Washing machine and control method thereof

• US 20060277690A1
• Filed: 11/17/2005
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Hyung Gyoon, Pyo, Sang Yeon
• Application Number:
  US11/280,290
• Publication Number:
  US 20060277690A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 8/149.200
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/08 Humidity
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/18 Washing liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/62 related to systems for water or steam used for conditioning or finishing
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/02 Water supply
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/08 Draining of washing liquids
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/36 Condensing arrangements, e.g. control of water injection therefor
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 25/00 Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and having further drying means, e.g. using hot air control of washing or of washing and drying D06F33/00, D06F34/00; domestic laundry dryers D06F58/00
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/65 of conditioning or finishing phases, e.g. for smoothing or removing creases
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 35/00 Washing machines, apparatus, or methods not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/40 Steam generating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/24 Condensing arrangements

Abstract

Disclosed herein are a washing machine and a control method thereof that is capable of supplying condensed water generated while laundry is dried to a steam generating unit to generate steam, thereby minimizing formation of scale in the steam generating unit. The washing machine includes a drying unit having a heat exchanger to dehumidify air in a washing tub, a steam generating unit to supply steam to the washing tub, a condensed water tank to collect condensed water from the heat exchanger, and a steam-purpose water supplying unit to supply the water from the condensed water tank to the steam generating unit.

Claims

1. A washing machine, comprising:

a drying unit having a heat exchanger to dehumidify air in a washing tub;

a steam generating unit to supply steam to the washing tub;

a condensed water tank to collect condensed water from the heat exchanger; and

a steam-purpose water supplying unit to supply the water from the condensed water tank to the steam generating unit.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the steam-purpose water supplying unit comprises:

a steam-purpose water supplying pipe connected between the condensed water tank and the steam generating unit;

a water supplying pump mounted on the steam-purpose water supplying pipe; and

a water supplying valve to open and close the steam-purpose water supplying pipe.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising:

a water level sensor to sense the water level of the condensed water tank;

a water supplying unit to supply external water to the condensed water tank when the water level of the condensed water tank is below a first predetermined water level; and

a water draining unit to drain the water out of the condensed water tank when the water level of the condensed water tank is above a second predetermined water level.

4. A control method of a washing machine comprising:

a drying unit having a heat exchanger to dehumidify air in a washing tub;

a steam generating unit to supply steam to the washing tub; and

a condensed water tank to collect condensed water from the heat exchanger, wherein the control method comprises;

sensing the water level of the condensed water tank when a drying operation is performed; and

opening a water draining pipe of the condensed water tank, when the water level of the condensed water tank is higher than a predetermined highest level, to drain water out of the condensed water tank.

5. The control method according to claim 4, further comprises:

closing the water draining pipe of the condensed water tank when the water level of the condensed water tank is lower than the predetermined highest level.

6. A control method of a washing machine comprising:

a drying unit having a heat exchanger to dehumidify air in a washing tub;

a steam generating unit to supply steam to the washing tub; and

a condensed water tank to collect condensed water from the heat exchanger, wherein the control method comprises;

sensing the water level of the condensed water tank when steam is supplied to the washing tub; and

operating the steam generating unit and supplying water from the condensed water tank to the steam generating unit through a steam-purpose water supplying unit when the water level of the condensed water tank is higher than a predetermined lowest level.

7. The control method according to claim 6, further comprising:

supplying water to the condensed water tank from an external water supply source when the water level of the condensed water tank is lower than the predetermined lowest level.

8. The control method according to claim 7, further comprising:

stopping water supply to the condensed water tank from an external water supply source when the water level of the condensed water tank is higher than the predetermined lowest level.

9. A subassembly of a washing machine, comprising:

a condensed water tank to collect condensed water for the operation of the washing machine;

a water level sensor to sense a water level of the tank;

a water supplying unit to supply external water to the tank when the water level sensor detects that the water level of the tank is below a first predetermined level; and

a water draining unit to drain excess water out of the tank when the water level sensor detects when the water level of the tank is above a second predetermined water level.

10. A washing machine, comprising:

a drying system condensing water during drying of laundry in a washing tub; and

a washing system for using the condensed water during a washing related operation for laundry in the tub.

11. A washing machine as recited in claim 10, wherein the washing related operation is supplying steam to the laundry.

12. A washing machine process, comprising:

controlling a washing machine to condense water during drying of laundry; and

controlling the washing machine to use the condensed water during washing related operations for the laundry.