Abstract: A bubble generating device and a washing machine equipped with the bubble generating device. The washing machine includes a water tub into which water is introduced, a bubble generating device to generate bubbles and supply the bubbles into the water tub, a pump to suck water from the water tub and supply the water into the bubble generating device, and a connecting pipe having an end connected to the bubble generating device and the other end connected to the water tub. The other end of the connecting pipe is located above a water level in the water tub. The bubble generating device selectively performs a bubble generating process in which bubbles are generated and supplied into the water tub, or a water circulating process in which water from the water tub circulates through the connecting pipe and flows back to the water tub.

Abstract: A washing machine and control methods thereof to enhance washing quality, even when using eco-friendly natural soap-based detergent. Controlling a rinse water temperature based on a wash water temperature to reduce a temperature difference therebetween prevents gelation caused by natural soap-based detergent and maximizes washing quality when using this type of detergent.

Abstract: A washing machine having an improved structure which increases washing capacity without increasing the size of the washing machine. The washing machine includes a cabinet including an outer part and a cylindrical inner part connected to the outer part, a spin basket rotatably disposed in the inner part and including a bottom and a side wall extending from the bottom, a pulsator rotatably disposed in the spin basket, a motor provided under the spin basket, a clutch to selectively transmit power of the motor to the spin basket or the pulsator, a base plate to fix the clutch and the motor, and suspension members connecting the base plate to the upper portion of the cabinet. Wash water is stored within the spin basket and is not stored outside the spin basket during a washing cycle.

Abstract: A washing control method that is capable of controlling laundry to be effectively washed with bubbles depending upon load of a washing machine. The washing control method includes supplying wash water containing detergent into a space between a lower portion of a rotary drum and a lower inner surface of a water tub; heating the wash water containing detergent; generating and supplying bubbles into the rotary drum; and washing laundry with the supplied bubbles.

Abstract: A washing machine capable of increasing the washing capacity without enlarging the external appearance and also discharging a washing water during a washing operation or a spin-dry operation while completely isolated from electronic parts and thus reducing the risk of a power failure and fire, the washing machine including a body, a rotating tub rotatably disposed inside the body, a pulsator rotatably disposed inside the rotating tub, a driving part provided on a lower portion of the rotating tub to selectively rotate the rotating tub and the pulsator, a base plate to which the driving part is fixed, wherein a waterproofing member is provided between the base plate and a bottom of the body to seal the driving part and to prevent water from reaching the driving part.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a cabinet forming an external appearance of the washing machine, a rotary tub disposed to rotate around a driving shaft vertically provided inside the cabinet and including a sidewall, which extends with inclination to have a diameter increasing from a lower side to an upper side of the washing machine, and at least one protrusion part, which protrudes from the sidewall with inclination to have a diameter increasing from an upper side to a lower side of the sidewall. A guide water filter is mounted on at least one protrusion part inside the rotary tub and provided at a rear surface thereof with a drain passage to discharge the washing water discharged from the balance ring to outside. A base is installed at the lower side of the rotary tub and includes a guide part and a support plate.

Abstract: A washing machine including a tub, a spin basket rotatably mounted in the tub, a pulsator rotatably mounted in the spin basket and having a pulsator hub part extending downward from a center portion of the pulsator, a driving device to generate rotational force, a wash shaft to transmit the rotational force generated from the driving device to the pulsator, and a buoyancy clutch upwardly and downwardly movably mounted to the pulsator hub part and configured to move up and down by buoyancy. The buoyancy clutch is configured to rotate together with the pulsator. When the buoyancy clutch moves down, the spin basket is engaged with the buoyancy clutch and receives the rotational force.

Abstract: A washing machine and a controlling method are provided for maintaining an optimal temperature for efficient generation of foam to perform foam washing in washing laundry. The controlling method for the washing machine includes supplying washing water with detergent required to generate foam, generating foam using detergent water which is a mixture of the washing water and the detergent, transmitting heat to the generated foam by heating the detergent water, and washing laundry using the foam.

Abstract: A water level sensing apparatus which more precisely senses a level of supplied water, a water supply hose and a washing machine having the same is provided. The water level sensing apparatus includes a main body provided with an inner wall and an outer wall and filled with water supplied to the inside of the inner wall, a plurality of electrodes inserted between the inner wall and the outer wall to be opposite to each other, and a micro-computer to judge a water level in the main body through variation of a capacitance value of the plurality of electrodes. Therethrough, the water level sensing apparatus more directly measures a water level, as compared to the conventional water level sensing apparatus, thus improving precision in water level measurement. Thereby, the water level sensing apparatus prevents unnecessary water supply and reduces energy consumption.

Abstract: A pulsator device in which a second pulsator performs different movements according to rotating directions of a first pulsator so as to reduce water consumption and improve washing performance.

Abstract: A washing machine in which a coupling structure between a subsidiary washing tub and a rotary tub is improved. The washing machine includes a cabinet configured to form an exterior, a tub included in the cabinet and configured to contain washing water, a rotary tub included in the tub and configured to receive laundry, a driving device configured to rotate the rotary tub, a subsidiary washing tub included in the rotary tub and coupled to be removable from the rotary tub, and a connection shaft configured to extend from a lower portion of the rotary tub to couple the subsidiary washing tub to the rotary tub, such that the subsidiary washing tub is rotated together with the rotary tub.

Abstract: A washing machine which comprises a fixing unit configured to fix an auxiliary laundry tub located in a rotary tub. The washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub disposed in the cabinet to store wash water, a rotary tub installed in the tub to be rotatable, a balancer coupled to an upper portion of the rotary tub to offset an unbalanced load of the rotary tub, an auxiliary laundry tub disposed in the rotary tub to be removably coupled to the balancer, and a fixing unit installed at the auxiliary laundry tub to be coupled to the balancer and to restrict up and down movement of the auxiliary laundry tub when the rotary tub is operated. Therefore, since the auxiliary laundry tub and the balancer may be stably coupled with each other, the auxiliary laundry tub is prevented from be separated during a washing process.

Abstract: A washing machine capable of reducing the manufacturing cost of a circulation device installed to circulate water and capable of preventing water from being scattered when spraying circulating water into a spin basket is described. A tub cover of the washing machine includes a guide part provided with a connector, which is integrated with the tub cover, connected with a circulation passage, and inclined upward toward the tub cover, and an inclined surface inclined toward the spin basket at an inner edge of the tub cover, thereby reducing the manufacturing of the circulation device and preventing water from being scattered. The washing machine includes a circulation drain port formed at a side surface of a tub and a filtering duct connected with the circulation drain port, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the circulation device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a dryer and a drying method of the same. The dryer includes a condensing unit to change water vapor evaporated from a drying object into condensate water by cooling, a condensate water storage container in which the condensate water is stored, a water level sensing device to detect a level of the stored condensate water, and a microcomputer to calculate a change rate of condensation or of the condensate water level based on the detected water level and to determine a value of dryness of the drying object. The dryer effectively performs a drying operation based on the accurately detected value of dryness of the drying object.

Abstract: A laundry weight sensing method. A motor is consecutively turned on and off plural times, the number of pulses output from a counter electromotive force detector according to counter electromotive force of the motor when the motor is finally turned off is counted, and a laundry weight is sensed using the counted number of pulses.

Abstract: A washing machine capable of reducing the manufacturing cost of a circulation device installed to circulate water and capable of preventing water from being scattered when spraying circulating water into a spin basket is described. A tub cover of the washing machine includes a guide part provided with a connector, which is integrated with the tub cover, connected with a circulation passage, and inclined upward toward the tub cover, and an inclined surface inclined toward the spin basket at an inner edge of the tub cover, thereby reducing the manufacturing of the circulation device and preventing water from being scattered. The washing machine includes a circulation drain port formed at a side surface of a tub and a filtering duct connected with the circulation drain port, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the circulation device.

Abstract: A washing machine capable of reducing the manufacturing cost of a circulation device installed to circulate water and capable of preventing water from being scattered when spraying circulating water into a spin basket is described. A tub cover of the washing machine includes a guide part provided with a connector, which is integrated with the tub cover, connected with a circulation passage, and inclined upward toward the tub cover, and an inclined surface inclined toward the spin basket at an inner edge of the tub cover, thereby reducing the manufacturing of the circulation device and preventing water from being scattered. The washing machine includes a circulation drain port formed at a side surface of a tub and a filtering duct connected with the circulation drain port, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the circulation device.

Abstract: A washing machine including a tub, a spin basket rotatably mounted in the tub, a pulsator rotatably mounted in the spin basket and having a pulsator hub part extending downward from a center portion of the pulsator, a driving device to generate rotational force, a wash shaft to transmit the rotational force generated from the driving device to the pulsator, and a buoyancy clutch upwardly and downwardly movably mounted to the pulsator hub part and configured to move up and down by buoyancy. The buoyancy clutch is configured to rotate together with the pulsator. When the buoyancy clutch moves down, the spin basket is engaged with the buoyancy clutch and receives the rotational force.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a washing machine and a detergent supply path which guides detergent stored in a lower part of a main body of the washing machine to an upper part of the main body. The washing machine includes a main body; a support base removably mounted to the main body; a detergent storage unit mounted at a lower part of the main body to be moved in and out of the main body; a detergent supply path guiding the detergent stored in the detergent storage unit that is in the lower part of the main body, to an upper part of the main body; and a guide unit guiding movement of the detergent supply path according to the movement in and out of the detergent storage unit.

Abstract: A washing control method that is capable of controlling laundry to be effectively washed with bubbles depending upon load of a washing machine. The washing control method includes supplying wash water containing detergent into a space between a lower portion of a rotary drum and a lower inner surface of a water tub; heating the wash water containing detergent; generating and supplying bubbles into the rotary drum; and washing laundry with the supplied bubbles.