Method and system for warning of abnormal water supply in a washing machine

• US 6,255,952 B1
• Filed: 02/03/2000
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Jang, Bong-An
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/497,404
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• Field of Search: 340/517, 340/588, 340/589, 219/492, 219/494, 219/497, 219/501, 68/120.3, 68/120.4, 68/22.R, 68/122.1, 68/122.8, 815/8, 815/9
• US Class Current: 340/588
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/08 Control circuits or arrangements thereof

Abstract

A method and system for warning of an abnormal water supply in a washing machine first determines whether cool and hot water supply valves are opened or closed, and then detects a temperature of water being supplied to the washing machine when one of the cool and hot water supply valves is opened. Next, a temperature type of water according to the detected temperature of the water is identified and it is determined whether the water is normally supplied or not by comparing opened/closed states of the cool and hot water supply valves with the temperature type of water identified. Finally, an alarm of an abnormal water supply is given when the water is abnormally supplied.

Claims

1. A method for warning of an abnormal water supply in a washing machine having cool and hot water supply valves for respectively supplying hot and cool water, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting a temperature of ambient air of a water supply port of the washing machine before at least one of the cool and hot water supply valves of the washing machine is opened;

detecting a temperature of water being supplied to the washing machine when at least one of the cool and hot water supply valves is opened;

determining whether each of the respective cool and hot water supply valves is opened or closed;

comparing the detected temperature of ambient air with the detected temperature of water;

giving an alarm of an abnormal water supply when the detected temperature of ambient air and the detected temperature of water are identical to each other for a predetermined time;

identifying a temperature type of water being supplied according to the detected temperature of the water;

determining whether the water is normally or abnormally supplied by comparing the determined opened cool and/or hot water supply valves with the temperature type of water identified; and

giving an alarm of an abnormal water supply when the water is determined in said determining step to be abnormally supplied.

2. A method for warning as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of detecting a temperature of water further comprises the steps of:

counting a water supply time;

determining whether the water supply time reaches a predetermined time or not; and

detecting a temperature of the water when the water supply time reaches the predetermined time.

3. A method for warning as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of detecting a temperature of water further comprises the steps of:

detecting a temperature of water many times at a predetermined time interval;

determining whether the number of temperature detecting times reaches to a predetermined number or not; and

calculating a mean temperature when the number of temperature detecting times reaches to the predetermined number.

4. A method for warning as claimed in claim 1 wherein if it is determined that cool water is supplied and it is determined that both the cool and hot water supply valves are opened, said determining whether the water is normally or abnormally supplied step determines that the water is abnormally supplied.

5. A method for warning as claimed in claim 1 wherein if it is determined that hot water is supplied and it is determined that both the cool and hot water supply valves are closed, said determining whether the water is normally or abnormally supplied step determines that the water is abnormally supplied.

6. A method for warning as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of giving an alarm of an abnormal water supply is provided by displaying warning letters or making a warning sound.

7. A method for warning of an abnormal water supply in a washing machine, comprising the steps of:

detecting a temperature of ambient air of a water supply port of the washing machine before at least one of the cool and hot water supply valves of the washing machine is opened;

determining a temperature of water being supplied through the water supply port after only one of the cool and hot water supply valves is opened;

comparing the detected temperature of ambient air with the determined temperature of water; and

giving an alarm of an abnormal water supply when the detected temperature of ambient air and the determined temperature of water are identical to each other for a predetermined time.

8. A system for giving an alarm of an abnormal water supply in a washing machine having a water drum, cool and hot water supply hoses for directing water into the water drum, cool and hot water supply valves mounted on the cool and hot water supply hoses, respectively, and a water supply port through which the water passing through the cool and hot water supply valves is supplied to the water drum, the system comprising:

a temperature detecting sensor disposed in the vicinity of the water supply port which detects a temperature of an ambient air prior to opening of any water supply valve and of water being supplied through the water supply port after opening of any water supply valve;

means for determining an abnormal water supply in accordance with the ambient air temperature detected and the water temperature detected by the temperature detecting sensor; and

means for giving an alarm to a user when the means for determining determines the abnormal water supply.

9. A system for warning as claimed in claim 8 wherein the means for determining further:

determines whether cool and hot water supply valves are opened or closed,

detects a temperature of water being supplied to the washing machine when at least one of the cool and hot water supply valves is opened,

identifies a temperature type of water being supplied according to the detected temperature of the water,

determines whether the water is normally or abnormally supplied by comparing the determined opened cool and/or hot water supply valves with the temperature type of water identified, and

gives an alarm of an abnormal water supply when the water is abnormally supplied.

10. A system for warning as claimed in claim 8 wherein the means for determining further:

detects a temperature of ambient air of a water supply port of the washing machine before at least one of the cool and hot water supply valves is opened,

determines a temperature of water being supplied after only one of the cool and hot water supply valves is opened,

compares the detected temperature of ambient air with the determined temperature of water, and

gives an alarm of an abnormal water supply when the detected temperature of ambient air and the determined temperature of water are identical to each other for a predetermined time.