Washing machine and control method thereof

Abstract

A washing machine includes: a cabinet having an inlet disposed on an upper part thereof; a tub disposed inside the cabinet and configured to accommodate washing water; a rotating drum rotatably disposed inside the tub; a pulsator rotatably disposed at an inner bottom of the rotating drum; a driving device configured to drive the rotating drum and the pulsator; and at least one processor, comprising processing circuitry, individually and / or collectively, configured to cause the washing machine to perform washing and dehydration processes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT / KR2025 / 006654 designating the United States, filed on May 16, 2025, in the Korean Intellectual Property Receiving Office and claiming priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0118608, filed on Sep. 2, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.BACKGROUNDField

[0002] The disclosure relates to a washing machine and a control method thereof.Description of Related Art

[0003] A washing machine refers to a device for washing clothes using electrical power, and may largely be classified into top-load and front-load types depending on a method of loading laundry.

[0004] The top-load type may have a simpler structure than the front-load type. A general top-load type washing machine may include a rotating drum rotatably installed inside a tub to store washing water.

[0005] However, a drainage process may generally be designed to be performed together if a driving device is operated to rotate the rotating drum, thus making it impossible to perform motor-driven water supply for supplying the water to the tub while rotating the rotating drum.

[0006] For example, while the rotating drum is stopped, a dripping region of the supplied water may be limited, and accordingly, the clothes placed inside the rotating drum may not be smoothly wetted. Accordingly, the accuracy of a process for detecting a weight of the laundry that has absorbed the water to determine a method for performing washing and dehydration processes may be reduced. As a result, the clothes may not be sufficiently wetted during a water supply process, thereby reducing washing efficiency of the washing machine.SUMMARY

[0007] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a washing machine including: a cabinet having an inlet disposed on an upper part thereof; a tub disposed inside the cabinet and configured to accommodate washing water; a rotating drum rotatably disposed inside the tub; a pulsator rotatably disposed at an inner bottom of the rotating drum; a driving device comprising a motor configured to drive the rotating drum and the pulsator; and at least one processor, comprising processing circuitry, individually and / or collectively, configured to perform washing and dehydration processes.

[0008] The driving device may include: a driving motor configured to generate a driving force, and a rotating shaft configured to transmit the driving force generated by the driving motor to the rotating drum and the pulsator, respectively.

[0009] At least one processor, individually and / or collectively, may be configured to control the driving device to be operated in a first mode to drive only the pulsator based on the washing process being initiated.

[0010] A rotation speed of the pulsator while the washing water is supplied after the washing process is initiated may be lower than a rotation speed of the pulsator while no washing water is supplied during the washing process.

[0011] At least one processor, individually and / or collectively, may be configured to control the driving device to be operated in a second mode to drive both the rotating drum and the pulsator, and to open a drain valve to drain the washing water accommodated inside the tub, based on the dehydration process being initiated.

[0012] The rotating drum may be disposed inside the tub and configured to be rotated together with a rotation of the pulsator in the first mode.

[0013] At least one processor, individually and / or collectively, may be configured to: open a water supply valve to supply the water to the tub based on the washing process being initiated, and control the driving device to rotate the pulsator for a specified first time and then stop the pulsator for a specified second time, and rotate the pulsator for the first time again.

[0014] At least one processor, individually and / or collectively, may be configured to: open a water supply valve to supply the water to the tub based on the washing process being initiated, and control the driving device to rotate the pulsator in a first direction for a specified first time and then stop the pulsator for a specified second time, and rotate the pulsator in a second direction opposite to the first direction for the first time again.

[0015] At least one processor, individually and / or collectively, may be configured to: control a rotation speed of the driving motor to 25 revolutions per minute (RPM) or less while the washing water is supplied in the washing process.

[0016] The pulsator may be configured to be rotated at 1 / 5.3 of the rotation speed of the driving motor while the washing process is performed.

[0017] At least one processor, individually and / or collectively, may be configured to cause the washing machine to: detect a weight of a laundry loaded inside the rotating drum by controlling the driving device to be operated in the second mode based on the washing process being initiated, determine an amount of washing water to be supplied to the tub based on the detected weight of the laundry, and control the driving device to be operated in the first mode for a time during which the determined amount of washing water is supplied to the tub.

[0018] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a control method of a washing machine, which includes a tub, and a rotating drum rotatably disposed inside the tub, the method including: supplying water to the tub by opening a water supply valve based on a washing process being initiated; and performing an operation in a first mode for driving only a pulsator rotatably disposed at an inner bottom of the rotating drum while the water is supplied to the tub.

[0019] A rotation speed of the pulsator while the water is supplied to the tub may be lower than a rotation speed of the pulsator while no water is supplied during the washing process.

[0020] The method may further include performing an operation to be performed in a second mode for driving both the rotating drum and the pulsator based on a dehydration process being initiated after the washing process is finished.

[0021] The rotating drum may be installed inside the tub to be rotated together with a rotation of the pulsator during the operation in the first mode.

[0022] The performing of the operation in the first mode may include rotating the pulsator for a specified first time and then stopping the pulsator based on the water being supplied to the tub, and rotating the pulsator for the first time again based on a specified second time elapses after the pulsator is stopped.

[0023] The performing of the operation in the first mode may include rotating the pulsator in a first direction for a predetermined first time and then stopping the pulsator if the water is supplied to the tub, and rotating the pulsator in a second direction opposite to the first direction for the first time again if a predetermined second time elapses after the pulsator is stopped.

[0024] In the performing of the operation in the first mode, a rotation speed of a driving motor for rotating the pulsator may be adjusted to 25 revolutions per minute (RPM) or less.

[0025] The pulsator may be rotated at 1 / 5.3 of the rotation speed of the driving motor while the washing process is performed.

[0026] In the performing of the operation in the first mode, the pulsator may be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example washing machine according to various embodiments;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the washing machine according to various embodiments;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the washing machine according to various embodiments;

[0031] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the washing machine according to various embodiments;

[0032] FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating a rotation speed of a pulsator during a water supply process for the washing machine according to various embodiments;

[0033] FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating a rotation speed of the pulsator during the water supply process for the washing machine according to various embodiments;

[0034] FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating a rotation speed of the pulsator during an initial stage of the washing process according to various embodiments; and

[0035] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of the washing machine according to various embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] It should be understood that various example embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit technical features described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments, and rather are intended to include various modifications, equivalents, and substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.

[0037] Throughout the accompanying drawings, similar components are denoted by similar reference numerals.

[0038] A singular noun corresponding to an item is intended to include one or more of the items unless a relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0039] In the present disclosure, an expression such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B”, “A, B, or C”, “at least one of A, B, and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, or the like may include any one of the items listed together or all possible combinations thereof.

[0040] A term “and / or” includes any one or a combination of a plurality of related items.

[0041] Terms such as “first” and “second” may be used merely to distinguish one element from another, and do not imply any limitation on the corresponding components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).

[0042] If a component (for example, a first component) is described as being “coupled to” or “connected to” another component (for example, a second component), with or without terms “operatively” or “communicatively”, it should be understood that the component may be coupled to another component directly (e.g., in a wired manner), in a wireless manner, or through a third component.

[0043] It should be further understood that terms “include”, “have”, or the like, as used in this disclosure, specify the presence of features, numerals, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof mentioned in the disclosure, and do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numerals, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0044] If a component is referred to as being “connected”, “coupled”, “supported”, or “in contact” with another component, it includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact with each other, but also cases where the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact with each other through a third component.

[0045] If a component is referred to as being disposed “on” another component, it includes not only a case where the component is in contact with another component, but also a case where yet another component exists between the two components.

[0046] Hereinafter, a washing machine according to various example embodiments will be described in greater detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0047] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example washing machine according to various embodiments.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 1, a washing machine 1 may include a cabinet 10 including an inlet disposed on an upper part thereof, a tub 20 disposed inside the cabinet 10 to accommodate washing water, a rotating drum 30 rotatably disposed inside the tub 20 to accommodate laundry, a pulsator 40 rotatably disposed at an inner bottom of the rotating drum 30, and a driving device 50 for driving the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40.

[0049] The cabinet 10 may include an inlet 11 disposed on the upper part of the cabinet 10 to load the laundry, and a cover 12 rotatably installed on the cabinet 10 to open and close the inlet 11.

[0050] The tub 20 may, for example, and without limitation, have a circular or cylindrical shape with an open top, and may be coupled to the cabinet 10 by a plurality of buffer devices 21 coupled to a lower outer surface of the tub 20. Each buffer device 21 is a component for minimizing and / or reducing movement of the tub 20 by absorbing vibration caused by operations of the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40. The shape and structure of the buffer device 21 are not necessarily limited to those shown in the drawings, and may be represented in various alternative embodiments.

[0051] The rotating drum 30 may have a shape corresponding to that of the tub 20. In other words, the rotating drum 30 may have a cylindrical shape with an open top. The rotating drum 30 may have a plurality of dehydration holes 31 in an outer peripheral surface to enable its inner space to communicate with an inner space of the tub 20. Accordingly, if the washing water is supplied to the tub 20, the tub 20 and the rotating drum 30 may have the same water level.

[0052] The pulsator 40 may generate a water flow in the washing water accommodated inside the tub 20 and the rotating drum 30 by being rotated in a forward (clockwise) or reverse (counterclockwise) direction. The laundry accommodated inside the rotating drum 30 may be stirred together with the washing water by the water flow generated by the pulsator 40.

[0053] The driving device 50 may refer, for example, to a component for driving the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 using a driving force generated by receiving power. The driving device 50 may include a driving motor 51 for generating the driving force, and a rotating shaft 52 for transmitting the driving force generated by the driving motor 51 to the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40, respectively.

[0054] The driving device 50 may further include a clutch 53. The clutch 53 may refer, for example, to a component for selectively transmitting the driving force generated by the driving motor 51 to the rotating drum 30 and / or the pulsator 40.

[0055] In the present disclosure, the rotating shaft 52 and the clutch 53 may be referred to as power transmitting devices. The power transmitting device may be included in the driving device 50. For example, the power transmitting device is a component for transmitting the driving force generated by the driving motor 51 either to the pulsator 40 alone or simultaneously to the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40.

[0056] Each component included in the driving device 50 may be disposed at the bottom of the tub 20. That is, the driving motor 51 and the power transmitting device may be disposed between the bottom of the cabinet 10 and the bottom of the tub 20.

[0057] The driving motor 51 may include a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor capable of controlling a rotation speed in various ways, and may include a stator and a rotor. However, the driving motor 51 is not necessarily limited to this type and may include various types of motors depending on an embodiment.

[0058] The power transmitting device may further include a component directly coupled to the driving motor 51, such as a timing belt (not shown), in addition to the rotating shaft 52 and the clutch 53.

[0059] The rotating shaft 52 may refer, for example, to a component for transmitting the driving force generated by the driving motor 51 to the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40, respectively.

[0060] The rotating shaft 52 may include a first rotating shaft 521 and a second rotating shaft 522. The power transmitting device may transmit the driving force from the driving motor 51 to the first rotating shaft 521 and / or the second rotating shaft 522.

[0061] The first rotating shaft 521 and the second rotating shaft 522 may have the same center point. For example, the second rotating shaft 522 may surround an outer peripheral surface of the first rotating shaft 521.

[0062] The first rotating shaft 521 may refer, for example, to a component for rotating the pulsator 40, and may have one end coupled to the pulsator 40. The second rotating shaft 522 is a component for rotating the rotating drum 30, and may have one end coupled to the rotating drum 30.

[0063] The clutch 53 may refer, for example, to a component coupled with the driving motor 51 and the rotating shaft 52 to selectively transmit the driving force generated by the driving motor 51 to the first rotating shaft 521 or the second rotating shaft 522.

[0064] For example, if a coupling state of the clutch 53 is changed, the driving force from the driving motor 51 may be transmitted only to the first rotating shaft 521, or to both the first rotating shaft 521 and the second rotating shaft 522.

[0065] If the driving force from the driving motor 51 is transmitted only to the first rotating shaft 521, only the pulsator 40 may be driven, and if the driving force is transmitted to both the first rotating shaft 521 and the second rotating shaft 522, both the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 may be driven. The driving may include a rotational motion by the driving force from the driving motor 51.

[0066] However, even if the driving force from the driving motor 51 is transmitted only to the first rotating shaft 521, the rotating drum 30 may be rotated together with the operation of the pulsator 40. For example, even if the clutch 53 is coupled to the rotating shaft 52 to transmit the driving force from the driving motor 51 only to the first rotating shaft 521, the rotating drum 30 may be coupled to the second rotating shaft 522 in a state where the rotating drum 30 may be moved regardless of the operation of the driving motor 51.

[0067] In other words, if a washing process is performed, the driving force from the driving motor 51 may be transmitted only to the first rotating shaft 521 and not to the second rotating shaft 522.

[0068] However, the rotating drum 30 may not be fixed by a separate component to prevent its movement while the pulsator 40 is rotated, and thus be moved by any physical force applied to the rotating drum 30 as the pulsator 40 is rotated.

[0069] Here, any physical force may be a centrifugal force generated by a load of the water accommodated inside the tub 20 and the laundry accommodated inside the rotating drum 30 as the pulsator 40 is rotated.

[0070] If the pulsator 40 is rotated, the rotational water flow may be generated in the water accommodated inside the tub 20, and the centrifugal force may be generated toward the outside of the tub 20 while having a magnitude proportional to the load of the water. In addition, the laundry accommodated inside the rotating drum 30 may also be rotated together with the water, and the centrifugal force may thus be generated toward the outside of the rotating drum 30 while having a magnitude proportional to the load of the laundry.

[0071] In this way, as the water accommodated inside the tub 20 and the laundry accommodated inside the rotating drum 30 is rotated, the centrifugal force that pushes an inner peripheral surface of the rotating drum 30 outward may be applied to the rotating drum 30, and the rotating drum 30 may be rotated even if the driving force generated by the driving motor 51 is not transmitted thereto.

[0072] The driving device 50 may further include an actuator 54. The actuator 54 is a component for changing the coupling state of the clutch 53. The actuator 54 may be a motor that generates rotational power, and may be, for example, a servo motor. However, the actuator 54 is not necessarily limited to the motor that generates rotational power, and may use a hydraulic cylinder or a linear motor.

[0073] If the actuator 54 receives power and is driven, the clutch 53 may be controlled by the actuator 54. In other words, the power transmitting device may be raised or lowered by the actuator 54 controlling the clutch 53, and accordingly, the driving force generated by the driving motor 51 may be transmitted only to the first rotating shaft 521 or to both the first rotating shaft 521 and the second rotating shaft 522.

[0074] If only the pulsator 40 is rotated by the driving force of the driving motor 51, the driving device 50 is defined as being operated in a first mode, and if both the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 are rotated, the driving device 50 is defined as being operated in a second mode.

[0075] In the present disclosure, the fact that the washing machine 1 is operated in the first mode or the second mode may also indicate that the driving device 50 is operated in the first mode or the second mode.

[0076] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the washing machine according to various embodiments.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 2, the washing machine 1 may include a processor 100 and a memory 200.

[0078] The processor 100 may include various processing circuitry and is a component for controlling overall operations of the washing machine 1. A detailed description of the processor 100 is provided below with reference to FIG. 3, in connection with a configuration subject to control by the processor 100.

[0079] The memory 200 may store at least one instruction related to the washing machine 1. In addition, the memory 200 may store an operating system (O / S) and data for operating the washing machine 1. Such instructions may include instructions for controlling various components of the washing machine 1 as the washing process or a dehydration process described below is performed, an instruction for determining an amount of washing water corresponding to a detected weight of the laundry, an instruction for opening a water supply valve 800 (see FIG. 3) for a predetermined time based on the amount of washing water to be supplied, or the like.

[0080] The memory 200 may include a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, a magnetic storage medium such as a hard disk. For example, the memory 200 may store various software modules for operating the washing machine 1 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, and the processor 100 may control the operation of the washing machine 1 by executing various software modules stored in the memory 200. For example, the memory 200 may be accessed by the processor 100, and reading / recording / modifying / deleting / updating / the like of data may be performed by the processor 100.

[0081] The memory 200 may be provided as a separate component from the processor 100, may also be implemented in the form of a read-only memory (ROM) or a random-access memory (RAM) disposed within the processor 100, or may be implemented in various external storage media (e.g., micro secure digital (SD) card or memory stick) mounted on the washing machine 1. In the present disclosure, the memory 200 may be used as a concept including all of these forms.

[0082] The memory 200 may include information on the control of the driving device 50 corresponding to the washing process and the dehydration process. For example, the memory 200 may include data for opening the water supply valve 800 and operating the driving device 50 in the first mode if the washing process is initiated, and data for opening a drain valve 900 (see FIG. 3) and operating the driving device 50 in the second mode if the dehydration process is initiated, or the like. The information or data may be considered equivalent to the instruction. The processor 100 may control the overall operations of the washing machine 1 by executing at least one instruction stored in the memory 200 as described above.

[0083] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the washing machine according to various embodiments.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 3, the washing machine 1 may further include an interface device 300, a display device 400, a sensor device 500, a driving motor 600, an actuator 700, the water supply valve 800, and the drain valve 900.

[0085] The processor 100 may include various processing circuitry (see below) and is a component for performing the washing and dehydration processes of the washing machine 1. For example, the processor 100 may perform various control operations to open the water supply valve 800 of a water supply unit (not shown) and rotate the driving motor 600 and / or the actuator 700 to perform the water supply and washing processes if a user command for performing the washing process is input into the washing machine 1 through the interface device 300.

[0086] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to be operated in the first mode for driving only the pulsator 40 if the washing process is initiated.

[0087] A rotation speed of the pulsator 40 while the washing water is supplied after the washing process is initiated may be lower than a rotation speed of the pulsator 40 while no washing water is supplied during the washing process.

[0088] The processor 100 may perform the various control operations to open the drain valve 900 of a drain device (not shown) and rotate the driving motor 600 and / or the actuator 700 if the dehydration process is initiated.

[0089] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to be operated in the second mode for driving both the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 if the dehydration process is initiated. In addition, the processor 100 may open the drain valve 900 to drain the washing water accommodated inside the tub 20.

[0090] The processor 100 may apply power to the actuator 700 to selectively change a configuration rotated by the driving motor 600 if the washing and dehydration processes are performed.

[0091] By the operation of the actuator 700, the washing machine 1 may be operated in the first mode or the second mode. Here, the first mode and the second mode are as described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0092] The processor 100 may include at least one processor. At least one processor may include at least one of a central processing unit (CPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), or a neural processing unit (NPU), and is not limited to the examples of the processor 100 described above. Thus, the processor 100 may include various processing circuitry and / or multiple processors. For example, as used herein, including the claims, the term “processor” may include various processing circuitry, including at least one processor, wherein one or more of at least one processor, individually and / or collectively in a distributed manner, may be configured to perform various functions described herein. As used herein, when “a processor”, “at least one processor”, and “one or more processors” are described as being configured to perform numerous functions, these terms cover situations, for example and without limitation, in which one processor performs some of recited functions and another processor(s) performs other of recited functions, and also situations in which a single processor may perform all recited functions. Additionally, the at least one processor may include a combination of processors performing various of the recited / disclosed functions, e.g., in a distributed manner. At least one processor may execute program instructions to achieve or perform various functions.

[0093] The CPU may refer, for example, to a general-purpose processor that may perform not only general operations but also artificial intelligence operations, and may efficiently execute complex programs through a multi-layer cache structure. The CPU is advantageous in performing a serial processing method that enables an organic linkage between a previous calculation result and a subsequent calculation result through sequential calculation. The general-purpose processor is not limited to the above-mentioned examples unless otherwise specified as the above-mentioned CPU.

[0094] The GPU may refer, for example, to a processor for large-scale operations such as floating point operations used in graphic processing, and may perform the large-scale operations in parallel by integrating a large number of cores. For example, the GPU may be advantageous over the CPU in parallel processing methods such as convolution operations. In addition, the GPU may be used as an auxiliary processor (co-processor) to supplement the function of the CPU. The processor for the large-scale operations is not limited to the above-mentioned examples unless otherwise specified as the above-mentioned GPU.

[0095] The NPU may refer, for example, to a processor specialized for the artificial intelligence operations using artificial neural networks, and each layer included in the artificial neural network may be implemented in hardware (e.g., silicon). The NPU may be specifically designed based on requirements of a company, may thus have less freedom than the CPU or the GPU, and may efficiently process the artificial intelligence operations requested by the company. As the processor specialized for the artificial intelligence operations, the NPU may be implemented in various forms such as a tensor processing unit (TPU), an intelligence processing unit (IPU), and a vision processing unit (VPU). An artificial intelligence processor is not limited to the above examples unless otherwise specified as the above-mentioned NPU.

[0096] In addition, at least one processor 100 may be implemented as a system on chip (SoC). The SoC may further include the memory 200 and a network interface such as a bus for data communication between the processor 100 and the memory 200 in addition to at least one processor 100.

[0097] If the SoC included in the washing machine 1 includes the plurality of processors 100, the washing machine 1 may perform an operation related to an artificial intelligence (for example, an operation related to learning or inference of an artificial intelligence model) using some of the plurality of processors 100. For example, the washing machine 1 may perform the operation related to an artificial intelligence using at least one of the GPU, the NPU, the VPU, the TPU, or a hardware accelerator specialized for the artificial intelligence operations, such as a convolution operation or a matrix multiplication operation, among the plurality of processors 100. However, this case is merely an example, and the operation related to artificial intelligence may be processed using the CPU or the general-purpose processor 100.

[0098] The interface device 300 may include various interface circuitry including, for example, and without limitation, a button input device that provides the user command for selecting an operation mode of the washing machine 1. For example, the button input device may be a button for selecting the washing mode, the dehydration mode, a rinse mode, or the like.

[0099] The user command may be input into the washing machine 1 through the interface device 300, and accordingly, the washing machine 1 may perform various operations.

[0100] The display device 400 may include a display and display a current operation state of the washing machine 1 operated based on the user command.

[0101] For example, the display device 400 may display various state information, such as the washing process currently being performed and a remaining time of the washing process being performed.

[0102] The processor 100 may control the display device 400 to display changed washing information if the information on the washing process is changed. Alternatively, the processor 100 may control the display device 400 to display information on the dehydration process.

[0103] The sensor device 500 may include at least one sensor and is a component for detecting a level of the washing water accommodated inside the tub 20 or detecting a weight of the laundry accommodated inside the rotating drum 30. Although not shown in detail in the drawing, the sensor device 500 may include a water level detection sensor, a weight detection sensor, or the like.

[0104] Each sensing value detected by the sensor device 500 may be transmitted to the processor 100. The sensing value may use information measured at a corresponding moment or an average value of a corresponding periodic unit.

[0105] In the present disclosure, the sensor device 500 is described as including, for example, the water level detection sensor, the weight detection sensor, or the like. However, the sensor device 500 may additionally use other sensors other than the sensors described above.

[0106] The processor 100 may control the washing machine 1 based on the sensing value detected by the sensor device 500.

[0107] The processor 100 may control the driving motor 600, the actuator 700, the water supply valve 800, and the drain valve 900 based on the user command input through the interface device 300 or the sensing value sensed by the sensor device 500.

[0108] Descriptions of the driving motor 600 and the actuator 700 are omitted to an extent that the descriptions overlap with the descriptions provided above.

[0109] Referring to FIG. 4, the driving motor 600 may generate the driving force as controlled by the processor 100, and the driving force generated by the driving motor 600 may be transmitted to a rotating drum 620 and a pulsator 630 by a power transmitting device 610. The power transmitting device 610 may include a clutch 611 and a rotating shaft 612.

[0110] The actuator 700 may control the power transmitting device 610 as controlled by the processor 100. The actuator 700 may selectively transmit the driving force from the driving motor 600 to the rotating drum 620 or the pulsator 630 by controlling the clutch 611.

[0111] The processor 100 may control the washing machine 1 to perform the washing and dehydration processes.

[0112] The washing process may include the water supply process that supplies the washing water to the tub 20, and the washing process that stirs supplied the washing water with the laundry. The washing water may not be supplied to the washing process except for the water supply process.

[0113] In other words, a time at which the water supply valve 800 (see FIG. 3) is opened during the washing process may be limited to the water supply process. However, the water supply process and the washing process are not necessarily performed sequentially one time each in the washing process, and the water supply process and the washing process may be performed multiple times in any order.

[0114] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to be operated in the first mode for rotating only the pulsator 630 if the washing process is initiated.

[0115] In addition, the processor 100 may control the water supply valve 800 to be opened if the washing process is initiated.

[0116] If the water supply valve 800 is opened, the water supply process may be performed in which the washing water is supplied from an external water source.

[0117] The processor 100 may operate the washing machine 1 in the first mode. The processor 100 may control the actuator 700 to rotate the driving motor 600 and transmit the driving force from the driving motor 600 only to the pulsator 630.

[0118] In other words, if the processor 100 operates the washing machine 1 in the first mode, the processor 100 may control the actuator 700 to cause the power transmitting device 610 to enable the driving force from the driving motor 600 to be transmitted only to the pulsator 630.

[0119] In this process, a coupling method of the clutch 611 may be changed. As the coupling method of the clutch 611 is changed, the driving force from the driving motor 600 may be transmitted only to the pulsator 630.

[0120] The processor 100 may control the washing machine 1 to perform the washing process if the water supply process for a predetermined (e.g., specified) time is finished. During the washing process, the processor 100 may operate the washing machine 1 in the first mode.

[0121] However, the processor 100 may control the driving motor 600 in the washing process to be rotated at a faster speed than a rotation speed of the driving motor 600 in the water supply process.

[0122] In other words, the rotation speed of the driving motor 600 in the water supply process may be lower than the rotation speed of the driving motor 600 in the washing process.

[0123] For example, the processor 100 may control the driving motor 600 to operate a rotation speed of the pulsator 630 in the water supply process at a lower speed than in the washing process.

[0124] The water supply process and the washing process are described as being performed sequentially one time each in the washing process. However, a process for the washing process is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the washing machine 1 may determine the washing process based on the amount and type of the loaded laundry, and the determined washing process may alternately include multiple times of the water supply process and the washing process.

[0125] The processor 100 may control the washing machine 1 to perform the dehydration process. If the dehydration process is initiated, the processor 100 may control the washing machine 1 to be operated in the second mode.

[0126] While the dehydration process is performed, the processor 100 may control the driving motor 600 and the actuator 700 to rotate both the rotating drum 620 and the pulsator 630. As the actuator 700 is controlled by the processor 100 to be operated in the second mode, the coupling state of the clutch 611 may be changed, and the driving force generated from the driving motor 600 may thus be transmitted to the rotating drum 620 and the pulsator 630, respectively.

[0127] While the dehydration process is performed, the processor 100 may also open the drain valve 900 (see FIG. 3) to drain the washing water accommodated inside the tub 20.

[0128] As described above, the rotating drum 620 may be installed to be rotated together with the pulsator 630 as the pulsator 630 is rotated if the washing machine 1 is operated in the first mode.

[0129] For example, the rotating drum 620 may also be rotated as the washing machine 1 is operated in the first mode and the pulsator 630 is thus rotated at a low speed if the washing process is initiated and the water supply process is performed.

[0130] As the rotating drum 620 is rotated, the laundry accommodated inside the rotating drum 620 may also be rotated. Accordingly, the washing water supplied in the water supply process may reach various regions of the laundry, and wetting of the laundry, which is a degree to which the laundry is stirred by the washing water, may be effectively performed.

[0131] The wetting of the laundry is a factor affecting washing efficiency of the laundry. For example, the more efficient the wetting of the laundry is, the better the stirring between the laundry and the washing water becomes. The washing efficiency of the laundry may therefore be determined by a degree of stirring the laundry with the washing water. Accordingly, the washing efficiency of the washing machine 1 may be determined based on how effectively the laundry is wetted.

[0132] Therefore, the washing machine 1 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may implement a “motor-driven water supply” in which the rotating drum 630 is rotated together in the water supply process, thereby increasing the washing efficiency.

[0133] FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating example rotation speed of the pulsator during the water supply process for the washing machine according to various embodiments.

[0134] Referring to FIG. 5, the processor 100 may open the water supply valve 800 (see FIG. 3) to supply the water to the tub 20 if the washing process is initiated, and control the driving device 50 to rotate the pulsator 40 for a predetermined first time, then stop the pulsator 40 for a predetermined second time, and rotate the pulsator 40 for the first time again.

[0135] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to cause the pulsator 40 to maintain a stationary state for the predetermined (e.g., specified) time immediately after the water supply valve 800 is opened. The time for the pulsator 40 to maintain the stationary state may be set in various ways and may be set by a manufacturer during a manufacturing process for the washing machine 1.

[0136] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to be in the first mode for the predetermined first time. The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to transmit the driving force from the driving motor 51 only to the pulsator 40.

[0137] The driving motor 51 and the rotating shaft 52 may be coupled to each other while having a predetermined gear ratio. In the present disclosure, the driving motor 51 and the first rotating shaft 521 may be coupled to each other while having a gear ratio of about 5.3 to 1.

[0138] The processor 100 may operate the driving motor 51 to have a rotation speed of 25 revolutions per minute (RPM) or less. In other words, the processor 100 may control the rotation speed of the driving motor 51 to 25 RPM or less while the washing water is supplied in the washing process. That is, the processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to rotate the pulsator 40 at a rotation speed of about 5 RPM.

[0139] Referring to FIG. 5, the predetermined first time is shown as about 8 seconds. However, the predetermined time is not necessarily limited to what is shown in the drawing, and likewise, the second time described below is not necessarily limited to the illustrated example. In addition, the above-described examples of the gear ratio and the rotation speed are only examples and are not necessarily limited thereto.

[0140] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to cause the pulsator 40 to maintain the stationary state for the predetermined second time after the predetermined first time elapses. In the drawing, the predetermined second time is shown to be about 1 second, and is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0141] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to rotate the pulsator 40 at about 5 RPM for the first time again after the predetermined second time elapses. Next, after the first time elapses, the processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to cause the pulsator 40 to maintain the stationary state.

[0142] FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating example rotation speed of the pulsator during the water supply process for the washing machine according to various embodiments.

[0143] Referring to FIG. 6, the processor 100 may open the water supply valve 800 (see FIG. 3) to supply the water to the tub 20 if the washing process is initiated, and control the driving device 50 to rotate the pulsator 40 in a first direction for the predetermined first time and then stop the pulsator 40 for the predetermined (e.g., specified) second time, and rotate the pulsator 40 in a second direction opposite to the first direction for the first time again.

[0144] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to cause the pulsator 40 to maintain the stationary state for the predetermined time immediately after the water supply valve 800 is opened.

[0145] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to be in the first mode to transmit the driving force from the driving motor 51 only to the pulsator 40 for the predetermined first time, and if the first time elapses, the processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to cause the pulsator 40 to maintain the stationary state for the predetermined second time.

[0146] The first time and the second time in providing the description with reference to FIG. 6 may be the same time as the first time and the second time in providing the description with reference to FIG. 5, and are not necessarily limited thereto. The first and second times in FIGS. 5 and 6 may each represent individual times.

[0147] If the second time elapses, the processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to rotate the pulsator 40 in an opposite direction to a previous rotation direction.

[0148] For example, in case that the washing process is initiated and the driving device 50 is controlled to initially rotate the pulsator 40, if a rotation direction of the pulsator 40 is clockwise, the driving device may be controlled to rotate the pulsator 40 in the opposite direction, that is, counterclockwise.

[0149] A time for controlling the driving device 50 to rotate the pulsator 40 counterclockwise may be the same as the first time for controlling the driving device 50 to rotate the pulsator 40 clockwise. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the processor 100 may control the pulsator 40 to maintain a rotation state for different times depending on the rotation direction.

[0150] FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating example rotation speed of the pulsator during an initial stage of the washing process according to various embodiments.

[0151] Referring to FIG. 7, the processor 100 may detect the weight of the laundry loaded inside the rotating drum 30 by controlling the driving device 50 to be operated in the second mode if the washing process is initiated, determine the amount of washing water to be supplied to the tub 20 based on the detected weight of the laundry, and control the driving device 50 to be operated in the first mode for the time during which the determined amount of washing water is supplied to the tub 20.

[0152] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to perform a process for detecting the weight of the laundry before opening the water supply valve 800 (see FIG. 3) immediately after the washing process is initiated.

[0153] Referring to region A in FIG. 7, the processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to rotate the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 for a predetermined time immediately after the washing process is initiated.

[0154] The processor 100 may control the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 to be rotated at a high speed multiple times. Referring to FIG. 7, it is shown that the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 are controlled to be rotated at the high speed three times during one weight detection process, and are not necessarily limited thereto.

[0155] In this case, the processor 100 may control the actuator 54 to transmit the driving force generated by the driving motor 51 to the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 through the first rotating shaft 521 and the second rotating shaft 522.

[0156] A horizontal axis in FIG. 7 indicates time, and a vertical axis indicates the rotation speed (rpm) of the pulsator 40. As the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 are rotated by the processor 100, the laundry accommodated inside the rotating drum 30 may also be rotated.

[0157] The weight detection sensor may sense the centrifugal force of the rotating drum 30. Depending on the amount of laundry accommodated inside the rotating drum 30, a magnitude of the centrifugal force applied to the rotating drum 30 may vary if the rotating drum 30 is rotated.

[0158] Information on the centrifugal force in a case where the inside of the rotating drum 30 is empty may be stored in the memory 200.

[0159] The processor 100 may calculate the weight of the laundry loaded inside the washing machine 1 using the information on the centrifugal force generated in the rotating drum 30 sensed by the sensor device 500 if the laundry is accommodated inside the rotating drum 30 and the centrifugal force in the case where the inside of the rotating drum 30 is empty.

[0160] The processor 100 may determine a corresponding water supply amount based on the calculated weight of the laundry. Information on the calculated laundry and the corresponding required water supply amount may be pre-stored in the memory during the manufacturing process for the washing machine 1 by the manufacturer.

[0161] If the water supply amount is determined, the processor 100 may initiate the water supply process. If the water supply process is initiated, the processor 100 may control the actuator 54. The processor 100 may control the power transmitting device to transmit the driving force generated by the driving motor 51 only to the pulsator 40 through the first rotating shaft 521.

[0162] The time for opening the water supply valve 800 may be determined based on the determined water supply amount. Information on the opening time of the water supply valve 800 based on the water supply amount may be pre-stored in the memory 200 during the manufacturing process for the washing machine 1.

[0163] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to be operated in the first mode during the time for opening the water supply valve 800.

[0164] In other words, region A represents the weight detection process, and region B then represents the water supply process. A detailed description of the operation of the washing machine 1 in the water supply process is the same as or similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 above, and the same description may not be repeated here.

[0165] Region C represents a laundry-quality detection process. Quality detection refers to a process for determining the type of laundry accommodated inside the rotating drum 30. The amount of water absorbed may vary depending on the laundry quality, the laundry having the laundry quality that absorbs water efficiently may have a larger load than in the weight detection process, and the laundry having a laundry quality that absorbs relatively less water may have a smaller load than the laundry having the laundry quality that absorbs water efficiently.

[0166] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to be operated in the second mode if the laundry-quality detection process is initiated. The processor 100 may control the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 to be rotated at the high speed more times than in the weight detection process.

[0167] As the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 are rotated, the laundry absorbing the water may also be rotated. The centrifugal force generated in the rotating drum 30 as the laundry is rotated together may be sensed by the weight detection sensor device 500.

[0168] The processor 100 may determine the laundry quality by comparing the centrifugal force generated in the rotating drum 30 as the rotating drum 30, the pulsator 40, and the laundry are rotated with the centrifugal force measured in the weight detection process.

[0169] The processor 100 may determine the type and time of the washing and dehydration processes to be performed in a subsequent stage based on the laundry quality determined in this way.

[0170] Hereinabove, the high-speed rotation of the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 indicates a relative speed, and is not limited to indicating an absolute value. For example, as may be seen from FIG. 7, the driving device 50 operated in the first mode in the water supply process may rotate the pulsator40 at a relatively low speed compared to the weight detection process and the laundry-quality detection process.

[0171] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of the washing machine according to various embodiments.

[0172] Referring to FIG. 8, a control method of a washing machine according to the present disclosure may include supplying the water to the tub by opening the water supply valve if the washing process is initiated (S810).

[0173] The washing machine according to the present disclosure may perform the washing and dehydration processes to wash the laundry loaded inside the washing machine. The washing process may include the water supply process and the washing process.

[0174] The water supply process may refer, for example, to a process for supplying the washing water to the tub, and the washing process may refer, for example, to a process for washing the laundry by stirring the washing water supplied through the water supply process with the laundry.

[0175] The water supply process and the washing process are not necessarily performed in one time, and in some cases, the water supply process and the washing process may be repeated several times. However, after the washing process is initiated, the water supply process may be performed prior to the washing process.

[0176] The method may include performing an operation in the first mode for driving only the pulsator rotatably disposed at the inner bottom of the rotating drum while the water is supplied to the tub as the water supply process is initiated (S820).

[0177] The pulsator may be coupled to the first rotating shaft, and the rotating drum may be coupled to the second rotating shaft. The first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft may receive the driving force from the driving motor.

[0178] If the water supply process is initiated, the coupling state of the clutch may be changed to selectively transmit the driving force from the driving motor to the first rotating shaft. In this case, only the pulsator may be rotated by the driving motor, which may be referred to as the first mode.

[0179] The coupling state of the clutch may be changed by the actuator. That is, if the water supply process is initiated, the coupling state of the clutch may be changed by controlling the actuator.

[0180] The rotation speed of the pulsator while the water is supplied to the tub may be lower than the rotation speed of the pulsator while no water is supplied during the washing process. In other words, the rotation speed of the pulsator in the water supply process may be lower than the rotation speed of the pulsator in the washing process.

[0181] The rotating drum may be installed inside the tub to be rotated together with the rotation of the pulsator during the operation in the first mode.

[0182] Accordingly, the rotating drum may also be rotated together by an external force other than the driving force even if the driving force from the driving motor is transmitted only to the first rotating shaft to thus control the driving device to rotate only the pulsator.

[0183] For example, if the pulsator is rotated, the water flow may be generated in the washing water accommodated inside the tub, and the laundry accommodated inside the rotating drum may be rotated together in a water flow direction by the generated water flow. In this way, the centrifugal force directed toward the outside of the rotating drum may be generated in the rotating drum by the load of the rotated the washing water and laundry. By this centrifugal force, the rotating drum may be rotated in a direction of the centrifugal force even if the driving force by the driving motor is not provided.

[0184] Even if the driving device is operated in the first mode, the washing water supplied in the water supply process may reach multiple regions of the laundry as the rotating drum is rotated together. In this way, the washing water may smoothly wet the laundry as the washing water reaches multiple regions of the laundry in the water supply process.

[0185] The accuracy of the laundry quality detection may be improved by smoothly wetting the laundry. In addition, in the washing process, the laundry and the washing water containing a detergent may be easily stirred with each other.

[0186] The performing of the operation in the first mode may include rotating the pulsator for the predetermined first time and then stopping the pulsator if the water is supplied to the tub (S830), and rotating the pulsator for the first time again if the predetermined second time elapses after the pulsator is stopped (S840).

[0187] On the other hand, the performing of the operation in the first mode in an embodiment may include rotating the pulsator in the first direction for the predetermined first time and then stopping the pulsator if the water is supplied to the tub (S850), and rotating the pulsator in the second direction opposite to the first direction for the first time again if the predetermined second time elapses after the pulsator is stopped (S860).

[0188] The first direction may be clockwise, and the second direction may be counterclockwise.

[0189] In the performing of the operation in the first mode above, the washing machine may adjust the rotation speed of the driving motor to 25 RPM or less. The pulsator may be rotated at 1 / 5.3 of the rotation speed of the driving motor.

[0190] For example, if the driving device is controlled to be in the first mode, the rotation speed of the pulsator may be 5 RPM or less. However, the rotation speed of the pulsator in the washing process except for the water supply process may be faster than the rotation speed of the pulsator in the water supply process.

[0191] Among the various processes of the washing process, the laundry may be effectively wetted by the washing water as the pulsator is rotated at the relatively low speed in the water supply process.

[0192] The method may include performing an operation in the second mode for rotating both the rotating drum and the pulsator if the dehydration process is initiated after the washing process is finished (S870).

[0193] By changing the coupling state of the clutch by the actuator, the driving force from the driving motor may be transmitted to both the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft. Both the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft may be rotated in the second mode.

[0194] In the dehydration process, the drain valve may be opened. As the driving device is operated in the second mode, both the pulsator and the rotating drum may be rotated, and as the drain valve is opened, the washing water accommodated inside the tub and the rotating drum may be discharged to the outside of the washing machine.

[0195] The rotation speed of the pulsator in the dehydration process may be faster than its rotation speed in the washing process.

[0196] Although the various example embodiments of the present disclosure have been individually described hereinabove, each embodiment is not necessarily implemented independently, and may instead be implemented in such a way that the configurations and operations thereof are combined with those of one or more other embodiments.

[0197] In addition, although various example embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and may be variously modified by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure including the accompanying claims. Such modifications should also be understood to fall within the technical scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0036]It should be understood that various example embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit technical features described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments, and rather are intended to include various modifications, equivalents, and substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.

[0037]Throughout the accompanying drawings, similar components are denoted by similar reference numerals.

[0038]A singular noun corresponding to an item is intended to include one or more of the items unless a relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0039]In the present disclosure, an expression such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B”, “A, B, or C”, “at least one of A, B, and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, or the like may include any one of the items listed together or all possible combinations thereof.

[0040]A term “and / or” includes any one or a combination of a plurality of related items.

[0041]Terms such as “first” and “...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT / KR2025 / 006654 designating the United States, filed on May 16, 2025, in the Korean Intellectual Property Receiving Office and claiming priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0118608, filed on Sep. 2, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.BACKGROUNDField

[0002] The disclosure relates to a washing machine and a control method thereof.Description of Related Art

[0003] A washing machine refers to a device for washing clothes using electrical power, and may largely be classified into top-load and front-load types depending on a method of loading laundry.

[0004] The top-load type may have a simpler structure than the front-load type. A general top-load type washing machine may include a rotating drum rotatably installed inside a tub to store washing water.

[0005] However, a drainage process may generally be designed to be performed together if a driving device is operated to rotate the rotating drum, thus making it impossible to perform motor-driven water supply for supplying the water to the tub while rotating the rotating drum.

[0006] For example, while the rotating drum is stopped, a dripping region of the supplied water may be limited, and accordingly, the clothes placed inside the rotating drum may not be smoothly wetted. Accordingly, the accuracy of a process for detecting a weight of the laundry that has absorbed the water to determine a method for performing washing and dehydration processes may be reduced. As a result, the clothes may not be sufficiently wetted during a water supply process, thereby reducing washing efficiency of the washing machine.SUMMARY

[0007] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a washing machine including: a cabinet having an inlet disposed on an upper part thereof; a tub disposed inside the cabinet and configured to accommodate washing water; a rotating drum rotatably disposed inside the tub; a pulsator rotatably disposed at an inner bottom of the rotating drum; a driving device comprising a motor configured to drive the rotating drum and the pulsator; and at least one processor, comprising processing circuitry, individually and / or collectively, configured to perform washing and dehydration processes.

[0008] The driving device may include: a driving motor configured to generate a driving force, and a rotating shaft configured to transmit the driving force generated by the driving motor to the rotating drum and the pulsator, respectively.

[0009] At least one processor, individually and / or collectively, may be configured to control the driving device to be operated in a first mode to drive only the pulsator based on the washing process being initiated.

[0010] A rotation speed of the pulsator while the washing water is supplied after the washing process is initiated may be lower than a rotation speed of the pulsator while no washing water is supplied during the washing process.

[0011] At least one processor, individually and / or collectively, may be configured to control the driving device to be operated in a second mode to drive both the rotating drum and the pulsator, and to open a drain valve to drain the washing water accommodated inside the tub, based on the dehydration process being initiated.

[0012] The rotating drum may be disposed inside the tub and configured to be rotated together with a rotation of the pulsator in the first mode.

[0013] At least one processor, individually and / or collectively, may be configured to: open a water supply valve to supply the water to the tub based on the washing process being initiated, and control the driving device to rotate the pulsator for a specified first time and then stop the pulsator for a specified second time, and rotate the pulsator for the first time again.

[0014] At least one processor, individually and / or collectively, may be configured to: open a water supply valve to supply the water to the tub based on the washing process being initiated, and control the driving device to rotate the pulsator in a first direction for a specified first time and then stop the pulsator for a specified second time, and rotate the pulsator in a second direction opposite to the first direction for the first time again.

[0015] At least one processor, individually and / or collectively, may be configured to: control a rotation speed of the driving motor to 25 revolutions per minute (RPM) or less while the washing water is supplied in the washing process.

[0016] The pulsator may be configured to be rotated at 1 / 5.3 of the rotation speed of the driving motor while the washing process is performed.

[0017] At least one processor, individually and / or collectively, may be configured to cause the washing machine to: detect a weight of a laundry loaded inside the rotating drum by controlling the driving device to be operated in the second mode based on the washing process being initiated, determine an amount of washing water to be supplied to the tub based on the detected weight of the laundry, and control the driving device to be operated in the first mode for a time during which the determined amount of washing water is supplied to the tub.

[0018] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a control method of a washing machine, which includes a tub, and a rotating drum rotatably disposed inside the tub, the method including: supplying water to the tub by opening a water supply valve based on a washing process being initiated; and performing an operation in a first mode for driving only a pulsator rotatably disposed at an inner bottom of the rotating drum while the water is supplied to the tub.

[0019] A rotation speed of the pulsator while the water is supplied to the tub may be lower than a rotation speed of the pulsator while no water is supplied during the washing process.

[0020] The method may further include performing an operation to be performed in a second mode for driving both the rotating drum and the pulsator based on a dehydration process being initiated after the washing process is finished.

[0021] The rotating drum may be installed inside the tub to be rotated together with a rotation of the pulsator during the operation in the first mode.

[0022] The performing of the operation in the first mode may include rotating the pulsator for a specified first time and then stopping the pulsator based on the water being supplied to the tub, and rotating the pulsator for the first time again based on a specified second time elapses after the pulsator is stopped.

[0023] The performing of the operation in the first mode may include rotating the pulsator in a first direction for a predetermined first time and then stopping the pulsator if the water is supplied to the tub, and rotating the pulsator in a second direction opposite to the first direction for the first time again if a predetermined second time elapses after the pulsator is stopped.

[0024] In the performing of the operation in the first mode, a rotation speed of a driving motor for rotating the pulsator may be adjusted to 25 revolutions per minute (RPM) or less.

[0025] The pulsator may be rotated at 1 / 5.3 of the rotation speed of the driving motor while the washing process is performed.

[0026] In the performing of the operation in the first mode, the pulsator may be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example washing machine according to various embodiments;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the washing machine according to various embodiments;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the washing machine according to various embodiments;

[0031] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the washing machine according to various embodiments;

[0032] FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating a rotation speed of a pulsator during a water supply process for the washing machine according to various embodiments;

[0033] FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating a rotation speed of the pulsator during the water supply process for the washing machine according to various embodiments;

[0034] FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating a rotation speed of the pulsator during an initial stage of the washing process according to various embodiments; and

[0035] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of the washing machine according to various embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] It should be understood that various example embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit technical features described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments, and rather are intended to include various modifications, equivalents, and substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.

[0037] Throughout the accompanying drawings, similar components are denoted by similar reference numerals.

[0038] A singular noun corresponding to an item is intended to include one or more of the items unless a relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0039] In the present disclosure, an expression such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B”, “A, B, or C”, “at least one of A, B, and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, or the like may include any one of the items listed together or all possible combinations thereof.

[0040] A term “and / or” includes any one or a combination of a plurality of related items.

[0041] Terms such as “first” and “second” may be used merely to distinguish one element from another, and do not imply any limitation on the corresponding components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).

[0042] If a component (for example, a first component) is described as being “coupled to” or “connected to” another component (for example, a second component), with or without terms “operatively” or “communicatively”, it should be understood that the component may be coupled to another component directly (e.g., in a wired manner), in a wireless manner, or through a third component.

[0043] It should be further understood that terms “include”, “have”, or the like, as used in this disclosure, specify the presence of features, numerals, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof mentioned in the disclosure, and do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numerals, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0044] If a component is referred to as being “connected”, “coupled”, “supported”, or “in contact” with another component, it includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact with each other, but also cases where the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact with each other through a third component.

[0045] If a component is referred to as being disposed “on” another component, it includes not only a case where the component is in contact with another component, but also a case where yet another component exists between the two components.

[0046] Hereinafter, a washing machine according to various example embodiments will be described in greater detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0047] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example washing machine according to various embodiments.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 1, a washing machine 1 may include a cabinet 10 including an inlet disposed on an upper part thereof, a tub 20 disposed inside the cabinet 10 to accommodate washing water, a rotating drum 30 rotatably disposed inside the tub 20 to accommodate laundry, a pulsator 40 rotatably disposed at an inner bottom of the rotating drum 30, and a driving device 50 for driving the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40.

[0049] The cabinet 10 may include an inlet 11 disposed on the upper part of the cabinet 10 to load the laundry, and a cover 12 rotatably installed on the cabinet 10 to open and close the inlet 11.

[0050] The tub 20 may, for example, and without limitation, have a circular or cylindrical shape with an open top, and may be coupled to the cabinet 10 by a plurality of buffer devices 21 coupled to a lower outer surface of the tub 20. Each buffer device 21 is a component for minimizing and / or reducing movement of the tub 20 by absorbing vibration caused by operations of the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40. The shape and structure of the buffer device 21 are not necessarily limited to those shown in the drawings, and may be represented in various alternative embodiments.

[0051] The rotating drum 30 may have a shape corresponding to that of the tub 20. In other words, the rotating drum 30 may have a cylindrical shape with an open top. The rotating drum 30 may have a plurality of dehydration holes 31 in an outer peripheral surface to enable its inner space to communicate with an inner space of the tub 20. Accordingly, if the washing water is supplied to the tub 20, the tub 20 and the rotating drum 30 may have the same water level.

[0052] The pulsator 40 may generate a water flow in the washing water accommodated inside the tub 20 and the rotating drum 30 by being rotated in a forward (clockwise) or reverse (counterclockwise) direction. The laundry accommodated inside the rotating drum 30 may be stirred together with the washing water by the water flow generated by the pulsator 40.

[0053] The driving device 50 may refer, for example, to a component for driving the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 using a driving force generated by receiving power. The driving device 50 may include a driving motor 51 for generating the driving force, and a rotating shaft 52 for transmitting the driving force generated by the driving motor 51 to the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40, respectively.

[0054] The driving device 50 may further include a clutch 53. The clutch 53 may refer, for example, to a component for selectively transmitting the driving force generated by the driving motor 51 to the rotating drum 30 and / or the pulsator 40.

[0055] In the present disclosure, the rotating shaft 52 and the clutch 53 may be referred to as power transmitting devices. The power transmitting device may be included in the driving device 50. For example, the power transmitting device is a component for transmitting the driving force generated by the driving motor 51 either to the pulsator 40 alone or simultaneously to the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40.

[0056] Each component included in the driving device 50 may be disposed at the bottom of the tub 20. That is, the driving motor 51 and the power transmitting device may be disposed between the bottom of the cabinet 10 and the bottom of the tub 20.

[0057] The driving motor 51 may include a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor capable of controlling a rotation speed in various ways, and may include a stator and a rotor. However, the driving motor 51 is not necessarily limited to this type and may include various types of motors depending on an embodiment.

[0058] The power transmitting device may further include a component directly coupled to the driving motor 51, such as a timing belt (not shown), in addition to the rotating shaft 52 and the clutch 53.

[0059] The rotating shaft 52 may refer, for example, to a component for transmitting the driving force generated by the driving motor 51 to the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40, respectively.

[0060] The rotating shaft 52 may include a first rotating shaft 521 and a second rotating shaft 522. The power transmitting device may transmit the driving force from the driving motor 51 to the first rotating shaft 521 and / or the second rotating shaft 522.

[0061] The first rotating shaft 521 and the second rotating shaft 522 may have the same center point. For example, the second rotating shaft 522 may surround an outer peripheral surface of the first rotating shaft 521.

[0062] The first rotating shaft 521 may refer, for example, to a component for rotating the pulsator 40, and may have one end coupled to the pulsator 40. The second rotating shaft 522 is a component for rotating the rotating drum 30, and may have one end coupled to the rotating drum 30.

[0063] The clutch 53 may refer, for example, to a component coupled with the driving motor 51 and the rotating shaft 52 to selectively transmit the driving force generated by the driving motor 51 to the first rotating shaft 521 or the second rotating shaft 522.

[0064] For example, if a coupling state of the clutch 53 is changed, the driving force from the driving motor 51 may be transmitted only to the first rotating shaft 521, or to both the first rotating shaft 521 and the second rotating shaft 522.

[0065] If the driving force from the driving motor 51 is transmitted only to the first rotating shaft 521, only the pulsator 40 may be driven, and if the driving force is transmitted to both the first rotating shaft 521 and the second rotating shaft 522, both the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 may be driven. The driving may include a rotational motion by the driving force from the driving motor 51.

[0066] However, even if the driving force from the driving motor 51 is transmitted only to the first rotating shaft 521, the rotating drum 30 may be rotated together with the operation of the pulsator 40. For example, even if the clutch 53 is coupled to the rotating shaft 52 to transmit the driving force from the driving motor 51 only to the first rotating shaft 521, the rotating drum 30 may be coupled to the second rotating shaft 522 in a state where the rotating drum 30 may be moved regardless of the operation of the driving motor 51.

[0067] In other words, if a washing process is performed, the driving force from the driving motor 51 may be transmitted only to the first rotating shaft 521 and not to the second rotating shaft 522.

[0068] However, the rotating drum 30 may not be fixed by a separate component to prevent its movement while the pulsator 40 is rotated, and thus be moved by any physical force applied to the rotating drum 30 as the pulsator 40 is rotated.

[0069] Here, any physical force may be a centrifugal force generated by a load of the water accommodated inside the tub 20 and the laundry accommodated inside the rotating drum 30 as the pulsator 40 is rotated.

[0070] If the pulsator 40 is rotated, the rotational water flow may be generated in the water accommodated inside the tub 20, and the centrifugal force may be generated toward the outside of the tub 20 while having a magnitude proportional to the load of the water. In addition, the laundry accommodated inside the rotating drum 30 may also be rotated together with the water, and the centrifugal force may thus be generated toward the outside of the rotating drum 30 while having a magnitude proportional to the load of the laundry.

[0071] In this way, as the water accommodated inside the tub 20 and the laundry accommodated inside the rotating drum 30 is rotated, the centrifugal force that pushes an inner peripheral surface of the rotating drum 30 outward may be applied to the rotating drum 30, and the rotating drum 30 may be rotated even if the driving force generated by the driving motor 51 is not transmitted thereto.

[0072] The driving device 50 may further include an actuator 54. The actuator 54 is a component for changing the coupling state of the clutch 53. The actuator 54 may be a motor that generates rotational power, and may be, for example, a servo motor. However, the actuator 54 is not necessarily limited to the motor that generates rotational power, and may use a hydraulic cylinder or a linear motor.

[0073] If the actuator 54 receives power and is driven, the clutch 53 may be controlled by the actuator 54. In other words, the power transmitting device may be raised or lowered by the actuator 54 controlling the clutch 53, and accordingly, the driving force generated by the driving motor 51 may be transmitted only to the first rotating shaft 521 or to both the first rotating shaft 521 and the second rotating shaft 522.

[0074] If only the pulsator 40 is rotated by the driving force of the driving motor 51, the driving device 50 is defined as being operated in a first mode, and if both the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 are rotated, the driving device 50 is defined as being operated in a second mode.

[0075] In the present disclosure, the fact that the washing machine 1 is operated in the first mode or the second mode may also indicate that the driving device 50 is operated in the first mode or the second mode.

[0076] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the washing machine according to various embodiments.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 2, the washing machine 1 may include a processor 100 and a memory 200.

[0078] The processor 100 may include various processing circuitry and is a component for controlling overall operations of the washing machine 1. A detailed description of the processor 100 is provided below with reference to FIG. 3, in connection with a configuration subject to control by the processor 100.

[0079] The memory 200 may store at least one instruction related to the washing machine 1. In addition, the memory 200 may store an operating system (O / S) and data for operating the washing machine 1. Such instructions may include instructions for controlling various components of the washing machine 1 as the washing process or a dehydration process described below is performed, an instruction for determining an amount of washing water corresponding to a detected weight of the laundry, an instruction for opening a water supply valve 800 (see FIG. 3) for a predetermined time based on the amount of washing water to be supplied, or the like.

[0080] The memory 200 may include a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, a magnetic storage medium such as a hard disk. For example, the memory 200 may store various software modules for operating the washing machine 1 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, and the processor 100 may control the operation of the washing machine 1 by executing various software modules stored in the memory 200. For example, the memory 200 may be accessed by the processor 100, and reading / recording / modifying / deleting / updating / the like of data may be performed by the processor 100.

[0081] The memory 200 may be provided as a separate component from the processor 100, may also be implemented in the form of a read-only memory (ROM) or a random-access memory (RAM) disposed within the processor 100, or may be implemented in various external storage media (e.g., micro secure digital (SD) card or memory stick) mounted on the washing machine 1. In the present disclosure, the memory 200 may be used as a concept including all of these forms.

[0082] The memory 200 may include information on the control of the driving device 50 corresponding to the washing process and the dehydration process. For example, the memory 200 may include data for opening the water supply valve 800 and operating the driving device 50 in the first mode if the washing process is initiated, and data for opening a drain valve 900 (see FIG. 3) and operating the driving device 50 in the second mode if the dehydration process is initiated, or the like. The information or data may be considered equivalent to the instruction. The processor 100 may control the overall operations of the washing machine 1 by executing at least one instruction stored in the memory 200 as described above.

[0083] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the washing machine according to various embodiments.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 3, the washing machine 1 may further include an interface device 300, a display device 400, a sensor device 500, a driving motor 600, an actuator 700, the water supply valve 800, and the drain valve 900.

[0085] The processor 100 may include various processing circuitry (see below) and is a component for performing the washing and dehydration processes of the washing machine 1. For example, the processor 100 may perform various control operations to open the water supply valve 800 of a water supply unit (not shown) and rotate the driving motor 600 and / or the actuator 700 to perform the water supply and washing processes if a user command for performing the washing process is input into the washing machine 1 through the interface device 300.

[0086] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to be operated in the first mode for driving only the pulsator 40 if the washing process is initiated.

[0087] A rotation speed of the pulsator 40 while the washing water is supplied after the washing process is initiated may be lower than a rotation speed of the pulsator 40 while no washing water is supplied during the washing process.

[0088] The processor 100 may perform the various control operations to open the drain valve 900 of a drain device (not shown) and rotate the driving motor 600 and / or the actuator 700 if the dehydration process is initiated.

[0089] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to be operated in the second mode for driving both the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 if the dehydration process is initiated. In addition, the processor 100 may open the drain valve 900 to drain the washing water accommodated inside the tub 20.

[0090] The processor 100 may apply power to the actuator 700 to selectively change a configuration rotated by the driving motor 600 if the washing and dehydration processes are performed.

[0091] By the operation of the actuator 700, the washing machine 1 may be operated in the first mode or the second mode. Here, the first mode and the second mode are as described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0092] The processor 100 may include at least one processor. At least one processor may include at least one of a central processing unit (CPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), or a neural processing unit (NPU), and is not limited to the examples of the processor 100 described above. Thus, the processor 100 may include various processing circuitry and / or multiple processors. For example, as used herein, including the claims, the term “processor” may include various processing circuitry, including at least one processor, wherein one or more of at least one processor, individually and / or collectively in a distributed manner, may be configured to perform various functions described herein. As used herein, when “a processor”, “at least one processor”, and “one or more processors” are described as being configured to perform numerous functions, these terms cover situations, for example and without limitation, in which one processor performs some of recited functions and another processor(s) performs other of recited functions, and also situations in which a single processor may perform all recited functions. Additionally, the at least one processor may include a combination of processors performing various of the recited / disclosed functions, e.g., in a distributed manner. At least one processor may execute program instructions to achieve or perform various functions.

[0093] The CPU may refer, for example, to a general-purpose processor that may perform not only general operations but also artificial intelligence operations, and may efficiently execute complex programs through a multi-layer cache structure. The CPU is advantageous in performing a serial processing method that enables an organic linkage between a previous calculation result and a subsequent calculation result through sequential calculation. The general-purpose processor is not limited to the above-mentioned examples unless otherwise specified as the above-mentioned CPU.

[0094] The GPU may refer, for example, to a processor for large-scale operations such as floating point operations used in graphic processing, and may perform the large-scale operations in parallel by integrating a large number of cores. For example, the GPU may be advantageous over the CPU in parallel processing methods such as convolution operations. In addition, the GPU may be used as an auxiliary processor (co-processor) to supplement the function of the CPU. The processor for the large-scale operations is not limited to the above-mentioned examples unless otherwise specified as the above-mentioned GPU.

[0095] The NPU may refer, for example, to a processor specialized for the artificial intelligence operations using artificial neural networks, and each layer included in the artificial neural network may be implemented in hardware (e.g., silicon). The NPU may be specifically designed based on requirements of a company, may thus have less freedom than the CPU or the GPU, and may efficiently process the artificial intelligence operations requested by the company. As the processor specialized for the artificial intelligence operations, the NPU may be implemented in various forms such as a tensor processing unit (TPU), an intelligence processing unit (IPU), and a vision processing unit (VPU). An artificial intelligence processor is not limited to the above examples unless otherwise specified as the above-mentioned NPU.

[0096] In addition, at least one processor 100 may be implemented as a system on chip (SoC). The SoC may further include the memory 200 and a network interface such as a bus for data communication between the processor 100 and the memory 200 in addition to at least one processor 100.

[0097] If the SoC included in the washing machine 1 includes the plurality of processors 100, the washing machine 1 may perform an operation related to an artificial intelligence (for example, an operation related to learning or inference of an artificial intelligence model) using some of the plurality of processors 100. For example, the washing machine 1 may perform the operation related to an artificial intelligence using at least one of the GPU, the NPU, the VPU, the TPU, or a hardware accelerator specialized for the artificial intelligence operations, such as a convolution operation or a matrix multiplication operation, among the plurality of processors 100. However, this case is merely an example, and the operation related to artificial intelligence may be processed using the CPU or the general-purpose processor 100.

[0098] The interface device 300 may include various interface circuitry including, for example, and without limitation, a button input device that provides the user command for selecting an operation mode of the washing machine 1. For example, the button input device may be a button for selecting the washing mode, the dehydration mode, a rinse mode, or the like.

[0099] The user command may be input into the washing machine 1 through the interface device 300, and accordingly, the washing machine 1 may perform various operations.

[0100] The display device 400 may include a display and display a current operation state of the washing machine 1 operated based on the user command.

[0101] For example, the display device 400 may display various state information, such as the washing process currently being performed and a remaining time of the washing process being performed.

[0102] The processor 100 may control the display device 400 to display changed washing information if the information on the washing process is changed. Alternatively, the processor 100 may control the display device 400 to display information on the dehydration process.

[0103] The sensor device 500 may include at least one sensor and is a component for detecting a level of the washing water accommodated inside the tub 20 or detecting a weight of the laundry accommodated inside the rotating drum 30. Although not shown in detail in the drawing, the sensor device 500 may include a water level detection sensor, a weight detection sensor, or the like.

[0104] Each sensing value detected by the sensor device 500 may be transmitted to the processor 100. The sensing value may use information measured at a corresponding moment or an average value of a corresponding periodic unit.

[0105] In the present disclosure, the sensor device 500 is described as including, for example, the water level detection sensor, the weight detection sensor, or the like. However, the sensor device 500 may additionally use other sensors other than the sensors described above.

[0106] The processor 100 may control the washing machine 1 based on the sensing value detected by the sensor device 500.

[0107] The processor 100 may control the driving motor 600, the actuator 700, the water supply valve 800, and the drain valve 900 based on the user command input through the interface device 300 or the sensing value sensed by the sensor device 500.

[0108] Descriptions of the driving motor 600 and the actuator 700 are omitted to an extent that the descriptions overlap with the descriptions provided above.

[0109] Referring to FIG. 4, the driving motor 600 may generate the driving force as controlled by the processor 100, and the driving force generated by the driving motor 600 may be transmitted to a rotating drum 620 and a pulsator 630 by a power transmitting device 610. The power transmitting device 610 may include a clutch 611 and a rotating shaft 612.

[0110] The actuator 700 may control the power transmitting device 610 as controlled by the processor 100. The actuator 700 may selectively transmit the driving force from the driving motor 600 to the rotating drum 620 or the pulsator 630 by controlling the clutch 611.

[0111] The processor 100 may control the washing machine 1 to perform the washing and dehydration processes.

[0112] The washing process may include the water supply process that supplies the washing water to the tub 20, and the washing process that stirs supplied the washing water with the laundry. The washing water may not be supplied to the washing process except for the water supply process.

[0113] In other words, a time at which the water supply valve 800 (see FIG. 3) is opened during the washing process may be limited to the water supply process. However, the water supply process and the washing process are not necessarily performed sequentially one time each in the washing process, and the water supply process and the washing process may be performed multiple times in any order.

[0114] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to be operated in the first mode for rotating only the pulsator 630 if the washing process is initiated.

[0115] In addition, the processor 100 may control the water supply valve 800 to be opened if the washing process is initiated.

[0116] If the water supply valve 800 is opened, the water supply process may be performed in which the washing water is supplied from an external water source.

[0117] The processor 100 may operate the washing machine 1 in the first mode. The processor 100 may control the actuator 700 to rotate the driving motor 600 and transmit the driving force from the driving motor 600 only to the pulsator 630.

[0118] In other words, if the processor 100 operates the washing machine 1 in the first mode, the processor 100 may control the actuator 700 to cause the power transmitting device 610 to enable the driving force from the driving motor 600 to be transmitted only to the pulsator 630.

[0119] In this process, a coupling method of the clutch 611 may be changed. As the coupling method of the clutch 611 is changed, the driving force from the driving motor 600 may be transmitted only to the pulsator 630.

[0120] The processor 100 may control the washing machine 1 to perform the washing process if the water supply process for a predetermined (e.g., specified) time is finished. During the washing process, the processor 100 may operate the washing machine 1 in the first mode.

[0121] However, the processor 100 may control the driving motor 600 in the washing process to be rotated at a faster speed than a rotation speed of the driving motor 600 in the water supply process.

[0122] In other words, the rotation speed of the driving motor 600 in the water supply process may be lower than the rotation speed of the driving motor 600 in the washing process.

[0123] For example, the processor 100 may control the driving motor 600 to operate a rotation speed of the pulsator 630 in the water supply process at a lower speed than in the washing process.

[0124] The water supply process and the washing process are described as being performed sequentially one time each in the washing process. However, a process for the washing process is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the washing machine 1 may determine the washing process based on the amount and type of the loaded laundry, and the determined washing process may alternately include multiple times of the water supply process and the washing process.

[0125] The processor 100 may control the washing machine 1 to perform the dehydration process. If the dehydration process is initiated, the processor 100 may control the washing machine 1 to be operated in the second mode.

[0126] While the dehydration process is performed, the processor 100 may control the driving motor 600 and the actuator 700 to rotate both the rotating drum 620 and the pulsator 630. As the actuator 700 is controlled by the processor 100 to be operated in the second mode, the coupling state of the clutch 611 may be changed, and the driving force generated from the driving motor 600 may thus be transmitted to the rotating drum 620 and the pulsator 630, respectively.

[0127] While the dehydration process is performed, the processor 100 may also open the drain valve 900 (see FIG. 3) to drain the washing water accommodated inside the tub 20.

[0128] As described above, the rotating drum 620 may be installed to be rotated together with the pulsator 630 as the pulsator 630 is rotated if the washing machine 1 is operated in the first mode.

[0129] For example, the rotating drum 620 may also be rotated as the washing machine 1 is operated in the first mode and the pulsator 630 is thus rotated at a low speed if the washing process is initiated and the water supply process is performed.

[0130] As the rotating drum 620 is rotated, the laundry accommodated inside the rotating drum 620 may also be rotated. Accordingly, the washing water supplied in the water supply process may reach various regions of the laundry, and wetting of the laundry, which is a degree to which the laundry is stirred by the washing water, may be effectively performed.

[0131] The wetting of the laundry is a factor affecting washing efficiency of the laundry. For example, the more efficient the wetting of the laundry is, the better the stirring between the laundry and the washing water becomes. The washing efficiency of the laundry may therefore be determined by a degree of stirring the laundry with the washing water. Accordingly, the washing efficiency of the washing machine 1 may be determined based on how effectively the laundry is wetted.

[0132] Therefore, the washing machine 1 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may implement a “motor-driven water supply” in which the rotating drum 630 is rotated together in the water supply process, thereby increasing the washing efficiency.

[0133] FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating example rotation speed of the pulsator during the water supply process for the washing machine according to various embodiments.

[0134] Referring to FIG. 5, the processor 100 may open the water supply valve 800 (see FIG. 3) to supply the water to the tub 20 if the washing process is initiated, and control the driving device 50 to rotate the pulsator 40 for a predetermined first time, then stop the pulsator 40 for a predetermined second time, and rotate the pulsator 40 for the first time again.

[0135] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to cause the pulsator 40 to maintain a stationary state for the predetermined (e.g., specified) time immediately after the water supply valve 800 is opened. The time for the pulsator 40 to maintain the stationary state may be set in various ways and may be set by a manufacturer during a manufacturing process for the washing machine 1.

[0136] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to be in the first mode for the predetermined first time. The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to transmit the driving force from the driving motor 51 only to the pulsator 40.

[0137] The driving motor 51 and the rotating shaft 52 may be coupled to each other while having a predetermined gear ratio. In the present disclosure, the driving motor 51 and the first rotating shaft 521 may be coupled to each other while having a gear ratio of about 5.3 to 1.

[0138] The processor 100 may operate the driving motor 51 to have a rotation speed of 25 revolutions per minute (RPM) or less. In other words, the processor 100 may control the rotation speed of the driving motor 51 to 25 RPM or less while the washing water is supplied in the washing process. That is, the processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to rotate the pulsator 40 at a rotation speed of about 5 RPM.

[0139] Referring to FIG. 5, the predetermined first time is shown as about 8 seconds. However, the predetermined time is not necessarily limited to what is shown in the drawing, and likewise, the second time described below is not necessarily limited to the illustrated example. In addition, the above-described examples of the gear ratio and the rotation speed are only examples and are not necessarily limited thereto.

[0140] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to cause the pulsator 40 to maintain the stationary state for the predetermined second time after the predetermined first time elapses. In the drawing, the predetermined second time is shown to be about 1 second, and is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0141] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to rotate the pulsator 40 at about 5 RPM for the first time again after the predetermined second time elapses. Next, after the first time elapses, the processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to cause the pulsator 40 to maintain the stationary state.

[0142] FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating example rotation speed of the pulsator during the water supply process for the washing machine according to various embodiments.

[0143] Referring to FIG. 6, the processor 100 may open the water supply valve 800 (see FIG. 3) to supply the water to the tub 20 if the washing process is initiated, and control the driving device 50 to rotate the pulsator 40 in a first direction for the predetermined first time and then stop the pulsator 40 for the predetermined (e.g., specified) second time, and rotate the pulsator 40 in a second direction opposite to the first direction for the first time again.

[0144] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to cause the pulsator 40 to maintain the stationary state for the predetermined time immediately after the water supply valve 800 is opened.

[0145] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to be in the first mode to transmit the driving force from the driving motor 51 only to the pulsator 40 for the predetermined first time, and if the first time elapses, the processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to cause the pulsator 40 to maintain the stationary state for the predetermined second time.

[0146] The first time and the second time in providing the description with reference to FIG. 6 may be the same time as the first time and the second time in providing the description with reference to FIG. 5, and are not necessarily limited thereto. The first and second times in FIGS. 5 and 6 may each represent individual times.

[0147] If the second time elapses, the processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to rotate the pulsator 40 in an opposite direction to a previous rotation direction.

[0148] For example, in case that the washing process is initiated and the driving device 50 is controlled to initially rotate the pulsator 40, if a rotation direction of the pulsator 40 is clockwise, the driving device may be controlled to rotate the pulsator 40 in the opposite direction, that is, counterclockwise.

[0149] A time for controlling the driving device 50 to rotate the pulsator 40 counterclockwise may be the same as the first time for controlling the driving device 50 to rotate the pulsator 40 clockwise. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the processor 100 may control the pulsator 40 to maintain a rotation state for different times depending on the rotation direction.

[0150] FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating example rotation speed of the pulsator during an initial stage of the washing process according to various embodiments.

[0151] Referring to FIG. 7, the processor 100 may detect the weight of the laundry loaded inside the rotating drum 30 by controlling the driving device 50 to be operated in the second mode if the washing process is initiated, determine the amount of washing water to be supplied to the tub 20 based on the detected weight of the laundry, and control the driving device 50 to be operated in the first mode for the time during which the determined amount of washing water is supplied to the tub 20.

[0152] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to perform a process for detecting the weight of the laundry before opening the water supply valve 800 (see FIG. 3) immediately after the washing process is initiated.

[0153] Referring to region A in FIG. 7, the processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to rotate the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 for a predetermined time immediately after the washing process is initiated.

[0154] The processor 100 may control the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 to be rotated at a high speed multiple times. Referring to FIG. 7, it is shown that the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 are controlled to be rotated at the high speed three times during one weight detection process, and are not necessarily limited thereto.

[0155] In this case, the processor 100 may control the actuator 54 to transmit the driving force generated by the driving motor 51 to the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 through the first rotating shaft 521 and the second rotating shaft 522.

[0156] A horizontal axis in FIG. 7 indicates time, and a vertical axis indicates the rotation speed (rpm) of the pulsator 40. As the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 are rotated by the processor 100, the laundry accommodated inside the rotating drum 30 may also be rotated.

[0157] The weight detection sensor may sense the centrifugal force of the rotating drum 30. Depending on the amount of laundry accommodated inside the rotating drum 30, a magnitude of the centrifugal force applied to the rotating drum 30 may vary if the rotating drum 30 is rotated.

[0158] Information on the centrifugal force in a case where the inside of the rotating drum 30 is empty may be stored in the memory 200.

[0159] The processor 100 may calculate the weight of the laundry loaded inside the washing machine 1 using the information on the centrifugal force generated in the rotating drum 30 sensed by the sensor device 500 if the laundry is accommodated inside the rotating drum 30 and the centrifugal force in the case where the inside of the rotating drum 30 is empty.

[0160] The processor 100 may determine a corresponding water supply amount based on the calculated weight of the laundry. Information on the calculated laundry and the corresponding required water supply amount may be pre-stored in the memory during the manufacturing process for the washing machine 1 by the manufacturer.

[0161] If the water supply amount is determined, the processor 100 may initiate the water supply process. If the water supply process is initiated, the processor 100 may control the actuator 54. The processor 100 may control the power transmitting device to transmit the driving force generated by the driving motor 51 only to the pulsator 40 through the first rotating shaft 521.

[0162] The time for opening the water supply valve 800 may be determined based on the determined water supply amount. Information on the opening time of the water supply valve 800 based on the water supply amount may be pre-stored in the memory 200 during the manufacturing process for the washing machine 1.

[0163] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to be operated in the first mode during the time for opening the water supply valve 800.

[0164] In other words, region A represents the weight detection process, and region B then represents the water supply process. A detailed description of the operation of the washing machine 1 in the water supply process is the same as or similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 above, and the same description may not be repeated here.

[0165] Region C represents a laundry-quality detection process. Quality detection refers to a process for determining the type of laundry accommodated inside the rotating drum 30. The amount of water absorbed may vary depending on the laundry quality, the laundry having the laundry quality that absorbs water efficiently may have a larger load than in the weight detection process, and the laundry having a laundry quality that absorbs relatively less water may have a smaller load than the laundry having the laundry quality that absorbs water efficiently.

[0166] The processor 100 may control the driving device 50 to be operated in the second mode if the laundry-quality detection process is initiated. The processor 100 may control the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 to be rotated at the high speed more times than in the weight detection process.

[0167] As the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 are rotated, the laundry absorbing the water may also be rotated. The centrifugal force generated in the rotating drum 30 as the laundry is rotated together may be sensed by the weight detection sensor device 500.

[0168] The processor 100 may determine the laundry quality by comparing the centrifugal force generated in the rotating drum 30 as the rotating drum 30, the pulsator 40, and the laundry are rotated with the centrifugal force measured in the weight detection process.

[0169] The processor 100 may determine the type and time of the washing and dehydration processes to be performed in a subsequent stage based on the laundry quality determined in this way.

[0170] Hereinabove, the high-speed rotation of the rotating drum 30 and the pulsator 40 indicates a relative speed, and is not limited to indicating an absolute value. For example, as may be seen from FIG. 7, the driving device 50 operated in the first mode in the water supply process may rotate the pulsator40 at a relatively low speed compared to the weight detection process and the laundry-quality detection process.

[0171] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of the washing machine according to various embodiments.

[0172] Referring to FIG. 8, a control method of a washing machine according to the present disclosure may include supplying the water to the tub by opening the water supply valve if the washing process is initiated (S810).

[0173] The washing machine according to the present disclosure may perform the washing and dehydration processes to wash the laundry loaded inside the washing machine. The washing process may include the water supply process and the washing process.

[0174] The water supply process may refer, for example, to a process for supplying the washing water to the tub, and the washing process may refer, for example, to a process for washing the laundry by stirring the washing water supplied through the water supply process with the laundry.

[0175] The water supply process and the washing process are not necessarily performed in one time, and in some cases, the water supply process and the washing process may be repeated several times. However, after the washing process is initiated, the water supply process may be performed prior to the washing process.

[0176] The method may include performing an operation in the first mode for driving only the pulsator rotatably disposed at the inner bottom of the rotating drum while the water is supplied to the tub as the water supply process is initiated (S820).

[0177] The pulsator may be coupled to the first rotating shaft, and the rotating drum may be coupled to the second rotating shaft. The first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft may receive the driving force from the driving motor.

[0178] If the water supply process is initiated, the coupling state of the clutch may be changed to selectively transmit the driving force from the driving motor to the first rotating shaft. In this case, only the pulsator may be rotated by the driving motor, which may be referred to as the first mode.

[0179] The coupling state of the clutch may be changed by the actuator. That is, if the water supply process is initiated, the coupling state of the clutch may be changed by controlling the actuator.

[0180] The rotation speed of the pulsator while the water is supplied to the tub may be lower than the rotation speed of the pulsator while no water is supplied during the washing process. In other words, the rotation speed of the pulsator in the water supply process may be lower than the rotation speed of the pulsator in the washing process.

[0181] The rotating drum may be installed inside the tub to be rotated together with the rotation of the pulsator during the operation in the first mode.

[0182] Accordingly, the rotating drum may also be rotated together by an external force other than the driving force even if the driving force from the driving motor is transmitted only to the first rotating shaft to thus control the driving device to rotate only the pulsator.

[0183] For example, if the pulsator is rotated, the water flow may be generated in the washing water accommodated inside the tub, and the laundry accommodated inside the rotating drum may be rotated together in a water flow direction by the generated water flow. In this way, the centrifugal force directed toward the outside of the rotating drum may be generated in the rotating drum by the load of the rotated the washing water and laundry. By this centrifugal force, the rotating drum may be rotated in a direction of the centrifugal force even if the driving force by the driving motor is not provided.

[0184] Even if the driving device is operated in the first mode, the washing water supplied in the water supply process may reach multiple regions of the laundry as the rotating drum is rotated together. In this way, the washing water may smoothly wet the laundry as the washing water reaches multiple regions of the laundry in the water supply process.

[0185] The accuracy of the laundry quality detection may be improved by smoothly wetting the laundry. In addition, in the washing process, the laundry and the washing water containing a detergent may be easily stirred with each other.

[0186] The performing of the operation in the first mode may include rotating the pulsator for the predetermined first time and then stopping the pulsator if the water is supplied to the tub (S830), and rotating the pulsator for the first time again if the predetermined second time elapses after the pulsator is stopped (S840).

[0187] On the other hand, the performing of the operation in the first mode in an embodiment may include rotating the pulsator in the first direction for the predetermined first time and then stopping the pulsator if the water is supplied to the tub (S850), and rotating the pulsator in the second direction opposite to the first direction for the first time again if the predetermined second time elapses after the pulsator is stopped (S860).

[0188] The first direction may be clockwise, and the second direction may be counterclockwise.

[0189] In the performing of the operation in the first mode above, the washing machine may adjust the rotation speed of the driving motor to 25 RPM or less. The pulsator may be rotated at 1 / 5.3 of the rotation speed of the driving motor.

[0190] For example, if the driving device is controlled to be in the first mode, the rotation speed of the pulsator may be 5 RPM or less. However, the rotation speed of the pulsator in the washing process except for the water supply process may be faster than the rotation speed of the pulsator in the water supply process.

[0191] Among the various processes of the washing process, the laundry may be effectively wetted by the washing water as the pulsator is rotated at the relatively low speed in the water supply process.

[0192] The method may include performing an operation in the second mode for rotating both the rotating drum and the pulsator if the dehydration process is initiated after the washing process is finished (S870).

[0193] By changing the coupling state of the clutch by the actuator, the driving force from the driving motor may be transmitted to both the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft. Both the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft may be rotated in the second mode.

[0194] In the dehydration process, the drain valve may be opened. As the driving device is operated in the second mode, both the pulsator and the rotating drum may be rotated, and as the drain valve is opened, the washing water accommodated inside the tub and the rotating drum may be discharged to the outside of the washing machine.

[0195] The rotation speed of the pulsator in the dehydration process may be faster than its rotation speed in the washing process.

[0196] Although the various example embodiments of the present disclosure have been individually described hereinabove, each embodiment is not necessarily implemented independently, and may instead be implemented in such a way that the configurations and operations thereof are combined with those of one or more other embodiments.

[0197] In addition, although various example embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and may be variously modified by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure including the accompanying claims. Such modifications should also be understood to fall within the technical scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0036]It should be understood that various example embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit technical features described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments, and rather are intended to include various modifications, equivalents, and substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.

[0037]Throughout the accompanying drawings, similar components are denoted by similar reference numerals.

[0038]A singular noun corresponding to an item is intended to include one or more of the items unless a relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0039]In the present disclosure, an expression such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B”, “A, B, or C”, “at least one of A, B, and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, or the like may include any one of the items listed together or all possible combinations thereof.

[0040]A term “and / or” includes any one or a combination of a plurality of related items.

[0041]Terms such as “first” and “...

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising:a cabinet having an inlet disposed on an upper part thereof;a tub disposed inside the cabinet and configured to accommodate washing water;a rotating drum rotatably disposed inside the tub;a pulsator rotatably disposed at an inner bottom of the rotating drum;a driving device comprising a motor configured to drive the rotating drum and the pulsator; andat least one processor, comprising processing circuitry, individually and / or collectively, configured to cause the washing machine to perform washing and dehydration processes,wherein the driving device includes:a driving motor configured to generate a driving force, anda rotating shaft configured to transmit the driving force generated by the driving motor to the rotating drum and the pulsator, respectively, andwherein at least one processor, individually and / or collectively, is configured to control the driving device to be operated in a first mode for driving only the pulsator based on the washing process being initiated,a rotation speed of the pulsator while the washing water is supplied after the washing process is initiated is lower than a rotation speed of the pulsator while no washing water is supplied during the washing process, andat least one processor, individually and / or collectively, is configured to control the driving device to be operated in a second mode for driving both the rotating drum and the pulsator, and open a drain valve to drain the washing water accommodated inside the tub, based on the dehydration process being initiated.

2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotating drum is installed inside the tub and configured to be rotated together with a rotation of the pulsator in the first mode.

3. The washing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one processor, individually and / or collectively, is configured to cause the washing machine to:open a water supply valve to supply the water to the tub based on the washing process being initiated, andcontrol the driving device to:rotate the pulsator for a specified first time and stop the pulsator for a specified second time, androtate the pulsator for the first time again.

4. The washing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one processor, individually and / or collectively, is configured to cause the washing machine to:open a water supply valve to supply the water to the tub if the washing process is initiated, andcontrol the driving device to:rotate the pulsator in a first direction for a specified first time and stop the pulsator for a specified second time, androtate the pulsator in a second direction opposite to the first direction for the first time again.

5. The washing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one processor, individually and / or collectively, is configured to control a rotation speed of the driving motor to 25 revolutions per minute (RPM) or less while the washing water is supplied in the washing process.

6. The washing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pulsator is configured to be rotated at 1 / 5.3 of the rotation speed of the driving motor while the washing process is performed.

7. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one processor, individually and / or collectively, is configured to cause the washing machine to:detect a weight of a laundry loaded inside the rotating drum by controlling the driving device to be operated in the second mode based on the washing process being initiated,determine an amount of washing water to be supplied to the tub based on the detected weight of the laundry, andcontrol the driving device to be operated in the first mode for a time during which the determined amount of washing water is supplied to the tub.

8. A method of operating a washing machine, including a tub, and a rotating drum rotatably disposed inside the tub, the method comprising:supplying water to the tub by opening a water supply valve based on a washing process being initiated; andperforming an operation in a first mode for driving only a pulsator rotatably disposed at an inner bottom of the rotating drum while the water is supplied to the tub,wherein a rotation speed of the pulsator while the water is supplied to the tub is less than a rotation speed of the pulsator while no water is supplied during the washing process.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising performing an operation in a second mode for driving both the rotating drum and the pulsator based on a dehydration process being initiated after the washing process is finished.

10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the rotating drum is installed inside the tub and configured to be rotated together with a rotation of the pulsator during the operation in the first mode.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the performing of the operation in the first mode includes:rotating the pulsator for a specified first time and stopping the pulsator based on the water being supplied to the tub, androtating the pulsator for the first time again based on a specified second time elapsing after the pulsator is stopped.

12. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the performing of the operation in the first mode includes:rotating the pulsator in a first direction for a specified first time and stopping the pulsator based on the water being supplied to the tub, androtating the pulsator in a second direction opposite to the first direction for the first time again based on a specified second time elapsing after the pulsator is stopped.

13. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein in the performing of the operation in the first mode,a rotation speed of a driving motor for rotating the pulsator is adjusted to 25 revolutions per minute (RPM) or less.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the pulsator is rotated at 1 / 5.3 of the rotation speed of the driving motor while the washing process is performed.

15. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein in the performing of the operation in the first mode, the pulsator is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise.

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