Washing machine and method for controlling the same

Abstract

A washing machine which maximally reduces noise generated from a washing process so as to satisfy a low-noise requirement of a user, and a method for controlling the same. The method includes determining whether a calm washing course is selected, and performing low-noise calm washing by controlling a dehydrating operation performed after washing and rinsing operations so that the dehydrating operation is performed at less than a designated speed, when it is determined that the calm washing course is selected.

1 . A method for controlling a washing machine comprising: 
 determining whether a calm washing course is selected; and    performing low-noise calm washing by controlling a dehydrating operation performed after washing and rinsing operations so that the dehydrating operation is performed at less than a designated speed, when it is determined that the calm washing course is selected.    
   
   
       2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein, the performing of the low-noise calm washing comprises controlling a time and a speed of the dehydrating operation performed after the washing and rinsing operations.  
   
   
       3 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein, the performing of the low-noise calm washing comprises controlling a time of the dehydrating operation performed after the rinsing operation and a rinsing number in the rinsing operation.  
   
   
       4 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the designated speed is approximately 100 rpm.  
   
   
       5 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising preventing washing water from being discharged to an outside in a final rinsing operation and maintaining a final rinsing state, when it is determined that the calm washing course is selected.  
   
   
       6 . A method for controlling a washing machine, in which a dehydrating operation after operations for washing laundry is performed at less than a designated speed for a designated time, to perform calm washing in a low-noise state.  
   
   
       7 . The method as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the operations for washing laundry comprise washing and rinsing operations.  
   
   
       8 . The method as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the designated speed is approximately 100 rpm.  
   
   
       9 . The method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein when the rinsing operation is a final rinsing operation, a final rinsing state is maintained without performing a final dehydrating operation.  
   
   
       10 . A washing machine having a motor and a drain device, comprising: 
 a signal input unit to select a calm washing course; and    a control unit to control the motor in the calm washing course so that a dehydrating operation after washing and rinsing operations is performed at less than a designated speed.    
   
   
       11 . The washing machine as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the control unit controls a time and a speed of the dehydrating operation after the washing and rinsing operations.  
   
   
       12 . The washing machine as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the control unit controls a time of the dehydrating operation after the rinsing operation and a rinsing number in the rinsing operation.  
   
   
       13 . The washing machine as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the designated speed is approximately 100 rpm.  
   
   
       14 . The washing machine as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the control unit prevents washing water from being discharged to an outside in a final rinsing operation, and maintains a final rinsing state.  
   
   
       15 . A washing machine comprising: 
 a signal input unit to select a calm washing course; and    a control unit to control the motor in the calm washing course so that a dehydrating operation after operations for washing laundry is performed at less than a designated speed for a designated time.    
   
   
       16 . The washing machine as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the operations for washing laundry comprise washing and rinsing operations.  
   
   
       17 . The washing machine as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein, when the rinsing operation is a final rinsing operation, the control unit maintains a final rinsing state without performing a final dehydrating operation.