Abstract: A supporting apparatus for a washing machine including a plurality of supporting legs mounted on a base fixed to a lower portion of a washing machine main body to move in the vertical direction, a foot mounted on the lower end of the supporting leg to contact the support surface, and a spring provided between the base and the foot, for applying an elastic force to the foot. The supporting apparatus for the washing machine automatically controls the level of the washing machine by the elastic force of the spring, and reduces noises and vibrations during the operation of the washing machine.

Abstract: A steam generator includes a case that forms a predetermined space for storing water, a heater provided within the case, a sealing member for preventing water leakage from the case, and a pressure part to press the sealing member and the heater. The sealing member is also configured to secure and seal the heater such that water is prevented from penetrating or leaking toward a circuit part of the heater. A drum-type washing machine having the steam generator installed therein is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dryer is configured to remove static electricity during a drying process. The dryer includes a drum rotatable within a cabinet. The drum is configured to receive laundry. A steam generator generates and exhausts steam into the drum. A steam diffuser uniformly diffuses the steam within the drum. A ventilation system ventilates air within the drum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steam generator. More particularly, the present invention relates to a steam generator which has a compact design to enhance efficiency, and to a drum-type washing machine with this steam generator. The steam generator includes a heater that heats water to generate steam; a lower case that holds water for steam generation, having a heater holding part in which the heater is vertically oriented in the heater holding part, and an upper case coupled to an upper portion of the lower case to form a predetermined space.

Abstract: A method for controlling the dehydrating operation of a drum type washing machine includes a pre-acceleration step for accelerating a drum to a predetermined control starting speed, and a main accelerating step for accelerating the drum from the control starting speed to a target speed along a linear locus having a preset acceleration slope. A deviation of the center of gravity of the laundry and a pre-spinning time period are reduced in the aforementioned control method.

Abstract: A tub of a washing machine that prevents vibration and noise and a method of manufacturing the tub are provided. The tub includes a rear tub portion, a front tub portion located in front of the rear tub portion, and one or more linear reinforcing portions formed on at least one of the rear and front tub portions and extending in a direction parallel to a central axis of the front and rear tub portions.

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.

Abstract: A method for controlling the dehydrating operation of a drum type washing machine includes a pre-acceleration step for accelerating a drum to a predetermined control starting speed, and a main accelerating step for accelerating the drum from the control starting speed to a target speed along a linear locus having a preset acceleration slope. A deviation of the center of gravity of the laundry and a pre-spinning time period are reduced in the aforementioned control method.

Abstract: Device for controlling a washing water flow passage in a dish water for controlling the washing water supplied to arms for spraying washing water to dishes. The device for controlling a washing water flow passage includes an inlet tube, first, second, third, and fourth tubes, first and second outlet tubes, a ball, a ball seat, and a valve. The first tube is extended upward from the inlet tube, and the second tube is extended slanted upward from the inlet tube. The third tube is extended upward vertically from a top of the second tube, and the fourth tube is connected between the first tube and the third tube in a downward slanted direction. The first outlet tube is formed on a top of a part where the first tube and the fourth tube are joined, and the second outlet tube is formed on a top of the third tube. The ball seat is provided to an inside of the inlet tube, and the valve is provided to one side of the first tube for blocking pass of the ball.

Abstract: A method for smoothing the laundry wrinkled during a washing process in the washing machine is disclosed. When a command signal for smoothing wrinkles of the laundry in the washing machine is inputted, water supplied in the washing machine is heated to generate steam and then the generated steam is injected to the laundry in the washing machine while rotating a drum of the washing machine. Thus, wrinkles of the laundry can be smoothed in the washing machine without causing a trouble of ironing.

Abstract: A damper includes: a cylinder: a piston rod inserted to be movable linearly in the cylinder; a guide member provided with a coupling hole to which an insertion portion of the rod member is coupled at a center thereof, and provided with first and second grooves at an outer circumferential surface thereof; a fixed damping member fitted into the first groove and adhered to an inner surface of the cylinder; and a movable damping member up and down movably fitted into the second groove and selectively adhered to the inner surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a drying unit for washing machines that is capable of fully drying the wet laundry using hot wind. A condensing duct and a drying duct are connected to a tub to circulate air in the tub. Between the drying duct and the condensing duct is disposed a drying fan. To the condensing duct is attached air cooling device for condensing air in the condensing duct by means of cool air. In the drying duct is mounted a drying heater for heating air in the drying duct to change the air into hot wind. During the drying operation of the washing machine, the air passing through the condensing duct is condensed by air, which is an unlimited resource. Consequently, consumption of energy and resources is minimized during the drying operation of the washing machine.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a dehydration control apparatus and method for a washing machine. The dehydration control apparatus for the washing machine includes: a storing unit for storing reference unbalance quantities according to each load quantity; and a control unit for detecting a load quantity and an unbalance quantity by accelerating or decelerating a motor of the washing machine, comparing a reference unbalance quantity from the stored reference unbalance quantities that correspond to the detected load quantity with the detected unbalance quantity, and determining dehydration completion according to the comparison result.

Abstract: The motor of the present invention comprises; a stator, a rotor rotating to the stator and a permanent magnet installed to the rotor, wherein the permanent magnet is a single body and formed continuously.

Abstract: A drum type washing machine including a tub installed in a cabinet is disclosed. The drum type washing machine includes a drum performing washing, a motor rotating the drum, bearing housings having bearings to support a rotation shaft, a suspension connected to the bearing housings and the cabinet to mitigate vibration generated during rotation of the drum, a bracket installed to the bearing housings to form the rear side of the tub, and a gasket installed between the bracket and the tub to seal the tub and to prevent vibration from being transmitted from the bracket to the tub. Volumes of the tub and the drum can be easily increased without increasing the volume of the cabinet. Even when the volume of the washing machine is changed, only one of the tub and the bearing is housings, which is not applicable to the drum type washing machine having the changed washing capacity, is selectively replaced. Thus parts can commonly used in various drum type washing machine having different volume.

Abstract: A washing machine and control method thereof are disclosed, by which water waste is reduced and by which an error or malfunction of the washing machine is detected and by which the detected error or malfunction of the washing machine is notified to a user. The present invention includes the steps of measuring an initial temperature of water supplied within a steam generator for providing steam to a drum, heating the water within the steam generator for a set time, measuring a temperature of the heated water within the steam generator, calculating a difference between the heated water temperature and the initial water temperature, and deciding a presence or non-presence of abnormality of the steam generator based on the calculated temperature difference.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motor supporting apparatus of a clothing drier comprising: first and second motor hubs respectively protruding at both sides of a motor; a supporting rib formed at a case for supporting the first motor hub; and a supporting member assembled at a lateral surface of the case by a sliding method for supporting the second motor hub. The apparatus simplifies assembly processes, enhances a mass production characteristic, and simplifies a service performance by improving a motor supporting structure and thereby enabling assembly/disassembly of a motor without disassembling a drum.

Abstract: A clothes dryer comprises: a cabinet; a drum rotatably installed within the cabinet; and an exhaust port for discharging air having passed through the drum, wherein the exhaust port includes first and second exhaust pipes respectively diverged to both sides of the cabinet, and exits of the first and second exhaust pipes are arranged at positions rotationally symmetric to each other by 180° with respect to a vertical axis passing through the center of the cabinet. Since panels constituting right and left walls of the cabinet are fabricated by one process thus to be commonly applied to the right and left sides of the cabinet, the number of fabrication processes is reduced thus to enhance a productivity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing machine. A stator is mounted at the inside surface of a tub, a spider is mounted at a drum, a rotor is mounted at the spider such that the rotor is rotated by the stator, and a support shaft is mounted at the spider for supporting the drum, the rotor, and the spider. Consequently, the capacities of the drum and the tub are increased as compared with the case that the stator and the rotor are mounted at the rear of the tub, and therefore, washing capacity of the washing machine is greatly increased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-functional laundry device capable of treating the laundry efficiently and controlling method for the same, comprising a washing unit for washing the laundry, a drying unit integrated with the washing unit as one body for after-washing treatment including smoothing out wrinkles, and drying and keeping the laundry, and a control unit provided at either of the washing unit and the drying unit for controlling the washing unit and the dry unit. The present invention has the advantageous effect that the treatment of the laundry including washing, drying, smoothing out wrinkles, and keeping the laundry may be performed in one device.