Washing machine control method and washing machine using the same

Abstract

A washing machine control method and a washing machine using the same enable a user to set as desired a variety of dewatering parameters, including a preliminary dewatering motor speed, a main dewatering motor speed, a preliminary dewatering time, and a main dewatering time. By selectively reducing the rotational rate of a motor performing a dewatering cycle, the user can avoid damaging delicate or costly laundry during a dewatering cycle. The method includes steps of storing at least one dewatering parameter value in memory and controlling the dewatering cycle by driving the motor according to the at least one dewatering parameter value stored in the memory. The at least one parameter value is indicative of at least one of a preliminary dewatering motor speed, a main dewatering motor speed, a preliminary dewatering time, and a main dewatering time.

1 . A method of controlling a dewatering cycle of a washing machine having a memory, the method comprising steps of: 
 storing at least one dewatering parameter value in the memory; and    controlling the dewatering cycle by driving a motor according to the at least one dewatering parameter value stored in the memory.    
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one parameter value is indicative of at least one of a preliminary dewatering motor speed, a main dewatering motor speed, a preliminary dewatering time, and a main dewatering time.  
   
   
       3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the motor is coupled with an inner tub for holding laundry, to rotate the inner tub during the dewatering cycle.  
   
   
       4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a step of inputting the at least one parameter value to be stored in the memory.  
   
   
       5 . The method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the at least one parameter value is input by a user before executing a wash course.  
   
   
       6 . The method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the at least one parameter value is input by a user during wash course execution.  
   
   
       7 . The method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the at least one parameter value is input by a user before said controlling step.  
   
   
       8 . The method as claimed in  claim 4 , further comprising a step of changing the at least one parameter value stored in the memory by writing over the stored value.  
   
   
       9 . The method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the input parameter value is indicative of a preliminary dewatering time and a main dewatering time, the motor being driven for the preliminary and main dewatering times, respectively.  
   
   
       10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the parameter values indicative of the preliminary and main dewatering times are stored in the memory by a manufacturer.  
   
   
       11 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the parameter values indicative of the preliminary and main dewatering times are stored in the memory by a user.  
   
   
       12 . The method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the input parameter value is indicative of a ratio between a preliminary dewatering period and a main dewatering period, the motor being driven based on the preliminary dewatering period and the main dewatering period, respectively.  
   
   
       13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the preliminary dewatering period is shorter than the main dewatering period.  
   
   
       14 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the preliminary dewatering period precedes the main dewatering period.  
   
   
       15 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the parameter values indicative of the ratio between the preliminary and main dewatering periods are stored in the memory by a manufacturer.  
   
   
       16 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the parameter values indicative of the ratio between the preliminary and main dewatering periods are stored in the memory by a user.  
   
   
       17 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one parameter value stored in the memory is set by a user.  
   
   
       18 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one parameter value stored in the memory is predetermined by a manufacturer.  
   
   
       19 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the dewatering cycle includes a preliminary dewatering period and a main dewatering period.  
   
   
       20 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said controlling step comprises steps of: 
 rotating the motor at a first motor speed during the preliminary dewatering period; and    rotating the motor at a second motor speed during the main dewatering period.    
   
   
       21 . The method as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the first motor speed is greater than the second motor speed.  
   
   
       22 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising steps of: 
 displaying the at least one parameter value stored in the memory;    selecting one of the displayed parameter values; and    rotating the motor according to the selected parameter value.    
   
   
       23 . The method as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the at least one parameter value is indicative of a rotational rate of the motor.  
   
   
       24 . The method as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the parameter values are displayed as a list of rpm values, one rpm value being selected from the list to rotate the motor accordingly.  
   
   
       25 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a step of displaying the stored at least one dewatering parameter value.  
   
   
       26 . The method as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the at least one dewatering parameter value is displayed while the motor is being driven.  
   
   
       27 . The method as claimed in  claim 25 , further comprising a step of selecting one of the displayed at least one dewatering parameter values.  
   
   
       28 . The method as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the selected dewatering parameter value is displayed while the motor is being driven.  
   
   
       29 . A method of controlling a dewatering cycle of a washing machine having a memory, the method comprising steps of: 
 executing a wash course according to a program stored in the memory;    storing a plurality of rpm values in the memory according to the executed wash course; and    controlling the dewatering cycle, during a preliminary dewatering period and a main dewatering period, by driving a motor according to a first rpm value for the preliminary dewatering period and according to a second rpm value for the main dewatering period.    
   
   
       30 . The method as claimed in  claim 29 , further comprising steps of: 
 displaying the rpm values stored in the memory;    selecting one of the displayed rpm values; and    rotating the motor for each period of the dewatering cycle according to a predetermined ratio based on the selected rpm value.    
   
   
       31 . The method as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the predetermined ratio is based on the wash course executed by the program stored in the memory.  
   
   
       32 . A washing machine, comprising: 
 a motor for rotating an inner tub to perform a dewatering cycle of a wash course;    a memory for storing at least one dewatering parameter value and a program for executing the wash course; and    a microcomputer for, while the wash course is being executed according to the stored program, controlling said motor to perform the dewatering cycle according to the at least one dewatering parameter value stored in said memory.    
   
   
       33 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the at least one parameter value is indicative of at least one of a preliminary dewatering motor speed, a main dewatering motor speed, a preliminary dewatering time, and a main dewatering time.  
   
   
       34 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the at least one parameter value stored in the memory is set by a user.  
   
   
       35 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the at least one parameter value stored in the memory is predetermined by a manufacturer.  
   
   
       36 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein said microcomputer generates, based on the at least one dewatering parameter value, a dewatering control signal for controlling said motor to perform the dewatering cycle.  
   
   
       37 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 32 , further comprising a motor driver for driving said motor according to the dewatering control signal output by said microcomputer.  
   
   
       38 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the dewatering cycle includes a preliminary dewatering period and a main dewatering period.  
   
   
       39 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein said motor is rotated at a first motor speed during the preliminary dewatering period and at a second motor speed during the main dewatering period.  
   
   
       40 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 32 , further comprising a display, controlled by said microcomputer, for displaying the at least one parameter value stored in said memory.  
   
   
       41 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the at least one parameter value is stored in the memory by a manufacturer.  
   
   
       42 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the at least one parameter value is stored in the memory by a user.  
   
   
       43 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 32 , further comprising a key input for entering user data to be stored in said memory.  
   
   
       44 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein said key input comprises a dewatering setup mode key for initiating a dewatering setup mode of the washing machine.  
   
   
       45 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the dewatering setup mode of the washing machine is a dewatering speed setup mode for setting a rotational rate of said motor.  
   
   
       46 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein said key input comprises a keypad for freely setting the dewatering parameters values.  
   
   
       47 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein said key input comprises a reset key for deleting the entered user data.  
   
   
       48 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein the at least one parameter value is input by the user before executing the wash course.  
   
   
       49 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein the at least one parameter value is input by the user during wash course execution.  
   
   
       50 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein the at least one parameter value is input by the user before said motor performs the dewatering cycle.