Washing machine and control method thereof

Abstract

Disclosed herein are a washing machine having a plurality of washtubs and a control method thereof. In the washing machine having a plurality of washtubs, if it is determined that a washtub that is not in operation is present, dozens of liters of water used in a washtub that is in operation are moved into and stored in the non-operating washtub rather than being discharged to the outside. The moved water may be utilized in a following washing or rinsing stage of the washtub, or a washing or rinsing stage of the other washtub.

1 . A control method of a washing machine having a plurality of washtubs, the method comprising:
 determining whether or not a washtub that is in operation is present; and   if the presence of the washtub that is in operation is determined, moving water used in the washtub that is in operation to a washtub that is not in operation.   
     
     
         2 . The control method according to  claim 1 , wherein the determining of the presence of the washtub that is in operation includes determining whether or not a washtub that is performing any one of a washing stage, rinsing stage, dehydrating stage, and drying stage is present. 
     
     
         3 . The control method according to  claim 2 , wherein the determining of the presence of the washtub that is in operation includes determining whether or not a washtub that is in a last rinsing stage is present. 
     
     
         4 . The control method according to  claim 2 , wherein the determining of the presence of the washtub that is in operation includes determining whether or not a washtub that is in the drying stage is present. 
     
     
         5 . The control method according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 sensing a level of water generated in the drying stage of the washtub that is in operation; and   moving the water generated in the drying stage to the washtub that is not in operation if the sensed level of water is a preset value or more.   
     
     
         6 . The control method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 storing the water moved into the washtub that is not in operation until the washtub that is in operation is stopped.   
     
     
         7 . The control method according to  claim 5 , further comprising returning the water, moved into the washtub that is not in operation, when the washtub that is in operation performs any one of a following washing stroke and rinsing stroke. 
     
     
         8 . A control method of a washing machine having a plurality of washtubs, the method comprising:
 determining whether or not a washtub that is in operation is present;   if the presence of the washtub that is in operation is determined, determining whether or not movement of water used in the operation is needed; and   if movement of the water used in the operation is needed, moving the water used in the operation to a washtub that is not in operation.   
     
     
         9 . The control method according to  claim 8 , wherein the determining whether movement of the water used in the operation is needed includes determining whether or not the washtub that is in operation completes a last rinsing stage, and determining whether or not a level of water generated in a drying stage reaches a preset value. 
     
     
         10 . A washing machine comprising:
 a plurality of washtubs including a washtub that is in operation and an additional washtub;   a water moving device to move water between the plurality of washtubs; and   a controller to control the water moving device to move the water used in a washtub that is in operation to an additional washtub.   
     
     
         11 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the controller moves the water used in the washtub that is in operation, during a last rinsing stage or a drying stage, into the additional washtub, is the additional washtub not being in operation. 
     
     
         12 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the controller moves the water used in the washtub that is in operation, during any one of a washing stage, rinsing stage, dehydrating stage, and drying stage to the additional washtub, the additional washtub not being in operation. 
     
     
         13 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the water moved into the additional washtub is stored under control of the controller until the washtub that is in operation is stopped. 
     
     
         14 . The washing machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the controller returns the water moved into the additional washtub when the washtub that is in operation performs any one of a following washing stage and rinsing stage. 
     
     
         15 . The washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the water moving device includes at least one connecting pipe connecting the plurality of washtubs to each other, and an opening/closing valve and pump provided at the connecting pipe. 
     
     
         16 . The washing machine according to  claim 15 , wherein the connecting pipe has one end connected to at least one of a drainpipe and condensing duct of the washtub that is in operation, and the other end connected to at least one of a drainpipe and condensing duct of the additional washtub.