Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Jae Poong Lee

Yo Chul Ha

Chang Joo Chai

Seung Hun Choi

Chang Ho Ha

Provided are a washing machine in which an auxiliary door can be safely and conveniently used and a method of controlling the same. The auxiliary door through which laundry can be additionally put into the washing machine, and the auxiliary door can be safely locked/unlocked. Because an open/closed state of the auxiliary door can be indirectly determined through a locking/unlocking operation of the auxiliary door, even when a door opening/closing detecting device has broken down, the auxiliary door can be safely used. The auxiliary door is unlocked by default and conditions on which the auxiliary door is locked for safety if necessary, are minimized during an operation of the washing machine so that use convenience of the auxiliary door can be enhanced, and a locked state of the auxiliary door is maintained according to the amount of laundry so that the laundry can be safely put into the washing machine.

Washing machine and method for controlling same

Provided are a washing machine in which an auxiliary door can be safely and conveniently used, and a method of controlling the same. The auxiliary door through which laundry can be additionally put into the washing machine, is provided, and the auxiliary door can be safely locked/unlocked. Because an open/closed state of the auxiliary door can be indirectly determined through a locking/unlocking operation of the auxiliary door, even when a door opening/closing detecting device has broken down, the auxiliary door can be safely used. In addition, the auxiliary door is unlocked by default and conditions on which the auxiliary door is locked for safety if necessary, are minimized during an operation of the washing machine so that use convenience of the auxiliary door can be enhanced, and a locked state of the auxiliary door is maintained according to the amount of laundry so that the laundry can be safely put into the washing machine. Furthermore, when the auxiliary door is opened during an operation of the washing machine, the weight of the laundry can be detected again and a washing performance of the added laundry can be guaranteed through additional supply of water and time increase so that a user's reliance on a product can be enhanced.

A home appliance includes a tactile signal generator and a controller. The tactile signal generator has a first function which allows the home appliance to perform a predetermined function and a second function to generate a tactile signal. The controller determines whether an event is generated and controls the generation of the tactile signal generated by the tactile signal generator upon determination that the event is generated.

Growing community of inventors

Suwon-si, South Korea

Jae Poong Lee