Washing method in washing machine including semi-drying cycle and control apparatus therefor

Abstract

A washing method in a washing machine including a semi-drying cycle, in which a spin-drying process and a disentangling process are repeatedly carried out several times in the semi-drying cycle at a speed lower than a spin-drying speed in a main spin-drying cycle. A washing mode involving the semi-drying cycle may be selectively inputted. In accordance with the washing method, wash water is heated in a rinsing cycle. In the semi-drying cycle, the spin-drying process is repeatedly executed at a spin-drying speed gradually increased as the semi-drying cycle progresses. In accordance with the washing method, it is possible to spin-dry the clothes to a water extraction rate of about 55 to 70%, while minimizing damage to the clothes and formation of wrinkles on the clothes.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a washing machine, and, more particularly, to a washing method in a washing machine including a semi-drying cycle, in which a spin-drying process and a disentangling process are repeatedly carried out several times for clothes, to spin-dry the clothes to a desired level, and a control apparatus for the washing method. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004]FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating an inner configuration of a washing machine, in particular, a drum washing machine. [0005] The drum washing machine shown in FIG. 1 includes a cabinet 2 provided with a door 1 mounted to a front wall of the cabinet 2, a tub 4 arranged in the interior of the cabinet 2 while being supported by dampers 3, and a drum 6 rotatably mounted in the tub 4, and provided with a plurality of water holes 6a. The drum washing machine also includes a motor 8 arranged in rear of the tub 4, and adapted...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems involved with the related art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a washing method in a washing machine including a semi-drying cycle, in which a spin-drying process and a disentangling process are repeatedly carried out several times in the semi-drying cycle at a speed lower than a spin-drying speed in a main spin-drying cycle, thereby being capable of spin-drying the clothes to a water extraction rate of about 55 to 70%, while minimizing damage to the clothes and formation of wrinkles on the clothes.

[0020] It is another object of the invention to provide a washing method in a washing machine including a semi-drying cycle, in which, where a rinsing cycle is carried out, using heated wash water, and a semi-drying cycle is carried out, following the rinsing cycle, under the condition in which heat is still present in the washing machine, thereby being capable of promoting water extraction and drying of the clothes during the semi-drying cycle, while minimizing formation of wrinkles on the clothes.

Problems solved by technology

Of course, a great deal of time and labor are required for the disentangling process.

In addition, there is a problem in that it is necessary to perform a post-process such as ironing because the clothes are inevitably heavily wrinkled due to the high-speed spin-drying process.

Since the clothes still contains a large amount of moisture even after the spin-drying cycle, it is also necessary to dry the clothes for a prolonged period of time after taking the clothes out of the washing machine.

For this reason, there may be a restriction in performing the drying process due to weather conditions and time.

Although it is possible to reduce the time taken in the natural drying process by rotating the drum 6 for an increased time in the spin-drying cycle to obtain the water-extraction rate of the clothes, there may be a problem in that damage to the clothes increases correspondingly.

In this case, however, there is an increase in costs caused by the provision of the dryer 30.

Furthermore, the consumption of energy increases because about 2 or 3 hours are taken to completely dry clothes by means of the dryer 30.

Since the drying of clothes is carried out in a closed space, using hot air, there may be a problem in that the clothes may give out a bad smell, and be easily damaged.

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