Patent Publication Number: US-11021827-B2

Title: Method for controlling washing machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Divisional Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/283,662, filed Oct. 3, 2016, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Application Nos. 10-2015-0139279, filed on Oct. 2, 2015, 10-2015-0139272, filed on Oct. 2, 2015, 10-2015-0139276, filed on Oct. 2, 2015, and 10-2015-0141714, filed on Oct. 8, 2015, whose entire disclosures are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Embodiments relate to a method for controlling a washing machine. 
     2. Background 
     A washing machine is a device configured to process laundry through various operations such as laundry, dehydrating, and/or drying. The washing machine includes an outer tub configured to receive water and an inner tub rotatably provided in the outer tub. A through hole is formed through the inner tub so that water passes through the through hole. If laundry or clothes or bedding is provided into the inner tub and a user selects a desired course using a control panel, the washing machine may perform water supply and drainage, washing, rinsing, and dehydration by running a preset algorithm corresponding to the selected course. 
     A water supply amount in the washing machine may be determined depending on an amount of laundry or clothes, or a laundry or clothes amount, provided into the inner tub. In recent years, water supply amounts have been reduced to save energy. However, if the water supply amount is reduced, a possibility of the clothes being exposed to air is increased so that washing performance may be degraded, laundry or clothes become stained or secondary pollution occurs due to residual detergent. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a washing machine according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a side section of the washing machine shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view illustrating a structure of a hanger of the washing machine shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a relationship between constituent elements of the washing machine shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates a state in which water is sprayed through a circulating nozzle when an inner tub is in an unloaded condition; 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates a state in which water is sprayed through a circulating nozzle when an inner tub is under a maximum load condition; 
         FIG. 6  is a view illustrating a top cover viewed from a top; 
         FIG. 7  is a view illustrating a top cover viewed from a front; 
         FIG. 8A  is a view illustrating a rear surface of a top cover viewed when a circulating nozzle is installed; 
         FIG. 8B  is a view illustrating a rear surface of a top cover viewed when a circulating nozzle is separated; 
         FIG. 9A  illustrates a rear surface of a circulating nozzle; 
         FIG. 9B  is a view illustrating a coupling between a top cover and a circulating nozzle; 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates a circulating nozzle and a nozzle cap assembly installed at a top cover viewed from a side; 
         FIG. 10B  is a perspective view illustrating a circulating nozzle installed at a top cover; 
         FIG. 10C  is a side section illustrating the circulating nozzle; 
         FIG. 11A  is a schematic view illustrating a height of water sprayed through a circulating nozzle reaching an inner tub according to a rotating speed of a washing motor; 
         FIG. 11B  is a schematic view illustrating an angle of water sprayed through a circulating nozzle to be distributed in a width direction according to a rotating speed of a washing motor; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic view illustrating a spray range of a circulating nozzle and a direct nozzle; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a circulating nozzle according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of a pump; 
         FIG. 14B  is a side view of the pump; 
         FIG. 14C  illustrates a state of a pump where a pump housing is removed from the pump; 
         FIG. 14D  is a front view of the pump; 
         FIG. 15  is a cut-way view illustrating a pump shown in  FIG. 14  so that an inside of the pump housing is visible; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an inner surface of the pump housing; 
         FIG. 17A  illustrates a rear surface of the pump; 
         FIG. 17B  is a side section of the pump; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view illustrating a pump bracket; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a plurality of lateral sides of a pump installed on a base; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a pump according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 21A  illustrates a pump where a first pump housing and a second pump housing are removed from the pump; 
         FIG. 21B  illustrates an assembled state of the first pump housing and a second pump housing viewed from an (I) direction shown in  FIG. 21A ; 
         FIG. 21C  illustrates an assembled state of the first pump housing and a second pump housing viewed from an (II) direction shown in  FIG. 21A ; 
         FIGS. 22A and 22B  are partial perspective views illustrating a relationship between a bottom end of a circulating hose and peripheral constituent elements shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a partial perspective view illustrating a relationship between a top end of a circulating hose and peripheral constituent elements shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view illustrating a circulating hose shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view illustrating a circulating hose according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 26  is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 27  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a washing operation performed in step S 6  shown in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a flowchart illustrating another example of a washing operation performed in step S 6  shown in  FIG. 26 ; and 
         FIG. 29A  is a schematic view illustrating water flow when a water level in an outer tub is lower than a reference water level; and 
         FIG. 29B  is a schematic view illustrating water flow when a water level in an outer tub is higher than a reference water level. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 , the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a base  9 , a cabinet  1 , a top cover  2 , a lid  4 , and a control panel  3 . The base  9  may have a flat shape corresponding to a bottom on which the washing machine is installed. The base  9  may be supported by four support bridges  16  which are provide close to four corners of a cabinet  1 . The base  9  may be installed therein with a pump  100 . The base  9  has a substantial square appearance. The support bridges  16  are installed spaced inward apart from four vertexes of the square. The support bridges  16  protrude to a lower side of the base  9  to make contact with a floor, for example, an indoor floor on which the washing machine is installed. The four support bridges  16  support the base  9 , and the base  9  supports the whole parts of the washing machine. 
     The cabinet  1  is supported by the base  9 . The cabinet  1  includes a front surface  1   a , both lateral surfaces  1   b  and  1   c , and a rear surface  1   d . A top surface and a bottom surface of the cabinet  1  may be opened. The top cover  2  may be coupled with a top end of the cabinet  1 . An introduction hole for introducing and releasing laundry or clothes may be formed in the top cover  2 . A lid  4  for opening/closing the introduction hole may be rotatably coupled with the top cover  2 . 
     An outer tub  6  for receiving water may be provided in the cabinet  1 . The outer tub  6  may be provided in the cabinet  1  by a hanger  8  in the hanged form. The hanger  8  may include a support rod  81  having a top end pivotably engaged with the top cover  2  and a suspension installed in the support rod  81  to buffer vibration of the outer tub  6 . The suspension may be configured in various forms. For example, the suspension may include an outer tub support member which supports the outer tub  5  and is moved along the support rod  81  when the outer tub  6  vibrates. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a hanger bracket  88  may be provided at a top side of the outer tub  6  in the cabinet  1 . The hanger bracket  88  may be located at the top cover  2 . A top end of the support rod  81  may be pivotably connected with the hanger bracket  88 . The hanger  80  includes a support rod  81 , a cap  85 , and an elastic member  86 . The cap  85  may be moved along the support rod  81  while being instead into the support rod  81 . The outer tub  6  is supported by the cap  85  and is moved integrally with the cap  85  during a vibration procedure. 
     The support rod  81  may include a support rod base  82  formed at a bottom end thereof. The base  82  radially extends outward from a bottom end of the support rod  81 . The elastic member  86  provided at an inner side of the cap  85  is located on a top surface of the support rod base  82 . The elastic member  86  may be a spring. A top end of the spring supports the cap  85 . Accordingly, while the cap  85  is displaced together with the outer tub  6 , if the cap  85  is moved downward, the spring  86  is compressed. In contrast, if the cap  85  is moved upward, the spring  86  is recovered to an original state. 
     Hanger brackets  88  may be provided around four corners of the cabinet  1  and/or the top cover  2 . Four hangers  80  may be connected to the hanger brackets  88 , respectively. When viewed from the top, the hangers  80  are installed around four corners of the cabinet  1 , respectively. 
     A top side of the outer tub  6  is opened. An outer tub cover  7  may be provided at the open top side of the outer tub  6 . A center portion of the outer tub cover  7  may have an open ring shape to introduce/release the laundry. An inner tub  5  for receiving laundry and being rotated based on a vertical axis may be provided in the outer tub  6 . The inner tub  5  is formed therein with a plurality of holes through which water pass. The water may communicate between the inner tub  5  and the outer tub  6  through the hole  5   a.    
     A drainage bellows  18  for exhausting water from the outer tub  6  and a drain valve  44  for blocking the drainage bellows  18  may be provided. The drainage bellows  18  is connected to a pump  100 . When the drain valve  44  is opened under control of a controller  30 , the water may be supplied into the pump  100  through the drainage bellows  18 . Hereinafter, it should be understood that the pump  100  is operated in a state that the drainage bellows  18  is opened without separate description. 
     A pulsator  15  may be rotatably installed at a lower inner side of the inner tub  5 . The pulsator  15  may include a plurality of radial ribs which protrude upward. When the pulsator  15  is rotated, a water stream may be formed by the ribs. 
     A washing motor  41  for providing power to rotate the inner tub  5  and the pulsator  15  may be provided in the cabinet  1 . The washing motor  41  is provided at a lower side of the outer tub  6 , and may be provided in a hanged form in the cabinet  1  together with the outer tub  6 . A rotating shaft of the washing motor  41  is always coupled with the pulsator  15 , and may be coupled or released with or from the inner tub  5  according to a switching operation of a clutch. Accordingly, when the washing motor  41  is operated in a state that the rotating shaft of the washing motor  41  is coupled with the inner tub  5 , the pulsator  15  and the inner tub  5  are integrally rotated. When the rotating shaft is separated from the inner tub  5 , only the pulsator  15  is rotated in a state that the inner tub  5  stops. 
     Speed of the washing motor  41  may be controlled and may be controlled under control of the controller  30 . It is preferable that the washing motor  41  is a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor. The speed of the BLDC motor may be controlled by using a proportional-integral (PI) controller, or a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller. The controllers may vector-control an input current of a motor by receiving water feedback of an output from the motor. 
     There is a need for at least one pump to exhaust or circulate water in the outer tub  6  through the circulating hose  90 . A pump for drainage and a pump for circulation may be separately provided, respectively. However, according to an embodiment, the drainage and the circulation may be selectively performed using one pump  100 . 
     The circulating hose  90  guides water pumped from the pump  100  to a circulating nozzle  12 . One end of the circulating hose  90  may be connected to a circulation water exhaustion port  144  and an opposite end of the circulating hose  90  may be connected to the circulating nozzle  12 . The circulation water exhaustion port  144  protrudes in a lateral direction of the pump  100  and is coupled with an end of the circulating hose  90 . The circulation water exhaustion port  144  may horizontally extend in an upward inclined direction. In the present embodiment, the circulation water exhaustion port  144  extends backward and upward. 
     The pump  100  may include a pump motor  170  (see  FIG. 6 ) and an impeller  150  which is rotated by the pump motor  170  to pump the water. The pump motor  170  may be rotated in a forward/reverse direction and a rotating direction of the impeller  150  is changed corresponding to a rotating direction of the pump motor  170 . 
     Speed of the washing motor  41  may be controlled and may be controlled under control of the controller  30 . It is preferable that the washing motor  41  is a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor. The speed of the BLDC motor may be controlled by a proportional-integral (PI) controller, or a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller. The controllers may vector-control an input current of a motor by receiving water feedback of an output from the motor. 
     The pump  100  may include two ports, that is, the circulation water exhaustion port  144  and a drainage port  143  configured to exhaust the water pumped from the impeller  150 . When the pump motor  170  is rotated in a forward direction, the water is exhausted through the circulation water exhaustion port  144 . When the pump motor  170  is rotated in a reverse direction, the water is exhausted through the drainage port  143 . 
     A dispenser  17  for supplying additives acting in the laundry into the inner tub  5  together with water may be installed at the top cover  2 . The additives supplied from the dispenser  17  may include detergent and fiber softener. The dispenser  17  includes a dispenser housing  171  which is provided at an inner side of the top cover  2  and a drawer  171  receives additives and is received in the dispenser housing  171  to be drawn out from the dispenser housing  171 . The top cover  2  is formed therein with a drawer entrance through which the drawer  172  passes. An opening portion may be formed at one surface opposed to the drawer entrance in the housing dispenser  171  corresponding to the drawer inlet. 
     An inside of the drawer  172  may be divided into a detergent receiving portion  172   a  for receiving detergent and a fiber softener receiving portion  172   b  for receiving a fiber softener. A plurality of water supply ports may be formed on a top surface of the dispenser housing  171 . The water supply ports may include a first water supply port  171   a  for introducing hot water to be supplied to the detergent receiving portion  172   a , a second water supply port  171   b  for introducing cold water to be supplied to the detergent receiving portion  172   a , and a third water supply port  171   c  for introducing the cold water or hot water to be supplied to the fiber softener receiving portion  172   b . Although the cold water is introduced into the third water supply port  171   c  as an example, the hot water may be introduced according to an embodiment. 
     A washing machine may include one or more water supply hoses for guiding water supplied from an external water source such as a water tap. The water supply hoses may include a first water supply hose for guiding water supplied from a cold water source to a first water supply port  171   a , a second water supply hose for guiding water supplied from a hot water source to a second water supply port  171   b , a third water supply hose for guiding the water supplied from the cold water source to a third water supply port  171   c , and a fourth water supply hose or a direct water supply hose for supplying the water to a direct water nozzle  13 . 
     The cold water may be supplied through the direct water supply hose. The fourth water supply hose may be connected to a water source such as a tap. The fourth water supply hose may be fluid-connected to the first water supply hose and the third water supply hose. The present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the cold water, the hot water, or a mixing water of the cold water and the hot water may be supplied through the water supply hose. 
     Further, one or more water supply valves  43  for blocking water supply hoses may be included. For example, the water supply valves  43  may include a first water supply valve for blocking a first water supply hose, a second water supply valve for blocking a second water supply hose, a third water supply valve for blocking a third water supply hose, and a fourth water supply valve for blocking the direct water supply hose. The respective water supply valves may be operated under control of the controller  30 . 
     The washing machine may include a water level sensor  42  for sensing a water level in the outer tub  6 . The controller  30  may control a water supply valve  43  and/or a drain valve  44  according to the water level sensed by the water level sensor  42 . 
     A control panel  3  may include an input unit  46  such as keys, buttons, and a touch panel capable of setting, selecting, and adjusting various operation modes provided from the washing machine and a display such as a lamp, an LCD panel, and an LED panel to display an operation state of the washing machine and various information such as a response, warning, and alarm according to selection of the operation mode. A memory  47  stores various data necessary to operate the washing machine, and may include various recording media such as volatile/non-volatile RAM, ROM, and a flash memory. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 10C , the washing machine may include a circulating nozzle  12  and a direct water nozzle  13  as a nozzle for spraying water into the inner tub. The circulating nozzle  12  and the direct water nozzle  13  may be installed at the top cover  2 . The circulating nozzle  12  and the direct water nozzle  13  may be provided at both sides of the drawer  172 , respectively. The circulating nozzle  12  and the direct water nozzle  13  may be installed at a top side of the outer tub  13 . The circulating nozzle  12  may be provided in a rear direction of a top side of the outer tub  6 . The circulating nozzle  12  and the direct water nozzle  13  may be installed at the top cover  2 . The circulating nozzle  12  and the direct water nozzle  13  may be provided at both sides of the drawer  172 , respectively. 
     When viewed from the front, if both sides with a left side and a right side are divided based on the dispenser  17 , the circulating nozzle  12  may be provided at one side of the dispenser  17  and the direct water nozzle may be provided at another side of the dispenser  17 . The pump  100  may be provided in the same direction of the circulating nozzle  12  based on the dispenser  17  on the base  9 . 
     In an embodiment, when viewed from the front, the circulating nozzle  12  is provided at a left side of the dispenser  17 , and the pump  100  is also located in the same direction of the circulating nozzle  12 . According to an embodiment, when the circulating nozzle  12  is provided in an opposite direction, that is, a right side of the dispenser  17 , the pump  100  may be provided at a right side of the dispenser  17 . 
     The circulating nozzle  12  may include a water supply pipe  121  for guiding water supplied through the circulating hose  90  and a diffuser  122  sprays water released from the water supply pipe  121  by refracting the water downward. The circulating nozzle  12  may be formed by one component of a synthetic resin. The water supply pipe  121  may straightly extend from an inlet  121   a  for introducing water from a direction water supply hose to an outlet  121   b  for exhausting the water to the diffuser  122 . It is preferable that a diameter of the outlet  121   b  is smaller than a diameter of the inlet  121   a  so that water pressure exhausted through the outlet  121   b  may be increased. 
     A radial protrusion  125  may protrude from an outer peripheral surface of the water supply pipe  121 . A pair of radial protrusions  125  at symmetrical locations based on a center of the water supply pipe  121 . A hose coupling protrusion  126  may protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the water supply pipe  121 . A protrusion coupling groove in which the hose coupling protrusion  126  is inserted may be formed at an inner peripheral surface of the circulating hose  10 . 
     The circulating nozzle  12  may include a plate  123  which radially extends outward from the outer peripheral surface of the water supply pipe  121 . A rear surface of the plate  123  is opposed to a front surface of the top cover  2 . The diffuser  122  may be formed at a front surface of the plate  123 . 
     The diffuser  122  may include a collision surface  124  with which the water exhausted through the outlet  121   b  and which is refracted downward. The diffuser  122  includes a spray hole  122   h  which protrudes from a front surface of the plate  123  and sprays the water into the inner tub  5 . That is, the diffuser  122  has a chamber or funnel shape recessed from the spray hole  122   h . The diffuser  122  may have a fluid path cross section gradually increased from the outlet  121   b  of the water supply pipe  121  to the spray hole  122   h . A part of an inner surface of the diffuser  122  forming a chamber located at a front end of the outlet  121   b  of the water supply pipe  121  is inclined so that the water exhausted from the outlet  121   b  collides with the part to be refracted downward. The inclined part corresponds to the collision surface  124 . 
     The circulating nozzle  20  may include an inclined portion  123   a  which protrudes from the plate  123 , extends to the spray hole  122   h  from a top side of the spray hole  122   h , and has an inclination gradually protruded from the plate  123  in the direction of the spray hole  122   h . There is an interval between an end of the inclined portion  123   a  and a front surface of the top cover  2 . Accordingly, although water passes through the spray hole  122   h  to be fallen after the water flows along the inclined portion  123   a , the inclined portion  123   a  may prevent the fallen water from making contact with the top cover  2 . 
     A fixing protrusion  128  may protrude from a rear surface of the plate  123 . The fixing protrusion  128  may include a pin  128   a  vertically extending from the rear surface of the plate  123  and a head  128   b  having an external diameter greater than that of the pin  128   a  which is formed at an end of the pin  128   a . The plate  123  may be formed therein with an opening portion  123   h . The plate  123  may be formed therein with a locking tab  127  which long protrudes from an edge of the opening portion  123   h  into the opening portion  123   h . The locking tab  127  has a cantilever shape which includes an end located in the opening portion  123   h . The locking tab  127  may be bent based on a connection part with the plate  123 . A pressing protrusion  127   a  may protrude in an oriented direction of the rear surface of the plate  123  in an end of the locking tab  127 . 
     A nozzle mount  2   a  having a shape recessed backward may be formed at a front surface of the top cover  2 . The nozzle mount  2   a  may be formed therein with a first installation member h 1  and a second installation member h 2  having an arc shape circumferentially extending from a center of the first installation member h 1  or the water supply pipe  121  to be spaced apart from the first installation member h 1 . 
     The first installation member h 1  may include a circular water supply pipe insertion section h 11  in which the water supply pipe  121  is inserted, first and second radial protrusion insertion sections h 12  and h 13  radially extending from the water supply pipe insertion section h 11  to both sides thereof, and a pressing protrusion insertion section h 14  radially extending from the second radial protrusion insertion section h 13 . 
     The second installation member h 2  may include a head insertion section h 21  in which the head  128   b  is inserted when the radial protrusions  125  are inserted into the first and second radial protrusion insertion sections h 12  and h 13 , respectively, and a protrusion guide section h 22  circumferentially extending from the head insertion section h 21  to have a width smaller than a diameter of the head insertion section h 21 . 
     A procedure of installing the circulating nozzle  12  is as follows. After aligning the radial protrusions with the first and second radial protrusion insertion sections h 12  and h 13 , the water supply pipe  121  is inserted into the water supply pipe insertion section h 11  from a forward direction of the top cover  2 . In this case, a procedure of inserting a head  128   b  of the fixing protrusion  128  into the head insertion section h 21  is simultaneously performed. A rear surface of the plate  123  is located on a front surface of the top cover  2 . Moreover, a pressing protrusion  127   a  of the locking tab  127  adheres to the front surface of the top cover  2  so that locking tab  127  is elastically bent forward based on a connection part of the plate  123 . 
     Next, if the circulating nozzle  22  is rotated, the head  128   b  is moved along the protrusion guide section h 22 . During the above procedure, the pressing protrusion  127   a  of the locking tab  127  is turned along the front surface of the top cover  2  while the pressing protrusion  127   a  is modified and reaches a predetermined location, the pressing protrusion  127   a  of the locking tab  127  is inserted into the locking tap insertion section h 14  and is recovered to an original shape so that installation of the circulating nozzle  12  is completed. 
     In a state that installation of the circulating nozzle  12  is completed, the radial protrusion  125  is located on a rear surface of the top cover  2 . Accordingly, the circulating nozzle  12  is not separated from a forward direction of the first installation member h 1 . In addition, since the fixing protrusion  128  is located in the protrusion guide section h 22  having a width smaller than a diameter of the head  128   b , the head  128   b  does not pass through the guide section h 22 , and the circulating nozzle  12  is not separated from a forward direction of the first installation member h 1 . Furthermore, a desired spray direction of the circulating nozzle  12  may be configured by suitably designing a length of the protrusion guide section h 22  and locations of a locking tab  127  and a corresponding insertion section h 14 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11  through  FIG. 12 , when the water is supplied through the water supply pipe  121  with sufficient water pressure, the greatest water sprayed through the spray hole  122   h  is distributed to have a maximum spray width angle θw in left and right directions (see  FIG. 7 ) when viewed from the front. The water sprayed through the spray hole  122   h  may be sprayed to have a maximum vertical spray angle θv with respect to a vertical line when viewed from the lateral side (see  FIG. 10 ). If water pressure supplied through the water supply pipe  121  become low, a width and the greatest height of water stream sprayed through the circulating nozzle  12  are reduced. 
     Since pressure of the water supplied through the water supply pipe  121  is changed according to rotating speed of the pump motor  170 , the controller  30  may control a shape of water stream sprayed through the circulating nozzle by changing the rotating speed of the pump motor  170 . In the order of a case where the pump motor  170  is rotated at low speed (I), a case where the pump motor  170  is rotated at intermediate speed (II), and a case where the pump motor  170  is rotated at high speed (III), the greatest height of the water stream sprayed from the circulating nozzle  12  making contact with the inner tub  5  is increased (see  FIG. 11A ), and a horizontal spray angle of the circulating nozzle  12  is increased (see  FIG. 11B ). 
     The controller  30  may include a laundry amount determining module  31  and an operation control module  32 . The laundry amount determining module  31  may determine an amount of laundry or ‘laundry amount’ received in the inner tub  5 . An inertia of the inner tub  5  or the pulsator  15  may be an indicator to determine the laundry amount. For example, since a stop inertia of the inner tub  5  is great if the laundry amount is increased when the inner tub  5  in a stop state is rotated, there is a need for more time until the inner tub  5  reaches preset purpose speed. Accordingly, the laundry amount determining module  31  may determine the laundry amount based on a time taken when the inner tub  5  reaches the purpose speed. 
     As another example, when the rotated inner tub  5  brakes, the laundry amount determining module  31  may determine the laundry amount based on a time taken until the inner tub  5  stops. The above case uses a rotating inertia of the inner tub  5  changed according to the laundry amount. In addition, the laundry amount may be determined by taking into consideration a variation value of an input or output current and an electromotive force of the washing motor  41 . Since a method of calculating the laundry amount is well known in the art, a detailed description thereof is omitted. However, the laundry amount determining module  31  may determine the laundry amount in various schemes which were known in the art. 
     The operation control module  32  may control various electronic devices such as a washing motor  41 , a water supply valve  43 , a drain valve  44 , and a pump motor  170 . The operation control module  32  may control the above devices based on the water level sensed by the water level sensor  42  or the laundry amount determined by the laundry amount determining module  31 . 
     After the water is supplied into the inner tub  5  by control of the water supply valve  43 , the operation control module  32  may control rotating speed of the pump motor  170  according to the laundry amount determined by the laundry amount determining module  31 . For example, if the laundry amount determined by the laundry amount determining module  31  is great, the operation control module  32  may control rotating speed of the pump motor  170 . When the laundry amount introduced into the inner tub  5  is great, the operation control module  32  increases a spray width angle θw and a maximum vertical spray angle θv by increasing spray water pressure of the circulating nozzle  12 . 
     The operation control module  32  may continuously rotate the washing motor  41  in one direction while the pump motor  170  is rotated. In this case, it is preferable that the washing motor  41  is rotated at speed enough to be rotated integrally with the inner tub  5  in a state that laundry in the inner tub  5  are stuck to an inner surface of the inner tub  5 , that is, a drum D (see  FIG. 12 ) by a centrifugal force. The water sprayed through the circulating nozzle  12  may uniformly soak the laundry. 
     The direct water nozzle  13  may substantially have the same structure as that of the circulating nozzle  12 . The top cover  2  may be formed therein with a nozzle mount  2   a ′ for installing the direct water nozzle  13 . The nozzle mount  2   a ′ substantially has the same structure as that of the nozzle mount  2   a . As shown in  FIG. 8 , shapes of the first installation member h 1  and the second installation member h 2  may be mirror-symmetrical to the nozzle mount  2   a.    
     Nozzle caps  14  may be coupled with the circulating nozzle  12  and the direct water nozzle  13 , respectively. The nozzle cap  14  surrounds an outer side of a diffuser  122  of each nozzle  12  or  13 . The nozzle cap  14  is formed therein with an opening portion communicated with a spray hole of the nozzle  12  or  13 . The nozzle cap  14  may be coupled with the plate  123 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , a rotating axis c of the inner tub  5  is included in a vertical plane. If one side with respect to a reference surface F extending in forward and backward directions is defined as a first region S 1  and another side is defined as a second region S 2 , the circulating nozzle  12  may be provided in the first region S 1  to spray water to reach the second region S 2 , and the direct water nozzle  13  may be provided in the second region S 2  to spray the water to reach the second region S 1 . That is, a spray hole of the circulating nozzle  12  is at least partially opened toward the second region S 2 . A spray hole of the direct water nozzle  13  is at least partially opened toward the first region S 1 . 
     The inner tub  5  may include a floor on which the pulsator  15  is provided and a cylindrical drum which extends upward from the floor. When the inner tub  5  is in an unloaded state, for example, when laundry is not introduced, the spray hole of the circulating nozzle  12  may be opened from a first part P(S 1 ) on a top surface of the pulsator  15  included in the first region S 1  toward a region corresponding to a second part D(S 2 ) on an inner peripheral surface of the drum included in the second region S 2 . 
     When the inner tub  5  is in the unloaded state, the spray hole of the direct water nozzle  13  may be open from a third part P (S 2 ) on a top surface of the pulsator  15  included in the second region S 2  toward a region corresponding to a fourth part D (S 1 ) on an inner peripheral surface of the drum included in the first region S 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , the circulating nozzle  12 ′ according to another embodiment is different from the circulating nozzle  12  according to the above embodiment in that a part of the spray hole  122   h  forms a waveform. Remaining configuration of the circulating nozzle  12 ′ is the same as the circulating nozzle  12 . For example, the waveform may be formed at a bottom end of the collision surface  124  configuring the spray hole  122   h.    
     Referring to  FIG. 14  to  FIG. 17 , the pump  100  may include a motor case  130  for receiving the pump motor  170  and a pump housing  140  for forming a space or impeller receiving space, for receiving the impeller  150  inward to be coupled with the motor case  130 . The impeller  150  may include a plurality of vanes  151  which are radially provided. In an embodiment, four vanes  151  are included. The number of the vanes  151  is not always limited thereto. 
     The pump housing  140  may include a housing body  141  for forming an impeller receiving space, a supply port  142  extending forward from the housing body  141  and communicated with the impeller receiving space, and two ports, that is, a circulating water exhaustion port  144  and a drainage port  143  for exhausting water pumped from the impeller  150  to an outside of the impeller receiving space. The circulating water exhaustion port  144  and the drainage port  143  may extend outward from the housing body  141 , respectively. 
     The circulating water exhaustion port  144  and a drainage port  143  may substantially the same diameter as that of the drainage port  143 . However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. According to an embodiment, the circulating water exhaustion port  144  may have an inner diameter than that of the drainage port  143 . 
     The supply port  142  may be connected to a drainage bellows  18 . The supply port  142  may be configured as a pipe extending in a rotation axis direction of the impeller  150 . The water exhausted from the outer tub  6  to the drainage bellows  18  may pass through the supply port  142  to be supplied to the impeller receiving space. 
     The pump housing  140  may be formed therein with a drainage exhaustion hole  143   a  corresponding to an inlet of the drainage port  143  on a ring shaped inner surface  147  (see  FIG. 15 ) having a clearance with the impeller  150  and a circulating water exhaustion hole  144   a  corresponding to an inlet of the circulating water exhaustion port  144 . The inner surface  147  configures an inner peripheral surface of the housing body  141 . The drainage exhaustion hole  143   a  and the circulating water exhaustion hole  144   a  may be circumferentially spaced by a predetermined interval on an inner surface  147 . The drainage exhaustion hole  143   a  and the circulating water exhaustion hole  144   a  may be located in the range S of about 140° to 170° based on a rotating axis of the impeller  150 . In this case, the range S is an angle formed between one end  144   a   1  of the circulating water exhaustion hole  144   a  and one end  143   a   1  of the drainage exhaustion hole  143   a  based on the rotating axis of the impeller  150 . Further, an acute angle may be formed between another end  144   a   2  of the circulating water exhaustion hole  144   a  and another end  143   a   2  of the drainage exhaustion hole  143   a  based on the rotating axis of the impeller  150 . An angle θp between the drainage exhaustion port  143  and the circulating water exhaustion port  144  may be in the range of about 30° to 90°. 
     When the pump motor  170  is rotated in a forward direction, water is applied into the circulating hose  90  through the circulating water exhaustion port  144 . When the pump motor  170  is rotated in a reverse direction, the water is applied into the drainage hose  11  through the drainage port  143 . In order to exactly perform drainage and a circulating operation of the water, when the water is exhausted through the circulating water exhaustion port  144 , exhaustion of the water through the drainage port  143  should be prevented. In contrast, when the water is exhausted through the drainage port  143 , exhaustion of the water through the circulating water exhaustion port  144  should be prevented. To this end, the circulating water exhaustion hole  144   a  may be located higher than the drainage exhaustion hole  143   a  in a water upstream side based on the case where the impeller  150  is rotated in a forward direction. Accordingly, the drainage exhaustion hole  143   a  is located at a water downstream side with respect to the circulating water exhaustion hole  144   a.    
     The circulating water exhaustion port  144  and the drainage port  143  may extend from the circulating water exhaustion hole  144   a  and the drainage exhaustion hole  143   a  outward of the housing body  141 , respectively. The circulating water exhaustion port  144  extends in a forward direction or direction inclined at a downstream side. The drainage port  143  extends in a backward direction or direction inclined at a upstream side with respect to the forward direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 14B , when the pump  100  viewed from the lateral side along a rotation axis of the impeller  150 , a center of the circulating water exhaustion hole  144   a  is spaced apart from a center of the drainage exhaustion hole  143   a  by a predetermined distance d in a rotating axis direction of the pump motor  170 . When the pump motor  170  is rotated in a forward direction, a drainage prevention rib  146  for preventing the water in the pump housing  140  from being exhausted into the drainage hose  11  through the drainage exhaustion hole  143   a  may protrude from an inner surface  147  of the pump housing  140 . When the pump motor  170  is rotated in a reverse direction, a circulating water exhaustion prevention rib  148  for preventing the water in the pump housing  140  from being exhausted into the circulating hose  90  through the circulating water exhaustion hole  144   a  may protrude from the inner surface  147  of the pump housing  140 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates an inner surface of the pump housing where an upstream side Up(CW) and a downsteam side Dn(CW) of the circulating water exhaustion hole  144   a  are defined based on a water stream when the pump motor  170  is rotated in the forward direction, and an upstream side Up(CCW) and a downsteam side Dn(CCW) of the drainage exhaustion hole  143   a  are defined based on a water stream when the pump motor  170  is rotated in the reverse direction. According to the above definition, the drainage prevention rib  146  may be formed close to the drainage exhaustion hole  143   a  in the downsteam side Dn(CCW) and the circulating water exhaustion prevention rib  148  may be formed close to the circulating water exhaustion hole  144   a  in the downsteam side Dn(CW) in  FIG. 15 . 
     The drainage prevention rib  146  may be formed at an edge of the drainage exhaustion hole  143   a , and the circulating water exhaustion prevention rib  148  may be formed at an edge of the circulating water exhaustion hole  144   a . The drainage prevention rib  146  and the circulating water exhaustion prevention rib  148  are formed within an interval between the impeller  150  and an inner surface  147  of the pump housing  140 , respectively. Ends of the ribs  146  and  148  are spaced apart from a vane  151  of the impeller  150  by a predetermined distance. 
     At least one of the drainage prevention rib  146  and the circulating water exhaustion prevention rib  148  may protrude from an inner surface  147  of the pump housing  140  by a length of about 3 to 6 mm. Accordingly, the distance between the impeller  150  and the inner surface  147  of the pump housing  140  should be greater than the protrusion length. 
     For example, at least one of the drainage prevention rib  146  and the circulating water exhaustion prevention rib  148  may form an acute angle with the inner surface  147  of the pump housing  140 . Particularly, an angle θr between the drainage prevention rib  146  and the circulating water exhaustion prevention rib  148  may be in the range of 75° to 85°. The drainage prevention rib  146  and the circulating water exhaustion prevention rib  148  may vertically protrude from the inner surface  147  of the pump housing  140 , as compared with a case where an angle between the drainage prevention rib  146  and the circulating water exhaustion prevention rib  148  is 40°, as shown in  FIG. 15 , an oblique angle is formed between the drainage prevention rib  146  and the circulating water exhaustion prevention rib  148  and the inner surface  147  of the pump housing  140 . When an angle between the drainage prevention rib  146  and the circulating water exhaustion prevention rib  148  is 80°, an amount of the water leaked into the exhaustion port  144 /drainage port  143  may be reduced during drainage/circulation. 
     The motor case  130  may be coupled with the pump housing  140 . The pump housing  140  is formed therein with an opening portion at an opposite side of a supply port  142 . The motor case  130  is coupled with the pump housing  140  so that the opening portion may be blocked. A ring type sealer  229  may be interposed along a coupling part between the motor case  130  and the pump housing  140 . 
     The motor case  130  may include a case body  110  and a rear cover  220 . The case body  110  may be provided therein with a motor housing  225  which receives a pump motor  170  at an inner side thereof. The motor case  130  may have a cylindrical shape which extends from a front portion through which the rotating axis of the motor  170  passes backward. An open rear end of the motor housing  225  may be coupled with the rear cover  220 . 
     A front surface of the motor housing  225  may be opened so that the pump motor  170  may be inserted into the motor housing  225 . The open region of the motor housing  225  may be coupled with a front surface of the case body  110 . 
     One or more radiating holes  221   b  may be formed in the rear cover  220 . A shielding plate  221  for shielding falling water from being introduced into the radiating hole  221   h  may be formed at a top side of the radiating hole  221   h . The shielding plate  221  may be inclined downward. Further, the rear cover  220  may be formed therein with a power connector  224  for connecting the pump motor  170  to a power line. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19 , the pump  100  may be coupled with a base  8  by a pump supporter  50 . The pump supporter  50  may include a plate  510  of a metallic material, a plate support damper  520  installed on the plate  510 , and a pump support damper  530  installed on the plate  510  to support a bridge which formed at the pump  10 . Three plate support dampers  520  may be included for a triangular pattern. 
     The plate support damper  520  and/or the pump support damper  530  may be made of elastic materials such as rubber. Accordingly, vibration occurring during an operation of the pump  100  may be buffered by the plate support damper  520  and the pump support damper  530 . 
     The plate  510  may include a horizontal flat part  511 , a plate support damper mount  515  extending upward from the flat part  511 , and a pump support damper mount  519  extending downward from the flat part  511 . 
     The plate support damper mount  515  may include an upper vertical portion  512  bent upward from the flat part  511 , and an upper horizontal portion  513  formed therein with a hole in which the plate support damper  520  is installed. In a state that the plate support damper  520  is fixed on the upper horizontal portion  513 , a bottom end of the plate support damper  520  is coupled with the base  8 . The pump support damper mount  519  may include a lower vertical portion  516  bent downward from the flat part  511 , and a lower horizontal portion  517  formed therein with a hole in which the pump support damper  530  is installed. 
     The pump  100  may include a pair of bridges  145  which protrude downward from the pump housing  140 . In a state that the pump support damper  530  is fixed on the lower horizontal portion, a top end of the pump support damper  530  is coupled with a bridge  145  of the pump  100 . 
       FIG. 20  illustrates a pump according to another embodiment. Hereinafter, same components may be assigned with the same reference numerals in the above embodiments, and repetition in the description about the same components may be omitted in order to avoid redundancy. Referring to  FIG. 20 , a pump  100   a  may include a check valve  160  rotatably connected to an inner surface  147  of the pump housing  140 , and to close the drainage exhaustion hole  143   a  when the pump motor  170  is rotated in a forward direction, and to close the circulating water exhaustion hole  144   a  when the pump motor  170  is rotated in a reverse direction. 
     The check valve  160  is operated by water stream formed by the impeller  150 . A rotating axis connected to an inner surface  147  of the pump housing  140  is substantially formed parallel to a rotating axis of the impeller  160 . The rotating axis of the pump housing  140  may be located between the circulating water exhaustion hole  144   a  and the drainage exhaustion hole  143   a . Accordingly, a rotating direction of the impeller  160  is opposed to a rotating direction of the check valve  160 . Since the drainage exhaustion hole  143   a  is located at a water downstream as compared with the circulating water exhaustion hole  143   a  based on the case where the impeller  160  is rotated in a forward direction, the drainage exhaustion hole  143   a  maintains a closed state by the check valve  160 . In this state, the rotating direction of the impeller  160  is changed to a reverse direction, the check valve  160  is rotated in the forward direction so that the drainage exhaustion hole  143   a  is opened and the circulating water exhaustion hole  144   a  is opened. 
     The check valve  160  may be made of a soft material such as rubber having a predetermined elasticity. A surface of the check valve  160  making contact with the inner surface of the pump housing  140  may be flat. Further, the inner surface  147  of the pump housing  140  may be formed horizontally to a peripheral portion of the circulating water exhaustion hole  144   a  and a peripheral portion of the drainage exhaustion hole  143   a  making contact with the check valve  160 . 
     Since the check valve  160  closes the drainage exhaustion hole  143   a  and the circulating water exhaustion hole  143   a  corresponding to the rotating direction of the pump motor  170 , unexpected leakage from the drainage pump  100   a  may be prevented. 
     Referring to  FIG. 21A , the pump  100   a  includes a pump motor configured by a stepping motor. Each shaft of the stepping motor may be coupled with impellers  150   a  and  150   b . The stepping motor is a two shaft motor. Each shaft is aligned on the same line, and is rotated by a common rotor. The pump  100   b  may include a first pump housing  140   a  and a second pump housing  140   b  for receiving a first impeller  150   a  and a second impeller  150   b . The first pump housing  140   a  and the second pump housing  140   b  may be coupled with both sides of the pump case  130 , respectively. 
     At least one of the first pump housing  140   a  and the second pump housing  140   b  may be formed therein with supply ports  142   a  and  142   b . In an embodiment, a first supply port  142   a  and a second supply port  142   b  are formed in the first pump housing  140   a  and the second pump housing  140   b , respectively so that water exhausted through the drainage bellows  18  is supplied to the first supply port  142   a  and the second supply port  142   b . However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The first pump housing  140   a  communicates with the second pump housing  140   b  so that the water may be supplied into the first pump housing  140   a  and the second pump housing  140   b  through one supply port. 
     A circulating water exhaustion port  144  may be formed in the first pump housing  140   a  and a drainage exhaustion port  143  may be formed in the second pump housing  140   b . The circulating water exhaustion port  144  and the drainage port  143  may be formed by substantially the same structure according to the above embodiments. The circulating water exhaustion port  144  and the drainage port  143  are different from those of the above embodiments in that the circulating water exhaustion port  144  and the drainage port  143  are formed in the first pump housing  140   a  and the second pump housing  140   b  instead of one common pump housing. The drainage port  143  may not be formed in the first pump housing  140   a  and the circulating water exhaustion port  144  may not be formed in the second pump housing  140   b.    
     When the pump motor is rotated in a forward direction, water pumped from the first impeller  150   a  is exhausted through the circulating water exhaustion port  144 . In contrast, when the pump motor is rotated in a reverse direction, water pumped from the second impeller  150   b  is exhausted through the drainage port  143 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 22A  to  FIG. 24 , a circulating hose  90  may be provided inside a cabinet  1 . The circulating hose  90  may be provided around an inner corner of the cabinet  1 . The circulating hose  90  may be provided around an inner corner of inner corners of the cabinet  1  which is located in a rear direction. 
     The circulating hose  90  may include an upward extending part  91  which extends upward. The water pumped from the pump  100  flows upward from a bottom of the upward extending part  91 . In the present embodiment, the upward extending part  91  extends to a lower side of a hanger bracket  88  fixed at an inner side of a corner configured upward by a lateral side  1   c  and a rear surface  1   d  (see  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 ). 
     The upward extending part  91  may be located around a corner of the cabinet  1 . The pump  100  may be provided at a lower side of the cabinet  1 . In this case, the upward extending part  91  may be provided around a corner of the inner corners of the cabinet  1  which is located in a backward direction of the lower side of the cabinet  1 . Alternatively, the upward extending part  91  may be provided in the same direction as the circulating nozzle  12  based on the dispenser  17 . Further, the circulating hose  90  may include a pump connecting part  92  for connecting a bottom end of the upward extending part  91  to the pump  100 , and a nozzle connecting part  94  for connecting a top end of the upward extending part  91  to the circulating nozzle  12 . 
     A shape of the pump connecting part  92  is described in a flow direction of water as follows. The pump connecting part  92  may extend backward from the pump  100 , is rounded in one of both lateral directions to horizontally extend, and is rounded upward to be connected to a bottom end of the upward extending part  91 . The lateral direction is a direction toward one of two lateral sides  1   b  and  1   c . For example, a part of the pump connecting part  92  extending backward from the pump  100  is upwardly inclined. The pump connecting part  92  extends backward to be upwardly inclined, is rounded in an adjacent inner corner of inner corners of the cabinet  1  to substantially and horizontally extend, and is rounded upward to be connected to a bottom end of the upward extending part  91 . 
     In an embodiment where the upward extending part  91  is provided in one of the inner corners of the cabinet  1 , the pump connecting part  92  extends to be upwardly inclined backward from the pump  100 , is rounded in a direction of the inner corner in which the upward extending part  91  is provided to horizontally extend, and is rounded upward to be connected to a bottom end of the upward extending part  91 . 
     A shape of the nozzle connecting part  94  is described in a flow direction of water as follows. The nozzle connecting part  94  is rounded in a different one of both lateral directions from a top end of the upward extending part  91  to horizontally extend, is rounded upward to extend, and is rounded forward to be connected to the circulating nozzle  12 . The different one of the both lateral directions means a remaining one direction different from a bent direction of the pump connecting part  92  of the both lateral directions. 
     In another embodiment, the nozzle connecting part  94  is rounded in a direction opposite to an adjacent inner corner direction of the inner corners of the cabinet  1  from a top end of the upward extending part  91  to horizontally extend, is rounded upward to extend, and is rounded forward to be connected with the circulating nozzle  12 . 
     In an embodiment where the upward extending part  91  is provided in one of the inner corners of the cabinet  1 , the upward extending part  91  is rounded in a direction opposite to the inner corner direction to horizontally extend, is rounded upward to extend, and is rounded forward to be connected to the circulating nozzle  12 . 
     Characteristics of the circulating hose  90  are described based on a relationship between peripheral constituent elements as follows. The circulating hose  90  may include a first curved part  93  which is connected to the circulating water exhaustion port  144  to be rounded at least once in a corner direction in which the upward extending part  91  is provided from a protrusion direction of the circulating water exhaustion port  144 , and is rounded at least once upward from the corner direction to be connected to a bottom end of the upward extending part  91 . 
     The circulating hose  90  may include a second curved part  95  which is connected to a top end of the upward extending part  91  to be rounded at least once in a direction close to the circulating nozzle  12 . The second curved part  95  is horizontally rounded along one of a front surface  1   a , both lateral surfaces  1   b  and  1   c , and a rear surface  1   d  to extend close to the circulating nozzle  12 . In another embodiment, the second curved part  95  is horizontally rounded along the rear surface  1   d  from a lower side of a hanger bracket  88  to extend a part close to a rear surface  1   d  in a backward direction of the circulating nozzle  12 . 
     The circulating hose  90  may include a third curved part  97  which is rounded at least once upward from a downstream side of the second curved part  95  to extend to a height of the circulating nozzle  12 , and is rounded at least once in a direction of the circulating nozzle  12  to be connected with the circulating nozzle  12 . 
     The whole circulating hose  90  may be integrally formed by the same material or the circulating hose  90  may be formed so that materials of both ends  90   a  and  90   c  are different from that of a section  90   b  between both ends  90   a  and  90   c . In an embodiment, the whole circulating hose  90  may be formed by a rubber material such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). 
     Referring to  FIG. 25 , the circulating hose may include first and second end parts  90   a  and  90   b , and an intermediate section  90   b  between the first and second end parts  90   a  and  90   b . The first and second end parts  90   a  and  90   b  may be made of a soft material, and the intermediate section  90   b  may be made of a hard material. The first end part  90   a  and the second end part  90   b  may be made of a rubber material. The intermediate section  90   b  may be made of a material harder than the rubber material, for example, polypropylene (PP). 
     Since the intermediate section  90   b  is hard, when the pump  100  is operated, although water flows through the circulating hose  90 ′, the intermediate section  90   b  is not easily modified but maintains a location thereof. Accordingly, a possibility of the intermediate section  90   b  making contact with an inner surface of the cabinet  1  and the outer tub  6  is reduced. 
     Since the first end part  90   a  and the second end part  90   b  coupled with the pump  100  and the circulating nozzle  12 , respectively are made of a flexible material, transfer of vibration of the pump  100  or vibration during a spray procedure through the circulating nozzle  12  to the intermediate section  90   b  is reduced. 
     In the present embodiment, an EPDM material hose part of the circulating hose  90  may have a pipe or hose thickness of 3 mm, an inner diameter of 18 mm, and an outer diameter of 24 mm. Further, a PP material hose part of the circulating hose  90  may have a pipe or hose thickness of 2.5 mm, an inner diameter of 20 mm, and an outer diameter of 25 mm. The circulating hose  90  may be attached to the outer tub  6 . If the circulating hose  90  is firmly coupled with the outer tub  6 , the circulating hose  90  may reduce danger which a coupling part between the outer tub  6  and the circulating hose  90  is damaged. 
     In the first embodiment, the upward extending part  91  may include a fixing part which may make contact with the outer tub  6  and extend upward, and fix the upward extending part  91  and the outer tub  6  to a specific location of the outer tub  6 . Moreover, the pump connecting part  92  or the first curved part  93  may be attached to the outer tub  6 . The upward extending part  91  may include a fixing part for fixing the pump connecting part  92  or the first curved part  93  to the outer tub  6 . In addition, the nozzle connecting part  94 , the second curved part  95 , or the third curved part  97  may be attached to the outer tub  6 . The upward extending part  91  may include a fixing part for fixing the pump connecting part  94 , the second curved part  95 , or the third curved part  97  to the outer tub  6 . 
     In a second embodiment, the circulating hose  90  may be spaced apart from the outer tub  6 . When the inner tub  5  is rotated, the outer tub  6  vibrates. Damage danger of the circulating hose  90  may be reduced and noise due to contact may be reduced by preventing a surface of the vibrated outer tub  6  from making contact with a surface of the circulating hose  90 . 
     In the second embodiment, the washing machine may include a fixing part  71  which is spaced upward apart from a top side of the base  9  in an inner surface of the rear surface  1   d . The first fixing part  71  may fix the upward extending part  91  to the rear surface  1   d  and the lateral sides  1   b  and  1   c . The washing machine may include a second fixing part  72  which is spaced upward from the first fixing part  71  by 260 mm in an inner surface of the rear surface  1   d . The second fixing part  72  may fix the upward extending part  91  to the rear surface  1   d  and lateral sides  1   b  and  1   c . Accordingly, the upward extending part  91  may be fixed to the cabinet  1  by uniformly decomposing a load of the upward extending part  91 . In the present description, the 280 mm and the 260 mm include an error range allowed in those skilled in the art. 
     In the second embodiment, the washing machine may include a third fixing part  73  which is provided at an inner surface of the top cover  2   a  to fix the circulating hose  90  to the top cover  2   a  in a downstream side of the third curved part  97 . Accordingly, a top side supports a weight of the circulating hose  90 , and the circulating hose  90  is spaced apart from a top surface of the outer tub  6 . 
     According to embodiments disclosed herein, a washing machine may change a spray angle of the circulating nozzle to efficiently soak laundry exposed in air of the inner tub. Further, a washing deviation according to a laundry amount may be reduced by changing the spray angle of the circulating nozzle according to the laundry amount during washing. Laundry may be uniformly soaked while saving an amount of water used for washing. Since water may be supplied to laundry exposed in air using a circulating nozzle, discoloration occurring when the laundry are exposed in air or secondary pollution due to coagulation of detergent grounds can be prevented. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 26 , and  FIG. 27 , a method for controlling a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a washing operation setting step S 1 , a laundry amount sensing step S 2 , a water supply level setting step S 3 , a water supply step S 4 , and a washing operation performing step S 6 . The washing operation setting step S 1  inputs settings to configure a washing operation by an input unit  46 . Settings necessary to perform a washing course, and washing, rinsing and/or dehydration cycles may be configuring a course. The settings may include a consumption time, a water supply time, and a drainage time of each cycle. 
     The laundry amount sensing step S 2  senses a laundry amount in the inner tub  5 . The laundry amount may be determined by a controller  30 . An inertia of the inner tub  5  or the pulsator  15  may be an indicator to determine the laundry amount. For example, since a stop inertia of the inner tub  5  is great if the laundry amount is increased when the inner tub  5  in a stop state is rotated, there is a need for more time until the inner tub  5  reaches preset purpose speed. Accordingly, the controller  30  may determine the laundry amount based on a time taken when the inner tub  5  reaches purpose speed. 
     As another example, when the rotated inner tub  5  brakes, the laundry amount determining module  31  may determine the laundry amount based on a time taken until the inner tub  5  stops. The above case uses a rotating inertia of the inner tub  5  changed according to the laundry amount. In addition, the laundry amount may be determined by taking into consideration a variation value of an input or output current and an electromotive force of the washing motor  41 . Since a method of calculating the laundry amount is well known in the art, a detailed description thereof is omitted. However, the controller  30  may determine the laundry amount in various schemes which were known in the art. 
     The water supply level setting step S 3  sets a water level of water supply according to the laundry amount determined in step S 2 . The controller  30  may set to increase the water level of water supply if the laundry amount is increased. The water supply step S 4  supplies water into the inner tub  5 . The water may be supplied through at least one of the dispenser  17  and the direct water nozzle  13 . Hereinafter, the water is supplied through the dispenser as an example. 
     If a water level sensed through the water level sensor  41  reaches a water supply level set in step S 3 , the controller  30  may stop water supply (S 5 ). After the water supply is completed, a washing operation set in step S 1  may be performed (S 6 ). The washing operation may include an agitation mode where the pulsator is alternatively rotated in both directions when the inner tub  5  stops, and an inner tub rotating mode when the inner tub  5  is continuously rotated in one direction. 
     Referring to  FIG. 27 , the agitation mode may configure a part of the washing operation according to a preset algorithm. Step S 61  starts the agitation mode while the washing operation is performed. The controller  30  may set rotating speed of the pump motor  170  according to the laundry amount determined in step S 2  (S 62 ). If the laundry amount determined in step S 2  is increased, the rotating speed may be set to be increased. 
     Since laundry or clothes are filled to a high location in the inner tub  5 , the water should be sprayed higher through the circulating nozzle  12 . Accordingly, if the laundry amount is increased, high rotating speed of the pump motor  170  is set. As shown in  FIG. 11 , if the rotating speed of the pump motor  170  is increased, the water sprayed from the circulating nozzle  12  may reach a higher location on the inner tub  5 , and may be widely and sprayed in left and right directions. The speed of the pump motor  170  is increased in the order of I, II, and III. 
     In step S 63 , the pump motor  170  may be operated at the rotating speed set in step S 62 . The water is sprayed through the circulating nozzle  12 . Detergent introduced together water supply in step S 4  is uniformed melted in the water. While the pump motor  170  is rotated, the pulsator  15  may be alternatively rotated in both directions (S 64 ). In this case, rotation of the inner tub  5  stops. Pollution of laundry may be removed due to a physical friction force with the pulsator  15  as well as a chemical action according to the detergent melted in the water. 
     If a performed time of the agitation operation S 64  exceeds a preset time TO, the controller  30  may stop an operation of the pump motor  170 . In this case, the washing motor  41  may stop together (S 66 ). Step S 67  represents termination of the agitation mode. Next, remaining operation modes of the washing operation may be performed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 28  to  FIG. 29B , the inner tub rotating mode may configure a part of a washing operation according to a preset algorithm. Step S 68  starts the inner tub rotating mode while performing the washing operation. The controller  30  compares a laundry amount M determined in step S 2  with a reference laundry amount MO. When the M is less than the MO, the controller  30  may operate the pump motor  170  (S 69 , S 70 ). Water may be sprayed through the circulating nozzle  12 . 
     Next, the controller  30  may continuously rotate the inner tub  5  in one direction with preset speed while the pump motor  170  is operated. The preset speed may be set within a range satisfying following conditions. In order to rotate the inner tub  5  at the preset speed in a state that the water is filled to a water level corresponding to a reference laundry amount MO in an outer tub  6 , the water rises between the outer tub  6  and the inner tub  5  and crosses a top end of the inner tub  5  to be poured in the inner tub  5  (see  FIG. 29B ). However, in order to rotate the inner tub  5  at the preset speed in a state that the water is filled to a water level lower than a water level corresponding to the reference laundry amount MO in the outer tub  6 , the water risen between the outer tub  6  and the inner tub  5  does not cross the top end of the inner tub  5  (see  FIG. 29A ). 
     When the M is less than the MO, since the water raised between the outer tub  6  and the inner tub  5  does not cross the top end of the inner tub  5 , a circulating water stream due to rotation of the inner tub  5  is not formed. Accordingly, the water may be circulated between the inner tub  5  and the outer tub  6  so that the water sprayed through the circulating nozzle  12  by operating the pump motor  170 . In a washing cycle, detergent may be uniformly melted, and the water sprayed through the circulating nozzle  12  may be directly applied to laundry to uniformly soak the laundry. For example, in the rinsing cycle, laundry exposed in air may be efficiently rinsed. 
     When the M is greater than the MO in step S 69 , the controller  30  does not operate the pump motor  170  and may control the washing motor to be continuously rotated in one direction (S 71 ). In this case, as shown in  FIG. 29B , a circulating water stream may be formed. 
     If the performed time T of step S 71  exceeds a preset time TO, the controller  30  may stop an operation of the pump motor  170 , and may stop the washing motor  41  together (S 73 ). Step S 74  represents termination of the agitation mode, and then remaining operation modes of the washing operation may be performed. 
     Embodiments disclosed herein provide a method for controlling a washing machine capable of soaking laundry while saving an amount of water used in washing. A method for controlling a washing machine may ne capable of controlling a pattern of water to be sprayed through a circulation nozzle according a laundry amount. A method for controlling a washing machine may be capable of supplying water in laundry exposed in air using a circulating pump during a stirring operation. A method for controlling a washing machine may allow water to circulate an outer tub and an inner tub by operating a circulating pump even if a circulation water stream cannot be formed only by rotating an inner tub because a water level is low. 
     According to embodiments disclosed herein, a method for controlling a washing machine including an outer tub, an inner tub to receive laundry, the inner tub provided in the outer tub and being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, a pulsator rotatably provided in the inner tub, and a pump to pump the water from the outer tub to a circulating nozzle that sprays the water into the inner tub, wherein the pump includes a pump motor with variable speed and an impeller rotated by the pump motor, the method may include determining an amount of laundry in the inner tub, setting a supply water level according to the amount of laundry determined, supplying the water into the inner tub until a water level in the outer tub reaches the supply water level set, setting a rotation speed of the pump motor according to the amount of laundry determined, operating the pump motor at the rotation speed set, and alternatively rotating the pulsator in different directions. 
     According to embodiments disclosed herein, a method for controlling a washing machine including an outer tub for receiving water, an inner tub for receiving laundry to be rotated based on a vertical axis in the outer tub, a pulsator rotatably provided in the inner tub, and a pump for spraying the water exhausted from the outer tub into the inner tub through a circulating nozzle, wherein the pump includes a variable speed pump motor and an impeller rotated by the variable speed pump motor to pump the water, the method may include: (a) determining a laundry amount in the inner tub; (b) setting a supply water level according to the laundry amount determined in step (a); (c) supplying the water into the inner tub until a water level in the outer tub becomes the supply water level set in step (b); (d) setting rotating speed of the pump motor according to the laundry amount determined in step (a); (e) operating the pump motor at the rotating speed set in step (d); and (f) alternatively rotating the pulsator in both directions. 
     According to embodiments disclosed herein, a method for controlling a washing machine including an outer tub for receiving water, an inner tub for receiving laundry to be rotated based on a vertical axis in the outer tub, a pulsator rotatably provided in the inner tub, and a pump for spraying the water exhausted from the outer tub into the inner tub through a circulating nozzle, wherein the pump includes a variable speed pump motor and an impeller rotated by the variable speed pump motor to pump the water, the method may include: (a) determining a laundry amount in the inner tub; (b) setting a supply water level according to the laundry amount determined in step (a); (c) supplying the water into the inner tub until a water level in the outer tub becomes the supply water level set in step (b); and (d) continuously rotating the inner tub at preset speed in one direction, wherein when the laundry amount determined in step (a) is less than a preset reference laundry amount, the pump motor is operated, and step (d) is performed during the operation of the pump motor. 
     According to embodiments disclosed herein, a method for controlling a washing machine including an outer tub for receiving water, an inner tub for receiving laundry to be rotated based on a vertical axis in the outer tub, a pulsator rotatably provided in the inner tub, and a pump for spraying the water exhausted from the outer tub into the inner tub through a circulating nozzle, wherein the pump includes a variable speed pump motor and an impeller rotated by the variable speed pump motor to pump the water, the method may include: (a) determining a laundry amount in the inner tub; (b) setting a supply water level according to the laundry amount determined in step (a); (c) supplying the water into the inner tub until a water level in the outer tub becomes the supply water level set in step (b); and (d) continuously rotating the inner tub at preset speed in one direction, wherein step (d) comprises: operating the pump motor when the inner tub is continuously rotated in one direction at the preset speed when the laundry amount determined in step (a) is less than a preset reference laundry amount, and continuously rotating the inner tub in one direction at the preset speed while stopping the pump motor when the laundry amount determined in step (a) is greater than the preset reference laundry amount, and the preset speed in step (d) is set in such a way that the water rises between the outer tub and the inner tub and crosses a top end of the inner tub to be poured in the inner tub in order to rotate the inner tub at the preset speed in a state that the water is filled to a water level corresponding to a reference laundry amount in the outer tub, and the water risen between the outer tub and the inner tub does not cross the top end of the inner tub in order to rotate the inner tub at the preset speed in a state that the water is filled to a water level lower than a water level corresponding to the reference laundry amount in the outer tub. 
     This application relates to U.S. application Ser. No. 15/283,488; Ser. No. 15/283,527; Ser. No. 15/283,571, Ser. No. 15/283,601, and Ser. No. 15/283,763, all filed on Oct. 3, 2016, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Further, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that features disclosed in these above-noted applications may be combined in any combination with features disclosed herein. 
     Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments. 
     Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.