Washing machine for washing clothes made of wool or silk

• US 5,520,025 A
• Filed: 06/06/1995
• Issued: 05/28/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daewoo Electronics (Government of South Korea)
• Original Assignee: Daewoo Electronics (Government of South Korea)
• Inventors: Song, Bok N., Joo, Haeng D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Application Number:
  US08/470,425
• Time in Patent Office: 357 Days
• Field of Search: 8/158, 8/159, 68/12.05, 68/12.12, 68/12.18, 68/12.19, 68/12.21, 68/207
• US Class Current: 68/12.05
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/18 Washing liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/02 Water supply
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/58 Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/34 of water filling
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 35/006 for washing or rinsing only

Abstract

A washing machine is disclosed which is suitable for use in the home and is capable of washing laundry consisting of fabrics which are thin and shrinkable such as silks, wools, etc., without damaging the delicate fabrics. The washing machine has a washing tank into which is introduced water, detergent and the laundry to be washed. A rotary blade is positioned within the washing tank. The tank is provided with a sensor which senses a first amount of water within the tank suitable to dilute the detergent, a second sensor for sensing the amount of water in the tank suitable for washing and rinsing the laundry and a third sensor for sensing when the water has been drained from the tank. A microcomputer receives the signals from the respective sensors and, in turn, transmits signals to a driving part 1) for controlling the amount of water to be introduced into the washing tank, 2) for rotating the rotary blade in order to dilute the detergent, 3) for rotating the rotary blade to perform the steps of washing and rinsing and 4) for draining the water from the washing tank.

Claims

1. A washing machine for washing a washing object comprising:

a washing tank for containing water, a washing object and a detergent;

a means for introducing the water into said washing tank;

a means for draining the water from said washing tank;

a rotary blade in said washing tank for generating a water stream;

a driving motor for transmitting a driving force to said washing tank and said rotary blade;

a driving part for operating said driving motor, said water introducing means and said water draining means;

a sensor for generating a first signal by sensing a first amount of water within said washing tank suitable for diluting a detergent, a second signal by sensing a second amount of water within said washing tank suitable for washing and rinsing said washing object, and a third signal by sensing a completion of the water draining from said washing tank;

a microcomputer for generating a water introducing signal to be transmitted to said driving part for controlling said water introducing means so that water may be introduced according to a user'"'"'s order, a first rotation order signal to be transmitted to said driving part for rotating said rotary blade in order to dilute the detergent according to said first signal, a second rotation order signal to be transmitted to said driving part for rotating said rotary blade to perform the step of washing and rinsing said washing object according to said second signal, a water drain signal to be transmitted to said driving part for controlling said drain means in order to drain the water from said washing tank when a washing step or a rinsing step is finished, and a washing or dewatering order signal for washing or dewatering said washing object according to said third signal.

2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said washing object is comprised of wool, and said microcomputer generates a washing order signal to be transmitted to said driving part for performing a washing process at least once, said washing process comprising the steps of:

a) rotating said rotary blade in a first direction for about 2-4 seconds;

b) stilling said rotary blade for about 5-6 seconds after said step a);

c) rotating said rotary blade in a second direction opposing to said first direction for about 2-4 seconds after said step b); and

d) stilling said rotary blade for about 5-6 seconds after said step c), and a rinsing order signal to be transmitted to said driving part for performing a rinsing process at least once, said rinsing process comprising the steps of;

a1) rotating said rotary blade in a first direction for about 2-4 seconds;

b1) stilling said rotary blade for about 5-6 seconds after said step a1);

c1) rotating said rotary blade in a second direction opposing to said first direction for about 2-4 seconds after said step b1); and

d1) stilling said rotary blade for about 5-6 seconds after said step c1).

3. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said washing object is comprised of silk, and said microcomputer generates a washing order signal to be transmitted to said driving part for performing a washing process at least once, said washing process comprising the steps of:

a) rotating said rotary blade in a first direction for about 0.3-0.5 seconds;

b) stilling said rotary blade for about 5-6 seconds after said step a);

c) rotating said rotary blade in a second direction opposing to said first direction for about 0.3-0.5 seconds after said step b); and

d) stilling said rotary blade for about 5-6 seconds after said step c), and a rinsing order signal to be transmitted to said driving part for performing a rinsing process at least once, said rinsing process comprising the steps of;

a1) rotating said rotary blade in a first direction for about 0.3-0.5 seconds;

b1) stilling said rotary blade for about 5-6 seconds after said step a1);

c1) rotating said rotary blade in a second direction opposing to said first direction for about 0.3-0.5 seconds after said step b1); and

d1) stilling said rotary blade for about 5-6 seconds after said step c1).

4. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, said washing machine further comprising a display part for displaying a general mode for performing a washing process for washing said washing object comprised of a cotton or a synthetic fiber, a silk mode for washing said washing object comprised of silk and/or a dry mode for washing said washing object comprised of wool according to a user'"'"'s selection.