U.S. patent application number 13/332785 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-05 for washing apparatus and washing method using the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Sang Min HYUN, Ki Soo KIM, Sang Yeon PYO.
Application Number | 20120167313 13/332785 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45444442 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120167313 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PYO; Sang Yeon ; et
al. |
July 5, 2012 |
WASHING APPARATUS AND WASHING METHOD USING THE SAME
Abstract
A washing apparatus includes an expandable and contractible wash
tub and an auxiliary tank communicating with the wash tub to store
wash water. Laundry in the wash tub is washed using bubbles
supplied by a bubble supply device and using contraction and
expansion of the wash tub.
Inventors: |
PYO; Sang Yeon; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; HYUN; Sang Min; (Seoul, KR) ; KIM; Ki
Soo; (Gunpo-si, KR) |
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
45444442 |
Appl. No.: |
13/332785 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/137 ; 68/147;
68/5R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 15/02 20130101;
D06F 15/00 20130101; D06F 35/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
8/137 ; 68/147;
68/5.R |
International
Class: |
D06L 1/20 20060101
D06L001/20; D06F 37/00 20060101 D06F037/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 5, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0000980 |
Claims
1. A washing apparatus comprising: an apparatus body; an expandable
and contractible wash tub having one side supported at an upper
part of the apparatus body, the wash tub being provided with an
introduction port through which laundry is introduced; an auxiliary
tank disposed at a lower part of the apparatus body to store wash
water discharged from the wash tub; a front cover to support the
other side of the wash tub, the front cover having a door hingedly
mounted to open and close the introduction port; and a circulation
pump disposed between the wash tub and the auxiliary tank so that
the wash tub and the auxiliary tank communicate with each other via
the circulation pump to circulate wash water between the wash tub
and the auxiliary tank so that the wash tub is contracted and
expanded.
2. The washing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a
bubble supply device, the bubble supply device comprising: a bubble
pump to supply wash water from the auxiliary tank to the wash tub
so that laundry in the wash tub is washed using bubbles; an ejector
to increase flow speed of the wash water supplied to the wash tub
by the bubble pump; and an air introduction pipe provided adjacent
to the ejector to allow external air to be introduced
therethrough.
3. The washing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the front
cover is moved based on expansion and contraction of the wash
tub.
4. The washing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the wash tub
is disposed at the upper part of the apparatus body, the auxiliary
tank is disposed at the lower part of the apparatus body, and the
bubble supply device is disposed between the wash tub and the
auxiliary tank.
5. The washing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a
wash water supply pipe connected between one side of the bubble
pump and the auxiliary tank and a bubble supply pipe connected
between the other side of the bubble pump and the wash tub.
6. The washing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the
circulation pump comprises a motor rotatable in forward and reverse
directions.
7. The washing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the motor
comprises a brushless direct current motor.
8. The washing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a
first connection pipe connected between the circulation pump and
the wash tub and a second connection pipe connected between the
auxiliary tank and the wash tub, wherein the second connection pipe
is provided with a valve to control flow of the wash water.
9. The washing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
auxiliary tank has a drainage pipe communicating with an outside to
drain wash water from the auxiliary tank, and the drainage pipe is
provided with a drainage valve to control drainage of the wash
water.
10. The washing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the wash
tub is contracted and expanded by wash water moving between the
wash tub and the auxiliary tank according to the forward and
reverse rotation of the circulation pump.
11. A washing method of a washing apparatus comprising:
hermetically sealing an expandable and contractible wash tub after
placing laundry, wash water and detergent in the wash tub; and
washing the laundry using contraction and expansion of the wash
tub.
12. The washing method according to claim 11, further comprising
washing the laundry in the wash tub using bubbles.
13. The washing method according to claim 12, wherein the washing
apparatus further comprises an auxiliary tank to store wash water,
and washing the laundry in the wash tub using bubbles comprises
using bubbles generated by mixing external air with wash water
containing detergent during supply of the wash water from the
auxiliary tank to the wash tub.
14. The washing method according to claim 13, wherein washing the
laundry using contraction and expansion of the wash tub comprises
washing the laundry using contraction and expansion of the wash tub
during movement of wash water between the wash tub and the
auxiliary tank using a motor rotatable in forward and reverse
directions.
15. The washing method according to claim 14, further comprising
spin-drying the laundry, wherein spin-drying the laundry includes
draining the wash water from the auxiliary tank so that the wash
tub is contracted by operation of the circulation pump, whereby the
laundry in the wash tub is spin-dried while being compressed.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 2011-0000980, filed on Jan. 5, 2011 in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a washing
apparatus that washes laundry using contraction and expansion of a
wash tub and using bubbles.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, a washing machine includes a water tub mounted in
a machine body to contain a predetermined amount of wash water and
a rotary tub mounted in the water tub to contain laundry, the
rotary tub being rotated by a motor.
[0006] The laundry in the rotary tub may be washed by whirlpools
generated by a pulsator in the rotary tub or using rotation and
dropping of the laundry caused by the rotation of the rotary
tub.
SUMMARY
[0007] It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a
washing apparatus that washes laundry using contraction and
expansion of a wash tub and using bubbles.
[0008] Additional aspects of the disclosure 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
disclosure.
[0009] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a
washing apparatus includes an apparatus body, an expandable and
contractible wash tub having one side supported at the upper part
of the apparatus body, the wash tub being provided with an
introduction port through which laundry is introduced, an auxiliary
tank disposed at the lower part of the apparatus body to store wash
water discharged from the wash tub, a front cover to support the
other side of the wash tub, the front cover having a door hingedly
mounted to open and close the introduction port, and a circulation
pump disposed between the wash tub and the auxiliary tank so that
the wash tub and the auxiliary tank communicate with each other via
the circulation pump to circulate wash water between the wash tub
and the auxiliary tank so that the wash tub is contracted and
expanded.
[0010] The washing apparatus may further include a bubble supply
device including a bubble pump to supply wash water from the
auxiliary tank to the wash tub so that laundry in the wash tub is
washed using bubbles, an ejector to increase flow speed of the wash
water supplied to the wash tub by the bubble pump, and an air
introduction pipe provided adjacent to the ejector to allow
external air to be introduced therethrough.
[0011] The front cover may be moved based on expansion and
contraction of the wash tub.
[0012] The wash tub may be disposed at the upper part of the
apparatus body, the auxiliary tank may be disposed at the lower
part of the apparatus body, and the bubble supply device may be
disposed between the wash tub and the auxiliary tank.
[0013] The washing apparatus may further include a wash water
supply pipe connected between one side of the bubble pump and the
auxiliary tank and a bubble supply pipe connected between the other
side of the bubble pump and the wash tub.
[0014] The circulation pump may include a motor rotatable in
forward and reverse directions.
[0015] The washing apparatus may further include a first connection
pipe connected between the circulation pump and the wash tub and a
second connection pipe connected between the auxiliary tank and the
wash tub, wherein the second connection pipe may be provided with a
valve to control flow of the wash water.
[0016] The auxiliary tank may have a drainage pipe communicating
with the outside to drain wash water from the auxiliary tank, and
the drainage pipe may be provided with a drainage valve to control
drainage of the wash water.
[0017] The wash tub may be contracted and expanded by wash water
moving between the wash tub and the auxiliary tank according to the
forward and reverse rotation of the circulation pump.
[0018] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure,
a washing method of a washing apparatus includes hermetically
sealing an expandable and contractible wash tub after placing
laundry, wash water and detergent in the wash tub and washing the
laundry using contraction and expansion of the wash tub.
[0019] The washing method may further include washing the laundry
in the wash tub using bubbles.
[0020] The washing apparatus may further include an auxiliary tank
to store wash water, and washing the laundry in the wash tub using
bubbles may include using bubbles generated by mixing external air
with wash water containing detergent during supply of the wash
water from the auxiliary tank to the wash tub.
[0021] Washing the laundry using contraction and expansion of the
wash tub may include washing the laundry using contraction and
expansion of the wash tub during movement of wash water between the
wash tub and the auxiliary tank using a motor rotatable in forward
and reverse directions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become
apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings of which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the
external appearance of a washing apparatus according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a view schematically illustrating the interior
structure of the washing apparatus according to the embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the washing apparatus
according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a bubble supply
device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a washing process of the
washing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the flow of wash water
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an expanded state of a wash
tub according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0030] FIG. 8 is a view of the washing apparatus according to the
embodiment of the present disclosure installed in a wall of an
indoor space.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to
like elements throughout.
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the
external appearance of a washing apparatus 1 according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 2 is a view
schematically illustrating the interior structure of the washing
apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure,
and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the washing apparatus according
to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the washing apparatus 1 may
include an apparatus body 10 forming the external appearance
thereof and an expandable and contractible wash tub 20 provided in
the upper part of the apparatus body 10.
[0034] The apparatus body 10 may be formed in the shape of a box
extending vertically. The apparatus body 10 may be installed in an
indoor space.
[0035] The wash tub 20 defines a space to receive a small amount of
laundry. The wash tub 20 may be made of an elastic resin. The wash
tub 20 may be formed in the shape of bellows by which the wash tub
may be contracted and expanded.
[0036] Also, one side of the wash tub 20 may be fixed to the
apparatus body 10, and an introduction port 21, through which
laundry is introduced into the wash tub 20, may be formed at the
other side of the wash tub 20.
[0037] At the front of the apparatus body 10 may be provided a
front cover 30 to which the other side of the wash tub 20 is
coupled. The front cover 30 may be slidably moved in the
frontward-and-rearward direction of the apparatus body 10. At the
front cover 30 may be mounted a door 40 rotatable about a hinge
shaft provided at the lower end thereof.
[0038] The front cover 30 may be moved based on expansion and
contraction of the wash tub 20 so that the front cover 30 is
slidably moved in the frontward-and-rearward direction of the
apparatus body 10.
[0039] When the washing apparatus 1 is not in use, the wash tub 20
is in a contracted state with the result that the front cover 30
attached to the other side of the wash tub 20 is closed. In a case
in which the washing apparatus 1 is installed in a wall W of an
indoor space as shown in FIG. 8, therefore, spatial efficiency is
improved.
[0040] The door 40 is mounted to open and close the introduction
port 21 of the wash tub 20. When the door 40 is closed, the
introduction port 21 of the wash tub 20 is closed with the result
that the interior of the wash tub 20 is hermetically sealed. During
contraction and expansion of the wash tub 20, which will be
described below, therefore, introduction of external air into the
wash tub 20 is prevented so that smooth expansion and contraction
of the wash tub 20 due to flow of wash water is achieved.
[0041] At the lower part of the apparatus body 10 may be provided
an auxiliary tank 50 to store wash water discharged from the wash
tub 20 when the wash tub 20 is contracted.
[0042] Between the wash tub 20 and the auxiliary tank 50 may be
provided a bubble supply device 60 to generate and supply bubbles
into the wash tub 20 so that laundry in the wash tub 20 is washed
by the bubbles.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, the bubble supply device 60 may include
a bubble pump 61 to mix wash water with air.
[0044] One side of the bubble pump 61 may communicate with the
auxiliary tank 50, and the other side of the bubble pump 61 may
communicate with the wash tub 20.
[0045] One side of the bubble pump 61 may be connected to a wash
water supply pipe 66 communicating with the auxiliary tank 50 to
supply wash water from the auxiliary tank 50 to the bubble pump 61,
and the other side of the bubble pump 61 may be connected to a
bubble supply pipe 67 to supply bubbles generated by the bubble
pump 61 to the wash tub 20.
[0046] Also, one side of the bubble supply pipe 67 may be connected
to an air introduction pipe 68, through which external air is
introduced.
[0047] Consequently, wash water supplied to the wash tub 20 by the
bubble pump 61 is mixed with air introduced through the air
introduction pipe 68 to generate bubbles, which are supplied to the
wash tub 20.
[0048] The bubble pump 61 may include a bubble motor 62 to generate
rotary force, an impeller 63, rotatable by the bubble motor 62,
through which wash water flows, and an ejector 64 to increase flow
speed of wash water discharged by the impeller 63.
[0049] The air introduction pipe 68 may be disposed upstream of the
ejector 64 so that external air is suctioned through the air
introduction pipe 68 due to the pressure of wash water discharged
by the ejector 64.
[0050] That is, the impeller 63, rotatable by rotary force from the
bubble motor 62, suctions wash water from the auxiliary tank 50,
and the suctioned wash water is discharged to the bubble supply
pipe 67. At this time, the discharged wash water passes through a
nozzle 65 of the ejector 64. At this time, the pressure of the wash
water becomes lower than atmospheric pressure.
[0051] At this time, external air is introduced through the air
introduction pipe 68 provided at the vicinity of the ejector 64 as
the pressure of the air introduction pipe 68 is lower than
atmospheric pressure. As a result, bubbles are generated in wash
water supplied to the wash tub 20.
[0052] Also, a circulation pump 70 to expand and contract the wash
tub 20 may be provided between the wash tub 20 and the auxiliary
tank 50.
[0053] The circulation pump 70 may include a brushless direct
current (BLDC) motor rotatable in forward and reverse
directions.
[0054] One side of the circulation pump 70 may communicate with the
wash tub 20, and the other side of the circulation pump 70 may
communicate with the auxiliary tank 50. That is, a first connection
pipe 71 connected between the wash tub 20 and the circulation pump
70 so that the wash tub 20 and the circulation pump 70 communicate
with each other may be provided at one side of the circulation pump
70, and a second connection pipe 72 connected between the auxiliary
tank 50 and the circulation pump 70 so that the auxiliary tank 50
and the circulation pump 70 communicate with each other may be
provided at the other side of the circulation pump 70.
[0055] When the circulation pump 70 is rotated in the forward
direction, wash water from the auxiliary tank 50 may be supplied to
the wash tub 20. When the circulation pump 70 is rotated in the
reverse direction, wash water from the wash tub 20 may be supplied
to the auxiliary tank 50. As a result, the interior of the wash tub
20 is contracted and expanded.
[0056] A circulation valve 73 to enable the auxiliary tank 50 and
the wash tub 20 to selectively communicate with each other to
control the flow of wash water between the auxiliary tank 50 and
the wash tub 20 may be provided at the second connection pipe 72.
The circulation valve 73 may be a solenoid valve.
[0057] Meanwhile, a drainage pipe 80 communicating with the outside
to drain wash water from the auxiliary tank 50 may be connected to
the auxiliary tank 50. A drainage valve 81 which is controlled to
be turned on and off may be mounted at the drainage pipe 80 to
control drainage of wash water.
[0058] Hereinafter, the operation of the washing apparatus will be
described.
[0059] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a washing process of the
washing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure, FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the flow of wash water
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 7 is
a view illustrating an expanded state of a wash tub according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7,
first, a user opens the door 40 and puts a small amount of laundry
into the wash tub 20 through the introduction port 21 of the wash
tub 20 (S1).
[0060] When the user supplies water and detergent into the wash tub
20 and closes the door 40, the introduction port 21 of the wash tub
20 is closed by the door 40. At this time, the circulation valve 73
is in an open state, and therefore, the auxiliary tank 50 and the
wash tub 20 are filled with wash water.
[0061] When the user starts the washing apparatus 1, the bubble
supply device 60 is operated (S2). That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the
impeller 63 of the bubble supply device 60 is rotated, and wash
water from the auxiliary tank 50 is supplied into the wash tub 20
via the bubble supply pipe 67 through the wash water supply pipe
66.
[0062] At this time, external air is introduced through the air
introduction pipe 68 by the ejector 64 and is mixed with wash water
containing detergent during the supply of the wash water from the
auxiliary tank 50 to the wash tub 20. As a result, bubbles are
generated Consequently, the water and the detergent are stirred to
increase solubility of the detergent. The laundry in the wash tub
20 is primarily washed by a water current due to such bubbles.
[0063] Subsequently, the circulation pump 70 is operated (S3). When
the circulation pump 70 is rotated in the forward direction, wash
water is supplied from the wash tub 20 to the auxiliary tank 50. As
a result, the wash tub 20 is contracted (see FIG. 3).
[0064] On the other hand, when the circulation pump 70 is rotated
in the reverse direction, wash water is supplied from the auxiliary
tank 50 to the wash tub 20. As a result, the wash tub 20 is
expanded as shown in FIG. 7.
[0065] That is, the wash tub 20 is repeatedly contacted and
expanded according to the forward and reverse rotation of the
circulation pump 70 to wash the laundry in the wash tub 20.
[0066] The laundry is washed using contraction and expansion of the
wash tub 20, thereby providing a hand washing effect. As a result,
damage to laundry due to tangling of the laundry is prevented.
[0067] Meanwhile, washing using bubbles and washing based on
contraction and expansion of the wash tub may be repeated according
to user selection.
[0068] Subsequently, a spin-drying operation is performed (S4). The
drainage valve 81 is opened, and wash water from the auxiliary tank
50 is drained to the outside through the drainage pipe 80. At this
time, the wash tub 20 is contracted by operation of the circulation
pump 70, and therefore, the laundry in the wash tub 20 is
spin-dried while being compressed.
[0069] As is apparent from the above description, the washing
apparatus is suitable for washing a small amount of laundry.
[0070] Also, the washing apparatus prevents damage to and tangling
of laundry.
[0071] Also, laundry is washed using bubbles and using expansion
and contraction of the wash tub, thereby improving washing
efficiency.
[0072] Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure 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.
[0073] Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure 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.
* * * * *