Apparatus and method for detecting malfunction of a clutch of washing machine

Abstract

Device and method for detecting malfunction of a clutch in a washing machine, the device including a clutch including a coupling for transmission of a power from a motor to a washing shaft or a spinning shaft, a clutch motor ( 60 ) for providing a power to the coupling, a switch for controlling the coupling, and a cam ( 600 ) fitted to be rotatable with the clutch motor for turning on/off the switch in response to the rotation, a power supplying part for supplying a voltage to the motor and the clutch motor ( 60 ), a pulse counting part for counting a number of pulses of a voltage supplied to the clutch motor from the power supplying part, and a microcomputer for repeating a process in which the clutch motor is stopped for a second set time period (S 20 ) and operated again if the switch is not switched for a first set time period from a time the clutch motor is put into operation, and informs to a user that the clutch is in malfunction if the switch is not switched while the process is repeated equal to or more than a set times, thereby determining the clutch of being out of order and informing a result of the determination to a user.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . A device for detecting malfunction of a clutch in a washing machine having a motor and a clutch comprising:
 a speed sensing part of sensing a rotating speed of the motor;   a microcomputer for determining the clutch of being out of order depending on re-acceleration of the motor during a preset time period after finish of braking of the motor; and   a display part for displaying a message informing the clutch being out of order under the control of the microcomputer.   
   
   
       23 . The device as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the microcomputer determines the rotating speed of the motor of being reduced below a set speed by using the speed sensing part upon reception of a braking order from the user. 
   
   
       24 . A method for detecting malfunction of a clutch in a washing machine having a motor and a clutch, comprising the steps of:
 (a) determining finish of braking of the motor when a user applies a braking order;   (b) determining re-acceleration of the motor for a set time period when the braking of the motor is finished;   (c) determining the clutch being out of order is the motor is re-accelerated, and displaying a message informing the clutch is out of order.   
   
   
       25 . The method as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the step of determining finish of braking of the motor includes the step of determining that the braking of the motor is finished if the speed of the motor is reduced down below a set speed. 
   
   
       26 . The method as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the step of displaying a message includes displaying a repair requesting message, together with the message informing the clutch is out of order. 
   
   
       27 . A device for detecting malfunction of a clutch in a washing machine having a motor, a motor driving part, and a power supplying part, comprising:
 a clutch including:
 a coupling for transmission of power to a washing shaft or a spinning shaft from the motor, 
 a clutch motor for providing the power to the coupling, and 
 a clutch driving part for driving the clutch motor; 
   a voltage sensing part for sensing a voltage from the power supplying part to the motor driving part;   a coupling position sensing part for sensing a position of the coupling; and   a microcomputer for determining the clutch of being out of order if a voltage level sensed through the voltage sensing part is higher than a set voltage level.   
   
   
       28 . The device as claimed in  claim 27 , further comprising a displaying part for displaying a message informing malfunction of the clutch under the control of the microcomputer. 
   
   
       29 . The device as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the voltage sensing part includes two resistors connected in series. 
   
   
       30 . The device as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the voltage sensing part provides a voltage level of a connection terminal between the two resistors. 
   
   
       31 . The device as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the microcomputer is provided with the voltage level sensed at the voltage sensing part through an A/D port. 
   
   
       32 . The device as claimed in  claim 27 , further comprising a coupling position sensing part for sensing a position of the coupling. 
   
   
       33 . A method for detecting malfunction of a clutch in a washing machine having a motor, a motor driving part, a clutch, and a power supplying part, comprising the steps of:
 (a) sensing a level of a voltage supplied from the power supplying part to the motor driving part;   (b) comparing a sensed voltage level to a set voltage level; and   (c) determining the clutch of being out of order if the sensed voltage level is higher than the set voltage level.   
   
   
       34 . The method as  claim 33 , further comprising the step of displaying a message or emitting a signal sound informing the clutch being out of order, after the step of determining the clutch of being out of order.