Method of controlling motor-driven washing machine and control system for the same

• US 20100037402A1
• Filed: 08/10/2009
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Oh, Min Jin, Son, Kweon, Koo, Bon Kwon, Kim, Jong Ho, Hong, Kwon Ki, Bang, Jong Chul, Lee, Woon Yong, Lyu, Jae Cheol, Cho, In Haeng
• Granted Patent: US 7,904,984 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 8/158
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/24 Spin speed; Drum movements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/48 Drum speed
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/47 Responding to irregular working conditions, e.g. malfunctioning of pumps safety arrangements D06F37/42
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/08 Control circuits or arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/304 Arrangements or adaptations of electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 3/22 by short-circuit or resistive braking
• 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

A method of controlling a motor-driven washing machine. The method includes increasing a speed of a motor from zero to a first predetermined speed W₁. Reducing the motor speed from W₁ to a second predetermined speed W₂ and measuring the deceleration period. Increasing the motor speed from W₂ to a third predetermined speed W₃ and 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.

Claims

1-30. -30. (canceled)

31. A method of controlling a motor-driven washing machine, the method comprising the steps of:

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 W.sub.3 to W.sub.4.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of reducing the motor speed from W₁ to W₂ is achieved by cutting off a power supply to the motor in motion.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising the steps of:

maintaining the motor speed of W₄ for a predetermined spin period; and

braking the motor according to the selected rapid-brake logic if a third interruption of the motor is ordered during the step of maintaining the motor speed of W₄.

34. The method of claim 31, further comprising the steps of:

reducing the motor speed from W₄ to zero to terminate the spin cycle; and

braking the motor in motion according to the selected rapid-brake logic if a third interruption of the motor is ordered during the step of reducing the motor speed from W₄ to zero and if the motor speed is greater than W₃.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of braking the motor according to the slow brake logic if the third interruption of the motor is ordered during the step of reducing the motor speed from W₄ to zero and if the motor speed is less than or equal to W₃.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of reducing the motor speed from W.sub.4 to zero is achieved by cutting off a power supply to the motor in motion.

37. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of braking the motor according to the slow brake logic if a third interruption of the motor is ordered during the step of increasing the motor speed from zero to W₁.

38. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of braking the motor according to the slow brake logic if a third interruption of the motor is ordered during the step of reducing the motor speed from W₁ to W₂.

39. The method of claim 31, wherein the first interruption of the motor is ordered when a user inputs a motor-interrupting command by turning the power of the washing machine, opening of a washer door, or manually touching a key control panel during the step of increasing the motor speed from W₂ to W₃.

40. The method of claim 31, wherein the second interruption of the motor is ordered when a user inputs a motor-interrupting command by turning the power of the washing machine, opening of a washer door, or manually touching a key control panel during the step of increasing the motor speed from W₃ to W₄.

41-86. -86. (canceled)