Laundry machine and method for controlling the same

• US 8,291,536 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2006
• Issued: 10/23/2012
• 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, Kwang Cheol, Park
• Primary Examiner(s): Barr, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): CORMIER, DAVID G
• Application Number:
  US11/628,755
• Publication Number:
  US 20080250819A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,407 Days
• Field of Search: 68/120.2, 68/120.4, 68/120.5, 68/5.R, 68/5.C, 814/93, 815/8, 815/9
• US Class Current: 8/149.3
• 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 39/40 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 a course which is selected by a user from a course select part;

determining that a refresh course to freshen up laundry has been selected from the signal; and

after determining that the refresh course has been selected,

determining an amount of laundry loaded into a tub or drum,

setting a predetermined target temperature of the drum based on the determined amount of laundry loaded, and

supplying an amount of steam into the tub or drum,

wherein the steam amount is determined, by the predetermined target temperature of the drum, to supply the steam supply amount appropriate to freshen up the laundry.

2. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 1, 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 by a user.

3. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 2, further comprises alerting a user when the laundry amount is larger than a maximum allowable laundry amount in the tub or drum.

4. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 1 wherein the more steam is supplied into the drum when the larger laundry amount is loaded.

5. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 1, wherein the target temperature is between about 40°

C. and 60°

C.

6. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 5, wherein the target temperature is about 45°

C. when the laundry amount is determined as large.

7. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 5, wherein the target temperature is about 40°

C. when the laundry amount is determined as small.

8. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 1, further comprising:

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.

9. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 1, further comprises rotating the drum during steam being supplied to the drum.

10. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 9, further comprises rotating the drum in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction.

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

12. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 11, further comprises rotating the drum at a speed, wherein the speed being at least one combination of a low speed and a high speed.

13. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 11, further comprises rotating the tub or drum in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction.

14. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 11, further comprises determining a tub or drum rotation time based on the laundry amount loaded into the drum.

15. The method for controlling a laundry machine of claim 14, further comprises re-determining the laundry amount at the time when the drum starts to rotate.