US2015128357A1PendingUtilityA1
Apparatus and method for controlling washing machine
Assignee: DONGBU DAEWOO ELECTRONICS CORPPriority: Nov 11, 2013Filed: Dec 13, 2013Published: May 14, 2015
Est. expiryNov 11, 2033(~7.3 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Kwan Seo Koo
D06F 35/005D06F 34/18D06F 2202/10D06F 2204/10D06F 39/003D06F 35/006D06F 33/02D06F 2105/48D06F 34/30D06F 2103/02D06F 33/30
34
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Claims
Abstract
The present disclosure provides an apparatus and a method for controlling a washing machine that automatically select a washing method when a user uses the washing machine and saves the user an effort to choose a washing method suitable for the laundry. The apparatus includes at least one sensor unit in the washing machine configured to measure a value of a natural frequency of laundry in the washing machine; a database unit storing information regarding a washing method of the laundry; a control unit that compares the value of the natural frequency from the sensor unit with value(s) of a natural frequency or frequencies stored in the database unit to determine the type of laundry, select a washing method corresponding to the determined type of laundry, and output a signal to perform the selected washing method; and a driving unit that receives the signal from the control unit and operates the washing machine in accordance with the signal.
Claims
exact text as granted — not AI-modifiedWhat is claimed is:
1 . A control apparatus for a washing machine, comprising:
at least one sensor unit in the washing machine configured to measure a value of a natural frequency of laundry in the washing machine; a database unit storing information regarding a washing method of the laundry; a control unit that compares the measured value of the natural frequency from the sensor unit with value(s) of a natural frequency or frequencies stored in the database unit to determine the type of laundry, selects a washing method corresponding to the determined type of laundry, and outputs a signal to perform the selected washing method; and a driving unit configured to receive the signal from the control unit and operate the washing machine in accordance with the signal.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein, when the value of the natural frequency of the laundry is not determined, the control unit stops driving the washing control apparatus and performs a washing course which is already set.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the database unit stores values of the natural frequency or frequencies for common types of laundry.
4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the control unit compares the measured value of the natural frequency of the laundry in the washing machine with the stored values of the natural frequency or frequencies for common types of laundry in the database unit.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein when the measured value of the natural frequency of the laundry in the washing machine matches one or more of the stored values of the natural frequency or frequencies corresponding to a particular type of laundry, the signal instructs the driving unit to operate according to a washing method corresponding to the particular type of laundry.
6 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the database unit also stores settings for a plurality of washing methods or courses.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the database unit stores the value of the natural frequency for every type of laundry, and the washing method corresponds to the matching type of laundry.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein when a spring constant of the laundry is k and a mass of the laundry is m, the natural frequency is determined by the following Equation [1]:
Natural
frequency
(
F
)
=
1
/
2
π
×
(
k
m
)
[
1
]
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a display unit that displays the washing method in accordance with the type of laundry determined by the control unit.
10 . A method of controlling a washing machine, comprising:
measuring a value of a natural frequency of laundry in the washing machine; comparing the measured value of the natural frequency with one or more values of a natural frequency or frequencies stored in a database to determine a type of the laundry; and performing a washing method corresponding to the determined type of laundry.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising, before measuring the value of the natural frequency of the laundry in the washing machine, storing the value of the natural frequency for every type of laundry and a matching washing method corresponding to the type of laundry.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the database unit stores values of the natural frequency or frequencies for common types of laundry.
13 . The method of claim 12 , comprising comparing the measured value of the natural frequency of the laundry in the washing machine with the stored values of the natural frequency or frequencies for common types of laundry.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein when the measured value of the natural frequency of the laundry in the washing machine matches one or more of the stored values of the natural frequency or frequencies corresponding to a particular type of laundry, the method performs the washing method that corresponds to the particular type of laundry.
15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the database unit also stores settings for a plurality of washing methods or courses.
16 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising displaying the washing method that is performed in accordance with the type of laundry.
17 . The method of claim 10 , wherein when a spring constant of the laundry is k and a mass of the laundry is m, the natural frequency is determined by the following Equation [1]:
Natural
frequency
(
F
)
=
1
/
2
π
×
(
k
m
)
[
1
]Join the waitlist — get patent alerts
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