Washing machine provided with silver solution supply device

• US 7,942,024 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2004
• Issued: 05/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Young Su
• Primary Examiner(s): Perrin; Joseph L
• Application Number:
  US10/582,136
• Publication Number:
  US 20070271967A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,587 Days
• Field of Search: 68/17.R
• US Class Current: 68/17.00R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/088 Liquid supply arrangements

Abstract

A washing machine comprising a tub, a water supply unit for supplying water to the tub and a silver solution supply device for supplying a silver solution to the tub, wherein the silver solution supply device includes a housing provided with an inlet and an outlet, a water feed unit for connecting the inlet of the housing and the water supply unit of the washing machine, two silver members installed in the housing and ionized by the electrolysis, and a current speed reduction member positioned between an end of the silver member located at the outlet and the outlet of the housing. The current speed reduction member reduces the current speed of the wash water supplied to the silver solution supply device and changes the current of the wash water, thereby allowing the silver members to be sufficiently ionized and providing sufficient antibiotic and bactericidal effects.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising:

a tub;

a water supply unit to supply water to the tub;

a silver solution supply device to supply a silver solution to the tub; and

a detergent supply device connected with the silver solution supply device to directly supply water containing the silver solution generated from the silver solution device to the tub,

wherein the silver solution supply device includes

a housing provided with an inlet and an outlet,

a water feed unit to connect the inlet of the housing and the water supply unit of the washing machine,

two silver members installed in the housing and ionized by the electrolysis, and

a water flow speed reduction member positioned between an end of the silver member located at the outlet of the housing, which is connected to the detergent supply device, and the outlet of the housing, the water flow speed reduction member being positioned inside and on the bottom of the housing and having a fixed U-shaped structure opened toward the silver members.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the water flow speed reduction member has a height determined according to the size and shape of the housing so that the water flowing into the inlet of the housing is retained near the silver members for a designated time and then flows toward the outlet of the housing.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the housing has an opening through which the silver members are easily installed in the housing.

4. The washing machine according to claim 1,

wherein the silver solution supply device is positioned above the detergent supply device, and the outlet of the housing of the silver solution supply device is connected to the inside of the detergent supply device.