Washing machine and method for controlling the same

Abstract

A washing machine having a steam generating device for directly heating wash water to generate optimum steam, and a method for controlling the same are provided. The method includes sensing a temperature of the steam generating device; controlling water supply means according to the temperature of the steam generating device such that wash water is supplied to the steam generating device; and controlling a quantity of wash water supplied from the water supply means. Further, the steam is supplied so as to rapidly soak laundry, thereby shortening overall washing time, and reducing energy consumption. Also, the steam is sprayed onto the laundry to provide sterilizing effects. Soaking effects of the laundry are improved, as well, so as to increase washing efficiency and eliminate wrinkling.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 2004-94773, filed Nov. 18, 2004, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present invention relates to a washing machine with a steam generating device for generating steam directly from wash water, and more particularly, to a washing machine for rapidly heating supplied wash water to provide optimum steam and a method for controlling the same. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Generally, a drum washing machine is an apparatus for washing laundry by means of force for elevating and then dropping the laundry in a cylindrical drum when the drum is rotated. Compared to a conventional pulsator washing machine, the drum washing machine has a long washing time, but keeps damage to th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] Therefore, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a washing machine and a method for controlling the same, in which supplied wash water is rapidly heated to supply optimum steam to the inside of a tub so that a washing time is shortened, the steam of a high temperature is directly sprayed onto laundry to have sterilizing and soaking effects so that washing performance is improved, and a consumption rate of energy for heating the wash water is reduced.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a washing machine and a method for controlling the same, in which steam of a high temperature is sprayed onto laundry to increase the temperature of the laundry in a short period of time, thereby improving detergency to increase washing effects and eliminating wrinkling of the laundry.

Problems solved by technology

Compared to a conventional pulsator washing machine, the drum washing machine has a long washing time, but keeps damage to the laundry to a minimum and consumes a small amount of wash water.

Since a large amount of wash water contained in the tub is heated by the heater installed below the tub after the wash water is supplied, the above conventional washing machine is disadvantageous in that it takes a long time to heat the wash water to a temperature required to wash the laundry, thereby requiring an increased overall washing time.

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