Method for controlling drum-type washing machine

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for controlling a drum-type washing machine including the steps of (a) switching on a water supply valve and switching on a circulation pump and a heater, (b) switching off the water supply valve after the switching-on of the water supply valve, and (c) switching off the circulation pump and the heater after the switching-off of the water supply valve. The method allows laundry to be effectively cleaned using a small quantity of the wash water and minimizes a power consumption rate required to operate the heater through several repetitions of the steps (a) to (c).

1 . A method for controlling a drum-type washing machine comprising the steps of: 
 (a) switching on a water supply valve to supply wash water into a tub, and switching on a circulation pump to circulate the wash water in the tub into a drum;    (b) switching off the water supply valve when a first predetermined time from the switching-on of the water supply valve elapses or the level of the supplied wash water is not less than a first predetermined level; and    (c) switching off the circulation pump when a second predetermined time from the switching-off of the water supply valve elapses or the level of the supplied wash water is less than a second predetermined level,    wherein the steps (a) to (c) are sequentially repeated several times.    
   
   
       2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 wherein the first predetermined time or the first predetermined level is set such that the circulation pump can pump the wash water.    
   
   
       3 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 wherein the first predetermined time or the first predetermined level is set such that the level of the supplied wash water is lower than a lower end of the drum.    
   
   
       4 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 wherein the step (a) is performed when a third predetermined time from the switching-off of the circulation pump in the step (c) elapses.    
   
   
       5 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 wherein the sequential repetition of the steps (a) to (c) is stopped when the level of the supplied wash water is not less than a third predetermined level.    
   
   
       6 . The method as set forth in  claim 5 , 
 wherein the third predetermined level is higher than the first predetermined level.    
   
   
       7 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of (d) switching on a motor to rotate the drum after at least two sequential repetitions of the steps (a) to (c).  
   
   
       8 . The method as set forth in  claim 7 , further comprising the step of (e) switching on the circulation pump when a fourth predetermined time from the switching-on of the motor elapses.  
   
   
       9 . The method as set forth in  claim 8 , further comprising the step of (f) switching off the motor and the circulation pump when a fifth predetermined time from the switching-on of the circulation pump elapses.  
   
   
       10 . The method as set forth in  claim 9 , 
 wherein the steps (a) to (f) are performed in a wash or rinse mode.    
   
   
       11 . A method for controlling a drum-type washing machine comprising the steps of: 
 (a) switching on a water supply valve to supply wash water into a tub, switching on a circulation pump to circulate the wash water in the tub into a drum, and switching on a heater to heat the wash water in the tub;    (b) switching off the water supply valve when a first predetermined time from the switching-on of the water supply valve elapses or the level of the supplied wash water is not less than a first predetermined level; and    (c) switching off the circulation pump and the heater when a second predetermined time from the switching-off of the water supply valve elapses or the level of the supplied wash water is less than a second predetermined level,    wherein the steps (a) to (c) are sequentially repeated several times.    
   
   
       12 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , 
 wherein the first predetermined time or the first predetermined level is set such that the level of the supplied wash water is lower than a lower end of the drum.    
   
   
       13 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , 
 wherein the first predetermined time or the first predetermined level is set such that the circulation pump can pump the wash water.    
   
   
       14 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , 
 wherein the step (a) is performed when a third predetermined time from the switching-off of the circulation pump in the step (c) elapses.    
   
   
       15 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , 
 wherein the sequential repetition of the steps (a) to (c) is stopped when the level of the supplied wash water is not less than a third predetermined level.    
   
   
       16 . The method as set forth in  claim 15 , 
 wherein the third predetermined level is higher than the first predetermined level.    
   
   
       17 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising the step of (d) switching on a motor to rotate the drum after at least two sequential repetitions of the steps (a) to (c).  
   
   
       18 . The method as set forth in  claim 17 , further comprising the step of (e) switching on the circulation pump when a fourth predetermined time from the switching-on of the motor elapses.  
   
   
       19 . The method as set forth in  claim 18 , further comprising the step of (f) switching off the motor and the circulation pump when a fifth predetermined time from the switching-on of the circulation pump elapses.  
   
   
       20 . The method as set forth in  claim 19 , 
 wherein the steps (a) to (f) are performed in a wash or rinse mode.