Method of controlling motor-driven washing machine and control system for the same
First Claim
1. A method of controlling a motor-driven washing machine, the method comprising the steps of:
- generating an interruption command for braking a motor in motion during a wash cycle;
applying a first phase-reversed voltage to a voltage input terminal of the motor in motion, the first phase-reversed voltage corresponding to a first current speed of the motor; and
electrically shorting the voltage input terminal of the motor for a predetermined period of time if a second phase-reversed voltage is higher than or equal to a critical voltage level, the second phase-reversed voltage corresponding to a second current speed of the motor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of controlling a motor-driven washing machine and a control system that controls a motor or any other components of the washing machine are disclosed. The method includes the steps of generating an interruption command for braking a motor in motion during a wash cycle, applying a phase-reversed voltage to a voltage input terminal of the motor in motion, and electrically shorting the input terminal of the motor for a predetermined period of time if a second phase-reversed voltage generated by the motor is higher than or equal to a critical voltage level. Using such method, a motor-clutch mechanism is prevented front generating a noise and from being damaged during a wash cycle.
58 Citations
86 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a motor-driven washing machine, the method comprising the steps of:
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generating an interruption command for braking a motor in motion during a wash cycle;
applying a first phase-reversed voltage to a voltage input terminal of the motor in motion, the first phase-reversed voltage corresponding to a first current speed of the motor; and
electrically shorting the voltage input terminal of the motor for a predetermined period of time if a second phase-reversed voltage is higher than or equal to a critical voltage level, the second phase-reversed voltage corresponding to a second current speed of the motor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A control system for a washing machine, the system comprising:
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a motor rotating at least one of a washing tub and an agitator provided in the washing machine in a wash cycle;
a motor brake unit initially applying a first phase-reversed voltage to a voltage input terminal of the motor when an interruption command for braking the motor in motion is generated during the wash cycle, the first phase-reversed voltage corresponding a first current speed of the motor in motion, and a controller measuring a second current speed of the motor and generating a control signal if a second phase-reversed voltage is higher than or equal to a critical voltage level, the second phase-reversed voltage corresponding to the second current speed of the motor, wherein the motor brake unit electrically shorts the voltage input terminal of the motor upon receiving the control signal from the controller. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of controlling a motor-driven washing machine having a load controller, the method comprising the steps of:
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initiating a wash cycle by operating a plurality of load units including a motor according to a wash option selected by a user;
transmitting a brake control signal to the load controller if an opening of a washer door provided in the washing machine is detected, the load controller executing a load-brake algorithm to brake operations of the plurality of load units in response to the brake control signal;
determining whether the load-brake algorithm is properly executed by the load controller by communicating with the load controller; and
transmitting control signals directly to the plurality of the load units so as to brake the operations of the plurality of the load units if the load-brake algorithm is properly executed by the load controller. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A control system for a washing machine, the system comprising:
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a door sensor detecting an opening of a washer door provided in the washing machine;
a load controller coupled to the door sensor for executing a load-brake algorithm to brake operations of a plurality of load units of the washing machine when the opening of the washer door is detected by the door sensor;
a main controller transmitting control signals directly to the plurality of load units so as to brake the operations of the plurality of load units if the load-brake algorithm is not properly executed by the load controller. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of controlling a motor-driven washing machine, the method comprising the steps of:
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initiating a wash cycle by operating a motor provided in the washing machine according to a washing option selected by a user;
generating a motor-brake signal to brake the operation of the motor when a motor-interruption command is generated and measuring a brake period which represents a total length of time it takes to completely stop the operation of the motor;
determining malfunction of the motor based on whether the measured brake period exceeds a predetermined period of time; and
displaying a warming message on a display unit, the message indicating the determined malfunction of the motor. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A control system for a washing machine, the control system comprising:
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a motor rotating a washing tub or an agitator provided in the washing machine according to a washing option selected by a user;
a microprocessor operatively coupled to the motor for braking operation of the motor when a motor-interruption command is generated and measuring a brake period which represents a total length of time it takes to completely stop the operation of the motor, the microprocessor determining malfunction of the motor based on whether the measured brake period exceeds a predetermined period of time; and
a display unit displaying a warning message indicating the determined malfunction of the motor upon receiving a control signal from the microprocessor. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of controlling a motor-driven washing machine, the method comprising the steps of:
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increasing a speed of a motor from zero to a first predetermined speed W1 to initiate a spin cycle, during which the motor rotates a washing tub containing a load of clothes to be dehydrated;
reducing the motor speed from WV to a second predetermined speed W2 and measuring a deceleration period that it takes to reduce the motor speed from W1 to W2;
increasing the motor speed from W2 to a third predetermined speed W3;
braking the motor according to a slow brake logic if a first interruption of the motor is ordered during the step of increasing the motor speed from W2 to W3;
increasing the motor speed from W3 to a fourth predetermined speed W4; and
selecting one of plurality of rapid-brake logics on the basis of the measured deceleration period and braking the motor according to the selected rapid-brake logic if a second interruption of the motor is ordered during the step of increasing the motor speed from W3 to W4. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method of controlling a motor-driven washing machine, the method comprising the steps of:
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applying a phase-reversed voltage to a voltage terminal of a motor in motion to brake the motor when a motor-interruption command is generated during a wash or spin cycle, the motor generating a reverse voltage and a reverse current when being braked;
initially reducing the reverse voltage generated by the motor by allowing the reverse current to flow through a braking resistor connected to the motor if the reverse voltage is higher than a predetermined voltage level;
determining malfunction of the braking resistor on the basis of an actual current-flow period of the braking resistor; and
electrically shorting the voltage terminal of the motor for a predetermined period of time if the malfunction of the braking resistor is determined. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A control system for a washing machine, the control system comprising:
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a motor rotating a washing tub or an agitator provided in the washing machine in a wash or spin cycle;
a motor driving unit applying a phase-reversed voltage to a voltage terminal of the motor in motion if a motor-interruption command is generated, the motor generating a reverse voltage and a reverse current when the phase-reversed voltage is applied;
a braking resistor connected to the motor; and
a microprocessor initially reducing the reverse voltage generated by the motor by allowing the reverse current to flow through the braking resistor if the reverse voltage is higher than a predetermined voltage level, the microprocessor electrically shorting the voltage terminal of the motor for a predetermined period of time if it determines malfunction of the braking resistor on the basis of an actual current-flow period of the braking resistor. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. A method of controlling a motor-driven washing machine, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) determining whether a current DC voltage of a driving unit driving a motor is less than or equal to a predetermined voltage level for each predetermined period;
(b) measuring a current leading phase angle of the current DC voltage if the current voltage is less than or equal to the predetermined voltage level; and
(c) decreasing the current leading phase angle of the current DC voltage by a first predetermined level if the measured leading phase angle is greater than zero. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. A control system for a motor-driven washing machine, the control system comprising:
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an electrical motor;
a driving unit that applies an input voltage to the motor to drive the motor;
a voltmeter that measures a reverse voltage generated by the motor for each predetermined period; and
a microprocessor reducing a speed of the motor if the measured reverse voltage is less than or equal to a predetermined voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60)
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61. A method of controlling a motor-driven washing machine, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining whether a command for a spin cycle is received from a user; and
locking a washer door on the basis of whether a speed of a motor reaches a first predetermined speed if the spin cycle command is received, the motor rotating a washing tub containing a load of clothes to be dehydrated. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63, 64, 65)
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66. A control system for a washing machine, the control system comprising:
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a washing tub containing a load of clothes to be dehydrated;
an electrical motor rotating the washing tub if a command for a spin cycle is received from a user; and
a microprocessor locking a washer door on the basis of whether a speed of the motor reaches a first predetermined speed. - View Dependent Claims (67, 68, 69, 70)
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71. A method of controlling a motor-driven washing machine, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining whether a first current speed of a motor is less than a first predetermined speed if a motor-interruption of the motor is generated during a spin cycle, the motor rotating a washing tub containing a load of clothes to be dehydrated during the spin cycle; and
braking the motor in motion by shorting power terminals of the motor for a first predetermined period if the first current speed is less than the first predetermined speed. - View Dependent Claims (72, 73, 74, 75)
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76. A control system for a washing machine, the control system comprising:
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a washing tub containing a load of clothes to be dehydrated;
a motor rotating to the washing tub during a spin cycle; and
a microprocessor braking the motor shorting power terminals of the motor if a motor-interruption is generated during the spin cycle and if a first current speed of the motor is less than a first predetermined speed. - View Dependent Claims (77, 78, 79, 80)
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81. A circuit for limiting a motor current in an electrical appliance, the circuit comprising:
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a first resistor and a dip switch connected between a power source and a ground in series, the dip switch comprising a plurality of resistors having different resistances;
a capacitor connected to the dip switch in parallel;
an op amplifier having an inverting input connected to a node between the first resistor and the dip switch; and
a third resistor connected between an noninverting input of the op amplifier and a ground, wherein any one of the plurality of resistors of the dip switch can be conveniently selected for limiting a current that flows through the third resistor.
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82. A method of controlling a motor-driven washing machine having a motor and a pair of a transistor and a braking resistor connected to the motor in parallel for limiting the reverse voltages generated by the motor during a motor brake, the resistor being connected to the transistor in series, the method comprising the steps of:
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measuring a voltage of a node between the transistor and the braking resistor;
displaying a warning message indicating that the brake resistor is in an inoperative condition if the measured voltage is equal to zero;
repeating the step of determining if a command for a wash cycle is received; and
initiating the wash cycle if the measured voltage of the node is not equal to zero. - View Dependent Claims (83)
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84. A control system for a washing machine, the control system comprising:
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a motor rotating a wash tub or an agitator of the washing machine;
a driving unit that drives the motor by applying input voltages to the motor;
a pair of a braking resistor and a transistor connected to the driving unit in parallel, the transistor being connected to the braking resistor in series;
a voltmeter measuring a voltage of a node between the transistor and the braking resistor; and
a microprocessor generating a warning signal if the measured voltage of the node is not equal to zero. - View Dependent Claims (85, 86)
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Specification