Washing machine and method for controlling the same

Abstract

A washing machine having a plurality of washing units and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The washing machine classifies overall laundry according to the capacity or categories of laundry and independently washes the classified laundry using different washing units. The washing machine includes several washing units capable of classifying laundry according to the capacity or categories of laundry so as to separately wash the classified laundry in different washing ways, so that a user need not manually separate the laundry and the washing machine is not required to be driven several times, thereby reducing an overall washing time and implementing energy saving measures. If several washing units are simultaneously driven, the washing machine according to an embodiment monitors vibrations of the several washing units using a vibration sensor, so that excessive or abnormal vibrations of the washing machine can be effectively reduced.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a plurality of washing units;   a vibration sensor configured to detect vibrations of the plurality of washing units; and   a controller, while the plurality of washing units are in a dehydration process, configured to control the dehydration process of any one of the plurality of washing units according to data of the vibrations detected by the vibration sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of tubs installed in the plurality of washing units, respectively;   a plurality of drums rotatably installed in the plurality of tubs, respectively; and   a plurality of motors configured to respectively rotate the plurality of drums,   wherein the controller controls any one of the plurality of motors using the data of the vibrations detected by the vibration sensor.   
     
     
         3 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the controller compares the data of the vibrations detected by the vibration sensor with excessive vibration data, and delays dehydration entry of any one of the plurality of motors while the detected data is equal to or higher than the excessive vibration data, resulting in reduction of vibrations of the washing machine. 
     
     
         4 . The washing machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the excessive vibration occurs in an entry section of the dehydration process. 
     
     
         5 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the controller compares the data of the vibrations detected by the vibration sensor with normal vibration data, and controls a dehydration RPM of any one of the plurality of motors while the detected data is equal to or higher than the normal vibration data, resulting in reduction of vibrations of the washing machine. 
     
     
         6 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the controller compares the data of the vibrations detected by the vibration sensor with abnormal vibration data, and stops any one of the plurality of motors while the detected data is equal to or higher than the abnormal vibration data, resulting in reduction of vibrations of the washing machine. 
     
     
         7 . The washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the abnormal vibration occurs in a normal progressing section of the dehydration process. 
     
     
         8 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of washing units includes:
 a first washing unit having a first tub, a first drum, and a first inlet, the first inlet being arranged at an upper part of the first washing unit so as to enable loading and unloading of laundry; and   a second washing having a second tub, a second drum and a second inlet, the second inlet being arranged at a front surface of the second washing machine so as to enable loading and unloading of laundry.   
     
     
         9 . The washing machine according to  claim 8 , wherein the vibration sensor is configured to detect vibrations generated between the first washing unit and the second washing unit while the plurality of motors is simultaneously rotated at a high speed. 
     
     
         10 . The washing machine according to  claim 8 , wherein the vibration sensor is installed between the first washing unit and the second washing unit, the vibration sensor measures displacement of the first tub and the second tub moving in response to rotation of the first drum and the second drum, and transmits the measured displacement to the controller. 
     
     
         11 . The washing machine according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a vibration reduction unit installed between the first washing unit and the second washing unit, configured to include at least one elastic unit so as to reduce vibration of the washing machine.   
     
     
         12 . The washing machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the vibration sensor is mounted to the vibration reduction unit. 
     
     
         13 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of washing units includes:
 a first washing unit and a second washing unit vertically stacked to be operated independently of each other.   
     
     
         14 . The washing machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the first washing unit and the second washing unit have different capacities. 
     
     
         15 . The washing machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the first washing unit and the second washing unit are comprised of a drum washing machine or a fully automatic washing machine. 
     
     
         16 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a plurality of washing units configured to form an external appearance of the washing machine;   a plurality of tubs installed in the plurality of washing units, respectively;   a plurality of drums rotatably installed in the plurality of tubs, respectively;   a plurality of motors configured to respectively rotate the plurality of drums;   a vibration sensor configured to detect vibrations of the plurality of tubs during rotation of the plurality of drums; and   a controller configured to control any one of the plurality of motors according to data of the vibrations detected by the vibration sensor so as to reduce vibration of the washing machine.   
     
     
         17 . The washing machine according to  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of washing units includes:
 a first washing unit having a first tub, a first drum, and a first inlet, the first inlet being arranged at an upper part of the first washing unit so as to enable loading and unloading of laundry; and   a second washing unit having a second tub, a second drum, and a second inlet, the second inlet being arranged at a front surface second washing unit so as to enable loading and unloading of laundry.   
     
     
         18 . The washing machine according to  claim 17 , wherein the vibration sensor is installed between the first washing unit and the second washing unit, and detects vibrations generated between the first washing unit and the second washing unit while the plurality of motors is simultaneously rotated at a high speed. 
     
     
         19 . The washing machine according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a vibration reduction unit installed between the first washing unit and the second washing unit, configured to include at least one elastic unit so as to reduce vibration of the washing machine.   
     
     
         20 . The washing machine according to  claim 19 , wherein the vibration sensor is mounted to the vibration reduction unit. 
     
     
         21 . A method for controlling a washing machine having a plurality of washing units, comprising:
 determining whether the plurality of washing units are in a dehydration process;   detecting vibrations of the plurality of washing units using a vibration sensor, while the plurality of washing units are determined to be in the dehydration process; and   controlling the dehydration process of any one of the plurality of washing units according to data of the detected vibrations.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the determining includes:
 determining that the plurality of washing units simultaneously perform the dehydration process while the detected data is equal to or higher than reference data.   
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the controlling includes:
 controlling any one of the plurality of motors configured to rotate the plurality of drums respectively installed in the plurality of washing units, and thus reducing vibration of the washing machine.   
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising:
 comparing the data of the vibrations detected by the vibration sensor with excessive vibration data; and   delaying dehydration entry of any one of the plurality of motors while the detected data is equal to or higher than the excessive vibration data, and thus reducing vibration of the washing machine.   
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising:
 comparing the data of the vibrations detected by the vibration sensor with normal vibration data; and   controlling a dehydration RPM of any one of the plurality of motors while the detected data is equal to or higher than the normal vibration data, and thus reducing vibration of the washing machine.   
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising:
 comparing the data of the vibrations detected by the vibration sensor with abnormal vibration data;   stopping operation of any one of the plurality of motors while the detected data is equal to or higher than the abnormal vibration data, and thus reducing vibration of the washing machine.   
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the detecting includes:
 detecting, by a vibration sensor disposed between the plurality of washing units, vibrations of the washing machine during rotation of the plurality of drums.   
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the detecting includes:
 detecting, by a vibration sensor disposed between the plurality of washing units, vibrations generated between the plurality of washing units during high-speed rotation of the plurality of motors.