Laundry Machine and Method for Controlling the Same

• US 20080250819A1
• Filed: 03/22/2006
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Park, Seog Kyu, Park, Kwang Cheol
• Granted Patent: US 8,291,536 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/12.05
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/20 Operation modes, e.g. delicate laundry washing programs, service modes or refreshment cycles
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/04 Quantity, e.g. weight or variation of weight
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/58 Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/30 Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control controlling processes of washer-dryers D06F33/50
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/008 Steam generating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/40 Steam generating arrangements

Abstract

A laundry machine and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. A method for controlling a laundry machine includes steps of receiving a selected course selected by a user; and supplying the predetermined small amount of steam (a steam supply amount) into a drum in case that the selected course is a refresh course. Also, a laundry machine includes a course select part for a user selecting a course thereon; and a controller for controlling to supply the predetermined amount of steam (steam supply amount) in case that the selected course is a refresh course. An object of the present invention is to provide a laundry machine of which washing efficiency is improved and wash water and energy are economized. Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry machine which can remove wrinkles of laundry more efficiently.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a laundry machine comprising steps of:

receiving a signal indicating that a course selected by a user is a refresh course to freshen up laundry; and

supplying an amount of steam into a tub or drum appropriate to freshen up the laundry.

2. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 1, wherein supplying the amount of steam includes supplying the amount of steam appropriate to the amount of laundry loaded into the tub or drum.

3. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 2, wherein the laundry amount is determined by using at least one of a sensor that senses the laundry amount and an input device that is used to input the laundry amount.

4. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 3, further comprises alerting a user when the laundry amount is larger than a maximum allowable laundry amount in the tub or drum.

5. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the more steam is supplied into the drum, the larger laundry amount is loaded.

6. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 1, wherein supplying the amount of steam includes supplying the amount of steam appropriate to a predetermined target temperature.

7. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 6, wherein the target temperature is between about 40°

C. and 60°

C.

8. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 6, wherein the target temperature is about 45°

C. when the laundry amount is relatively large.

9. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 7, wherein the target temperature is about 40°

C. when the laundry amount is relatively small.

10. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 1, further comprises treating wash water within the tub or drum when the selected course is the refresh course.

11. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 10, wherein the step of treating wash water comprises steps of

sensing the wash water of the tub or drum, and

discharging the wash water outside of the tub or drum if the amount of sensed wash water is more than a predetermined value.

12. The method for controlling a laundry machine of one of claims 1 to 3, further comprises rotating the tub or drum during steam being supplied to the tub or drum.

13. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 12, further comprises rotating the tub or drum in a clockwise/counter-clockwise direction.

14. The method for controlling a laundry machine of one of claims 1 to 3, further comprises rotating the tub or drum for a predetermined time period after steam has been supplied to the tub or drum.

15. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 14, further comprises rotating the tub or drum at a speed, wherein the speed being at least one combination of a low speed and a high speed.

16. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 14, further comprises rotating the tub or drum in a clockwise/counter-clockwise direction.

17. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 14, further comprises determining a tub or drum rotation time based on the laundry amount loaded into the tub or drum.

18. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 17, further comprises re-determining the laundry amount at the time when the tub or drum starts to rotate.

19. A laundry machine comprising:

a course selector to allow a user to select a refresh course to freshen up laundry; and

a controller to control to supply into the tub or drum an amount of steam appropriate to freshen up laundry.

20. The laundry machine of claim 19, wherein the controller controls to supply the steam amount appropriate to the amount of laundry loaded into the tub or drum

21. The laundry machine of claim 19 or claim 20, further comprising a sensor that senses the laundry amount.

22. The laundry machine of claim 20, further comprising an input device that is used to input the laundry amount.

23. The laundry machine of claim 19 or 20, further comprising a temperature sensor that senses an inside temperature of the tub or drum wherein the controller controls to supply the steam amount until a sensed temperature reaches a predetermined target temperature.

24. The laundry machine of claim 19, wherein the controller controls to supply the steam amount for a predetermined time.