U.S. patent application number 10/436694 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-04 for drum type washing machine.
Invention is credited to Ida, Haruo, Kitazaki, Yukihiro, Matsuda, Eiji, Minayoshi, Hiroko, Yoshida, Kiyonobu.
Application Number | 20040040344 10/436694 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31972837 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040040344 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Minayoshi, Hiroko ; et
al. |
March 4, 2004 |
Drum type washing machine
Abstract
A drum type washing machine includes a rotating drum having a
rotating axis in a substantially horizontal direction and sustained
rotatably in a tub. The washing machine further includes a motor
for driving the rotating drum, a water supply for supplying water
into the tub, and a controller for washing, rinsing and
liquid-extracting by controlling workings of the motor. The
controller of the washing machine washes a laundry by pouring
detergent bubbles in the washing process.
Inventors: |
Minayoshi, Hiroko; (Kyoto,
JP) ; Matsuda, Eiji; (Hyogo, JP) ; Yoshida,
Kiyonobu; (Nara, JP) ; Ida, Haruo; (Osaka,
JP) ; Kitazaki, Yukihiro; (Hyogo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RATNERPRESTIA
P O BOX 980
VALLEY FORGE
PA
19482-0980
US
|
Family ID: |
31972837 |
Appl. No.: |
10/436694 |
Filed: |
May 13, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/12.16 ;
68/17R; 68/207; 68/24 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 35/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
068/012.16 ;
068/024; 068/017.00R; 068/207 |
International
Class: |
D06F 033/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 30, 2002 |
JP |
2002-254357 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A drum type washing machine comprising: (a) a rotating drum
having a rotating axis away from a vertical direction, and
sustained rotatably in a tub; (b) a motor for driving the rotating
drum; (c) a water supply unit for supplying water into the tub; and
(d) a controller for controlling the motor, wherein laundry in the
rotating drum is washed by pouring detergent bubbles thereon
comprised of water from said water supply unit and detergent.
2. A drum type washing machine comprising: (a) a rotating drum
having a substantially tilted rotating axis, and sustained
rotatably in a tub; (b) a motor for driving the rotating drum; (c)
a water supply unit for supplying water into the tub; and (d) a
controller for controlling the motor, wherein laundry in the
rotating drum is washed by pouring detergent bubbles thereon
comprised of water from said water supply unit and detergent.
3. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein the rotating
drum is rotated while the detergent bubbles are poured into the
rotating drum.
4. The drum type washing machine of claim 2, wherein the rotating
drum is rotated while the detergent bubbles are poured into the
rotating drum.
5. The drum type washing machine of claim 3, wherein the controller
controls the number of revolutions of the rotating drum while the
detergent bubbles are poured into the rotating drum.
6. The drum type washing machine of claim 4, wherein the controller
controls the number of revolutions of the rotating drum while the
detergent bubbles are poured into the rotating drum.
7. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein the rotating
drum rotates in normal and reverse direction in a state where the
laundry in the rotating drum is thoroughly covered with
bubbles.
8. The drum type washing machine of claim 2, wherein the rotating
drum rotates in normal and reverse direction in a state where the
laundry in the rotating drum is thoroughly covered with
bubbles.
9. The drum type washing machine of claim 3, wherein the rotating
drum rotates in normal and reverse direction in a state where the
laundry in the rotating drum is thoroughly covered with
bubbles.
10. The drum type washing machine of claim 4, wherein the rotating
drum rotates in normal and reverse direction in a state where the
laundry in the rotating drum is thoroughly covered with
bubbles.
11. The drum type washing machine of claim 5, wherein the rotating
drum rotates in normal and reverse direction in a state where the
laundry in the rotating drum is thoroughly covered with
bubbles.
12. The drum type washing machine of claim 6, wherein the rotating
drum rotates in normal and reverse direction in a state where the
laundry in the rotating drum is thoroughly covered with
bubbles.
13. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein after the
detergent bubbles are produced by continuously rotating detergent
and water with the rotating drum, the detergent bubbles are poured
onto the laundry by changing the number of revolutions of the
rotating drum.
14. The drum type washing machine of claim 2, wherein after the
detergent bubbles are produced by continuously rotating detergent
and water with the rotating drum, the detergent bubbles are poured
onto the laundry by changing the number of revolutions of the
rotating drum.
15. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein the rotating
axis is substantially horizontal.
16. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein said
detergent bubbles are poured on said laundry above a highest
portion of said axis which is within said drum.
17. The drum type washing machine of claim 2, wherein said
detergent bubbles are poured on said laundry above a highest
portion of said axis which is within said drum.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine
for washing a laundry, such as clothes or textiles, in a rotating
drum by controlling washing, rinsing, liquid-extracting and so
on.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of a conventional drum type
washing machine, and FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of the
conventional drum type washing machine. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,
a rotating drum 1 has a plurality of perforations 2 on its outer
circumference and is rotatably disposed in a tub 3. A rotating
shaft 4 is located substantially horizontal to a rotating axis of
the rotating drum 1. A motor 5 is connected to the rotating shaft 4
and rotates the rotating drum 1. A few protrusions 6 are formed at
an inner wall of the rotating drum 1.
[0005] The tub 3 is sustained in a cabinet 7 by a spring means 8.
One end of a drain hose 9 is connected to a lower part of the tub
3, and another end of the drain hose 9 is connected to a drain pump
10, thereby draining used water. A feed valve 11 supplies water
into the tub 3, and a water level detecting means 12 detects a
water level in the tub 3.
[0006] A controller 13 having a controlling means 14, which is
formed of a micro-computer, operates the motor 5, the drain pump
10, the feed valve 11 and the like via a power switching means 15,
thereby controlling sequential processes such as washing, rinsing
or liquid-extracting. An operating course and the like is inputted
by an inputting means 16. The controlling means 14 displays
information at a display means 17, based on information from the
inputting means 16, thereby informing an operator of the inputted
information. A memory 18 stores necessary data in order for the
controlling means 14 to control. The reference numeral 19 denotes a
power source, and the reference numeral 20 denotes a power
switch.
[0007] An operation of a washing process is described hereinafter.
After a laundry, such as clothes or textiles, and detergent are put
into the rotating drum 1, the washing process starts by pushing a
power source button and a start button (not shown). Then the feed
valve 11 supplies water. When the water level detecting means 12
detects a predetermined water level N1, the motor 5 drives. When
the water level detecting means 12 detects a predetermined water
level N2, supplying water is stopped. The water level N2 is not
lower than the water level N1.
[0008] In the washing process, the laundry absorbs water, therefore
water is supplied to the rotating drum 1. While water is supplied,
the rotating drum 1 rotates in normal direction, stops, rotates in
reverse direction and stops using the motor 5 at a predetermined
number of revolutions and a predetermined time. The laundry is
caught on the protrusions 6, lifted and fallen in water from around
an upper side of the rotating drum 1. By this working mentioned
above, detergent is gradually dissolved in water to create washing
liquid, whereby the washing liquid acts on stains of the laundry.
After the washing process is finished, the drain pump 10 drains the
washing liquid in the tub 3.
[0009] As discussed above, the conventional drum type washing
machine washes the laundry using mechanical force, while detergent
in the rotating drum 1 is dissolved by rotating in a first
direction, stopping, rotating in a reverse direction and stopping
of the rotating drum 1.
[0010] However, the conventional drum type washing machine does not
use much water. Thus, much time may be required for dissolving the
detergent and for getting the laundry wet uniformly by detergent
water. As a result, unevenness caused by washing occurs, detergency
deteriorates or washing time becomes longer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] A drum type washing machine includes the following
elements:
[0012] (a) a rotating drum having a rotating axis in a
substantially horizontal direction, and sustained rotatably in a
tub,
[0013] (b) a motor for driving the rotating drum,
[0014] (c) a water supplying means for supplying water into the
tub, and
[0015] (d) a controlling means for washing, rinsing and
liquid-extracting by controlling workings of the motor.
[0016] Thus, laundry such as clothes or textiles is washed by
pouring detergent bubbles in the washing process.
[0017] As a result, the drum type washing machine decreases
unevenness caused by washing, improves detergency and shortens
washing time, even with low amounts of supplied water.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a drum type washing machine
in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 2A shows a sectional view of a drum type washing
machine in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0020] FIGS. 2B-2F are illustrations which are useful for
explaining operation of the first embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a detergent molecule in accordance with
exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 4 shows a state where detergent molecules are dissolved
in water in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 5 shows a state where air bubbles are inputted into
detergent water in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the
present invention.
[0024] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of a drum type washing machine
in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a drum type washing machine
in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of a conventional drum type
washing machine.
[0027] FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of the conventional drum type
washing machine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are
demonstrated hereinafter with reference to the accompanying
drawings. The elements similar to those shown in a conventional
drum type washing machine of FIGS. 8 and 9 have the same reference
marks, and the descriptions of those elements are omitted here.
[0029] First Embodiment
[0030] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a drum type washing machine
in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2A
shows a sectional view of the drum type washing machine in
accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. The left side in FIG. 2 shows a front of the drum type
washing machine and the right side in FIG. 2 shows a back of the
drum type washing machine.
[0031] In FIGS. 1 and 2A, a controller 21 having a controlling
means 22, which is formed of a micro-computer, operates a motor 5,
a drain pump 10, a feed valve 11 (i.e., water supplying means 11)
and the like via a power switching means 15. As a result, the
controller 21 controls sequential processes such as washing,
rinsing or liquid-extracting. In the washing process, detergent
bubbles are poured onto a laundry, such as clothes or textiles, in
a rotating drum 1.
[0032] An operation of a washing process is described hereinafter.
As shown in FIG. 2B, laundry is put into the rotating drum 1, and
detergent is put into a detergent case (not shown). Then the
washing process starts, the feed valve 11 supplies water. The
supplied water passes through the detergent case, and is inputted
into a tub 3 with the detergent. When a water level detecting means
12 detects a predetermined water level N1, the motor 5 drives, so
that the rotating drum 1 rotates approximately 50 r/min of the
number of revolutions (FIG. 2C). When the water level detecting
means 12 detects a predetermined water level N2 (FIG. 2D),
supplying water is stopped. The water level N2 is not lower than
the water level N1.
[0033] After that, when the rotating drum 1 rotates continuously,
washing liquid (i.e., solution of the detergent in water) is
stirred by irregularities between the rotating drum 1 and the tub
3, thereby producing detergent bubbles (FIG. 2E). Next, the
rotating drum 1 rotates at the number S1 (e.g., 200 r/min) of
revolution at which the laundry is clung to an inner wall of the
rotating drum 1. Then the produced detergent bubbles rise in space
between the rotating drum 1 and the tub 3 by centrifugal force,
overflow from a front upper section of the washing machine and are
poured onto the laundry in the rotating drum 1 (FIG. 2F).
[0034] The detergent bubbles are described hereinafter. As shown in
FIG. 3, in general, a detergent molecule 30 consists of a
hydrophilic group 31 and a lipophilic group 32. As shown in FIG. 4,
when the detergent is dissolved in water, the detergent molecules
30 are arrayed on a surface of the water, however, the detergent
molecules 30 which can not be arrayed on the surface exist
individually or in micelles (group) under the water. Immediately
after the surface detergent molecules 30 are removed, the detergent
molecules 30 under the water move to the surface of the water, so
that the surface of the water is replenished with the detergent
molecules 30.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, when air bubbles 33 are supplied into
detergent water (mixture of the detergent and the water), the air
bubbles 33 rise and reach the surface of the water. Then the air
bubbles 33 hold the detergent molecules 30, which are arrayed on
the surface of the water, thereby creating bubbles 34. The bubbles
34 array as many detergent molecules 30 as possible on its surface,
so that the bubbles 34 having high detergent concentration are
created. When the detergent molecules 30 on the surface of the
water are removed to form the bubbles 34, detergent molecules 30
under the water move to the surface of the water to fill
detergent-molecule-less areas. When the air bubbles 33 are supplied
continuously, the bubbles 34 are generated one after another. The
lipophilic groups 32 are arrayed on the outside of the bubbles
34.
[0036] When the bubbles 34 pass through a surface or an inside of
the stained laundry, the lipophilic groups 32 combine with stains
of oil or stains of particles stuck to oil, so that the stains are
removed from the laundry. Additionally, when the bubbles 34 are
broken while passing through the laundry, the detergent in
concentrated form soaks into the laundry, so that stains can be
easily removed.
[0037] As discussed above, the detergent bubbles having large
volumes are produced from the washing liquid, and poured onto the
laundry of the rotating drum 1. Thus, even when the volume of the
washing liquid is not much, the detergent effectively acts on
stains of the laundry, and the detergent in concentrated form
easily soaks into the laundry. As a result, the drum type washing
machine of this invention decreases unevenness caused by washing,
improves detergency and shortens washing time.
[0038] In addition, an air pump for generating bubbles (not shown)
and a bubbles ejecting means (not shown) can be disposed at the tub
3, so that detergent bubbles can be generated and poured onto the
laundry of the rotating drum 1.
[0039] Second Embodiment
[0040] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of a drum type washing machine
in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. The left side in FIG. 6 shows a front of the drum type
washing machine and the right side in FIG. 6 shows a back of the
drum type washing machine.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 6, in the drum type washing machine of the
second embodiment, a rotating axis of a rotating shaft 4 of a
rotating drum 1 is tilted, whereby a front side of the rotating
drum 1 becomes higher than a back side of the rotating drum 1.
Other elements are the same as those of the first embodiment, and
have the same reference marks, so that the descriptions of those
elements are omitted here.
[0042] In a washing process, detergent bubbles are poured onto a
laundry, such as clothes or textiles, in a rotating drum 1. At that
time, the detergent bubbles are poured from the higher position of
the rotating axis (i.e., the front side of the rotating drum 1) in
a diagonal back direction.
[0043] An operation of a washing process is described hereinafter.
The detergent bubbles are produced by the same method described in
the first embodiment. The detergent bubbles, which are produced by
continuous rotation of the rotating drum 1, rise in space between
the rotating drum 1 and a tub 3 by centrifugal force, and overflow
from a front upper section of the washing machine. The detergent
bubbles are poured from the higher position of the rotating axis
(i.e., the front side of the rotating drum 1) in a diagonal back
direction.
[0044] As discussed above, the laundry is clustered at the lower
side of the rotating drum 1 by tilting the rotating axis. The
detergent bubbles are poured onto the laundry in the rotating drum
1 from the higher position of the rotating axis in a diagonal back
direction. The drum type washing machine in this embodiment can
pour detergent bubbles onto the laundry wider than a washing
machine having a rotating axis in a substantially horizontal
direction. Thus, detergent effectively acts on stains of the
laundry, and the detergent in concentrated form easily soaks into
the laundry. As a result, the drum type washing machine of this
invention decreases unevenness caused by washing, improves
detergency and shortens washing time.
[0045] In addition, an air pump for generating bubbles (not shown)
and a bubbles ejecting means (not shown) can be disposed at the tub
3, so that detergent bubbles can be generated and poured onto the
laundry of the rotating drum 1.
[0046] In this embodiment, the rotating axis is tilted in order for
the front side of the rotating drum to be higher than the back side
of the rotating drum. However, the rotating axis can be tilted in
order for the back side of the rotating drum to be higher than the
front side of the rotating drum.
[0047] In addition, detergent bubbles are poured from the front
upper section of the washing machine in this embodiment, however,
detergent bubbles can be poured from a back upper section of the
washing machine.
[0048] Third Embodiment
[0049] In this embodiment, a rotating drum 1 is rotated while
detergent bubbles are poured onto a laundry in a washing process.
Other elements are the same as those of the first embodiment, and
have the same reference marks, so that the descriptions of those
elements are omitted here.
[0050] An operation of a washing process is described hereinafter.
The detergent bubbles are produced by the same method described in
the first embodiment. The detergent bubbles produced by continuous
rotation of the rotating drum 1 rise in space between the rotating
drum 1 and a tub 3 by centrifugal force, and overflow from a front
upper section of the washing machine. At that time, the rotating
drum 1 is rotated while the detergent bubbles are poured, so that
the detergent bubbles are thoroughly poured onto the laundry in the
rotating drum 1. After that, the detergent bubbles return to the
space between the rotating drum 1 and the tub 3. In other words,
the detergent bubbles circulate.
[0051] As discussed above, the detergent bubbles are poured while
the rotating drum 1 rotates, so that detergent acts on stains of
the laundry more uniformly and thoroughly than the case where the
rotating drum 1 stops. In addition, the detergent in concentrated
form soaks into more laundry. As a result, the drum type washing
machine of this invention decreases unevenness caused by washing,
and improves detergency.
[0052] As the second embodiment, a washing machine having a tilted
rotating axis of a rotating shaft 4 of a rotating drum 1 can be
also used.
[0053] Fourth Embodiment
[0054] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a drum type washing machine
in accordance with the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 7, a revolution-number-detecting means 23
detects the number of revolution of a rotating drum 1, and inputs
detected information to a controlling means 25 of a controller 24.
Detergent bubbles are poured into the rotating drum 1, and the
controlling means 25 controls the number of revolution of the
rotating drum 1 based on the output of the
revolution-number-detecting means 23. Other elements are the same
as those of the third embodiment, and have the same reference
marks, so that the descriptions of those elements are omitted
here.
[0056] An operation of a washing process is described hereinafter.
The detergent bubbles are produced by the same method described in
the third embodiment. The rotating drum 1 rotates, and the
detergent bubbles are poured from a front upper section of the
washing machine. At that time, the number of revolution is
controlled. When the number of revolution becomes high (e.g., 200
r/min), a laundry clings to the rotating drum 1 and the detergent
bubbles pass through the laundry, so that the detergent in
concentrated form soaks into more laundry. When the number of
revolution becomes low (e.g., 50 r/min), each of the laundry rubs
each other and rotates in the rotating drum 1. As a result, the
detergent bubbles thoroughly act on the laundry and combine with
stains of oil or stains of particles stuck to oil, thereby easily
removing the stains from the laundry. As discussed above, the drum
type washing machine of this invention decreases unevenness caused
by washing and improves detergency.
[0057] A drum type washing machine having a tilted rotating axis of
a rotating shaft 4 of a rotating drum 1, which is discussed in the
second embodiment, can be also used.
[0058] A washing machine of this invention can use both high number
(e.g., 200 r/min) of revolution and low number (e.g., 50 r/min) of
revolution of the rotating drum 1 in one washing process.
[0059] Fifth Embodiment
[0060] In this embodiment, in a state where a laundry is thoroughly
covered with bubbles in a rotating drum 1, a rotating drum 1
rotates in normal and reverse direction. Other elements are the
same as those of the first embodiment, and have the same reference
marks, so that the descriptions of those elements are omitted
here.
[0061] An operation of a washing process is described hereinafter.
Detergent bubbles are produced by the same method described in the
first embodiment. The detergent bubbles are poured into the
rotating drum 1, and the laundry is thoroughly covered with
bubbles. At that time, the rotating drum 1 is rotated in normal and
reverse direction, thereby providing the laundry with mechanical
force.
[0062] In a state where the laundry is thoroughly covered with
bubbles, mechanical force acts on the laundry, whereby the
detergent bubbles thoroughly come into contact with stains of the
laundry. Thus the detergent bubbles combine with more stains of oil
or stains of particles stuck to oil, thereby removing the stains
from the laundry. In addition, the detergent in concentrated form
soaks into more laundry. As a result, the drum type washing machine
of this invention decreases unevenness caused by washing and
improves detergency.
[0063] As the second embodiment, a washing machine having a tilted
rotating axis of a rotating shaft 4 of a rotating drum 1 can be
also used.
[0064] In addition, as the third embodiment, a rotating drum 1 can
rotate while detergent bubbles are poured. Further, as the forth
embodiment, the number of revolution of the rotating drum 1 can be
controlled while detergent bubbles are poured.
* * * * *