Washer control method and washer using the same

• US 20060005318A1
• Filed: 01/13/2005
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Yoon, Jong Sun
• Application Number:
  US11/033,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20060005318A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 8/158
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/16 Washing liquid temperature
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/04 from separate hot and cold water inlets
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/34 of water filling
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/088 Liquid supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

An apparatus and method for controlling water supply in a washer, having a tub connected to a cold water source, a hot water source, a water level detector, a water temperature sensor, and a heater, uses a multi-step water supply technique to reduce energy consumption while maintaining washing effectiveness. The method includes selecting a wash course to set a predetermined water temperature; detecting a laundry amount to set a predetermined water level; first supplying the tub with an amount of water from the cold water source and the hot water source to reach a predetermined intermediate temperature for dissolving detergent in the amount of water; second supplying, after the first supplying, the tub with water from the hot water source to reach the predetermined water level as measured by the water level detector; driving, after the second supplying, the heater to heat the water in the tub to the predetermined water temperature as measured by the water temperature sensor; and executing the selected wash course

Claims

1. A method for controlling a water supply in a washer having a tub connected to a cold water source, a hot water source, a water level detector, a water temperature sensor, and a heater, the method comprising:

selecting a wash course to set a predetermined water temperature;

detecting a laundry amount to set a predetermined water level;

first supplying the tub with an amount of water from the cold water source and the hot water source to reach a predetermined intermediate temperature for dissolving detergent in the amount of water;

second supplying, after said first supplying, the tub with water from the hot water source to reach the predetermined water level as measured by the water level detector;

driving, after said second supplying, the heater to heat the water in the tub to the predetermined water temperature as measured by the water temperature sensor; and

executing the selected wash course.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heater is not driven during said wash course execution.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heater is turned off when said second supplying is completed.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined intermediate temperature is set according to the selected wash course.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water from the hot water source is supplied at a temperature higher than the predetermined intermediate temperature.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water from the hot water source is supplied at a temperature lower than the predetermined water temperature.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the amount of water supplied by said first supplying is a lower level than the predetermined water level.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water from the cold water source is not supplied during said second supplying.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cold water source is turned off when than the predetermined intermediate temperature is reached.

10. A washer, comprising:

a tub connected to a cold water source, a hot water source, a water level detector, a water temperature sensor, and a heater; and

a controller for outputting a set of control signals for first supplying said tub with an amount of water from the cold water source and the hot water source to reach a predetermined intermediate temperature for dissolving detergent in the amount of water, for second supplying, after the first supplying, said tub with water from the hot water source to reach a predetermined water level as measured by the water level detector, and for driving, after the second supplying, the heater to heat the water in said tub to a predetermined water temperature as measured by the water temperature sensor.

11. A washer as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

a key input unit for inputting a user command selecting a wash course to set the predetermined water temperature and for inputting an operation command to detect a laundry amount to set the predetermined water level.