Abstract: Disclosed are a drum type washing machine and a vapor generator thereof. The vapor generator of the drum type washing machine comprises: a case provided with a space portion for storing water therein, a water supplying portion for supplying water at one side thereof, and a vapor exhaustion portion for exhausting vapor at another side thereof; a water level detecting means installed at the case for detecting a level of water stored in the case; and a heater installed in the case for heating water stored in the case.

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 heating apparatus of a washing machine comprises: a steam generator for generating steam; and a spray nozzle for spraying steam generated from the steam generator into a tub, in which a water level sensor for detecting a level of water supplied for steam generation step by step is mounted at the steam generator. According to this, an entire size of the washing machine is reduced, an amount of washing water is reduced, and a water level inside the steam generator is detected more accurately, thereby enhancing a performance of the heating apparatus.

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: Provided is an apparatus for controlling a washing flow of a dishwasher that can perform an upper washing, a lower washing, an alternate washing of upper and lower sides, and a concurrent washing of upper and lower sides for effective washing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a damper for washing machines. The damper comprises a cylinder and a piston interactively coupled to each other in a state wherein the cylinder is connected to a tub and the piston is connected to a base, a first friction member provided around the piston for generating a frictional force when the piston moves inside the cylinder, a slider coupled to the piston inside the cylinder so as to move together with the piston if the piston moves beyond a predetermined displacement range, and a second friction member provided around the slider for generating a frictional force when the slider moves inside the cylinder. The damper configured as stated above generates different damping forces according to the vibration degrees of the tub, thereby effectively attenuating the vibration of the tub.

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 steam supplying apparatus in a washing machine which is capable of supplying steam into a wash tub at the top of the wash tub, along with wash water supplied into the wash tub. The steam supplying apparatus includes a tank connected to a water supply unit adapted to supply wash water, the tank being connected with a wash tub via a steam supply line, and provided with a heater, an air chamber defined in the tank above a predetermined water level limit of the tank, the air chamber being reduced in volume in accordance with an increase in the water level of the tank, thereby causing air existing in the air chamber to be compressed, and an extension passage extending between the predetermined water level limit of the tank and the steam supply line. When water is excessively supplied into the tank over the predetermined water level limit, the excessive amount of water is drained through the extension passage and steam supply line in accordance with air pressure in the air chamber.

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: A spray type drum washing machine including a tub mounted in a cabinet, and adapted to contain wash water therein, a circulation line connected between a portion of the tub and another portion of the tub to circulate wash water through the tub, a pump installed at the circulation line, and adapted to forcibly feed wash water through the circulation line for the circulation of the wash water through the tub, and an atomizing device provided at the circulation line, and adapted to atomize the wash water fed through the circulation line, whereby the wash water to circulate through the tub is supplied in an atomized state into the tub. The wash water can rapidly permeate clothes contained in the drum, so that it can more effectively come into contact with contaminants attached to the clothes. As a result, it is possible to achieve an enhancement in washing and rinsing performances while reducing the consumption of wash water.

Abstract: A washing machine comprises: an outer tub disposed in a casing for receiving washing water therein; an inner tub rotatably disposed in the outer tub for receiving laundry therein; and a plasma discharge unit for performing a plasma discharge on the washing water. According to this, a washing performance and a rinsing performance are enhanced and an amount of washing water is reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dishwasher including, a circulating pump for pressing and then supplying wash liquid, an injection arm for permitting the wash liquid pressed and supplied from the circulating pump to be injected by a predetermined passage structure, an underdrain container for collecting the wash liquid injected from the injection arm and supplying the collected wash liquid to the circulating pump, during a washing stage, a soil collecting chamber having a micro filter with a fine mesh for ramifying and finely filtering the wash liquid supplied from the circulating pump and returning the same to the underdrain container, during the washing stage, a drain pump for allowing the wash liquid to be drained through a drain passage which is extended from the underdrain container, and through a connecting passage which is extended from the soil collecting chamber and connected to the drain passage, during a draining stage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a drum washing machine which is capable of lifting clothes to a predetermined height and then dropping the lifted clothes so that the clothes can be washed by means of friction and impact. The drum washing machine is capable of heating wash water and spraying the heated wash water into a tub and a drum of the washing machine in a phase of high-temperature and high-pressure steam, thereby rapidly soaking clothes in the wash water, improving sterilizing and washing efficiencies of the drum washing machine, and saving wash water and electric energy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a drum washing machine which is capable of lifting clothes to a predetermined height and then dropping the lifted clothes so that the clothes can be washed by means of friction and impact. The drum washing machine is capable of heating wash water and spraying the heated wash water into a tub and a drum of the washing machine in a phase of high-temperature steam, thereby rapidly soaking clothes in the wash water, improving sterilizing and washing efficiencies of the drum washing machine, reducing costs of manufacturing the drum washing machine, and saving wash water and electric energy which are required for washing the clothes.

Abstract: A dishwasher is provided which uses a combined circulation/drain pump and an improved filtering system to enhance cleaning capability. The circulation section of the pump provides pressurization and supplies wash water to a spray arm of the dishwasher, while the drain section discharges the wash water. This single pump reduces space requirements, as well as manufacturing costs. A two stage filtration system may be used in the water collection area of the dishwasher to filter out unwanted material, and a third filter may further filter wash water prior to recirculation. Self cleansing mechanisms associated with each of the filters may be used to keep the filters free from obstructions and allow for the unobstructed flow and discharge of wash water.

Abstract: The water circulation system of a drum-type washing machine uses one motor to drive both the circulation and drain pumps. The drum-type washing machine includes a motor having a shaft, the motor enabling forward and reverse rotation of the shaft; a circulation pump, installed on the shaft of the motor, for circulating water by a rotational operation of the motor, the circulating pump moving a first fluid from a water circulation inlet to a water circulation outlet by a centrifugal force; and a drain pump, installed on the shaft of the motor, for draining water by a rotational operation of the motor, the drain pump moving a second fluid from a drain inlet to a drain outlet by a frictional force.

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 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: A medical instrument washer is provided which includes a rack drawably fitted in a washing tub, for setting washing objects thereon, a flow passage having one end located on a rear side of the washing tub for supplying washing water to the rear side, and a washing duct on the rack having a washing water inlet in rear part thereof so as to be detachably connected to one end of the flow passage as the rack is drawn/pushed in. The medical instrument washer so constructed reduces washing water quantity, and pressure loss of washing water by improving a flow passage of the medical instrument washer.

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.