U.S. patent application number 12/917758 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-05 for method for washing and washing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG ELECTRONICS INC.. Invention is credited to Jaewon Chang, Moonhee Hong, Myonghun Im, Changoh Kim, Jaehyun Kim, Wooyoung Kim, Youngho Kim, Jongmin Lee, Sangheon Lee, Sooyoung Oh, Kyungchul Woo.
Application Number | 20110099727 12/917758 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43922913 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110099727 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Wooyoung ; et
al. |
May 5, 2011 |
METHOD FOR WASHING AND WASHING MACHINE
Abstract
Provided is a method for washing laundry in a washing machine,
wherein the washing machine includes a tub and a drum disposed
inside the tub, the method comprising: supplying wash water mixed
with detergent into the tub and spraying wash water changed to
whirling water without detergent into the drum; circulating the
wash water and rotating the drum, thereby the wash water soaking
the laundry; and rotating the drum containing laundry soaked in the
wash water.
Inventors: |
Kim; Wooyoung; (Seoul,
KR) ; Kim; Youngho; (Seoul, KR) ; Kim;
Jaehyun; (Seoul, KR) ; Hong; Moonhee; (Seoul,
KR) ; Kim; Changoh; (Seoul, KR) ; Woo;
Kyungchul; (Seoul, KR) ; Im; Myonghun; (Seoul,
KR) ; Lee; Sangheon; (Seoul, KR) ; Chang;
Jaewon; (Seoul, KR) ; Oh; Sooyoung; (Seoul,
KR) ; Lee; Jongmin; (Seoul, KR) |
Assignee: |
LG ELECTRONICS INC.
Yeongdeungpo-gu
KR
|
Family ID: |
43922913 |
Appl. No.: |
12/917758 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/137 ;
68/139 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 34/18 20200201;
D06F 34/28 20200201; D06F 39/088 20130101; D06F 39/083 20130101;
D06F 35/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
8/137 ;
68/139 |
International
Class: |
D06L 1/20 20060101
D06L001/20; D06F 25/00 20060101 D06F025/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 2, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0105117 |
Nov 13, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0109895 |
Nov 13, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0109896 |
Dec 3, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0119194 |
Claims
1. A method for washing laundry in a washing machine, wherein the
washing machine includes a tub and a drum disposed inside the tub,
the method comprising: supplying water mixed with detergent into
the tub; spraying water changed to whirling water without detergent
into the drum, wherein the water mixed with detergent and whirling
water without detergent form a wash water; circulating the wash
water and rotating the drum, thereby the wash water soaks a
laundry; and rotating the drum containing the laundry soaked in the
wash water.
2. The method for washing laundry according to claim 1 further
comprising: supplying additional water into the tub after the wash
water has soaked the laundry.
3. The method for washing laundry according to claim 1 wherein the
detergent is a washing detergent, wherein rotating the drum
containing the laundry soaked in the wash water comprises removing
contaminants from the laundry.
4. The method for washing laundry according to claim 1 wherein the
detergent is a fabric softener, wherein rotating the drum
containing the laundry soaked in the wash water comprises removing
residual washing detergent from the laundry.
5. The method for washing laundry according to claim 1 further
comprising: sensing the laundry load by measuring a deceleration
time of the drum.
6. The method for washing laundry according to claim 1 wherein the
circulating wash water is sprayed into the drum.
7. The method for washing laundry according to claim 6 wherein the
sprayed circulating wash water is changed to whirling water.
8. The method for washing laundry according to claim 1 wherein the
wash water is sprayed on an inner side surface and an inner rear
surface of the drum.
9. The method for washing laundry according to claim 1 wherein the
wash water is changed to the whirling water to perform one of a
translational motion or a circular motion.
10. The method for washing laundry according to claim 1 wherein the
wash water is changed into the whirling water to be atomized.
11. A method for washing laundry in a washing machine, wherein the
washing machine includes a tub and a drum disposed inside the tub,
the method comprising: supplying water mixed with detergent into
the tub; spraying water passed through a plurality of twisted flow
paths without detergent into the drum, wherein the water mixed with
detergent and the water passed through a plurality of twisted flow
paths without detergent form a wash water; circulating the wash
water and rotating the drum, thereby the wash water soaks a
laundry; and rotating the drum containing the laundry soaked in the
wash water.
12. A method for washing laundry in a washing machine, wherein the
washing machine includes a tub and a drum disposed inside the tub,
the method comprising: supplying water mixed with detergent into
the tub; revolving water without detergent through a whirling
nozzle to discharge the water without detergent into the drum,
wherein the water mixed with detergent and the water without
detergent form a wash water; circulating the wash water and
rotating the drum, thereby the wash water soaks a laundry; and
rotating the drum containing the laundry soaked in the wash
water.
13. A washing machine comprising: a tub; a drum disposed inside the
tub to hold laundry; a driving unit for rotating the drum to move
the laundry so at to be against an inner wall of the drum; a water
supply hose for supplying water mixed with detergent into the tub;
and a spray nozzle for changing water without detergent to whirling
water and spraying the whirling water into the drum while the water
supply hose supplies the water mixed with detergent to form a wash
water.
14. The washing machine according to claim 13, wherein the spray
nozzle sprays the water without detergent on an inner side surface
and an inner rear surface of the drum.
15. The washing machine according to claim 13, wherein the wash
water is changed to the whirling water to perform a translational
motion or a circular motion.
16. The washing machine according to claim 13, wherein the wash
water is changed into the whirling water to be atomized.
17. The washing machine according to claim 13, wherein the spray
nozzle has a plurality of twisted flow paths formed therein to
change the wash water into whirling water.
18. The washing machine according to claim 13, wherein the spray
nozzle comprises: a dome having a hemispherical shape at one side
thereof and having a receiving space therein; a core provided in
the receiving space and formed of a twisted plate, wherein the core
and the receiving space form a flow path; and a spray nozzle cap
from which the wash water passing through the flow path formed by
the core and the receiving space is sprayed.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority from Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2009-0119194 filed on Dec. 3, 2009, Korean
Patent Application No. 10-2009-0105117 filed on Nov. 2, 2009,
Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0109895 filed on Nov. 13,
2009, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0109896 filed on
Nov. 13, 2009 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a washing method and
washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing method and
washing machine with improved washing performance.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In general, a washing machine is an apparatus that uses
water, detergent, and mechanical action to wash clothing, bed
linen, etc. (hereinafter referred to as `laundry`) by performing
wash, rinse, and spin cycles to remove contaminants from the
laundry.
[0006] Washing machines are categorized into agitator type,
pulsator type, and drum type washing machines.
[0007] An agitator type washing machine performs washing by left
and right rotation of a washing agitator projecting upward in the
center of a wash tub, a pulsator type washing machine performs
washing by employing friction between whirling water and laundry
through rotating left and right a round plate shaped rotating wing
formed on the bottom of a wash tub, and a drum type washing machine
performs washing by rotating a drum filled with water, detergent,
and laundry.
[0008] A drum washing machine has a tub installed inside a cabinet
defining the exterior of the washing machine to hold wash water, a
drum disposed inside the tub to hold laundry, a motor installed at
the rear side of the tub to rotate the drum, and a driveshaft
installed on the motor, passed through the tub, and connected to
the reverse side of the drum. A lifter is installed within the drum
to lift laundry when the drum rotates.
[0009] Various efforts are being made to improve the washing
performance of such drum washing machines.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a washing
method and washing machine with improved washing performance.
[0011] Objects of the present invention are not limited to that
above, and other objects will become apparent to those skilled in
the art from the description below.
[0012] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method for washing laundry in a washing machine, wherein
the washing machine includes a tub and a drum disposed inside the
tub, the method comprising: supplying wash water mixed with
detergent into the tub and spraying wash water changed to whirling
water without detergent into the drum; circulating the wash water
and rotating the drum, thereby the wash water soaking the laundry;
and rotating the drum containing laundry soaked in the wash
water.
[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method for washing laundry in a washing machine,
wherein the washing machine includes a tub and a drum disposed
inside the tub, the method comprising: supplying wash water mixed
with detergent into the tub and spraying wash water passed through
a plurality of twisted flow paths without detergent into the drum;
circulating the wash water and rotating the drum, thereby the wash
water soaking the laundry; and rotating the drum containing laundry
soaked in the wash water.
[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method for washing laundry in a washing machine,
wherein the washing machine includes a tub and a drum disposed
inside the tub, the method comprising: supplying wash water mixed
with detergent into the tub and revolving wash water without
detergent to discharge the revolved wash water into the drum;
circulating the wash water and rotating the drum, thereby the wash
water soaking the laundry; and rotating the drum containing laundry
soaked in the wash water.
[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a washing machine comprising: a tub; a drum disposed
inside the tub to hold laundry; a driving unit rotating the drum
such that the laundry is attached to the drum; a water supply hose
supplying wash water mixed with detergent into the tub; and a spray
nozzle changing wash water without detergent to whirling water and
spraying into the drum during the water supply hose supplying the
wash water mixed with detergent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principles of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a washing machine according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the washing
machine of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a washing machine
from which a cabinet of FIG. 1 is removed;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a spray nozzle of a washing
machine according to an embodiment of the present invention sprays
wash water into a drum;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a gasket and a spray nozzle of
a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 6 is an exploded view illustrating a spray nozzle of a
washing machine according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a washing machine according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the whole cycle of a washing
method according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a filtration washing performed
by a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a circulation nozzle of a
washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention
sprays wash water into a drum;
[0027] FIG. 11 is an exploded view illustrating a circulation
nozzle of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a circulation
nozzle of a washing machine according to another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a gasket and a nozzle of a
washing machine according to still another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0030] FIG. 14 is a front view illustrating the nozzle device of
FIG. 13;
[0031] FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the nozzle device
of FIG. 13;
[0032] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the nozzle
device of FIG. 13; and
[0033] FIG. 17 is a view illustrating a nozzle of a washing machine
according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and
advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from
the following detailed description of the present invention when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Exemplary
embodiments of the present invention will now be described in
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention
may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.
Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will
be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the shapes
and dimensions may be exaggerated for clarity, and the same
reference numerals will be used throughout to designate the same or
like components.
[0035] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiment of the present invention
will be described in detain with the accompanying drawings.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a washing machine according to
an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional
view illustrating the washing machine of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a
perspective view illustrating a washing machine from which a
cabinet of FIG. 1 is removed.
[0037] A washing machine 100 according to an embodiment of the
present invention may include a cabinet 111 defining the exterior,
a drum 124 provided to rotate within the cabinet 111 and in which
laundry is inserted, a tub 122 provided inside the cabinet 111 and
housing the drum 124, a gasket 128 provided between the cabinet 111
and the tub 122, and a spray nozzle 140 changing wash water to
whirling water and spraying into the drum 124. Also included are a
door 112 provided at the front surface of the cabinet 111 to open
and close a laundry loading hole 120 through which laundry is
introduced into the cabinet 111, a driving unit 113 that applies
torque to rotate the drum 124, a detergent box 133 for holding
detergent, and a control panel 114 that receives a user input and
displays the state of the washing machine 100.
[0038] The cabinet 111 may define the laundry loading hole 120 to
enable loading of laundry. The door 112 may be pivotably provided
on the front surface of the cabinet 111 to open and close the
laundry loading hole 120. The control panel 114 may be provided on
the cabinet 111 to receive a command from a user and display
information on various aspects of the washing machine 100. The
detergent box 133 may be provided on the cabinet 111 to be
insertable and withdrawable and hold washing agents such as
detergent, fabric softener, and bleach.
[0039] The tub 122 may be disposed in the cabinet 111 to be
cushioned by a spring 115 and a damper 117. The tub 122 may hold
wash water. The drum 124 may be disposed inside the tub 122.
[0040] The drum 124 may hold laundry and rotates. The drum 124 may
define a plurality of through-holes 129 to allow wash water to pass
therethrough. A lifter 125 may be disposed on the inner wall of the
drum 124 to lift laundry a certain height when the drum 124
rotates. The drum 124 may receive rotating force from the driving
unit 113 to rotate.
[0041] The gasket 128 may be provided between the tub 122 and the
cabinet 111 to seal the tub 122 and cabinet 111. The gasket 128 may
be disposed between the entrance of the tub 122 and the loading
hole 120. The gasket 128 may absorb shock transmitted to the door
112 when the drum 124 rotates, and also may prevent wash liquid
from within the tub 122 from leaking to the outside. A circulating
nozzle 127 and a spray nozzle 140 may be provided on the gasket 128
to introduce wash water into the drum 124.
[0042] The gasket 128 may be formed integrally of a single
material, and may be formed of a robust material at the portion
coupled to the tub 122, in order to ensure adequate fastening
strength with the tub 122 and rigidity. The portion that couples to
the cabinet 111 may be formed of a material having elasticity to
absorb vibrations transferred from the tub 122 to the cabinet
111.
[0043] The driving unit 113 may rotate the drum 124. The driving
unit 113 may rotate the drum 124 at various speeds or different
directions. The driving unit 113 may include a motor and a
switching device for controlling the motor, a clutch, etc.
[0044] The detergent box 133 may hold washing agents such as
washing detergent, fabric softener, and bleach. The detergent box
133 may be provided to be withdrawable to the front of the cabinet
111. The detergent in the detergent box 133 may be mixed with wash
water and may enter the tub 122 when wash water is supplied. The
detergent box 133 may be divided into a portion that holds washing
detergent, a portion that holds fabric softener, and a portion that
holds bleach.
[0045] The inside of the cabinet 111 may include a water supply
valve unit 131 for controlling the influx of wash water from an
external water source, a first water supply hose 132 that allows
wash water that flows into the water supply valve unit 131 to flow
to the detergent box 133 by means of a first water supply valve
131a, and a water supply hose 134 that allows wash water mixed with
detergent to flow from the detergent box 133 into the tub 122. The
water supply valve unit 131 may also have a second water supply
valve 131b and a second water supply hose 149 connected to the
spray nozzle 140. The first water supply valve 131a and the second
water supply valve 131b may open and close the first water supply
hose 132 and second water supply hose 149, respectively, and may
supply water from the external water source entering the water
supply valve unit 131 to the first water supply hose 132 and second
water supply hose 149.
[0046] The inside of the cabinet 111 may include a drain pipe 135
through which wash water inside the tub 122 is drained, a pump 136
for draining wash water in the tub 122, a circulation passage 137
that circulates wash water, a circulation nozzle 127 for directing
flow of wash water into the drum 124, and a drain passage 138 for
draining wash water to the outside. According to embodiments, the
pump 136 may be provided as a circulation pump and a drain pump
connected to the circulation passage 137 and the drain passage 138,
respectively.
[0047] The control panel 114 may include an input unit 114b through
which a washing course selection, operating times for each cycle,
presettings, and various other operating commands are input by a
user, and a display unit 114a that displays the operating state of
the washing machine 100.
[0048] The washing course may include, in addition to a normal
course, various courses according to the type or function of
laundry, such as a lingerie/wool course, a steam course, a quick
wash course, a functional garment course, a gentle course to
prevent damage to laundry, and a silent course. The operations of
the washing machine 100 may be divided into a wash cycle, a rinse
cycle, and a spin cycle, and in each cycle, supplying water,
washing, rinsing, draining, spinning, and/or drying are
performed.
[0049] The spray nozzle 140 may spray wash water that flows in from
an external water source through the second water supply hose 149
provided on the gasket 128 into the drum 124. The spray nozzle 140
may be provided at the upper portion of the gasket 128, and
according to embodiments, may be disposed in various locations
including the lower portion of the gasket 128, between the gasket
128 and cabinet 111, in the cabinet 111, and in the tub 122. When
the door 112 closes the loading hole 120, a portion of the door 112
may enter the drum 124. The spray nozzle 140 may be disposed so as
not to interfere with the portion of the door 112 that enters the
drum 124. When the door 112 closes the loading hole 120, the spray
nozzle 140 is provided at a predetermined space from the door
112.
[0050] The spray nozzle 140 may spray wash water into the drum 124.
In the present embodiment, the spray nozzle 140 may be a whirling
nozzle that revolves and discharges wash water to the inner side
surface 124a and inner rear surface 124b of the drum 124.
[0051] A whirling nozzle may be a nozzle that allows wash water to
undergo a translational motion and a circular motion. The whirling
nozzle may be embodied in various forms, and may change wash water
into whirling water to spray into the drum 124 via a plurality of
twisted passages.
[0052] The spray nozzle 140 may operate in a rinse cycle (described
below) from among the cycles of the washing machine 100, but is not
limited thereto, and may operate in other cycles as well. The
configuration and operation of the spray nozzle 140 will be
described below.
[0053] The circulation nozzle 127 may spray wash water circulated
through the circulation passage 137 into the drum 124. The
circulation nozzle 127 may be provided at the top of the gasket
128, and according to embodiments, may be provided in various
locations, including at the bottom of the gasket 128, between the
gasket 128 and cabinet 111, in the cabinet 111, and in the tub
122.
[0054] The circulation nozzle 127 may spray wash water into the
drum 124. In the present embodiment, the circulation nozzle 127 may
be a whirling nozzle that revolves and discharges wash water at the
inner side surface 124a and inner rear surface 124b of the drum
124, and may change wash water to whirling water through a
plurality of formed twisted passages to spray into the drum
124.
[0055] The wash water housed in the drum 124 may move along the
drain pipe 135 provided on the tub 122 to the pump 136. The pump
136 may move wash water through the circulation passage 137 to the
circulation nozzle 127. The wash water may flow back into the drum
124 by means of the circulation nozzle 127
[0056] The circulation nozzle 127 may be provided adjacent to the
spray nozzle 140. The circulation nozzle 127 may be positioned at
an upper portion of the gasket 128 where the spray nozzle 140 is
located, and operates together with the spray nozzle 140 during
washing machine 100 operation, or alone. The configuration and
operation of the circulation nozzle 127 will be described
below.
[0057] According to embodiments, the spray nozzle 140 and
circulation nozzle 127 may be integrally provided. That is, one
whirling nozzle may be configured to perform the functions of the
spray nozzle 140 and circulation nozzle 127. The whirling nozzle
may be connected to the second water supply hose 149 and the
circulation passage 137 through a Y-shaped pipe, and discharge wash
water supplied from an external water supply, or may discharge wash
water circulated through the circulation passage 137.
[0058] The water supply valve unit 131 may supply wash water from
an external water supply into the drum 124. The water supply valve
unit 131 may include a first water supply valve 131a and a second
water supply valve 131b for moving wash water. The first water
supply valve 131a and second water supply valve 131b may be opened
to control the flow of wash water to the first water supply hose
132 and second water supply hose 149 connected thereto,
respectively.
[0059] The water supply valve unit 131 may include a hot water
valve (not shown), a bleach valve (not shown), a prevalve (not
shown), a main valve (not shown), and a system valve (not shown).
The hot water valve may control hot water supplied from an external
water supply to supply hot water to the detergent box 133. The
bleach valve may supply wash water to the portion of the detergent
box 133 that stores bleach. The prevalve may be used at the start
of a wash cycle and supplies wash water through the detergent box
133 into the drum 124. Here, the wash water that may be supplied
through the prevalve does not pass detergent and is supplied into
the drum 124. The wash water supplied through the main valve may
pass through the portion of the detergent box 133 storing detergent
and may be supplied into the drum 124 together with the detergent.
The steam valve may supply wash water to a steam hose (not shown)
connected to a steam module (not shown). In the final cycle in
which the fabric softener is supplied, the main valve and prevalve
may operate together to supply wash water to the portion of the
detergent box 133 containing fabric softener. In a regular rinse
cycle for rinsing detergent, the bleach valve, main valve, and
prevalve may operate to supply wash water into the drum 124. Each
of the above valves may, according to embodiments, be combined with
two or more to perform the respective functions. Also, any one of
the above described valves may serve as the first water supply
valve 131a, and any one of the hoses connected to the respective
valves and to the detergent box 133 may serve as the first water
supply hose 132.
[0060] The first water supply hose 132 may connect the first water
supply valve 131a and the detergent box 133. The wash water flowing
in the first water supply valve 131a may flow through the first
water supply hose 132 and may reach the detergent box 133, and the
wash water that is mixed with detergent in the detergent box 133
may flow through the water supply pipe 134 into the drum 124.
[0061] A whirling nozzle may be provided on the water supply pipe
134, in which case revolving wash water is discharged through the
water supply pipe 134.
[0062] The second water supply hose 149 may directly connect the
second water supply valve 131b to the spray nozzle 140. The wash
water supplied from an external water supply and moving in the
second water supply valve 131b may flow through the second water
supply hose 149 and may reach the spray nozzle 140. The wash liquid
that reaches the spray nozzle 140 may be changed to whirling water
through the spray nozzle 140 and may be sprayed into the drum 124.
A description of wash water being changed to whirling water will be
made below with reference to FIG. 6.
[0063] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an injection nozzle of a
washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention
injects into a drum.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 4, the spray nozzle 140 may spray wash
water on the inner side surface 124a of the drum 124 and the inner
rear surface 124b of the drum 124. The wash water sprayed from the
spray nozzle 140 onto the inner side surface 124a of the drum 124
corresponding to the outer surface of the drum 124, and onto the
inner rear surface 124b corresponding to the bottom surface of the
drum may be filled.
[0065] The spray nozzle 140 may spray wash water on the entire
inner side surface 124a of the drum 124 and a portion of the inner
rear surface 124b, and may spray wash water on the entire inner
side surface 124a of the drum 124 and the entire inner rear surface
124b.
[0066] In the present embodiment, the spray nozzle 140, which is a
whirling nozzle revolving wash water to discharge, may change wash
water to whirling water that moves in a translational motion and a
circular motion.
[0067] Through centrifugal force caused by the whirling water, the
wash water may be distributed and may be sprayed on the inner side
surface 124a of the drum 124 and the inner rear surface 124b. Also,
through the centrifugal force caused by the whirling water, wash
water may be atomized to be quickly absorbed into laundry and pass
through.
[0068] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a gasket and an injection
nozzle of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 5, the gasket 128 may have a first
projecting portion 128a and a second projecting portion 128b formed
projecting on an upper portion of an inner side surface thereof,
and the spray nozzle 140 may be provided between the first
projecting portion 128a and the second projecting portion 128b. In
order to prevent laundry from disengaging and wedging between the
gasket 128 and cabinet 111 through the rotation of the drum 124, or
laundry from spilling out when the door 112 is opened after washing
is complete, the first projecting portion 128a and the second
projecting portion 128b may be formed projecting at the top of the
inner side surface of the gasket 128. The first projecting portion
128a and the second projecting portion 128b may be formed on either
side of the gasket 128 at a predetermined gap.
[0070] The spray nozzle 140 may be provided between the first
projecting portion 128a and the second projecting portion 128b. The
spray nozzle 140 may be provided between the first projecting
portion 128a and the second projecting portion 128b such that the
first projecting portion 128a and the second projecting portion
128b and the wash water are not impeded when wash water is
sprayed.
[0071] The spray nozzle 140 may be disposed at a position offset
from the centerline of the drum 124. When the spray nozzle 140 is
positioned offset from the centerline of the drum 124, and when
wash water is changed to whirling water and sprayed, the wash water
may act upon the entire inner side surface 124a of the drum 124 and
a portion of the inner rear surface 124b, or the wash water may act
upon the entire inner side surface 124a of the drum 124 and the
entire inner rear surface 124b.
[0072] The spray nozzle 140 may be disposed forming a predetermined
angle with an axis perpendicular with the ground surface. According
to embodiments, the spray nozzle 140 may be positioned forming a
predetermined angle with a centerline of the drum 124 toward the
interior of the drum 124. According to other embodiments, the spray
nozzle 140 may be positioned forming a predetermined angle with the
centerline of the drum 124 offset toward the first projecting
portion 128a or the second projecting portion 128b. According to
each embodiment, the spray nozzle 140 may spray wash water upon the
entire inner side surface 124a of the drum 124 and a portion of the
inner rear surface 124b, and may spray wash water on the entire
inner side surface 124a of the drum 124 and the entire inner rear
surface 124b.
[0073] As described above, the position of the spray nozzle 140 is
not limited to the present embodiment, and the spray nozzle 140 may
be disposed in various positions including the lower portion of the
gasket 128, between the gasket 128 and cabinet 111, in the cabinet
111, tub 122, etc.
[0074] FIG. 6 is an exploded view illustrating an injection nozzle
of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0075] Referring to FIG. 6, a spray nozzle 140 may have one side
formed in a hemispherical shape, to include a dome 141 defining a
receiving space 144 within, a core 142 with a plurality of twisted
plates formed in the receiving space 144 to form twisted passages
together with the receiving space 144, and a spray nozzle cap 143
that sprays wash water passing through the passages defined by the
core 142 and the receiving space 144.
[0076] In the present embodiment, the spray nozzle 140 may be a
whirling nozzle including the dome 141, core 142, and spray nozzle
cap 143.
[0077] The spray nozzle 140 may be formed in a hemispherical shape
on one side. The void that may be the receiving space 144 is
defined within the hemispherical shape. The wash water guided by
the spray nozzle 140 may be received in the receiving space 144.
The one side of the spray nozzle 140 may be formed in a curved
configuration of a hemispherical or oval shape. One side of the
spray nozzle 140 may be formed in a curved shape, so that when
laundry is inserted into the laundry loading hole 120, the laundry
is not damaged from catching on the spray nozzle 140 or by the
spray nozzle 140.
[0078] The core 142 formed with the twisted plate may be provided
in the receiving space 144. The core 142 may be formed with one or
a plurality of twisted plates. The core 142 may be provided in the
receiving space 144, a passage is defined between the receiving
space 144 and the core 142, and because the passage is formed in
the shape of the twisted plate, a plurality of twisted shapes or
screw shapes is formed. The core 142, according to embodiments, may
be configured in various shapes formed by the receiving space 144
and twisted passage, and may be configured in various types of
formations including screws, propellers, twisted tubes, twisted
propellers, twisted screws, screw threads, etc.
[0079] When wash water passes through a passage of the core 142 and
the receiving space 144, it may be changed to revolving wash water
by means of the passage shape. While the core 142 may generally be
fixed, when wash water may pass through the passage formed by the
core 142 and receiving space 144, the core 142 may be rotated
within the receiving space 144 by wash water. When the core 142 is
rotated, the wash water may also rotate to promote formation of
whirling water.
[0080] Upon rotation of the drum 124, the spray nozzle 140 may
spray wash water on the entire inner side surface 124a of the drum
124 and a portion of the inner rear surface 124b, and may spray
wash water on the entire inner side surface 124a of the drum 124
and the entire inner rear surface 124b. The wash water sprayed from
the spray nozzle may be sprayed in whirling water, and the wash
water may be atomized to be absorbed into and penetrate the laundry
quickly.
[0081] The spray nozzle cap 143 may spray wash water that passes
through the passage formed by the core 142 and receiving space 144.
The spray nozzle cap 143 may define an opening to spray wash water
changed by the passage to whirling water into the drum 124. The
spray nozzle cap 143 may be fastened to the dome 141 and fixed.
When the spray nozzle cap 143 is fixed to the dome 141, in order to
prevent wash water from leaking out from the coupling portion of
the spray nozzle cap 143 and dome 141, a packing (not shown) formed
of a waterproof material such as rubber may be additionally
provided.
[0082] While in the present embodiment, description of the spray
nozzle 140 has been limited to a whirling nozzle, it is not limited
thereto, and the spray nozzle 140 may be configured in a variety of
types of whirling nozzles for revolving and spraying wash water.
The spray nozzle 140 may be implemented in various types of
whirling nozzles that spray revolving wash water.
[0083] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a washing machine according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0084] A controller 141 may control overall operations of a washing
machine according to an operation command that an input unit 114b
has received. The controller 141 may be provided in a control panel
114. A Micom and other electronic components for controlling the
operation of the washing machine may be provided. The controller
141 may determine whether to perform the respective cycles
according to a wash course selected by a user, whether to perform
operations such as water supplying, washing, rinsing, draining,
spinning and drying, operation time, and the number of cycles.
[0085] The controller 141 may control a water supply valve unit
131, a driving unit 113, and a pump 136 according to the selected
course or other operating commands.
[0086] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the whole cycle of a washing
method according to an embodiment of the present invention
[0087] A wash cycle 210 may be a cycle of removing contaminants
from the laundry by rotating a drum 124 after soaking the laundry
in wash water mixed with laundry detergent. In the washing method
according to the embodiment of the present invention, the wash
cycle 210 may progress in the order of water supplying 211,
balancing 212, filtration washing 213, draining 214, and
simple-spinning 215.
[0088] If the wash cycle 210 is initiated, the controller 141 may
indicate the wash cycle 210 is initiated by displaying a wash icon
on a progress display of a display unit 114a
[0089] The water supplying 211 may be supplying wash water from an
external water source to a tub 122. A detailed description of the
water supplying 211 will be made below.
[0090] The balancing 212 may be distributing the laundry by
repeating acceleration and deceleration of the drum 124. During the
filtration washing 213, the laundry may be biased to one side due
to tangle of the laundry, causing unbalancing of the laundry in
which one side of the drum 124 is weighted based on the center of
the drum 124. Since the unbalancing of the laundry may cause noise
and vibration during the filtration washing 213, the balancing 212
may be required to evenly distribute the laundry before the
filtration washing 213.
[0091] The balancing 212 may include distributing the laundry by
repeating acceleration and deceleration of the drum 124 before the
filtration washing 213 in a state where wash water is filled in the
tub 122. The balancing 212 may be performed by decelerating the
drum 124 after accelerating the drum at a rate of about 70 rpm to
about 80 rpm at which the laundry is attached to the inner wall of
the drum 124. During the balancing 212, the controller 141 may
measure the amount of the laundry (hereinafter, referred to as
laundry load) held in the drum 124 based on the deceleration time
of the drum 124 when the drum 124 is decelerated, and measure an
unbalanced degree of the laundry based on a variation of
revolutions per minute (RPM) of the drum 124 after the drum 124 is
accelerated.
[0092] The laundry load may be measured by various methods. In the
present embodiment, the laundry load may be measured by a method in
which the controller 141 measures deceleration time after the drum
124 is rotated at a certain rate for a certain time. The longer the
deceleration time of the drum 124 is, the higher the level of the
laundry load is. According to an embodiment, the controller 141 may
also measure the acceleration time upon acceleration of the drum
124 to calculate the laundry load.
[0093] The unbalanced degree of the laundry may be calculated using
a variation with respect to the rate of the drum 124 after the drum
124 is accelerated. The rate of the drum 124 may be measured using
a hole sensor, or may be calculated by measuring a current flowing
in a motor of the driving unit 113.
[0094] The controller 141 may determine whether the unbalance
degree of the laundry falls within a tolerance, using a difference
between a rate variation and a reference rate variation. The
reference rate variation may vary according to the laundry load.
The controller 141 may store a table of the unbalanced degree of
the laundry with respect to the reference rate variation according
to the laundry load.
[0095] The controller 141 may accelerate or decelerate the drum 124
according to the unbalanced degree of the laundry. That is, the
controller 141 may adjust the degree of accelerating or
decelerating the drum 124 according to the unbalanced degree of the
laundry. The controller 141 may also halt the drum 124 when the
unbalanced degree of the laundry is excessive.
[0096] The controller 141 may repeat the acceleration and
deceleration of the drum 124 according to the unbalanced degree of
the laundry. When the unbalanced degree of the laundry is greater
than the tolerance, the controller 141 may keep accelerating and
decelerating the drum 124. When the acceleration and deceleration
of the drum 124 are continuously repeated because the unbalanced
degree of the laundry is greater than the tolerance, the controller
141 may halt the drum 124. That is, when the acceleration and
deceleration of the drum 124 are continuously repeated beyond an
allowable number of repetitions, the controller 141 may inform the
display unit 114a of abnormality, and then may halt the drum 124.
If the unbalanced degree of the laundry falls within the tolerance,
the controller 141 may halt the balancing 212, and then may perform
the filtration washing 213. The balancing 212 described above may
be omitted.
[0097] The filtration washing 213 may be removing contaminants from
the laundry when wash water mixed with washing detergent is
supplied in the drum 124 and passes through the laundry while the
laundry is being attached to the drum 124. During the filtration
washing 213, the controller 141 may control the driving unit 113 to
rotate the drum 124 such that the laundry is attached to the drum
124, and may drive the pump 136 to circulate the laundry water
along a circulation flow path 137. In order to prevent overheat of
the driving unit 113 during the filtration washing 214, the
controller 141 may halt the driving of the driving unit 113 at an
interval of about several seconds or minutes.
[0098] Since a physical shock is not applied to the laundry during
the filtration washing 213, little damage may be caused to the
laundry. Accordingly, the filtration washing 213 may be performed
when a user selects a laundry damage prevention key or a laundry
damage prevention course through the input unit 114b.
[0099] During the filtration washing 213, the drum 124 may rotate
at a rate of about 1 or more acceleration of gravity (G) such that
the laundry may be attached to the inner wall of the drum 124. The
drum 124 may rotate at an appropriate rate such that bubbles are
not generated too much during the filtration washing 213. During
the filtration washing 213, the drum 124 may rotate at a rate of
about 150 rpm.
[0100] During the filtration washing 213, the pump may operate to
allow the wash water mixed with washing detergent in the tub 122 to
circulate along the circulation flow path 137 and to be sprayed
through a circulation nozzle 127. In this case, the circulation
nozzle may be a whirling nozzle. When the amount of the circulating
wash water is great, bubbles may be generated too much.
Accordingly, the amount of the circulating wash water may fit to
such a degree that the circulation is possible.
[0101] The draining 214 may be exhausting the wash water in the tub
122 out of the cabinet 111. During the draining 214, the control
unit 141 may operate the pump 136 to allow the wash water in the
tub 122 to drain away along a drain flow path 138.
[0102] The simple-spinning 215 may be rotating the drum 124 at such
a high rate that the wash water drains away from the laundry.
During the simple-spinning 215, when the controller 141 drives the
driving unit 113 to rotate the drum 124 at a high rate, the laundry
may be attached to the inner wall of the drum 124, and may be
spin-dried by the centrifugal force. In the simple-spinning 215,
since it is not necessary to rotate the drum 124 to an extent that
the laundry is dried, the drum 124 may rotate at a rate of about
108 rpm that is a rate of an extent that the laundry is attached to
the inner wall of the drum 124.
[0103] During the simple-spinning 215, the control unit 141 may
intermittently operate the pump 136 to allow the wash water in the
tub 122 to drain away along the drain flow path 138.
[0104] The above-described wash cycle 210, the balancing 212 and
the filtration washing 212 may performed as a generate washing
according to a washing course or a user's selection.
[0105] The washing may be rotating the drum 124 holding the laundry
soaked in the wash water mixed with washing detergent. During the
washing, the controller 141 may control the driving unit 113 to
rotate the drum 124 at various rates and directions. Thus,
mechanical forces such as bending and stretching force, frictional
force, and impact force may be applied to remove contaminants from
the laundry. In the present embodiment, the drum 124 may be rotated
in a certain direction at a rate of about 45 rpm, and the laundry
in the drum 124 may be lifted by a lifter 125 and may fall. During
the washing, the controller 141 may halt the driving of the driving
unit 113 at an interval of about several seconds or minutes in
order to prevent overheat of the driving unit 113.
[0106] Steam may be sprayed into the drum 124 during the washing.
During the washing, the controller 141 may operate the pump 136 to
allow the wash water to flow into the drum 124 through the
circulation nozzle 127 along the circulation flow path 137.
[0107] The rinsing cycle 220 may be a cycle in which residual
washing detergent is removed from the laundry by rotating the drum
124 after soaking the laundry in wash water mixed with fabric
softener. In the washing method according to the embodiment of the
present invention, the rinsing cycle 220 may be performed in the
order of water supplying 221, rinsing 222, draining 223,
simple-spinning 224, water supplying 225, and rinsing 226. In the
present embodiment, the rinsing 222 and 226 may be twice repeated,
or may not be repeated or may be repeated several times according
to embodiments.
[0108] If the rinsing cycle 220 is initiated, the controller 141
may indicate the wash cycle 210 is initiated by displaying a rinse
icon on the progress display of the display unit 114a
[0109] Similarly to the water supplying of the wash cycle 210
described above, the water supplying 221 may be supplying wash
water from the external water source to the tub 122. The fabric
softener may not be mixed with wash water during the water
supplying 221, but may be mixed with wash water during the last
water supplying 224 of the rinsing cycle 220 described below.
[0110] The rinsing 222 may be rotating the drum 124 containing
laundry soaked in wash water. During the rinsing 222, the
controller 141 may control the driving unit 113 to rotate the drum
124 at various rates or directions. Thus, mechanical forces such as
bending and stretching force, frictional force, and impact force
may be applied to the laundry to remove residual washing detergent
and contaminants from the laundry. During the rinsing 222, the
controller 141 may operate the pump 136 to allow the wash water to
circulate along the circulation flow path 137 and flow into the
drum 124 through the circulation nozzle 127.
[0111] In this case, the circulation nozzle 127 may be a whirling
nozzle, and the rinsing 222 may be a filtration rinsing in which
wash water is sprayed into the drum 124 in a state where the
laundry is attached to the drum 124, and the wash water passes
through the laundry to remove residual detergent from the laundry.
In this case, the controller 141 may control the driving unit 113
to rotate the drum 124 at a rate of about 150 rpm that is 1 G or
more such that the laundry is attached to the drum 124.
[0112] Similarly to the draining 213 of the wash cycle 210
described above, the draining 223 may be exhausting wash water in
the tub 122 out of the cabinet 111.
[0113] Similarly to the simple-spinning 214 of the wash cycle 210
described above, the simple-spinning 224 may be rotating the drum
124 at such a high rate that wash water drains away from the
laundry.
[0114] Similarly to the water supplying 221 described above, the
water supplying 225 may be supplying wash water from an external
water source to the tub 122 in order to repeat the rinsing 226.
During the water supplying 225, the wash water may be mixed with
fabric softener in a detergent box 133 to flow into the tub
122.
[0115] Similarly to the rinsing 222 described above, the rinsing
226 may be rotating the drum 124 containing the laundry soaked in
the wash water. But, the wash water mixed with the fabric softener
may be applied to the laundry to soften the laundry during the
rinsing 226.
[0116] In this case, the circulation nozzle 127 may be a whirling
nozzle, and the rinsing 226 may be a filtration rinsing in which
wash water mixed with fabric softener is sprayed into the drum 124
in a state where the laundry is attached to the drum 124, and the
wash water passes through the laundry to remove residual detergent
from the laundry. In this case, the controller 141 may control the
driving unit 113 to rotate the drum 124 at a rate of about 150 rpm
that is 1 G or more such that the laundry is attached to the drum
124.
[0117] The spin cycle 230 may be dehydrating the laundry by
rotating the drum 124 at a high rate. In the washing method
according to the embodiment of the present invention, the spin
cycle 230 may include draining 231, balancing 232, and
main-spinning 233.
[0118] If the spin cycle 230 is initiated, the controller 141 may
indicate that the spin cycle 230 is initiated by displaying a spin
icon on the progress display of the display unit 114a.
[0119] Similarly to the draining 214 of the wash cycle 210 or the
draining 223 of the rinse cycle 220, the draining 231 may be
exhausting wash water in the tub 122 out of the cabinet 111.
[0120] The balancing 232 may be distributing the laundry by
repeating acceleration and deceleration of the drum 124. During the
filtration washing 213 or the rinsing 222, the laundry may be
biased to one side due to tangle of the laundry, causing
unbalancing of the laundry in which one side of the drum 124 is
weighted based on the center of the drum 124. Since the unbalancing
of the laundry may cause noise and vibration during the
main-spinning 233, the laundry has to be evenly distributed.
[0121] During the balancing 232, the controller 141 may measure the
laundry load based on the deceleration time of the drum 124 when
the drum 124 is decelerated, and measure an unbalanced degree of
the laundry based on a variation of RPM of the drum 124 after the
drum 124 is accelerated.
[0122] The laundry load may be calculated by measuring a
deceleration time when the controller 141 decelerates the drum 124
as described above. The longer the deceleration time of the drum
124 is, the higher the level of the laundry load is. According to
an embodiment, the controller 141 may also measure the acceleration
time upon acceleration of the drum 124 to calculate the laundry
load.
[0123] The unbalanced degree of the laundry may be calculated using
a variation with respect to the rate of the drum 124 after the drum
124 is accelerated. The rate of the drum 124 may be measured using
a hole sensor, or may be calculated by measuring a current flowing
in a motor of the driving unit 113.
[0124] The controller 141 may determine whether the unbalance
degree of the laundry falls within a tolerance, using a difference
between a rate variation and a reference rate variation. The
reference rate variation may vary according to the laundry load.
The controller 141 may store a table of the unbalanced degree of
the laundry with respect to the reference rate variation according
to the laundry load.
[0125] The controller 141 may accelerate or decelerate the drum 124
according to the unbalanced degree of the laundry. That is, the
controller 141 may adjust the degree of accelerating or
decelerating the drum 124 according to the unbalanced degree of the
laundry. The controller 141 may also halt the drum 124 when the
unbalanced degree of the laundry is excessive.
[0126] The controller 141 may repeat the acceleration and
deceleration of the drum 124 according to the unbalanced degree of
the laundry. When the unbalanced degree of the laundry is greater
than the tolerance, the controller 141 may keep accelerating and
decelerating the drum 124. When the acceleration and deceleration
of the drum 124 are continuously repeated because the unbalanced
degree of the laundry is greater than the tolerance, the controller
141 may halt the drum 124. That is, when the acceleration and
deceleration of the drum 124 are continuously repeated beyond an
allowable number of repetitions, the controller 141 may inform the
display unit 114a of abnormality, and then may halt the drum 124.
If the unbalanced degree of the laundry falls within the tolerance,
the controller 141 may halt the balancing 232, and then may perform
the filtration washing 233.
[0127] The main-spinning 233 may be rotating the drum 124 at such a
high rate that the wash water drains away from the laundry. During
main-spinning 233, when the controller 141 rotates the drum 124 at
a high rate, the laundry may be attached to the inner wall of the
drum 124, and may be spin-dried by the centrifugal force. In the
main-spinning 233, the drum 124 may rotate at a rate of about 1,000
rpm or more that is greater than that of the simple-spinning 224 of
the rinsing cycle 220.
[0128] During the main-spinning 233, the control unit 141 may
intermittently operate the pump 136 to allow the wash water in the
tub 122 to drain away along the drain flow path 138. After the
main-spinning 233, drying may be performed to dry the laundry, by
supplying hot air into the drum 124.
[0129] The water supplying 211 described above may include laundry
load sensing 211a, initial water supplying 211b, laundry soaking
211c, and additional water supplying 211d.
[0130] The laundry load sensing 211a may be sensing the laundry
load. As described above, the laundry load sensing may be performed
by a method in which the controller 141 measures a deceleration
time after the driving unit 113 rotates the drum at a certain rate
for a certain time. The longer the deceleration time of the drum
124 is, the higher the level of the laundry load is. According to
an embodiment, the controller 141 may also calculate the laundry
load by measuring an acceleration time when the drum 124 is
accelerated. The controller 141 may determine the amount of wash
water that is supplied into the tub 122 during the initial water
supplying 211b and the additional water supplying 211d, and then
may determine operation times for each cycles
[0131] The initial water supplying may be supplying wash water
mixed with washing detergent into the tub 122, and spraying wash
water without washing detergent into the drum 124. During the
initial water supplying 211b, while opening a first water supply
valve 131a and a second water supply valve 131b, the controller 141
may supply wash water mixed with washing detergent into the tub
122, and may spray wash water without washing detergent into the
drum 124 through a spray nozzle 140.
[0132] When the control unit 141 opens the first water supply valve
131a, a portion of wash water supplied from an external water
supply may flow into the detergent box 133 through a first water
supply hose 132. The wash water may be mixed with the washing
detergent in the detergent box 133 to flow into the tub 122 through
a water supply pipe 134. The wash water may also be mixed with
bleach in the detergent box 133.
[0133] When the control unit 141 opens the second water supply
valve 131b, the other portion of wash water supplied from the
external water supplied may pass through a second water supply hose
149 and then may be sprayed into the drum 124 at the spray nozzle
140. In this case, the spray nozzle 140 may be a whirling nozzle,
and may generate whirling water to allow the wash water to be
sprayed on the inner side surface 124a and the inner rear surface
124b of the drum 124.
[0134] The initial water supplying 211b may performed until wash
water is filled up to a target water level. The target water level
may be determined by the controller 141 according to a measured
laundry load or a selected course prior to the initial water
supplying 211b. In the present embodiment, the target water level
may be filled up to an extent that the wash water is slightly over
the drum 124. Since the laundry is evenly soaked by the wash water
sprayed from the spray nozzle 140, the water level may not be
lowered due to soaking of the laundry in the wash water during the
laundry soaking 211c. Accordingly, the target water level at which
the wash water can be circulated during the laundry soaking 211c
may be sufficient.
[0135] During the initial water supplying 211b, the water level of
wash water may be measured by a water level sensing device (not
shown). If wash water flows into the tub 122 up to the target water
level, the controller 141 may block the first water supply valve
131a and the second water supply valve 131b to finish the initial
water supplying 211b.
[0136] The laundry soaking 211c may be that the controller 141
drives the driving unit 113 to rotate the drum 124 such that the
laundry is evenly soaked in wash water mixed with washing
detergent, and the washing detergent is dissolved. During the
laundry soaking 211c, the controller 141 may operate the pump 136
to allow wash water to circulate along the circulation flow path
137 and flow into the drum 124 through the circulation nozzle
127.
[0137] In this case, the circulation nozzle 127 may be a whirling
nozzle, and the circulation nozzle 127 may generate whirling water
to allow the wash water to be sprayed on the inner side surface
124a and the inner rear surface 124b of the drum 124
[0138] The additional water supplying 211d may be additionally
supplying wash water into the tub 122 up to the target water level
because the water level is lowered below the target water level due
to soaking of the laundry in wash water. During the addition water
supplying 211d, the controller 141 may open the first water supply
valve 131a or the second water supply valve 131b to supply wash
water into the tub 122 through the water supply pipe 134 or spray
wash water into the drum 124 through the spray nozzle 140. In this
case, the spray nozzle 140 may be a whirling nozzle, and may
generate whirling water to allow wash water to be sprayed on the
inner side surface 124a and the inner rear surface 124b of the drum
124.
[0139] When the laundry is sufficiently soaked during the initial
water supplying 211b, the water level may not be lowered during the
laundry soaking 211c. Accordingly, the additional water supplying
211d may be omitted.
[0140] Each step of the water supply 211 described above may be
applied to the water supplying 221 and 225 of the rinse cycle 220.
In the water supplying 221 and 225 of the rinse cycle 220, the
laundry load sensing 211a may be omitted, and wash water mixed with
fabric softer, not washing detergent, may be supplied during the
initial water supplying 211b.
[0141] Also in the water supplying 221 and 225 of the rinse cycle
220, the circulation nozzle or the spray nozzle 140 that is a
whirling nozzle may generate whirling water to allow wash water to
be sprayed on the inner side surface 124a and the inner rear
surface 124b of the drum 124.
[0142] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a filtration washing performed
by a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0143] Referring to FIG. 9, when the drum 124 rotates such that the
laundry is attached to the drum 124 during the filtration washing
213, wash water may be circulated along the circulation flow path
137 to be sprayed through the circulation nozzle 127.
[0144] The drum 124 may rotate at a rate of about 150 rpm, and the
circulation nozzle 127 may spray wash water into the drum 124.
[0145] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a circulation nozzle of a
washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention
sprays wash water into a drum.
[0146] Referring to FIG. 10, the circulation nozzle 127 may allow
wash water to be sprayed on the inner side surface 124a and the
inner rear surface 124b of the drum 124. The wash water sprayed
from the circulation nozzle 127 may reach the inner side surface
124a of the drum 124 corresponding to the circumferential surface
of the drum 124, and the inner rear surface 124b corresponding to
the bottom surface of the drum 124.
[0147] The circulation nozzle 127 may spray wash water on the whole
of the inner side surface 124a and a portion of the inner rear
surface 124b, preferably, the whole of the inner side surface 124a
and the whole of the inner rear surface 124b of the drum 124.
[0148] In the present embodiment, the circulation nozzle 127, which
is a whirling nozzle that revolves wash water to discharge, may
change wash water into whirling water such that wash water performs
a translational motion and a circular motion.
[0149] Due to a centrifugal force by the whirling water, the wash
water may be distributed to be sprayed on the inner side surface
124a and the inner rear surface 124b of the drum 124. Also, due to
the centrifugal force by the whirling water, the wash water may be
atomized to be rapidly absorbed into the laundry, and may pass
through the laundry.
[0150] The circulation nozzle 127 may be provided at an upper
portion of the gasket 128. According to embodiments, the
circulation nozzle 127 may be disposed at various positions such as
a lower portion of the gasket 128, the cabinet 111, and the tub
122, or between the gasket 128 and the cabinet 111.
[0151] Also, the circulation nozzle 127 may be provided between a
first protrusion 128a and a second protrusion 128b of the gasket
128.
[0152] FIG. 11 is an exploded view illustrating a circulation
nozzle of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0153] Referring to FIG. 11, the circulation nozzle 127 may include
a dome 127a having a hemispherical shape at one side thereof and
having a receiving space 127d therein, a core 127b disposed in the
receiving space 127d and having a twisted plate-shape to form a
plurality of twisted flow paths together with the receiving space
127d to change wash water passing therethrough into whirling water,
and a spray nozzle cap 127 from which the wash water passing
through the flow path formed by the core 127b and the receiving
space 127d is sprayed. A nozzle including the dome 141, the core
142, and the spray nozzle cap 143 described above may be a whirling
nozzle. In the present embodiment, the circulation nozzle 127 may
be a whirling nozzle.
[0154] In the present embodiment, the circulation nozzle 127 may be
a whirling nozzle including a dome 127a, a core 127b, and a spray
nozzle cap 127c.
[0155] The circulation nozzle 127 may be formed to have a
hemispherical shape at one side thereof. The receiving space 127d
that is an empty space may be formed with the hemispherical shape.
The wash water flowing in the circulation nozzle 127 may be held in
the receiving space 127d. One side of the circulation nozzle 127
may be formed to have a curved shape forming a hemisphere or an
oval. Since one side of the circulation nozzle 127 is formed to
have a curved shape, the laundry may not be caught on the
circulation nozzle 127 or may not be damaged by the circulation
nozzle 127 when the laundry goes in and out through the laundry
loading hole 120
[0156] The receiving space 127d may be provided with the core 127b
formed of a twisted plate. The core 127b may be formed to have a
shape in which one or more plates are twisted. The core 127b may be
provided in the receiving space 127d to form a flow path between
the receiving space 127d and the core 127b. The flow path may be
formed to have a plurality of twisted shapes or a spiral shape as
the core 127b is formed to have a shape of twisted plate. The core
127b may be implemented in various shapes forming a twisted flow
path together with the receiving space 127d according to
embodiments, and may be implemented in various shapes such as
screw, propeller, twisted tube, twisted propeller, twisted screw,
and screw thread.
[0157] When passing through the flow path between the core 127b and
the receiving space 127d, wash water may be revolved by the shape
of the flow path to be changed to whirling water. The core 127b may
be typically fixed, but may be rotated in the receiving space 127d
by wash water when the wash water passes through the flow path
formed between the core 127b and the receiving space 127d. As the
core 127 rotates, wash water may be together rotated to promote
formation of whirling water.
[0158] During the rotation of the drum 124, the circulation nozzle
127 may spray wash water on the whole of the inner side surface
124a and a portion of the inner rear surface 124b of the drum 124,
preferably, the whole of the inner side surface 124a and the whole
of the inner rear surface 124b of the drum 124. Also, since wash
water is sprayed in whirling water from the circulation nozzle 127,
the wash water may be atomized to be quickly absorbed into the
laundry and pass through the laundry.
[0159] The spray nozzle cap 127c may allow wash water having passed
through the flow path between the core 127b and the receiving space
127d to be sprayed. The spray nozzle cap 127c may allow wash water
changed to whirling water to be sprayed through an opening. The
spray nozzle cap 127c may be coupled and fixed to the dome 127a.
When the spray nozzle cap 127c is coupled to the dome 127a, a
packing (not shown) formed of water-resistant material such as
rubber may be additionally provided such that wash water is not
leaked at a portion where the spray nozzle cap 127c is coupled to
the dome 127a.
[0160] In the present embodiment, the circulation nozzle 127 has
been described as a whirling nozzle, but embodiments are not
limited thereto. For example, the circulation nozzle 127 may be
implemented with various whirling nozzles spraying revolving wash
water.
[0161] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a circulation
nozzle of a washing machine according to another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0162] Referring to FIG. 12, a circulation nozzle 127' may include
a main body 127a' having a flow path through which wash water
passes, and a bent surface 127b' which wash water having passed the
main body 127a' runs against and is bent to be sprayed from.
[0163] The main body 127a' may be formed to have a cylindrical
shape to pass wash water. The bent surface 127b' may be extended
from an opening of the lower side of the main body 127a' to form an
arc shape.
[0164] If wash water may run against the bent surface 127b' through
the flow path of the main body 127a', the wash water may be evenly
sprayed over the drum 124. Accordingly more wash water may pass
through the laundry.
[0165] Similarly to the circulation nozzle 127', the spray nozzle
140 may include a main body (not shown) having a flow path through
which wash water passes, and a bent surface (not shown) which wash
water having passed the main body 140a' runs against and is sprayed
from.
[0166] FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a gasket and a nozzle of a
washing machine according to still another embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 14 is a front view illustrating the nozzle
device of FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the
nozzle device of FIG. 13.
[0167] A steam hose 148 guiding steam into the drum 124, a
circulation flow path 137, and a second water supply hose 149 are
coupled to a gasket 128 of a washing machine 100 according to still
another embodiment of the present invention. A nozzle device 300
may be provided to spray steam and wash water supplied through the
steam hose 148, the circulation flow path 137, and the second water
supplying hose 149.
[0168] A boss portion 128c may be protruded from an upper portion
of the gasket 128 such that the nozzle device 300 is connected to
the gasket 128. The connecting nozzle device 300 may be disposed to
pass through the boss portion 128c.
[0169] The connecting nozzle device 300 may include a plurality of
cylindrical portions 301, 302 and 303 formed to be exposed to the
upper portion of the gasket 128 through the boss portion 128c when
installed at the gasket 128, a plurality of hose coupling portions
304, 305 and 306 formed to be coupled to the steam hose 148, the
circulation flow path 137 and the second water supply hose 149, and
a plurality of nozzle portions 309 provided to connect all of the
lower ends of the plurality of the cylindrical portions 301, 302
and 303 and spray wash water and/or steam into the gasket 128.
[0170] The cylindrical portions 301, 302 and 303, the hose coupling
portions 304, 305 and 306, and the nozzle portions 309 may be
individually provided. In the present embodiment, the hose coupling
portions 304, 305 and 306 may be provided to allow the steam hose
148, the circulation flow path 137, and the second water supply
hose 149 to be coupled thereto as described above.
[0171] A plurality of hook portions 301a, 302a and 303a may be
formed on the plurality of cylindrical portion 301, 302 and 303 to
promote downward coupling at the upper portion of the gasket 128,
respectively. The hooking portions 301a, 302a and 303a may be ribs
that are radially protruded along the circumferential surface of
the cylindrical portions 301, 302 and 303.
[0172] Also, fitting protrusions 303b protruding a radial direction
to the gasket 128 may be formed on the plurality of cylindrical
portions 301, 302 and 303, respectively. A fitting holes (not
shown) to which the fitting protrusions 303b are fitted may be
formed on the boss portion 128c of the gasket 128.
[0173] The plurality of hose coupling portions 304, 305 and 306 may
be formed to extend from the cylindrical portions 301, 302 and 303
in the longitudinal direction such that the hose coupling portion
304, 305 and 306 protrude from the outer circumferential surface of
the gasket 128. The guide ribs 304a, 305a and 306a may be formed to
guide coupling positions of the steam hose 148, the circulation
flow path 137, and the second water supply hose 149.
[0174] The guide ribs 304a, 305a and 306a may radially protrude
along the circumferential direction from the circumferential
surface of the hose coupling portions 304, 305 and 306 similarly to
the hooking portions 301a, 302a and 303a, and may be formed at a
further outer side than the outer circumferential surface of the
gasket 128.
[0175] The steam hose 148, the circulation flow path 137, and the
second water supply hose 149 may be fixedly coupled to a clamp 304,
respectively, after fitted to the plurality of hose coupling
portions 304, 305 and 306.
[0176] The plurality of nozzle portions 309 may include a drum
spray portion 307 formed to have a gradually extended width
directly under the respective cylindrical portions 302 and 303 to
which the circulation flow path 137 and the second water supply
hose 149 are coupled and downwardly inclined to the drum 124
disposed at the rear portion, and a steam spray portion 308
disposed directly under the cylindrical portion 301 to which the
steam hose 148 is connected, and formed to be opened to the drum
124 disposed at the rear portion. The drum spray portion 307 may
include a spray nozzle 140 spraying wash water supplied from an
external water source through the second water supply hose 149 into
the drum 124, and a circulation nozzle 127 spraying wash water
circulating through the circulation flow path 137 into the drum
124. That is, the drum spray portion 307 formed directly under the
cylindrical portion 302 to which the circulation flow path 137 is
connected may correspond to the circulation nozzle 127, and the
drum spray portion 307 formed directly under the cylindrical
portion 302 to which the second water supply hose 149 is connected
may correspond to the spray nozzle 340.
[0177] Also, the connecting nozzle device 300 may include a door
spray portion 310 disposed directly under the cylindrical portion
303 to which the second water supply hose 149 is connected, and
connected to the second water supply hose 149 to spray wash water
to the front side at which the door 112 is disposed.
[0178] The door spray portion 310 need not to be disposed directly
under the cylindrical portion 303 to which the second water supply
hose 149 is connected, rather may be disposed directly under the
cylindrical portion 302 to which the circulation flow path 137 is
connected. That is, the door spray portion 310 may be disposed in
at least one of the circulation nozzle 127 and the spray nozzle
140.
[0179] The door spray portion 310 may spray wash water on the inner
side surface of the door 112 to clean the inner side surface of the
door 112 such that contaminant, washing detergent, or fabric
softener is not stuck on the inner side surface of the door
112.
[0180] The door spray portion 310 may be integrally formed in the
connecting nozzle device 300. The door spray portion 310 may be
disposed directly under the cylindrical portions 302 and 303 to
which the circulation flow path 137 or the second water supply hose
149 is connected, may be opened toward the door 112, and may be
downwardly inclined such that its width is gradually extended. The
door spray portion 310 may be formed adjacent to the drum spray
portion 307, and may be formed to face the drum spray portion 307
based on the central undersurface of the cylindrical portion 302
and 303. That is, the door spray portion 310 may be formed to
adjacently face the circulation nozzle 127 or the spray nozzle
140.
[0181] Thus, when the door spray portion 310 is integrally formed
in the connecting nozzle device 300, wash water from the drum spray
portion 307 may be sprayed on the laundry in the drum 124 such that
the laundry is evenly soaked by the wash water, and wash water from
the door spray portion 310 may be evenly sprayed on the inner side
surface of the door 312.
[0182] Here, the door spray portion 310 may be disposed such that
wash water is evenly sprayed on the whole of the inner side surface
of the door 112. However, when the supply pressure of wash water
supplied from the door spray portion 310 is low, even spraying on
the whole of the inner side surface of the door 112 may be
difficult. In this case, the door spray portion 310 may be disposed
such that wash water may be sprayed in an oblique direction toward
the upper end portion of the inner side surface of the door 112.
When wash water is sprayed from the door spray portion 310 to the
upper end portion of the inner side surface of the door 112, the
sprayed wash water may stream down from the upper end portion of
the inner side surface of the door 112 to evenly wash the inner
side surface of the door 112.
[0183] FIG. 17 is a view illustrating a nozzle of a washing machine
according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
[0184] A door spray portion 410 according to still another
embodiment of the present invention may be formed in a nozzle 400
separated from the connecting nozzle device 300.
[0185] Also, in the nozzle 400 separated from the connecting nozzle
device 300, one of the circulation flow path 137 or the second
water supply hose 149 may be directly connected to the hose
coupling portion 406 corresponding to an upper portion of the door
spray portion 410.
[0186] However, the nozzle 400 may not necessarily have only the
door spray portion 410 opened toward only the door 112. That is,
the nozzle 400 may correspond to the circulation nozzle 127 or
preferably, the spray nozzle 140 that spray wash water to the drum
124.
[0187] Also, a door spray portion 410 may be formed in the
circulation nozzle 127 shown in FIGS. 9 through 12 or the spray
nozzle 140 shown in FIGS. 4 through 6. In this case, when the
circulation nozzle 127 or the spray nozzle 140 is a whirling
nozzle, the door spray portion 410 may be formed at the opposite
sides to the locations where the cores 142 and 127b are provided in
the domes 141 and 127a. The door spray portion 410 may be formed in
the spray nozzle 140.
[0188] Reference numerals 403a and 403b that have not been
described may be a hooking portion and a fitting protrusion that
perform a function similar to that of the connection nozzle device
300 according to an embodiment, and reference numeral 406a may be a
guide rib that performs a function similar to that of the
connecting nozzle device 300 according to an embodiment.
[0189] When wash water is supplied in such a way, the wash water
may be sprayed to the drum 124 by the circulation nozzle 127 or the
spray nozzle 140. Also, since the wash water is sprayed to the door
112 by the door spray portion 410, water supplying and door
cleaning may be performed.
[0190] An action on the door spray portion 310 described above will
be described in detail as follow.
[0191] The door spray portion 310 may spray wash water on the door
112A to maintain the inner side surface of the door 112 in a clean
condition. The door cleaning process may be performed for a certain
time after the water supplying 211 of the wash cycle 210 of
supplying wash water mixed with washing detergent, and/or after the
water supplying 225 of the rinse cycle 220 of supplying wash water
mixed with fabric softener. Alternatively, the door cleaning
process may be performed for a certain time before the draining 214
after the filtration washing 213 of the wash cycle 210, and/or
before the draining 231 of the spin cycle 230 after the rinsing 226
of the rinse cycle 220.
[0192] The door cleaning process may be separately performed before
the balancing 212 after the water supplying 211 is completed, but
may be performed during the water supplying 211. That is, the door
cleaning process may be performed during the initial water
supplying 211b or the additional water supplying 211d of the water
supplying 211. Particularly, when the door spray portion 310 is
formed in the spray nozzle 140, and during the initial water
supplying 211b and the additional water supplying 211d, the spray
nozzle 140 sprays wash water supplied from an external water source
into the drum 124, the door spray portion 310 may spray wash water
supplied from the external water supply on the door 112. It is the
same as the water supplying 225 of the rinsing cycle 220.
[0193] Also, the door cleaning process may be performed after the
rinsing 226 of the rinse cycle 220 or the filtration washing 213 of
the wash cycle 210 in which the most contaminant, washing
detergent, or fabric softener is stuck on the inner side surface of
the door 112 is completed, or may be performed in the last course
of the rinsing 226 of the rinse cycle 220 or the filtration washing
213 of the wash cycle 210. According to embodiments, when the
filtration washing 213 is typically performed, the door cleaning
process may be performed in the last course of the washing or after
the washing is completed. Also, the door cleaning process may also
be performed in the initial course of the draining 241 of the wash
cycle 210 or the draining 231 of the wash cycle 230.
[0194] That is, the door cleaning process may be performed by
spraying wash water supplied from an external water source toward
the door 112 through the door spray portion 310, before the drum
124 is rotated at a high rate such that wash water absorbed into
the laundry drains away after the drum 124 is rotated while wash
water mixed with washing detergent or fabric softener is being
sprayed through the circulation nozzle 127
[0195] Although the preferred embodiments of the 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.
[0196] A washing method and a washing machine according to an
embodiment of the present invention have the following effects.
[0197] First, a whirling nozzle spraying whirling water is provided
to evenly spray wash water on the inner side surface and the inner
rear surface of the drum.
[0198] Second, wash water supplied to the drum can be changed to
whirling water.
[0199] Third, a second water supply valve and a spray nozzle are
directly connected to a second water supply hose, thereby directly
supplying an external water source into the drum.
[0200] Fourth, a circulation nozzle and a spray nozzle are
simultaneously provided to allow the laundry to be efficiently
soaked in wash water, thereby increasing washing efficiency.
[0201] Fifth, washing performance can be improved through
filtration rinsing in which a spray nozzle, i.e., a whirling nozzle
operates during the rinsing.
[0202] Sixth, washing performance can be improved by passing wash
water supplied from an external water source through the
laundry.
[0203] Seventh, washing performance can be improved through
filtration washing in which a spray nozzle, i.e., a whirling nozzle
operates during the washing.
[0204] Eighth, damage of the laundry can be prevented by passing
wash water mixed with washing detergent through the laundry.
[0205] Ninth, wash water can be saved because only a minimum amount
of wash water that can be circulated is required aside from wash
water absorbed in the laundry.
[0206] Tenth, washing performance can be improved by spraying wash
water through a spray nozzle that is a whirling nozzle or spraying
wash water through a circulation nozzle that is a whirling nozzle
during initial water supplying.
[0207] Eleventh, the laundry can be soaked in advance by spraying
wash water into the drum prior to the laundry soaking.
[0208] Twelfth, since the laundry can be soaked in advance prior to
the laundry soaking, washing detergent can be easily dissolved, and
wash water mixed with the washing detergent can be easily absorbed
into the laundry prior to the laundry soaking.
[0209] Thirteenth, since only wash water that can be circulated is
required during the laundry soaking, wash water can be saved.
[0210] Fourteenth, additional water supplying can be omitted after
the laundry soaking.
[0211] Fifteenth, since wash water can be dispersedly sprayed on
the inner side surface and the inner rear surface of the drum by a
centrifugal force.
[0212] Sixteenth, wash water can be atomized by a centrifugal force
to be rapidly absorbed into the laundry and pass through the
laundry.
[0213] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the
effects described above, and other effects that have not been set
forth herein will be clearly understood from the appended claims by
those skilled in the art.
* * * * *