Washing machine and controlling method therof

• US 6,789,404 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2001
• Issued: 09/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Hyung-kyoon, Kim, Hyun-sook, Kang, Sang-wook, Park, Chan-woo, Park, Seon-woo, Pyo, Sang-yeon, Shim, Sang-yong, Lee, Joon-yeop
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Perrin, Joseph L.
• Application Number:
  US09/918,552
• Publication Number:
  US 20020032932A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,140 Days
• Field of Search: 68/120.1, 68/121.5, 68/15, 681/84, 681/87, 681/94, 681/96, 682/07, 134/108, 134/186
• US Class Current: 68/15
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/12 adapted for rotation or oscillation about a vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/04 Heating arrangements

Abstract

Disclosed is a washing machine comprising a heating tank accommodating the washing and washing water; a heating part heating the washing water in the heating tank; and a circulation pump circulating the washing water in the heating tank. With this configuration, the present invention provides the circulation pump circulating washing water in the heating tank, thereby preventing the washing from oxidizing, improving a washing efficiency especially improving a washing efficiency according to washing material, and saving washing water. Further, water supply and drain can be easily performed.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising:

a tank accommodating an article to be washed and water, said tank having a first opening;

a heater heating the water in the tank;

a circulation pump circulating the water in the tank; and

a cover covering said first opening of the tank, said cover having at least one projection protruding inwardly the tank whereby said at least one projection prevents the article from floating during washing.

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

a cabinet accommodating and supporting the tank, said cabinet having a second opening corresponding to said first opening;

said cover provided at the upper part of the cabinet; and

a controller controlling the heater to heat the water in the tank and controlling the circulation pump to circulate the water.

3. The washing machine according to claim 2, further comprising an input unit inputting a washing course into said controller according to a washing material, and wherein the controller adjusts an operating time and a suspension time of the circulating pump according to the inputted washing course.

4. The washing machine according to claim 2, further comprising an input unit inputting a washing course into said controller, wherein the controller controls the heater according to the inputted washing course to adjust a washing temperature.

5. The washing machine according to claim 2, further comprising an input unit inputting a boiling course into said controller, wherein said controller controls the heater according to the inputted boiling course.

6. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising circulation pipes comprising a suction pipe and a discharge pipe, said suction pipe guiding the water from one part of the tank to the circulation pump, said discharge pipe guiding the water from the circulation pump to another part of the tank.

7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the discharge pipe has at least one spray hole for spraying the water in the tank.

8. The washing machine according to claim 7, further comprising a spray plate provided at the lower part of the discharge pipe and having a plurality of holes for evenly supplying the water into the tank.

9. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the height of the suction pipe is higher than the height of the heater.

10. The washing machine according to claim 6, further comprising:

a water supply pipe having a first end connected to a water supply source outside the cabinet, and a second end connected to the tank; and

a water supply valve provided in the water supply pipe, adjusting a flow in the supply pipe.

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

a drain pipe having a first end connected to a drain source outside the cabinet, and a second end connected to the suction pipe; and

a drain valve provided in the drain pipe, adjusting a flow in the drain pipe.

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

a drain pipe having a first end connected to a drain source outside the cabinet, and a second end connected to the tank; and

a drain pump provided in the drain pipe, draining out the water from the tank.

13. The washing machine according to claim 6, further comprising:

a drain pipe having a first end connected to a drain source outside the cabinet, and a second end connected to the suction pipe; and

a drain valve provided in the drain pipe, adjusting a flow in the drain pipe.

14. The washing machine according to claim 6, further comprising:

a drain pipe having a first end connected to a drain source outside the cabinet, and a second end connected to the tank; and

a drain pump provided in the drain pipe, draining out the water from the tank.

15. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the heater is comprised of a heater being at the below part of the tank.

16. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein outside the tank is provided an insulating material.

17. A washing machine comprising:

a tank accommodating water, said tank having a first opening, said tank having a partition to divide a space within said tank into a first space and a second space, said partition having a hole, said first and second spaces communicating with each other through said hole, said first space accommodating an article to be washed;

a heater mounted in said second space to heat the water in said tank;

a pump circulating the water from said second space to said first space;

an input unit mounted on said washing machine to input a washing course, said washing course comprising a cycle of a predetermined suspension time, a predetermined operation time of said pump, and a predetermined water temperature;

a controller controlling the heater and said pump to adjust a temperature of the water according to the inputted washing course;

a cabinet accommodating and supporting the tank, said cabinet having a second opening corresponding to said first opening; and

a cover arranged at the upper part of the cabinet, and having at least one pushing projection arranged inside said cover and protruding inward the tank.

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

a first pipe guiding the water from said second space of the tank to said pump; and

a second pipe guiding the water from the pump to said first space of the tank.

19. The washing machine according claim 18, wherein the second pipe has at least one spray hole for spraying the water in the first space of the tank.

20. The washing machine according to claim 18, further comprising a plate removably mounted on said first space of the tank, said plate having a plurality of holes for evenly supplying the water from said second pipe into the first space of the tank.

21. The washing machine according to claim 18, wherein the first pipe communicates with said second space of the tank at a position higher than a position of the heater.

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

a third pipe communicating with the tank to drain the water in the tank.