Washing machine that prevents motor carbonization, and method for controlling washing machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025154703-A1
Application number	US-202519025599-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 16, 2025
Priority date	Jul 27, 2022
Publication date	May 15, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

Provided is a washing machine and a method of controlling the washing machine. The washing machine includes: a washing tub; a motor to supply rotational power to the washing tub; an intelligent power module (IPM) to supply power to the motor; a sensor to detect a current output from the IPM; a relay configured to output AC power to the washing machine; a rectifier configured to rectify the AC power output from the relay into DC power and to output the DC power to the IPM; memory storing instructions; and a processor configured to execute the instructions to: based on the washing machine being in a standby state, obtain the current value detected by the sensor, and based on the current value being greater than or equal to a preset current value, control the relay to perform an off-operation to cut off the DC power supplied to the IPM.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A washing machine comprising:
a washing tub; a motor configured to supply rotational power to the washing tub; an intelligent power module (IPM) configured to supply power to the motor, wherein the IPM comprises a plurality of three-phase switch elements; a sensor configured to detect a current value of power output from the IPM; a relay configured to output alternating current (AC) power applied to the washing machine; a rectifier configured to rectify the AC power output from the relay into direct current (DC) power and to output the DC power to the IPM; memory storing one or more instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the one or more instructions, wherein the one or more instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the washing machine to:
based on the washing machine being in a standby state, obtain the current value detected by the sensor, and
based on the current value being greater than or equal to a preset current value, control the relay to perform an off-operation to cut off the DC power supplied to the IPM.

2 . The washing machine of claim 1 , wherein the one or more instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the washing machine to:
compare the current value with the preset current value at a first time interval, and based on determining a first number of times that the current value is greater than or equal to the preset current value, control the relay to perform the off-operation.

3 . The washing machine of claim 2 , wherein the one or more instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the washing machine to:
based on a second time interval elapsing after the relay performs the off-operation, control the relay to perform an on-operation, and after the relay performs the on-operation, compare the current value with the preset current value.

4 . The washing machine of claim 3 , wherein the one or more instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the washing machine to:
based on the relay performing the on-operation a second number of times, control the relay to maintain the off-operation.

5 . The washing machine of claim 1 , further comprising:
a display; and a speaker, wherein the one or more instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the washing machine to:
based on the relay performing the off-operation, cause at least one of the display or the speaker to output notification information indicating occurrence of an error in the IPM.

6 . The washing machine of claim 1 , further comprising:
a communicator configured to communicate with at least one external device, wherein the one or more instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the washing machine to:
based on the relay performing the off-operation, transmit notification information indicating occurrence of an error of the IPM to the at least one external device through the communicator.

7 . The washing machine of claim 4 , wherein the first time interval, the second time interval, the first number of times, and the second number of times are based on a specification of the IPM and a specification of the motor.

8 . The washing machine of claim 1 , further comprising an inrush current blocker connected in parallel to the relay and configured to cut off inrush current applied from the AC power.

9 . A method of controlling a washing machine comprising:
supplying power to a motor of the washing machine through an intelligent power module (IPM) of the washing machine, wherein the IPM comprises a plurality of three-phase switch elements; supplying, by the motor, rotational power to a washing tub of the washing machine; based on the washing machine being in a standby state, obtaining through a sensor of the washing machine, a current value of power output from the IPM; and based on the current value being greater than or equal to a preset current value, controlling a relay of the washing machine to perform an off-operation to cut off a supply of power to the IPM.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein controlling the relay to perform the off-operation comprises:
comparing the current value with the preset current value at a first time interval; and based on determining a first number of times that the current value is greater than or equal to the preset current value, controlling the relay to perform the off-operation.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the controlling the relay to perform the off-operation further comprises:
based on a second time elapsing after the relay performs the off-operation, controlling the relay to perform an on-operation; and after the relay performs the on-operation, comparing the current value with the preset current value.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the controlling the relay to perform the off-operation further comprises:
based on the relay performing the on-operation a second number of times, controlling the relay to maintain an off-operation.

13 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
based on the relay performing the off-operation, causing at least one of a display of the washing machine and a speaker of the washing machine to output notification information indicating occurrence of an error in the IPM.

14 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
based on the relay performing the off-operation, transmitting notification information indicating occurrence of an error of the IPM to an external device through a communicator of the washing machine.

15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the first time interval, the second time interval, the first number of times, and the second number of times are based on a specification of the IPM and a specification of the motor.

16 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising cutting off inrush current applied from the AC power using an inrush current blocker connected in parallel to the relay.

Assignees

• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd

Inventors

• Lee Dahye
• Noh Kyoungwoong
• Oh Changju
• Lee Seunghun

Classifications

• H02H3/08

  responsive to excess current (responsive to abnormal temperature caused by excess current H02H5/04) · CPC title

• H02H7/08

  for dynamo-electric motors · CPC title

• H02H7/122

  for inverters, i.e. DC/AC converters · CPC title

• D06F37/42

  Safety arrangements, e.g. for stopping rotation of the receptacle upon opening of the casing door · CPC title

• D06F2103/44

  Current or voltage · CPC title