Dehydration control apparatus and method for washing machine

Abstract

The present invention discloses a dehydration control apparatus and method for a washing machine. The dehydration control apparatus for the washing machine includes: a storing unit for storing reference unbalance quantities according to each load quantity; and a control unit for detecting a load quantity and an unbalance quantity by accelerating or decelerating a motor of the washing machine, comparing a reference unbalance quantity from the stored reference unbalance quantities that correspond to the detected load quantity with the detected unbalance quantity, and determining dehydration completion according to the comparison result.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2005-82319, filed Sep. 5, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2005-82319, filed Sep. 5, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. [0004] The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a dehydration control apparatus and method for a washing machine which can sense variations of a dehydration quantity and apply different reference unbalance quantities according to the varied load quantities. [0005] 2. Discussion of the Related Art [0006] Generally, a washing machine applies a mechanical operation, such as friction or vibration, to the laundry put in a washing solution, thereby separating contaminants from the laundry. [0007] For this,...

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Benefits of technology

[0023] An advantage of the present invention is to provide a dehydration control apparatus and method for a washing machine which can restrict noise and vibration resulting from mis-application of a reference unbalance quantity and reduce a dehydration entering time, by sensing variations of a dehydration quantity and applying different reference unbalance quantities according to the varied load quantities.

[0024] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. These and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

[0025] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a dehydration control apparatus for a washing machine, including: a storing unit for storing reference unbalance quantities according to each load quantity; and a control unit for detecting a load quantity and an unbalance quantity by accelerating or decelerating a motor of the washing machine, comparing a reference unbalance quantity corresponding to the detected load quantity with the detected unbalance quantity, and determining dehydration completion based upon the comparison result.

[0026] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dehydration control method for a washing machine which spin-dries the laundry in an optimum state, the method including: detecting a load quantity and an unbalance quantity of the laundry by increasing or decreasing a dehydration speed; and comparing a reference unbalance quantity corresponding to the detected load quantity with the detected unbalance quantity, and determining dehydration completion according to the comparison result.

[0027] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dehydration control method for a washing machine which spin-dries the laundry in optimum state, the method including: detecting a first load quantity and a first unbalance quantity at a first target speed in a dehydration mode; comparing the first unbalance quantity with a first reference unbalance quantity corresponding to the first load quantity, one of accelerating a wash tub to a second target speed according to the comparison result and decelerating the wash tub to the first target speed, and detecting a second load quantity and a second unbalance quantity; comparing the second unbalance quantity with a second reference unbalance quantity corresponding to the second load quantity, one of accelerating the wash tub to a third target speed according to the comparison result and decelerating the wash tub to the first target speed, and detecting a third load quantity and a third unbalance quantity; and comparing the third unbalance quantity with a third reference unbalance quantity corresponding to the third load quantity, and confirming final dehydration according to the comparison result.

[0028] It is to be understood that both the foregoing description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

Problems solved by technology

When the laundry is not evenly distributed in the washing machine, namely, when an unbalance of the laundry is generated, serious vibration and noise occur in the dehydration operation.

When the speed of the motor reaches a preset dehydration speed, the speed of the motor is decreased after a predetermined time, and an unbalance quantity at point C of FIG. 2 is detected.

However, the related art dehydration control apparatus and method for the washing machine determine the reference unbalance quantity by using the first sensed load quantity.

Accordingly, when the first sensed reference unbalance quantity is an error, noise and vibration are generated in the dehydration operation.

In addition, since a reattempt number for dehydration acceleration is increased by strictly applying the standard, it takes a long time to enter into the dehydration stage.

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