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

• US 7,904,984 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2009
• Issued: 03/15/2011
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Barr; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Waldbaum; Samuel A
• Application Number:
  US12/461,380
• Publication Number:
  US 20100037402A1
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 815/8
• 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. A method of controlling a motor-driven washing machine, the method comprising the steps of:

determining weight of a load of clothes being contained in a tub;

braking the motor according to a slow brake logic if a interruption of the motor is ordered when the motor speed is less than or equal to a third predetermined speed(W3);

selecting one of a plurality of rapid-brake logics on the basis of the measured weight of a load of clothes and braking the motor according to the selected rapid-brake logic if a interruption of the motor is ordered when the motor speed is greater than or equal to a third predetermined speed(W3) and a spin period is determined to be less than a predetermined period of time(E); and

braking the motor according to the selected rapid-brake logic based on the measured weight of a load of clothes when the motor speed is greater than or equal to a third predetermined speed(W3) if a interruption of the motor is ordered after the spin period is determined to be greater than or equal to the predetermined period of time(E) and the motor power is turned off.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein 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 W1 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 W3 to W4.

3. The method of claim 2, 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.

4. The method of claim 2, 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.

5. The method of claim 2, 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.

6. The method of claim 5, 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.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of reducing the motor speed from W4 to zero is achieved by cutting off a power supply to the motor in motion.

8. The method of claim 2, 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 Wl.

9. The method of claim 2, 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.

10. The method of claim 2, 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.

11. The method of claim 2, 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.