US 2014/0208522 A1 · WASHING MACHINE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME

Abstract

A washing machine that performs a washing course by heating wash water and a control method thereof are provided. The method includes supplying wash water up to a wash water level for generation of steam such that a portion of laundry received in an inner tub is saturated by the wash water. The wash water level may be above a bottom surface of the inner tub and below a wash water level for main washing. The method then includes heating the wash water to a first set temperature and driving a washing heater to generate steam from the wash water, and supplying the generated steam to the inner tub, and then supplying the wash water up to the wash water level for main washing, and driving the washing heater again to heat the wash water to a second set temperature, the second set temperature being lower than the first set temperature.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of controlling a washing machine, the method comprising:

performing a first water supply step to supply water for generation of steam, comprising supplying wash water up to a first water level, the first water level being between a bottom surface of an inner tub of the washing machine and a second water level at which a main washing process is performed;
performing a first heater driving step, comprising driving a heater provided at an outer tub in which the inner tub is received, and heating the wash water supplied during the first water supply step to a first set temperature and generating steam from the heated wash water;
performing a second water supply step to supply water for the main washing process, comprising supplying additional wash water up to the second water level;
and
performing a second heater driving step, comprising driving the heater and heating the wash water to a second set temperature, the second set temperature being lower than the first set temperature.

2 more elements

A method of controlling a washing machine, the method comprising:

supplying wash water up to a first water level to generate steam, the first water level being above a bottom surface of an inner tub of the washing machine and lower than a second water level for a main washing process;
generating steam from the wash water supplied to the first water level, comprising driving a heater provided at an outer tub in which the inner tub is received to heat the wash water to a first set temperature and generate steam from the heated wash water;
supplying additional wash water up to the second water level;
driving the heater again and heating the wash water supplied to the second water level to a second set temperature, the second set temperature being lower than the first set temperature;
and
performing the main washing process,
wherein heating the wash water to the first set temperature and to the second set temperature comprises maintaining the wash water at a temperature that is greater than or equal to 55 degrees Celsius for an amount of time greater than or equal to 10 minutes prior to driving the washing heater again and heating the wash water to the second set temperature, and for an amount of time greater than or equal to 10 minutes after termination of driving the washing heater again and heating the wash water to the second set temperature.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Washing machine and method of controlling the same

Life of this patent

Washing machine and method of controlling the same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20