Laundry machine having a drying function, and method for controlling same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry machine having a drying function. The laundry machine having a drying function comprises: a rotatably installed drum; a heater that generates hot air, and a fan; a filter that filters the hot air; a sensor that senses a hot-airflow resistance generated by a flow channel through which the hot air flows; and a controller which determines whether or not the filter is clogged on the basis of the hot-airflow resistance sensed by the sensor.

1 . A laundry machine having a drying function, the machine comprising:
 a rotatably installed drum;   a hot air heater and a fan to generate hot air;   a filter to filter the hot air;   a sensor to sense a hot air flow resistance generated in a flow path, through which the hot air flows; and   a controller to judge whether or not the filter is clogged using the hot air flow resistance sensed by the sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The laundry machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the hot air flow resistance includes at least one of a temperature, flow rate, and flow speed of the hot air at a predetermined position affected by flow of the hot air, revolutions per minute of the fan, power input to the fan, and an On/Off period of the hot air heater. 
     
     
         3 . The laundry machine according to  claim 2 , further comprising at least one of a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor to sense the temperature of the hot air,
 wherein the first temperature sensor is located closer to the hot air heater than the second temperature sensor.   
     
     
         4 . The laundry machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the controller judges that the filter is clogged using at least one of the case in which a temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined reference value, the case in which a temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor is less than a predetermined reference value, and the case in which a difference between the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor and the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined reference value. 
     
     
         5 . The laundry machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the first temperature sensor is located in a drying duct in which the hot air heater is installed, and the second temperature sensor is installed in a tub in which the drum is accommodated. 
     
     
         6 . The laundry machine according to  claim 2 , further comprising a flow sensor located in a drying duct in which the hot air heater is installed, the flow sensor serving to measure at least one of the flow rate and flow speed of the hot air. 
     
     
         7 . The laundry machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the flow sensor includes at least one of an orifice flow-meter, a pressure sensor, and an impeller flow-meter. 
     
     
         8 . The laundry machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the controller judges that the filter is clogged in the case in which the revolutions per minute of the fan are less than a reference value. 
     
     
         9 . The laundry machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the controller judges that the filter is clogged in the case in which the power input to the fan exceeds a reference value. 
     
     
         10 . The laundry machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the controller judges that the filter is clogged in the case in which the On/Off period of the hot air heater is less than a reference value. 
     
     
         11 . The laundry machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller judges whether or not the filter is clogged when judging that the laundry machine is normally operated. 
     
     
         12 . The laundry machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the controller judges that the laundry machine is normally operated using at least one of the case in which revolutions per minute of the fan reach a preset value, the case in which a predetermined time has passed after actuation of the fan, the case in which a preset time has passed after a drying course begins, the case in which a preset time has passed after actuation of the hot air heater, and the case in which the hot air reaches a preset temperature. 
     
     
         13 . The laundry machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller performs a required action when judging that the filter is clogged. 
     
     
         14 . The laundry machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the required action includes at least one of a user alarm, washing of the filter, inactivation of a drying course, and change in a control pattern of the hot air heater. 
     
     
         15 . The laundry machine according to  claim 14 , wherein a drying course that is being performed, or a drying course that will be performed next is inactivated. 
     
     
         16 . The laundry machine according to  claim 14 , wherein the controller controls washing of the filter using air flow generated by rotation of the drum. 
     
     
         17 . The laundry machine according to  claim 14 , further comprising a filter washing unit to wash the filter. 
     
     
         18 . The laundry machine according to  claim 14 , wherein washing of the filter is performed after a drying course that is being performed is finished. 
     
     
         19 . The laundry machine according to  claim 18 , wherein washing of the filter is performed in the case in which a preset time has passed after the drying course is finished, in the case in which a door is opened and closed after the drying course is finished, and/or in the case in which a next drying course or a washing course is performed. 
     
     
         20 . The laundry machine according to  claim 14 , wherein washing of the filter is performed in response to a user request. 
     
     
         21 . The laundry machine according to  claim 14 , wherein the control pattern of the hot air heater includes at least one of the number of turning on and off the hot air heater, On/Off temperatures, On/Off time, and duration time of a temperature rising section/temperature maintenance section. 
     
     
         22 . The laundry machine according to  claim 21 , wherein the number of reference values of On/Off temperatures for the temperature rising section in the case in which it is judged that the filter is clogged is greater than the number of reference values of On/Off temperatures for the temperature rising section in the case in which the filter is not clogged. 
     
     
         23 . The laundry machine according to  claim 21 , wherein a reference value of the On temperature for the temperature maintenance section in the case in which it is judged that the filter is clogged is less than a reference value of the On temperature for the temperature rising section in the case in which the filter is not clogged. 
     
     
         24 . The laundry machine according to  claim 21 , wherein the number of turning off the hot air heater for the temperature rising section in the case in which it is judged that the filter is clogged is greater than the number of turning off the hot air heater for the temperature rising section in the case in which the filter is not clogged. 
     
     
         25 . The laundry machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a tub in which wash water is accommodated,
 wherein the filter is located in a hot air outlet of the tub.   
     
     
         26 . The laundry machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a drive unit including a rotating shaft connected to the drum, a bearing housing configured to support the rotating shaft, and a motor to rotate the rotating shaft; and   a suspension assembly connected to the bearing housing to reduce vibration of the drum.   
     
     
         27 . The laundry machine according to  claim 26 , further comprising:
 a tub in which wash water is accommodated; and   a rear gasket located between the tub and the drive unit, the rear gasket allowing movement of the drive unit relative to the tub.   
     
     
         28 . The laundry machine according to  claim 27 , further comprising:
 a hot air inlet and a hot air outlet, which are provided at the tub; and   a drying duct connecting the hot air inlet and the hot air outlet to each other.   
     
     
         29 . The laundry machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a tub in which a suspension assembly to reduce vibration of the drum and wash water are accommodated,
 wherein the tub is more rigidly supported than the drum.   
     
     
         30 . A control method of a laundry machine having a drying function, the method comprising:
 sensing a hot air flow resistance generated in a flow path of hot air used to dry an object; and   judging whether or not the filter is clogged using the sensed hot air flow resistance.   
     
     
         31 . The control method according to  claim 30 , wherein the hot air flow resistance includes at least one of a temperature, flow rate, and flow speed of the hot air at a predetermined position affected by flow of the hot air, revolutions per minute of a fan, power input to the fan, and an On/Off period of a hot air heater. 
     
     
         32 . The control method according to  claim 30 , further comprising judging whether or not the laundry machine is normally operated,
 wherein judgment of whether or not the filter is clogged is performed in the case in which it is judged that the laundry machine is normally operated.   
     
     
         33 . The control method according to  claim 32 , wherein whether or not the laundry machine is normally operated is judged using at least one of the case in which revolutions per minute of a fan reach a preset value, the case in which a predetermined time has passed after actuation of the fan, the case in which a preset time has passed after a drying course begins, the case in which a preset time has passed after actuation of a hot air heater, and the case in which the hot air reaches a preset temperature. 
     
     
         34 . The control method according to  claim 30 , further comprising performing a required action in the case in which it is judged that the filter is clogged. 
     
     
         35 . The control method according to  claim 34 , wherein the required action includes at least one of a user alarm, washing of the filter, inactivation of a drying course, and change in a control pattern of the hot air heater.