Washing machine and control method thereof

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2005-50538, filed on Jun. 13, 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 and a control method thereof, and, more particularly, to a washing machine with a laundry drying function and a steam supplying function and a control method thereof. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Korean Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-43771 discloses a washing machine having a drying unit that dries laundry. The drying unit includes: a drying duct to circulate air in a water tub; a blowing fan to blow air in the drying duct; a heater to heat air supplied to the water tub through the drying duct; and a cooler to cool air passing through the drying duct such that moisture contained in the ai...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] Therefore, it is an aspect of the invention to provide a washing machine and a control method thereof that is capable of supplying condensed water generated while laundry is drying to a steam generating unit to generate steam, thereby minimizing the formation of scale in the steam generating unit.

Problems solved by technology

In the steam generating unit of the washing machine, however, water is supplied from the external water supply source to the pressure container, and therefore, scale is formed on the inner surface of the pressure container or the outer surface of the heater due to calcium and magnesium that is contained in the water after the steam generating unit is used for a long period of time.

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