Dispenser for washing machine

• US 6,085,556 A
• Filed: 12/23/1998
• Issued: 07/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation (Dayou Holdings Co.,Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Company Limited (Dayou Holdings Co.,Ltd.)
• Inventors: Moon, Jong-Yeol
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L.
• Application Number:
  US09/219,720
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 422/186.07, 422/186.08, 422/186.12, 68/13 A, 68/183, 68/207, 68/17 R
• US Class Current: 68/13.00A
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 35/001 using ozone
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 35/002 using bubbles

Abstract

A dispenser for a washing machine integrates a bubble generator, an ozone generator, and a radical generator. In the dispenser for a washing machine, a housing has a gas mixing chamber therein. A bubble generator is disposed in the housing and generates air for generating air bubbles and ozone and pumping to the gas mixing chamber. An ozone generator is disposed in the gas mixing chamber and applies high voltage to the air introduced in the gas mixing chamber from the bubble generator in order to produce ozone. A radical generator has a ceramic catalyst for decomposing the ozone from the ozone generator into an oxygen for generating air bubbles and a generating oxygen to be reactive with a hydrogen ion in washing water in order to generate a radical. The dispenser sterilizes bacilli such as bacteria, viruses, mold, fungi, or algae which live in washing water or clothes. The dispenser also improves washing effect of a washing machine by oxidizing and bleaching actions of ozone and radical.

Claims

1. A dispenser for a washing machine, said dispenser comprising:

a housing having a gas mixing chamber therein;

a bubble generator disposed in the housing for generating air for generating air bubbles and ozone and pumping to the gas mixing chamber;

an ozone generator disposed in the gas mixing chamber for applying high voltage to the air introduced in the gas mixing chamber from the bubble generator in order to produce ozone; and

a radical generator disposed in the housing and communicated with the gas mixing chamber, the radical generator having a ceramic catalyst for decomposing the ozone from the ozone generator into an oxygen for generating air bubbles and an oxygen to be reactive with a hydrogen ion in washing water in order to generate a radical.

2. The dispenser as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a first check valve connected between the bubble generator and gas mixing chamber for selectively introducing the air for generating air bubbles from the bubble generator and ozone to the gas mixing chamber.

3. The dispenser as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a second check valve connected between the gas mixing chamber and radical generator for selectively introducing the ozone from the ozone generator to the radical generator.