Washing machine performing rinsing operation and control method thereof

Abstract

Disclosed herein are a washing machine and a control method of the same that is capable of maximizing a contact time between water and laundry, thereby improving the rinsing efficiency while using a small 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 control method includes detecting an amount of load according to a weight of the laundry, supplying an amount of water set according to the detected amount of load into the water tub, and supplying the water in the water tub to the laundry by alternately operating the rotary drum and the circulation unit.

1 . A control method of controlling 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 control method comprising:
 detecting an amount of load according to a weight of the laundry;   supplying an amount of water set according to the detected amount of load into the water tub; and   supplying the water in the water tub to the laundry by alternately operating the rotary drum and the circulation unit.   
   
   
       2 . The control method according to  claim 1 , wherein the set amount of water is a minimum amount of rinse water set based on the detected amount of load. 
   
   
       3 . The control method according to  claim 1 , wherein the water supplied into the water tub is rinse water to rinse the laundry. 
   
   
       4 . The control method according to  claim 3 , wherein the supplying the water in the water tub to the laundry includes controlling operation times of the rotary drum and the circulation unit, such that the operation time of the rotary drum is different from the operation time of the circulation unit, to maximize a contact time between the rinse water and the laundry. 
   
   
       5 . The control method according to  claim 4 , wherein the circulation unit is stopped during the operation of the rotary drum, and the rotary drum is stopped during the operation of the circulation unit, to perform a rinsing operation to increase the contact time between the rinse water and the laundry. 
   
   
       6 . The control method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 counting operation times of the rotary drum and the circulation unit,   wherein when the counted operation times each exceed a predetermined time, the rotary drum and the circulation unit are stopped.   
   
   
       7 . The control method according to  claim 6 , wherein the predetermined time is based on a motor operation rate set according to the detected amount of load. 
   
   
       8 . The control method according to  claim 7 , wherein when the set motor operation rate is on, the rotary drum is operated, and when the set motor operation rate is off, the circulation unit is operated. 
   
   
       9 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a water tub configured to receive water;   a rotary drum mounted in the water tub configured to receive laundry;   a circulation unit supplying the water in the water tub into the rotary drum;   a water supply unit controlling the supply of water; and   a control unit controlling the water supply unit to supply water into the water tub and alternately controlling the rotary drum and the circulation unit to supply the water in the water tub to the laundry such that the laundry is rinsed.   
   
   
       10 . The washing machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the control unit detects an amount of 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 load into the water tub. 
   
   
       11 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the set amount of water is a minimum amount of rinse water set based on the detected amount of load. 
   
   
       12 . The washing machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the water supplied into the water tub is rinse water to rinse the laundry. 
   
   
       13 . The washing machine according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a motor driving the rotary drum,   wherein the control unit controls operation times of the motor and the circulation unit, such that the operation time of the motor is different from the operation time of the circulation unit, to maximize a contact time between the rinse water and the laundry.   
   
   
       14 . The washing machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the control unit stops the circulation unit during an operation of the motor, and stops the motor during an operation of the circulation unit, to perform a rinsing operation to increase the contact time between the rinse water and the laundry. 
   
   
       15 . The washing machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the control unit counts the operation times of the motor and the circulation unit, and, when the counted operation times each exceed a predetermined time, the control unit stops the motor and the circulation unit, respectively. 
   
   
       16 . The washing machine according to  claim 15 , wherein the predetermined times are based on a motor operation rate set according to the detected amount of load. 
   
   
       17 . The washing machine according to  claim 16 , wherein the control unit operates the motor when the set motor operation rate is on, and operates the circulation unit when the set motor operation rate is off. 
   
   
       18 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a rotary drum configured to receive laundry;   a circulation unit supplying water receivable into the rotary drum;   a control unit alternatively operating the rotary drum and the circulation unit to supply water to the laundry based on an amount of load detected according to a weight of the laundry.   
   
   
       19 . The washing machine according to  claim 18 , further comprising a water supply unit supplying water,
 wherein the control unit controls a supplied amount of water according to the detected amount of load.   
   
   
       20 . A method of controlling a washing machine including a rotary drum and a circulation unit, comprising:
 detecting an amount of load according to a weight of laundry; and   alternatively operating the rotary drum and the circulation unit to supply water to the laundry based on the detected amount of load.   
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising supplying an amount of water according to the detected amount of load.