Washing machine and method of controlling spin drying thereof

Abstract

A washing machine and a method of controlling spin drying thereof are provided. The method includes detecting an imbalance of a washing tub while rotating the washing tub after rinsing is completed, injecting water into the laundry in the washing tub based upon the imbalance of the washing tub, and detecting the imbalance of a washing tub while rotating the washing tub after the injecting of water. Therefore, since the imbalance detecting process of the washing tub can be reduced after rinsing is completed, the time necessary for beginning main spin drying of the laundry can be reduced.

1 . A method of controlling spin drying of a washing machine, the method comprising:
 detecting an imbalance of a washing tub while rotating the washing tub after rinsing is completed;   injecting water into the laundry in the washing tub based upon the imbalance of the washing tub; and   detecting the imbalance of the washing tub while rotating the washing tub after the injecting of water.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising supplying water into a tub before the detecting of imbalance of the washing tub after the injecting of water. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising stopping a draining of water in a tub before the injecting of the water,
 wherein unexhausted water is circulated and supplied to the laundry during the injecting of water.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, when the detected imbalance is a set value or less, performing a main spin drying by increasing a rotation speed of the washing tub. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising supplying water into a tub before the detecting of an imbalance of the washing tub after the injecting of water. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising stopping a draining of water in a tub before the injecting of the water,
 wherein unexhausted water is circulated and supplied to the laundry during the injecting of water   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising calculating an imbalance detecting number after the detecting of an imbalance of washing tub,
 wherein draining of water in the washing tub is stopped when the imbalance detecting number is a set number or more.   
   
   
       8 . A method of controlling spin drying of a washing machine, the method comprising:
 detecting an imbalance of a washing tub while rotating the washing tub after rinsing is completed;   repeating the detecting of an imbalance of the washing tub and calculating a detecting number when the detected imbalance is more than a set value;   injecting water into the washing tub when the detecting number is a set number or more; and   detecting an imbalance of the washing tub after the injecting of water.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising, when the detected imbalance is the set value or less, performing a main spin drying by increasing a rotation speed of the washing tub. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising supplying water into a tub before the injecting of water,
 wherein water in the tub is drawn out and then is injected into the tub during the injecting of water.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising stopping a draining of water in a tub before the injecting of water,
 wherein water remaining in the tub is circulated and injected during the injecting of water.   
   
   
       12 . A washing machine comprising:
 a cabinet;   a tub installed in the cabinet;   a washing tub rotatably installed in the tub;   a drive motor that rotates the washing tub;   a circulation pump that draws water in the tub and circulates the water;   a drain pump that drains water in the tub;   an imbalance detection unit that detects an imbalance of the washing tub; and   a control unit,   wherein the control unit controls the drive motor and the imbalance detection unit to detect an imbalance of the washing tub while rotating the washing tub after rinsing is completed, and when the detected imbalance is more than a set value, the control unit controls the circulation pump to inject water into the washing tub and controls the imbalance detection unit to detect an imbalance of the washing tub.   
   
   
       13 . The washing machine of  claim 12 , wherein, when the detected imbalance is the set value or less, the control unit controls the drive motor to increase a rotation speed of the washing tub to a predetermined speed. 
   
   
       14 . The washing machine of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a water supply path; and   a water supply valve that opens and closes the water supply path, wherein the control unit controls the water supply valve to supply water into the tub before injecting water into the washing tub.   
   
   
       15 . The washing machine of  claim 12 , wherein the control unit controls the drain pump to stop draining of water in the tub before injecting water into the washing tub. 
   
   
       16 . The washing machine of  claim 12 , further comprising a detecting number calculation unit that calculates an imbalance detecting number of the imbalance detection unit,
 wherein the control unit controls the circulation pump to inject water into the washing tub, when the detected imbalance is more than the set value and the imbalance detecting number is a set number or more.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising, stopping the drive motor when the detecting number is less than a maximum set number before the injecting of water into the washing tub. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising driving the drive motor when the detecting number is less than a set number before the injecting of water into the washing tub.