Washing method in steam injection type washing machine

• US 7,721,368 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2004
• Issued: 05/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Jeon, Si Moon, Oh, Soo Young, Kim, Jin Woong, Woo, Kyung Chul
• Primary Examiner(s): Perrin; Joseph L
• Assistant Examiner(s): HECKERT, JASON MARK
• Application Number:
  US10/822,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20040255391A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,233 Days
• Field of Search: 68/120.1, 68/120.2, 68/120.3, 68/122.1, 68/122.2, 815/8
• US Class Current: 8/158
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/02 Water supply
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/36 of washing
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/083 Liquid discharge or recirculation arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/40 Steam generating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F22B 1/284 with water in reservoirs
• 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 washing method in a steam injection type washing machine in which wash water is heated to generate high-temperature and high-pressure steam while passing through the steam supply unit in the wash or rinse cycle, and the generated steam is injected into the wash tub at the top of the wash tub. Accordingly, it is possible to rapidly achieve the wetting of clothes with wash water while achieving an enhancement in sterilization and washing performances. In addition, consumption of water and electrical energy can be reduced.

Claims

1. A washing method in a washing machine having a cabinet, a wash tub located in the cabinet, a wash drum located in the wash tub, a valve connected to a water source, a water supply line connected to the valve, and a steam generator located in the cabinet between an outer circumferential side of the wash tub and the cabinet, the steam generator being connected to the water supply line, the method comprising:

supplying water to the wash tub through the steam generator;

rotating the wash drum about a substantially horizontal axis when water is in the wash tub;

storing water in a space between the valve and the wash tub;

generating steam from the stored water by the steam generator after supplying water to the wash tub through the steam generator; and

supplying the generated steam into the wash tub while rotating the drum, the generated steam being supplied through a steam supply line that is independent of the water supply line, the steam supply line being in communication with the wash tub at an upper portion of the wash tub.

2. The washing method according to claim 1, wherein supplying water includes:

supplying water into the wash tub to a first water level; and

supplying water into the wash tub to a second water level.

3. The washing method according to claim 1, wherein generating steam includes:

supplying water into the steam generator provided with a heater; and

heating the water supplied into the steam generator by operating the heater.

4. The washing method according to claim 3, wherein the water supplied into the steam generator is limited to a predetermined water level.

5. The washing method according to claim 3, wherein heating the water includes supplying the water to contact the heater inside the steam generator.

6. The washing method according to claim 3, wherein supplying water into the steam generator includes simultaneously opening the water supply line adapted to guide water into the steam generator and the steam supply line adapted to guide steam from the steam generator.

7. The washing method according to claim 3, wherein supplying water into the steam generator includes resupplying water into the steam generator when a temperature of the steam generator reaches a predetermined temperature.

8. The washing method according to claim 3, wherein the operation of the heater is stopped when a pressure of the steam generator reaches a predetermined pressure.

9. The washing method according to claim 3, wherein the heater is operated for a predetermined operating time.

10. The washing method according to claim 3, wherein injecting the generated steam is performed when a temperature of the steam generator reaches a predetermined temperature.

11. The washing method according to claim 1, further comprising spraying water from a bottom portion of the wash tub into the wash tub and supplying water from water source.

12. The washing method according to claim 11, wherein supplying water and spraying water are repeated at least once.

13. A washing method in a washing machine having a cabinet, a wash tub located in the cabinet, a wash drum located in the wash tub, a water supply line, and a steam generator located in the cabinet between an outer circumferential side of the wash tub and the cabinet, the steam generator being connected to the water supply line, the method comprising:

supplying water to the wash tub;

rotating the wash drum about a substantially horizontal axis when water is in the wash tub;

supplying water to the steam generator located in the cabinet through the water supply line;

generating steam by the steam generator after supplying water to the wash tub, the steam generator being isolated from the wash tub such that air in the wash tub is not introduced into the steam generator while generating steam; and

supplying the generated steam into the wash tub while rotating the drum, the generated steam being supplied through a steam supply line that is independent of the water supply line, the steam supply line being in communication with the wash tub at an upper portion of the wash tub.

14. The washing method according to claim 13, wherein supplying water includes:

supplying water into the wash tub to a first water level; and

supplying water into the wash tub to a second water level.

15. The washing method according to claim 13, wherein the water supplied into the steam generator is limited to a predetermined water level.

16. The washing method according to claim 13, wherein supplying water into the steam generator includes resupplying water into the steam generator when a temperature of the steam generator reaches a predetermined temperature.

17. The washing method according to claim 13, wherein the heater is operated for a predetermined operating time.

18. A washing method in a washing machine having a cabinet, a wash tub located in the cabinet, a wash drum located in the wash tub, a valve connected to a water source, a water supply line connected to the valve, and a steam generator located in the cabinet between an outer circumferential side of the wash tub and the cabinet, the steam generator being connected to the water supply line, the method comprising:

opening the valve to supply water to the wash tub through the steam generator;

rotating the wash drum about a substantially horizontal axis when water is in the wash tub;

generating steam from the water remained between the valve and the wash tub after supplying water to the wash tub through the steam generator; and

supplying the generated steam into the wash tub, the generated steam being supplied through a steam supply line that is independent of the water supply line, the steam supply line being in communication with the wash tub at an upper portion of the wash tub.

19. The washing method according to claim 18, further comprising resupplying water into the steam generator when a temperature of the steam generator reaches a predetermined temperature.

20. The washing method according to claim 18, wherein the heater is operated for a predetermined operating time.