US 2011/0252577 A1 · WASHING MACHINE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

Abstract

A washing machine and a control method thereof in which a tub washing course is safely performed using a sensor to measure vibration of a tub. Since whether or not laundry is present in s drum is sensed while performing the tub washing course, consumption of separate time, water, and energy to sense whether or not laundry is present is not required, and operation of the washing machine is controlled by diagnosing malfunction of the sensor. If plural sensors are installed, a micro-computer is connected to the plural sensors in common through a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) communication method or an Inter Integrated circuit (I2C) communication method, thereby reducing costs and volume of wire-harness.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A control method of a washing machine, which has a tub, a heater and a drum installed in the tub, and a motor to rotate the drum, comprising:

judging whether or not a tub washing course is selected;
performing the tub washing course by operating the heater and the motor at set RPM and water temperature, if the tub washing course is selected;
measuring displacement data according to vibration of the tub so as to sense whether or not laundry is present in the drum while performing the tub washing course;
and
comparing the measured vibration displacement data with a set limit value, and changing the set RPM and water temperature and performing the remaining tub washing course at the changed RPM and water temperature, if the vibration displacement data exceeds the limit value.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Washing machine and control method thereof

Life of this patent

Washing machine and control method thereof

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25