Drying control method for washing machines with drying functions/drying machines

Abstract

A drying control method for washing machines with drying functions / drying machines includes measuring an air temperature of heated air passing through a heater duct by a heater during a drying operation of the washing machine with drying function or the drying machine, and measuring at least one of the temperature of air before being heated and the temperature of air after being heated about the heater. The method further includes calculating a load, calculating a moisture content and controlling a drying operation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a washing machine with drying function or a drying machine, and, more particularly, to a drying control method for washing machines with drying functions / drying machines that is capable of calculating moisture content contained in the laundry using the change in temperature of circulating air to estimate drying time, thereby accurately controlling a drying operation of the washing machine with drying function or the drying machine. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Generally, washing machines are classified into a washing machine that is only capable of washing the laundry and a washing machine with drying function that is capable of not only washing the laundry but also drying the laundry. In addition, drying machines are used exclusively to dry the laundry. [0005]FIG. 1 is a side view, in section, illustrating the inner structure of a conventional washing machine with...

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Benefits of technology

[0035] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a drying control method for washing machines with drying functions / drying machines that is capable of sensing the change in temperature of air before and after a heater during a drying operation of the washing machine with drying function or the drying machine to calculate moisture content contained in the laundry, thereby more accurately estimating drying time, and controlling the drying operation more efficiently corresponding to various load conditions.

[0047] The drying control method for washing machines with drying functions / drying machines senses the change in temperature of air before and after the heater during a drying operation of the washing machine with drying function or the drying machine to calculate moisture content contained in the laundry, thereby more accurately estimating drying time, and controlling the drying operation more efficiently corresponding to various load conditions.

Problems solved by technology

Consequently, the conventional washing machine with drying function has a problem in that accurate drying time is not estimated.

Consequently, it is impossible to accurately determine the drying time using the drying degree.

Consequently, the conventional washing machine with drying function does not correspond to load conditions based on moisture content of the laundry with the result that more efficient drying operation is not performed.

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