Washing machine and method for controlling the same

Abstract

A washing machine having a drying device for generating an air current to dry laundry, includes a drum forming a washing space; a first temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of washing water; a second temperature sensor for sensing the temperature in the drum; and a controller for determining whether or not a washing condition for washing delicate fabrics is satisfied based on the temperature in the drum and the temperature of the washing water, and controlling the drying device, when it is determined that the washing condition is not satisfied, so that a washing operation of the delicate fabrics is performed after the washing condition is satisfied. The washing machine ensures the washing condition suitable to wash the delicate fabrics even when the temperature in the drum is elevated due to the earlier washing operation, and then performs the washing operation of the delicate fabrics, thereby preventing damage to the delicate fabrics due to shrinkage and deformation.

1 . A washing machine having a drying device for generating an air current to dry laundry, comprising: 
 a drum forming a washing space;    a first temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of washing water;    a second temperature sensor for sensing the temperature in the drum; and    a controller for determining whether or not a washing condition for washing delicate fabrics is satisfied based on the temperature in the drum and the temperature of the washing water, and controlling the drying device when it is determined that the washing condition is not satisfied, so that a washing operation of the delicate fabrics is performed after the washing condition is satisfied.    
   
   
       2 . The washing machine as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the controller determines that the washing condition is satisfied when a difference of temperatures between the inside of the drum and the washing water is less than a predetermined temperature.  
   
   
       3 . The washing machine as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the controller performs a cooling operation for lowering the temperature in the drum when the temperature in the drum is higher than a reference temperature in the determination of the washing condition.  
   
   
       4 . The washing machine as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein: the drying device comprises: 
 an air blast fan for generating the air current;    a duct for guiding the air current to the inside of the drum;    a channel for supplying air, discharged from the inside of the drum, to the duct; and    a cooling water spraying unit for spraying cooling water to the channel; and    the controller operates the air blast fan and supplies the cooling water through the cooling water spraying unit, when the cooling operation is required.    
   
   
       5 . The washing machine as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the controller comprises a counter for performing the cooling operation for a predetermined time.  
   
   
       6 . The washing machine as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the controller performs the washing operation of the delicate fabrics when the washing condition is satisfied by the cooling operation.  
   
   
       7 . The washing machine as set forth in  claim 3 , further comprising a heater for heating the washing water, 
 wherein the controller controls the heater so that the washing water is heated by the heater, when the washing condition is not satisfied by the cooling operation.    
   
   
       8 . The washing machine as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the controller performs the washing operation of the delicate fabrics when the difference of temperatures between the inside of the drum and the washing water is less the predetermined temperature.  
   
   
       9 . The washing machine as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the delicate fabrics comprise wool and silk.  
   
   
       10 . A method for controlling a washing machine having a drying device for generating an air current to dry laundry, comprising: 
 selecting a washing course for washing delicate fabrics;    sensing the temperature in a drum forming a washing space and the temperature of washing water;    determining whether or not a washing condition for the delicate fabrics is satisfied; and    controlling the drying device when it is determined that the washing condition is not satisfied, so that a washing operation of the delicate fabrics is performed after the washing condition is satisfied.    
   
   
       11 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein a cooling operation for lowering the temperature in the drum by circulating the air current generated by the drying device to the inside of the drum is performed for a predetermined time when the temperature in the drum is higher than a reference temperature in the determination of the washing condition.  
   
   
       12 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the reference temperature is 35° C.  
   
   
       13 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein it is determined that the washing condition is satisfied when a difference of temperatures between the inside of the drum and the washing water is less than a predetermined temperature.  
   
   
       14 . The method as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined temperature is 2° C.  
   
   
       15 . The method as, set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the washing operation of the delicate fabrics is performed when the washing condition is satisfied during the cooling operation.  
   
   
       16 . The method as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein preliminary washing water is supplied and is heated when the washing condition is not satisfied after the cooling operation is performed.  
   
   
       17 . The method as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the preliminary washing water is supplied to a heater safety ensuring water level to immerse a heater for heating the washing water.  
   
   
       18 . The method as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein whether or not the washing condition is satisfied is determined based on the temperature of the heated washing water and the temperature in the drum, and the washing operation of the delicate fabrics is performed when the washing condition is satisfied.  
   
   
       19 . A method for washing delicate fabrics in a drum type washing machine including a drying device for generating an air current to dry laundry, the method comprising: 
 selecting a delicate fabric course;    sensing a temperature in the drum;    circulating cold air in the drum if the temperature in the drum is above a reference temperature;    supplying washing water to the drum to a predetermined minimum water level;    sensing a temperature of the washing water;    calculating a difference of temperatures between the temperature in the drum and the temperature of the washing water; and    washing the delicate fabrics if the difference of temperatures between the drum and washing water is less than a predetermined temperature difference.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 supplying warm water to the drum to if the difference of temperatures between the drum and washing water is more than a predetermined temperature difference;    calculating a difference of temperatures between the temperature in the drum and the temperature of the washing water; and    washing the delicate fabrics when the difference of temperatures between the drum and washing water is less than a predetermined temperature difference.