WASHING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/KR 2025/017734, filed on Oct. 31, 2025, in the Korean Intellectual Property Receiving Office, which claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0187500, filed on Dec. 16, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

An embodiment of the disclosure relates to a washing machine for adaptively performing a washing cycle corresponding to the fabric material of loaded laundry and a method for controlling the same.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a washing machine may include a tub for storing water (washing water or rinsing water), a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub to receive laundry, and a motor for generating a driving force to rotate the drum. The washing machine may perform washing by causing laundry inside the drum to rise and then fall along the inner wall of the drum as the drum rotates.

The washing machine may perform washing through a series of operations, such as a washing operation for separating dirt from the laundry using detergent-dissolution water, a rinsing operation for rinsing away foam or remaining detergent from the laundry using water free of the detergent, and a spin-drying operation for spinning the drum at high speed to remove water from the laundry. In the washing operation, rinsing operation, and spin-drying operation, the washing machine may rotate the drum by operating the motor at each set target RPM.

Some washing machines may provide a drying function for laundry. For example, when the washing machine includes a heat pump or a heater, the laundry stored inside the drum may be dried by supplying hot air into the drum. This may be referred to as a “washing machine-dryer combination.” The washing machine-dryer combination may additionally perform a drying operation after performing a washing operation, a rinsing operation, and a spin-drying operation. A series of processes for the washing machine to perform washing on laundry may be referred to as a “washing cycle.”

Meanwhile, while the washing machine performs the washing cycle, the washing machine may additionally perform an operation to detect the material (e.g., fabric material) of the laundry. This may be referred to as a “fabric material detection operation.” Generally, the washing machine performs the fabric material detection operation before performing a washing operation, and may control detailed operations of each operation included in the washing cycle corresponding to the material of the laundry determined as a result of the fabric material detection operation. However, when the washing machine performs the fabric material detection operation only once or performs the washing cycle based only on the fabric material detection operation performed at a specific time, it is not easy to accurately detect the material of the laundry, and when the washing cycle is performed by inaccurately detecting the material of the laundry, inconvenience to the user may be caused, such as damage to the laundry.

The above-described information may be provided as related art for the purpose of helping understanding of the disclosure. No claim or determination is made as to whether any of the foregoing is applicable as background art in relation to the disclosure.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Solution to Problems

A washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure may provide technology for detecting the material of laundry in real-time while performing washing and adaptively performing a washing cycle based on the detected fabric material.

A washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a main body, a tub to be disposed inside the main body and configured to store water, a drum rotatable while inside the tub and configured to receive laundry, a driving motor configured to rotate the drum, a water supply device configured to supply water to the tub, and a controller configured to perform an initial fabric material detection to obtain information of a fabric material of the laundry and determine the fabric material of the laundry based on the obtained information while performing a washing cycle. The controller may be configured to obtain first fabric material information about the laundry based on initiation of the washing cycle, obtain second fabric material information about the laundry based on completion of a washing operation included in the washing cycle and occurrence of a specific event, determine a fabric material category of the laundry to perform an operation subsequent to the washing operation included in the washing cycle based on the first fabric material information and the second fabric material information, and perform the operation subsequent to the washing operation based on the determined fabric material category. The first fabric material information may include a weight of the laundry received inside the drum in a dry state and driving data of the drum, and the second fabric material information may include at least one of a weight of the laundry in dry and wet states after the specific event occurs, driving data of the drum, water level data of water stored in the tub, or dryness data of the laundry. The fabric material category may be determined by selectively considering the first fabric material information or the second fabric material information.

A method for controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include obtaining first fabric material information about laundry received inside the drum based on initiation of a washing cycle, obtaining second fabric material information about the laundry based on completion of a washing operation included in the washing cycle and occurrence of a specific event, determining a fabric material category of the laundry to perform an operation subsequent to the washing operation included in the washing cycle based on the first fabric material information and the second fabric material information, and performing the subsequent operation based on the determined fabric material category. The first fabric material information may include a weight of the laundry received inside the drum in a dry state and driving data of the drum, and the second fabric material information may include at least one of a weight of the laundry in dry and wet states after the specific event occurs, driving data of the drum, water level data of water stored in the tub, or dryness data of the laundry. The fabric material category may be determined by selectively considering the first fabric material information or the second fabric material information.

The disclosure is not limited to the foregoing embodiments but various modifications or changes may rather be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an example of a washing cycle of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a control flowchart for a washing machine to predict the fabric material of laundry while performing a washing cycle and update detailed operations within operations based on the predicted fabric material, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a control flowchart for a washing machine to predict the fabric material of laundry while performing a washing cycle and update detailed operations within operations based on the predicted fabric material, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 exemplarily illustrates a series of processes for a washing machine to detect the fabric material of laundry while performing a washing cycle and update detailed operations of subsequent operations based on the detected fabric material, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 9 exemplarily illustrates data necessary for a washing machine to perform the feature value extraction operation, fabric material determination operation, and operation update operation of FIG. 8 while performing a washing cycle, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates an operation for a washing machine to determine a fabric material while performing a washing cycle, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a graph for describing fabric categories determined based on moisture content data obtained as a washing machine performs a washing cycle according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and 15 exemplarily illustrate user interfaces where a washing machine transmits a washing report to an external device and the transmitted washing report is displayed on a display included in the external device, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure and terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in the disclosure to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiment. With regard to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. It is to be understood that a singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the things, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C,” may include all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, such terms as “1st” and “2nd,” or “first” and “second” may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order).

In the disclosure, the terms “front and rear direction”, “left and right direction”, and “upper and lower direction” to be used below may be used with respect to the illustrated drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include a single entity or multiple entities. Some of the plurality of entities may be separately disposed in different components.

The washing machine (e.g., the washing machine 1 of FIG. 1) described below may be understood as an example to help understand the disclosure, and it may be understood that various changes may be made thereto. Further, in some of the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated rather than being shown at the actual scale to help understand the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Each of FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views taken at a point in FIG. 1 to describe specific functional configurations of the washing machine 1, where FIG. 2 may be understood as a cross-sectional view centered on a water supply device 70 and a drainage device 80 included in the washing machine 1, and FIG. 3 may be understood as a cross-sectional view centered on a heat pump 100 included in the washing machine 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the washing machine 1 may include a main body 10 for receiving various components therein. The main body 10 may have an overall hexahedral shape. The main body 10 may include an opening formed in one surface thereof. Two or more of the surfaces of the main body 10 may be integrally formed. Each surface of the main body 10 may be separately manufactured and assembled. The main body 10 may be, e.g., press-molded with an iron plate material or injection-molded with a resin material.

According to an embodiment, a door 20 for opening and closing the corresponding opening may be provided in a portion corresponding to the opening of the main body 10. The door 20 may be rotatably coupled to a hinge fixed to one surface of the main body 10. For example, at least a portion of the door 20 may be provided to be transparent or translucent so as to be visible inside. The user may open and close the door 20 to put the laundry into the drum 40 positioned inside the main body 10 or withdraw the laundry from the drum 40. For example, the door 20 may be locked by a locking device (not shown) so as not to be opened while the washing machine 1 is running. For example, the door 20 may include a door frame 21 and a glass member 22. The glass member 22 may be formed of, e.g., a transparent tempered glass material to allow the inside of the main body 10 to be seen through, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may include a tub 30 fixedly disposed inside the main body 10. The tub 30 may have an overall cylindrical shape with one side open. A tub opening 31 may be provided in the front surface of the tub 30 at a position corresponding to the opening of the main body 10. The tub 30 may store water. A drainage port 32 for draining water may be provided under the tub 30. The drainage port 32 may be connected to, e.g., the drainage device 80.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may include a damper 12. The damper 12 may be provided to connect the main body 10 and the tub 30. One side of the damper 12 may be fixed to the inner surface of the main body 10 and the other side of the damper 12 may be fixed to the tub 30. The damper 12 may be provided to attenuate vibration by absorbing vibration energy transferred to the tub 30 and/or the main body 10 when the drum 40 rotates.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may include a drum 40 provided inside the tub 30. The drum 40 may have an overall cylindrical shape with one side open. A front plate 43 and a rear plate 44 may be disposed on the front surface and the rear surface, respectively, of the drum 40. The front plate 43 may be provided with a drum opening at a position corresponding to the opening of the main body 10 and the tub opening 31 of the tub 30. The drum 40 may receive laundry. The drum 40 may be disposed to receive rotational power from the driving device 60 and rotate inside the tub 30. The drum 40 may perform washing, rinsing, spinning, and/or drying while rotating inside the tub 30.

According to an embodiment, the drum 40 may include a lifter 41 and/or a plurality of through holes 42. For example, the lifter 41 may lift the laundry while the drum 40 rotates so that the laundry repeatedly rises and falls, thereby evenly washing laundry on several surfaces thereof. The through hole 42 may be, e.g., a passage formed so that the water received in the tub 30 flows into the drum 40 or the water inside the drum 40 is discharged to the outside. In an example, the lifter 41 or the through hole 42 may be omitted.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may include an input/output interface 50 that supports interaction between the user and the washing machine 1. In an example, the input/output interface 50 may be disposed at an upper end of the front surface of the main body 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In an example, the input/output interface 50 may include an input unit 51 and a display 52.

According to an embodiment, the input unit 51 may include, e.g., any type of user input means for obtaining a user input for controlling the washing machine 1. For example, the user may input power on/off, washing setting information (e.g., operation start/stop, course selection, time selection, etc.) of the washing machine 1 through the input unit 51. For example, the input unit 51 may be implemented as a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, or a touch switch, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the input unit 51 may be in the form of a jog shuttle that the user may grip and rotate.

In an example, the input unit 51 may include an infrared sensor. The user may remotely input the setting information through the remote control, and the input unit 51 may receive the input setting information as an infrared signal.

In an example, the input unit 51 may include a microphone. Setting information by the user's voice may be obtained through a microphone.

According to an embodiment, the display 52 may display various washing setting information and/or operation state information about the washing machine 1 input from the user. The display 52 may include various types of display panels such as an LCD, an LED, an OLED, a QLED, and a micro LED. For example, the display 52 may be implemented as a touch screen with a touch pad provided on the front surface thereof, but the disclosure is not limited to a specific type of display means.

In an example, the display 52 may include any type of audio display means including a speaker, and may display each of the above-described information as an auditory signal through the audio display means.

In an example, the display 52 may operate to audibly provide the user with information for guiding the user's input and/or information related to the ongoing process.

The washing machine 1 may include a driving device 60 for rotating the drum 40. The driving device 60 may include a driving motor 61 and a driving shaft 62 for transferring the driving force generated by the driving motor 61 to the drum 40. The driving motor 61 may include a fixed stator 61a and a rotor 61b that rotates by electromagnetically interacting with the stator 61a to convert an electric force into a mechanical rotational force. The rotational force generated by the driving motor 61 may be transferred to the drum 40 through the driving shaft 62. The driving shaft 62 may be press-fitted into the rotor 61b of the driving motor 61 to rotate together with the rotor 61b. The driving shaft 62 may, e.g., partially penetrate the rear wall of the tub 30 to connect the drum 40 and the driving motor 61. The driving device 60 may rotate the drum 40 forward or backward to perform washing, rinsing, and/or spinning operations.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may include a water supply device 70 for supplying water to the drum 40 and/or the tub 30. The water supply device 70 may include at least one water supply pipe 71 and at least one water supply valve 72. The at least one water supply pipe 71 may be provided to supply water into the tub 30 using an external water supply source. One of the at least one water supply pipe 71 may be connected to a detergent supply device 13 provided in the main body 10.

According to an embodiment, the detergent supply device 13 may be divided into a plurality of spaces, and each space may be provided with a detergent, a rinsing agent, or the like. The water passing through the detergent supply device 13 may be supplied to the tub 30 together with the detergent (or rinsing agent) through the detergent supply pipe 14. Another one of the at least one water supply pipe 71 may be directly connected to the tub 30. For example, the water supplied through the water supply pipe 71 directly connected to the tub 30 may be directly supplied to the tub 30 without going through an intermediate component such as the detergent supply device 13.

According to an embodiment, a plurality of detergent supply devices 13 may be provided. For example, the detergent supply device 13 may include a first detergent supply device 130 positioned at a lower front portion of the main body 10, and a second detergent supply device 140 positioned at an upper front portion of the main body 10. For example, the first detergent supply device 130 may be divided into two detergent storage spaces 130a and 130b. For example, the detergent stored in each compartment of the first detergent supply device 130 may be supplied to the tub in a preset amount from each compartment corresponding to a washing mode when the washing machine performs a washing cycle.

According to an embodiment, the first detergent supply device 130 may be referred to as an “automatic detergent supply unit.” For example, in case that the first detergent supply device 130 is divided into two spaces, the first detergent supply device 130 may include a first automatic detergent supply unit 130a and a second automatic detergent supply unit 130b.

According to an embodiment, the first detergent supply device 130 may be disposed to be detachable from the lower front portion of the main body 10. For example, a space that may receive the first detergent supply device 130 is formed in the lower front portion of the main body 10, and the first detergent supply device 130 may be withdrawn from or inserted into the formed space. The receiving space formed in the main body 10 to receive the first detergent supply device 130 may be referred to as a “first receiving portion.”

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may include a first cover 16 formed to open and close the front surface of the first detergent supply device 130 when the first detergent supply device 130 is inserted. The first cover 16 is disposed on the front surface of the main body 10 and may be formed to open and close the first receiving portion.

According to an embodiment, each of the first automatic detergent supply unit 130a and the second automatic detergent supply unit 130b may form a space for storing different types of detergent. For example, general detergent may be stored in the first automatic detergent supply unit 130a, and neutral detergent may be stored in the second automatic detergent supply unit 130b. For example, general detergent may be stored in the first automatic detergent supply unit 130a, and fabric softener may be stored in the second automatic detergent supply unit 130b. Further, various types of detergent and/or additives for washing may be stored in the first automatic detergent supply unit 130a and the second automatic detergent supply unit 130b. Hereinafter, the disclosure will assume a case where general detergent is stored in the first automatic detergent supply unit 130a and neutral detergent or fabric softener is stored in the second automatic detergent supply unit 130b.

According to an embodiment, the first automatic detergent supply unit 130a may include an inlet 131a. The second automatic detergent supply unit 130b may include an inlet 131b.

According to an embodiment, the detergent (or additive) stored in each of the first automatic detergent supply unit 130a and the second automatic detergent supply unit 130b may be input to the tub 30 through a partitioned path. For example, one side of the first automatic detergent supply unit 130a and one side of the second automatic detergent supply unit 130b may each be connected to the tub 30 through separate piping.

According to an embodiment, the second detergent supply device 140 may be disposed to be detachable from the upper front portion of the main body 10. For example, a space that may receive the second detergent supply device 140 is formed in the upper front portion of the main body 10, and the second detergent supply device 140 may be withdrawn from or inserted into the formed space. For example, the receiving space formed in the main body 10 to receive the second detergent supply device 140 may be referred to as a “second receiving portion.”

According to an embodiment, the second receiving portion may be opened and closed by a second cover 17. For example, the second cover 17 may be hinged to one side of the upper front of the main body 10. The second cover 17 may be disposed to be rotatable around the hinge.

According to an embodiment, the second detergent supply device 140 and a filter 150 may be received in the second receiving portion. For example, the second detergent supply device 140 and the filter 150 may be adjacently disposed inside the space formed by the second receiving portion.

According to an embodiment, the second detergent supply device 140 may store additives including detergent or fabric softener. For example, in case that additives are stored in the second detergent supply device 140, the additives may be input to the tub 30 when a washing cycle is performed according to user settings. For example, when a washing cycle is performed, all additives stored in the second detergent supply device 140 may be input to the tub 30. The second detergent supply device 140 may be referred to as a “manual detergent supply unit.”

According to an embodiment, the filter 150 may be configured to collect foreign objects included in hot air supplied to the drum 40 when the washing machine 1 performs a drying operation. For example, the filter 150 may be disposed on a path (e.g., duct) through which hot air supplied to the drum 40 moves.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may include a drainage device 80 for draining the water received in the drum 40 and/or the tub 30. The drainage device 80 may include a drainage valve 81, a first drainage pipe 82, a second drainage pipe 83, or a pump chamber 84. The drainage device 80 may be disposed, e.g., under the tub 30 to discharge the water discharged from the tub 30 to the outside of the washing machine 1.

According to an embodiment, the drainage valve 81 may be provided to open and close the drainage port 32. When the drainage valve 81 is opened, the water received in the tub 30 may flow through the drainage port 32 to the drainage device 80.

According to an embodiment, the first drainage pipe 82 and the second drainage pipe 83 may form a flow path that guides water to be discharged to the outside. For convenience of description, the upper stream of the pump chamber 84 is referred to as the first drainage pipe 82 and the lower stream is referred to as the second drainage pipe 83. The first drainage pipe 82 and the second drainage pipe 83 may be integrally formed. The first drainage pipe 82 may have, e.g., one end connected to the drainage port 32 and the other end connected to the pump chamber 84. The water may move into the pump chamber 84 along the first drainage pipe 82. The second drainage pipe 83 may have, e.g., one end connected to the pump chamber 84 and the other end connected to the outside of the washing machine 1. Accordingly, the water passing through the pump chamber 84 may be discharged to the outside of the washing machine 1 along the second drainage pipe 83.

According to an embodiment, the pump chamber 84 may be provided under the tub 30 to store water drained from the tub 30. Inside the pump chamber 84, e.g., a drainage pump 85 for discharging the stored water to the outside may be provided. The water pumped by the drainage pump 85 may be guided to the outside of the main body 10 through the second drainage pipe 83.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may provide a drying function for laundry. For example, the washing machine 1 may supply hot dry air to the drum 40. To this end, the washing machine 1 may include a heat pump 100. The heat pump 100 may dehumidify and heat humid air discharged from the drum 40.

According to an embodiment, the heat pump 100 may include a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser, and an expander. The heat pump 100 may be disposed inside the main body 10. For example, the heat pump 100 may be disposed within an upper duct 181. The heat pump 100 may be disposed above the drum 40. However, without limitations thereto, the heat pump 100 may also be disposed on a base positioned at the lower portion of the main body 10.

According to an embodiment, the compressor may compress refrigerant flowing through the condenser, evaporator, and expander. The condenser and evaporator may be collectively referred to as a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may be disposed downstream of the filter 150.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may further include a blowing fan 151. The blowing fan 151 may blow air on a circulation passage 190 passing through the drum interior 40a and the heat exchanger. For example, the blowing fan 151 may form an airflow so that air on the circulation passage 190 moves. The blowing fan 151 may be implemented as a centrifugal fan but, without limitations thereto, may be implemented as various types of fans.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may include a duct assembly 180. The duct assembly 180 may include an upper duct 181, a front duct 182, and a rear duct 183.

According to an embodiment, the upper duct 181 is positioned over the drum 40 and the tub 30 and may form a path to guide air so that air discharged from the drum 40 is dehumidified and heated and then flows into the drum 40. The heat pump 100 may be received within the upper duct 181. The upper duct 181 may form a frame structure, which may be referred to as an upper frame. A first circulation passage 191 may be provided within the upper duct 181.

According to an embodiment, the front duct 182 is positioned in front of the drum 40 and the tub 30 and may form a path for guiding air toward the drum 40. For example, air that has passed through the heat exchanger may be supplied to the drum 40 through the front duct 182. For example, the front duct 182 may form a portion of the circulation passage 190. The blowing fan 151 may be received within the front duct 182. For example, a second circulation passage 192 may be disposed within the front duct 182.

According to an embodiment, the rear duct 183 is disposed behind the drum 40 and the tub 30 and may form a path for guiding air so that air in the drum interior 40a flows toward the filter. Air in the drum interior 40a may flow to the filter 150 and the heat exchanger through the rear duct 183. For example, the rear duct 183 may form a portion of the circulation passage 190. The rear duct 183 may communicate with the filter 150. A third circulation passage 193 may be disposed within the rear duct 183.

According to an embodiment, the front duct 182 and the rear duct 183 may be formed so that air in the drum interior 40a circulates through the circulation passage 190 inside the main body 10. For example, air discharged from the front duct 182 may flow into the tub 30 and the drum 40 through a front plate 43, and the front plate 43 may also be formed so that air circulates through the circulation passage 190 inside the main body 10.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may further include a circulation passage 190. The circulation passage 190 may include a first circulation passage 191, a second circulation passage 192, and a third circulation passage 193. The first circulation passage 191 may be formed by the upper duct 181, the second circulation passage 192 may be formed by the front duct 182, and the third circulation passage 193 may be formed by the rear duct 183.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may perform a drying operation (e.g., the drying operation 550 of FIG. 5) after a washing operation (e.g., the washing operation 520 of FIG. 5), a rinsing operation (e.g., the rinsing operation 530 of FIG. 5), and a spin-drying operation (e.g., the spin-drying operation 540 of FIG. 5) are completed. For example, the washing machine 1 may add the drying operation 550 according to user settings. Hereinafter, the circulation flow of air inside the washing machine 1 when the drying operation 550 is performed is described.

According to an embodiment, air in the drum interior 40a may circulate on a closed circuit (arrow direction) inside the main body 10. For example, when the blowing fan 151 operates, humid air in the drum interior 40a may move toward the tub 30 through through holes 42 formed in the circumferential inner wall of the drum 40 and/or through holes 42a provided on a rear plate 44. For example, air in the drum interior 40a may flow into a space 45 between the drum 40 and the tub 30. Air in the space 45 between the drum 40 and the tub 30 may flow to the circulation passage 190 through a communication port 183c formed in a rear wall 30b of the tub. The air may pass through a third circulation passage 193 positioned behind the tub 30 and the drum 40. For example, the air may move to the upper end of the third circulation passage 193 and then flow to the first circulation passage 191. For example, the air may sequentially pass through the interior of the filter 150 and the heat exchanger on the first circulation passage 191.

According to an embodiment, humid air caused by clothes in the drum interior 40a may become hot dry air while passing through the heat exchanger. The hot dry air may be blown by the blowing fan 151 disposed downstream of the heat exchanger. Air that has passed through the blowing fan 151 may pass through a second circulation passage 192 positioned on the front side of the tub 30 and the drum 40. Air in the second circulation passage 192 may pass through a communication port 182c formed in the front plate 43 at the lower end of the second circulation passage 192, pass through the front plate 43, and flow back into the drum 40. The hot dry air may meet clothes in the drum interior 40a and become humid air again, and may become hot dry air again through the above-described process.

According to an embodiment, the filter 150 is disposed upstream of the heat exchanger, thereby being formed to collect foreign objects such as dust or lint in air flowing to the heat exchanger. The filter 150 may restrict accumulation of the foreign objects in the heat exchanger, thereby preventing efficiency degradation of the heat exchanger.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating a washing machine (e.g., the washing machine 1 of FIG. 1) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Each component illustrated in FIG. 4 may be understood as illustrating the configuration of the washing machine 1 from the perspective of function and control.

The embodiment of FIG. 4 may be selectively combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, the washing machine 1 may include a controller 410, a communication unit 420, an input/output interface 430, a sensor unit 440, a driving motor 61, a water supply valve 72, a circulation pump 75, a drainage device 80, a detergent supply device 13, and a heat pump 100.

According to an embodiment, the communication unit 420 may be configured to receive a signal input to the washing machine 1 or transmit a signal generated from the washing machine 1 to an external device.

According to an embodiment, the communication unit 420 may receive a user input that is input to an input unit (e.g., the input unit 51 of FIG. 1) of the input/output interface 430 to be described below, and may transmit the user input to the controller 410. The communication unit 420 may transmit data generated by the controller 410 to a display (e.g., the display 52 of FIG. 1).

According to an embodiment, the communication unit 420 may receive and/or transmit a wired/wireless signal to/from an external wired/wireless communication system, an external server, and/or other devices according to a predetermined wired/wireless communication protocol. In an example, the communication unit 420 may include one or more modules to connect the washing machine 1 to one or more networks. In an example, the communication unit 420 may include at least one of a mobile communication module, a wired/wireless Internet module, a short-range communication module, and/or a location information module.

According to an embodiment, the mobile communication module may transmit/receive wireless signals with at least one of an external base station, an external terminal (or UE), and an external server through the mobile communication network according to any communication protocol among various communication protocols for mobile communication. The wireless signals may include various types of data signals. In an example, the wireless signals may include voice call signals, video call signals, and text/multimedia message signals, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, the wired/wireless Internet module may support wireless LAN (WLAN), wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi direct, digital living network alliance (DLNA), wireless broadband (WiBro), world interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), high speed uplink packet access (HSUPA), long term evolution (LTE), or long term evolution-advanced (LTE-A), but is not limited thereto. In an example, the wired/wireless Internet module of the communication unit 420 may transmit/receive data according to at least one wired/wireless Internet technology among Internet technologies not listed above.

According to an embodiment, the short-range communication module may be intended for, e.g., short-range communication and may support short-range communication using at least one of Bluetooth, radio frequency identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), ultra-wideband (UWB), ZigBee, near-field communication (NFC), Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, or wireless universal serial bus (USB) technology. The short-range communication module may support, e.g., wireless communication between the washing machine 1 and a wireless communication system, between the washing machine 1 and another device, or between the washing machine 1 and a network in which the other device is positioned through a short-range wireless communication network.

According to an embodiment, the location information module may be, e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) module or a Wi-Fi module as a module for obtaining the location of the washing machine 1. When the washing machine 1 utilizes the GPS module, the washing machine 1 may receive information about the location of the washing machine 1 using the signal transmitted from the GPS satellite. When the washing machine 1 utilizes the Wi-Fi module, the washing machine 1 may receive information about the location of the washing machine 1 based on information about a wireless access point (AP) that transmits and receives a wireless signal to and from the Wi-Fi module.

According to an embodiment, the communication unit 420 may receive the configuration data signal input by the user on the mobile terminal of the user in the form of a wireless signal according to a predetermined wireless communication protocol. In an example, the communication unit 420 may receive information and/or a command for controlling the operation of the washing machine 1 from an external server in the form of a signal according to a predetermined wired/wireless communication protocol. The communication unit 420 may transfer various received signals to the controller 410 to be described below. In an example, the communication unit 420 may transmit various data generated or obtained on the washing machine 1 in the form of a wired/wireless signal according to a predetermined wired/wireless communication protocol, e.g., to a mobile terminal of the user or an external server.

According to an embodiment, the input/output interface 430 may include an input unit 51 configured to receive the user's input for controlling the washing machine 1, and an output unit 431 configured to output status information and operation information about the washing machine 1.

According to an embodiment, the input unit 51 may include any type of user input means for obtaining setting information from the user for operation control of the washing machine 1. Various user inputs obtained through the input unit 51 may be transferred to the controller 410 to be described below. In an example, various user inputs obtained through the input unit 51 may be transmitted to the outside through the communication unit 420 to be described below, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, the output unit 431 may be configured to output status information and/or operation information of the washing machine 1. For example, the output unit 431 may include a display (e.g., the display 52 of FIG. 1) configured to visually display the information. For example, the output unit 431 may include a speaker configured to audibly output the information.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may include a sensor unit (also referred to as a sensor) 440 for detecting an operating state and/or an internal environment of the washing machine 1. As an example, the sensor unit 440 may include a water level sensor 441, a current sensor 443, a dryness sensor 445, and a temperature sensor 447, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the sensor unit 440 may further include a speed sensor, a door sensor, and/or a vibration sensor.

According to an embodiment, the water level sensor 441 may detect the water level of water (or rinsing water) stored in a tub (e.g., the tub 30 of FIG. 2). For example, the water level sensor 441 is positioned at the lower portion of the tub 30 and may detect a pressure difference according to the water level of water supplied into the tub 30 as an electrical signal. For example, the water level sensor 441 may detect the water level in the tub 30 in a water supply circumstance, or may detect a remaining water level in the tub 30 when a spin-drying operation (e.g., the spin-drying operation 540 of FIG. 5) is performed. The water level sensor 441 may transfer an electrical signal about the water level in the tub 30 to the controller 410.

According to an embodiment, the current sensor 443 may be configured to detect current flowing through a driving motor 61 (e.g., the driving motor 61 of FIG. 2). For example, the current sensor 443 may generate an electrical signal about a current value applied to the driving motor 61 to drive the driving motor 61, and may transfer the electrical signal to the controller 410.

According to an embodiment, the dryness sensor 445 may detect the humidity of laundry. For example, the dryness sensor 445 may obtain data indicating the humidity of the laundry itself. The dryness sensor 445 may be disposed at any point on the drum 40. As an example, when a drying operation (e.g., the drying operation 550 of FIG. 5) is performed, the dryness sensor 445 may obtain data representing the humidity of laundry in response to the laundry contacting the dryness sensor 445 inside the drum 40, and may transfer the data to the controller 410.

According to an embodiment, the temperature sensor 447 may detect the ambient environmental temperature of the washing machine 1, or may detect the temperature of water (or rinsing water) present in the tub 30. The temperature sensor 447 may detect the temperature of a drum interior (e.g., the drum interior 40a of FIG. 3) when, e.g., the drying operation 550 is performed.

According to an embodiment, one or more temperature sensors 447 may be provided. For example, the temperature sensor 447 may be provided as different temperature sensors corresponding to a temperature sensing position or a temperature sensing target.

According to an embodiment, the temperature sensor 447 may be implemented as, e.g., a thermistor, which is a type of resistor using the property that the resistance of a material changes according to temperature. The temperature sensor 447 may generate an electrical signal for a detected temperature and transfer it to the controller 410.

According to an embodiment, a door sensor may detect whether a door 20 is closed before the washing machine 1 performs a washing cycle (e.g., the washing cycle 500 of FIG. 5). For example, the door sensor may obtain an electrical signal corresponding to whether the door 20 is opened or closed, and may transfer it to the controller 410.

According to an embodiment, a vibration sensor may detect the degree of vibration of the drum 40 while the drum 40 rotates. For example, the vibration sensor may be implemented as an inertial measurement unit sensor (IMU sensor), and may obtain an electrical signal for a rotational change amount (e.g., angular velocity) according to vibration of the drum 40, and may transfer it to the controller 410.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may include the controller 410 for controlling the overall operation of the washing machine 1. The controller 410 may include a memory 413 for storing or recording a program and/or data for controlling each component of the washing machine 1, and a processor 411 for generating a control signal for controlling each component of the washing machine 1 according to the program and/or data stored in the memory 413 and information obtained from each of the other components.

According to an embodiment, the memory 413 may store various data that may be used to control the operation of each component of the washing machine 1. The memory 413 may store, e.g., a plurality of application programs used in the washing machine 1, data for controlling the operation of the washing machine 1, and instructions. At least some of the application programs stored in the memory 413 may be downloaded from an external server

through wireless communication. At least some of the application programs stored in the memory 413 may be stored in the memory 413 from the time of shipment for the basic functions of the washing machine 1.

For example, data for the rotational speed of the drum 40 for each course and/or for each operation (or process) may be stored in the memory 413. For example, as the wash cycle is performed, data on the target rotational speed of drum 40 and maximum rotational speed data may be stored in the memory 413.

For example, data on the threshold current of the driving motor 61 may be stored in the memory 413 for each course and/or for each operation (or process). For example, as the wash cycle is performed, data on the target current value to be input (to be applied) to the driving motor 61 and data on the maximum current value may be stored in the memory 413.

For example, data on power consumption of the driving motor 61 may be stored in the memory 413 for each course and/or for each operation (or process). For example, as the wash cycle is performed, data on the target power value to be consumed by the driving motor 61 and data on the maximum available power value may be stored in the memory 413.

According to an embodiment, the processor 411 of the controller 410 may receive various input/setting information, such as power on/off of the washing machine 1, washing machine operation setting information (e.g., operation start/stop, course selection, time selection, etc.), or other various control information from the input unit 51 and/or communication unit 420.

According to an embodiment, the controller 410 may be configured to obtain data from each component included in the washing machine 1. For example, the controller 410 may obtain data detected by various sensors (e.g., the sensor unit 440).

According to an embodiment, the controller 410 may transmit control commands for driving each component included in the washing machine 1. For example, the controller 410 may control opening and closing of the water supply valve 72 of the water supply device 70 to regulate washing water supplied to the drum 40 and/or the tub 30. For example, the controller 410 may control a drainage valve 81 and/or a drainage pump 85 of a drainage device 80 to drain water in the drum 40 and/or the tub 30. For example, the controller 410 may control a circulation pump 75 to circulate water in the tub 30.

According to an embodiment, the controller 410 may control a detergent supply device (e.g., the detergent supply device 13 of FIG. 1) to input detergent and/or additives stored in detergent supply devices (e.g., the first detergent supply device 130 and the second detergent supply device 140 of FIG. 1) to the tub 30.

According to an embodiment, the controller 410 may control a heat pump (e.g., the heat pump 100 of FIG. 3) to regulate the temperature and/or dryness of air supplied to the interior of the drum 40.

According to an embodiment, the controller 410 may continuously obtain information from the input unit 51, the communication unit 420, and/or the sensor unit 440 while performing at least one of a washing operation, a rinsing operation, a spin-drying operation, or a drying operation, and may continuously update and control the operation of each component based on the obtained information.

According to an embodiment, the controller 410 may collect data for detecting the fabric material of laundry according to each operation in progress while a washing operation, a rinsing operation, a spin-drying operation, or a drying operation is in progress, and may predict the fabric material of laundry based on the collected data. The controller 410 may change detailed operations included in subsequent operations based on the fabric material of laundry predicted in the operation in progress.

According to an embodiment, the controller 410 may predict the fabric material of laundry differently for each operation. For example, the controller 410 may update fabric material information as each operation proceeds. For example, the controller 410 may adaptively predict the fabric material of laundry corresponding to detailed operations included in each operation.

According to an embodiment, the controller 410 may update the fabric material of laundry as it performs each operation while proceeding with washing, and may adaptively perform detailed operations corresponding to each fabric material.

As an example, the controller 410 may perform detailed operations included in a washing cycle based on fabric material information of laundry predicted while performing an initial fabric material detection operation performed before performing the washing operation.

For example, the controller 410 may determine a rotation speed level of the drum 40 and a temperature level of water while performing the washing operation based on the fabric material predicted while performing the initial fabric material detection operation.

As an example, the controller 410 may perform detailed operations included in a rinsing operation based on fabric material information of laundry predicted while performing the washing operation. For example, the controller 410 may determine whether to input fabric softener during the rinsing operation based on fabric material information of laundry predicted while performing the washing operation.

As an example, the controller 410 may perform detailed operations included in a spin-drying operation based on fabric material information of laundry predicted while performing the rinsing operation. For example, the controller 410 may determine a spin-drying time and a rotation speed of the drum 40 during the spin-drying operation based on fabric material information of laundry predicted while performing the rinsing operation.

As an example, the controller 410 may perform detailed operations included in a drying operation based on fabric material information of laundry predicted while performing the spin-drying operation. For example, the controller 410 may determine a drying time, a temperature of the drum interior 40a, and a rotation speed of the drum 40 during the drying operation based on fabric material information of laundry predicted while performing the spin-drying operation.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an example of a washing cycle 500 of a washing machine (e.g., the washing machine 1 of FIG. 1) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The embodiment of FIG. 5 may be selectively combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4.

Referring to FIG. 5, the washing machine 1 may perform a washing cycle 500 according to a user input. The washing cycle 500 may be understood as a series of operation processes for the washing machine 1 to provide washing and/or drying functions for laundry placed in a drum (e.g., the drum 40 of FIG. 2). The washing cycle 500 may include, e.g., an initial fabric material detection operation 510, a washing operation 520, a rinsing operation 530, a spin-drying operation 540, and/or a drying operation 550.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may sequentially perform the initial fabric material detection operation 510, the washing operation 520, the rinsing operation 530, the spin-drying operation 540, and the drying operation 550 by the washing cycle 500.

According to an embodiment, when the washing machine 1 performs the washing cycle 500, some operations included in the washing cycle 500 may be omitted or additionally performed. For example, the washing machine 1 may be performed with at least one operation among the washing operation 520, the rinsing operation 530, the spin-drying operation 540, or the drying operation 550 omitted. For example, at least one operation among the washing operation 520, the rinsing operation 530, the spin-drying operation 540, or the drying operation 550 may be repeated or additionally performed.

According to an embodiment, by the washing operation 520, laundry may be washed. Specifically, foreign objects attached to laundry may be separated by chemical action of detergent and/or mechanical action such as dropping.

According to an embodiment, the washing operation 520 may include a laundry measurement operation for measuring the amount of laundry, a water supply operation 521 for supplying water to a tub (e.g., the tub 30 of FIG. 2), a cleaning operation 522 for cleaning laundry by rotating a drum (e.g., the drum 40 of FIG. 2) at low speed, a drainage operation 523 for discharging water included in the tub 30, and an intermediate spin-drying operation 524 for separating water from laundry by rotating the drum 40 at high speed.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may perform the initial fabric material detection operation 510 separately before performing the washing operation 520, or may be performed together with the laundry measurement operation included in the washing operation 520.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may collect data based on an average and variance of driving current required to rotate the drum 40 in which dry laundry is placed, in order to perform the initial fabric material detection operation 510. For example, the washing machine 1 may predict an initial fabric material for dry laundry placed in the drum 40 based on the data.

According to an embodiment, in the laundry measurement operation, the washing machine 1 may detect the weight of laundry placed in the drum 40. For example, the washing machine 1 may detect the weight of laundry placed in the drum 40 based on current or power applied to a driving motor 61 to rotate and drive the drum 40 at a predetermined speed or by a predetermined angle.

According to an embodiment, for the cleaning operation 522, the washing machine 1 may drive and control a driving motor (e.g., the driving motor 61 of FIG. 4) to rotate in a forward direction (e.g., clockwise) or a reverse direction (e.g., counterclockwise). By rotation of the drum 40, laundry falls from an upper side to a lower side of the drum 40, and foreign objects attached to the laundry may be detached by the falling.

According to an embodiment, for the intermediate spin-drying operation 524, the washing machine 1 may drive and control the driving motor 61 to rotate at high speed. By high-speed rotation of the drum 40, water is separated from laundry included in the drum 40 and may be discharged to the outside of the washing machine 1 by a drainage pump (e.g., the drainage pump 85 of FIG. 4).

According to an embodiment, during the intermediate spin-drying operation 524, a rotation speed of the drum 40 may increase. The washing machine 1 may control a rotation speed of the driving motor 61 to increase the rotation speed of the drum 40.

According to an embodiment, by the rinsing operation 530, laundry may be rinsed. Specifically, detergent or foreign objects left on laundry may be washed away by water.

According to an embodiment, when the washing machine 1 performs the rinsing operation 530, the washing machine 1 may determine whether to input fabric softener. For example, the washing machine 1 may detect the fabric material of laundry in the fabric material detection operation 510 or the washing operation 520, and may determine whether to input fabric softener according to the type of detected fabric material. For example, the washing machine 1 may determine whether to input fabric softener based on the user's selection before the washing cycle 500 proceeds. For example, the washing machine 1 may determine whether to input fabric softener based on the user's selection while the washing cycle 500 is proceeding.

According to an embodiment, the rinsing operation 530 may include a water supply operation 531 for supplying water to the tub 30, a rinsing operation 532 for rinsing laundry by driving the drum 40, a drainage operation 533 for discharging water included in the tub 30, and an intermediate spin-drying operation 534 for separating water from laundry by driving the drum 40.

According to an embodiment, the water supply operation 531, the drainage operation 533, and the intermediate spin-drying operation 534 of the rinsing operation 530 may be substantially the same as the water supply operation 521, the drainage operation 523, and the intermediate spin-drying operation 524, respectively, of the washing operation 520. For example, the water supply operation 531, the rinsing operation 532, the drainage operation 533, and the intermediate spin-drying operation 534 included in the rinsing operation 530 may be performed once or multiple times.

According to an embodiment, by the spin-drying operation 540, laundry may be spin-dried. Specifically, water is separated from laundry by high-speed rotation of the drum 40, and the separated water may be discharged to the outside of the washing machine 1.

According to an embodiment, the spin-drying operation 540 may include a final spin-drying operation 541 for separating water from laundry by rotating the drum 40 at high speed. Due to the final spin-drying operation 541, the last intermediate spin-drying operation 534 of the rinsing operation 530 may be omitted.

According to an embodiment, for the final spin-drying operation 541, the washing machine 1 may control the driving motor 61 to increase the rotation speed of the drum 40.

According to an embodiment, the drying operation 550 may include a drying operation 551 for drying spin-dried laundry. For example, in the drying operation 550, the washing machine 1 may control a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser, and an expander included in a heat pump (e.g., the heat pump 100 of FIG. 3) to drive the heat pump, and may drive a blowing fan (e.g., the blowing fan 151 of FIG. 3) to supply hot dry air to the drum 40.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 of the disclosure may predict the fabric material of laundry in each operation when performing the washing operation 520, the rinsing operation 530, the spin-drying operation 540, and the drying operation 550, and may control detailed operations of subsequent operations corresponding to the type of predicted fabric material. The washing machine 1 may perform efficient washing and reduce damage to laundry during the washing cycle by performing the washing cycle 500 corresponding to the predicted fabric material.

Hereinafter, operations of the washing machine 1 of the disclosure to predict the fabric material of laundry while proceeding with the washing cycle 500 and perform detailed operations corresponding to the predicted fabric material of laundry are described in connection with FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 6 is a control flowchart for a washing machine 1 to predict the fabric material of laundry while performing a washing cycle (e.g., the washing cycle 500 of FIG. 5) and update detailed operations within operations based on the predicted fabric material, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a control flowchart for a washing machine 1 to predict the fabric material of laundry while performing the washing cycle 500 and update detailed operations within operations based on the predicted fabric material, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are control flowcharts for the washing machine 1 to predict the fabric material of laundry while performing the washing cycle 500 and update detailed operations within operations, where FIG. 6 may be understood as illustrating a relatively general operation flow, and FIG. 7 may be understood as illustrating a relatively specific operation flow. Therefore, some operations of FIG. 7 may correspond to some operations of FIG. 6.

At least some of the control operations illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 may be omitted or their order may be changed as needed, and some operations may be repeatedly performed.

The embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7 may be selectively combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, the washing machine 1 may initiate a current operation in operation 610. For example, the washing machine 1 may initiate an initial fabric material detection operation (e.g., the initial fabric material detection operation 510 of FIG. 5), a washing operation (e.g., the washing operation 520 of FIG. 5), a rinsing operation (e.g., the rinsing operation 530 of FIG. 5), a spin-drying operation (e.g., the spin-drying operation 540 of FIG. 5), and a drying operation (e.g., the drying operation 550 of FIG. 5) included in the washing cycle 500. Some of each operation included in the washing cycle 500 may be omitted.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may perform fabric material detection in operation 620. For example, the washing machine 1 may perform a currently progressing operation and collect data for detecting the fabric material of laundry. Data for the washing machine 1 to detect the fabric material of the laundry is referred to as a “feature value.”

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may obtain feature values corresponding to each operation in progress.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may obtain feature values based on electrical signals transferred from a sensor unit (e.g., the sensor unit 440 of FIG. 4). Feature values obtained from data detected by the sensor unit 440 may be referred to as “primary feature value(s).” For example, the washing machine 1 may also generate feature values by processing the primary feature values based on the primary feature values. Feature values generated by processing from primary feature values may be referred to as “secondary feature(s).”

As an example, the washing machine 1 may perform the initial fabric material detection operation 510 and obtain drum driving data (e.g., the drum driving data 911 of FIG. 9) and/or dry fabric weight data (e.g., the dry fabric weight data 912 of FIG. 9) in a dry state.

As an example, the washing machine 1 may perform the washing operation 520 and obtain water level data (e.g., the water level data 914 of FIG. 9).

As an example, the washing machine 1 may perform the rinsing operation 530 and the spin-drying operation 540 and obtain water level data 914 and wet fabric weight data (e.g., the wet fabric weight data 913 of FIG. 9). The washing machine 1 may obtain moisture content data (e.g., the moisture content data 916 of FIG. 9) indicating the moisture content of laundry based on the dry fabric weight data 912, the wet fabric weight data 913, and the water level data 914.

As an example, the washing machine 1 may perform the drying operation 550 and obtain temperature data (e.g., the temperature data 915 of FIG. 9) indicating the temperature of a drum interior (e.g., the drum interior 40a of FIG. 3).

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may determine the number of types of fabric materials in operation 630. The washing machine 1 may predict the fabric material type of laundry based on the fabric material detected in operation 620, and may determine the fabric material category to which the laundry is predicted to belong.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may determine that laundry belongs to different fabric material categories for each operation included in the washing cycle 500. For example, the washing machine 1 may enhance accuracy for detecting the fabric material of laundry while performing the washing cycle 500 by determining the fabric material category of laundry based on information obtained for each operation.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may update detailed operations of subsequent operations based on the determined number of types of fabric materials in operation 640. For example, the washing machine 1 may determine whether to input fabric softener during the rinsing operation 530 based on the fabric material category determined in the washing operation 520. For example, based on the fabric material category determined by the washing machine 1 in the washing operation 520 is expected that inputting fabric softener to laundry belonging to the determined fabric material category would damage the material or function of the laundry, the washing machine 1 may determine not to input fabric softener in the rinsing operation 530.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may initiate a subsequent operation in operation 650. For example, the washing machine 1 may perform an operation according to detailed operations updated while performing the subsequent operation in operation 640.

Referring to FIG. 7, the washing machine 1 may extract feature values for detecting fabric material for each operation while performing the washing cycle 500, predict a category to which the fabric material of laundry belongs from the extracted feature values, and update detailed operations included in subsequent operations based on the predicted fabric material category.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may initiate the initial fabric material detection operation 510 in operation 710. For example, the washing machine 1 may initiate the washing cycle 500 in response to receiving a user input. For example, the washing machine 1 may perform an initial fabric material detection operation prior to initiating the washing operation 520. For example, the washing machine 1 may also perform the initial fabric material detection operation 510 while proceeding with the washing operation 520.

According to an embodiment, when the washing machine 1 performs the initial fabric material detection operation 510, it may detect the weight of dry laundry loaded into the drum 40. For example, the washing machine 1 may sense current and/or power applied to a driving motor (e.g., the driving motor 61 of FIG. 2) to rotationally drive the drum 40. For example, the washing machine 1 may measure the weight of dry laundry based on the current and/or power value applied to the driving motor 61. For example, the washing machine 1 may obtain drum driving data 911 based on an average value or variance value of current applied to the driving motor 61, and may obtain dry fabric weight data 912 according to the weight of dry laundry.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may initiate the washing operation 520 in operation 720. For example, the washing machine 1 may perform the washing operation 520, supply water to the tub 30, and rotate the drum. For example, when the washing machine 1 performs the washing operation 520 multiple times, it may repeat the operation of draining water, then supplying water again, and rotating the drum.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may extract feature values according to operation initiation in operation 730.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may obtain current and/or power values applied to the driving motor 61 to drive the drum 40 containing wet laundry while performing the washing operation 520. For example, the washing machine 1 may measure the weight of wet laundry after discharging water.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may obtain current and/or power values applied to the driving motor 61 to drive the drum 40 containing wet laundry while performing the rinsing operation 530. For example, the washing machine 1 may measure the weight of wet laundry after discharging water.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may obtain applied current and/or applied power values of the driving motor 61 for driving the drum 40 while wet laundry is being spin-dried during the spin-drying operation 540. For example, the washing machine 1 may measure the weight of wet laundry after being spin-dried during the spin-drying operation 540. For example, when the washing machine 1 performs the spin-drying operation 540 multiple times, the washing machine 1 may obtain current and/or power values applied to the driving motor 61 each time each spin-drying operation ends. For example, when the washing machine 1 performs the spin-drying operation 540 multiple times, the washing machine 1 may measure the laundry weight when the final spin-drying operation is completed.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may determine a fabric material category of laundry based on the feature values obtained in operation 730 in operation 740.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may predict the fabric material type to which laundry received inside the drum 40 belongs based on the obtained feature values. For example, the washing machine 1 may compare the feature values with preset feature values for each fabric material, and may predict the fabric material type to which the laundry belongs based on the comparison result. For example, the washing machine 1 may predict that the laundry has a plurality of fabric materials. In case that the laundry has a plurality of predictable fabric material types, the washing machine 1 may determine one fabric material category for the plurality of fabric material types.

According to an embodiment, a fabric material category may be determined based on subsequent operations included in each operation. When a operation is changed, one or more fabric material types belonging to the fabric material category may also be changed.

As an example, in performing the rinsing operation 530, fabric material categories may be classified by whether to input fabric softener. For example, when performing the rinsing operation 530, it may be classified into a first fabric material category including fabric material types for which inputting fabric softener is effective, and a second fabric material category including fabric material types for which not inputting fabric softener is effective.

As an example, in performing the spin-drying operation 540, fabric material categories may be classified by spin-drying intensity. For example, when performing the spin-drying operation 540, it may be classified into a third fabric material category including fabric material types for which driving the drum quickly is effective, and a fourth fabric material category including fabric material types for which driving the drum slowly is effective.

As an example, in proceeding with the drying operation 550, fabric material categories may be classified by drying temperature. For example, when performing the drying operation 550, it may be classified into a fifth fabric material category including fabric material types for which maintaining the temperature of the drum interior 40a at a high level is efficient, a sixth fabric material category including fabric material types for which maintaining the temperature of the drum interior 40a at a medium level is efficient, and a seventh fabric material category including fabric material types for which maintaining the temperature of the drum interior 40a at a low level is efficient.

Without being limited to the conditions described above, fabric material categories may be classified differently according to detailed operations of each operation included in the washing cycle 500, and each fabric material category may be composed of different fabric material types according to conditions.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may update detailed operations of subsequent operations corresponding to the fabric material category classified in operation 740 in operation 750. For example, the washing machine 1 may determine an operation for whether to input fabric softener in the subsequent rinsing operation 530 corresponding to the fabric material category determined based on feature values detected in the washing operation 520. For example, while performing the washing operation 520, based on identifying that the laundry is classified into a fabric material category for which not inputting fabric softener is effective, the washing machine may not input fabric softener while performing the rinsing operation 530.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may determine whether the washing cycle 500 has ended in operation 760. For example, the washing machine 1 may determine whether a subsequent operation should be performed. For example, the washing machine 1 may perform the washing cycle 500 according to a preset course, and may determine

whether it has been completed up to the final operation. For example, as the washing machine 1 determines that the washing cycle 500 has not ended, it may initiate a subsequent operation in operation 770. The washing machine 1 may perform the subsequent operation reflecting update contents for detailed operations in operation 760.

According to an embodiment, as it is determined that the washing cycle 500 has ended, the washing machine 1 may transmit a washing report in operation 780. The washing report may include information about progress time for each operation or information about detailed operations for each operation while the washing machine 1 performs the washing cycle 500. The washing report may provide guide information for efficient washing to the user based on detected fabric material types while the washing machine 1 performs the washing cycle 500. For example, the washing report may be displayed on a display (e.g., the display 52 of FIG. 1), or may be transmitted to a user terminal (e.g., smartphone) and displayed on the display of the smartphone. Embodiments of user interfaces for washing reports are described below in FIG. 12 and subsequent figures.

FIG. 8 exemplarily illustrates a series of processes for a washing machine (e.g., the washing machine 1 of FIG. 1) to detect the fabric material of laundry while performing a washing cycle 500 (e.g., the washing cycle 500 of FIG. 5) and update detailed operations of subsequent operations based on the detected fabric material, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 exemplarily illustrates data necessary for a washing machine 1 to perform the feature value extraction operation 810, fabric material determination operation 820, and operation update operation 830 of FIG. 8 while performing the washing cycle 500, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9 may be selectively combined with the embodiment of FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 8, the washing machine 1 may perform a feature value extraction operation 810 for extracting feature values corresponding to each operation included in the washing cycle 500, a fabric material determination operation 820 for determining the fabric material based on the extracted feature values, and an operation update operation 830 for updating detailed operations within operations based on the determined fabric material while the washing cycle 500 is performed. The washing machine 1 may reflect detailed operations updated in the operation update operation 830 to subsequent operations.

According to an embodiment, as the washing cycle 500 is initiated, the washing machine 1 may perform feature value extraction #1 811 while performing the initial fabric material detection operation 510. In feature value extraction #1 811, the washing machine 1 may obtain the weight of dry laundry placed in a drum (e.g., the drum 40 of FIG. 2) (e.g., the dry fabric weight data 912 of FIG. 9) and applied current and/or power required to drive the drum 40 containing dry laundry (e.g., the drum driving data 911 of FIG. 9).

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may perform fabric material determination #1 821 based on feature value extraction #1 811. For example, the washing machine 1 may determine an expected fabric material of laundry in fabric material determination #1 821 based on data obtained in feature value extraction #1 811. For example, fabric material determination #1 821 may include a plurality of fabric material types. The expected fabric material determined in fabric material determination #1 821 may be classified considering detailed operations included in the washing operation 520. In case that one or more expected fabric materials classified according to the detailed operations are provided to form a group, the washing machine 1 may determine a fabric material category for the one or more expected fabric materials.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may perform operation update #1 831 based on fabric material determination #1 821. For example, the washing machine 1 may update detailed operations performed in the washing operation 520 according to the fabric material category determined in fabric material determination #1 821. For example, the washing machine 1 may determine a speed for driving the drum 40, temperature of water, supply amount of water, and type and amount of detergent input to a tub (e.g., the tub 30 of FIG. 2) in the washing operation 520 corresponding to the fabric material category determined in fabric material determination #1 821.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may perform the washing operation 520 by detailed operations determined in operation update #1 831. For example, the washing machine 1 may perform feature value extraction #2 812 while performing the washing operation 520. In feature value extraction #2 812, the washing machine 1 may obtain the weight of wet laundry placed in a drum (e.g., the drum 40 of FIG. 2) (e.g., the wet fabric weight data 913 of FIG. 9) and applied current and/or power required to drive the drum 40 containing wet laundry (e.g., the drum driving data 911 of FIG. 9).

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may perform fabric material determination #2 822 based on feature value extraction #2 812. The expected fabric material determined in fabric material determination #2 822 may be classified considering detailed operations included in the washing operation 520. For example, the expected fabric material classified in fabric material determination #2 822 may be determined considering whether to input additives.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may perform operation update #2 832 based on fabric material determination #2 822. For example, the washing machine 1 may update detailed operations performed in the rinsing operation 530 according to the fabric material category determined in fabric material determination #2 822. For example, the washing machine 1 may determine a speed for driving the drum 40, temperature of rinsing water, supply amount of rinsing water, and whether to input additives (e.g., fabric softener) and

input amount to a tub (e.g., the tub 30 of FIG. 2) in the rinsing operation 530 corresponding to the fabric material category determined in fabric material determination #2 822.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may perform the rinsing operation 530 by detailed operations determined in operation update #2 832. For example, the washing machine 1 may perform feature value extraction #3 813 while performing the rinsing operation 530. In feature value extraction #3 813, the washing machine 1 may obtain the weight of laundry received in a drum (e.g., the drum 40 of FIG. 2) and applied current and/or power required to drive the drum 40 containing laundry (e.g., the drum driving data 911 of FIG. 9).

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may perform fabric material determination #3 823 based on feature value extraction #3 813. The expected fabric material determined in fabric material determination #3 823 may be classified considering detailed operations included in the spin-drying operation 540. For example, the expected fabric material classified in fabric material determination #3 823 may be determined considering a driving speed of the drum 40 and spin-drying time during the spin-drying operation 540.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may perform operation update #3 833 based on fabric material determination #3 823. For example, the washing machine 1 may update detailed operations performed in the spin-drying operation 540 according to the fabric material category determined in fabric material determination #3 823. For example, the washing machine 1 may determine a speed for driving the drum 40 and time for performing the spin-drying operation 540 in the spin-drying operation 540 corresponding to the fabric material category determined in fabric material determination #3 823.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may perform the spin-drying operation 540 by detailed operations determined in operation update #3 833. For example, the washing machine 1 may perform feature value extraction #4 814 while performing the spin-drying operation 540. In feature value extraction #4 814, the washing machine 1 may obtain the weight of spin-dried laundry placed in a drum (e.g., the drum 40 of FIG. 2) and applied current and/or power required to drive the drum 40 receiving spin-dried laundry (e.g., the drum driving data 911 of FIG. 9).

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may predict the moisture content of laundry based on the weight of dry laundry, the weight of wet laundry, and the weight of spin-dried laundry in feature value extraction #4 814.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may perform fabric material determination #4 824 based on feature value extraction #4 814. The expected fabric material determined in fabric material determination #4 824 may be classified considering detailed operations included in the drying operation 550. For example, the washing machine 1 may determine fabric material based on the moisture content of the laundry. For example, the washing machine 1 may determine fabric material considering a speed for driving the drum 40 and drying temperature (e.g., temperature of hot air to be supplied to the interior of the drum 40) during the drying operation 550.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may perform operation update #4 834 based on fabric material determination #4 824. For example, the washing machine 1 may update detailed operations performed in the drying operation 550 according to the fabric material category determined in fabric material determination #4 824. For example, the washing machine 1 may determine a speed for driving the drum 40 and drying temperature (e.g., temperature of hot air to be supplied to the interior of the drum 40) in the drying operation 550 corresponding to the fabric material category determined in fabric material determination #4 824.

Referring to FIG. 9, the washing machine 1 may perform the operations of FIG. 8 based on feature value extraction information 910, fabric material information 920, and operation update information 930. For example, the feature value extraction information 910, fabric material information 920, and operation update information 930 may be stored in the form of a database (DB) in memory (e.g., the memory 413 of FIG. 4) included in a controller (e.g., the controller 410 of FIG. 4).

According to an embodiment, the feature value extraction information 910 may include drum driving data 911, dry fabric weight data 912, wet fabric weight data 913, water level data 914, temperature data 915, and/or moisture content data 916.

According to an embodiment, the drum driving data 911 may be data indicating current and/or power values applied to the driving motor 61 to drive the drum 40. For example, the washing machine 1 may calculate the weight of laundry received inside the drum 40 based on the drum driving data 911.

According to an embodiment, the dry fabric weight data 912 may be data indicating the weight of dry laundry.

According to an embodiment, the wet fabric weight data 913 may be data indicating the weight of wet laundry. For example, the wet fabric weight data 913 may be the weight of laundry after an operation of draining water (or rinsing water) is completed in a state in which the washing cycle or rinsing operation is completed.

According to an embodiment, in addition to the dry fabric weight data 912 and the wet fabric weight data 913, the feature value extraction information 910 may further include spin-dried weight data. For example, the spin-dried weight data may be the weight of laundry in a state in which the spin-drying operation is completed.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may calculate moisture content data 916 of laundry based on the dry fabric weight data 912, the wet fabric weight data 913, and the spin-dried weight data. The moisture content data 916 may be data indicating the degree to which laundry includes water.

According to an embodiment, the water level data 914 may be data indicating the water level of water (or rinsing water) stored in the tub 30. For example, the water level data 914 may be obtained from a water level sensor (e.g., the water level sensor 441 of FIG. 4). For example, the water level data 914 may also be obtained through water supplied to the tub 30 and water discharged from the tub 30 by sensors (e.g., pressure sensors) provided in a water supply device (e.g., the water supply device 70 of FIG. 2) and a drainage device (e.g., the drainage device 80 of FIG. 2).

According to an embodiment, the temperature data 915 may be data indicating the water temperature of water or rinsing water. For example, the temperature data 915 may be data indicating the temperature inside the drum 40 during the drying operation 550. The temperature data 915 may be obtained by a temperature sensor (e.g., the temperature sensor 447 of FIG. 4).

According to an embodiment, the fabric material information 920 may indicate the fabric material type of laundry. For example, the fabric material information 920 may include fabric material type #1 921, fabric material type #2 922, fabric material type #3 923, fabric material type #4 924, fabric material type #5 925, and fabric material type #6 926, and is not limited thereto and may further include various fabric material types.

According to an embodiment, fabric material type #1 921, fabric material type #2 922, fabric material type #3 923, fabric material type #4 924, fabric material type #5 925, and fabric material type #6 926 may correspond to cotton clothing type, towel type, denim clothing type, delicate clothing type, outdoor clothing type, and athletic clothing type, respectively.

According to an embodiment, the operation update information 930 may indicate detailed operation information to be updated in subsequent operations. For example, the operation update information 930 may include input detergent data 931, water (rinsing water) temperature data 932, drum rotation speed data 933, fabric softener input status data 934, washing (rinsing/spin-drying/drying) time data 935, and drying temperature data 936.

According to an embodiment, the input detergent data 931 may be data indicating the type (e.g., general detergent or neutral detergent) and amount of detergent to be input to the tub 30 in the washing operation 520.

According to an embodiment, the water (rinsing water) temperature data 932 may be data indicating the water temperature of water (or rinsing water) supplied in the washing operation 520 or the rinsing operation 530.

According to an embodiment, the drum rotation speed data 933 may be data indicating the speed when rotationally driving the drum 40.

According to an embodiment, the fabric softener input status data 934 may be data for determining whether to input fabric softener in the rinsing operation 530.

According to an embodiment, the washing (rinsing/spin-drying/drying) time data 935 may be data indicating operation time of each operation included in the washing cycle 500.

According to an embodiment, the drying temperature data 936 may be data indicating the temperature inside the drum 40 or the temperature of hot air supplied to the drum 40 in the drying operation 550.

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates an operation for a washing machine (e.g., the washing machine 1 of FIG. 1) to determine a fabric material type (e.g., the fabric material information 920 of FIG. 9) while performing a washing cycle (e.g., the washing cycle 500 of FIG. 5), according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The embodiment of FIG. 10 may be selectively combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 6 to 9.

Referring to FIG. 10, the washing machine 1 may determine the fabric material of laundry received in a drum (e.g., the drum 40 of FIG. 2) while performing an initial fabric material detection operation (e.g., the initial fabric material detection operation 510 of FIG. 5). For example, the washing machine 1 may determine the fabric material of laundry based on the weight of dry laundry and the driving current of the drum 40.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may determine a fabric material category of laundry classified by a first fabric material category 1010 prior to performing the washing operation 520. For example, the first fabric material category 1010 may be determined by the initial fabric material detection operation 510. For example, the washing machine 1 may determine any one category among a 1-1th fabric material category 1011 composed of fabric material type #1 921, fabric material type #2 922, and fabric material type #3 923, and a 1-2th fabric material category 1012 composed of fabric material type #4 924, fabric material type #5 925, and fabric material type #6 926. For example, the 1-1th fabric material category 1011 and the 1-2th fabric material category 1012 may be classified by the type of detergent (e.g., general detergent or neutral detergent) to be input to a tub (e.g., the tub 30 of FIG. 2).

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may determine a fabric material category of laundry by a second fabric material category 1020 by performing the washing operation 520. For example, the washing machine 1 may determine any one category among a 2-1th fabric material category 1021 composed of fabric material type #1 921, fabric material type #2 922, and fabric material type #4 924, and a 2-2th fabric material category 1022 composed of fabric material type #3 923, fabric material type #5 925, and fabric material type #6 926. For example, the 2-1th fabric material category 1021 and the 2-2th fabric material category 1022 may be classified by whether to input fabric softener to a tub (e.g., the tub 30 of FIG. 2).

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may determine a fabric material category of laundry by a third fabric material category 1030 by performing the rinsing operation 530. For example, the washing machine 1 may determine any one category among a 3-1th fabric material category 1031 composed of fabric material type #1 921, a 3-2th fabric material category 1032 composed of fabric material type #2 922 and fabric material type #3 923, and a 3-3th fabric material category 1033 composed of fabric material type #4 924, fabric material type #5 925, and fabric material type #6 926. For example, the 3-1th fabric material category 1031, the 3-2th fabric material category 1032, and the 3-3th fabric material category 1033 may be classified by spin-drying intensity (e.g., driving speed of the drum 40) during the spin-drying operation 540,

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may determine a fabric material category of laundry by a fourth fabric material category 1040 by performing the spin-drying operation 540. For example, the washing machine 1 may determine any one category among a 4-1th fabric material category 1041 composed of fabric material type #1 921 and fabric material type #2 922, a 4-2th fabric material category 1042 composed of fabric material type #3 923, and a 4-3th fabric material category 1043 composed of fabric material type #4 924, fabric material type #5 925, and fabric material type #6 926. For example, the 4-1th fabric material category 1041, the 4-2th fabric material category 1042, and the 4-3th fabric material category 1043 may be classified by drying intensity (e.g., temperature inside the drum 40 and/or driving speed of the drum 40) during the drying operation 550.

According to an embodiment, fabric material categories for each operation may be composed of different fabric material types. For example, each of the first fabric material category 1010, the second fabric material category 1020, the third fabric material category 1030, and the fourth fabric material category 1040 may be composed of different fabric material types.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may perform efficient washing by classifying into different fabric material categories for each operation and adaptively classifying fabric material categories corresponding to each operation. For example, the washing machine 1 may reduce damage to fabrics and enhance washing performance by determining fabric material categories considering detailed operations of each operation.

FIG. 11 is a graph for describing fabric material categories determined based on moisture content data (e.g., the moisture content data 916 of FIG. 9) obtained as a washing machine (e.g., the washing machine 1 of FIG. 1) performs a washing cycle according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The embodiment of FIG. 11 may be selectively combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 4 to 10.

Referring to FIG. 11, the washing machine 1 may obtain moisture content data 916 indicating the moisture content of laundry based on the weight of dry laundry and the weight of wet laundry, and may determine a fabric material category of laundry based on the moisture content data 916.

According to an embodiment, the horizontal axis of the illustrated graph represents the frequency of a tub (e.g., the tub 30 of FIG. 2) according to a target water level. For example, a lower frequency may indicate a higher water level of stored water (e.g., water or rinsing water) in the tub (30).

According to an embodiment, the vertical axis of the illustrated graph represents the weight ratio of wet laundry to dry laundry based on the moisture content of fabric material. Therefore, the washing machine 1 may determine the fabric material of laundry received inside a drum (e.g., the drum 40 of FIG. 2) based on weight changes from dry state to wet state for each fabric material corresponding to the water level of the tub 30. For example, the moisture content of fabric material may be substantially the same as a difference between the weight of the wet cloth and the weight of the dry cloth..

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may classify into fabric materials having high-level moisture content, fabric materials having low-level moisture content, and fabric materials having medium-level moisture content based on the weight of dry laundry, the weight of wet laundry before initiating a rinsing operation (e.g., the rinsing operation 530 of FIG. 5), and the weight of wet laundry after initiating a spin-drying operation (e.g., the spin-drying operation 540 of FIG. 5).

According to an embodiment, it may be identified that the first fabric material category 1110 is a fabric material category with high moisture content. For example, the first fabric material category 1110 may include towels.

According to an embodiment, it may be identified that a second fabric material category 1130 and a third fabric material category are fabric material categories with medium-level moisture content.

According to an embodiment, it may be identified that the second fabric material category 1120 is a fabric material category with light weight material and at the same time relatively higher moisture content compared to the third fabric material category 1130. For example, the second fabric material category 1120 may include athletic clothing.

According to an embodiment, it may be identified that the third fabric material category 1130 is a fabric material category with light weight material and at the same time relatively lower moisture content compared to the second fabric material category 1120. For example, the third fabric material category 1130 may include cotton clothing, delicate clothing, and/or denim clothing.

According to an embodiment, it may be identified that the fourth fabric material category 1140 is a fabric material category with low moisture content. For example, the fourth fabric material category 1140 may include outdoor clothing.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may determine fabric material categories based on the moisture content data 916 and update detailed operations of subsequent operations corresponding to the fabric material categories.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may differently determine fabric material categories for each operation based on dry fabric weight and wet fabric weight while performing the washing cycle 500, and update detailed operations of subsequent operations according to the determined fabric material categories, thereby reducing damage to clothing and providing efficient washing functions.

FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and 15 exemplarily illustrate user interfaces where a washing machine (e.g., the washing machine 1 of FIG. 1) transmits a washing report to an external device 1200 (e.g., user terminal) and the transmitted washing report is displayed on a display 1201 included in the external device 1200, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and 15 may be selectively combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 11.

Referring to FIG. 12, the washing machine 1 may generate a washing report after a washing cycle (e.g., the washing cycle 500 of FIG. 5) is completed. The washing report may include, e.g., information about progress time for each operation or information about detailed operations for each operation while the washing machine 1 performs the washing cycle 500, or guide information for efficient washing to the user based on detected fabric material types.

According to an embodiment, the washing machine 1 may display the washing report on a display (e.g., the display 52 of FIG. 1). The washing machine 1 may transmit the washing report to the user terminal 1200, and the user terminal 1200 may display the washing report on the display 1201 of the user terminal 1200.

Referring to FIG. 12, the user interface implemented as a washing report may include a first object 1210 indicating washing records by period, and a second object 1220 indicating detailed information for each washing record.

According to an embodiment, the first object 1210 may indicate that the washing report is a record of washing performed in “the #th week of November 2024.”

According to an embodiment, the second object 1220 may indicate detailed information of records of washing performed in “the #th week of November 2024.” For example, the second object 1220 may indicate that three washings were performed in the ##th week of November 2024.

According to an embodiment, the second object 1220 may include a 2-1th object 1221 indicating information about “Washing 1 performed at 11:00 on November ##th, 2024,” a 2-2th object 1222 indicating information about “Washing 2 performed at 14:00 on November □□th, 2024,” and a 2-3th object 1223 indicating information about “Washing 3 performed at 13:30 on November ○○th, 2024.”

According to an embodiment, when the external device 1200 receives input for each object 1221, 1222, 1223 included in the second object 1220 displayed on the display 1201, the user interface indicating detailed information about each washing record may be displayed. For example, FIG. 13 illustrates an example in which the user interface displaying detailed information about “Washing 1” is displayed. For example, FIG. 14 illustrates an example in which the user interface displaying detailed information about “Washing 2” is displayed. For example, FIG. 15 illustrates an example in which the user interface displaying detailed information about “Washing 3” is displayed.

Referring to FIG. 13, detailed information about Washing 1 may be displayed as the user interface on the display 1201 in response to receiving an input of the 2-1th object 1221.

According to an embodiment, the user interface may include a first object 1310 including information about execution time of Washing 1, a second object 1320 including information about progress course of Washing 1, a third object 1330 including information about washing history of Washing 1, and a fourth object 1340 including information about washing guide.

According to an embodiment, the first object 1310 may include information about the washing execution time of Washing 1.

According to an embodiment, the second object 1320 may include information about the washing course of Washing 1. The washing course may be determined, e.g., by a user input before the washing cycle is performed, or may be determined by a fabric material category optimally determined according to fabric material detection. The washing machine 1 may perform a washing cycle (e.g., the washing cycle 500 of FIG. 5) based on the washing course.

According to an embodiment, the third object 1330 may include information about washing history. The washing history may include, e.g., information about operation time for each operation or detailed operations for each operation while the washing machine 1 performs the washing cycle 500. For example, the third object 1330 may include information about inputting 3ml of general detergent when performing a washing operation in Washing 1. For example, the third object 1330 may include information about not inputting fabric softener when performing a rinsing operation in Washing 1. For example, the third object 1330 may include information about performing with intensity at “medium” level when performing a spin-drying operation in Washing 2. For example, the third object 1330 may include information about performing with intensity at “low” level when performing a drying operation in Washing 1.

According to an embodiment, the fourth object 1340 may include information about washing guide. The washing guide may include, e.g., information for providing efficient washing functions to the user based on information about progress time for each operation or information about detailed operations for each operation, or detected fabric material types while the washing machine 1 performs the washing cycle 500.

According to an embodiment, the fourth object 1340 may include information recommending the use of neutral detergent in future washing although yoga/outdoor washing used general detergent (e.g., washing history of the third object 1330).

Referring to FIG. 14, detailed information about Washing 2 may be displayed as the user interface on the display 1201 in response to receiving an input of the 2-2th object 1222.

According to an embodiment, the user interface may include a first object 1410 including information about execution time of Washing 2, a second object 1420 including information about progress course of Washing 2, a third object 1430 including information about washing history of Washing 2, and a fourth object 1440 including information about washing guide.

According to an embodiment, the first object 1410 may include information about the washing execution time of Washing 2.

According to an embodiment, the second object 1420 may include information about the washing course of Washing 2. The washing course may be determined, e.g., by a user input before the washing cycle is performed, or may be determined by a fabric material category optimally determined according to fabric material detection. The washing machine 1 may perform a washing cycle (e.g., the washing cycle 500 of FIG. 5) based on the washing course.

According to an embodiment, the third object 1430 may include information about washing history. The washing history may include, e.g., information about operation time for each operation or detailed operations for each operation while the washing machine 1 performs the washing cycle 500. For example, the third object 1430 may include information about inputting a standard amount of general detergent when performing a washing operation in Washing 2. For example, the third object 1430 may include information about inputting fabric softener when performing a rinsing operation in Washing 2. For example, the third object 1430 may include information about performing with intensity at “medium” level when performing a spin-drying operation in Washing 2. For example, the third object 1430 may include information about performing with intensity at “high” level when performing a drying operation in Washing 2.

According to an embodiment, the third object 1430 may include information indicating that fabric softener was input by user setting during the rinsing operation.

According to an embodiment, the fourth object 1440 may include information about washing guide. The washing guide may include, e.g., information for providing efficient washing functions to the user based on information about progress time for each operation or information about detailed operations for each operation, or detected fabric material types while the washing machine 1 performs the washing cycle 500.

According to an embodiment, the fourth object 1440 may include information recommending washing without using fabric softener in future washing although fabric softener was input by user settings during washing (e.g., washing history of the third object 1430).

Referring to FIG. 15, detailed information about Washing 3 may be displayed as the user interface on the display 1201 in response to receiving an input of the 2-3th object 1223.

According to an embodiment, the user interface may include a first object 1510 including information about execution time of Washing 3, a second object 1520 including information about progress course of Washing 3, a third object 1530 including information about washing history of Washing 3, and a fourth object 1540 including information about washing guide.

According to an embodiment, the first object 1510 may include information about the washing execution time of Washing 3.

According to an embodiment, the second object 1520 may include information about the washing course of Washing 3. The washing course may be determined, e.g., by a user input before the washing cycle is performed, or may be determined by a fabric material category optimally determined according to fabric material detection. The washing machine 1 may perform a washing cycle (e.g., the washing cycle 500 of FIG. 5) based on the washing course.

According to an embodiment, the third object 1530 may include information about washing history. The washing history may include, e.g., information about operation time for each operation or detailed operations for each operation while the washing machine 1 performs the washing cycle 500. For example, the third object 1530 may include information about inputting detergent stored in a manual detergent compartment (e.g., the second detergent supply device 140 of FIG. 1) when performing a washing operation in Washing 3. For example, the third object 1530 may include information about inputting fabric softener when performing a rinsing operation in Washing 3. For example, the third object 1530 may include information about performing with intensity at “low” level when performing a spin-drying operation in Washing 3.

According to an embodiment, the third object 1530 may include information indicating that fabric softener was not input by a determined fabric material category during the rinsing operation.

According to an embodiment, the fourth object 1540 may include information about washing guide. The washing guide may include, e.g., information for providing efficient washing functions to the user based on information about progress time for each operation or information about detailed operations for each operation, or detected fabric material types while the washing machine 1 performs the washing cycle 500.

According to an embodiment, the fourth object 1540 may include information recommending the use of neutral detergent for washing delicate clothing in the future although detergent stored in the manual detergent compartment was used during washing (e.g., washing history of the third object 1530).

A washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure relates to technology for determining fabric material categories while proceeding with a washing cycle and proceeding with each operation included in the washing cycle based on the determined categories.

A washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may differently determine fabric material categories for each operation and thereby perform optimal washing for each operation.

A washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may reduce damage to laundry due to washing.

Effects obtainable from the disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the description of the disclosure.

A washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure (e.g., washing machine 1 of FIG. 1) may include a main body 10, a tub 30 disposed inside the main body 10 and configured to store water, a drum 40 rotatably disposed inside the tub 30 and configured to receive laundry, a driving motor 61 configured to rotate the drum 40, a water supply device 70 configured to supply water to the tub 30, and a controller 410 configured to obtain information for detecting a fabric material of the laundry and determine the fabric material of the laundry based on the obtained information while performing a washing cycle 500. The controller 410 may be configured to obtain first fabric material information about the laundry in response to initiation of the washing cycle 500, obtain second fabric material information about the laundry in response to completion of a washing operation included in the washing cycle 500 and occurrence of a specific event, determine a fabric material category of the laundry required for performing a subsequent operation included in the washing cycle 500 based on the first fabric material information and the second fabric material information, and perform the subsequent operation based on the determined fabric material category. The first fabric material information may include a weight of the laundry received inside the drum 40 in a dry state and driving data of the drum, and the second fabric material information may include at least one of a weight of the laundry in dry and wet states after the specific event occurs, driving data of the drum, water level data of water stored in the tub, or dryness data of the laundry. The fabric material category may be determined by selectively considering the first fabric material information or the second fabric material information.

In the washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the fabric material category may be determined differently corresponding to each operation included in the washing cycle.

In the washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the washing cycle 500 may further include a rinsing operation 530 and a spin-drying operation 540, and the specific event may include a first event occurring by completion of the washing operation 520, a second event occurring by completion of the rinsing operation 530, and a third event occurring by completion of the spin-drying operation 540.

In the washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the controller 410 may be configured to determine a temperature of water supplied to the tub 30 and a rotation speed of the drum 40 based on the first fabric material information when the washing operation 520 included in the washing cycle 500 is initiated.

The washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may further include a detergent supply device 13. The controller 410 may be configured to determine whether to input a fabric softener to the tub 30 when the rinsing operation 530 is initiated based on the fabric material category in response to occurrence of the first event.

In the washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the controller 410 may be configured to determine a driving speed of the drum 40 when the spin-drying operation 540 is initiated based on the fabric material category in response to occurrence of the second event.

The washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may further include a heat pump 100 for supplying hot dry air into the drum 40. The washing cycle 500 may further include a drying operation 550. The controller 410 may be configured to determine a target temperature inside the drum 40 when the drying operation 550 is initiated based on the fabric material category in response to occurrence of the third event.

In the washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the controller 410 may be configured to determine a rotation speed of the drum 40 when the drying operation 550 is initiated based on the fabric material category in response to occurrence of the third event.

The washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may further include a display 52. The controller 410 may be configured to generate a washing report about a result of performing each operation 510, 520, 530, 540, 550 included in the washing cycle 500 based on the fabric material category in response to completion of the washing cycle 500, and display the washing report on the display 52.

The washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may further include a communication unit 420 providing a communication function with an external device 1200. The controller 410 may be configured to transmit the washing report to the external device 1200.

A method for controlling a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include obtaining first fabric material information about laundry received inside the drum 40 in response to initiation of the washing cycle 500, obtaining second fabric material information about the laundry in response to completion of a washing operation included in the washing cycle 500 and occurrence of a specific event, determining a fabric material category of the laundry required for performing a subsequent operation included in the washing cycle 500 based on the first fabric material information and the second fabric material information, and performing the subsequent operation based on the determined fabric material category. The first fabric material information may include a weight of the laundry received inside the drum 40 in a dry state and driving data of the drum, and the second fabric material information may include at least one of a weight of the laundry in dry or wet states after the specific event occurs, driving data of the drum, water level data of water stored in the tub, and dryness data of the laundry. The fabric material category may be determined by selectively considering the first fabric material information or the second fabric material information.

In the method for controlling the washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the fabric material category may be determined differently corresponding to each operation included in the washing cycle.

In the method for controlling the washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the washing cycle 500 may further include a rinsing operation 530 and a spin-drying operation 540. The specific event may include a first event occurring by completion of the washing operation 520, a second event occurring by completion of the rinsing operation 530, and a third event occurring by completion of the spin-drying operation 540.

The method for controlling the washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include determining a temperature of water supplied to the tub 30 and a rotation speed of the drum 40 based on the first fabric material information when the washing operation 520 included in the washing cycle 500 is initiated.

The method for controlling the washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include determining whether to input a fabric softener to the tub 30 by controlling the detergent supply device 13 when the rinsing operation 530 is initiated based on the fabric material category in response to occurrence of the first event.

The method for controlling the washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include determining a driving speed of the drum 40 when the spin-drying operation 540 is initiated based on the fabric material category in response to occurrence of the second event.

In the method for controlling the washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the washing cycle 500 may further include a drying operation 550. The control method may include determining a target temperature inside the drum 40 by controlling the heat pump 100 when the drying operation 550 is initiated based on the fabric material category in response to occurrence of the third event.

The method for controlling the washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include determining a rotation speed of the drum 40 when the drying operation 550 is initiated based on the fabric material category in response to occurrence of the third event.

The method for controlling the washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include generating a washing report about a result of performing each operation 510, 520, 530, 540, 550 included in the washing cycle 500 based on the fabric material category in response to completion of the washing cycle 500, and displaying the washing report on the display 52.

The method for controlling the washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include transmitting the washing report to an external device 1200.