U.S. patent application number 14/553949 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-14 for washing machine and washing method thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation. Invention is credited to In Dong KIM.
Application Number | 20160010264 14/553949 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53180624 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160010264 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; In Dong |
January 14, 2016 |
WASHING MACHINE AND WASHING METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
A washing machine includes: an outer tank configured to contain
washing water; a rotatable inner tank installed inside the outer
tank; and an auxiliary washing device installed in the inner tank,
wherein the auxiliary washing device comprises a rotation body
configured to rotate according and relative to the inner tank.
Inventors: |
KIM; In Dong; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
53180624 |
Appl. No.: |
14/553949 |
Filed: |
November 25, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/137 ;
68/139 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 37/06 20130101;
D06F 37/30 20130101 |
International
Class: |
D06F 37/30 20060101
D06F037/30; D06F 37/06 20060101 D06F037/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 9, 2014 |
KR |
10-2014-0086172 |
Claims
1. A washing machine, comprising: an outer tank configured to
contain washing water; a rotatable inner tank inside the outer
tank; and an auxiliary washing device on the inner tank, wherein
the auxiliary washing device comprises a rotation body configured
to rotate according and relative to the inner tank.
2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary washing
device further comprises a support body, wherein the rotation body
is coupled to an axis extending from the support body and rotates
according to the rotation of the inner tank.
7. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the support body is
installed inside the inner tank length-wise in the horizontal
direction and protrudes toward the center of the inner tank.
4. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the axis rotates freely
without power according to the rotation of the inner tank.
5. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the axis rotates using
power delivered from a motor located outside the inner tank.
6. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the rotation body
comprises a base and a protrusion protruding from the base.
7. The washing machine of claim 6, wherein two or more panels are
formed on the support body.
8. The washing machine of claim 6, wherein the protrusion has a
shaped selected from the group consisting of: a cross; and a linear
shape.
9. A method of washing, comprising: rotating an inner tank of a
washing machine; and rotating a rotation body coupled to the inner
tank, wherein the rotation body rotates relative to the rotation of
the inner tank, wherein items of laundry in the inner tank contact
the rotation body and are caused to be rubbed against each other by
the movement of the rotation body; and wherein the rotation body
causes the laundry to be lifted to the top of the inner tank as the
inner tank rotates.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the auxiliary washing device
further comprises a support body, wherein the rotation body is
coupled to a support body and to an axis extending from the support
body, and rotates according to the rotation of the inner tank.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the support body is installed
inside the inner tank length-wise in the horizontal direction and
protrudes toward the center of the inner tank.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the axis rotates freely without
power according to the rotation of the inner tank.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the axis rotates using power
delivered from a motor located outside the inner tank.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein the rotation body comprises a
panel and a protrusion protruding from the panel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based on and claims priority to Korean
Patent Application No. 2014-0086172, filed on Jul. 9, 2014, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by
reference.
FIELD
[0002] Embodiments according to the present disclosure relate to
washing machines, and more particularly, to washing machines and
washing methods using such machines. In an embodiment, the washing
machines improve cleaning by rubbing items of laundry together
using friction generated while the laundry passes through a
rotation body of a lifter that is installed inside the drum of the
washing machine. The lifter also functions to move the laundry and
washing water. In an embodiment, the lifter includes a support body
which is fixed length-wise in the horizontal direction inside the
drum, and a rotation body that is connected to an axis extending
from the support body and that rotates about the axis according to
the rotation of a drum.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In general, a washing machine is an item of equipment that
cleans laundry such as clothes by rotating water and detergent in a
tub. Washing machines can be categorized as either vertical washing
machines (or pulsator washing machines) or drum washing machines
based on the orientation of the tub in which the laundry is placed.
A drum washing machine has a drum whose axis of rotation is
horizontal. Laundry is placed inside the drum, is moved vertically
(up and down) by the rotation of the drum, and is cleaned while
moving.
[0004] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional drum
washing machine.
[0005] Referring to FIG. 1, the drum washing machine includes a
cabinet 100 which has an opening at the front side, a tub 102 which
is installed inside the cabinet to contain washing water, and a
rotatable drum 104 which is installed inside the tub 102 to contain
the laundry, detergent, etc.
[0006] The drum 104 has a front opening as in the cabinet 100 and
the tub 102, and a motor at the back of the tub is installed
outside the drum. Accordingly, once the motor operates, the drum
104 produces a washing action by rotating around the horizontal
axis.
[0007] Lifters 106 protruding toward the center of the drum are
installed on the inside wall of the drum 104 and help improve
washing effectiveness by lifting the laundry while the drum rotates
to increase movement of the laundry.
[0008] In general, such lifters 106 are installed length-wise in
the horizontal direction on the inside wall of the drum 104 and
protrude towards the center of rotation. Therefore, while the drum
104 rotates, the lifters assist the process of washing the laundry,
by increasing movement of the laundry and washing water by lifting
the laundry and scooping the washing water from the bottom of the
drum 104 to the top.
[0009] However, the lifters 106 included with conventional drum
washing machines are immobile and are only installed on the inside
of the drum 104; as a result, they only function to scoop the
washing water and the laundry and therefore limit washing
effectiveness.
SUMMARY
[0010] In view of the above, therefore, embodiments according to
the present invention provide a drum washing machine and a method
of washing using such a washing machine, which improve washing
force and effectiveness by causing items of laundry to rub against
each other using friction generated when the laundry passes through
a rotation body of a lifter that is installed inside the drum of
the washing machine. The lifter performs an auxiliary function of
moving the laundry and washing water. In an embodiment, the lifter
includes a support body that is attached length-wise in the
horizontal direction inside the drum, and a rotation body connected
to an axis extending from the support body and that rotates
according to the rotation of a drum.
[0011] In an embodiment according to the invention, a washing
machine includes: an outer tank configured to contain washing
water; a rotatable inner tank installed inside the outer tank; and
an auxiliary washing device installed in the inner tank, where the
washing auxiliary device includes a rotation body configured to
rotate according to and relative to the rotation of the inner
tank.
[0012] In an embodiment, the washing auxiliary device includes a
support body, and the rotation body is connected to an axis that
extends from the support body and rotates according to the rotation
of the inner tank.
[0013] In an embodiment, the support body is installed inside the
inner tank length-wise in the horizontal direction and protrudes
towards the center of the inner tank.
[0014] In an embodiment, the rotation body includes a panel or base
(e.g., a round base) of a predetermined thickness, a connecting
groove configured to be connected to the axis of rotation at the
bottom middle of the base, and a protrusion protruding a
predetermined constant height from the top of the base.
[0015] In an embodiment, the rotation body includes two or more
equally spaced bases.
[0016] In an embodiment, the protrusion has the shape of a cross;
in another embodiment, it has a linear shape.
[0017] In an embodiment, the axis of the rotation body rotates
freely without power according to the rotation of the inner tank.
In another embodiment, it rotates using rotational motive power
delivered from a motor located outside the inner tank.
[0018] In another embodiment according to the invention, a method
of washing includes: rotating an inner tank of a washing machine;
and rotating a rotation body attached to the inner tank, where
items of laundry contact the rotation body and are rubbed against
each other by the movement of the rotation body, and are lifted by
the rotation body to the top of the inner tank.
[0019] In embodiments according to the present disclosure, washing
force and effectiveness in the washing machine is improved by
making items of laundry rub against each other using friction
generated when the laundry passes through a rotation body of a
lifter that is installed inside the drum of the washing machine.
The lifter performs an auxiliary function of moving the laundry and
washing water. The lifter includes a support body which is fixed
length-wise in the horizontal direction inside the drum, and a
rotation body connected to an axis extending from the support body
and rotating according to and relative to the rotation of the drum.
Also, further improvements in washing force and effectiveness are
expected as a result of the impact on the laundry of protrusions
formed on the rotation body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional drum
washing machine.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a drum washing machine
equipped with a rotatable lifter in an embodiment according to the
present disclosure.
[0022] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a plan view and a cross-sectional
view of a lifter in an embodiment according to the present
disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a rotatable lifter in operation
in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example of a method of washing
in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0026] In the following description, well-known functions or
components will not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily
obscuring aspects of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a drum washing
machine equipped with rotatable lifters in an embodiment according
to the present disclosure. Hereinafter, embodiments according to
the present disclosure are described in more detail with reference
to the example of FIG. 2.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, the drum washing machine includes a
cabinet 200 which has an opening at the front side, an outer tank
202 which is installed inside the opening to contain washing water,
e.g., a tub and a rotatable inner tank 204 which is installed
inside the tub 202 to contain laundry and detergent, e.g., a
rotatable inner drum.
[0029] A lifter 206, also referred to herein as an auxiliary
washing device, is installed on the inside wall of the drum 204 to
improve washing effectiveness. As known in the art, a lifter is
installed inside the drum length-wise in the horizontal direction
to improve washing effectiveness by scooping and dropping the
washing water and/or the laundry while the drum rotates; however,
as described above, washing effectiveness is limited because the
conventional lifter is immobile inside the drum (it is attached to
the drum in a manner such that it cannot move relative to the
drum).
[0030] In the present disclosure, the lifter 206, an auxiliary
washing device, is configured to be rotatable as shown in FIG. 3A,
which is different from the conventional fixed lifter.
[0031] That is, the lifter 206 of the present disclosure, as
illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, is connected to a support body 300
inside the drum 204 and to a rotation axis (not shown) that extends
from the support body 300; therefore, the lifter 206 includes a
rotation body 302 that can rotate around the rotation axis
according to the rotation of the drum 204. That is, the lifter 206
can move (rotate) relative to the drum 204 about its axis of
rotation while the drum is rotating about its axis of rotation.
[0032] One or more support bodies 300 are installed length-wise in
the horizontal direction inside the drum 204 (that is, each support
body 300 is essentially parallel to the axis of rotation of the
drum). In an embodiment, each support body 300 is installed at a
constant distance from the center of the drum 204. In an
embodiment, the support bodies 300 are installed at equal distances
from each other on the drum 204; that is, they are evenly spaced
along the circumference of the inside of the drum. In an
embodiment, the rotation body 302 includes a round-shaped base of
predetermined thickness. In an embodiment, the rotation body 302
includes a protruding element 304 which extends from the base to a
predetermined height. The purpose of the protruding element 304 is
described below. In an embodiment, the bottom middle portion of the
rotation body 302 includes a connecting groove (not shown), which
may be connected to the axis that extends from the support body 300
and that is mentioned above.
[0033] The lifter 206, with components such as those described
above, may include one or more rotation bodies 302, as in the
examples of FIGS. 3A and 3B. In an embodiment, the rotation bodies
302 are equally spaced on the support bodies 300. When the drum 204
is rotating, the rotation body 302 also rotates according to the
rotation of the drum 204 and as a result, the lifter 206 scrubs the
laundry in addition to performing its conventional function of
lifting the washing water to the top of the drum 204.
[0034] Also, in an embodiment, the rotation body 302 is connected
to its axis of rotation (an axis extending from the support body
300) without power, and therefore it rotates freely in response to
the force exerted on it by the washing water. Accordingly, it can
apply friction to laundry located next to and/or between the
rotation bodies 302 using centrifugal force generated by the
rotation of the rotation bodies. In another embodiment, the
rotation body 302 is connected to its axis of rotation (which
extends from the support body 300), and that axis is connected to a
motor. In such an embodiment, rotation of the rotation body 302 is
controlled by the motor, and it rotates about the axis and applies
friction to the laundry located next to and/or between the rotation
bodies.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the lifter 206 in operation
in an embodiment according to the present disclosure. As shown in
FIG. 4, the laundry ma pass through (between) the rotation bodies
302 of the lifter 206 in the direction of the rotation of the drum
204.
[0036] As mentioned above, the rotation body 302 of the lifter 206
may rotate either freely in a direction around its axis of rotation
(extending from the support body 300) or in a specific direction
using rotational motive power in an embodiment in which a motor is
connected to the rotation body 302 outside the drum 204.
[0037] In either case, the laundry located between the rotation
bodies 302 is drawn from the outside of the rotation bodies 302 by
the rotation of the rotation bodies 302 and is forced to pass
through the narrow space between the rotation bodies 302. A washing
operation such as scrubbing happens because of the friction
generated in the process of the laundry passing through that narrow
space.
[0038] Accordingly, when compared to typical lifters with which
washing is performed only by lifting and dropping the laundry,
embodiments according to the present disclosure improve washing
force and effectiveness and can consequently reduce the washing
time, because of the rotation of the rotation body on the lifters
that makes it possible to scrub the laundry.
[0039] Moreover, rotation bodies according to the present
disclosure, such as shown in FIG. 2, can have protrusions 304 that
have various shapes. The protrusions 304 may be formed, for
example, in a cross or linear shape, but are not limited to these
shapes.
[0040] The protrusions 304 apply regular force to the laundry drawn
between the rotation bodies 302 according to the rotation speed of
the rotation bodies 302, and they also help draw laundry in between
the rotation bodies 302 because of the rotation of the rotation
bodies 302.
[0041] Therefore, washing force and effectiveness improve through
the laundry being impacted by the rotation bodies 302 including the
rotatable base with the protrusions 304, and/or by scrubbing as
described above.
[0042] FIG. 5 is a flowchart 500 of an example of a method of
washing in an embodiment according to the present disclosure. The
method of FIG. 5 is implemented using a washing machine such as
that described above.
[0043] In block 502, an inner tank of a washing machine is
rotated.
[0044] In block 504, a rotation body attached to the inner tank is
rotated. The rotation body rotates relative to the rotation of the
inner tank. Items of laundry in the inner tank contact the rotation
body and are caused to be rubbed against each other by the movement
of the rotation body. The rotation body causes the laundry to be
lifted to the top of the inner tank as the inner tank rotates.
[0045] As mentioned above, according to the present disclosure, the
washing force and effectiveness in a washing machine can be
improved by causing items of laundry to rub against each other
using friction generated While the laundry passes through a
rotation body of a lifter that is installed inside the drum of the
washing machine. The lifter performs an auxiliary function to move
the laundry and the washing water. In embodiments according to the
present disclosure, the lifter includes a support body that is
fixed length-wise in the horizontal direction inside the drum, and
a rotation body that is connected to an axis extending from the
support body and rotating according to the rotation of a drum.
Also, additional washing force and effectiveness can be expected
using various shapes of protrusions formed in or on the upper part
of the rotation body and that impact laundry during washing.
[0046] The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has
been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the
illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or
to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many
modifications and variations are possible in view of the above
teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to
best explain the principles of the invention and its practical
applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best
utilize the invention and various embodiments with various
modifications as may be suited to the particular use
contemplated.
[0047] Embodiments according to the invention are thus described.
While the present disclosure has been described in particular
embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention should not
be construed as limited by such embodiments, but rather construed
according to the below claims.
* * * * *