U.S. patent application number 10/928185 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-23 for device for circulating washing water in washing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG ELECTRONICS, INC.. Invention is credited to Choi, Byung Keol, Hong, Moon Hee, Je, Byoung Soo, Jeon, Si Moon, Lee, Tae Hee, Seo, Hyun Seok.
Application Number | 20050132758 10/928185 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34675821 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050132758 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee, Tae Hee ; et
al. |
June 23, 2005 |
Device for circulating washing water in washing machine
Abstract
A washing water circulating device in a washing machine includes
a first tube connected to the tub, a water circulating pump
connected to the first tube that pumps water from the tub, a second
tube connected to the water circulating pump that supplies the
pumped water to the tub, a bypass tube provided between the first
tube and the second tube, and a control valve provided to the
second tube, that guides the pumped water to one of the second tube
and the bypass tube.
Inventors: |
Lee, Tae Hee; (Seoul,
KR) ; Seo, Hyun Seok; (Incheon, KR) ; Je,
Byoung Soo; (Busan, KR) ; Hong, Moon Hee;
(Seoul, KR) ; Choi, Byung Keol; (Bucheon, KR)
; Jeon, Si Moon; (Seoul, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1950 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
LG ELECTRONICS, INC.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
34675821 |
Appl. No.: |
10/928185 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/23.5 ;
68/207 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/085 20130101;
D06F 39/083 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
068/023.5 ;
068/207 |
International
Class: |
D06F 035/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 18, 2003 |
KR |
10-2003-0093190 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A washing water circulating device in a washing machine
comprising: a water circulating portion that pumps water from an
inside of a tub to an outside of the tub and supplies water into
the tub; and a flow passage control portion that keeps the pumped
water circulating through the outside of the tub, or guides the
pumped water into the tub.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water circulating
portion comprises; a water circulating passage having both ends in
communication with the tub, and a water circulating pump connected
to the water circulating passage.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow passage
control portion comprises; a bypass tube having both ends connected
to a water circulating passage provided for a flow of the pumped
water, and a flow passage switching portion provided to the water
circulating passage, the flow passage switching position guiding
the pumped water to the bypass tube to circulate through the
outside of the tub only or guiding the pumped water to the bypass
tube and then guiding the pumped water to the tub.
4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow passage
control portion makes the pumped water keep circulating through the
outside of the tub, to dissolve detergent.
5. A washing water circulating device in a washing machine
comprising: a first tube connected to a tub; a water circulating
pump connected to the first tube, the water circulating pump
pumping water from the tub; a second tube connected to the water
circulating pump, the second tube supplying the pumped water to the
tub; a bypass tube provided between the first tube and the second
tube; and a control valve provided to the second tube, the control
valve guiding the pumped water to one of the tub and the bypass
tube.
6. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first tube is
connected to a drain.
7. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first tube is
connected to an under side of the tub.
8. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control valve is
provided to a connection portion of the second tube and the bypass
tube.
9. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control valve is
provided between a connection portion of the second tube and the
bypass tube.
10. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control valve
guides the pumped water to the bypass tube for a preset time period
at an initial stage of washing when detergent is supplied to the
tub.
11. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control valve
guides the pumped water to the tub after a preset time period set
from a starting of washing is over.
12. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet having a door; a tub
mounted in the cabinet, the tub configured to hold water therein; a
drum rotatably mounted in an inside of the tub; a water supplying
device that supplies detergent and water to the tub; and a washing
water circulating device, wherein the washing water circulating
device comprises: a first tube connected to the tub; a water
circulating pump connected to the first tube, the water circulating
pump pumping water from the tub; a second tube connected to the
water circulating pump, the second tube supplying the pumped water
to the tub; a bypass tube provided between the first tube and the
second tube; and a control valve provided to the second tube, the
control valve guiding the pumped water to one of the second tube
and the bypass tube.
13. The washing machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first
tube is connected to a drain.
14. The washing machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first
tube is connected to an under side of the tub.
15. The washing machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second
tube sprays the pumped water to an inside of the drum.
16. The washing machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein the control
valve is provided to a connection portion of the second tube and
the bypass tube.
17. The washing machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein the control
valve is provided between a connection portion of the second tube
and the bypass tube and the tub.
18. The washing machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein the control
valve guides the pumped water to the bypass tube for a preset time
period at an initial stage of washing when detergent is supplied to
the tub.
19. The washing machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein the control
valve guides the pumped water to the tub after a preset time period
set from a starting of washing is completed.
20. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the preset time
period is determined based on an amount of laundry and an amount of
detergent.
21. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the preset time
period is determined based on an amount of laundry and an amount of
detergent.
22. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the preset time
period is set regardless of an amount of laundry and an amount of
detergent.
23. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the preset time
period is set regardless of an amount of laundry and an amount of
detergent.
24. The device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the preset time
period is determined based on an amount of laundry and an amount of
detergent.
25. The device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the preset time
period is determined based on an amount of laundry and an amount of
detergent.
26. The device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the preset time
period is set regardless of an amount of laundry and an amount of
detergent.
27. The device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the preset time
period is set regardless of an amount of laundry and an amount of
detergent.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the Korean
Application No. 10-2003-0093190 filed on Dec. 18, 2003, which is
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to washing machines, and more
particularly, to a washing water circulating device for pumping up
water from a lower portion to an upper portion of a tub in a
washing machine.
[0004] 2. Background of the Related Art
[0005] The washing machine removes contaminants stuck to laundry by
using action of detergent and water.
[0006] In general, there are agitator type, pulsator type, and drum
type washing machines. The agitator type washing machine washes by
rotating a washing rod standing at a central portion of a tub in
left/right directions, and the pulsator type washing machine washes
laundry by using a friction force between water circulation, caused
by left/right direction rotation of a disc form of pulsator on a
bottom of a washing tub, and the laundry. The drum type washing
machine washes laundry by putting water, detergent, and the laundry
into an inside of the drum having a plurality of tumbling ribs
projected from an inside surface thereof, and rotating the drum at
a low speed.
[0007] In the meantime, when the laundry is washed, by using one of
above different types of washing machines, detergent is used,
together with water. That is, the washing is performed after the
detergent is introduced into the tub having the laundry and the
water filled therein, manually or automatically.
[0008] However, in case powder detergent is introduced into the
tub, though a portion of the detergent is dissolved in the water
and enhances a washing capability, the other portion is not
dissolved and inserted between strands of the laundry. The powder
detergent inserted between the strands of laundry drops washing
capability of the washing machine, and prolongs a washing time
period.
[0009] Moreover, even after finishing the washing, a portion of the
powder detergent remains in the laundry, and damages skin of the
user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a washing
water circulating device in a washing machine that substantially
obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and
disadvantages of the related art.
[0011] An object of the present invention designed to solve the
above problems lies in improving detergent dissolving capability of
the washing machine for preventing powder detergent introduced into
a tub from remaining on laundry.
[0012] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination
of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention.
The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be
realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in
the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended
drawings.
[0013] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied
and broadly described herein, the washing water circulating device
in a washing machine includes a water circulating portion that
pumps water from an inside of a tub to an outside of the tub and
supplies water into the tub, and a flow passage control portion
that keeps the pumped water circulating through the outside of the
tub, or guided into the tub.
[0014] The water circulating portion preferably includes a water
circulating passage having both ends in communication with the tub,
and a water circulating pump connected to the water circulating
passage.
[0015] The flow passage control portion preferably includes a
bypass tube having both ends connected to a water circulating
passage provided for a flow of the pumped water, and a flow passage
switching portion provided to the water circulating passage, that
guides the pumped water to the bypass tube to circulate on the
outside of the tub only, or guides the pumped water to the bypass
tube and then guides the pumped water to the tub.
[0016] The flow passage control portion preferably makes the pumped
water keep circulating through the outside of the tub to dissolve
the detergent.
[0017] In other aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a washing water circulating device in a washing machine including a
first tube connected to a tub, a water circulating pump connected
to the first tube that pumps water from the tub, a second tube
connected to the water circulating pump that supplies the pumped
water to the tub, a bypass tube provided between the first tube and
the second tube, and a control valve provided to the second tube
that guides the pumped water to one of the second tube and the
bypass tube.
[0018] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a washing machine including a cabinet having a door, a tub
mounted in the cabinet that holds water therein, a drum rotatably
mounted in an inside of the tub, a water supplying device that
supplies detergent and water to the tub, and a washing water
circulating device wherein the washing water circulating device
includes a first tube connected to the tub, a water circulating
pump connected to the first tube that pumps water from the tub, a
second tube connected to the water circulating pump that supplies
the pumped water to the tub, a bypass tube provided between the
first tube and the second tube, and a control valve provided to the
second tube that guides the pumped water to one of the second tube
and the bypass tube.
[0019] The first tube is connected to a drain, or an under side of
the tub.
[0020] The second tube preferably sprays the water pumped by the
water circulating pump to an inside of the drum.
[0021] The control valve is provided to a connection portion of the
second tube and the bypass tube, or between the connection portion
and the tub.
[0022] In the meantime, preferably the control valve guides the
pumped water to the bypass tube for a preset time period at an
initial stage of washing when detergent is supplied to the tub. The
control valve preferably guides the water to the second tube after
a preset time period set from a starting of washing is completed.
The water supply device may supply detergent and water to a space
between the tub and the drum.
[0023] It is to be understood that both the foregoing description
and the following detailed description of the present invention are
exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further
explanation of the invention claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention.
[0025] In the drawings;
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a drum type washing machine
having a washing water circulating device of the present invention
applied thereto;
[0027] FIG. 2A illustrates a diagram of a position of a control
valve and a water flow when the washing water circulating device of
the present invention in FIG. 1 dissolves detergent; FIG. 2B
illustrates a diagram of a position of a control valve and a water
flow when the washing water circulating device of the present
invention in FIG. 1 circulates water in a tub; and
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a diagram of a modification of the drum
type washing machine shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In describing the
embodiments, identical parts will be given the same names and
reference symbols, and repetitive description of which will be
omitted.
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a drum type washing machine
having a washing water circulating device of the present invention
applied thereto. Though FIG. 1 illustrates a drum type washing
machine having a tub in a cabinet and a drum rotatably mounted on
an inside of the tub, the washing machine of the present invention
is not limited to the illustrated drum type washing machine, but is
applicable to a pulsator type washing machine having upright tub
and drum, or the like in the same fashion.
[0031] The washing machine of the present invention will be
described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is an opening in a front surface of a
cabinet 10 that forms an outer shape of the washing machine, and a
door 15 rotatably mounted on the front surface of the cabinet 10
for opening/closing the opening.
[0032] There is a tub 20 arranged inside of the cabinet 10
horizontal to a floor. The tub 20 is elastically supported by
springs (not shown) and dampers (not shown) within the inside
space. The tub 20 has an opened front surface opposite to the
opening of the cabinet 10. The tub 20 has water supplied thereto
and held therein.
[0033] There is a drum 30 rotatably mounted in an inside space of
the tub 20. For this, a motor 25 is mounted on an inside of the
cabinet 10 for rotating the drum 30. FIG. 1 illustrates an
embodiment in which a shaft of the motor 25 is directly connected
to the drum 30. In this case, the shaft passes through the tub 20.
However, though not shown, the motor 25 may rotate the drum 30
indirectly. In this case, the drum 30 and the motor 25 may be
connected with a belt.
[0034] The drum 30 has a plurality of pass through holes (not
shown), so that water flows from the tub 20 to the inside space of
the drum 30 through the pass through holes, and vice versa. Though
not shown, the drum 30 has a plurality of tumbling ribs (not shown)
projected from an inside circumferential surface. The tumbling ribs
lift/drop the laundry when the drum 30 rotates.
[0035] In the meantime, there is a water supplying device 40 in the
washing machine for supplying detergent and water into the tub 20.
The water supplying device 40 includes a water supply hose 45
connected between a water supply source, such as faucet and the tub
20, and a detergent box 41 provided to be in communication with the
water supply hose 45.
[0036] Therefore, in a state detergent is supplied to the detergent
box 4i, if water is supplied to the tub 20 through the water supply
hose 45, the detergent is supplied to the tub 20 together with
water. The detergent box 41 may be designed to supply a proper
amount of detergent to the water supply hose 45 or the tub 20.
[0037] In the meantime, it is preferable that the water supply
device 40 supplies the detergent and water between the tub 20 and
the drum 30, so that the water and detergent hit the drum 30, which
helps dissolve the detergent. Moreover, the powder detergent not
dissolved yet flows down along an outside surface of the drum 30,
and is held on a bottom surface of the tub 20, to prevent the
powder detergent from being supplied to the laundry directly, and
inserted between strands of laundry.
[0038] In the meantime, there is a drain 21 in a bottom of the tub
20, having a drain pipe (not shown) connected thereto. The drain
pipe has a drain pump (not shown) connected thereto for pumping and
discharging water, introduced thereto from the tub 20 through the
drain 21 and the drain pipe, to an outside of the cabinet. Of
course, the drain pump has a drain hose (not shown) in
communication with an outside of the washing machine. Therefore,
upon putting the drain pump into operation, water is drained from
the tub 20 to the outside of the cabinet 10 through the drain 21,
the drain pipe, the drain pump, and the drain hose.
[0039] In the meantime, the washing machine of the present
invention further includes a washing water circulating device 100.
The washing water circulating device 100 pumps out water from the
tub 20 and the water to the tub 20 again, for improving washing and
rinsing performance of the washing machine. Moreover, the washing
water circulating device 100 serves most of the detergent
introduced into the tub 20 to dissolve quickly. The washing water
circulating device 100 will be described in more detail.
[0040] The washing water circulating device 100 includes a water
circulating portion and a flow passage control portion. The water
circulating portion pumps water from the tub 20 to an outside of
the tub 20, and supplies the water to the tub 20 again. The flow
passage control portion keeps circulating the water pumped to an
outside of the tub 20 on an outside of the tub 20, or guides to the
tub 20. The water circulating portion and the flow passage control
portion will be described in more detail with reference to the
attached drawings.
[0041] The water circulating portion includes a water circulating
passage, and a circulating pump 130. The water circulating passage
has both ends in communication with the tub 20, and the circulating
pump 130 is connected to the circulating pump 130.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, the circulating passage in
communication with the tub 20 includes two tubes. One is a first
tube 110 connected to the drain 21 of the tub 20, or a bottom
portion of the tub 20, more specifically to an underside surface
thereof, and the other one is a second tube 120 in communication
with an upper portion of an inside of the tub 20,
substantially.
[0043] If the first tube 110 is connected to the drain 21 or the
bottom portion of the tub 20, the powder detergent deposited on a
bottom surface of the tub 20 can be guided to an inside of the
first tube 110, easily.
[0044] In the meantime, referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the first
tube 110 and the second tube 120 are connected to the circulating
pump 130, respectively. The circulating pump 130 includes an
impeller 135 for pumping water from the tub 20, and a motor 131
connected to the impeller 135 with a shaft for rotating the
impeller 135.
[0045] This structure enables the water introduced into the first
tube 110 by the circulating pump 130 to an inside of the tub 20
again by the second tube 120. It is preferable that the second tube
120 sprays the water pumped by the circulating pump 130 into an
inside of the drum 30, to increase falling energy of the water, and
to improve the washing performance and a detergent dissolving
capability of the washing machine.
[0046] Next, the flow control portion includes a bypass tube 140
and a flow passage switching portion. The bypass tube 140 has both
ends of the circulating passage through which the water pumped from
the tub 20 flows. In more detail, one end of the bypass tube 140 is
connected to the first tube 110, and the other end of the bypass
tube 140 is connected to the second tube 120.
[0047] The flow passage switching portion is provided to the
circulating passage, more specifically, to the second tube 120, and
the water pumped from the tub 20 by the circulating pump 130, is
guided to either one of the second tube 120 or the bypass tube
140.
[0048] A control valve 150 is provided at the flow passage
switching portion in the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the
control valve 150 is provided to a connection portion of the second
tube 120 and the bypass tube 140, or, as shown in FIG. 3, at a
point between the connection portion of the second tube 120 and the
bypass tube 140 and the tub 20 of the second tube 120.
[0049] If the control valve 150 is provided to the connection
portion of the second tube 120 and the bypass tube 140, the control
valve 150 may be a three way valve.
[0050] In this case, as shown in FIG. 2A, the control valve 150
closes the second tube 120, and makes the bypass tube 140 and the
circulating pump 130 in communication. Thus the pumped water is
guided to the bypass tube 140.
[0051] The water guided to the bypass tube 140 is guided to the
bypass tube 140 again after circulating through the first tube 110
and the circulating pump 130. Therefore, the water pumped by the
circulating pump 130 is kept circulating on an outside of the tub
20.
[0052] On the contrary, referring to FIG. 2B, if the control valve
150 closes the bypass tube 140, and makes the circulating pump 130
and the tub 20 in communication, the water pumped by the
circulating pump 130 is guided to the tub 20 via the second tube
120.
[0053] In the meantime, as shown in FIG. 3 if the control valve 150
is provided between the tub 20 and the connection portion of the
second tube 120 and the bypass tube 140, an on/off valve is used
for the control valve 150.
[0054] In this case, if the control valve 150 closes, the water
pumped by the circulating pump 130 can not pass through the second
tube 120, but is guided to the bypass tube 140. The water guided to
the bypass tube 140 is guided to the bypass tube 140 again through
the first tube 110 and the circulating pump 130. Therefore, the
water pumped by the circulating pump 130 is kept circulating on an
outside of the tub 20.
[0055] On the contrary, if the control valve 150 is opened, as
shown in FIG. 2B, the water pumped by the circulating pump 130
passes through the second tube 120, and is supplied to the tub
20.
[0056] Thus, the washing water circulating device 100 of the
present invention having the flow passage control portion either
circulates the water pumped to an outside of the tub 20 only on an
outside of the tub 20, or is supplied to the tub, again.
[0057] Thus, because water from the tub 20 is circulated, most of
the powder detergent introduced into the tub 20 can be dissolved
within a short time period at an initial stage of the washing. That
is, when the detergent is introduced into the tub 20, if the water
and detergent are kept circulating on an outside of the tub 20
after the water and detergent are pumped to the outside of the tub
20, a large amount of the detergent is dissolved quickly by the
impeller 135 and the friction force caused by water
circulation.
[0058] Therefore, if the water is supplied from the washing water
circulating device 100 to the tub 20 after the detergent is
dissolved, not only the insertion of powder detergent between
strands of the laundry, but also a washing time period can be
reduced, and a washing capability can be improved.
[0059] A time period in which the washing water circulates in the
washing water circulating device 100 is preset at a control portion
in the washing machine. In this instance, the control portion may
control the time period for circulating the water and the detergent
on the outside of the tub 20 for dissolving the detergent according
to an amount of the laundry and an amount of the detergent.
[0060] Also, the control portion may preset a time period for
circulating the water and the detergent on the outside of the tub
20 for dissolving the detergent regardless of an amount of the
laundry and an amount of the detergent.
[0061] Moreover, the control portion may control to repeat
circulating the water and detergent on the outside of the tub 20
for a preset time period, and supplying into the tub 20.
[0062] The operation of the washing machine having the washing
machine circulating device 100 of the present invention will be
described.
[0063] The door is opened, and the laundry is introduced into the
drum 30. The door 15 is closed, and the washing machine is put into
operation to introduce external water into the detergent box 41
through the water supply hose 45. The detergent in the detergent
box 41 dissolves in the water supplied thereto, and the water
having the detergent dissolved therein is supplied between the tub
20 and the drum 30 through the water supply hose 45.
[0064] The water and detergent supplied between the tub 20 and the
drum 30 slides along an outside circumferential surface of the drum
30, and held on the bottom surface of the tub 20. According to
this, the direct contact of the detergent not yet dissolved with
the laundry and insertion between the strands of the laundry can be
prevented effectively.
[0065] At the initial stage of the washing when the water and
detergent are supplied to the tub 20, the water circulating pump
130 is operated. In this instance, as shown in FIG. 2A, the control
valve 150 guides the water passed through the first tube 110 and
the circulating pump 130, to the bypass tube 140.
[0066] According to this, the water and detergent pumped from the
tub 20 to the outside of the tub 20 by the circulating pump 130
circulates on the outside of the tub 20 for a preset time period,
to dissolve the most of the detergent. In the meantime, at the
initial stage of washing in which the water and detergent are
supplied to the tub 20, and the detergent is dissolved in the
water, the drum 30 is rotated at a lower speed or stationary.
[0067] After a preset time is passed from the starting of the
washing, as shown in FIG. 2B, the water is guided to the tub 20 via
the second tube 120. Then, the water having the detergent dissolved
therein passes through the second tube 120, and is supplied to the
tub 20.
[0068] In the meantime, if a certain amount of water is supplied to
the tub 20, the motor 25 rotates the drum 30. When the drum 30
rotates, the laundry is lifted by the tumbling ribs, and dropped.
Therefore, by chemical reaction of the detergent, impact energy
when the laundry drops by the tumbling ribs, and the water
circulation occurred at the time of rotation of the drum 30,
contaminants are separated from the laundry, to perform the
washing.
[0069] During the washing, the washing water circulating device 100
pumps water from the tub 20 and sprays into the tub 20 again.
Friction and impact energy generated by the falling water when the
water is sprayed into the tub 20 improves a washing capability of
the washing machine.
[0070] After washing is performed for a preset time period by
rotating the drum 30, the drum 30 and the circulating pump 130
stop. Contaminated water from the washing is drained to an outside
of the washing machine. During the draining the drain pump (not
shown) is put into operation to discharge the contaminated water
from the tub 20 to the outside of the washing machine through the
drain hose (not shown).
[0071] After draining is finished, the drain pump stops, and water
is supplied to the tub 20 newly through the water supply hose 45,
and the drum 30 rotates to carry out a rinsing process. During
rinsing, as the drum 30 rotates, and the circulating pump 130
operates, the rinsing is carried out by a process similar to the
washing process.
[0072] The laundry, washing of which is finished as the rinsing and
drain are repeated, has its water extracted within a drum that
spins at a high speed. If the washing machine is provided with a
heater or blower, the laundry having water extracted therefrom is
dried completely by using hot air.
[0073] Thus, the washing water circulating device of the present
invention can dissolved most of detergent by keeping circulating
the detergent and the water on an outside of the tub.
[0074] The supply of the water and the detergent from the detergent
box to a space between the drum and the tub can prevent the powder
detergent inserted between strands of the laundry.
[0075] Therefore, even after the washing is finished, it is
possible to prevent the powder detergent remaining on the laundry
even after finish of the washing, as well as damage to skin of the
user due to the remained detergent.
[0076] Because the washing water circulating device makes the most
of the detergent to be dissolved, washing capability of the washing
machine is improved, and the washing time period is shortened.
Particularly, a rinsing time period required for removing the
detergent from the laundry can be shortened.
[0077] Moreover, the system is very simple, a performance of the
washing machine can be improved at a low cost.
[0078] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *