U.S. patent application number 11/036059 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-13 for washing machine having drying function and method for controlling the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Hong, Moon Hee, Lee, Tae Hee, Seo, Hyun Seok.
Application Number | 20050223504 11/036059 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35059025 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050223504 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee, Tae Hee ; et
al. |
October 13, 2005 |
Washing machine having drying function and method for controlling
the same
Abstract
A washing machine having a drying function and a method for
controlling the same. The washing machine includes a tub for
containing wash water; a drum rotatably placed in the tub for
containing laundry, and provided with through holes for circulating
the wash water or air therethrough; a drying device provided with a
circulation fan and a heater for drying the laundry in the drum;
and a pumping device for pumping the wash water in the tub so that
the wash water in the tub is circulated into the drum or heated by
the air passing through the drying device, and is then circulated
into the drum. The washing machine performs washing of laundry
without any additional heater for heating the wash water, thereby
having low production costs and a simple structure of the tub.
Inventors: |
Lee, Tae Hee; (Buchun-si,
KR) ; Hong, Moon Hee; (Seoul, KR) ; Seo, Hyun
Seok; (Inchun-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1950 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
35059025 |
Appl. No.: |
11/036059 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/158 ; 68/19.2;
68/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 25/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
008/158 ;
068/019.2; 068/020 |
International
Class: |
D06F 025/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 7, 2004 |
KR |
2004-23784 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A washing machine having a drying function comprising: a tub for
containing wash water; a drum rotatably placed in the tub for
containing laundry, and provided with through holes for circulating
the wash water or air therethrough; a drying device provided with a
circulation fan and a heater for drying the laundry in the drum;
and a pumping device for pumping the wash water in the tub so that
the wash water in the tub is circulated into the drum, or is heated
by the air passing through the drying device and circulated into
the drum.
2. The washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the drying
device includes: a drying duct containing the heater and the
circulation fan for discharging hot air to the inside of the tub; a
condensing duct for guiding the air in the tub to the drying duct;
a water supply nozzle for spraying cooling water to the inside of
the condensing duct so that moisture in the air passing through the
condensing duct is condensed; a cooling water hose for guiding the
cooling water to the water supply nozzle; and a cooling water valve
for intermitting the flow of the cooling water supplied to the
cooling water hose.
3. The washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pumping
device includes: a drainage bellows connected to the tub for
discharging the wash water in the tub; a circulation pump for
pumping the discharged wash water to the drainage bellows; and a
circulation channel for guiding the wash water pumped by the
circulation pump to the inside of the drying device or the inside
of the drum.
4. The washing machine as set forth in claim 3, wherein the
circulation channel includes: a common channel connected to the
circulation pump; a drying device connection channel communicating
with the common channel; and a drum spray channel communicating
with the common channel.
5. The washing machine as set forth in claim 4, wherein the pumping
device further includes a wash water circulation control valve for
opening and closing the drying device connection channel or the
drum spray channel.
6. The washing machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein the common
channel includes a common hose having one end connected to the
circulation pump and the other end connected to the wash water
circulation control valve.
7. The washing machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein the drying
device connection channel includes a drying device connection hose
having one end connected to the wash water circulation control
valve and the other end connected to the drying device.
8. The washing machine as set forth in claim 7, wherein the drying
device connection channel further includes a spray nozzle for
spraying the wash water, having passed through the drying device
connection hose, to the rear part of the heater so that the wash
water is heated by the air heated by the heater.
9. The washing machine as set forth in claim 8, wherein the spray
nozzle has a mesh structure for causing the wash water to collide
therewith and to be sprayed.
10. The washing machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein the drum
spray channel includes a drum spray hose having one end connected
to the wash water circulation control valve and the other end
located in front of the drum.
11. The washing machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein the drum
spray channel further includes a spray nozzle connected to the
other end of the drum spray hose and provided with an opening
facing toward the inside of the drum so that the wash water having
passed through the drum spray hose is sprayed to the inside of the
drum.
12. A washing machine having a drying function comprising: a tub
for containing wash water; a drum rotatably placed in the tub for
containing laundry, and provided with through holes for circulating
the wash water or air therethrough; a drying device provided with a
circulation fan and a heater for drying the laundry in the drum;
and a pumping device for pumping the wash water in the tub so that
the wash water in the tub is heated by the air passing through the
drying device, and is then circulated into the drum.
13. The washing machine as set forth in claim 12, wherein the
drying device includes: a drying duct containing the heater and the
circulation fan for discharging hot air to the inside of the tub; a
condensing duct for guiding the air in the tub to the drying duct;
a water supply nozzle for spraying cooling water to the inside of
the condensing duct so that moisture in the air passing through the
condensing duct is condensed; a cooling water hose for guiding the
cooling water to the water supply nozzle; and a cooling water valve
for intermitting the flow of the cooling water supplied to the
cooling water hose.
14. The washing machine as set forth in claim 12, wherein the
pumping device includes: a drainage bellows connected to the tub
for discharging the wash water in the tub; a circulation pump for
pumping the discharged wash water to the drainage bellows; and a
circulation channel for guiding the wash water pumped by the
circulation pump to the drying device.
15. The washing machine as set forth in claim 14, wherein the
circulation channel includes a drying device connection hose having
one end connected to the wash water circulation control valve and
the other end connected to the drying device.
16. The washing machine as set forth in claim 15, wherein the
circulation channel further includes a spray nozzle for spraying
the wash water, having passed through the drying device connection
hose, to the rear part of the heater so that the wash water is
heated by the air heated by the heater.
17. The washing machine as set forth in claim 16, wherein the spray
nozzle has a mesh structure for causing the wash water to collide
therewith and to be sprayed.
18. A method for controlling a washing machine having a drying
function comprising: turning on a circulation fan and a heater of a
drying device in a washing or rinsing mode; and turning on a
circulation pump so that wash water in a tub is heated by air
having passed through the heater and supplied to the inside of a
drum, or is supplied from the front part of the drum to the inside
of the drum.
19. The method as set forth in claim 18, wherein a wash water
circulation control valve installed on a circulation channel is
controlled in a synchronous mode so that a portion of the wash
water pumped by the circulation pump is heated by the air having
passed through the heater, and the remainder of the wash water is
supplied to the inside of the drum.
20. The method as set forth in claim 19. wherein a wash water
circulation control valve installed on a circulation channel is
controlled in an alternate mode so that the wash water pumped by
the circulation pump is alternately heated by the air having passed
through the heater or supplied to the inside of the drum.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a washing machine having a
drying function, which performs a drying operation as well as a
washing operation, and more particularly to a washing machine
having a drying function, in which wash water is heated by a drying
device without an additional heater for heating the wash water, and
a method for controlling the washing machine.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Generally, washing machines are apparatuses for eliminating
contaminants from laundry using actions of a detergent and wash
water, and are divided into an agitator type washing machine, a
pulsator type washing machine, and a drum type washing machine.
[0005] The agitator type washing machine washes laundry by rotating
a washing rod, protruded from the center of a tub, in the clockwise
or counterclockwise direction, the pulsator type washing machine
washes laundry using friction between a water current and the
laundry by rotating a circular pulsator, formed on the bottom of
the tub, in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and the
drum type washing machine washes laundry by putting wash water and
a detergent into a drum, provided with lifters protruded therefrom
and rotatably placed in the tub, and rotating the drum.
[0006] Recently, in order to increase washing capacity, washing
machines having a drying function, which comprise a heater for
heating wash water and a drying device for drying laundry, have
been increased in number.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional
washing machine having a drying function.
[0008] As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional washing machine
comprises a casing 2, a tub 4 installed in the casing 2 for
containing wash water (w), a drum 10 rotatably placed in the tub 4
for containing laundry (m), a motor 20 for rotating the drum 10, a
heater 22 installed at the lower part of the inside of the tub 4
for heating the wash water (w) in a washing or rinsing mode, and a
drying device 30 installed outside the tub 4 for circulating and
drying air in the tub 4 in a drying mode.
[0009] A water supply device 6 for supplying a detergent or the
wash water (w) to the inside of the tub 4 in the washing or rinsing
mode is connected to the upper part of the tub 4, and a drainage
device 8 for discharging the wash water (w) from the inside of the
tub 4 to the outside is connected to the lower part of the tub
4.
[0010] A heater-receiving portion 5 for receiving the heater 22 is
formed in the bottom of the tub 4, and a sealing member for
preventing water leakage between the heater 22 and the tub 4 is
installed on the tub 4.
[0011] The heater 22 for heating the wash water (w) includes a
heating portion 23 received in the heater-receiving portion 5 of
the tub 4 for generating heat when power is supplied thereto, and a
power-supply portion 25, to which an electric wire 24 is connected
so that the power is supplied to the heating portion 23.
[0012] The drying device 30 includes a drying duct 36 containing a
heater 32 and a circulation fan 34 for discharging hot air to the
inside of the tub 4, a condensing duct 38 for guiding the air in
the tub 4 to the drying duct 36, and a water supply nozzle 40
formed at one side of the condensing duct 38 for spraying cooling
water to the inside of the condensing duct 38 so that moisture in
the air passing through the condensing duct 38 is condensed.
[0013] Hereinafter, the operation of the above conventional washing
machine having a drying function will be described in detail.
[0014] First, the water supply device 6 in the washing or rinsing
mode supplies the wash water (w) to the inside of the tub 4, and
the motor 20 is operated to rotate the drum 10, thereby causing the
laundry (m) in the drum 10 to be washed.
[0015] In the washing or rinsing mode, power is supplied to the
heater 22 for heating the wash water (w), and the heater 22 heats
the wash water (w). The washing or rinsing capacity of the laundry
(m) is improved using the heated wash water (w).
[0016] When the above washing or rinsing mode is terminated, the
drainage device 8 discharges the wash water (w) from the tub 4 to
the outside of the washing machine.
[0017] Thereafter, the dehydrating mode is performed. Here, when
the motor 20 rotates the drum 10 at a high speed, the laundry (m)
is rotated together with the rotation of the drum 10, thereby being
centrifugally dehydrated.
[0018] The motor 20, when operated, rotates the drum 10 so that the
laundry (m) is dried, turns on the heater 32 and the circulation
fan 34, and supplies cooling water through the water supply nozzle
40.
[0019] When the circulation fan 34 is turned on, the air in the
drum 10 and the tub 4 passes through the condensing duct 38 and is
condensed by the cooling water so that the air has a low humidity,
passes through the drying duct 36 and is heated by the heater 32 so
that the air has a high temperature and a low humidity, and is
circulated into the drum 10 so as to dry the laundry (m) in the
drum.
[0020] The conventional washing machine having the drying function
separately comprises the heater 22 for heating the wash water (w)
in the washing or rinsing mode and the drying device 30 for drying
the laundry (m), thereby having high production costs.
[0021] Further, since the heater-receiving portion 5 is installed
in the bottom of the inside of the tub 4, and the heater 22 for
heating the wash water (w) is installed on the tub 4, the
conventional washing machine has complicated structures of the tub
4 and the heater 22, and an assembly process including various
steps.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of
the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to
provide a washing machine having a drying function, which comprises
one heater for drying laundry and heating wash water, thereby
having low production costs.
[0023] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
washing machine having a drying function, which has simple
structure and assembly process.
[0024] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a method for controlling a washing machine having a drying
function, which controls wash water such that the wash water is
circulated into a drying device or is sprayed to the inside of a
drum, thereby improving washing or rinsing capacity.
[0025] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the
above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a
washing machine having a drying function comprising: a tub for
containing wash water; a drum rotatably placed in the tub for
containing laundry, and provided with through holes for circulating
the wash water or air therethrough; a drying device provided with a
circulation fan and a heater for drying the laundry in the drum;
and a pumping device for pumping the wash water in the tub so that
the wash water in the tub is circulated into the drum, or is heated
by the air passing through the drying device and circulated into
the drum.
[0026] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a washing machine having a drying function
comprising: a tub for containing wash water; a drum rotatably
placed in the tub for containing laundry, and provided with through
holes for circulating the wash water or air therethrough; a drying
device provided with a circulation fan and a heater for drying the
laundry in the drum; and a pumping device for pumping the wash
water in the tub so that the wash water in the tub is heated by the
air passing through the drying device, and is then circulated into
the drum.
[0027] Preferably, the drying device may include a drying duct
containing the heater and the circulation fan for discharging hot
air to the inside of the tub; a condensing duct for guiding the air
in the tub to the drying duct; a water supply nozzle for spraying
cooling water to the inside of the condensing duct so that moisture
in the air passing through the condensing duct is condensed; a
cooling water hose for guiding the cooling water to the water
supply nozzle; and a cooling water valve for intermitting the flow
of the cooling water supplied to the cooling water hose.
[0028] Further, preferably, the pumping device may include a
drainage bellows connected to the tub for discharging the wash
water in the tub; a circulation pump for pumping the discharged
wash water to the drainage bellows; and a circulation channel for
guiding the wash water pumped by the circulation pump to the inside
of the drying device or the inside of the drum.
[0029] More preferably, the circulation channel may include a
common channel connected to the circulation pump; a drying device
connection channel communicating with the common channel; and a
drum spray channel communicating with the common channel.
[0030] Preferably, the pumping device may further include a wash
water circulation control valve for opening and closing the drying
device connection channel or the drum spray channel.
[0031] The common channel may include a common hose having one end
connected to the circulation pump and the other end connected to
the wash water circulation control valve.
[0032] The drying device connection channel may include a drying
device connection hose having one end connected to the wash water
circulation control valve and the other end connected to the drying
device; and a spray nozzle for spraying the wash water, having
passed through the drying device connection hose, to the rear part
of the heater so that the wash water is heated by the air heated by
the heater.
[0033] The drum spray channel may include a drum spray hose having
one end connected to the wash water circulation control valve and
the other end located in front of the drum; and a spray nozzle
connected to the other end of the drum spray hose and provided with
an opening facing toward the inside of the drum so that the wash
water having passed through the drum spray hose is sprayed to the
inside of the drum.
[0034] Preferably, the pumping device may include a drainage
bellows connected to the tub for discharging the wash water in the
tub; a circulation pump for pumping the discharged wash water to
the drainage bellows; and a circulation channel for guiding the
wash water pumped by the circulation pump to the drying device.
[0035] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a method for controlling a washing
machine having a drying function comprising: turning on a
circulation fan and a heater of a drying device in a washing or
rinsing mode; and turning on a circulation pump so that wash water
in a tub is heated by air having passed through the heater and
supplied to the inside of a drum, or is supplied from the front
part of the drum to the inside of the drum.
[0036] Preferably, a wash water circulation control valve installed
on a circulation channel may be controlled in a synchronous mode so
that a portion of the wash water pumped by the circulation pump is
heated by the air having passed through the heater, and the
remainder of the wash water is supplied to the inside of the
drum.
[0037] Further, preferably, the wash water circulation control
valve may be controlled in an alternate mode so that the wash water
pumped by the circulation pump is alternately heated by the air
having passed through the heater or supplied to the inside of the
drum.
[0038] The washing machine of the present invention heats the wash
water using the heater of the drying device so that washing of
laundry at a high temperature is performed without any additional
heater for heating the wash water, thereby having low production
costs and a simple structure of the tub.
[0039] The washing machine of the present invention uniformly
sprays the wash water to the inside of the drum without heating as
well as pumps the wash water to the inside of the drying device,
heats the wash water, and sprays the wash water to the inside of a
drum, thereby improving washing and rinsing capacities and
decreasing the quantity of the wash water in use.
[0040] The washing machine of the present invention comprises the
wash water circulation control valve for opening and closing the
drying device connection channel or the drum spray channel so that
high-temperature washing by means of heating using the heater or
washing by means of spraying of the wash water is selected, thereby
obtaining optimum washing and rinsing capacities in consideration
of kinds of the laundry.
[0041] The washing machine of the present invention further
comprises the spray nozzle for spraying the wash water to the rear
part of the heater, thereby performing steam washing.
[0042] The method for controlling the washing machine of the
present invention causes a portion of wash water to be heated by
air having passed through a heater and the remainder of the wash
water to be sprayed to the inside of a drum, or the wash water to
be alternately heated by the air having passed through the heater
and sprayed to the inside of the drum, thereby simultaneously
improving washing and rinsing capacities by means of a high
temperature and washing and rinsing capacities by means of the
spraying of the wash water.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0043] The above and other objects, features and other advantages
of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0044] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional
washing machine having a drying function;
[0045] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a washing machine
having a drying function in accordance with a first embodiment of
the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the washing
machine in a washing or rinsing mode in accordance with the first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the washing
machine in a drying mode in accordance with the first embodiment of
the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the washing machine in
accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0049] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling
the washing machine in accordance with the first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0050] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a washing machine
having a drying function in accordance with a second embodiment of
the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the washing
machine in accordance with the second embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0052] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the washing machine in
accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0053] Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings.
[0054] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a washing machine
having a drying function in accordance with a first embodiment of
the present invention, FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of
the washing machine in a washing or rinsing mode in accordance with
the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a
longitudinal sectional view of the washing machine in a drying mode
in accordance with the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0055] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the washing machine of this
embodiment comprises a casing 50 defining an external appearance, a
tub 60 installed in the casing 50 for containing wash water (w), a
drum 70 rotatably placed in the tub 60 for containing laundry (m),
a drying device 80 for drying the laundry (m) in the drum 70, and a
pumping device 90 for pumping the wash water (w) in the tub 60 so
that the wash water in the tub 60 is circulated into the drum 70 or
heated by the air passing through the drying device 80, and is then
circulated into the drum 70.
[0056] The casing 50 includes a base 52, a cabinet 54 disposed on
the base 52 and provided with an opened front surface, a cabinet
cover 56 disposed on the front surface of the cabinet 54 and
provided with an opening 56A formed therethrough for allowing the
laundry to be put into and taken out of the casing 50, and a top
cover 58 disposed on the upper surface of the cabinet 54.
[0057] A door 56B for opening and closing the opening 56A is
rotatably installed on the cabinet cover 56.
[0058] The tub 60 is mounted on dampers 61A connected to the base
52, and is supported by the base 52 so that shock applied to the
tub 60 can be absorbed, and the tub 60 is suspended from springs
61B connected to the cabinet 54, and is supported by the cabinet 54
such that shock applied to the tub 60 can be absorbed.
[0059] The tub 60 is a cylindrical bucket, which is laid
horizontally. An opening 62 is formed through the center of the
front surface of the tub 60, a water supply device 64 for supplying
the wash water (w) or a detergent is connected to one side of the
upper part of the tub 60, and the pumping device 90 is connected to
one side of the lower part of the tub 60.
[0060] The water supply device 64 includes a water supply valve 64B
connected to an external hose 64A for intermitting the wash water
(w) supplied through the external hose 64A, a water supply hose 64C
for guiding the wash water (w) having passed through the water
supply valve 64B, a detergent container 64D for containing the
detergent so that the detergent is mixed with the wash water (w)
guided by the water supply hose 64C, and a water supply bellows
tube 64E for guiding the wash water (w) or the detergent discharged
from the detergent container 64D to the inside of the tub 60.
[0061] A gasket 66, which closely contacts the door 56B when the
door 56B is closed for preventing the wash water (w) or the laundry
(m) from being separated from the drum 70, is installed on the tub
60.
[0062] Further, a motor 68 for rotating the drum 70 is installed on
the tub 60.
[0063] The motor 68 is installed on the rear surface of the tub 60,
and a rotary shaft of the motor 68 for directly rotating the drum
70 passes through the tub 60 and is connected to the rear surface
of the drum 70.
[0064] The drum 70 is a cylindrical bucket, which is laid
horizontally. An opening 72 for allowing the laundry (m) to be put
into and taken out of the drum 70 therethrough is formed through
the center of the front surface of the drum 70, through holes 74
for circulating the wash water (w) or air therethrough are formed
through the circumferential or rear surface of the drum 70, and
lifters 76 for lifting the laundry (m) and dropping the laundry (m)
are protruded from the inner wall of the drum 70.
[0065] The drying device 80 inhales air present in the tub 60 and
the drum 70, heats the inhaled air, and circulates the heated air
into the drum 70, thereby drying the laundry (m) in the drum 70.
The drying device 80 includes a drying duct 83 containing a heater
81 and a circulation fan 82 for discharging hot air to the inside
of the tub 60.
[0066] The drying device 80 further includes a condensing duct 84
for guiding the air in the tub 60 to the drying duct 83, a water
supply nozzle 85 formed at one side of the condensing duct 84 for
spraying cooling water to the inside of the condensing duct 84 so
that moisture in the air passing through the condensing duct 38 is
condensed, a cooling water hose 86 for guiding the cooling water to
the water supply nozzle 85, and a cooling water valve 87 for
intermitting the cooling water supplied to the cooling water hose
86.
[0067] The pumping device 90 circulates the wash water (w) in the
tub 60 so that the wash water (w) in the tub 60 is supplied to the
inside of the drum 70 or heated by the air passing through the
drying device 80, and is then supplied to the inside of the drum
70. The pumping device 90 includes a drainage bellows 91 connected
to a drainage of the tub 60 to discharge the wash water (w) in the
tub 60.
[0068] The pumping device 90 further includes a filter case 93
having a filter 92 for eliminating foreign substances, such as
lint, from the wash water discharged through the drainage bellows
91.
[0069] The pumping device 90 further includes a circulation pump 94
for pumping the wash water (w) to circulate the wash water (w), and
a circulation channel for guiding the wash water (w) pumped by the
circulation pump 94.
[0070] The circulation pump 94 is installed at one side of the
filter case 93 so that the wash water in the filter case 93 is
pumped by the circulation pump 94.
[0071] The circulation pump 94 includes an impeller for pumping the
wash water (w), and a motor unit for rotating the impeller.
[0072] The circulation channel includes a common channel connected
to the circulation pump 94, a drying device connection channel
connected to the common channel, and a drum spray channel connected
to the common channel. The circulation channel further includes a
wash water circulation control valve 95 for opening and closing the
drying device connection channel or the drum spray channel.
[0073] The common channel includes a common hose 96 having one end
connected to the circulation pump 94 and the other end connected to
the wash water circulation control valve 95.
[0074] The drying device connection channel includes a drying
device connection hose 97 having one end connected to the wash
water circulation control valve 95 and the other end connected to
the drying duct 83, and a spray nozzle 98 for spraying the wash
water (w), having passed through the drying device connection hose
97, to the rear part of the heater 81.
[0075] The spray nozzle 98 has a mesh structure for causing the
pumped wash water (w) to collide therewith and to be sprayed.
[0076] The drum spray channel includes a drum spray hose 99 having
one end connected to the wash water circulation control valve 95
and the other end located around the gasket 66 in front of the drum
70, and a spray nozzle 100 connected to the other end of the drum
spray hose 99 so that the wash water (w) having passed through the
drum spray hose 99 is sprayed to the inside of the drum 80 and
installed in the gasket 66 such that the spray nozzle 100 passes
through the gasket 66.
[0077] The spray nozzle 100 passes through the gasket 66, and is
provided with an opening 101 facing toward the drum 70.
[0078] The wash water circulation control valve 95 includes an
inlet, to which the common hose 96 is connected, a first outlet, to
which the drying device connection hose 97 is connected, a valve
casing having a second outlet, to which the drum spray hose 99 is
connected, a valve unit installed in the valve casing for opening
and closing the first or second outlet, and a solenoid for
operating the valve unit such that the valve unit opens any one or
all of the first and second outlets.
[0079] Herein, reference numeral 102 represents a drainage pump
installed on the other side of the filter case 93, and reference
numeral 104 represents a drainage hose for guiding the wash water
(w), pumped by the drainage pump 104, to the outside of the washing
machine.
[0080] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the washing machine in
accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0081] The washing machine in accordance with this embodiment
further comprises an operating unit 110 for inputting operating
conditions, such as the washing, rinsing, dehydrating, or drying
mode or time, and a control unit 120 for controlling the operations
of the motor 68, the water supply valve 64B, the heater 81, the
circulation fan 82, the cooling water valve 87, the circulation
pump 94, and the wash water circulation control vale 95 based on
the input of the operation conditions using the operating unit
110.
[0082] Hereinafter, the operation of the above-described washing
machine will be described in detail.
[0083] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling
the washing machine in accordance with the first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0084] First, after laundry (m) is put into the drum 70, the door
56B is closed, and the washing machine is operated. Then, the
washing machine having a drying function is operated in the
washing, rinsing, dehydrating, or drying mode based on the
operating instructions inputted through the operating unit 110.
[0085] When the washing mode is selected, the control unit 120
turns on the water supply valve 64B until the wash water (w) in the
tub 60 reaches a designated water level, and turns off the water
supply valve 64B when the wash water (w) in the tub 60 reach the
designated water level (S1 and S2).
[0086] The wash water (w), supplied by the turning-on of the water
supply valve 64B, sequentially passes through the water supply hose
64C, the detergent container 64D, and the water supply bellows 64E,
and flows to the inside of the tub 60. A portion of the wash water
(w) in the tub 60 is contained in the drainage bellows 91, and a
great portion of the wash water (w) is contained in the bottom of
the inside of the tub 60.
[0087] Here, the portion of the wash water (w), which is contained
in the bottom of the inside of the tub 60, passes through the
opening 72 or the through holes 74 of the drum 70, and flows to the
inside of the drum 70, thereby soaking the laundry (m).
[0088] After the supply of the wash water (w) is terminated (the
water supply valve is turned off) or when the supply of the wash
water (w) is progressed, the control unit 120 turns on the motor 68
for a designated time (S3).
[0089] When the motor 68 is turned on, the drum 70 is rotated, and
the laundry (m) is lifted and dropped by the lifters 76, thereby
being washed.
[0090] After the supply of the wash water (w) is terminated (the
water supply valve is turned off) or when the supply of the wash
water (w) is progressed, the control unit 120 turns on the heater
81 and the circulation fan 82 for a designated time (S4).
[0091] When the heater 81 and the circulation fan 82 are turned on,
the air in the drum 70 or the tub 60 is guided by the circulation
fan 82, sequentially passes through the condensing duct 84 and the
drying duct 83, is heated by the heater 131, and is then circulated
to the inside of the drum 70 through the front part of the drum
70.
[0092] The control unit 120 turns on the circulation pump 94 for a
designated time together with the turning-on of the heater 81 and
the circulation fan 82, controls the wash water circulation control
valve 95 such that the wash water circulation control valve 95 is
operated in one mode of synchronous and alternate modes (S5).
[0093] Here, in the synchronous mode, the drying device connection
channel and the drum spray channel are simultaneously opened so
that a portion of the pumped wash water is heated by the air having
passed through the heater 81 and the remainder of the pumped wash
water is sprayed to the inside of the drum 70. On the other hand,
in the alternate mode, the drying device connection channel and the
drum spray channel are selectively opened at a designated time
interval so that the pumped wash water is alternately heated by the
air having passed through the heater 81 and sprayed to the inside
of the drum 70.
[0094] In case that the circulation pump 94 is turned on and the
wash water circulation control valve 95 is operated in the
synchronous mode, the wash water (w) in the drainage bellows 91 is
pumped to the common hose 96 by the circulation pump 94, and the
pumped wash water (w) passes through the wash water circulation
control valve 95 and is divided into the drying device connection
hose 97 and the drum spray hose 99.
[0095] A portion of the wash water (w) directed to the drying
device connection hose 97 is sprayed to the rear part of the heater
81 through the spray nozzle 98, and the sprayed wash water (w)
contacts the air of a high temperature having passed through the
heater 81, is heated to steam, is guided together with the air to
the front part of the drum 70, and soaks the laundry (m) in the
drum 70, thereby washing the laundry (m) in a high-temperature
state.
[0096] The remainder of the wash water (w) directed to the drum
spray hose 99 passes through the spray nozzle 100, is sprayed to
the inside of the drum 70, and collides with the laundry (m) in the
drum 70, thereby increasing the washing capacity of the laundry (m)
and rapidly soaking the laundry (m).
[0097] In case that the circulation pump 94 is turned on and the
wash water circulation control valve 95 is operated in the
alternate mode, the wash water (w) in the drainage bellows 91 is
pumped to the common hose 96 by the circulation pump 94, and the
pumped wash water (w) is alternately pumped to the drying device
connection hose 97 and the drum spray hose 99.
[0098] When the wash water (w) is pumped to the drying device
connection hose 97, the pumped wash water (w) is sprayed and
heated, and soaks the laundry (m) in the drum 70, thereby washing
the laundry (m) in a high-temperature state. When the wash water
(w) is pumped to the drum spray hose 99, the pumped wash water (w)
is sprayed to the inside of the drum 70, thereby increasing the
washing capacity of the laundry (m) and rapidly soaking the laundry
(m).
[0099] After a designated time from the turning-on of the heater 81
and the circulation fan 82 and the turning-on of the circulation
pump 94 elapses, the control unit 120 turns off the heater 81 and
the circulation fan 82, and turns off the circulation pump 94
(S6).
[0100] After a designated time from the turning-on of the motor 68
elapses, the control unit 120 turns off the motor 68 (S7).
[0101] After the washing machine having the drying function is
operated in the above-described washing mode, the contaminated wash
water (w) remains in the bottom of the inside of the tub 70 and in
the drainage bellows 91 and the filter case 93. The contaminated
wash water (w) is discharged to the outside of the washing machine
(S8).
[0102] The control unit 120 operates the drainage pump 102 for a
designated time, and the contaminated wash water (w) in the bottom
of the inside of the tub 70 and in the drainage bellows 91 and the
filter case 93 is discharged to the outside of the washing machine
through the drainage hose 104.
[0103] Thereafter, when the rinsing mode is selected, in the same
manner as the washing mode, the control unit 120 supplies the wash
water (w), circulates the wash water (w), rotates the drum 70, and
controls the water supply valve 64B, the motor 68, the heater 91,
the circulation fan 92, the circulation pump 94, the wash water
circulation control valve 95, and the drainage valve 102 so that
the wash water (w) contaminated by rinsing the laundry (m) is
discharged to the outside of the washing machine (S9 to S16).
[0104] Here, new wash water (w), which is supplied to the inside of
the tub 60, in the same manner as the washing mode, is sprayed and
heated to rinse the laundry (m) in the drum 70 in a
high-temperature state, or is sprayed to the inside of the drum 70
to increase the washing capacity of the laundry (m) and rapidly
soak the laundry (m).
[0105] When the dehydrating mode is selected, the control unit 120
rotates the motor 68 at a high speed for a designated time and then
turns off the motor 68, the motor 68 rotates the drum 70 at a high
speed, and moisture remaining in the laundry (m) is eliminated by
centrifugal dehydration (S17, S18, and S19).
[0106] Further, the control unit 120 operates the drainage pump
102, and the drainage pump 102 discharges the wash water obtained
by dehydrating the laundry (m) to the outside of the washing
machine (S20).
[0107] When the drying mode is selected, the control unit 120 turns
on the motor 68 for a designated time (S21 and S22).
[0108] When the motor 68 is turned on, the drum 70 is rotated, and
the laundry (m) in the drum 70 is lifted and dropped by the lifters
76 of the drum 70.
[0109] During the turning-on of the motor 68, the control unit 120
turns on the heater 81 and the circulation fan 82 for a designated
time, and turns on the cooling water valve 87 (S23).
[0110] When the cooling water valve 87 is turned on, the cooling
water having passed through the cooling water hose 86 flows down to
the inside of the condensing duct 84 through the cooling water
nozzle 85.
[0111] When the heater 81 and the circulation fan 82 are turned on,
the air in the drum 70 and the tub 60 passes through the condensing
duct 84 and is condensed by the cooling water so that the air has a
low humidity, and passes through the drying duct 83 and is heated
by the heater 81 so that the air has a high temperature and a low
humidity. Then, the air is circulated into the drum 70, thereby
drying the laundry (m) in the drum 70.
[0112] After a designated time from the turning-on of the heater 81
and the circulation fan 82 elapses, the control unit 120 turns off
the heater 81, the circulation fan 82, and the cooling water valve
87 (S24).
[0113] Further, after a designated time from the turning-on of the
motor 68 elapses, the control unit 120 turns off the motor 68
(S25).
[0114] The control unit 120 operates the drainage pump 102, and the
drainage pump 102 discharges the condensed water obtained by
passing through the condensing duct 84 and the wash water flowing
down along the cooling water nozzle 85 to the outside of the
washing machine (S26).
[0115] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a washing machine
having a drying function in accordance with a second embodiment of
the present invention, FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of
the washing machine in accordance with the second embodiment of the
present invention, and FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the washing
machine in accordance with the second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0116] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the washing machine of this
embodiment comprises a pumping device 130 for circulating the wash
water (w) in the tub 60 so that the wash water (w) in the tub 60 is
heated by air passing through the drying device 80 and is then
circulated into the drum 70. Since the configurations-and functions
of the casing 50, the tub 60, the drum 70 and the drying device 80
of the washing machine of this embodiment except for the pumping
device 130 are the same as those of the washing machine of the
first embodiment, these parts of the washing machine of this
embodiment has the same reference numerals as those of the washing
machine of the first embodiment, and the detailed descriptions
thereof will thus be omitted.
[0117] The pumping device 130 includes a drainage bellows 131
connected to a drainage of the tub 60 for discharging the wash
water (w) in the tub 60.
[0118] The pumping device 130 further includes a filter case 133
having a filter 132 for eliminating foreign substances, such as
lint, from the wash water (w) discharged through the drainage
bellows 131.
[0119] The pumping device 130 further includes a circulation pump
134 for pumping the wash water (w) to circulate the wash water (w),
and a circulation channel for guiding the wash water (w) pumped by
the circulation pump 134 to the drying device 80.
[0120] The circulation pump 134 is installed at one side of the
filter case 133 so that the wash water (w) in the filter case 133
is pumped by the circulation pump 134.
[0121] The circulation pump 134 includes an impeller for pumping
the wash water (w), and a motor unit for rotating the impeller.
[0122] The circulation channel includes a drying device connection
hose 137 having one end connected to the circulation pump 134 and
the other end connected to the drying duct 83 of the drying device
80, and a spray nozzle 138 for spraying the wash water (w), having
passed through the drying device connection hose 137, to the rear
part of the heater 81 of the drying device 80.
[0123] The spray nozzle 138 has a mesh structure for causing the
pumped wash water (w) to collide therewith and to be sprayed.
[0124] Hereinafter, the operation of the above-described washing
machine will be described in detail.
[0125] First, in the washing or rinsing mode, the control unit 120
turns on the motor 68, turns on the heater 81 and the circulation
fan 82 of the drying device 80, and turns on the circulation pump
134 so that the wash water (w) in the tub 60 is heated by the air
having passed through the heater 81.
[0126] When the motor 68 is turned on, the drum 70 is rotated, and
the laundry (m) in the drum 70 is lifted and dropped by the lifters
76, thereby being washed.
[0127] When the heater 81 and the circulation fan 82 are turned on,
the air in the drum 70 or the tub 60 is guided by the circulation
fan 82, sequentially passes through the condensing duct 84 and the
drying duct 83, is heated by the heater 131, and is then circulated
to the inside of the drum 70 through the front part of the drum
70.
[0128] When the circulation pump 134 is turned on, the wash water
(w) having passed through the drainage bellows 131 is pumped to the
drying device connection hose 137 by the circulation pump 134, the
pumped wash water (w) is sprayed to the inside of the drying duct
84 by the spray nozzle 138, and the sprayed wash water (w) contacts
the air in the drying duct 84 heated by the heater 131 so that the
sprayed wash water (w) is heated to a high temperature and changed
to steam, and is then sprayed to the inside of the drum 70 through
the front part of the drum 70.
[0129] The wash water (w) of a high temperature sprayed to the
inside of the drum 70 directly soaks the laundry (m), thereby
washing or rinsing the laundry (m) in a high-temperature state.
[0130] After the washing machine having the drying function of this
embodiment is operated in the washing or rinsing mode, the washing
machine is operated in the dehydrating and drying modes. The
dehydrating and drying modes of the washing machine of this
embodiment are the same as those of the washing machine of the
first embodiment, and the detailed descriptions thereof will thus
be omitted.
[0131] As apparent from the above description, the present
invention provides a washing machine having a drying function,
which heats wash water using a heater of a drying device so that
washing of laundry in a high-temperature state is performed without
any additional heater for heating the wash water, thereby having
low production costs and a simple structure of a tub.
[0132] The washing machine of the present invention uniformly
sprays the wash water to the inside of the drum without heating as
well as pumps the wash water to the inside of the drying device,
heats the wash water, and sprays the wash water to the inside of a
drum, thereby improving washing and rinsing capacities and
decreasing the quantity of the wash water in use.
[0133] The washing machine of the present invention comprises a
wash water circulation control valve for opening and closing a
drying device connection channel or a drum spray channel so that
high-temperature washing by means of heating using the heater or
washing by means of spraying of the wash water is selected, thereby
obtaining optimum washing and rinsing capacities in consideration
of kinds of the laundry.
[0134] The washing machine of the present invention further
comprises a spray nozzle for spraying the wash water to the rear
part of the heater, thereby performing steam washing.
[0135] The present invention further provides a method for
controlling a washing machine having a drying function, in which a
portion of wash water is heated by air having passed through a
heater and the remainder of the wash water is sprayed to the inside
of a drum, or the wash water is alternately heated by the air
having passed through the heater and sprayed to the inside of the
drum, thereby simultaneously improving washing and rinsing
capacities by means of a high temperature and washing and rinsing
capacities by means of the spraying of the wash water.
[0136] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *