Washing machine

• US 7,743,632 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2007
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Jin Woong, Oh, Soo Young, Woo, Kyung Chul, Jeon, Si Moon
• Primary Examiner(s): Barr; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): HECKERT, JASON MARK
• Application Number:
  US11/723,732
• Publication Number:
  US 20070169521A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,196 Days
• Field of Search: 68/120.1, 68/122.2, 68/15, 682/07
• US Class Current: 68/12.22
• 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 drum washing machine comprising:

a water supply unit connected to an outside water source;

a tub to hold water, the tub being in fluid communication with the water supply unit to receive the water;

a drum rotatably mounted in the tub;

at least one steam supply unit provided with an inlet which is connected only to a water supply line connected to the water supply unit to receive water from only the outside water source, a heater to heat the water to produce steam, and an outlet to discharge steam into the tub, the at least one steam supply unit configured to supply the steam at an upper portion of the tub during an operation for treating laundry inside the drum; and

at least one circulation pump to circulate the water inside the tub, the at least one circulation pump is connected to a first water line to draw out the water inside the tub therethrough and a second water line to supply the drawn water into the tub therethrough.

2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein each of the steam supply unit and the circulation pump is connected with at least one fluid supply line in communication with an inner space of the tub.

3. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein a nozzle is provided in at least one end of the fluid supply line.

4. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the outlet of the steam supply unit is disposed in communication with an inner space of the tub.

5. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the steam supply unit further comprises a pressure tank for holding water.

6. The washing machine of claim 5, wherein the heater is provided within the pressure tank.

7. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the supply of steam and the circulation of the water is performed simultaneously.

13. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the supply of steam and the circulation of the water is performed sequentially.

8. A drum washing machine comprising:

a water supply unit connected to an outside water source;

a tub to hold water therein, the tub being in fluid communication with the water supply unit to receive the water;

a drum rotatably provided within the tub;

a steam supply unit to generate steam;

a water supply line connected between the water supply unit and the steam supply unit to allow water to flow only from the outside water source to an inlet of the steam supply unit;

a steam supply line connected to the steam supply unit to guide the steam into the tub or the drum;

a circulating pump to pump the water of the tub into the drum;

a first water line connected between the circulation pump and the tub to draw out the water inside the tub therethrough;

a second water line connected to the circulation pump to guide the water pumped by the circulating pump into the drum; and

an injection nozzle provided on at least one end of the steam supply line and the second water line, the injection nozzle located at an upper portion of the tub so as to supply the steam into the tub during an operation for treating laundry inside the drum.

9. The washing machine of claim 8, wherein the steam supply unit further comprises a pressure tank for holding water.

10. The washing machine of claim 9, wherein a heater is provided within the pressure tank.

11. The washing machine of claim 8, wherein the supply of steam and the circulation of the water is performed simultaneously.

12. The washing machine of claim 8, wherein the supply of steam and the circulation of the water is performed sequentially.