US 11,535,967 B2Granted

Washing machine and operating method of washing machine

AssigneeLG Electronics Inc.

InventorsSoyeon Ko, Sujin Ahn, Sunju Lee, Jina Lee

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Abstract

A washing machine and an operating method thereof are disclosed. A washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a washing tub; a touch screen for outputting a graphical object corresponding to a washing-related function which can be performed by the washing tub; a detergent supplying unit which is formed to receive a laundry detergent in an inner space thereof and supply the received laundry detergent to the washing tub through a supply fluid path; and a control unit which detects a load and a contamination level of laundry in response to input of a washing start command and determines an input quantity of the laundry detergent received in the detergent supplying unit on the basis of the detected load and contamination level. In addition, the control unit displays a graphical object related to the determined laundry detergent input quantity on the touch screen.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A washing machine, comprising:

a washing tub configured to receive laundry;
a touch screen configured to output one or more graphic objects corresponding to an operation related to washing in the washing tub;
a detergent supply that defines an inner space configured to accommodate a laundry detergent and that is configured to supply the laundry detergent to the washing tub;
a sensor configured to detect a remaining quantity of the laundry detergent in the detergent supply;
and
a control unit that is configured to:
detect a load of the laundry in the washing tub and a contamination level of the laundry in response to an input of a washing start command,
determine an input quantity of the laundry detergent based on the load of the laundry and the contamination level of the laundry,
control the touch screen to display a graphic object corresponding to the input quantity of the laundry detergent,
supply the input quantity of the laundry detergent to the washing tub to continue a washing stroke of the washing tub based on the remaining quantity of the laundry detergent being greater than or equal to a reference value, and
control the touch screen to output a notification for adding the laundry detergent after completion of the washing stroke.

8 more elements

A method for operating a washing machine having a touch screen, the method comprising:

detecting a load of laundry received in a washing tub of the washing machine and a contamination level of the laundry based on an input of a washing start command;
determining an input quantity of laundry detergent to be supplied from a detergent supply into the washing tub based on the load and the contamination level;
displaying a graphic object corresponding to the input quantity of the laundry detergent on the touch screen;
detecting a remaining quantity of the laundry detergent in the detergent supply;
outputting information related to the remaining quantity of the laundry detergent on the touch screen in response to the input of the washing start command;
comparing the remaining quantity of the laundry detergent to a reference value;
based on the remaining quantity of the laundry detergent being greater than or equal to the reference value, supplying the input quantity of the laundry detergent to the washing tub to continue a washing stroke;
and
controlling the touch screen to output a notification to add the laundry detergent after completion of the washing stroke.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/754,315Filed 14 Sep 2018
Priority: KR 10-2017-013278412 Oct 2017
Published: US 2020/0240066 A130 Jul 2020
Granted: 27 Dec 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

D06F 34/32
Arrangements for programme selection, e.g. control panels therefor; Arrangements for indicating programme parameters, e.g. the selected…
D06F 33/37
Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry: of metering of…
D06F 39/02
Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00: devices for adding soap or other…
D06F 2103/02
Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers: characteristics of laundry…