Apparatus and method of controlling water supply of washing machine

A method for controlling a water supply in a washing machine provided with a detergent dissolving unit installed on a water supply path so as to supply a water-dissolved detergent to a water tank, the method comprising:

• sensing a level of water supplied to the detergent dissolving unit;
• determining whether the water supply path is clogged according to the sensed water level, wherein the step of determining comprises:
• measuring a number of times when the sensed water level is more than a designated water level, and
• comparing the measured number of times to a designated number of times;
• and
• controlling a water supply action so as to unclog the water supply path according to a result of the determination.

An apparatus for controlling a water supply unit in a washing machine provided with a detergent dissolving unit to supply a water-dissolved detergent to a water tank, comprising:

• a water level sensing unit to sense a level of water supplied to the detergent dissolving unit;
• and
• a controlling unit to determine whether the water supply unit is clogged according to the sensed water level and to control a water supply action so as to unclog the water supply path according to a result of the determination, wherein:
• the controlling unit measures whether a number of times the water level exceeds a threshold water level and if the measured number of times is more than a preset value, than the water supply unit is determined to be clogged, and
• the controlling unit stops the water supply to the detergent dissolving unit when the water supply unit is determined to be clogged.

A method for controlling a water supply unit in a washing machine provided with a detergent dissolving unit to supply a water-dissolved detergent, comprising:

• sensing a level of water supplied to the detergent dissolving unit;
• determining whether the water supply unit is clogged according to the sensed water level, wherein the step of determining comprises:
• measuring a number of times the water level exceeds a threshold water level,
• establishing the water supply unit to be clogged, if the measured number of times the water level exceeds a threshold water level is more than a preset value, and
• stopping a water supply to the detergent dissolving unit when the water supply unit is determined to be clogged;
• and
• controlling a water supply action so as to unclog the water supply path according to a result of the determination.