Controller effectively controlling the power for a washing machine or a dryer, and a method for doing the same

• US 20060117491A1
• Filed: 11/09/2005
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Byung Chan
• Granted Patent: US 7,621,012 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 8/158
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/44 Current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/46 Control of the energy or water consumption
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/05 for wireless communication between components, e.g. for remote monitoring or control
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/10 Power supply arrangements, e.g. stand-by circuits
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/48 Control of the energy consumption
• 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

The present invention relates to a controller effectively controlling the power for a washing machine and a drier, and a method of doing the same. More particularly, it relates to a controller for a washing machine or a dryer, and a method for supplying the power so that a washing machine and a drier as a one body may perform an optimal efficiency in a range of a current limit, when supplied the power by the same power source. A controller for a washing machine comprising a micom; and communication means for communicating with a controller of a dryer. A controller for a dryer comprising a micom; and communication means for communicating with the controller of the washing machine.

Claims

1. A controller for a washing machine comprising:

a micom wherein an optimal performance electric current value for a washing machine and an electric current limit for concurrent operation of the washing machine and the dryer are set therein; and

communication means for communicating with a controller of a dryer,

wherein the micom determines through the communication with the dryer an electric current value to be supplied to the washing machine according to an operation state of the dryer.

3. The controller for the washing machine of claim 1, wherein the micom determines the electric current value to be supplied to the washing machine as the optimal performance current value of the washing machine, once a motor for driving a drum of the dryer is judged not to be operated.

5. The controller for the washing machine of claim 3, wherein, the micom determines the electric current value to be supplied to the washing machine out of the electric current limit, corresponding to a ratio between the optimal performance electric current values of the washing machine and the dryer, once the motor for driving the drum of the dryer is judged to be operated.

7. The controller for the washing machine of claim 3, wherein, the micom determines the electric current value to be supplied to the washing machine as one of the optimal performance current value of the washing machine and the electric current value given after subtracting the optimal performance current value of the dryer from the current limit value is supplied to the washing machine, once the motor for driving the drum of the dryer is judged to be operated.

2. A controller for a dryer comprising:

a micom wherein an optimal performance electric current value for a dryer and an electric current limit for concurrent operation of the washing machine and the dryer are set therein; and

communication means for communicating with the controller of the washing machine, wherein the micom determines through the communication with the washing machine an electric current value to be supplied to the dryer according to an operation state of the washing machine.

4. The controller for the dryer of claim 2, wherein the micom determines the electric current value to be supplied to the dryer as the optimal performance current value of the dryer, once a motor for driving a drum of the washing machine is judged not to be operated.

6. The controller for the dryer of claim 4, wherein, the micom determines the electric current value to be supplied to the dryer out of the electric current limit, corresponding to a ratio between the optimal performance current of the dryer and the washing machine, once the motor for driving the drum of the washing machine is judged to be operated.

8. The controller for the washing machine of claim 4, wherein, the micom determines the electric current value to be supplied to the dryer as one of the optimal performance current value of the dryer and the electric current value given after subtracting the optimal performance current value of the washing machine from the current limit value, once the motor for driving the drum of the washing machine is judged to be operated.

9. A method of controlling the power for a washing machine and a dryer comprising:

a first step of setting in the micom each optimal performance current value of the washing machine and the dryer, and a current limit value for the washing machine and the dryer to be operated safely when operating the washing machine and the dryer simultaneously;

a second step of exchanging and communicating operation information of the washing machine and the dryer by using a communication pot connected to each micom of the washing machine and the dryer; and

a third step of supplying currents to the washing machine and the dryer in a range of the current limit according to the operation information.

10. The method of controlling the power for the washing machine and the dryer of claim 9, wherein in the third step,

in case only the washing machine is operated, the washing machine is supplied its optimal performance current value,

in case only the dryer is operated, the dryer is supplied its optimal performance current value, and

in case the washing machine and the dryer are operated simultaneously, the currents are divided and supplied to each of the washing machine and the dryer.

11. The method of controlling the power for the washing machine and the dryer of claim 10, wherein in the third step,

in case the currents are divided and supplied to each of the washing machine and the dryer, the current limit value is divided by a ratio of each optimal performance current value of the washing machine and the dryer.

12. The method of controlling the power for the washing machine and the dryer of claim 10, further comprising a priority setting step of setting priority between the first and second step,

wherein in case the washing machine and the dryer are operated simultaneously in the third step, one of the washing machine and the dryer chosen by the priority in the priority setting step is supplied its optimal performance current, and the other product is supplied the currents given after subtracting the optimal performance current value from the current limit value.

13. The method of controlling the power for the washing machine and the dryer of claim 12, wherein in the priority setting step, the priority is set through a home server of a home network system.