, resonance occurs, and once the resonance occurs, vibration and noise become very considerable.
The considerable or "heavy" vibration and noise significantly inconveniences measuring the eccentricity of the laundry or in spinning the laundry, or damages the laundry. Moreover, the heavy vibration and noise reduces reliability of use of the product.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a washing machine, and a method for controlling the same that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the prior art.
The present invention is set out in the independent claims. Some optional features are set out in the claims dependent thereto.
According to one embodiment there is provided a washing machine for preventing resonance from occurring during spinning of the washing machine, and a method for controlling the same.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for controlling a washing machine having a drum of which rotation speed is adjustable includes a first step for rotating the drum at a first rotation speed set at control unit, a second step for detecting whether resonance occurs or not at the drum rotating at the first rotation speed, and a third step for changing the rotation speed of the drum if the resonance is detected at the drum. Preferably, the third step includes the step of storing the changed rotation speed in the control unit. The drum is rotated at the changed rotation speed when the washing machine is put into operation again after the washing machine is stopped.
The third step may further include the step of measuring eccentricity of laundry held in the drum rotating at the changed rotation speed. The step of decreasing the rotation speed of the drum again after increasing the rotation speed of the drum is repeated, if the eccentricity is greater than a preset value.
The drum may be rotated in regular/reverse directions alternately for a plurality of times, if the eccentricity exceeds a preset value.
When the eccentricity is below the preset value, the third step may further include the steps of rotating the drum at the set second rotation speed for extracting water from the laundry, detecting whether the resonance occurs at the drum rotating at the second rotation speed or not, changing the rotation speed of the drum, if the resonance is detected at the drum, and storing the changed rotation speed in the control unit.
The method may further include the step of measuring the eccentricity of the laundry held in the drum, if no resonance occurs in the second step. The step of decreasing the rotation speed of the drum again after increasing the rotation speed of the drum is repeated, if the eccentricity is greater than a preset value. The drum is rotated in regular/reverse directions alternately for a plurality of times, if the eccentricity exceeds a preset value.
When the eccentricity is below the preset value, the method may further include the steps of rotating the drum at the set second rotation speed for extracting water from the laundry, detecting whether the resonance occurs at the drum rotating at the second rotation speed or not, changing the rotation speed of the drum, if the resonance is detected at the drum, and storing the changed rotation speed in the control unit.
The rotation speed of the drum may increase in the third step. The rotation speed of the drum may decrease in the third step. The rotation speed of the drum may change by predetermined magnitudes each greater than 50rpm in the third step.
The resonance of the drum may be detected by a resonance detecting device automatically in the second step. The third step may be performed automatically by the control unit which receives a signal from the resonance detecting device.
The second step may include the step of sounding alarm through a speaker if the resonance of the drum is detected. The steps are performed in a state a test mode is selected.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a washing machine having a drum of which rotation speed is adjustable for extracting water from laundry, includes a first step for rotating the drum at a second rotation speed set at a control unit, a second step for increasing the rotation speed from the second rotation speed by predetermined magnitudes of rpm in succession, and whether resonance occurs or not at every rotation speed section is detected, a third step for changing the rotation speed of the drum when resonance of the drum is detected, and a fourth step for storing the changed rotation speed in the control unit.
The first step may include the steps of selecting one of course relevant to a kind of laundry, and rotating the drum at the second rotation speed for the selected course.
The rotation speed of the drum may increase in the third step. The rotation speed of the drum may decrease in the third step. The rotation speed of the drum may change by predetermined magnitudes each greater than 50rpm in the third step.
Preferably, the steps are performed in a state a test mode is selected. The drum may be rotated at the changed rotation speed when the washing machine is put into operation again after the test mode is finished.
Preferably, not the changed rotation speed, but the second rotation speed is displayed on a display, when the washing machine is put into operation again after the washing machine is stopped. The fourth step may include the step of sounding an alarm from a speaker when the changed rotation speed is stored.
Preferably, the third step is performed automatically by the control unit having the signal received from a resonance detecting device. The second step may include the step of automatic detection of resonance occurrence at the drum by the resonance detecting device.
The second step may further include the step of storing a preset maximum rotation speed in the control unit in a case no resonance occurs until the drum rotates up to the preset maximum speed. The second step may further include the step of sounding an alarm from a speaker if the resonance of the drum is detected.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a washing machine includes a motor for generating rotating force, a drum for being rotated upon receiving driving force from the motor, a sensor for sensing rotation speed of the drum, a vibration detecting device for transmitting a signal if vibration greater than a preset value is detected at the drum, and a control unit for adjusting the rotation speed of the motor to prevent the resonance of the drum from occurring upon reception of the signal.
The washing machine may further include a rotary key electrically connected to the control unit for a user to turn to change the rotation speed of the drum. The washing machine may further include a selection button connected to the control unit for selecting a course for a kind of laundry. The washing machine may further include a storage button connected to the control unit for storing an adjusted rotation speed.
The washing machine may further include a test mode button connected to the control unit for performing a test mode to search a rotation speed at which the resonance of the drum occurs. The washing machine may further include a speaker connected to the control unit for sounding an alarm when a working rotation speed is stored. The washing machine may further include a display for displaying a rotation speed of the drum sensed at the sensor.
According to another aspect there is provided a washing machine or method for controlling the same as described herein, wherein the washing machine is a pulsator type.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings;
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
The buttons include a selection button 101, and a storage button 102. The selection button 101 is provided for selecting an operation course at various speeds depending on the kind of laundry, and the storage button 102 is provided to store the adjusted speed in the control unit. Moreover, a test mode button 110 is provided additionally, for selecting a test mode in which the rotation speed is set separately to avoid the resonance of the drum.
Referring to
In this instance, the eccentricity is detected by detecting variation of the rotation speed. The eccentricity is small when the rotation speed of the drum is uniform, and the eccentricity is great if the rotation speed of the drum varies sharply and periodically.
It is preferable that the eccentricity is detected, and corrected before performing the spinning step. The spinning of the drum in a state of great laundry eccentricity might damage to the drum and the rotation shaft.
If a resonance occurs between the drum and the rotation shaft, which spin, and the cabinet which supports them, detection of the eccentricity is difficult. That is, when the rotation speed of the drum is the same as the natural frequency of the frame, resonance occurs. Since the vibration and noise produced from the drum increase sharply, and the rotation speed of the drum becomes erratic, accurate measurement of the eccentricity is not possible.
Therefore, it is necessary to know a rotation speed of the drum at which the resonance occurs in advance, for measuring the eccentricity in a range outside of the rotation speed at which the resonance occurs.
Referring to
The selection button 101 is connected to the control unit 103, for selecting an operation course according to the kind of laundry. Therefore, if one course is selected with the selection button 101, the motor 104 rotates at a rotation speed set to meet the course requirement. The rotation speed of the motor 104 is measured at the sensor 105, and provided to the control unit 103, and displayed on the display 300. The rotary key 200 is provided for the user to change the rotation speed.
If resonance occurs at the drum, vibration or noise increase sharply. In this instance, for avoiding resonance, the user turns the rotary key 200 to adjust the rotation speed, and presses the storage button 102, to store the adjusted rotation speed in the control unit 103.
The washing machine further includes the speaker 400 connected to the control unit 103, so that the speaker 400 sounds an alarm when the resonance of the drum is detected, or the adjusted rotation speed is stored.
Referring to
The resonance detecting device 150 includes a spring and a grounding part. If the spring vibrates more than a preset level, the spring comes into contact with the grounding part, when a signal indicating that the resonance is occurred is generated.
That is, if the resonance occurs at the drum, an amplitude of the vibration becomes great suddenly, and the resonance detecting device 150 provides the signal that the resonance occurs to the control unit 103 when a vibration value exceeds a preset value. In this instance, the control unit 103 having received the signal adjusts the rotation speed of the drum, automatically. Of course, the adjustment of the rotation speed may be made by the user manually by turning the rotary key.
When the speaker 400 connected to the control unit 103 sounds an alarm when resonance of the drum is detected, or the adjusted rotation speed is stored. It is preferable that the adjusted rotation speed is stored automatically by the control unit 103.
When referring to
It is preferable that the step of adjusting the rotation speed for avoiding the resonance of the drum is made before a regular spinning operation of the washing machine. Therefore, the step of adjusting the rotation speed is performed after the user selects the test mode button 110. The adjusted rotation speed is stored in the control unit before the test mode is finished.
Accordingly, when the regular spinning operation is performed again after the test mode is finished, the drum rotates at the adjusted rotation speed.
A method for controlling spinning of the washing machine will now be described.
At first, the drum is rotated at a first rotation speed set at the control unit (S1). In order to detect the eccentricity of the laundry, it is preferable that the first rotation speed is in the vicinity of 108 rpm. As described before, it is preferable that the detection of the eccentricity is made when no resonance occurs at the drum.
Occurrence of resonance at the drum rotating at the first rotation speed is detected (S2). If the resonance is detected at the drum, the rotation speed of the drum is changed, automatically, or manually (S3). It is preferable that an alarm sounds from the speaker if the resonance occurs at the drum for the user to know.
It is preferable that the rotation speed is increased or decreased, by a preset unit greater than 50 rpm. The resonance range of the drum varies at a certain level with a small variation of the eccentricity of the laundry, for changes of the rotation speed of the drum greater than a variation range. That is, for securer avoidance of the resonance occurrence, the rotation speed is changed by a predetermined magnitude each greater than a certain rpm.
Even if the user can know the occurrence of resonance at the drum from sudden increase of vibration and noise in the step (S2) of detecting resonance of the drum, it is preferable that the occurrence of resonance is detected automatically by the resonance detecting device.
The resonance detecting device provides the signal that the resonance has occurred to the control unit, automatically. It is preferable that the rotation speed is changed by the control unit which received the signal for avoiding the resonance, and the changed rotation speed is stored in the control unit as a new first rotation speed. Accordingly, when the washing machine is put into operation again, after the washing machine is stopped, the drum is controlled to rotate at the changed rotation speed.
After a change of the rotation speed, step (S5) to measure the eccentricity of the laundry held in the drum is performed.
If the eccentricity is greater than a preset value, the step of decreasing the rotation speed of the drum after increasing the rotation speed of the drum is repeated. That is, by repeating the step of varying the rotation speed, the laundry is made to be spread evenly on an inside surface of the drum, so that the eccentricity of the laundry is corrected to an appropriate level.
Alternatively, for correcting the eccentricity to a desired level, the drum may be rotated in regular/reverse directions alternately a plurality of times. When the eccentricity is corrected to a value below the preset level, or the detected eccentricity is below the preset level, the rotation speed of the drum is increased, to progress the spinning.
When no resonance occurs at the drum rotating at the first rotating speed, instead of changing the rotation speed of the drum, a step (S6) for measuring eccentricity of the laundry held in the drum is progressed, directly.
In this instance, as described before, if the measured eccentricity is greater than the preset value, the step of decreasing the rotation speed of the drum after increasing the rotation speed of the drum is repeated, or the drum is rotated in regular/reverse directions alternately a plurality of times.
When the eccentricity is corrected to a value below the preset level, or the detected eccentricity is below the preset level, the rotation speed of the drum is increased, to progress the spinning.
It is preferable that the step (SA) of changing the rotation speed to avoid resonance, and the detection (S5, and S6) of eccentricity of the laundry are performed in a state when the test mode is selected.
As described before, after detection and correction of the eccentricity of the laundry held in the drum is finished, the spinning step is progressed.
Referring to
The second rotation speeds corresponding to kinds of laundry, such as lingerie, blue jeans, general clothes, and blankets, are set at the control unit. Therefore, once a desired course is selected by the user by pressing the selection button according to the kind of the laundry initially, the drum is rotated at the second rotation speed of the selected course. It is preferable that the second rotation speed is higher than 600 rpm for smooth extraction of water from the laundry.
Referring to
Then, if resonance occurs at the drum rotating at the second rotation speed W2 detected (S8), if the resonance is detected, the rotation speed of the drum is changed (S9). The changed rotation speed is stored in the control unit (S10).
It is preferable that the change of the rotation speed is made by predetermined magnitudes each greater than 50 rpm. This is for changing the rotation speed of the drum greater than a change range of a resonance range of the drum caused by a minute change of the eccentricity of the laundry.
It is preferable that the rotation speed change for avoidance of the resonance is made in a state when the test mode is selected. After the finish of the rotation speed change, the test mode is finished automatically, and, then, the spinning step proceeds for a preset time period by spinning the drum.
For an example, if the initially set second rotation speed is 700 rpm for a selected course, and the resonance occurs at the rotation speed, the rotation speed is changed by turning the rotary key, or automatically by the control unit. Then, the rotation speed is changed to 650rpm, and stored in the control unit. Thereafter, when the test mode is finished, and the washing machine is put into operation again, the drum performs the spinning at the 650rpm which is newly stored second rotation speed.
In this instance, the rotation speed of the drum is displayed on the display 300, wherein, even if the spinning is progressed at 650rpm, it is preferable that the rotation speed is displayed on the display as 700rpm as set initially. That is, at a time the washing machine is put into operation again after the washing machine is stopped, not the changed rotation speed, but the second rotation speed set initially is displayed on the display 300. This is for preventing the user from being confused by the rotation speed.
When the display may display the changed rotation speed and the initially set second rotation speed alternately at regular time intervals.
A method for controlling a washing machine will be described with reference to
At first, the drum is rotated at the second rotation speed set at the control unit (S 12). In the spinning step, it is preferable that the second rotation speed is set different from each other according to the kind of laundry. For this, the spinning step further includes a step for selecting a courses corresponding to a kind of the laundry, and a step for rotating the drum at a second rotation speed relevant to the selected course.
That is, second rotation speeds are set at the control unit for various kinds of laundry, such as lingerie, blue jeans, general clothes, and blankets, respectively. Therefore, once the user selects a desired course by pressing the selection button according to the kind of the laundry, the drum is rotated at the second rotation speed of the selected course.
The rotation speed is increased in succession by a predetermined magnitude of rpm from the second rotation speed (S 15, and S17), and whether the resonance occurs at the drum or not is detected at every rotation speed section (S 14, S16, and S 18). It is preferable that the predetermined magnitude of rpm is 50rpm or 100rpm.
That is, if the resonance is detected at any one section of the rotation speed, the rotation speed of the drum is changed (S20), and if no resonance is detected, after the rotation speed is increased by predetermined magnitudes of rpm, whether the resonance occurs or not is again detected.
For an example, a case is assumed in which the drum rotates at 500rpm which is initially set second rotation speed. If no resonance occurs, the rotation speed is increased to 600rpm. If the resonance occurs at the increased rotation speed, the rotation speed is decreased to 650rpm or increased to 700rpm.
When resonance is detected at the drum, the rotation speed of the drum is increased or decreased, preferably by predetermined magnitudes each greater than 50rpm. According to this, occurrence of the resonance at the changed rotation speed can be prevented, securely.
Thus, the rotation speed is adjusted for preventing occurrence of the resonance at the drum, and the adjusted rotation speed is stored in the control unit. If the resonance of the drum is detected, an alarm sounds from the speaker, by which the user can easily know occurrence of the resonance.
In the meantime, the control unit has a maximum rotation speed set therein, and, when no resonance occurs until the drum rotates up to the set maximum rotation speed, the maximum speed is stored in the control unit.
It is preferable that the detection of resonance at the drum S14, S16, and S18, the change of the rotation speed S20, and the storage of the changed rotation speed S21 are performed in a state when the test mode is selected S21.
Since the changed rotation speed is stored as a newly set second rotation speed in the control unit, when the washing machine is put into operation again after the test mode is finished, the drum is rotated at the changed rotation speed directly, instead of increasing the rotation speed gradually.
In the meantime, an alarm sounds from the speaker when the changed rotation speed is stored in the control unit, and the storage of the changed rotation speed is performed automatically by the control unit in response to the signal from the resonance detecting device. Moreover, it is preferable that the occurrence of the resonance at the drum is detected by the resonance detecting device, automatically.
It is preferable that the washing machine is provided with a reset button for returning the rotation speed to the initial set second rotation speed, for making the next operation by the user in performing the test mode easy.
As has been described, the washing machine and the method for controlling the same have the following advantages.
First, the method for controlling a washing machine of the present invention permits more accurate measurement of an eccentricity by detecting resonance and adjusting the rotation speed in measuring eccentricity of the laundry held in the drum.
Second, the detection of resonance at a rotation speed of the drum and adjustment of the rotation speed to avoid the resonance in the spinning step permits to enhanced reliability of the product.
The foregoing method for controlling spinning in a washing machine is applicable not only to the drum type washing machine, but also other general washing machines, such as a pulsator type washing 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 scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.