Washing machine and washing control method of the same

Abstract

A washing machine and a washing control method of the same that squeeze detergent water from the laundry, heat the squeezed detergent water, and resupply the heated detergent water, thereby performing heated washing using a minimized amount of water. The washing machine includes a water tub, a rotary drum mounted in the water tub to receive laundry, and a circulation unit to supply water from the water tub into the rotary drum. The washing control method includes detecting an amount of a load according to a weight of the laundry, supplying an amount of water set according to the detected amount of load, supplying the water in the water tub into the rotary drum through the circulation unit to wet the laundry, separating the water from the laundry by rotating the rotary drum, and heating the separated water and resupplying the heated water into the rotary drum through the circulation unit.

1 . A washing control method of a washing machine including a water tub, a rotary drum mounted in the water tub to receive laundry, and a circulation unit to supply water from the water tub into the rotary drum, the washing control method comprising:
 detecting an amount of a load according to a weight of the laundry;   supplying an amount of water set according to the detected amount of the load into the water tub;   supplying the water in the water tub into the rotary drum through the circulation unit to wet the laundry;   separating the water, absorbed in the laundry, from the laundry by rotating the rotary drum; and   heating the separated water and resupplying the heated water into the rotary drum through the circulation unit.   
   
   
       2 . The washing control method according to  claim 1 , wherein the set amount of water is a minimum water supply amount set based on the detected amount of the load. 
   
   
       3 . The washing control method according to  claim 1 , wherein the water supplied into the water tub is detergent water including detergent and wash water mixed with each other. 
   
   
       4 . The washing control method according to  claim 3 , wherein the separating the water, absorbed in the laundry, from the laundry includes
 squeezing out the detergent water absorbed in the laundry from the laundry by rotating the rotary drum at a minimum RPM at which the laundry is spin-dried.   
   
   
       5 . The washing control method according to  claim 4 , wherein the minimum RPM is approximately 50 to 300 RPM. 
   
   
       6 . The washing control method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting a water level of the water before heating the water, wherein   the detected water level is compared with a predetermined water level, and, when the detected water level is below the predetermined water level, water is supplied into the water tub.   
   
   
       7 . The washing control method according to  claim 6 , wherein the predetermined water level is a heater safety water level at which the water is heated. 
   
   
       8 . The washing control method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting a temperature of the water, wherein   the detected temperature is compared with a predetermined target temperature, and, when the detected temperature is below the target temperature, the water is heated until the temperature of the water reaches the target temperature.   
   
   
       9 . The washing control method according to  claim 8 , wherein the heating the separated water includes
 activating a washing heater until the temperature of the water reaches the target temperature, and, when the detected temperature has reached the target temperature, deactivating the washing heater to maintain the water resupplied into the rotary drum at an optimum temperature.   
   
   
       10 . A washing machine comprising:
 a water tub to receive water;   a rotary drum mounted in the water tub to receive laundry;   a circulation unit to supply the water in the water tub into the rotary drum;   a water supply unit to control the supply of water;   a washing heater to heat water; and   a control unit to control the water supply unit to supply water into the water tub, control the circulation unit to supply the water in the water tub into the rotary drum such that the laundry is wetted by the water, control the washing heater to heat the water in the water tub after the water, absorbed in the laundry, is separated from the laundry by the rotation of the rotary drum, and control the heated water to be resupplied into the rotary drum such that washing is performed using the heated water.   
   
   
       11 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the control unit detects an amount of a load according to a weight of the laundry and controls the water supply unit to supply an amount of water set according to the detected amount of the load into the water tub. 
   
   
       12 . The washing machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the set amount of water is a minimum water supply amount set based on the detected amount of the load. 
   
   
       13 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the water supplied into the water tub is detergent water including detergent and wash water mixed with each other. 
   
   
       14 . The washing machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the control unit rotates the rotary drum, at a minimum RPM at which the laundry is spin-dried to squeeze out the detergent water absorbed in the laundry from the laundry. 
   
   
       15 . The washing machine according to  claim 14 , wherein the minimum RPM is approximately 50 to 300 RPM. 
   
   
       16 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a water level detection unit to detect a water level of the water, wherein   the control unit compares the water level detected by the water level detection unit with a predetermined water level before heating the water, and, when the detected water level is below the predetermined water level, controls the water supply unit to supply water into the water tub.   
   
   
       17 . The washing machine according to  claim 16 , wherein the predetermined water level is a heater safety water level at which the water is heated. 
   
   
       18 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a temperature detection unit to detect a temperature of the water, wherein   the control unit compares the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit with a predetermined target temperature, and activates the washing heater until the temperature of the water reaches the target temperature when the detected temperature is below the target temperature.   
   
   
       19 . The washing machine according to  claim 18 , wherein the heating the separated water includes
 when the detected temperature has reached the target temperature, deactivating the washing heater to maintain the water resupplied into the rotary drum at an optimum temperature.   
   
   
       20 . A controller for a washing machine, comprising:
 means for detecting an amount of a load according to a weight of laundry;   means for causing an amount of water set according to the detected amount of the load to be supplied into the water tub;   means for causing the water in the water tub to be supplied into the rotary drum through the circulation unit to wet the laundry;   means for causing the rotary drum to rotate and separate the water absorbed in the laundry from the laundry; and   means for causing the separated water to be heated and, after heating to a predetermined temperature, to be resupplied into the rotary drum through the circulation unit.