Washing machine and method for controlling supply of water thereof

Abstract

A washing machine for preventing contaminants from degenerating and laundry from being damaged when water is supplied in a washing operation, and a method for controlling the supply of water thereof. Particularly, a washing machine for supplying cold water to laundry for sufficiently soaking the laundry and then supplying warm water at a high temperature to the laundry so as to prevent contaminants from degenerating, and a method for controlling the supply of water of the washing machine, thereby preventing the deterioration of washing performance of the washing machine. The method includes determining whether or not a water supply operation is selected, supplying cold water to soak laundry when it is determined that the water supply operation is selected and supplying warm water, after the soaking of the laundry in the cold water, to prevent contaminants of the laundry from degenerating.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2005-1357, filed Jan. 6, 2005, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a washing machine having a front water supply structure in which water is supplied directly to laundry, and more particularly, to a washing machine for supplying cold water to laundry for soaking the laundry and then supplying warm water at a high temperature to the laundry so as to prevent contaminants from degenerating and a method for controlling the supply of water of the washing machine. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Generally, a washing machine (mainly, a drum washing machine) is an apparatus for washing laundry in a cylindrical rotary drum by force of lifting the laundry and then dropping the laundry when the rotary...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] Therefore, one aspect of the invention is to provide a washing machine for supplying cold water to laundry for sufficiently soaking the laundry and then supplying swarm water at a high temperature to the laundry thereby preventing contaminants from degenerating, and a method for controlling the supply of water of the washing machine.

[0011] Another aspect of the invention is to provide a washing machine for preventing laundry made of a material having poor heat resistance from becoming stained and damaged by warm water of a high temperature when the laundry is washed.

Problems solved by technology

In a front water supply structure of the above washing machine in which the water is supplied from the opening of the rotary drum directly to the laundry, warm water (at a temperature of approximately 57.2° C.) directly contacts the laundry, thereby degenerating contaminants of the laundry and deteriorating the washing performance of the washing machine.

Further, when the warm water directly contacts the surface of laundry made of a material with poor heat resistance, such as wool, silk or delicate clothes, the warm water damages the laundry and causes detergent to stick to the laundry, thereby generating spots on the laundry.

Images