Washing machine and control method thereof

Abstract

Disclosed herein are a washing machine and a control method thereof that is capable of supplying condensed water generated while laundry is dried to a steam generating unit to generate steam, thereby minimizing formation of scale in the steam generating unit. The washing machine includes a drying unit having a heat exchanger to dehumidify air in a washing tub, a steam generating unit to supply steam to the washing tub, a condensed water tank to collect condensed water from the heat exchanger, and a steam-purpose water supplying unit to supply the water from the condensed water tank to the steam generating unit.

1 . A washing machine, comprising: 
 a drying unit having a heat exchanger to dehumidify air in a washing tub;    a steam generating unit to supply steam to the washing tub;    a condensed water tank to collect condensed water from the heat exchanger; and    a steam-purpose water supplying unit to supply the water from the condensed water tank to the steam generating unit.    
   
   
       2 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the steam-purpose water supplying unit comprises: 
 a steam-purpose water supplying pipe connected between the condensed water tank and the steam generating unit;    a water supplying pump mounted on the steam-purpose water supplying pipe; and    a water supplying valve to open and close the steam-purpose water supplying pipe.    
   
   
       3 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a water level sensor to sense the water level of the condensed water tank;    a water supplying unit to supply external water to the condensed water tank when the water level of the condensed water tank is below a first predetermined water level; and    a water draining unit to drain the water out of the condensed water tank when the water level of the condensed water tank is above a second predetermined water level.    
   
   
       4 . A control method of a washing machine comprising: a drying unit having a heat exchanger to dehumidify air in a washing tub; a steam generating unit to supply steam to the washing tub; and a condensed water tank to collect condensed water from the heat exchanger, wherein the control method comprises: 
 sensing the water level of the condensed water tank when a drying operation is performed; and    opening a water draining pipe of the condensed water tank, when the water level of the condensed water tank is higher than a predetermined highest level, to drain water out of the condensed water tank.    
   
   
       5 . The control method according to  claim 4 , further comprises: 
 closing the water draining pipe of the condensed water tank when the water level of the condensed water tank is lower than the predetermined highest level.    
   
   
       6 . A control method of a washing machine comprising: a drying unit having a heat exchanger to dehumidify air in a washing tub; a steam generating unit to supply steam to the washing tub; and a condensed water tank to collect condensed water from the heat exchanger, wherein the control method comprises: 
 sensing the water level of the condensed water tank when steam is supplied to the washing tub; and    operating the steam generating unit and supplying water from the condensed water tank to the steam generating unit through a steam-purpose water supplying unit when the water level of the condensed water tank is higher than a predetermined lowest level.    
   
   
       7 . The control method according to  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 supplying water to the condensed water tank from an external water supply source when the water level of the condensed water tank is lower than the predetermined lowest level.    
   
   
       8 . The control method according to  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 stopping water supply to the condensed water tank from an external water supply source when the water level of the condensed water tank is higher than the predetermined lowest level.    
   
   
       9 . A subassembly of a washing machine, comprising: 
 a condensed water tank to collect condensed water for the operation of the washing machine;    a water level sensor to sense a water level of the tank;    a water supplying unit to supply external water to the tank when the water level sensor detects that the water level of the tank is below a first predetermined level; and    a water draining unit to drain excess water out of the tank when the water level sensor detects when the water level of the tank is above a second predetermined water level.    
   
   
       10 . A washing machine, comprising: 
 a drying system condensing water during drying of laundry in a washing tub; and    a washing system for using the condensed water during a washing related operation for laundry in the tub.    
   
   
       11 . A washing machine as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the washing related operation is supplying steam to the laundry.  
   
   
       12 . A washing machine process, comprising: 
 controlling a washing machine to condense water during drying of laundry; and    controlling the washing machine to use the condensed water during washing related operations for the laundry.