Apparatus and method for machine washing

• US 20080244835A1
• Filed: 03/31/2008
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Chang, Phil Soo, Lim, Jung Soo, Kang, Young Hoon, Kim, Hye Ryung, Yang, Byoung Yull, Jin, Hee Won, Kim, Tal Eun, Yang, Hye Soon
• Granted Patent: US 8,239,990 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 8/158
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 35/003 using electrochemical cells

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for machine washing that includes a sterilizer capable of continuously exhibiting antibiotic and sterilization functions during washing and rinsing processes and reducing the consumption amount of Ag. The washing machine comprises a water reservoir to contain washing water, a sterilizer sterilizing the washing water through an electrolysis process, and a circulator circulating the washing water in the sterilizer.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising:

a water reservoir to contain washing water;

a sterilizer sterilizing the washing water through an electrolysis process; and

a circulator circulating the washing water in the sterilizer.

2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the sterilizer comprises a first electrode including Ag and a second electrode including a metal having an ionization tendency lower than the ionization tendency of Ag.

3. The washing machine of claim 2 wherein the first and second electrodes are protected from contamination when the circulator is not circulating.

4. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the second electrode comprises Ti.

5. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the second electrode comprises Pt or Ir coated on a surface thereof.

6. The washing machine of claim 2, further comprising a power supply that supplies electric current to the first and second electrodes, and a controller that switches polarity of the electric current applied to the first and second electrodes.

7. The washing machine of claim 6, wherein the controller operates in a first mode, in which the first electrode becomes an anode and the second electrode becomes a cathode, or a second mode in which the second electrode becomes an anode and the first electrode becomes a cathode.

8. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the circulator comprises a circulation pipe, which forms a circulation path such that the washing water is circulated in the water reservoir, and a circulation pump that pumps the washing water in the circulation path.

9. The washing machine of claim 8, wherein the circulation pipe is provided along a circumference of the water reservoir.

10. The washing machine of claim 8, wherein the water reservoir comprises an inlet to introduce the washing water to the circulation path, and an outlet to discharge the washing water having passed the circulation path to the water reservoir.

11. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein the outlet is provided at an upper portion of the water reservoir.

12. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein the outlet is provided with an injection nozzle that injects the washing water such that the washing water is uniformly spread in the water reservoir.

13. The washing machine of claim 1, further comprising a salt supply unit that supplies salt to the washing water.

14. The washing machine of claim 13., wherein the salt supply unit is provided in a detergent supply apparatus that supplies detergent to the water reservoir.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sterilizer is positioned higher than the water level of the washing water.

16. A method of machine washing comprising:

containing washing water in a reservoir where articles for washing are located;

sterilizing the washing water through an electrolysis process; and

circulating the washing water while it is being sterilized.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the sterilizing comprises:

supplying electric current to a first electrode including Ag and a second electrode including a metal having an ionization tendency lower than the ionization tendency of Ag; and

switching the polarity of the electric current applied to the first and second electrodes based on a desired mode of operation of the sterilizing.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the first and second electrodes are not immersed in the washing water when the washing water is not circulating.