Abstract: A washing machine and washing method therefor are provided. The washing method may include applying a first directional torque to a drum so that laundry in the drum is rotated in a first direction and lifted to a maximum height greater than half a height of the drum, braking the drum so that the laundry is dropped, applying a second directional torque to the drum so that the dropped laundry is rotated in a second direction and lifted to a maximum height greater than half a height of the drum, and braking the drum so that the laundry is dropped.

Abstract: A washing machine and washing method therefor are provided. In the washing method, in which a drum of a drum type washing machine is rotated in a first direction, the method includes applying a first directional torque to the drum so that laundry in the drum is rotated and lifted; braking the drum so that the laundry is dropped; and then again applying the first directional torque to the drum so that the dropped laundry is rotated and lifted again.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing machine with drying function. A heater is mounted in a tub for heating wash water or air in the tub. A circulating channel is connected to the tub for guiding air heated by the heater to the outside of the tub and then supplying the air into a drum such that the laundry in the drum is dried. Consequently, the structure of the washing machine with drying function is simplified, the manufacturing costs of the washing machine with drying function are reduced, and noise generated from the washing machine with drying function is minimized.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for controlling a driving of a drum type washing machine preventing vibration and noise of a drum, reducing a usage of washing water, and reducing rinse time, and an apparatus thereof. To this end, the drum is rotated with a preset equilibrium speed faster than a speed that vibration of the drum is excessively generated accordingly as a rotation speed of the drum is decreased when a dewatering process of laundry is completed, and washing water is supplied into the drum type washing machine while maintaining the drum as the preset equilibrium speed.

Abstract: A spin-dry control method in a washing machine includes sensing a first clothes amount contained in a washing tub, sensing an unbalance of the clothes and a second clothes, after execution of the sensing the first clothes amount, determining a final clothes amount, based on the first clothes amount and the second clothes amount, and executing a main spin-dry process, based on the final clothes amount.

Abstract: In a washing method of a drum type washing machine, a large amount of the laundry can be more effectively washed by effectively transmitting a mechanical force to the laundry by repeatedly and forcedly rotating a drum forward (or clockwise) or backward (or counterclockwise) for a short predetermined time. Through continuous rotation of the drum of the drum type washing machine, a falling washing is performed such that the laundry in the drum is washed by falling by a gravity, or a reversing washing is performed such that the laundry is washed by repeatedly rotating the drum forward (or clockwise) or backward (or counterclockwise) for a short predetermined time, thereby improving energy efficiency through economizing a washing time and washing water according to the amount of the laundry, and also preventing a waste of power by driving a heater at a proper time.

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: Device for controlling a motor in a washing machine and a method for controlling a process of a washing machine by using the same, the device including a motor, a power source part for supplying a voltage to the motor, a plurality of torque varying parts parallel to each other and electrically connected to the motor for varying a rotation torque of the motor, a plurality of switching part connected to the torque varying parts respectively and electrically connected to the power source part, a driving part for switching the switching parts, and a controlling part for controlling the driving part so as to vary the rotation torque of the motor according to a mode of user's selection.

Abstract: A variable speed motor includes first and second main windings wound on a stator, and a relay for performing a switching operation between serial/parallel connections of the first and second main windings to control motor speed. The variable speed motor further includes a tap winding connected in series to the main windings, or an additional capacitor, such that it can greatly extend the range of a variable speed without using a drive unit capable of changing the motor speed at an external location, resulting in reduced production costs of the motor, reduced electromagnetic vibration noise, and reduced power consumption.

Abstract: An outer-rotor variable-speed motor, to which single-phase AC power is applied and on which a rotor is provided outside a stator, comprises first and second main windings provided on a stator of the motor to form a plurality of poles, a frequency detector for detecting the frequency of AC power applied to the motor, and a relay for connecting the first and second main windings in series if the detected frequency is 60 Hz and connecting the first and second main windings in parallel if the detected frequency is 50 Hz. The speed of the motor is kept constant even when power at different frequencies is applied, so that it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the motor and reduce the power consumption, and also to reduce electromagnetic noise from the motor.

Abstract: A drying method is performed by a washing machine capable of precisely drying laundry and reducing power consumption, and an apparatus thereof. The method comprises: detecting a decrement of a heating value of a heat generating unit of a washing machine during a drying mode; and cutting off power supplied to the heat generating unit when the detected decrement reaches a preset reference decrement.

Abstract: A method for controlling dewatering of a washing machine includes detecting an initial reference eccentric position of a drum and an initial amount of eccentricity while a drum of a washing machine is rotated at a low speed, detecting a current eccentric position and a current amount of eccentricity of a drum while the drum is rotated at a low speed again after being rotated at a high speed, and controlling dewatering operation based on the detected initial reference eccentric position, the initial amount of eccentricity, the current eccentric position and the current amount of eccentricity.

Abstract: Method for controlling washing in a washing machine including the steps of (a) sensing an amount of laundry in an inner tub and determining a washing water level proper to the amount of laundry, (b) introducing washing water into the inner tub according to the washing water level, and (c) rotating the inner tub in one direction so that the washing water rises along a space between the inner tub and an outer tub and is sprayed into the inner tub again by a centrifugal force during the step (b), whereby carrying out a pre-washing during water supply even if no separate water re-circulating device is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine provided with a nozzle for spraying washing water into a drum at a broadened angle, thus improving washing efficiency and rinsing efficiency and reducing a quantity of the washing water consumed. The washing machine comprises a tub for containing washing water, a drum rotatably arranged in the tub for accommodating laundry, a motor for rotating the drum, and a washing water-circulating device for circulating the washing water so that the washing water in the tub is sprayed into the drum, wherein the washing water-circulating device includes a nozzle having a vertical water-spraying angle in the range of 30° to 40°.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a wash water-circulating apparatus for washing machines and a method of controlling the same. The wash water-circulating apparatus comprises a circulation channel connected between one side of a tub and the other side of the tub for allowing wash water to circulate therethrough, a pump assembly disposed on the circulation channel for forcibly circulating the wash water, and a water level sensor disposed at the pump assembly or on the circulation channel downstream of the pump assembly for measuring the water pressure of the wash water discharged from the pump assembly. According to the present invention, the minimum amount of the wash water necessary for the pump operation is used when the washing and rinsing processes are carried out, whereby the consumed amount of the wash water is decreased, and the operational reliability of the pump is improved.

Abstract: In a washing method of a drum type washing machine, a large amount of the laundry can be more effectively washed by effectively transmitting a mechanical force to the laundry by repeatedly and forcedly rotating a drum forward (or clockwise) or backward (or counterclockwise) for a short predetermined time. Through continuous rotation of the drum of the drum type washing machine, a falling washing is performed such that the laundry in the drum is washed by falling by a gravity, or a reversing washing is performed such that the laundry is washed by repeatedly rotating the drum forward (or clockwise) or backward (or counterclockwise) for a short predetermined time, thereby improving energy efficiency through economizing a washing time and washing water according to the amount of the laundry, and also preventing a waste of power by driving a heater at a proper time.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for controlling a driving of a drum type washing machine preventing vibration and noise of a drum, reducing a usage of washing water, and reducing rinse time, and an apparatus thereof. To this end, the drum is rotated with a preset equilibrium speed faster than a speed that vibration of the drum is excessively generated accordingly as a rotation speed of the drum is decreased when a dewatering process of laundry is completed, and washing water is supplied into the drum type washing machine while maintaining the drum as the preset equilibrium speed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an outer rotor type induction motor. The present invention includes a driving shaft, a stator core fixed to a frame and having a plurality of stator slots so that the driving shaft penetrates a center of the stator core, a coil wound on the stator slots so as to form a rotatory magnetic field, a rotor housing installed outside the stator core so as to maintain a predetermined slit with the stator core wherein the driving shaft is coupled through a bottom center of the rotor housing, a rotor conductor coupled with an inner circumference face of the rotor housing so as to generate a torque by the rotatory magnetic field of the coil, and a plurality of upper blades installed at an upper end of the rotor housing so as to leave a predetermined interval therebetween wherein an external air is forcibly sucked in to cool the coil when the rotor housing revolves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drawer-type washing machine and a locking method thereof. The washing machine includes a housing having one open side and partitioned into a plurality of compartments; cabinets which can be drawn out forward through the open side of the housing, each of the cabinets being positioned in each of the compartments; washing baths for washing the laundry, each of the washing baths being positioned within each of the cabinets; and locking mechanism provided between the housing and the cabinets for restraining the cabinet from being drawn out forward from the housing. The cabinets are automatically drawn out by only operating a switch installed in an outside wall of the housing.

Abstract: Device for controlling a motor in a washing machine and a method for controlling a process of a washing machine by using the same, the device including a motor, a power source part for supplying a voltage to the motor, a plurality of torque varying parts parallel to each other and electrically connected to the motor for varying a rotation torque of the motor, a plurality of switching part connected to the torque varying parts respectively and electrically connected to the power source part, a driving part for switching the switching parts, and a controlling part for controlling the driving part so as to vary the rotation torque of the motor according to a mode of user's selection.