Combined Washer-dryer Patents (Class 34/596)
  • Patent number: 11585038
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance comprising a tub with a tub access opening, a rotatable drum located within the tub and partially defining a treating chamber, a drying air duct having an inlet formed in the tub and defining a cross-sectional area of the inlet, and a filter overlying the inlet and having a surface area greater than the cross-sectional area of the drying air duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Marcos Javier Rios Acebal, Arun Rajendran
  • Patent number: 11248325
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining a processing chamber within an interior. A processing belt is positioned between opposing sidewalls of the cabinet and partially defines the processing chamber. The processing belt translates vertically within the interior to define a rear portion of the processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Sayer J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 11236452
    Abstract: A double-drum washing machine comprises a first outer drum and a second outer drum which are respectively provided with a drum inside, wherein the second outer drum is provided with a connecting part which protrudes out of a surface of the second outer drum and which is molded integrally, the connecting part extends towards the first outer drum along a radial direction from the surface of the second outer drum, and an end part of the connecting part is in detachable connection with the first outer drum. Double drums of the double-drum washing machine are connected to be almost integrated, therefore, auxiliary fixed parts are reduced, and the connection between double drums is more stable, reliable and more compact, the vibration of the double-drum washing machine is effectively reduced during operation, the noise pollution of the double-drum washing machine is reduced, and additional counterweight is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: QINGDAO HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wenwei Li, Jinkai Wang, Xiao Ning, Xinguo Tian, Chongchao Duan
  • Patent number: 11008697
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry according to an automatic cycle of operation includes a cabinet defining a cabinet interior. A drum is rotatable within the cabinet interior, and at least partially defines a treating chamber. The treating chamber has a treating chamber air inlet and a treating chamber air outlet. A drying air circuit is fluidly coupled to the treating chamber air inlet and to the treating chamber air outlet. The laundry treating appliance can include first and second air temperature sensors, at least a first humidity sensor, and a controller operably coupled with the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Roy E. Masters
  • Patent number: 11008691
    Abstract: A combination washing and drying laundry treating appliance for treating laundry according to an automatic cycle of operation includes a cabinet defining a cabinet interior. A tub defines a tub interior for receiving wash liquid during a washing cycle of operation and has at least one baffle with a plurality of air outlets. A drum is rotatable within the tub interior, and defines a treating chamber for holding laundry for washing or drying treatment. A washing circuit comprises a treating chemistry dispenser fluidly coupled to at least one of the tub interior or drum interior and a liquid supply fluidly coupled to at least one of the treating chemistry dispenser, tub interior, or drum interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Marek Garnek, Dusan Heldak, Crescenzo Iannicelli, Mauro Mancini, Pavol Vasko
  • Patent number: 10844530
    Abstract: The automatic garment washer and dryer machine is an apparatus that automatically washes and dries garments. The apparatus includes a washer unit, a dryer unit, a transfer channel, a release door, a release door actuator, a control unit, a control panel, and a power source. The apparatus directly transfers garments from the washer unit to the dryer unit through the transfer channel. The release door prevents garments that have exited the washer unit from entering the dryer unit. The control unit activates the release door actuator in order to open and close the release door, thereby allowing garments to enter the dryer unit. The control panel allows the user to input and control the preferences of the washer unit and the dryer unit. The power source delivers the necessary power to the control unit, the washer unit, the dryer unit, the release door actuator, and the control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Inventor: Eva L Jones
  • Patent number: 10760202
    Abstract: A marine clothes dryer includes a system for recovering waste heat from cooling water in a cylinder liner, a clothes drying system, and a regenerator system. The system for recovering waste heat from cooling water includes an engine cylinder liner, a water collector, and an air-water heat exchanger. The clothes drying system includes a drying chamber, a circulating fan, a supply duct, and an exhaust duct. The regenerator system includes a gravity heat pipe exchanger with a condensing section and an evaporating section. A fresh air inlet is arranged at one side of the condensing section, and the other side thereof is in communication with one side of the air-water heat exchanger. The other side of the air-water heat exchanger is in communication with the drying chamber (15). One side of the evaporating section is provided with an exhaust port, and the other side thereof is in communication with the drying chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: JIANGSU UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Guozeng Feng, Dachuan Shi, Kaixuan Liu, Houju Pei, Yukun Wang
  • Patent number: 10722096
    Abstract: A household appliance includes a selectively mountable wireless communication module. The selectively mountable wireless communication module can be selectively mounted in a toe kick area of the household appliance. The household appliance can be, but is not limited to, a dishwasher, an oven, a refrigerator, a freezer, a microwave, a washing machine, a dryer, or a combo washer-dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Wyndham F. Gary, Jr., Jonathan D. Gephart, John Howard Lanham
  • Patent number: 10494756
    Abstract: A dryer appliance including an air circulation duct is provided herein. The dryer appliance may also include a cabinet, a drum, an air handler, and a heat exchange section. The air circulation duct may define a recirculation loop with the drum. The air circulation duct may define a drum air inlet upstream from the drum and a drum air outlet downstream from the drum. The air circulation duct may further define a predetermined leakage port in fluid communication between the recirculation loop and the interior volume of the cabinet. The air handler may be disposed along the air circulation duct in fluid communication between the drum air outlet and the drum air inlet. The heat exchange section may be disposed along the air circulation duct in thermal communication with air within the recirculation loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignees: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc., UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: David G. Beers, David Scott Dunn, Kyle R. Gluesenkamp, Philip R. Boudreaux, Bo Shen
  • Patent number: 10407814
    Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus according to the present invention includes a casing; an outer tub suspended in the casing; a rack extending vertically; a pinion, which is moved along the rack when the outer tub vibrates and which is rotated via cooperation with the rack; and a torsion element for creating a torsional twisting moment to attenuate rotation of the pinion when the pinion is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Youngjun Kim, Youngjong Kim, Insik Yu
  • Patent number: 10087572
    Abstract: A pair of laundry treating appliances having power sharing capabilities through a piggyback plug with a rear facing electric socket. The rear facing electric socket is designed to receive a power plug from a compatible laundry treating appliance. The piggyback plug is connected to a terminal block of one of the laundry treating appliance wherein the terminal block is adapted to be selectively connected to one of a 120V or 240V electric power source. A controller is adapted with an algorithm to prevent electrical overloading by automatically reducing the electrical power consumed by one of the appliance when simultaneous energization of both appliances occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Peter I. Bilionis, Timothy E. Heater
  • Patent number: 10087569
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a rotating drum for processing laundry. A blower directs process air through an air path that includes the rotating drum. A heat exchanger is positioned within the air path that cools and dehumidifies the process air. A plurality of air filters arranged sequentially captures lint from the process air at respective positions upstream of the heat exchanger. A filter spray system has a plurality of fluid sprayers that deliver fluid to a surface of each air filter of the plurality of air filters. Each fluid sprayer of the plurality of fluid sprayers directs captured lint away from a respective air filter of the plurality of air filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Gianluca Bocchino
  • Patent number: 9951453
    Abstract: A washing machine may include a washing tub that is capable of improving washing effect. The washing machine includes: a casing; a washing tub installed in the casing; a plurality of concave sides formed to be recessed into an inner side surface of the washing tub; and a plurality of protrusions that protrude in an inward direction of the washing tub and include a plurality of first protrusions formed on the plurality of concave sides. A frictional force with laundry is generated using a washing tub including the plurality of protrusions and the plurality of concave sides so that a washing force can be enhanced and a flow of washing water can be guided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong Su Jeon, Young Jin Um
  • Patent number: 9885145
    Abstract: A laundry drying apparatus having a cabinet including a front panel with an opening for introduction and removal of laundry, a drying drum horizontally installed within the cabinet, and an air supply device to collect air from inside the drying drum, direct the air through ducts, and then return the air into the drying drum. The front panel includes an upper region where a door is installed and a lower region located below the upper region, and the upper region is tilted rearward by a predetermined tilt angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sanghun Bae, Hongjun Cho
  • Patent number: 9845567
    Abstract: A laundry machine (100) adapted to dry laundry by means of a flow of drying air has a machine cabinet (110) for accommodating components necessary for the operation of the laundry machine (100). Inside the cabinet is a laundry treatment chamber (105) adapted to contain the laundry to be dried. A cabinet top element (125) incorporated at least part of a drying air circuit in fluid communication with the laundry treating chamber through a drying air inlet opening (210) and through a drying air outlet opening (215) formed in the cabinet top element The cabinet top element has a bottom base element (205) and a top cover (240) and, defined in an interspace between the base element and the top cover, a drying air path for the flow of drying air between said drying air inlet opening (210) and said drying air outlet opening (215). The drying air path includes a moisture condensing arrangement (225, 230).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Andrea Contarini, Massimo Viero
  • Patent number: 9725845
    Abstract: A method of removing lint from drying air in a laundry treating appliance having a treating chamber for holding clothes for treatment according to a cycle of operation, a treating chemistry dispenser fluidly coupled to the treating chamber, and an air supply having an inlet and outlet fluidly coupled to the treating chamber is disclosed. The method comprises a laundry treating phase comprising supplying treating chemistry from the treating chemistry dispenser to the treating chamber and leaving a portion of the treating chemistry within the treating chamber to form a bath of treating chemistry, a laundry drying phase comprising supplying air to the treating chamber through the inlet and exhausting the supplied air from the treating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis Kehl, Andrew Leitert, Lonnie J. Richman
  • Patent number: 9637859
    Abstract: A laundry dryer (1) has a laundry drum (3) which is designed to rotate about an longitudinal axis (6). An air recirculating conduit (10) is connected to the laundry drum (3). A heater device (10) is located along air recirculating conduit (10) to heat the airflow. A rotatable fan (11) is located along air recirculating conduit (10) to produce an airflow flowing through drum (3). The fan (11) is designed to be rotated in a main and secondary direction of rotation for providing different air flow rates. An electric motor (14) is mechanically connected with the fan (11) and the drum (3) for rotating the fan (11) and drum (3), simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Electronics Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Fabio Altinier, Michele Bisaro, Roberto Ragogna, Gennaro Napolitano
  • Patent number: 9624619
    Abstract: A method of controlling a rotatable-drum laundry drier to dry delicate laundry in a drum of the rotatable-drum laundry drier. The method includes the steps of feeding drying air into the drum; rotating the drum at a variable rotation speed about an axis of rotation; rotating the drum at a first rotation speed higher than, or equal to a rotation speed, at which centrifugal acceleration of the inner surface of the drum equals gravitational acceleration; making interruptions in rotation of the drum at the first rotation speed; and performing, at each interruption, one or more rotation cycles at a second rotation speed, so that, at each cycle, at least part of the laundry slides/tumbles slowly inside the drum while remaining in contact with the inner surface of the drum and/or another part of the laundry contacting the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V.
    Inventors: Fabio Altinier, Michele Bisaro, Roberto Ragogna
  • Patent number: 9494993
    Abstract: A network system is provided. The network system includes: at least one component selected from an energy receiving unit receiving energy and an energy management unit managing the energy receiving unit. The energy receiving unit or the energy management unit receives energy rate related information; an energy usage amount or a usage rate of when the component is controlled on the basis of at least the energy rate related information is less than that of when the component is controlled without the basis of at least energy rate related information; if the energy rate related information is high cost information, a function of one component constituting the energy receiving unit is limited; and an operating time or an output of the energy receiving unit is adjusted in correspondence to the limited function of one component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Junho Ahn, Yanghwan Kim, Hoonbong Lee, Koonseok Lee, Jaehyeok Choi
  • Patent number: 9441322
    Abstract: A dryer having a waste heat recovery device includes a cabinet, a drum rotatably mounted within the cabinet and having a front surface and a rear surface, an intake duct configured to provide an intake flow path through which air flows into the drum, an exhaust duct configured to exhaust air coming from the drum out of the cabinet, a heater configured to heat air flowing into the drum, and an ambient air duct configured to inhale air from outside the cabinet and supply the air from outside the cabinet into the drum. The waste heat recovery device includes an evaporation unit configured to absorb heat from air that is exhausted from the drum, a condenser unit configured to transfer heat absorbed from the evaporation unit to ambient air that flows into the ambient air duct, and a heat transfer medium configured to transfer heat between the evaporation unit and the condenser unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Doohyun Kim, Geunhyung Lee, Sungjun Kim
  • Patent number: 9416475
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance is provided having one or more features to improve the airflow in the washing machine appliance during a spin cycle and/or an overnight drying cycle. The appliance uses one or more one way valves in an inlet duct and/or an exhaust duct to direct the airflow through the washing machine appliance during spin cycles. Additionally, or alternatively, the appliance provides ambient air through an inlet port positioned proximate to an opening in a wash drum and exhausts the air to the ambient through an exhaust port positioned at a rear end of a wash tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Ashutosh Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 9359714
    Abstract: An Appliance for drying laundry (100) includes a drying-air moisture-condensing system (215,220, 225) comprising a heat pump system with a first heat exchanger (215) for cooling the drying air and a second heat exchanger (220) for re-heating said drying air, and a variable-output compressor (210). At least one Joule-effect heater (255) is located downstream of the heat pump heat exchangers for boosting the heating of the drying air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Andrea Contarini, Massimo Viero
  • Patent number: 9359713
    Abstract: A drying apparatus that is capable of effectively removing foreign substances, such as dead mite bodies and dust adhered to bedding, a washing machine having the drying apparatus, and a method of controlling the drying apparatus. When bedding having a large volume, such as a blanket or a cover, is washed, a bedding-dusting operation using rotation of a drum and high-temperature hot air is performed before and after a bedding washing course is performed, so that foreign substances, such as dead mite bodies or dust, are dusted off bedding and the effects of washing bedding can be improved. In addition, a section in which the bedding-dusting operation is to be performed, is automatically or manually selected as before bedding washing or after bedding washing so that various operations can be performed and the effects of washing bedding can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Min Hee Kang
  • Patent number: 9353471
    Abstract: A washing machine with a balancer that may be commonly used irrespective of the size of a drum. The washing machine includes a cabinet, a drum rotatably disposed in the cabinet, an annular recess provided at the drum, and a balancer assembly mounted to the recess. The balancer assembly includes a balancer to offset unbalanced load generated in the drum during rotation of the drum and at least one balancer guide coupled to an outer circumference of the balancer to constitute the balancer assembly, the balancer guide being mounted to the recess along with the balancer so that an outer diameter of the balancer assembly corresponds to the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min Jea Choi, Sung Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 9351628
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a tub (2) wherein the items to be washed are placed, a body (4) having two side walls (3) that surround the tub (2), a fan receptacle (5) located between the tub (2) and the side wall (3), an air channel (8) located in the fan receptacle (5), having an inlet (6) that provides the humid air in the tub (2) to be received therein and an outlet (7) that provides the dehumidified air to be sent back to the tub (2), a fan (9) located in the fan receptacle (5), providing the humid air in the tub (2) to be sucked during the drying step, a hole (10) arranged on the fan receptacle (5), that allows the air received from the outer environment to enter into the air channel (8) and a guiding member (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Arcelik A.S.
    Inventors: Gonca Erozkan, Orhan Atabey
  • Patent number: 9279212
    Abstract: A washer/dryer (1) including a body, a drum arranged inside this body wherein laundry to be washed is emplaced, and a fan that aspirates the humid air generated in the drum during the drying process and a chamber whereto the air aspirated by the fan is delivered, configured as a volute wherein the air can circulate and a thermoelectric module situated in the chamber and having flaps that control the flow rate of the air that flows over the thermoelectric module so that the washer/dryer has high efficiency and decreases the noise generated during the drying cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
    Inventors: Kenan Atac, Davut Ayhan Serabatir, Erkan Tarakci
  • Patent number: 9228291
    Abstract: Provided is a dryer. In the dryer, foreign substances such naps generated during a drying process are filtered by a filter unit, and the foreign substances attached to the filter unit are automatically removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seung-Phyo Ahn, Jeong-Yun Kim, Sang-Ik Lee
  • Patent number: 9157179
    Abstract: The laundry dryer (1) of the present invention comprises a drum (2) wherein the laundry desired to be dried is placed, a channel (5) having an inlet allowing the cycle air to enter into the drum (2) and an outlet allowing the cycle air to leave the drum (2), providing the cycle air to be circulated in a closed cycle, a condenser (4) that provides the cycle air leaving the drum (2) to be dehumidified by being condensed, a heater (3) that provides the dehumidified cycle air leaving the condenser (4) to be heated and at least one fan (6) that maintains the cycle air to move along the length of the channel (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
    Inventors: Onur Hartoka, Yavuz Sahin, Erdem An, Mehmet Kaya
  • Patent number: 9127397
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a washing machine (100) including a cabinet (110) having a base (1.11), a tub (120) fixedly secured to an inside of the cabinet (110), a drum (130) rotatable provided in the tub (120), a rotation shaft (140) passed through the tub (120) from a rear of the drum (130), a bearing housing (150) connected to the rotation shaft (140), a suspension assembly (170) for buffering and supporting a structure connected to the bearing housing (150), a driving motor (181) provided to the suspension assembly (170) and a power transmission member (182) for transmission of the rotation force from the driving motor (181) to the rotation shaft (140), thereby permitting to increase a capacity of the washing machine (100) by changing the structure or the washing machine (100) and increase the rotation efficiency of the drum (130) by providing a driving structure which rotates the drum (130) and has an increased capacity by thus effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Suk Yun Moon, Ig Geun Kwon, Dong Il Lee
  • Patent number: 9062405
    Abstract: A drum type washing machine and a method for fabricating a drum thereof are provided. The drum type washing machine includes a motor, a drum having a drum center of a cylinder shape and a drum back connected to an opening formed in a side of the drum center to define a rear surface of the drum, a connector mounted in the rear surface of the drum, and a rotation shaft connected to the connector to transmit a rotation force of the motor to the drum. The drum back is formed in a bowl shape to have a drum expanding part expanding toward an outer side of the drum from the opening of the drum center, and a portion of the drum back where the connector is mounted is recessed toward an inside of the drum to reduce a distance between the drum center and the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jong Sun Yoon, Chang Woo Son, Jae Cheol Lyu
  • Patent number: 8739577
    Abstract: A washing machine is disclosed. A washing machine includes a cabinet configured to define an exterior appearance thereof; a tub installed in the cabinet to hold wash water therein; a drum rotatably installed in the tub to accommodate laundry therein; at least one venting portion provided in an upper portion of the tub to communicate with an outside of the tub; and a ventilation part (300) provided in a lower portion of the tub to communicate with an inside of the tub. The above configuration enables convection current of internal air of the tub generated via the venting portion and the ventilation part (300).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dae Wook Kwak, Jong Min Kim, Cheol Kang Heo, Han Ki Cho, Gyung Hun Nho, Soon Jo Lee, Kyu Chul Lee
  • Patent number: 8654515
    Abstract: There is provided a household appliance including a housing and a cavity arranged within the housing. The housing element is further arranged to allow viewing of the cavity. A display which is transparent to at least one wavelength in the visible light spectrum is arranged in connection to the housing element and is further arranged such that the cavity is exposed from outside the household appliance. The display is a thin film type electroluminescent display which is arranged as an integral part of the housing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation, N.V.
    Inventor: Bernd Krische
  • Patent number: 8490438
    Abstract: A laundry treatment device is provided which includes a first space for laundry treatment, a second space formed separate from the first space, and an air supply device provided in the second space, the air supply device supplying heated dry air to the first space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Na Eun Kim, Cheol Soo Ko, Dong Soo Lee, Young Min Kim, Hea Kyung Yoo, Sung Ryong Kim
  • Patent number: 8424834
    Abstract: A composite appliance base used for manufacture and assembly of various appliances such as a clothes washing machine, clothes dryer, or the like. The composite appliance base includes a heater box, an electric motor mount, a fan shroud, and at least one duct. There are also various inlets which are used for water hoses (in the case where the composite appliance base is used for a washing machine or the like) as well as exhaust ducts and integrated cable clips. In one embodiment, the composite appliance base includes a base portion and a fan shroud, as well as a first duct in fluid communication with the fan shroud. The composite appliance base also includes a second duct which functions as the heater box; the heater box is operable with a heater device to heat air flowing through the heater box, the duct, and the fan shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Magna International
    Inventor: Michael Crane
  • Patent number: 8418377
    Abstract: A dryer with a drying chamber that includes a process air duct for guiding process air through the drying chamber, a heat pump with a heat sink in the process air duct and through which air can flow in an outlet air direction for cooling down the process air, and a heat source arranged in the process air duct and through which air can flow in an inlet air direction for heating up the process air. The outlet air direction and the inlet air direction are substantially parallel to one another. The heat sink and the heat source are in a plane substantially perpendicular to the outlet air direction and to the inlet air direction alongside one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grunert, Günter Steffens, Andreas Stolze
  • Patent number: 8347520
    Abstract: In a laundry washing/drying machine involving drying by a heat pump cycle, in an initial stage of the drying operation the heat within an air circulation path is deficient and therefore it is impossible to effect quick heating of air on a drum inlet side up to a sufficiently high temperature. According to the present invention there is provided a drying unit capable of raising the drum inlet air temperature quickly up to a sufficiently high temperature in an initial stage of the drying operation and thereby shortening the drying time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 8220470
    Abstract: The Furniture Pad Folding Machine is a dry cleaning machine that is multi-faceted; it can clean and disinfect furniture pads and the machine has the ability to fold furniture pads. The machine is portable and can function on the moving truck and at the warehouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: Jessie Lee Hicks
  • Patent number: 8176651
    Abstract: A method of drying articles within a washer comprising: creating an airflow from an upper compartment of a chamber to a lower compartment of the chamber through a gap such that a curtain of air is formed along side walls of the chamber; creating an air flow from the lower compartment to the upper compartment through an opening therebetween wherein a portion of the curtain of air is drawn in a first direction over articles in the lower compartment and a portion of the curtain of air continues along the side walls and is redirected in a second direction over the articles in the lower compartment; heating the air in the upper compartment to a temperature sufficient to vaporize fluid in the chamber; venting a portion of the air in the lower compartment; and introducing clean filtered air into the upper compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Steris Inc.
    Inventors: Maxime Robert, Ghislain Parent, Louis Martineau
  • Patent number: 8020412
    Abstract: A washing machine with an odor removal function includes a cabinet, a tub received in the cabinet and including an intake port and an exhaust port so as to receive and discharge air, and a washing tub rotatably provided in the tub. Here, ambient air flows into the tub through the intake port by a suction force generated when the washing tub rotates and air inside the washing tub flows to the outside, such that odor of laundry is removed. Therefore, a washing machine with an odor removal function capable of easily and quickly removing laundry odor is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyeong Hwan Kim, Soo Young Oh, Myong-Hun Im, Kyung-Chul Woo
  • Patent number: 7980002
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary drum in which the hygienic status of pourable solids separated from liquid cattle manure is modified by aerobic heating in such a manner that said solids can be reused as bedding in cattle sheds. The object of the invention is to obtain a high loading factor amounting to 60-70% filling of the drum which is located horizontally for installation in an insulated container. In accordance with the invention, the loaded solid is kept in a chamber and is only transferred to the drum when there is no solid surrounding the chamber. The crucial element is a flap of the chamber which only opens and closes in this area. If there is any solid resting on the outside of the flap then opening of the flap is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Röhren-und Pumpenwerk Bauer Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Dietrich Eichler
  • Publication number: 20100139112
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a washer/dryer (1) with a high efficiency and wherein the noise generated during the drying cycle is decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Kenan Atac, Davut Ayhan Serabatir, Erkan Tarakci
  • Publication number: 20100083532
    Abstract: The invention relates to a nozzle arrangement (6) adapted to supply at least one fluid-phase additive into a storing compartment (4) of a textiles treatment apparatus (2), in particular an exhaust air and/or condenser dryer, a refreshment apparatus or a washing machine having drying function. The nozzle arrangement comprises at least one nozzle (8), each being adapted to feed an additive; and at least one trapping device (10) adapted to trap and/or to remove liquid and/or particles leaving the at least one nozzle (8) or forming at or close to said nozzle. Further, the invention relates to an additive supply arrangement (6, 18, 20, 22, 12) adapted to supply at least one additive, comprising at least one nozzle (8), each being adapted to feed an additive; at least one additive supply source (12); and at least one fluid channel (18, 20) connecting the at least one additive supply source (12) to the at least one nozzle (8); wherein at least one fluid channel comprises at least one capillary element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V.
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Klug, Luigi Arreghini, Johannes Sierl, Thomas Loy
  • Patent number: 7676954
    Abstract: A drying method for a household appliance such as a dishwasher comprises a Peltier-element in addition to a heat-emitting part and also a heat-absorbing part for drying the washed items in the treatment area of the dishwasher. The heater-absorbing part cools a lateral wall of the washing container, which guides condensation of humidity into the air of the treatment area. Also, the air of the treatment area is circulated about an air channel by a blower and the air in the air channel is simultaneously heated with the aid of the heat-emitting part of the Peltier-element. The relative humidity of the air is reduced and the capacity of the air of the absorbing humidity is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Egbert Classen, Michael Rosenbauer, Wolfgang Steck, Martin Stickel
  • Patent number: 7661203
    Abstract: A loading basket (6) for a washing machine (1) comprises a rear wall (8), a front wall (9) opposite the rear wall (8) and a side wall (7) defining an inner space (10) of the basket, as well as one or more dragging blades (12) arranged on the side wall (7) and projecting to the inside of the basket. The side wall (7) comprises a drilling with a plurality of small through holes (13), which are arranged at the vertex of respective domes (14) projecting to the outside of the basket (6), as well as a plurality of rounded projections (18) in the shape of a spherical dome without through holes and projecting to the inside (10) of the basket (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Candy S.p.A.
    Inventor: Silvano Fumagalli
  • Patent number: 7526879
    Abstract: A drum washing machine and a clothes dryer equipped with a thermoelectric module are disclosed. The thermoelectric module includes a heat absorption side and a heat dissipation side which absorbs and dissipates heat at a junction between two dissimilar metals depending on direction of current flow through the junction. The heat absorption side is disposed at a hot air flowing passage. Accordingly, the drying apparatus can increase energy efficiency with minor structural modification and becomes environmentally friendly unlike a conventional drying apparatus using a heat pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sun Cheol Bae, Ja In Koo, Jin Seok Hu, Yang Hwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20090064533
    Abstract: A blower 31 has a blower fan 35, a fan motor 36 for driving the blower fan 35 into rotation, and a shaft 52 having one end portion coupled to the blower fan 35 and the other end portion coupled to the fan motor 36. Washing liquid fed into the water tank during washing process or rinsing process is intruded inside the fan case 34, and the one end portion of the shaft 52 is immersed in the washing liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Nakiri
  • Patent number: 7481083
    Abstract: A drum type washing and drying machine includes a rotary drum provided with drum perforations on the cylindrical surface thereof, a water tub elastically supported in a main body of the machine, for accommodating the rotary drum, a blower unit for circulating air into the rotary drum, a heating unit for heating the air to be circulated into the rotary drum, an air flow passage for directing air, which has been exhausted from the rotary drum into a space between the water tub and the rotary drum through the drum perforations, to the blower unit, a heat exchanging member installed in the air flow passage, and a cooling water supply unit for supplying cooling water to the heat-exchanging member. The heat-exchanging member is slantingly disposed in the air flow passage and has an upper and a lower surface and to form an approximately U-shaped heat exchanging path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Habu, Koji Nakai, Takahiro Inoue
  • Publication number: 20080295547
    Abstract: A steam-generating-device configured to generate steam that is passed through a conduit and a nozzle into a container of a laundry appliance that is configured to receive laundry. The steam-generating device includes a tank with an interior space and a heating element. Water is admitted into the tank through an inlet opening, and an outlet opening is provided for water and/or steam. A bulkhead extends up from a bottom of the tank between the outlet opening and the interior space. The bulkhead has an upper edge forming at least one opening so as to provide a passage for the steam between the interior space and the outlet opening. The upper edge protrudes above a storage water level of the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Michael Finke, Friedrich-Wilhelm Kramme, Robert Muether, Wilfried Schaeffersmann, Dirk Sieding
  • Patent number: 7444843
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a drum (1), used in washing machines, preferably laundry machines, into which laundry to be washed is to be placed, capable of performing washing by rotational movement around its central axis, preferably made of plastic, comprising a main body (2) and a rear cover (3), whereby said rear cover (3) comprises a circular edge (10) which surrounds the main body (2) and the main body (2) comprises an edge socket (14) in which the rear cover edge is located, the main body (2) and the rear cover (3) being connected to each other without forming any protrusion on the outer face of the drum (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventors: Umud Esat Ozturk, Nihat Yavuz, Bertan Bayram, Avci Korkut, Dogan Demirhan, Nursan Kemerdere
  • Patent number: 7383644
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for controlling a washing/drying system including a washing machine and a dryer used in one pair. Since the washing machine can communicate with the dryer according to a wireless communication regulation, the dryer can operate more conveniently. According to the apparatus and method, convenience in using the washing machine and the dryer together is further enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Cheol Lyu, Seong Jin Jo, Deug Hee Lee, Kwon Ki Hong, Byung Hwan Ahn