Abstract

A washing machine and a steam washing method. In order to enable the washing machine to meet a user's demand for refined washing and to achieve the object of reducing washing machine costs and energy consumption, the steam washing method includes: receiving an initial washing program of the washing machine; determining whether a steam washing instruction is received; and if not, performing a corresponding initial washing operation according to the initial washing program, and if so, configuring at least one steam washing program based on the initial washing program, where the washing machine can perform the corresponding steam washing operation according to the steam washing program. The method heats a minimum amount of water each time to generate steam, and determines whether a second heating is performed to generate steam based on the washing effect, so massive heating is avoided if much steam is unnecessary, thus maximizing energy savings.

IPC Classes  ?

• D06F 35/00 - Washing machines, apparatus, or methods not otherwise provided for
• D06F 33/44 - Control of the operating time, e.g. reduction of overall operating time
• D06F 33/34 - Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of water filling
• D06F 105/10 - Temperature of washing liquids; Heating means therefor
• D06F 33/36 - Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of washing
• D06F 105/56 - Remaining operation time; Remaining operational cycles
• D06F 105/02 - Water supply
• D06F 103/70 - Number of operational cycles
• D06F 105/52 - Changing sequence of operational steps; Carrying out additional operational steps; Modifying operational steps, e.g. by extending duration of steps
• D06F 34/06 - Timing arrangements