COMPLEX WASHING MACHINE AND CONTROLLING METHOD FOR THE SAME

• US 20100307200A1
• Filed: 12/07/2007
• Published: 12/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Jo, Seong Jin, Jeong, Seong Hae
• Granted Patent: US 8,561,438 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/13R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 29/00 Combinations of a washing machine with other separate apparatus in a common frame or the like, e.g. with rinsing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 31/00 Washing installations comprising an assembly of several washing machines or washing units, e.g. continuous flow assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/145 ribs or lifters having means for circulating the washing liquid
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/125 Supporting arrangements for the casing, e.g. rollers or legs
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

A complex washing machine is disclosed. The complex washing machine includes an auxiliary washing machine that is capable of serving as a pedestal for a main laundry machine, such as a washing machine or a drying machine, and performing a washing operation. The auxiliary washing machine is suitable for washing a small amount of laundry while the auxiliary washing machine serves as a pedestal for supporting the main washing machine, which is placed on the auxiliary washing machine. A bearing housing, which supports a rotary shaft of a motor, and a bottom plate of a tub are connected to each other via a gasket. Consequently, the vibration generated from the tub during washing is minimized.

Claims

1. A complex washing machine comprising:

a main washing machine for performing a washing or drying operation; and

an auxiliary washing machine,

wherein the auxiliary washing machine includes a case for stably supporting the main washing machine, the case having a volume and height less than that of the main washing machine, a tub mounted in the case storing wash water, a rotary member rotatably mounted in the tub for shaking laundry, a motor for providing a rotary force to the rotary member, a rotary shaft transmitting the rotary force from the motor to the rotary member, a bearing housing supporting the rotary shaft, and a flexible sealing member connected between the bearing housing and the tub.

2. The complex washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the case includes a drawer for supporting the tub.

3. The complex washing machine according to claim 2, further comprising:

a top frame for covering at least a portion of the top of the drawer, the top frame being integrated with the tub.

4. The complex washing machine according to claim 3, further comprising:

a damping unit supporting the bearing housing.

5. The complex washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the motor includes a stator fixed to the bearing housing.

6. The complex washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the motor is constructed in a structure in which the diameter of the motor is greater than the height of the motor.

7. The complex washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising:

a door for covering the top of the tub.

8. The complex washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the rotary member is a pulsator.

9. The complex washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the case includes a drawer for supporting the tub.

10. The complex washing machine according to claim 9, further comprising:

a supporting unit having one end connected to the top or bottom of the drawer and the other end connected to the tub.

11. The complex washing machine according to claim 10, wherein the supporting unit includes a first supporting unit, a second supporting unit, a third supporting unit, and a fourth supporting unit connected to top corners or bottom corners of the drawer, respectively.

12. The complex washing machine atoning to claim 9, further comprising:

a water supply pipe connected to the tub, wherein the water supply pipe is constructed in a length-variable structure.

13. The complex washing machine according to claim 9, further comprising:

a drainage pipe connected to the tub, wherein the drainage pipe is constructed in a length-variable structure.

14. The complex washing machine according to claim 9, further comprising:

a steam generator supplying steam into the tub.

15. The complex washing machine according to claim 9, further comprising:

a flexible sealing member sealing a space defined between the top of the tub and the case.

16. The complex washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the pulsator is mounted in a wobbling fashion.

17. The complex washing machine according to claim 9, further comprising:

a top frame for covering at least a portion of the top of the drawer; and

a flexible sealing member connected between the top of the tub and the top frame.

18. The complex washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary washing machine performs a washing operation in the tub under the control independent of the main washing machine.

19. The complex washing machine according to claim 18, wherein the auxiliary washing machine further includes a steam generator for supplying high-temperature steam into the tub.

20. The complex washing machine according to claim 18, further comprising:

a water supply unit supplying wash water into the tub; and

a drainage unit draining wash water out of the tub.

21. The complex washing machine according to claim 18, wherein the auxiliary washing machine further includes a control panel for controlling the overall procedure related to the washing operation.

22. The complex washing machine according to claim 21, wherein the control panel includes

a key input unit for allowing a user to input a command,

a detection unit for detecting the washing environment and the operation state related to the washing operation, and

a control unit for controlling the procedure related to the washing operation based on information inputted through the key input unit or the detection unit.

23. The complex washing machine according to claim 22, wherein the detection unit includes at least one selected from a group comprising

a water level sensor for sensing the water level of the wash water in the tub,

a water temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the wash water in the tub,

a speed sensor for sensing the rotating speed of the motor, and

a door sensor for sensing the opening and closing of the door that covers the top of the tub.

24. The complex washing machine according to claim 22, wherein the control panel further includes a display unit displaying the washing operation condition or the operation state inputted by the user under the control of the control unit.

25. The complex washing machine according to claim 22, wherein the control panel further includes a sound output unit generating an alarm or a voice, if necessary, depending upon the operation state, under the control of the control unit.