This claims priority to Korean Application No. 10-2009-0027664 filed in Korea on Mar. 31, 2009, and Korean Application No. 10-2009-0087141 filed in Korea on Sep. 15, 2009 the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field
This relates to a washing machine and associated washing method.
2. Background
Generally, a washing machine cleans laundry items by washing, rinsing, and spinning in order to separate dirt from the items using water, wash agents such as detergent, and a mechanical operation. An agitator type washing machine washes laundry items by rotating a washing rod positioned at the center of the washing tub in left and right directions. A pulsator type washing machine washes laundry using friction force between the laundry items and water current generated by a circular plate shaped pulsator formed in a lower portion of the washing tub. A drum type washing machine washes laundry items by rotating a drum containing washing water, wash agents and the laundry items.
In the drum type washing machine, a tub holding wash fluid therein is mounted within a cabinet, and a drum having the laundry items loaded therein is mounted within the tub, with a motor that rotates the drum being mounted at the rear of the tub. A drive shaft is axially connected to a rear side of the drum, passing through the tub. A lifter is mounted within the drum so as to lift laundry during a rotation of the drum. In such a drum type washing machine, laundry items are lifted by the lifter mounted inside the drum during rotation of the drum and then released from the inside of the drum and dropped as the drum rotates (referred to as tumbling).
The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein:
Exemplary embodiments of a washing machine and washing method will be hereinafter described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The exemplary washing machine 100 shown in
The cabinet 110 may include a cabinet main body 111, a cabinet cover 112 coupled to a front surface of the cabinet main body 111, and a top plate 116 coupled to a top of the cabinet main body 111. The cabinet cover 112 may include a laundry entrance hole 114 and a door 113 rotatably coupled to the cabinet cover 112 so as to open and close the laundry entrance/exit hole 114.
The washing machine 100 may also include a gasket 121 disposed between the inlet of the drum 130 and the laundry entrance hole 114. The gasket 121 alleviates impact transferred to the door 113 during rotation of the drum 130 and also prevents washing fluid in the tub 120 from leaking out. The tub 120 installation in the cabinet 110 may be damped by springs and a damper.
The tub 120 contains washing fluid during operation of the washing machine 100. A plurality of holes for passing washing fluid therethrough may be formed in the drum 130, and a lifter 135 may be provided on an inner circumferential surface of the drum 130 so as to lift the laundry items by a predetermined height when the drum 130 rotates.
The driver 140 rotates the drum 130 within the tub 120. The driver 140 may include a motor and a switching element for controlling the motor. The driver 140 may implement various motions in response to inputs received by the controller 115.
A supply valve 153 may introduce washing fluid from an external source, and a supply hose 151 may guide the washing fluid from the supply valve to a detergent box 152, the detergent box 152 containing washing agents such as a laundry detergent, bleach, a fabric softener, and the like. A supply bellows 154 may introduce the washing fluid including a washing agent from the detergent box 152 into the drum 130. The supply valve 153, the supply hose 151, and the supply bellows 154 may be connected/coupled so as to form a fluid supply device.
The washing machine 100 may also include a discharge hose 162 for discharging washing fluid from the tub 120, a pump 163 for pumping the discharged the washing fluid, a circulation path 164 for guiding washing fluid to the drum 130, a nozzle 165 provided at the gasket for introducing the washing fluid into the drum 130, and a drain path 173 for guiding the washing fluid to an outside of the cabinet 110. The discharge hose 162, the pump 163, the circulation path 164, and the nozzle 165 may be coupled/connected so as to form a circulation device, and the discharge hose 162, the pump 163, and the drain path 173 may be coupled/connected so as to form a draining device. The discharge hose 162 and the pump 163 may be provided separately for the circulation device and the draining device, respectively.
The controller 115 may control an overall operation of the washing machine 100 in response to an external input, and may display a current operation state. The controller 115 may be provided at an upper portion of the cabinet cover 112. The controller 115 may be provided with a manipulation button for receiving a user input, a microcomputer for controlling the operation of the washing machine 100, and a display device such as an LCD display.
More specifically, as shown in
At this time, washing fluid may be introduced from the supply bellows 154 or the nozzle 165 and evenly distributed onto the laundry 10. That is, washing fluid may be supplied from the outside during a squeezing motion in a laundry soaking step, or washing fluid may be circulated so as to evenly soak the laundry 10 during the squeezing motion in a rinsing or washing step.
As shown in
As shown in
Afterwards, the drum 130 is again accelerated in the same direction or a reverse direction so that the laundry 10 gathered at the center of the drum 130 as shown in
In certain embodiments, each of the steps 3A-3C may be repeated in short cycle. In certain embodiments, a cycle time in which acceleration and deceleration may be repeated may be, for example, 1 to 4 seconds, and a time to accelerate from about 50 rpm to about 100 rpm may be about 2 seconds, and in certain circumstances about 1.2 seconds. A time to decelerate from about 100 rpm to about 50 rpm may be about 1 second, and in certain circumstances about 0.5 seconds. Each of the acceleration and deceleration is repeated at least twice.
In
In
In
In
In
When washing is started, an amount of laundry contained in the drum 130 is detected (S410). A washing course is selected through manipulation of a button of the controller 115 and the microcomputer of the controller 115 starts the corresponding washing course and detects the amount of laundry in the drum 130.
The detection of the amount of laundry in the drum 130 may be implemented by various methods or devices. In one exemplary embodiment, the driver 140 rotates the drum 130 at a predetermined speed for a predetermined period of time and then measures a deceleration time to detect the amount of laundry in the drum 130. The longer the deceleration time of the drum 130, the greater the amount of laundry in the drum 130. The amount of laundry may be calculated by the microcomputer of the controller 115, or other means as appropriate.
An initial supply of washing fluid is then provided (S420). When the supply valve 153 is opened and washing fluid is supplied from the external source, the washing fluid is guided to the detergent box 152 along the supply hose 151 is mixed with a washing agent, and is introduced into the drum 130 by the supply bellows 154.
Upon completion of the washing fluid supply or during the washing fluid supply, laundry soaking is performed (S430). During laundry soaking, laundry is moved so that the laundry contained in the drum 130 may be soaked by the washing fluid supplied to the inside of the tub 120. In general, laundry soaking is performed by a tumbling motion, but may also be performed by the above-described squeezing motion. If laundry soaking is performed by the squeezing motion, washing fluid may be introduced from the supply bellows 154 and/or the nozzle 165 and evenly distributed onto the laundry.
It is then determined whether or not the amount of laundry is out of a set range (S440). More specifically, it is determined whether a detected amount of laundry is greater than a predetermined level so as to determine whether to perform a drum motion in the wash cycle.
If the amount of laundry is out of the set range, a general motion may be performed (S450), and the squeezing motion may be performed (S460). The general motion refers to a rolling motion, a swing motion, and a step motion, as well as the tumbling motion discussed above with respect to
If the general motion is repeated when the amount of laundry is large, the laundry may become entangled, thus hindering or preventing movement of the laundry. Accordingly, the general motion may be performed for a predetermined period of time, and then the squeezing motion may be performed. If the amount of laundry is small, the laundry may cling to the inner circumferential surface of the drum 130 even at a low rpm, thus hindering the squeezing motion.
The squeezing motion changes the speed of the drum 130 in short cycle to move the laundry by repeatedly gathering and spreading the laundry. As the movement of the laundry is facilitated, washing deviation may be reduced and the laundry may be brought into uniform contact with the washing fluid. In addition, when the laundry clings to the inner circumferential surface of the drum 130, the washing fluid soaked through the laundry may be discharged through the holes in the drum 130 as if being squeezed out of the laundry. Therefore, contaminants on the laundry may be discharged during washing as if being squeezed out, and wash agents remaining on the laundry may be discharged as if being squeezed out. Moreover, as the laundry is repeatedly drawn to and separated from the inner circumferential surface of the drum 130, the user may visually check the movement of the laundry.
In certain embodiments, execution time of the squeezing motion during a wash cycle may be about 10 minutes. However, this may differ according to the amount of laundry being washing and/or a particular washing course selected.
In the squeezing motion, the washing fluid may be circulated to evenly soak the laundry. At the time of the squeezing motion, the pump 163 may be operated so that washing fluid discharged to the discharge hose 162 is circulated along the circulation path 164 and introduced into the drum 130 through the nozzle 165.
It is then determined how many times N the general motion and the squeezing motion are repeated (S470). The general motion and the squeezing motion may be performed N times so as to reduce/eliminate washing deviation by virtue of the movement of the laundry. The number of times N the general motion and squeezing motion are repeated may be varied according to a selected course and an amount of laundry.
After the general motion and the squeezing motion are repeated N times, simple spinning is performed (S490) so that the washing fluid used in washing may be discharged to an outside of the washing machine.
If the amount of laundry in the drum 130 is within the set range (S440), the general motion is performed (S480), and the simple spinning is performed (S490).
If the above-described process leading up to the simple spinning step S490 is a general wash cycle, after simple spinning (S490), the supply step (S420) may be performed again to initiate a rinse cycle. The washing fluid supplied at this time may be water or water mixed with a fabric softener or the like.
In certain embodiments, execution time of the squeezing motion during the rinse cycle may be about 3 minutes. However, this may differ according to the amount of laundry in the drum 130 and/or a particular washing course selected. The above-described steps may be repeated in the rinse cycle. However, the operation time of each step and the repeated number of times N may be changed as appropriate.
Cycle time in which acceleration and deceleration are repeated may be between about 1 to 4 seconds. Time to accelerate from 50 rpm to 100 rpm may be 2 seconds, and, in certain embodiments, about 1.2 seconds. Time to decelerate from 100 rpm to 50 rpm may be about 1 second and, in certain embodiments, about 0.5 seconds.
In the wash cycle or the rinse cycle, the general motion and the squeezing motion may be repeated as appropriate.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that example embodiments can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. Therefore, it should be noted that the forgoing embodiments are merely illustrative in all aspects and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the detailed description of the invention. All changes or modifications or their equivalents made within the meanings and scope of the claims should be construed as falling within the scope of the invention.
In a washing machine and washing method as embodied and broadly described herein, in the washing or rinsing of a large amount of laundry, the laundry is brought into good, uniform contact with washing fluid, thereby improving washing performance.
In a washing machine and washing method as embodied and broadly described herein, the movement of laundry is facilitated, thereby reducing washing deviation in the washing or rinsing of a large amount of laundry.
In a washing machine and washing method as embodied and broadly described herein, contaminants on the laundry may be discharged as if being squeezed out, thereby improving washing performance.
In a washing machine and washing method as embodied and broadly described herein, detergent remaining on the laundry may be discharged as if being squeezed out, thereby improving rinsing performance.
In a washing machine and washing method as embodied and broadly described herein, a user may visually check the movement of the laundry.
A washing machine and associated washing method which can improve washing performance are provided.
A washing machine and associated washing method which can uniformly mix laundry during a wash cycle or a rinse cycle are provided.
A washing machine and associated washing method which can allow laundry to be brought into uniform contact with washing water during a wash cycle or a rinse cycle are provided.
A washing method according to an exemplary embodiment as broadly described herein may include supplying washing water into a drum containing laundry; repeatedly dropping the laundry while rotating the drum in a predetermined direction; and sticking or separating the laundry to and from the inside of the drum by repeatedly accelerating and decelerating the drum.
A washing method according to another exemplary embodiment as broadly described herein may include rotating a drum to cause the laundry in the drum to be rotated, clinging to the inside of the drum, in a wash cycle or rinse cycle of a drum type washing machine; decelerating the drum to separate the laundry from the inside of the drum; and accelerating the drum to cause the laundry to be rotated, clinging to the inside of the drum.
A washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment as broadly described herein may include a drum which holds laundry and rotates; a drive unit for rotating the drum; and a control unit for performing a general motion in which the drive unit repeatedly drops the laundry by rotating the drum in a predetermined direction in a wash cycle or rinse cycle and a squeezing motion in which the drive unit sticks and separates the laundry to and from the inside of the drum by accelerating and decelerating the drum.
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 invention. 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, numerous 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.
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Korean Notice of Allowance issued in Application No. 10-2009-0087141 dated Sep. 21, 2011 (full Korean text and full English translation). |
Korean Notice of Allowance issued in Application No. 10-2009-0073978 dated Sep. 27, 2011 (full Korean text and English translation). |
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Korean Office Action dated May 31, 2011 issued in Application No. 10-2008-0087871. |
Korean Office Action dated May 31, 2011 issued in Application No. 10-2009-0073976. |
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Australian Office Action dated Jan. 29, 2013. |
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U.S. Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 12/509,693 dated Apr. 2, 2013. |
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Russian Office Action dated May 22, 2013 issued in Application No. 2012111656 (with English translation). |
Russian Notice of Allowance dated Jun. 3, 2013 issued in Application No. 2011147906 (with English translation). |
Russian Notice of Allowance dated Jul. 1, 2013 issued in Application No. 2011146523 (with English translation). |
Russian Office Action dated Jul. 9, 2013 issued in Application No. 2011147901 (with English translation). |
U.S. Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 12/509,693 dated Jul. 17, 2013. |
Russian Decision to Grant a Patent dated Jul. 19, 2013 issued in Application No. 2012111656 (with English translation). |
Taiwanese Office Action dated Sep. 11, 2013 issued in Application No. 099126791 (with English translation). |
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Chinese Office Action dated Mar. 19, 2014. (translation). |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20100242186 A1 | Sep 2010 | US |