Washing machine and washing control method thereof

Abstract

A washing machine and washing control method thereof. The washing control method not only improves the effectiveness of a preliminary washing cycle that is an optional function of the washing machine, but also reduces the amount of detergent and wash water that is used for the preliminary washing cycle. For this, the washing control method includes determining whether or not a preliminary washing cycle is selected, supplying a lesser amount of wash water than a desired amount of wash water that is determined based on the amount of laundry if the preliminary washing cycle is selected, and performing the preliminary washing cycle, and supplying a certain amount of wash water additionally after completing the preliminary washing cycle, and performing a main washing cycle.

1 . A method for controlling a washing machine, comprising:
 determining whether or not a preliminary washing cycle is selected;   supplying a reduced amount of wash water than a desired amount of wash water that is determined based on the amount of laundry if the preliminary washing cycle is selected and performing the preliminary washing cycle; and   supplying a certain amount of wash water additionally after completing the preliminary washing cycle, and   performing a main washing cycle.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the amount of wash water, supplied during the preliminary washing cycle, is approximately 70% of the desired amount of wash water. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the main washing cycle is performed as the wash water is additionally supplied to top up the desired amount without draining the wash water used after the preliminary washing cycle. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the certain amount of wash water, additionally supplied during the main washing cycle, is obtained by subtracting the amount of wash water supplied during the preliminary washing cycle from the desired amount of wash water. 
   
   
       5 . Awashing machine having a motor and a water supply device, comprising:
 a signal input unit to select a preliminary washing cycle; and   a controller to control the water supply device if the preliminary washing cycle is selected, so as to reduce an amount of wash water, to be supplied during the preliminary washing cycle, below a desired amount of wash water that is determined based on an amount of laundry.   
   
   
       6 . The washing machine according to  claim 5 , wherein the controller controls the water supply device during the preliminary washing cycle to reduce the amount of wash water than the desired amount of wash water, which is determined based on the amount of laundry, is supplied to perform the preliminary washing cycle, and a certain amount of wash water is supplied additionally after completing the preliminary washing cycle without draining the wash water used. 
   
   
       7 . The washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the controller sets the amount of wash water, to be supplied during the preliminary washing cycle, to approximately 70% of the desired amount of wash water. 
   
   
       8 . The washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the controller advances the main washing cycle after supplying the certain amount of wash water additionally. 
   
   
       9 . The washing machine according to  claim 8 , wherein the controller sets the certain amount of wash water, to be supplied additionally during the main washing cycle, to approximately 30% of the desired amount of wash water. 
   
   
       10 . A washing machine having a detergent supply device and a water supply device for providing a first amount of detergent and a first amount of water, comprising:
 a signal input unit to select a preliminary washing cycle in addition to a main washing cycle; and   a controller to control the detergent supply device and the water supply device,   wherein the controller provides a second amount of detergent used during the preliminary washing cycle and the main washing cycle that is reduced by 15% of the first amount of detergent.   
   
   
       11 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the second amount of detergent used in the preliminary washing cycle is reduced by at least 30% of the first amount of detergent in the preliminary washing cycle, and
 the second amount of detergent used in the main washing cycle is reduced by at least 50% of the first amount of detergent in the main washing cycle.   
   
   
       12 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the second amount of detergent used in the preliminary washing cycle is reduced by up to 50% of the first amount of detergent in the preliminary washing cycle, and
 the second amount of detergent used in the main washing cycle is reduced by at 80% of the first amount of detergent in the main washing cycle.   
   
   
       13 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein a second amount of wash water used in the preliminary washing cycle and the main washing cycle is reduced by up to 50% of the first amount of wash water used in the preliminary washing cycle and main washing cycle.