U.S. patent application number 11/378376 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-04 for washing machine having water softener.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Shimotera Kennichi, Ja Young Kim, Dae Wook Park.
Application Number | 20070000292 11/378376 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37087724 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070000292 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Dae Wook ; et
al. |
January 4, 2007 |
Washing machine having water softener
Abstract
A washing machine having a water softener, which converts hard
water to soft water using hot water instead of salt water, thereby
having low production costs and high efficiency and providing
convenience to users. The washing machine includes the water
softener for softening water supplied to the washing machine using
a hard water component absorbent material, and a heater for heating
the water supplied to the washing machine through the water
softener, wherein the heated water is re-supplied to the water
softener so as to regenerate the hard water component absorbent
material of the water softener.
Inventors: |
Park; Dae Wook; (Suwon-Si,
KR) ; Kennichi; Shimotera; (Seoul, KR) ; Kim;
Ja Young; (Suwon-Si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
SUITE 700
1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
37087724 |
Appl. No.: |
11/378376 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/13A ; 134/108;
134/93; 68/15; 68/17R; 68/207 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/007
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
068/013.00A ;
068/017.00R; 068/015; 068/207; 134/093; 134/108 |
International
Class: |
D06F 39/02 20060101
D06F039/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 29, 2005 |
KR |
10-2005-0057275 |
Claims
1. A washing machine comprising: a water softener to soften water
supplied to the washing machine using a hard water component
absorbent material; and a heater to heat the water supplied to the
washing machine through the water softener, wherein the heated
water is re-supplied to the water softener so as to regenerate the
hard water component absorbent material in the water softener.
2. The washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein a washing
or a rinsing operation is performed by receiving only cold water
supplied from an outside.
3. The washing machine of claim 2, further comprising a cold water
supply pipe wherein the water softener is installed at a portion of
the cold water supply pipe to supply the cold water to the washing
machine.
4. The washing machine of claim 3, further comprising a prefilter
is installed in the cold water supply pipe to filter out foreign
substances contained in the cold water.
5. The washing machine of claim 4, further comprising a first and a
second flow control valve, the first and the second flow control
valves are installed at respective ends of the water softener,
wherein the first flow control valve selectively opens and closes
such that one of a supply of the cold water to the water softener
or a discharge of hot water from the water softener to an outside
is conducted, and the second flow control valves selectively opens
and closes such that one of the supply of softened cold water from
the water softener to the washing machine or the supply of the hot
water from washing machine to the water softener is conducted.
6. The washing machine of claim 5, wherein when the first flow
control valve is in a state in which the cold water is supplied to
the water softener, the second control valve is in a state in which
the cold water is supplied from the water softener to the washing
machine, and when the second flow control valve is in a state in
which the hot water discharged from the washing machine is supplied
to the water softener, the first flow control valve is in a state
in which the hot water supplied to the water softener is discharged
to the outside.
7. The washing machine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising
a tub to store the supplied water, wherein the heater heats the
water stored in the tub so that the heated water is used to
regenerate the hard water component absorbent material.
8. The washing machine as set forth in claim 7, further comprising
a first sensor unit to detect an amount of the water stored in the
tub, wherein it is determined whether the amount of the water
necessary to regenerate the hard water component absorbent material
is stored in the tub using the detected results of the first sensor
unit.
9. The washing machine as set forth in claim 7, further comprising:
a drain pipe to discharge the water in the tub to the outside; and
a flow control valve to supply the water discharged through the
drain pipe to one of the water softener or the outside of the
washing machine, wherein the heated water discharged from the tub
is supplied to the water softener by controlling the flow control
valve when the hard water component absorbent material is
regenerated.
10. The washing machine as set forth in claim 9, further comprising
a bypass pipe installed between the drain pipe and the tub to
re-supply the water discharged through the drain pipe to the tub,
wherein the re-supply of the water through the bypass pipe is
controlled by the flow control valve, and a part of the water
discharged from the tub is bypassed to the inside of the tub so
that the amount of the water supplied to the water softener is
adjusted.
11. The washing machine of claim 1, further comprising a second
sensor unit to detect a quality of the water supplied to the water
softener, such as an amount, a temperature, a hardness, an electric
conductivity, an a pH value of the water, wherein the second sensor
unit is located inside of the water softener.
12. A washing machine comprising a water softener to soften water
supplied to the washing machine using a hard water component
absorbent material, wherein hot water supplied from an outside of
the washing machine to the washing machine is supplied to the water
softener when the hard water component absorbent material of the
water softener is regenerated.
13. The washing machine as set forth in claim 12, further
comprising a sensor to detect the amount of the water supplied to
the water softener, wherein it is determined whether an amount of
the water necessary to regenerate the hard water component
absorbent material is supplied to the water softener using the
detected results of the sensor.
14. The washing machine of claim 12, further comprising: a hot
water supply pipe to supply the hot water to the washing machine;
and a prefilter to filter out foreign substances contained in the
hot water, is installed in the hot water supply pipe.
15. The washing machine of claim 14, further comprising a
regenerated water supply pipe installed between the hot water
supply pipe and the water softener to thereby allow a part or all
of the hot water supplied through the hot water supply pipe to be
supplied to the water softener.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No.10-2005-0057275, filed Jun. 29, 2005, in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a washing machine. More
particularly, to a washing machine having a water softener to
convert hard water into soft water.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, a conventional water softener is used to soften
hard water. Since the softening capacity of a hard water component
absorbent material in the water softener is not permanent, the hard
water component absorbent material must be regenerated after the
hard water component absorbent is used for a designated time. The
conventional water softener includes a salt water supply device (or
a salt supply device) as a regenerating device. That is, in order
to regenerate the hard water component absorbent material, the salt
water supply device generates salt water and supplies the salt
water to the inside of the water softener, thereby allowing the
hard water component absorbent material in the water softener to be
regenerated. As a method for regenerating most ion exchange resins,
salt water is used. In this method, a Na+component of salt is
absorbed into an ion exchange resin, and, when hard water passes
through the ion exchange resin, Ca.sup.2+and Ma.sup.2+components of
the hard water are exchanged with the Na+component.
[0006] After the softening capacity of the ion exchange resin
serving as the hard water component absorbent of the water softener
is used up, salt water (NaCI) is injected into the hard water
component absorbent material in the direction of the flow of the
softened water or its reverse direction so that the
Na.sup.+component of the salt water is absorbed again into the ion
exchange resin, thereby regenerating the ion exchange resin. During
the above regenerating process, Na.sup.+ions, Cl.sup.-ions,
Ca.sup.2 +ions, and Ma.sup.2 +ions are discharged. The above
conventional salt water injection methods include a manual salt
water injection method, a semiautomatic salt water injection
method, and an automatic salt water injection method. All of these
methods have problems, such as waste of resources, water
contamination, and complication in regenerating the ion exchange
resin.
[0007] In terms of the water contamination, water containing
Na.sup.+ions discharged from the water softener is harmful to the
growth of plants, and to patients on a restricted diet.
[0008] In terms of the waste of resources, the salt water injection
methods incur costs of salt for producing salt water, costs of
materials of a device for storing the salt water, and costs for
treating the regenerated water obtained after regenerating of the
ion exchange resin.
[0009] Since the water softener using the manual salt water
injection method must be periodically managed every several weeks
or three months, the manual salt water injection method causes
inconvenience. Further, the use of the semiautomatic or automatic
salt water injection method deteriorates the capability of the
water softener due to a malfunction of its control device, and
increases the production costs of the water softener due to its
sensing costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to
provide a washing machine having a water softener, which converts
hard water to soft water using hot water instead of salt water,
thereby having low production costs and high efficiency, and
providing convenience to users.
[0011] Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will
be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part,
will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by
practice of the invention.
[0012] The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention
are achieved by providing a washing machine including a water
softener to soften water supplied to the washing machine using a
hard water component absorbent material, and a heater to heat the
water supplied to the washing machine through the water softener,
wherein the heated water is re-supplied to the water softener so as
to regenerate the hard water component absorbent material in the
water softener.
[0013] A washing or rinsing operation may be performed by receiving
only cold water supplied from the outside.
[0014] The washing machine further includes a tub to store the
supplied water, wherein the heater heats the water stored in the
tub so that the heated water is used to regenerate the hard water
component absorbent material.
[0015] The washing machine further includes a sensor to detect an
amount of the water stored in the tub, wherein it is determined
whether the amount of the water necessary to regenerate the hard
water component absorbent material is stored in the tub using the
detected results of the sensor.
[0016] The washing machine further includes a drain pipe to
discharge the water in the tub to the outside, and a flow control
valve to supply the water discharged through the drain pipe to one
of the water softener or the outside of the washing machine,
wherein the heated water discharged from the tub is supplied to the
water softener by controlling the flow control valve when the hard
water component absorbent material is regenerated.
[0017] The washing machine further includes a bypass pipe installed
between the drain pipe and the tub to re-supply the water
discharged through the drain pipe to the tub, wherein the re-supply
of the water through the bypass pipe is controlled by the flow
control valve, and a part of the water discharged from the tub is
bypassed to the inside of the tub so that the amount of the water
supplied to the water softener is adjusted.
[0018] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a
washing machine including a water softener to soften water supplied
to the washing machine using a hard water component absorbent
material, wherein hot water supplied from the outside of the
washing machine to the washing machine is supplied to the water
softener when the hard water component absorbent material of the
water softener is regenerated.
[0019] The washing machine further includes a sensor to detect an
amount of the water supplied to the water softener, wherein it is
determined whether the amount of the water necessary to regenerate
the hard water component absorbent material is supplied to the
water softener using the detected results of the sensor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention
will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the
following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a washing machine
having a water softener, which receives only cold water supplied
from the outside and uses hot water obtained by heating the cold
water, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a washing machine
having a water softener, which receives and uses both cold water
and hot water supplied from the outside, in accordance with a
second embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the present invention, an example of which is illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to
like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to
explain the present invention by referring to the figures.
[0024] Hereinafter, the principles of the softening of hard water
and the regenerating of a hard water component absorbent material
will be described in detail.
[0025] First, the principle of the softening of hard water using
water at a low temperature (cold water) will be described using the
below Equations. 2(R-H+R'-OH)+Ca(HCO.sub.3).sub.2
.fwdarw.(R2-Ca+2R'-HCO.sub.3)+2H.sub.2O Calcium:
2(R-H+R'-OH)+Mg(HCO.sub.3).sub.2
.fwdarw.(R2-Mg+2R'-HCO.sub.3)+2H.sub.2O Magnesium:
[0026] In the above Equations, R, R2, R', and 2R' are porous
materials, made of organic substances, resins, or natural
substances, for absorbing hard components, H.sup.+is an hydrogen
ion, OH.sup.-is an hydroxide ion, Ca is calcium, Ma is magnesium,
and HCO.sub.3 is carbonic acid.
[0027] That is, at a low temperature, Ca(HCO.sub.3).sub.2 or
Mg(HCO.sub.3).sub.2, which is a hard water component to be
eliminated, is absorbed into a hard water component absorbent
material, i.e., 2(R-H+R'-OH), thereby being eliminated. Then, two
water molecules are produced.
[0028] Hereinafter, the principle of the regenerating of the hard
water component absorbent material using water at a high
temperature (hot water) will be described using the below
Equations.
(R2-Ca+2R'-HCO.sub.3)+2H.sub.2O.fwdarw.2(R-H+R'-OH)+Ca(HCO.sub.3).sub.2
Calcium: (R2-Mg+2R'-HCO.sub.3)+2H.sub.2O
2(R-H+R'-OH)+Mg(HCO.sub.3).sub.2 Magnesium:
[0029] That is, in the regenerating process, two water molecules
(2H.sub.20) at the high temperature are divided into H+and OH-.
Then, H+ and OH- are absorbed again into the hard water component
absorbent material, and Ca(HCO.sub.3).sub.2 or Mg(HCO.sub.3).sub.2,
which was absorbed into the hard water component absorbent
material, are detached from the hard water component absorbent
material. Thereby, the hard water component absorbent material is
returned to a state for softening hard water.
[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic
view illustrating a washing machine having a water softener, which
receives only cold water supplied from the outside and uses hot
water obtained by heating the cold water, in accordance with a
first embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 102 in accordance
with the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a
detergent solving device 104 to dissolve a detergent in water, a
tub 106 to contain washing water (or rinsing water) supplied
through the detergent solving device 104, and a drum 108 rotatably
installed in the tub 106. When the drum 108 is rotated under the
condition that the tub 106 is fixed, laundry in the drum 108 is
lifted and dropped, thereby being washed.
[0032] A heater 110 to heat the washing water (or the rinsing
water) and a sensor unit 112 to detect a quality of the washing
water (or the rinsing water), such as the amount, the temperature,
the hardness, the electric conductivity, the pH value, etc., are
installed between the tub 106 and the drum 108 (particularly, in
the lower portion of the inside of the tub 106). The heater 110 may
be installed at any position for heating the water supplied to the
washing machine 102. The heater 110 to heat the washing water (or
the rinsing water) is used to regenerate a water softener 124,
which will be described later.
[0033] A drain pump 116 to discharge remaining water to the outside
of the washing machine 102 after the washing operation (or the
rinsing operation) is completed is installed in a drain pipe 114. A
flow control valve 118 to control a flow of the water to be
discharged is installed in the drain pipe 114 at a middle position
(i.e., a position pass the drain pump 116 from the tub 106). The
flow control valve 118 is selectively opened and closed so that the
water discharged from the tub 106 is supplied again to the
detergent solving device 104 through a bypass pipe 120 or is
supplied to the water softener 124 through a regenerated water
supply pipe 122. The bypass pipe 120 bypasses a part of the water
supplied through the regenerated water supply pipe 122, and thus
controls the amount of the water supplied to the water softener
124. That is, the flow control valve 118 is controlled so that,
when the amount of the water supplied to the water softener 124
through the regenerated water supply pipe 122 is excessively larger
than a necessary amount of the water for regenerating the water
softener 124, a part of the water discharged from the washing
machine 102 is supplied again to the inside of the tub 106 through
the detergent solving device 104.
[0034] The water softener 124, which softens the water supplied to
the washing machine 102, is installed in a cold water supply pipe
126 to supply cold water to the washing machine 102. A bypass pipe
(not shown) to supply the cold water directly to the detergent
solving device 104 without passing through the water softener 124
may be additionally installed. A prefilter 134 for filtering out
foreign substances contained in the cold water is installed in the
cold water supply pipe 126, thereby assisting the hard
water-softening function of the water softener 124. The water
supplied through the cold water supply pipe 126 is softened by the
water softener 124 before the water reaches the detergent solving
device 104 of the washing machine 102. The above-described
regenerated water supply pipe 122 as well as the cold water supply
pipe 126 is connected to the water softener 124. The regenerated
water supply pipe 122 causes hot water, obtained by heating and
discharged from the washing water 102, to be supplied to the water
softener 124, thereby allowing a hard water component absorbent
material of the water softener 124 to be regenerated using the hot
water. The hot water used to regenerate the hard water component
absorbent material of the water softener 124 is discharged to the
outside of the water softener 124 through a regenerated water
discharge pipe 122a.
[0035] A sensor unit 128 to detect the quality of the water
supplied to the water softener 124, such as the amount, the
temperature, the hardness, the electric conductivity, the pH value,
etc., is installed in the water softener 124. Two flow control
valves 130 and 132 are respectively installed at both ends of the
water softener 124. The flow control valve 130 is selectively
opened and closed so that one of the supply of the cold water to
the water softener 124 and the discharge of the hot water from the
water softener 124 is carried out, and the flow control valve 132
is selectively opened and closed so that one of the supply of the
softened cold water from the water softener 124 to the washing
machine 102 and the supply of the hot water from the washing
machine 102 to the water softener 124 is carried out. When the flow
control valve 130 is in a state in which the cold water is supplied
to the water softener 124, the flow control valve 132 is in a state
in which the cold water is supplied from the water softener 124 to
the washing machine 102 to be supplied to the detergent solving
device 104. Alternatively, when the flow control valve 132 is in a
state in which the hot water discharged from the washing machine
102 is supplied to the water softener 124, the flow control valve
130 is in a state in which the hot water supplied to the water
softener 124 is discharged to the outside through the regenerated
water discharge pipe 122a.
[0036] In FIG. 1, the supply route of the cold water for washing
(or rinsing) laundry is represented by the solid arrow, and the
supply route of the hot water used to regenerate the hard water
component absorbent material is represented by the dotted arrow.
That is, the cold water supplied through the cold water supply pipe
126 is softened by the water softener 124, and is then supplied to
the washing machine 102, thereby being used in the washing
operation (or rinsing operation). In the case that it is necessary
to regenerate the water softener 124, the water supplied to the
washing machine 102 is heated, and is then supplied again to the
water softener 124, thereby regenerating the hard water component
absorbent material in the water softener 124.
[0037] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a washing machine
having a water softener, which receives and uses cold water and hot
water supplied from the outside, in accordance with a second
embodiment of the present invention. Some parts shown in FIG. 2,
which are substantially the same as those shown in FIG. 1, are
denoted by the same reference numerals even through they are
depicted in different drawings.
[0038] In FIG. 2, the washing machine 102 in accordance with the
second embodiment of the present invention comprises the detergent
solving device 104 to dissolve a detergent in water, the tub 106 to
contain washing water (or rinsing water) supplied through the
detergent solving device 104, and the drum 108 rotatably installed
in the tub 106. When the drum 108 is rotated under the condition
that the tub 106 is fixed, laundry in the drum 108 is lifted and
dropped, thereby being washed.
[0039] The heater 110 to heat the washing water (or the rinsing
water) and the sensor unit 112 to detect the quality of the washing
water (or the rinsing water), such as the amount, the temperature,
the hardness, the electric conductivity, the pH value, are
installed between the tub 106 and the drum 108 (particularly, in
the lower portion of the inside of the tub 106). The heater 110 may
be installed at any position to heat the water supplied to the
washing machine 102. The heater 110 to heat the washing water (or
the rinsing water) is used to regenerate the water softener
124.
[0040] The drain pump 116 to discharge remaining water to the
outside of the washing machine 102 after the washing operation (or
the rinsing operation) is completed is installed in the drain pipe
114.
[0041] The water softener 124, which softens the water supplied to
the washing machine 102, is installed in the cold water supply pipe
126 to supply cold water to the washing machine 102. A bypass pipe
(not shown) to supply the cold water directly to the detergent
solving device 104 without passing through the water softener 124
may be additionally installed. The prefilter 134 to filter out
foreign substances contained in the cold water is installed in the
cold water supply pipe 126, thereby assisting the hard
water-softening function of the water softener 124. The water
supplied through the cold water supply pipe 126 is softened by the
water softener 124 before the water reaches the detergent solving
device 104.
[0042] A hot water supply pipe 202 as well as the cold water supply
pipe 126 is connected with the detergent solving device 104 of the
washing machine 102. The hot water supply pipe 202 supplies hot
water, which is generated from a separate hot water generating
device (not shown), to the inside of the tub 106 through the
detergent solving device 10. A prefilter 206 to filter out foreign
substances contained in the hot water is installed in the hot water
supply pipe 202, thereby assisting the hard water-softening
function of the water softener 124. A regenerated water supply pipe
208 is installed between the hot water supply pipe 202 and the
water softener 124, thereby allowing a part or all of the hot water
supplied through the hot water supply pipe 202 to be supplied to
the water softener 124.
[0043] The supply of the hot water to the water softener 124 and
the detergent solving device 104, and the amount of the supplied
hot water are controlled by opening and closing a directional
control device 204. When the hot water supplied through the hot
water supply pipe 202 is supplied to the water softener 124 through
the regenerated water supply pipe 208, the hard water component
absorbent material of the water softener 124 is regenerated using
the hot water, and the hot water used to regenerate the hard water
component absorbent material of the water softener 124 is
discharged to the outside of the water softener 124 through a
regenerated water discharge pipe 208a.
[0044] The sensor unit 128 to detect the quality of the water
supplied to the water softener 124, such as the amount, the
temperature, the hardness, the electric conductivity, the pH value,
etc., is installed in the water softener 124. Two flow control
valves 130 and 132 are respectively installed at both ends of the
water softener 124. The flow control valve 130 is selectively
opened and closed so that one of the supply of the cold water to
the water softener 124 and the discharge of the hot water from the
water softener 124 is carried out, and the flow control valve 132
is selectively opened and closed so that one of the supply of the
softened cold water from the water softener 124 to the washing
machine 102 and the supply of the hot water to the water softener
124 is carried out. When the flow control valve 130 is in a state
in which the cold water is supplied to the water softener 124, the
flow control valve 132 is in a state in which the cold water is
supplied from the water softener 124 to the washing machine 102 to
be supplied to the detergent solving device 104. Alternatively,
when the flow control valve 132 is in a state in which the hot
water is supplied to the water softener 124, the flow control valve
130 is in a state in which the hot water supplied to the water
softener 124 is discharged to the outside through the regenerated
water discharge pipe 208a.
[0045] In FIG. 2, the supply route of the cold water for washing
(or rinsing) laundry is represented by the solid arrow, and the
supply route of the hot water used to regenerate the hard water
component absorbent material is represented by the dotted arrow.
That is, the cold water supplied through the cold water supply pipe
126 is softened by the water softener 124, and is then supplied to
the washing machine 102, thereby being used in the washing
operation (or rinsing operation). When it is necessary to
regenerate the water softener 124, the hot water supplied from the
outside of the washing machine 102 is supplied to the water
softener 124, thereby regenerating the hard water component
absorbent material in the water softener 124.
[0046] As apparent from the above description, the present
invention provides a washing machine having a water softener, which
converts hard water into soft water using hot water instead of salt
water. Accordingly, the washing machine of the present invention
does not require a separate salt water (or salt) supply device,
thus having a simple structure and reducing production costs.
Further, the washing machine of the present invention is easily
maintained and repaired at a low cost, thus having a higher
competitiveness than a conventional washing machine comprising a
water softener using salt water, in terms of cost, capability, and
a user's favorite.
[0047] Although a few embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without
departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the
scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *