Washing machine and method of controlling washing machine

Abstract

A washing machine may include: a tub; a sensor configured to measure a level of water in the tub; a rotatable drum in the tub to accommodate laundry; a motor configured to rotate the drum based on a driving current; a sensor configured to detect the driving current of the motor; and at least one processor configured to: with laundry accommodated in the drum, rotate the drum before water is supplied to the tub and detect a dry laundry current value (DLCV) of the motor, supply water to the tub, rotate the drum after water is supplied to the tub and detect a change amount of the water level, rotate the drum after the wet laundry agitation and detect a wet laundry current value (WLCV) of the motor, and identify a material of the laundry based on the DLCV, the change amount of the water level, and the WLCV.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a), of International Application No. PCT / KR2025 / 003427, filed Mar. 17, 2025, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0053013, filed Apr. 19, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The disclosure relates to a washing machine and a method of controlling the washing machine, and more specifically, to a washing machine capable of detecting the material of laundry and a method of controlling the washing machine.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] In general, a washing machine includes a tub and a drum that is rotatably installed within the tub, and may wash laundry by rotating the drum containing laundry within the tub. The washing machine may perform a washing process for washing laundry, a rinsing process for rinsing washed laundry, and a spin-drying process for spin-drying laundry.

[0004] In order to wash laundry efficiently without damage, it is required to accurately identify the material of the laundry and perform an appropriate washing process according to each material.DISCLOSURETechnical Problem

[0005] One aspect of the disclosure provides a washing machine and a method of controlling the washing machine that are capable of accurately identifying the material of laundry while minimizing water usage.Technical Solution

[0006] In accordance with the present disclosure, a washing machine may include: a tub in which water is accommodatable; a water level sensor configured to measure a water level of water accommodated in the tub; a rotatable drum in the tub and in which laundry is accommodatable; a motor configured to rotate the drum based on a driving current applied to the motor; a current sensor configured to detect the driving current applied to the motor; and at least one processor configured to: with the laundry accommodated in the drum, rotate, by the motor, the drum before water is supplied to the tub to perform a dry laundry agitation and detect a dry laundry current value corresponding to the driving current detected by the current sensor during the dry laundry agitation, supply water to the tub after the dry laundry agitation to perform a first supply of water, rotate, by the motor, the drum after the first supply of water to perform a first wet laundry agitation and detect an amount of change of the water level measured by the water level sensor during the first wet laundry agitation, rotate, by the motor, the drum after the first wet laundry agitation to perform a second wet laundry agitation and detect a wet laundry current value corresponding to the driving current detected by the current sensor during the second wet laundry agitation, and identify a material of the laundry based on the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, and the wet laundry current value.

[0007] The washing machine may further include: a memory storing a model that may be trained to identify the material of the laundry based on the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, and the wet laundry current value, wherein the at least one processor may be further configured to, with laundry accommodated in the drum, input the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, and the wet laundry current value into the trained model to identify the material of the laundry.

[0008] The at least one processor may be further configured to: with laundry accommodated in the drum, based on the water level measured by the water level sensor after the first wet laundry agitation, determine whether to supply water to the tub after the first wet laundry agitation to perform a second supply of water, based on a determination to perform the second supply of water, supply water to the tub after the first wet laundry agitation, perform the second wet laundry agitation after the second supply of water, and identify the material of the laundry based on the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, the wet laundry current value, and a difference between another wet laundry current value corresponding to the driving current detected by the current sensor during the first wet laundry agitation and the wet laundry current value.

[0009] The washing machine may further include: a memory storing a model that may be trained to identify the material of the laundry based on the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, the wet laundry current value, and the difference, wherein the at least one processor may be further configured to, with laundry accommodated in the drum, input the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, the wet laundry current value, and the difference.

[0010] The at least one processor may be further configured to, with laundry accommodated in the drum, determine a water supply amount of the second supply of water based on the water level measured by the water level sensor after the first wet laundry agitation.

[0011] The washing machine may further include: a detergent supply device configured to accommodate detergent to be supplied to the tub and connected to the tub through a connection pipe; and a water supply device configured to supply water to the detergent supply device so that the supplied water may be mixed with the detergent accommodated in the detergent supply device and the mixed water and detergent may be supplied to the tub along a wall surface of the tub through the connection pipe, wherein the at least one processor may be further configured to, with laundry accommodated in the drum, control the detergent supply device and the water supply device so that water without detergent may be injected into the tub during the second supply of water.

[0012] The washing machine may further include: a detergent supply device configured to accommodate detergent to be supplied to the tub and connected to the tub through a connection pipe; and a water supply device configured to supply water to the detergent supply device so that the supplied water may be mixed with the detergent accommodated in the detergent supply device and the mixed water and detergent may be supplied to the tub along a wall surface of the tub through the connection pipe, wherein the at least one processor may be further configured to: with laundry accommodated in the drum, determine a first amount of detergent to be supplied to the tub based on a weight of the laundry detected before the first wet laundry agitation, control the detergent supply device and the water supply device so that, during the first supply of water, the first amount of detergent may be injected into the tub, determine a second amount of detergent to be supplied to the tub based on the identified material of the laundry, and in response to the material of the laundry being identified, control the detergent supply device and the water supply device so that the second amount of detergent may be additionally injected into the tub.

[0013] The water supply device may include: a water supply pipe connecting an external water source and the detergent supply device, and a water supply valve configured to open and close to respectively open and close the water supply pipe.

[0014] The washing machine may further include: a user interface, wherein the at least one processor may be further configured to, with laundry accommodated in the drum, control the user interface to output information about a start of a washing process between the dry laundry agitation and the first supply of water.

[0015] The at least one processor may be further configured to, with laundry accommodated in the drum, perform a washing cycle based on the identified material of the laundry.

[0016] In accordance with the present disclosure, a method of controlling a washing machine including a tub in which water is accommodatable, a water level sensor configured to measure a water level of water accommodated in the tub, a rotatable drum in the tub and in which laundry is accommodatable, a motor configured to rotate the drum based on a driving current applied to the motor, a current sensor configured to detect the driving current applied to the motor, and at least one processor, may include: by the at least one processor, with laundry accommodated in the drum, rotating, by the motor, the drum before water is supplied to the tub to perform a dry laundry agitation and detecting a dry laundry current value corresponding to the driving current detected by the current sensor during the dry laundry agitation, supplying water to the tub after the dry laundry agitation to perform a first supply of water, rotating, by the motor, the drum after the first supply of water to perform a first wet laundry agitation and detecting an amount of change of the water level measured by the water level sensor during the first wet laundry agitation, rotating, by the motor, the drum after the first wet laundry agitation to perform a second wet laundry agitation and detecting a wet laundry current value corresponding to the driving current detected by the current sensor during the second wet laundry agitation, and identifying a material of the laundry based on the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of a water level, and the wet laundry current value.

[0017] The washing machine may further include a memory storing a model that may be trained to identify the material of the laundry based on the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, and the wet laundry current value, and

[0018] the identifying of the material of the laundry may further include inputting the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, and the wet laundry current value into the trained model to identify the material of the laundry.

[0019] The method may further include: by the at least one processor, with laundry accommodated in the drum, based on the water level measured by the water level sensor after the first wet laundry agitation, determining whether to supply water to the tub after the first wet laundry agitation to perform a second supply of water, based on a determination to perform the second supply of water, supplying water to the tub after the first wet laundry agitation, and performing the second wet laundry agitation after the second supply of water, wherein the identifying of the material of the laundry may include identifying the material of the laundry based on the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, the wet laundry current value, and a difference between another wet laundry current value corresponding to the driving current detected by the current sensor during the first wet laundry agitation and the wet laundry current value.

[0020] The washing machine may further include a memory storing a model that may be trained to identify the material of the laundry based on the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, the wet laundry current value, and the difference, and the identifying of the material of the laundry may include inputting the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, the wet laundry current value, and the difference into the trained model to identify the material of the laundry.

[0021] The method may further include: by the at least one processor, with laundry accommodated in the drum, determining a water supply amount of the second supply of water based on the water level measured by the water level sensor after the first wet laundry agitation.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a control block of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a flowchart of a method of controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a timing diagram for detecting a material of laundry in a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates a classification of materials of laundry according to input elements using a trained model of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 7 illustrates a classification of materials of laundry when a dry laundry current, a wet laundry current, and a water level difference are input to a trained model of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a wet laundry agitation of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 9 illustrates a difference in moisture contents between towel and delicate clothing in a first wet laundry agitation of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 10 illustrates a change in a tub water level according to the material of laundry of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 11 illustrates a difference in additional water supply times according to the material of laundry of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 12 is a flowchart for describing an operation of adding a minimum amount of detergent during a laundry material detection and then adding the remaining amount of detergent after the laundry material detection in a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for describing an operation of outputting information about a start of a washing process during a laundry material detection in a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.MODES OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Various embodiments and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technology disclosed herein to specific forms, and the disclosure should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives to the corresponding embodiments.

[0036] In describing the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to designate similar constituent elements.

[0037] A singular expression may include a plural expression unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.

[0038] The expressions “A or B,”“at least one of A or / and B,” or “one or more of A or / and B,” A, B or C,”“at least one of A, B or / and C,” or “one or more of A, B or / and C,” and the like used herein may include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0039] The term of “and / or” includes a plurality of combinations of relevant items or any one item among a plurality of relevant items.

[0040] Herein, the expressions “a first”, “a second”, “the first”, “the second”, etc., may simply be used to distinguish an element from other elements, but is not limited to another aspect (e.g., importance or order) of elements.

[0041] When an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being “(functionally or communicatively) coupled,” or “connected” to another element (e.g., a second element), the first element may be connected to the second element, directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third element.

[0042] In this disclosure, the terms “including”, “having”, and the like are used to specify features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more of the features, elements, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0043] When an element is said to be “connected”, “coupled”, “supported” or “contacted” with another element, this includes not only when elements are directly connected, coupled, supported or contacted, but also when elements are indirectly connected, coupled, supported or contacted through a third element.

[0044] Throughout the description, when an element is “on” another element, this includes not only when the element is in contact with the other element, but also when there is another element between the two elements.

[0045] A washing machine according to various embodiments may perform washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and drying processes. The washing machine is an example of a clothes care apparatus, and the clothes care apparatus is a concept including a device capable of washing clothes (objects to be washed, and objects to be dried), a device capable of drying clothes, and a device capable of washing and drying clothes.

[0046] The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a top-loading washing machine in which a laundry inlet for inserting or withdrawing laundry is provided to face upward, or a front-loading washing machine in which a laundry inlet is provided to face forward. The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a washing machine that is in a loading type other than the top-loading washing machine and the front-loading washing machine.

[0047] In the top-loading washing machine, laundry may be washed using water current generated by a rotating body such as a pulsator. In the front-loading washing machine, laundry may be washed by repeatedly lifting and lowering laundry by rotating a drum. The front-loading washing machine may include a dryer combined washing machine capable of drying laundry stored in a drum. The dryer combined washing machine may include a hot air supply device for supplying high-temperature air into the drum and a condensing device for removing moisture from air discharged from the drum. For example, the dryer combined washing machine may include a heat pump device. The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a washing machine using a washing method other than the above-described washing method.

[0048] The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a main body accommodating various components therein. The main body may be provided in the form of a box including a laundry inlet on one side thereof.

[0049] The washing machine may include a door for opening and closing the laundry inlet. The door may be rotatably mounted to the main body by a hinge. At least a portion of the door may be transparent or translucent to allow the inside of the main body to be seen.

[0050] The washing machine may include a tub arranged inside the main body to store water. The tub may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a tub opening formed at one side thereof. The tub may be disposed inside the main body in such a way that the tub opening corresponds to the laundry inlet.

[0051] The tub may be connected to the main body by a damper. The damper may absorb vibration generated when the drum rotates, and the damper may reduce vibration transmitted to the main body.

[0052] The washing machine may include a drum provided to accommodate laundry.

[0053] The drum may be disposed inside the tub in such a way that a drum opening provided at one side of the drum corresponds to the laundry inlet and the tub opening. Laundry may pass through the laundry inlet, the tub opening, and the drum opening, sequentially and then be accommodated in the drum or withdrawn from the drum.

[0054] The drum may perform each operation according to washing, rinsing, and / or spin-drying while rotating inside the tub. A plurality of through holes may be formed in a cylindrical wall of the drum to allow water stored in the tub to be introduced into or to be discharged from the drum.

[0055] The washing machine may include a driving device configured to rotate the drum. The driving device may include a drive motor and a rotating shaft for transmitting a driving force generated by the drive motor to the drum. The rotating shaft may penetrate the tub to be connected to the drum.

[0056] The driving device may perform respective operations according to washing, rinsing, and / or spin-drying, or drying processes by rotating the drum in a forward or reverse direction.

[0057] The washing machine may include a water supply device configured to supply water to the tub. The water supply device may include a water supply pipe and a water supply valve disposed in the water supply pipe. The water supply pipe may be connected to an external water supply source. The water supply pipe may extend from an external water supply source to a detergent supply device and / or the tub. Water may be supplied to the tub through the detergent supply device. Alternatively, water may be supplied to the tub without passing through the detergent supply device.

[0058] The water supply valve may open or close the water supply pipe in response to an electrical signal of a controller. The water supply valve may allow or block the supply of water to the tub from an external water supply source. The water supply valve may include a solenoid valve configured to open and close in response to an electrical signal.

[0059] The washing machine may include the detergent supply device configured to supply detergent to the tub. The detergent supply device may include a manual detergent supply device that requires a user to input detergent to be used for each washing, and an automatic detergent supply device that stores a large amount of detergent and automatically inputs a predetermined amount of detergent during washing. The detergent supply device may include a detergent box for storing detergent. The detergent supply device may be configured to supply detergent into the tub during a water supply process. Water supplied through the water supply pipe may be mixed with detergent via the detergent supply device. Water mixed with detergent may be supplied into the tub. Detergent is used as a term including detergent for pre-washing, detergent for main washing, fabric softener, bleach, etc., and the detergent box may be partitioned into a storage region for the pre-washing detergent, a storage region for the main washing detergent, a storage region for the fabric softener, and a storage region for the bleach.

[0060] The washing machine may include a drainage device configured to discharge water contained in the tub to the outside. The drainage device may include a drain pipe extending from a bottom of the tub to the outside of the main body, a drain valve disposed on the drain pipe to open and close the drain pipe, and a pump disposed on the drain pipe. The pump may pump water from the drain pipe to the outside of the main body.

[0061] The washing machine may include a control panel disposed on one side of the main body. The control panel may provide a user interface for interaction between a user and the washing machine. The user interface may include at least one input interface and at least one output interface.

[0062] The at least one input interface may convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal.

[0063] The at least one input interface may include a power button, an operation button, a course selection dial (or a course selection button), and a washing / rinsing / spin-drying setting button. The at least one input interface may include a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and / or a microphone.

[0064] The at least one output interface may visually or audibly transmit information related to the operation of the washing machine to a user.

[0065] For example, the at least one output interface may transmit information related to a washing course, operation time of the washing machine, and washing / rinsing / spin-drying settings to the user. Information about the operation of the washing machine may be output through a screen, an indicator, or voice. The at least one output interface may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) panel, or a speaker.

[0066] The washing machine may include a communication module for wired and / or wireless communication with an external device.

[0067] The communication module may include at least one of a short-range wireless communication module and a long-range wireless communication module.

[0068] The communication module may transmit data to an external device (e.g., a server, a user device, and / or a home appliance) or receive data from the external device. For example, the communication module may establish communication with a server and / or a user device and / or a home appliance, and transmit and receive various types of data.

[0069] For the communication, the communication module may establish a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between external devices, and support the performance of the communication through the established communication channel. According to one embodiment, the communication module may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). Among these communication modules, the corresponding communication module may communicate with an external device through a first network (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN). These various types of communication modules may be integrated as one component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as a plurality of separate components (e.g., multiple chips).

[0070] The short-range wireless communication module may include a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, and a Zigbee communication module, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication module, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication module, an ultrawideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0071] The long-range wireless communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of long-range wireless communication, and may include a mobile communication circuitry. The mobile communication circuitry transmits and receives radio signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the communication module may communicate with an external device such as a server, a user device and other home appliances through an access point (AP). The access point (AP) may connect a local area network (LAN), to which a washing machine or a user device is connected, to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The washing machine or the user device may be connected to the server through the wide area network (WAN). The controller may control various components of the washing machine (e.g., the drive motor, and the water supply valve). The controller may control various components of the washing machine to perform at least one operation including water supply, washing, rinsing, and / or spin-drying according to a user input. For example, the controller may control the drive motor to adjust the rotational speed of the drum or control the water supply valve of the water supply device to supply water to the tub.

[0073] The controller may include hardware such as a CPU or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the controller may include at least one memory for storing an algorithm and program-type data for controlling the operation of components in the washing machine, and at least one processor configured to perform the above-mentioned operation by using the data stored in the at least one memory. The memory and the processor may each be implemented as separate chips. The processor may include one or more processor chips or may include one or more processing cores. The memory may include one or more memory chips or one or more memory blocks. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be implemented as a single chip.

[0074] In the following description, the terms “front”, “rear”, “top”, “bottom”, “left”, “right”, and the like are defined with reference to the drawings, and are not intended to limit the shape and position of each component. For example, the terms “upper” and “lower” may be defined with respect to the Z direction illustrated in the drawings. The terms “front” and “rear” below may be defined with respect to the X direction illustrated in the drawings. The terms “left” and “right” below may be defined with respect to the Y direction illustrated in the drawings.

[0075] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0076] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0077] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a main body 10 that accommodates various components inside. The main body 10 may form the external appearance of the washing machine 1. A laundry inlet 11 may be formed on one side of the main body 10. The main body 10 may be formed in a box shape with the laundry inlet 11 formed approximately on one side thereof. The laundry inlet 11 may be formed on the front side of the main body 10.

[0078] The main body 10 may include a control panel 15. The control panel 15 may include an input device 15a provided to obtain a user input. The control panel 15 may include a display 15b provided to output operation information of the washing machine 1. That is, the control panel 15 may provide a user interface 15 for interaction between the user and the washing machine.

[0079] For example, the control panel 15 may be provided on a front surface of the main body 10. For example, the control panel 15 may be provided in an upper portion of the main body 10.

[0080] The main body 10 may include a detergent box panel 16. The detergent box panel 16 may be coupled to a detergent box. The detergent box panel 16 may be provided to held by a user for the detergent box to be withdrawn from or inserted into the main body 10.

[0081] For example, the detergent box panel 16 may be provided at a front portion of the main body 10 and coupled to a front portion of the detergent box. For example, the detergent box panel 16 may be provided on the upper side of the main body 10.

[0082] The washing machine 1 may include a door 41 provided to open and close the laundry inlet 11. The door 41 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 10 to open or close the laundry inlet 11. The door 41 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 10 by a hinge 42. The door 41 may be coupled to the front portion of the main body 10.

[0083] The washing machine 1 may include a tub 20 arranged inside the main body 10. The tub 20 may be provided to store mixed water in which washing water and detergent are mixed.

[0084] The tub 20 may have a tub opening 21 formed on one side thereof. The tub opening 21 may be arranged to correspond to the laundry inlet 11. For example, the tub 20 may be formed in a cylindrical shape with the tub opening 21 formed on approximately one side thereof.

[0085] The tub 20 may be connected to a damper 29. The tub 20 may be connected to the main body 10 by the damper 29. The tub 20 may be supported by the damper 29. The damper 29 may absorb vibrations generated when the drum 30 rotates and attenuate vibrations transmitted to the main body 10.

[0086] The washing machine 1 may include a drum 30 arranged inside the tub 20. The drum 30 may be arranged to accommodate laundry inside. The drum 30 may be provided to be rotatable relative to the tub 20 inside the tub 20. The drum 30 may perform each operation according to the washing, rinsing, and spin-drying processes while rotating inside the tub 20.

[0087] The drum 30 may have a drum opening 31 formed on one side thereof. The drum opening 31 may be arranged to correspond to the laundry inlet 11 and the tub opening 21. Laundry may be loaded into the drum 30 by sequentially passing through the laundry inlet 11, the tub opening 21, and the drum opening 31. Conversely, laundry may be withdrawn from the drum 30 by sequentially passing through the drum opening 31, the tub opening 21, and the laundry inlet 11.

[0088] The drum 30 may include a plurality of through holes 34 formed such that water stored in the tub 20 may be introduced into the drum 30 or water inside the drum 30 may be discharged to the outside of the drum 30.

[0089] At least one lifter 35 formed to allow laundry to rise and fall when the drum 30 rotates may be installed on the inner surface of the drum 30.

[0090] The washing machine 1 may include a driving device 60 configured to rotate the drum 30. The driving device 60 may include a motor that generates power for rotating the drum 30 and a rotating shaft for transmitting the power generated by the motor to the drum 30. The rotating shaft may be connected to the drum 30 by penetrating the tub 20. The driving device 60 may perform respective operations according to washing, rinsing, and / or spin-drying, or drying processes by rotating the drum in a forward or reverse direction.

[0091] The washing machine 1 may include a water supply device 50 provided to supply washing water to the tub 20. The water supply device 50 may include a water supply pipe 51 connected to an external water source, and a water supply valve 52 provided to open and close the water supply pipe 51. The water supply pipe 51 may extend from the external water source to the detergent supply device 70, and the washing water may be supplied to the tub 20 through the detergent supply device 70.

[0092] For example, the water supply pipe 51 may be arranged at the upper portion of the main body 10.

[0093] The washing machine 1 may include a detergent supply device 70. The detergent supply device 70 may be configured to supply detergent to the tub 20. The detergent supply device 70 may be configured to supply a mixture of detergent and washing water to the tub 20.

[0094] The detergent supply device 70 may be configured to supply detergent contained in a detergent box for storing detergent into the tub 20 during a supply of water. Water supplied through the water supply pipe 51 may be mixed with detergent via the detergent supply device 70. The water mixed with detergent may be supplied to the inside of the tub 20.

[0095] The detergent supply device 70 may be connected to the tub 20 through a connection pipe 53. Water mixed with detergent in the detergent supply device 70 may be supplied to the inside of the tub 20 through the connection pipe 53. The water mixed with detergent supplied to the tub 20 through the connection pipe 53 may be stored inside the tub 20 along a wall surface of the tub 20.

[0096] For example, the detergent supply device 70 may be disposed at the upper portion of the main body 10. For example, the detergent supply device 70 may be disposed at the upper portion of the tub 20.

[0097] The washing machine 1 may include a drainage device 54 configured to discharge water inside of the tub 20 to the outside. The drainage device 54 may include a drain pipe 55 extending from the lower portion of the tub 20 to the outside of the main body 10, a drain valve 56 configured to open and close the drain pipe 55, and a drain pump 57 provided on the drain pipe 55.

[0098] The components of the washing machine 1 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 are merely examples of components that may be included in the washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and the washing machine 1 may include various components for performing functions such as washing laundry.

[0099] In the above, a front-loading washing machine 1 has been described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 as an example, but the washing machine according to the concept of the disclosure is not limited thereto and may be applied to, for example, a top-loading washing machine.

[0100] FIG. 3 illustrates a control block of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0101] In an embodiment, a washing machine 1 may include a user interface 15, sensor(s) 80, a driving device 60, a water supply device 50, a detergent supply device 70, a drainage device 54, and a controller 100.

[0102] The user interface 15 may be provided by the control panel (15, see FIG. 1) described above.

[0103] The user interface 15 may include an input device 15a for receiving a user input.

[0104] The input device 15a may receive input of setting values related to the operation of the washing machine 1 from the user, or may receive input of various control commands. Types of user input that may be obtained through the input device 15a may include turning on / off the power of the washing machine 1, starting / stopping the operation of the washing machine 1, setting the operation of the washing machine 1, and the like. The input device 15a may include various types of input devices such as a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and / or a microphone.

[0105] The user interface 15 may include a display 15b for displaying information related to the operation or status of the washing machine 1.

[0106] The display 15b may be electrically connected to the controller 80 and may be provided to display information about the operation or status of the washing machine 1 based on a control signal received from the controller 80. The operation or status information of the washing machine 1 that may be displayed by the display 15b may include information about the material of laundry, setting information, operation time (or a remaining time until the end of operation), information about the amount of detergent remaining, information about the occurrence of various errors, and the like. The display 15b may be provided to present information to the user by including a light-emitting diode (LED) panel, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panel, or a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel. In addition, the display 15b may include a touch screen including a touch pad that detects a user's touch. The touch screen may display setting values or control commands selectable by the user, and may receive input of setting values or control commands according to user's touch input.

[0107] The driving device 60 may include a motor 61 configured to rotate the drum 30. The driving device 60 may drive the motor 61 to rotate the drum 30 forward or backward to perform each operation according to the washing process, the rinsing process, and / or the spin-drying process. The motor 41 may be operated by a driving current applied from a driving circuit that drives the motor 41. The driving device 60 may operate based on a control signal of the controller 100.

[0108] The sensor(s) 80 may include at least one sensor that obtains information related to the operating state of the washing machine 1 and / or information about laundry.

[0109] In an embodiment, the sensor(s) 80 may include a current sensor 81 that detects a driving current applied to the motor 61 and / or a water level sensor 82 that measures a water level of the tub 20. The current sensor 81 and / or the water level sensor 82 may transmit sensor data to the controller 100.

[0110] For example, the water level sensor 82 may be installed at the end of a connecting hose connected to a tub connection pipe connected to the tub 20. In this case, the water level of the connecting hose may be the same as the water level of the tub 20. As the water level of the tub 20 rises, the water level of the connecting hose rises, and as the water level of the connecting hose rises, the pressure inside the connecting hose may increase.

[0111] The water level sensor 82 may detect the pressure inside the connecting hose and output an electrical signal corresponding to the detected pressure to the controller 100. The controller 100 may obtain the water level of the connecting hose, i.e., the water level of the tub 20, based on the pressure of the connecting hose detected by the water level sensor 82.

[0112] For example, the water level sensor 82 may detect a frequency that changes according to the pressure of the connecting hose.

[0113] In an embodiment, the controller 100 may obtain the water level of the tub 20 by analyzing the frequency (a water level frequency) of the electrical signal corresponding to an output value of the water level sensor 82.

[0114] Meanwhile, the water level sensor 82 may be installed inside a lower portion of the tub 20. As the water level of the tub 20 rises, the pressure applied to the water level sensor 82 increases, and accordingly, the water level sensor 82 may detect the frequency that changes according to the water level when the drum 30 rotates.

[0115] In an embodiment, the controller 100 may obtain the water level of the tub 20 by analyzing the frequency (the water level frequency) of the electrical signal corresponding to the output value of the water level sensor 82.

[0116] In an embodiment, the controller 100 may control the driving device 60, the water supply device 50, the detergent supply device 70, the drainage device 54, and the like to perform at least one operation including a washing process, a rinsing process, and / or a spin-drying process.

[0117] The controller 100 may be electrically connected to the user interface 15, the sensor(s) 80, the driving device 60, the water supply device 50, the detergent supply device 70, the drainage device 54, etc.

[0118] The controller 100 may be composed of hardware, such as a CPU, a Micom, a memory, etc., and software, such as a control program.

[0119] The controller 100 may include at least one memory 102 for storing an algorithm and program-type data for controlling the operation of components in the washing machine 1, and at least one processor 101 configured to perform the above-described operation using the data stored in the at least one memory 102. The memory 102 and the processor 101 may each be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory 102 and the processor 101 may be implemented as a single chip.

[0120] The processor 101 may include an arithmetic circuit, a memory circuit, and a control circuit that may process output signals of the user interface 15, the sensor(s) 80, the driving device 60, the water supply device 50, the detergent supply device 70, and / or the drainage device 54, and may output control signals to the user interface 15, the sensor(s) 80, the driving device 60, the water supply device 50, the detergent supply device 70, and / or the drainage device 54 based on the processing of the output signals.

[0121] The memory 102 may include a volatile memory such as an S-RAM (Static Random Access Memory) and a D-RAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing data. In addition, the memory 102 may include nonvolatile memory such as a Read Only Memory (ROM), an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), or an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) for storing data for a long period of time.

[0122] In an embodiment, the memory 102 may store a trained model such as a machine learning model, which is an artificial intelligence model. As described below, the trained model may be trained to identify the material of laundry using at least one factor obtained by processing sensor data collected from various sensors of the washing machine (e.g., the current sensor 81 and / or the water level sensor 82) as input data.

[0123] In various embodiments, the trained model may be stored also in the server or only in the server.

[0124] The processor 101 may include various logic circuits and operation circuits, and may process data according to a program provided from the memory 92 and generate a control signal according to the processing result.

[0125] When the method according to at least one embodiment of the disclosure includes a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations may be performed by one processor or may be performed by a plurality of processors. For example, when the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation are performed by the method according to at least one embodiment, the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation may all be performed by the first processor, or the first operation and the second operation may be performed by the first processor (e.g., a general-purpose processor) and the third operation may be performed by the second processor (e.g., an artificial intelligence-dedicated processor).

[0126] The controller 100 may be mounted on a printed circuit board provided on the rear side of the user interface 15.

[0127] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a flowchart of a method of controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0128] Referring to FIG. 4, a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment may perform a washing cycle based on a washing start command being received through a user interface 15.

[0129] In an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may provide a plurality of washing courses.

[0130] A user may select one of the plurality of washing courses through the user interface 15 and then start the selected washing course.

[0131] The material of the laundry may be classified into cotton, blouse, silk, towel, etc.

[0132] The plurality of washing courses may include at least one washing course in which the material of laundry is specified and a washing course in which the material of laundry is not specified.

[0133] The at least one washing course in which the material of laundry is specified may include, for example, washing courses, such as a “cotton washing course”, a “blouse washing course”, a “towel washing course”, that include the material of laundry as part of the name of the course, and all other washing courses in which the material of laundry may be specified.

[0134] The washing course in which the material of laundry is not specified may include general courses such as a standard washing course and / or an artificial intelligence washing course.

[0135] The controller 100 may receive a washing start command of the washing machine 1 (200).

[0136] The controller 100 may, upon receiving the washing start command, detect the weight of laundry accommodated in the drum 30 (202).

[0137] The controller 100 may detect the weight of laundry by rotating the drum 30 while the laundry is loaded into the drum 30 to measure inertia. For example, the controller 100 may repeatedly turn the motor 61 on and off. The controller 100 may measure the weight of the laundry inside the drum 30 based on a counter electromotive force value generated when the motor 61 is turned off. In addition, the controller 100 may rotate the drum 30 at a preset speed and measure the weight of the laundry inside the drum 30 based on the time taken for the drum 30 to reach the preset speed. In addition, the controller 100 may obtain the weight of the laundry through a separate weight sensor.

[0138] The controller 100 may, based on the weight of the laundry being less than or equal to a preset weight, start detecting the material of the laundry. The controller 100 may not start the detection of the material of the laundry based on the weight of the laundry exceeding the preset weight.

[0139] The controller 100 may perform a dry laundry agitation of rotating the drum 30 in a dry state of the laundry (204). The dry laundry agitation may include rotating the drum 30 to agitate the laundry in a dry state that is not wet with water.

[0140] The controller 100 may perform the dry laundry agitation by driving the motor 61 to rotate the drum 30 before a supply of water.

[0141] The controller 100 may detect a driving current (hereinafter, a dry laundry current) of the motor61 through the current sensor 81 during the dry laundry agitation (206). The controller 100 may obtain the dry laundry current of the motor 61 detected by the current sensor 81 as the drum 30 rotates in the dry state of the laundry. The dry laundry current value may include an average value of the driving current values of the motor 61 detected by the current sensor 81 in the dry state of the laundry. In other words, the dry laundry current value may include the average value of the driving current values applied to the motor 61 when the drum 30 rotates in the dry state of the laundry.

[0142] The controller 100 may perform a first supply of water after the dry laundry agitation (208).

[0143] The controller 100 may supply washing water to the tub 20 through the water supply device 50 after the dry laundry agitation.

[0144] The controller 100 turns on the water supply valve 52 of the water supply device 50. When the water supply valve 52 is turned on, washing water supplied from an external water source is supplied to the detergent supply device 70 through the water supply pipe 51. The washing water supplied to the detergent supply device 70 is mixed with the detergent in the detergent supply device 70. Mixed water, which is a mixture of the washing water and the detergent, in the detergent supply device 70, flows along a wall surface inside of the tub 20 through the connection pipe 53 connected to the tub 20 and rises from the lower side of the tub 20. The mixed water supplied to the tub 20 wets the laundry accommodated inside the drum 30.

[0145] In addition, the controller 100 may inject water that is mixed with a predetermined amount of detergent into the tub 20 through the water supply device 50 and the detergent supply device 70 after the dry laundry agitation.

[0146] The controller 100 may control the detergent supply device 70 such that the predetermined amount of detergent is supplied to the tub 20. Therefore, the washing water supplied from the water supply device 50 to the detergent supply device 70 is mixed with the predetermined amount of detergent in the detergent supply device 70, and then via the connection pipe 53, flows along the wall surface of the tub 20, before being stored in the tub 20.

[0147] The controller 100 may supply a predetermined amount of water to the tub 20 in the first supply of water by controlling the on-time of the water supply valve 52. The predetermined amount of water may be an amount of supply of water corresponding to an amount of water required for the water supplied into the drum 30 to reach a target water level. The target water level may be an appropriate water level at which the driving current of the motor 61 may be obtainable in a wet laundry agitation in which the drum 30 is rotated while the laundry is in a wet state. For example, the controller 100 may control the on-time of the water supply valve 52 according to the weight of the laundry.

[0148] The controller 100 may perform a first wet laundry agitation of rotating the drum 30 in the wet state of the laundry after the first supply of water (210). The water supplied to the tub 20 in the first supply of water wets the laundry accommodated in the drum 30, and thus the laundry becomes wet. The laundry in the drum 30 may not be sufficiently wetted only with the water that is stored by flowing along the wall surface of the tub 20. Therefore, the controller 100 may drive the motor 61 to rotate the drum 30 in the first wet laundry agitation such that the water stored in the tub 30 is absorbed into the laundry accommodated in the drum 30 to wet the laundry.

[0149] The controller 100 may obtain the amount of change in the water level of the tub 20 through the water level sensor 82 during the first wet laundry agitation (212). The water level of the tub 20 at the start of the first wet laundry agitation and the water level of the tub 20 at the completion of the first wet laundry agitation are different depending on the amount of water absorbed by the laundry in the first wet laundry agitation. With such a configuration, the moisture content characteristics of the laundry may be identified. By utilizing the moisture content characteristics of the laundry according to the amount of change of the water level to detect the material of the laundry, the set deviation and the model deviation may be minimized, provided that the tub shape is the same even when the motor and platform of the washing machine 1 are changed.

[0150] The controller 100 may perform a second wet laundry agitation of rotating the drum 30 after the first wet laundry agitation (214). Through the two wet laundry agitations of the first wet laundry agitation and the second wet laundry agitation, the wetting of the laundry may be maximized while supplying the minimum amount of water.

[0151] The controller 100 may detect a driving current (hereinafter referred to as “a wet laundry current”) of the motor 61 through the current sensor 81 during the second wet laundry agitation (216). The controller 100 may obtain the wet laundry current of the motor 61 detected by the current sensor 81 as the drum 30 rotates in the wet state of the laundry. A wet laundry current value may include an average value of the driving current values of the motor 61 detected by the current sensor 81 in the wet state of the laundry. In other words, the wet laundry current value may include the average value of the driving current values applied to the motor 61 when the drum 30 rotates in the wet state of the laundry.

[0152] The controller 100 may identify the material of the laundry based on the dry laundry current value detected during the dry laundry agitation, the amount of change of the water level detected during the first wet laundry agitation, and the wet laundry current value detected during the second wet laundry agitation (218). For example, the controller 100 may identify the material of the laundry as one of cotton, blouse, silk, towel, etc.

[0153] Meanwhile, the controller 100 may identify the material of the laundry by inputting the dry laundry current value detected during the dry laundry agitation, the amount of change of the water level detected during the first wet laundry agitation, and the wet laundry current value detected during the second wet laundry agitation into the trained model.

[0154] In an embodiment, the trained model may be stored in the memory 102 and / or an external device (e.g., a server).

[0155] When the trained model is stored in the memory 102, the controller 100 may identify the material of the laundry by inputting the dry laundry current value, the wet laundry current value, and the amount of change of the water level into the trained model stored in the memory 102.

[0156] When the trained model is stored only in the external device, the controller 100 may transmit information about the dry laundry current value, the wet laundry current value, and the amount of change in water level to the external device through the communication circuitry, and the external device may obtain information about the material of the laundry by inputting the dry laundry current value, the wet laundry current value, and the amount of change in water level received from the washing machine 1 into the trained model, and the external device may transmit the information about the material of the laundry to the washing machine 1, and accordingly, the controller 100 may identify the material of the laundry.

[0157] That is, the operation in which the controller 100 identifies the material of laundry by inputting the dry laundry current value, the wet laundry current value, and the amount of change of the water level into the trained model may include identifying, by the controller 100, the material of laundry by inputting the dry laundry current value, the wet laundry current value, and the amount of change of the water level into the trained model stored in the memory 102, and / or identifying, by the controller 100, the material of laundry by transmitting information about the dry laundry current value, the wet laundry current value, and the amount of change of the water level to an external device, in which the trained model is stored through the communication circuitry, and receiving information about the material of laundry from the external device.

[0158] The trained model may be trained based on data related to materials of laundry identified by a model trained based on a dry laundry current value, a wet laundry current value, and the amount of change of a water level.

[0159] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a timing diagram for detecting a material of laundry in a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0160] Referring to FIG. 5, the vertical axis on the left represents the rotational speed (RPM) of the motor 61, and the vertical axis on the right represents the frequency (Hz). The horizontal axis represents the time.

[0161] The water level sensor 82 generally detects a lower water level frequency as the water level of the tub 20 is higher, and may detect a higher water level frequency as the water level of the tub 20 is lower. When there is no water in the tub 20, the water level frequency is approximately 25300 Hz.

[0162] An interval from t1 to t2 is a weight detection section.

[0163] The weight detection section is a section in which, upon receiving a washing start command, the drum 30 is rotated to detect the weight of laundry accommodated in the drum 30.

[0164] For example, in the weight detection section, an operation of increasing the rotational speed of the motor 61 to approximately 140 RPM and then turning off the motor 61 is repeatedly performed, and the weight of laundry inside the drum 30 may be measured based on a counter electromotive force value generated when the motor 61 is turned off.

[0165] An interval from t2 to t3 is a dry laundry agitation section.

[0166] The dry laundry agitation section is a section in which the drum 30 is rotated to agitate the laundry in a dry laundry state that is not wet with water before a first supply of water.

[0167] For example, in the dry laundry agitation section, an operation of increasing the rotational speed of the motor 61 to approximately 40 RPM and maintaining the rotational speed may be repeatedly performed.

[0168] As the drum 30 rotates in the dry laundry agitation section, a dry laundry current of the motor 61 may be detected through the current sensor 81.

[0169] For example, in the dry laundry agitation section, an average value of dry laundry current values applied to the motor 61 when the drum 30 rotates may be obtained as the dry laundry current value.

[0170] An interval from t4 to t5 is a water injection section, which is a first water supply section.

[0171] An interval from t3 to t4 may be a pre-water supply section.

[0172] The water injection section is a section in which the first supply of water is performed after the dry laundry agitation.

[0173] After the dry laundry agitation, the washing water may be supplied to the tub 20 through the water supply device 50.

[0174] For example, the on-time of the water supply valve 52 may be controlled such that an amount of supply of water corresponding to the weight of the laundry is supplied. Washing water supplied from the external water supply source is supplied to the detergent supply device 70 through the water supply pipe 51. The washing water supplied to the detergent supply device 70 is mixed with the detergent in the detergent supply device 70. The mixed water, which is a mixture of the washing water and the detergent, in the detergent supply device 70 flows along the wall surface inside the tub 20 through the connection pipe 53 connected to the tub 20 and rises from the lower side of the tub 20. The mixed water supplied to the tub 20 wets the laundry accommodated inside the drum 30.

[0175] An interval from t5 to t6 is a first wet laundry agitation section.

[0176] The first wet laundry agitation section is a section in which the drum 30 is rotated such that the wet laundry, which is wet by the first supply of water, is agitated.

[0177] The water supplied to the tub 20 in the first supply of water wets the laundry accommodated in the drum 30, and thus the laundry becomes wet. However, the laundry in the drum 30 may not be sufficiently wetted by the water that is stored by flowing along the wall surface of the tub 20. Therefore, in the first wet laundry agitation, the drum 30 may be rotated such that the water stored in the tub 30 is absorbed into the laundry accommodated in the drum 30 and thus the laundry may be wetted.

[0178] In the first wet laundry agitation section, the amount of change in the water level of the tub 20 may be obtained through the water level sensor 82.

[0179] In the first wet laundry agitation section, the water level of the tub 20 at the start of the first wet laundry agitation is different from the water level of the tub 20 at the completion of the first wet laundry agitation depending on the amount of water absorbed by the laundry. From the water level difference, the amount of change in the water level of the tub 20 in the first wet laundry agitation section may be measured.

[0180] For example, when the laundry is a blouse with a low moisture content, the amount of change in the water level of the tub 20 is small, and when the laundry is a towel with a high moisture content, the amount of change in the water level of the tub 20 is large. Therefore, the amount of change in the water level may reflect the moisture content characteristics of the laundry.

[0181] An interval from t6 to t7 is an additional water supply section, which is a second water supply section.

[0182] The additional water supply section is a section in which additional water is supplied when the water level of the tub 20 is not sufficient.

[0183] Supplementary water may be supplied when the water level in the tub 20 is not sufficient after the first wet laundry agitation, thereby maximizing the characteristics of the laundry in the second wet laundry agitation section.

[0184] For example, in the case of a blouse with a small moisture content, supplementary water is not added because the water level is sufficient before the second wet laundry agitation after the first wet laundry agitation. However, in the case of a towel with a large moisture content, the water level is low before the second wet laundry agitation after the first wet laundry agitation, and thus supplementary water may be added. Such a configuration allows the laundry to have a sufficient moisture content in the second wet laundry agitation section, and thus the moisture content characteristics of the laundry may be detected. As described above, a minimum amount of water according to the weight of the laundry is supplied in the first supply of water, and then additional water is supplied as needed in the second supply of water, and thus the amount of water used may be minimized.

[0185] An interval from t7 to t8 is a second wet laundry agitation section.

[0186] The second wet laundry agitation section is a section in which the drum 30 is rotated to agitate the laundry in the wet state after the first wet laundry agitation. In the second wet laundry agitation section, the second wet laundry agitation may be performed immediately after the first wet laundry agitation, or the second wet laundry agitation may be performed after the first wet laundry agitation and the second supply of water.

[0187] Through the two wet laundry agitations of the first wet laundry agitation and the second wet laundry agitation, the wetting of the laundry may be maximized while minimizing the amount of water.

[0188] In the second wet laundry agitation section, with the rotation of the drum 30, the wet laundry current of the motor 61 may be detected through the current sensor 81.

[0189] For example, when the drum 30 rotates in the second wet laundry agitation section, the average value of the wet laundry current values applied to the motor 61 may be obtained as a wet laundry current value.

[0190] Based on the dry laundry current value detected during the dry laundry agitation, the amount of change of the water level detected during the first wet laundry agitation, and the wet laundry current value detected during the second wet laundry agitation, the material of the laundry may be identified. For example, the material of the laundry may be identified as one of cotton, blouse, silk, towel, and the like.

[0191] FIG. 6 illustrates a classification of materials of laundry according to input elements using a trained model of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0192] Referring to FIG. 6, the materials of the laundry are shown as cotton, delicate clothing such as blouses, and towels.

[0193] For cotton, blouses, and towels, graphs of the dry laundry current DRY_CURRENT, the wet laundry current WET_CURRENT, and the amount of change in water level WATER_LEVEL_DIFF or scatter plots of the combinations of two thereof are shown.

[0194] In the dry laundry condition, the dry laundry current DRY_CURRENT of the blouse is the highest compared to that of cotton or towels, and in the wet laundry condition, the wet laundry current WET_CURRENT of the towel is the highest compared to that of cotton or blouses, and the amount of change in water level WATER_LEVEL_DIFF of the towel is the highest compared to that of cotton or blouses.

[0195] The dry laundry current DRY_CURRENT, the wet laundry current WET_CURRENT, and the amount of change in water level WATER_LEVEL_DIFF of cotton, blouses, and towels are shown.

[0196] In addition, the relationship between the dry laundry current DRY_CURRENT and the wet laundry current WET_CURRENT of cotton, blouses, and towels, the relationship between the dry laundry current DRY_CURRENT and the amount of change in water level WATER_LEVEL_DIFF, and the relationship between the wet laundry current WET_CURRENT and the amount of change in water level WATER_LEVEL_DIFF are shown.

[0197] It can be seen that the material of laundry may be classified by inputting at least two of the dry laundry current DRY_CURRENT, the wet laundry current WET_CURRENT, and the amount of change in water level WATER_LEVEL_DIFF into the trained model.

[0198] FIG. 7 illustrates a classification of materials of laundry when a dry laundry current, a wet laundry current, and a water level difference are input to a trained model of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0199] Referring to FIG. 7, a 3D scatter plot of materials of laundry according to dry laundry current DRY_CURRENT, wet laundry current WET_CURRENT, and the amount of change in water WATER_LEVEL_DIFF is shown.

[0200] It can be seen that the materials of laundry may be classified more accurately by inputting all of the dry laundry current DRY_CURRENT, the wet laundry current WET_CURRENT, and the amount of change in water level WATER_LEVEL_DIFF into the trained model.

[0201] Meanwhile, generally, a method of detecting the materials of laundry based on a motor current detects the materials of laundry based on the difference in characteristics between a dry laundry state and a wet laundry state of each laundry, and thus the wetting of the laundry is important during the detection of materials of laundry. The existing method requires a direct water valve that may supply water from the top of the laundry to wet the laundry, and since the water supplied with such a direct water valve does not contain detergent, the method also requires a process of separately supplying washing water together with detergent after the completion of the detection of materials of laundry. Since such a laundry material detection structure requires a direct water valve together with a significant amount of washing water supply, there is a limitation in applying laundry material detection to a washing machine model that has no direct water valve and a washing machine model that is designed to use minimal water.

[0202] In an embodiment of the disclosure, a structure and a method of detecting materials of laundry that do not require a direct water valve while minimizing water usage are applied. To this end, the laundry wetting may be maximized even with a minimum amount of washing water supply through the two wet laundry agitations of the first wet laundry agitation and the second wet laundry agitation. Such a configuration may eliminate the need for a direct water valve, and expand the application of laundry material detection even to a washing machine model having no direct water valve, and also reduce energy usage and water usage.

[0203] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a wet laundry agitation of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0204] Referring to FIG. 8, the controller 100 may, at a start of the first wet laundry agitation (300), detect a water level value of the tub 20 through the water level sensor 82 (302). The detected water level value may be stored in the memory 102.

[0205] The controller 100 may, as the drum 30 rotates upon the start of the first wet laundry agitation, detect a wet laundry current (hereinafter referred to as the first wet laundry current) of the motor 61 through the current sensor 81 (304). The detected first wet laundry current value may be stored in the memory 102. The first wet laundry current value may be an average value of the first wet laundry current values detected in the first wet laundry agitation section.

[0206] The controller 100 may, upon completion of the first wet laundry agitation (306), compare the water level values stored in the memory 102 to identify the amount of change of the water level (308). For example, the controller 100 may identify a water level difference value wl_diff between a maximum water level value wl_max and a minimum water level value wl_min among the water level values stored in the memory 102 as the amount of change of the water level.

[0207] The controller 100 may determine whether to perform the second supply of water based on the water level value measured by the water level sensor 82 after the first wet laundry agitation. The controller 100 may, based on a determination to perform the second supply of water, perform the second supply of water after the first wet laundry agitation and perform the second wet laundry agitation after the second supply of water.

[0208] More specifically, the controller 100 may identify whether the current water level of the tub 20 is higher than or equal to a preset water level after the first wet laundry agitation is completed (310).

[0209] The controller 100 may, based on the current water level of the tub 20 being lower than the preset water level, supply supplementary water to the tub 20 through the second supply of water (312). For example, the preset water level may correspond to a water level value corresponding to a preset amount of supply of water for the minimum amount of supply of water. For example, the water level may be a level corresponding to a water level frequency of 24100 Hz. In this case, the controller 100 may determine the amount of water supplied for the second supply of water based on the water level value of the tub 20. The amount of water supplied for the second supply of water may be the amount of water required for the water level value of the tub 20 to reach the preset water level.

[0210] The controller 100 may, based on the current water level of the tub 20 being higher than the preset water level, start the second wet laundry agitation without supplying the supplementary water (314).

[0211] FIG. 9 illustrates a difference in moisture contents between a towel and a delicate clothing in a first wet laundry agitation of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 10 illustrates a change in a tub water level according to the material of laundry of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0212] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, when the material of laundry is delicate clothing, the moisture content is low, and when material of laundry is towels, the moisture content is high.

[0213] Therefore, in the case of delicate clothing, which has a small moisture content and a small water absorption, the water level of the tub is relatively high, but in the case of towels, which has a large moisture content and a large water absorption, the water level of the tub is relatively low. As a result, a difference in the water levels in the tub 20 may occur between the delicate clothing and the towels due to the first wet laundry agitation.

[0214] In the case of delicate clothing, in which the moisture content is small and the water level is sufficient before the second wet laundry agitation after the first wet laundry agitation, no supplementary water is added. However, in the case of towels, in which the moisture content is large, and the water level is low before the second wet laundry agitation after the first wet laundry agitation, supplementary water may be added. As described above, when the water level in the tub 20 is insufficient after the first wet laundry agitation, supplementary water may be supplied, thereby maximizing the characteristics of the laundry in the second wet laundry agitation section. Therefore, the minimum amount of water according to the weight of the laundry may be supplied in the first supply of water and then additional water may be supplied as needed in the second supply of water, thereby minimizing the amount of water usage.

[0215] Referring again to FIG. 8, the controller 100 may, as the drum 30 rotates upon the start of the second wet laundry agitation, detect a wet laundry current (hereinafter referred to as the second wet laundry current) of the motor 61 through the current sensor 81 (316). The detected second wet laundry current value may be stored in the memory 102. The second wet laundry current value may be an average value of the second wet laundry current values detected in the second wet laundry agitation section.

[0216] The controller 100 may, upon completion of the second wet laundry agitation (318), identify the material of the laundry based on the dry laundry current value detected during the dry laundry agitation, the change in water level detected during the first wet laundry agitation, the second wet laundry current value detected during the second wet laundry agitation, and a difference in the wet laundry current values between the first wet laundry current value and the second wet laundry current value. For example, the controller 100 may identify the material of the laundry as one of cotton, blouse, silk, towel, and the like.

[0217] Meanwhile, the controller 100 may, in the identifying of the material of the laundry, input the dry laundry current value detected during the dry laundry agitation, the change in water level detected during the first wet laundry agitation, the second wet laundry current value detected during the second wet laundry agitation, and the difference in wet laundry current values between the first wet laundry current value and the second wet laundry current value into the trained model to identify the material of the laundry.

[0218] As described above, when identifying the material of the laundry, the influence of the current off-value for each set may be eliminated by reflecting the difference in wet laundry current values obtained by subtracting the first wet laundry current value, which is detected during the first wet laundry agitation, from the second wet laundry current value, which is detected during the second wet laundry agitation.

[0219] Meanwhile, a moisture content of the laundry may be obtained based on a difference in additional water supply times in the additional water supply section, which is the second water supply section, and the material of the laundry may be identified based on the moisture content of the laundry.

[0220] FIG. 11 illustrates a difference in additional water supply time according to the material of laundry of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0221] Referring to FIG. 11, since a supply of additional water occurs in the additional water supply section as much as a shortage in water level, a difference in the water supply times of the supplementary water may occur depending on the moisture content characteristics of the laundry.

[0222] For example, the graph shows on / off operations of the water supply valve 52 for “2 kg of towels” with the highest moisture content and “1 kg of delicate laundry”.

[0223] As shown in the graph, it can be seen that towels with a high moisture content have a longer additional water supply time, while delicate clothing with a low moisture content has a shorter additional water supply time. For example, the additional water supply time ΔT1 for 2 kg of towels may be 5.4 seconds, and the additional water supply time ΔT2 for 1 kg of delicate clothing may be 0.2 seconds.

[0224] As described above, the moisture content of the laundry may be obtained based on the difference in the additional water supply times in the additional water supply section, and the material of the laundry may be identified based on the moisture content of the laundry.

[0225] In addition, the moisture content of the laundry may be obtained not only based on the difference in the additional water supply times but also the presence or absence of the additional water supply.

[0226] Since the additional water supply is performed as much as a shortage in water level after the first wet laundry agitation, the additional water supply may not be performed when low-weight / low-moisture content laundry is loaded. Therefore, the number of times the water supply valve 52 is controlled may differ between a case when there is no laundry in the drum 30 and a case when there is a high-weight / high-moisture content laundry in the drum 30. From the number of times the water supply valve 52 is controlled, it may be identified whether an additional water supply has been performed.

[0227] FIG. 12 is a flowchart for describing an operation of adding a minimum amount of detergent during a laundry material detection and then adding the remaining amount of detergent after the laundry material detection in a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0228] Referring to FIG. 12, the controller 100 may, in the first supply of water, determine a first amount of detergent based on the weight of the laundry detected before the first wet laundry agitation. The controller 100 may control the detergent supply device 70 and the water supply device 50 to supply the first amount of detergent to the tub 20.

[0229] The controller 100 may, in response to the material of laundry being identified, determine a second amount of detergent based on the material of laundry. The controller 100 may control the detergent supply device 70 and the water supply device 50 to additionally supply the second amount of detergent to the tub 20.

[0230] More specifically, the controller 100 may, upon receiving a washing start command (400), detect the weight of the laundry (402), perform a dry laundry agitation (404), perform a first supply of water in which a minimum amount of detergent according to the weight of the laundry is injected together with washing water (406), perform a first wet laundry agitation (408), perform a second supply of water (410), perform a second wet laundry agitation (412), identify the material of the laundry (414), and inject an optimal amount of detergent according to the material of the laundry (416).

[0231] The washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure may inject detergent during the detection of the material of laundry, unlike the existing laundry material detection. Such a feature provides a difference in a detergent injection method, when compared with the existing laundry material detection.

[0232] In the existing laundry material detection, the detergent is injected after the laundry material detection is completed. Therefore, in the existing method, a process of injecting the optimal detergent for each material is separated. However, the washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure injects a detergent during the detection of the material of laundry, by which the minimum amount of detergent according to the weight detection result may be injected first, and then the material of laundry may be detected, and then the optimal detergent for each material of laundry may be injected.

[0233] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for describing an operation of outputting information about a start of a washing process during a laundry material detection in a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0234] Referring to FIG. 13, the controller 200 may output information about a start of a laundry material detection through the user interface 15 between a laundry weight detection and a dry laundry agitation.

[0235] The controller 200 may output information about a start of a washing process through the user interface 15 between the dry laundry agitation and the first supply of water.

[0236] More specifically, the controller 200 may, upon receiving a washing start command (500), detect the weight of the laundry (502), display a start of a laundry material detection (504), perform a dry laundry agitation (506), display a start of a washing process (508), perform a first supply of water (510), perform a first wet laundry agitation (512), perform a second supply of water (514), perform a second wet laundry agitation (516), identify the material of the laundry (518), and display the completion of the laundry material detection and the result of the laundry material identification (520).

[0237] The washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure injects a detergent during the detection of the laundry material. From the perspective of the washing cycle, since detergent is injected after detection of a dry laundry current, the corresponding point in time is considered to a starting point of a washing process, which requires a change in the existing user interface.

[0238] In the case of the existing laundry material detection, a washing process starts after a detection of laundry material, and thus information about the start of the washing process is displayed after a detection of laundry material. However, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, since a washing process, in which washing water and detergent are injected together, starts during a detection of laundry material, information about the start of the washing process may be displayed during a detection of the laundry material.

[0239] A washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes: a tub; a water level sensor configured to measure a water level of water in the tub; a drum rotatably provided in the tub and in which laundry is accommodated; a motor configured to rotate the drum; a current sensor configured to detect a driving current of the motor; and at least one processor configured to: perform a dry laundry agitation of rotating the drum before a supply of water, perform a first supply of water after the dry laundry agitation, perform a first wet laundry agitation of rotating the drum after the first supply of water, and perform a second wet laundry agitation of rotating the drum after the first wet laundry agitation, identifying a material of the laundry based on a dry laundry current value detected by the current sensor during the dry laundry agitation, an amount of change of the water level measured by the water level sensor during the first wet laundry agitation, and a wet laundry current value detected by the current sensor during the second wet laundry agitation.

[0240] The washing machine may include a memory in which a model that is trained to identify the material of the laundry is stored, wherein the at least one processor may be configured to input the dry laundry current value, the wet laundry current value, and the amount of change of the water level into the trained model to identify the material of the laundry.

[0241] The at least one processor may be configured to: determine whether to perform a second supply of water based on a water level value measured by the water level sensor after the first wet laundry agitation; perform the second supply of water after the first wet laundry agitation based on a determination to perform the second supply of water; perform the second wet laundry agitation after the second supply of water; and identify the material of the laundry based on the dry laundry current value, the wet laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, and a difference in wet laundry current values of the motor in the first wet laundry agitation and the second wet laundry agitation.

[0242] The washing machine may include a memory in which a model that is trained to identify the material of the laundry is stored, wherein the at least one processor may be configured to input the dry laundry current value, the wet laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, and the difference in the wet laundry current values into the trained model to identify the material of the laundry.

[0243] The at least one processor may be configured to determine a water supply amount of the second supply of water based on the water level value.

[0244] The washing machine may further include a detergent supply device connected to the tub through a connection pipe; and a water supply device configured to supply water to the detergent supply device such that the water mixed with the detergent in the detergent supply device is supplied along a wall surface of the tub through the connection pipe, wherein the at least one processor may be configured to control the detergent supply device and the water supply device such that water without detergent is injected into the tub in the second supply of water.

[0245] The washing machine may further include: a detergent supply device connected to the tub through a connection pipe; and a water supply device configured to supply water to the detergent supply device such that the water mixed with the detergent in the detergent supply device is supplied along a wall surface of the tub through the connection pipe, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: control the detergent supply device and the water supply device such that, in the first supply of water, a first amount of detergent determined based on a weight of the laundry detected before the first wet laundry agitation is injected into the tub; and in response to the material of the laundry being identified, control the detergent supply device and the water supply device such that a second amount of detergent determined based on the material of the laundry is additionally injected into the tub.

[0246] The water supply device may include a water supply pipe configured to connect an external water source and the detergent supply device, and a water supply valve configured to open and close the water supply pipe.

[0247] The washing machine may further include a user interface, wherein the at least one processor may be configured to control the user interface to output information about a start of a washing process between the dry laundry agitation and the first supply of water.

[0248] The at least one processor may be configured to perform a washing cycle based on the material of the laundry.

[0249] A method of controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes: performing a dry laundry agitation of rotating a drum before a supply of water; performing a first supply of water after the dry laundry agitation; performing a first wet laundry agitation of rotating the drum after the first supply of water; performing a second wet laundry agitation of rotating the drum after the first wet laundry agitation; and identifying a material of laundry accommodated in the drum based on a dry laundry current value of the motor detected during the dry laundry agitation, an amount of change of a water level of water in a tub measured during the first wet laundry agitation, and a wet laundry current value of the motor detected during the second wet laundry agitation.

[0250] The method may include a memory in which a model that is trained to identify the material of the laundry is stored, wherein the identifying of the material of the laundry may include inputting the dry laundry current value, the wet laundry current value, and the amount of change of the water level into the trained model to identify the material of the laundry.

[0251] The method may further include: determining whether to perform a second supply of water based on a water level value of the tub after the first wet laundry agitation; performing the second supply of water after the first wet laundry agitation based on a determination to perform the second supply of water; and performing the second wet laundry agitation after the second supply of water, wherein the identifying of the material of the laundry includes identifying the material of the laundry based on the dry laundry current value, the wet laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, and a difference in wet laundry current values of the motor in the first wet laundry agitation and the second wet laundry agitation.

[0252] The method may include a memory in which a model that is trained to identify the material of the laundry is stored, wherein the identifying of the material of the laundry may include inputting the dry laundry current value, the wet laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, and the difference in the wet laundry current values into the trained model to identify the material of the laundry.

[0253] The method may further include determining a water supply amount of the second supply of water based on the water level value.

[0254] The method may further include: a detergent supply device connected to the tub through a connection pipe; and a water supply device configured to supply water to the detergent supply device such that water mixed with detergent in the detergent supply device is supplied along a wall surface of the tub through the connection pipe, wherein the performing of the second supply of water may include controlling the detergent supply device and the water supply device such that water without detergent is supplied to the tub in the second supply of water supply.

[0255] The method may further include: a detergent supply device connected to the tub through a connection pipe; and a water supply device configured to supply water to the detergent supply device such that water mixed with detergent in the detergent supply device is supplied along a wall surface of the tub through the connection pipe, wherein the performing of the first supply of water may include controlling the detergent supply device and the water supply device such that a first amount of detergent determined based on the weight of the laundry detected before the first wet laundry agitation is injected into the tub in the first supply of water, and in response to the material of the laundry being identified, controlling the detergent supply device and the water supply device such that a second amount of detergent determined based on the material of the laundry is additionally injected into the tub.

[0256] The water supply device may include a water supply pipe configured to connect an external water source and the detergent supply device, and a water supply valve configured to open and close the water supply pipe.

[0257] The method may further include a user interface. The method may further include controlling the user interface to output information about a start of a washing process between the dry laundry agitation and the first supply of water.

[0258] The method may further include performing a washing cycle based on the material of the laundry.

[0259] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be embodied in the form of a recording medium storing instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code and, when executed by a processor, may generate a program module to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be embodied as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0260] The computer-readable recording medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, when a storage medium is referred to as “non-transitory,” it may be understood that the storage medium is tangible and does not include a signal (electromagnetic waves), but rather that data is semi-permanently or temporarily stored in the storage medium. For example, a “non-temporary storage medium” may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

[0261] According to an embodiment, the methods according to the various embodiments disclosed herein may be provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between a seller and a buyer as a product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed through an application store (e.g., Play Store™) online. In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be stored at least semi-permanently or may be temporarily generated in a storage medium, such as a memory of a server of a manufacturer, a server of an application store, or a relay server.

[0262] Although embodiments of the disclosure have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that these inventive concepts may be embodied in different forms without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure, and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising:a tub in which water is accommodatable;a water level sensor configured to measure a water level of water accommodated in the tub;a rotatable drum in the tub and in which laundry is accommodatable;a motor configured to rotate the drum based on a driving current applied to the motor;a current sensor configured to detect the driving current applied to the motor; andat least one processor configured to:with laundry accommodated in the drum,rotate, by the motor, the drum before water is supplied to the tub to perform a dry laundry agitation and detect a dry laundry current value corresponding to the driving current detected by the current sensor during the dry laundry agitation,supply water to the tub after the dry laundry agitation to perform a first supply of water,rotate, by the motor, the drum after the first supply of water to perform a first wet laundry agitation and detect an amount of change of the water level measured by the water level sensor during the first wet laundry agitation,rotate, by the motor, the drum after the first wet laundry agitation to perform a second wet laundry agitation and detect a wet laundry current value corresponding to the driving current detected by the current sensor during the second wet laundry agitation, andidentify a material of the laundry based on the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, and the wet laundry current value.

2. The washing machine of claim 1, further comprising:a memory storing a model that is trained to identify the material of the laundry based on the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, and the wet laundry current value,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to, with laundry accommodated in the drum, input the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, and the wet laundry current value into the trained model to identify the material of the laundry.

3. The washing machine of claim 1, whereinthe at least one processor is further configured to:with laundry accommodated in the drum,based on the water level measured by the water level sensor after the first wet laundry agitation, determine whether to supply water to the tub after the first wet laundry agitation to perform a second supply of water,based on a determination to perform the second supply of water, supply water to the tub after the first wet laundry agitation,perform the second wet laundry agitation after the second supply of water, andidentify the material of the laundry based on the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, the wet laundry current value, and a difference between another wet laundry current value corresponding to the driving current detected by the current sensor during the first wet laundry agitation and the wet laundry current value.

4. The washing machine of claim 3, further comprising:a memory storing a model that is trained to identify the material of the laundry based on the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, the wet laundry current value, and the difference,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to, with laundry accommodated in the drum, input the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, the wet laundry current value, and the difference.

5. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to, with laundry accommodated in the drum, determine a water supply amount of the second supply of water based on the water level measured by the water level sensor after the first wet laundry agitation.

6. The washing machine of claim 3, further comprising:a detergent supply device configured to accommodate detergent to be supplied to the tub and connected to the tub through a connection pipe; anda water supply device configured to supply water to the detergent supply device so that the supplied water is mixed with the detergent accommodated in the detergent supply device and the mixed water and detergent is supplied to the tub along a wall surface of the tub through the connection pipe,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to, with laundry accommodated in the drum, control the detergent supply device and the water supply device so that water without detergent is injected into the tub during the second supply of water.

7. The washing machine of claim 1, further comprising:a detergent supply device configured to accommodate detergent to be supplied to the tub and connected to the tub through a connection pipe; anda water supply device configured to supply water to the detergent supply device so that the supplied water is mixed with the detergent accommodated in the detergent supply device and the mixed water and detergent is supplied to the tub along a wall surface of the tub through the connection pipe,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:with laundry accommodated in the drum,determine a first amount of detergent to be supplied to the tub based on a weight of the laundry detected before the first wet laundry agitation,control the detergent supply device and the water supply device so that, during the first supply of water, the first amount of detergent is injected into the tub,determine a second amount of detergent to be supplied to the tub based on the identified material of the laundry, andin response to the material of the laundry being identified, control the detergent supply device and the water supply device so that the second amount of detergent is additionally injected into the tub.

8. The washing machine of claim 7, whereinthe water supply device includes:a water supply pipe connecting an external water source and the detergent supply device, anda water supply valve configured to open and close to respectively open and close the water supply pipe.

9. The washing machine of claim 1, further comprising:a user interface,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to, with laundry accommodated in the drum, control the user interface to output information about a start of a washing process between the dry laundry agitation and the first supply of water.

10. The washing machine of claim 9, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to, with laundry accommodated in the drum, perform a washing cycle based on the identified material of the laundry.

11. A method of controlling a washing machine including a tub in which water is accommodatable, a water level sensor configured to measure a water level of water accommodated in the tub, a rotatable drum in the tub and in which laundry is accommodatable, a motor configured to rotate the drum based on a driving current applied to the motor, a current sensor configured to detect the driving current applied to the motor, and at least one processor, the method comprising:by the at least one processor,with laundry accommodated in the drum,rotating, by the motor, the drum before water is supplied to the tub to perform a dry laundry agitation and detecting a dry laundry current value corresponding to the driving current detected by the current sensor during the dry laundry agitation,supplying water to the tub after the dry laundry agitation to perform a first supply of water,rotating, by the motor, the drum after the first supply of water to perform a first wet laundry agitation and detecting an amount of change of the water level measured by the water level sensor during the first wet laundry agitation,rotating, by the motor, the drum after the first wet laundry agitation to perform a second wet laundry agitation and detecting a wet laundry current value corresponding to the driving current detected by the current sensor during the second wet laundry agitation; andidentifying a material of the laundry based on the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of a water level, and the wet laundry current value.

12. The method of claim 11, whereinthe washing machine further includes a memory storing a model that is trained to identify the material of the laundry based on the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, and the wet laundry current value, andthe identifying of the material of the laundry further includes inputting the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, and the wet laundry current value into the trained model to identify the material of the laundry.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:by the at least one processor,with laundry accommodated in the drum,based on the water level measured by the water level sensor after the first wet laundry agitation, determining whether to supply water to the tub after the first wet laundry agitation to perform a second supply of water,based on a determination to perform the second supply of water, supplying water to the tub after the first wet laundry agitation, andperforming the second wet laundry agitation after the second supply of water,wherein the identifying of the material of the laundry includes identifying the material of the laundry based on the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, the wet laundry current value, and a difference between another wet laundry current value corresponding to the driving current detected by the current sensor during the first wet laundry agitation and the wet laundry current value.

14. The method of claim 13, whereinthe washing machine further includes a memory storing a model that is trained to identify the material of the laundry based on the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, the wet laundry current value, and the difference, andthe identifying of the material of the laundry includes inputting the dry laundry current value, the amount of change of the water level, the wet laundry current value, and the difference into the trained model to identify the material of the laundry.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:by the at least one processor,with laundry accommodated in the drum,determining a water supply amount of the second supply of water based on the water level measured by the water level sensor after the first wet laundry agitation.

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