Washing machine and method of controlling the same
AssigneeLG Electronics Inc.
InventorsAekyung Chae, Sangwoo Lee, Youngho Kim
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A washing machine and a method of controlling the same, which are capable of easily refreshing laundry, are disclosed. The washing machine includes an outer tub to contain wash water, an inner tub rotatably disposed in the outer tub, a hanger unit, which is disposed over the inner tub and on which laundry is hung, a steam generator disposed at the outer tub to heat the wash water so as to generate steam, and a drive unit rotating the inner tub to rotate the hanger unit and introduces the steam generated from the steam generator into the inner tub.
Claims19
A washing machine comprising:
- an outer tub to contain wash water;
- an inner tub rotatably disposed in the outer tub;
- a hanger unit disposed over the inner tub on which laundry can be hung;
- a steam generator disposed at the outer tub to heat the wash water so as to generate steam;
- a drive unit to rotate the inner tub and in turn the hanger unit, and to introduce the steam generated from the steam generator into the inner tub;
- and
- a controller to control the steam generator and the drive unit,
- wherein the controller is configured to:
- activate the steam generator to generate steam in the outer tub, and
- when the outer tub is filled with the steam, halt the operation of the steam generator and then activate the drive unit to rotate the inner tub.
A method of controlling a washing machine including an outer tub to contain wash water, an inner tub rotatably disposed in the outer tub, and a hanger unit disposed over the inner tub on which laundry can be hung, the method comprising:
- heating the wash water to generate steam in the outer tub;
- and
- rotating the inner tub so as to rotate the hanger unit and introduce the steam into the inner tub,
- wherein when the outer tub is filled with the steam, the heating of the wash water is stopped and then the inner tub starts to rotate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.