DRUM TYPE WASHING MACHINE

- Samsung Electronics

A drum type washing machine capable of reducing water supply time and water drainage time, thereby reducing time of an entire washing cycle, the drum type washing machine including a body; a tub provided at an inside the body to accommodate washing water therein; a drum rotatably installed at an inside the tub; a water supply unit connected to the tub and provided to supply washing water; and a first storage unit connected to the water supply unit and provided to store washing water that is to be supplied to the tub, wherein the first storage unit includes a first storage tank configured to store washing water; a first connecting pipe configured to connect the first storage tank to the water supply unit; and a second connecting pipe configured to connect the first storage tank to the tub.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0116800, filed on Nov. 10, 2011 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a washing machine capable of reducing water supply time and water drainage time thereof, and a control method thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

A washing machine is an apparatus configured to wash clothing by use of electricity, and generally includes a water tub configured to store washing water and a washing drum rotatably installed at an inside the water tub and configured to accommodate laundry therein, so that a washing takes place by the rotation of the washing drum.

At this time, a water supply apparatus is installed at an upper side of the washing drum to supply water from an outside, and a water drainage apparatus is installed at a lower side of the washing drum to discharge the water from the washing drum.

An example of a structure of a water supply and water drainage of the washing machine as such has been suggested in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2005-0047425.

The washing machine disclosed above includes the water supply unit provided at an upper portion of the body of the washing machine and a water tub disposed at a lower side of the water supply unit, having the water supplied from the water supply unit run to an inside the water tub.

In addition, the water drainage unit includes a water drainage hose and a water drainage valve installed at a lower side of the body to discharge the water inside the water tub.

However, the water supply time and the water drainage time required by the water supply unit and the water drainage unit occupy about 5% to 20% of the time of an entire washing cycle.

Thus, the time of an entire washing cycle is wasted due to the water supply and drainage and the efficiency in washing is degraded due to the wasted time.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a washing machine capable of reducing wash time by reducing the water supply time and the water drainage time thereof.

It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a washing machine capable of increasing the efficiency of washing by reducing the water supply time and the water drainage time thereof.

Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a drum type washing machine includes a body, a tub, a drum, a water supply unit and a first storage unit. The tub may be provided at an inside the body to accommodate washing water therein. The drum may be rotatably installed at an inside the tub. The water supply unit may be connected to the tub and provided to supply washing water. The first storage unit may be connected to the water supply unit and provided to store washing water that is to be supplied to the tub. The first storage unit may include a first storage tank configured to store washing water, a first connecting pipe configured to connect the first storage tank to the water supply unit, and a second connecting pipe configured to connect the first storage tank to the tub.

The first storage unit may include a first valve installed at the first connecting pipe, and a first pump installed to supply the washing water stored in the first storage tank to the tub.

The water supply unit may include a water supply pipe connected to an outside water supply source, and a water supply valve installed at the water supply pipe.

The drum type washing machine may further include a second storage unit connected to the tub and configured to store the washing water discharged from the tub.

The second storage unit may include a second storage tank configured to store the washing water discharged from the tub, a first connecting channel configured to connect the second storage tank to the tub, a second valve installed at the first connecting channel, and a second connecting channel configured to discharge the washing water stored in the second storage tank to an outside.

The drum type washing machine may further include a second pump installed to discharge the washing water stored in the second storage tank to an outside of the body.

The drum type washing machine may further include a control unit configured to control the first valve and the first pump.

The control unit may be configured to control the first valve so that the washing water is supplied to the first storage tank through the first valve during a washing cycle.

The control unit may be configured to control the first pump so that the washing water stored in the first storage tank is supplied to the tub.

The drum type washing machine may further include a control unit configured to control the second valve and the second pump.

The second storage tank may further include a water level sensor, and the second pump may operate by the control unit in a case when the amount of the washing water stored in the second storage tank reaches a predetermined level.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a drum type washing machine includes a body, a tub, a drum and a second storage unit. The tub may be provided at an inside the body and configured to accommodate washing water. The drum may be rotatably installed at an inside the tub. The second storage unit may be configured to store the washing water discharged from the tub and the drum, wherein the second storage unit may include a second storage tank configured to store the washing water discharged from the tub, a first connecting channel configured to connect the second storage tank to the tub, a second valve installed at the first connecting channel, and a second connecting channel configured to discharge the washing water stored in the second storage tank to an outside.

The drum type washing machine may further include a second pump configured to drain the washing water stored in the second storage tank to an outside of the body.

The drum type washing machine may further include a water supply unit connected to the tub and provided to supply washing water to the tub, wherein the water supply unit comprises a water supply pipe connected to an outside a water supply source; and a water supply valve installed at the water supply pipe.

The drum type washing machine may further include a first storage unit connected to the water supply unit and configured to store the washing water which is to be supplied to the tub, wherein the first storage unit may include a first storage tank configured to store washing water, a first connecting pipe configured to connect the first storage tank to the water supply unit, a second connecting pipe configured to connect the first storage tank to the tub, a first valve installed at the first connecting pipe, and a first pump installed to supply the washing water stored in the first storage tank to the tub.

The drum type washing machine may further include a control unit configured to control the second valve and the second pump, wherein the second pump may operate by the control unit in a case when the amount of the washing water stored in the second storage tank reaches a predetermined level.

The drum type washing machine may further include a control unit configured to control the first valve and the first pump.

The control unit may be configured to control the first valve so that the washing water is supplied to the first storage tank through the first valve during a washing cycle, and may be configured to control the first pump so that the washing water stored in the first storage tank is supplied to the tub.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a drum type washing machine is as follows. Washing water is supplied to a tub of the drum type washing machine by controlling a water supply valve installed at a water supply pipe connected to an outside water supply source. Washing water is stored in a first storage tank by controlling a first valve installed at a first connecting pipe connected to the water supply pipe during a washing cycle. During a rinsing cycle, washing water is supplied to the tub by controlling the water supply valve, and at the same time, the washing water stored in the first storage tank is supplied to the tub through a second connecting pipe connected to the first pump by controlling the first pump, which is installed at the first storage tank, thereby performing a rinsing operation.

In addition, a water drainage is started by controlling a second valve installed at a first connecting channel connected to the tub. The washing water drained by the opening of the second valve is stored in a second storage tank. A drainage cycle of the washing water to an outside is performed by controlling a second pump installed at the second storage tank.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a drum type washing machine includes a body, a tub, a drum, a detergent supplying apparatus and a water supply valve. The tub may be provided at an inside the body and configured to accommodate washing water. The drum may be rotatably installed at an inside the tub. The detergent supplying apparatus may be configured to supply detergent to an inside the drum. The water supply valve may be provided to control the amount of the washing water supplied from an outside water supply source, wherein the water supply valve may include a valve body, a water supply channel provided at one side of the valve body, a first water supply channel provided to supply the washing water introduced through the water supply channel to the detergent supplying apparatus, and a second water supply channel configured to communicate with the first water supply channel so that the washing water is supplied to the tub at the same time of being supplied to the first water supply.

The first water supply channel may be provided at the other side of the valve body and extend toward an inner side of the body, and the second water supply channel extends toward a lower side of the first water supply channel.

The drum type washing machine may further include a drainage water storage unit connected to the tub and configured to store the washing water discharged from the tub, wherein the drainage water storage unit may include a drainage water storage tank configured to store the washing water discharged from the tub, a first connecting channel configured to connect the drainage water storage tank to the tub, a valve installed on the first connecting channel, and a second connecting channel configured to discharge the washing water stored in the drainage storage tank to an outside.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a drum type washing machine is as follows. A water supply valve having a first water supply channel connected to a detergent supplying apparatus of the drum type washing machine, and having a second water supply channel connected to the tub may be controlled, thereby supplying a certain portion of washing water to the detergent supplying apparatus and the tub through the first water supply channel while supplying another portion of the washing water directly to the tub through the second water supply channel. A laundry may be washed by rotating a drum inside the tub. Washing water may be primarily drained to a storage tank by controlling a drainage valve installed at a connecting channel that is connected to a drainage hole of the tub. The washing water in the storage tank may be discharged to an outside the body by controlling a pump connected to the storage tank. A certain portion of the washing water may be supplied to the detergent supplying apparatus and the tub through the first water supply channel and another portion of the washing water may be supplied directly to the tub through the second water supply channel by controlling the water supply valve. The laundry may be rinsed by rotating the drum. A rinsing water in the tub is secondarily drained to the storage tank by controlling the drainage valve at the time when a rinsing is completed. The rinsing water in the storage tank may be discharged to an outside during a spin-dry cycle by controlling the pump.

As described above, the water supply time and water drainage time may be reduced, thereby reducing time of an entire washing cycle.

In addition, the time consumed in washing may be reduced, thereby enhancing efficiency in washing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a drum type washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart applied to the drum type washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart schematically illustrating a control operation of the drum type washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a drawing schematically showing a drum type washing machine in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a drawing schematically showing a drum type washing machine in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a water supply valve of the drum type washing machine of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view schematically illustrating the water supply valve of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart applied to the drum type washing machine of FIG. 6.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

As illustrated on FIG. 1, a drum type washing machine 1 includes a body 10 forming an exterior, a tub 12 installed at an inside the body 10 by a spring 14 in a suspended manner and at the same time supportively installed by a damper assembly 15, a drum 13 rotatably installed at an inside the tub 12 to accommodate washing water and laundry, a detergent supplying apparatus 11 to accommodate the detergent supplied to an inside the drum 13, and a water supply unit 20 to supply water to the detergent supplying apparatus 11.

The water supply unit 20 is installed at an upper side of the tub 12 and provided to supply washing water to an inner side of the tub 12 and the drum 13, and includes a water supply valve 30 connected to an outside water supply unit (not shown) and a water supply pipe 21 connecting the water supply valve 30 and the detergent supplying apparatus 11.

The water supplied through the water supply valve 30 passes through the detergent supplying apparatus 11 and is supplied to an inside the tub 12 along with the detergent.

At this time, the water supply valve 30 and the detergent supplying apparatus 11 are provided with the water supply pipe 21 thereinbetween, and the detergent supplying apparatus 11 and the tub 12 are provided with a connecting pipe 11a connected thereinbetween.

Thus, the water passed through the water supply valve 30 is introduced to the detergent supplying apparatus 11 through the water supply pipe 21, and is introduced to an inside the tub 12 through the detergent supplying apparatus 11 and the connecting pipe 11a.

The washing, the rinsing, and the draining cycles of the drum type washing machine 1 composed as such will be briefly explained as below:

The drum 13 is provided with laundry inserted thereinto, and then the washing water supplied through the water supply valve 30 and the water supply pipe 21 passes through the detergent supplying apparatus 11 and is supplied to an inside the tub 12 and the drum 13 along with the detergent.

When the supply of the washing water is completed, the drum 13 while being rotated by a driving apparatus 16, which is installed at a rear surface of the outer side of the tub 12, performs a washing. When the washing is completed, the washing water is discharged through a drainage pipe 52 and a drainage pump 53 connected to a lower portion of the tub 12.

At this time, the time needed to supply washing water to the tub 12 and the drum 13 to perform a washing along with the time needed to drain the washing water to an outside take about 5% to 20% of the time of the entire washing cycle, thereby reducing the efficiency in washing.

According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a first storage unit 40 and a second storage unit 50 are provided to reduce the water supply time and the water draining time in the washing cycle as such.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the drum type washing machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with the first storage unit 40 therein to reduce the water supply time in the washing cycle and with the second storage unit 50 therein to reduce the water drainage time.

The first storage unit 40 is disposed at one side of a lower portion of the body 10 and the second storage unit 50 is disposed at the other side of a lower portion of the body 10. At this time, the first storage unit 40 is desired to be provided on the same side at which the water supply unit 20 and the detergent supplying apparatus 11 are disposed.

The first storage unit 40 is connected to the water supply unit 20 and configured to store the washing water to be supplied to the tub 12, and includes a first storage tank 44, a first connecting pipe 42, a second connecting pipe 45, a first valve 41, and a first pump 43.

The first storage tank 44 is provided with a hollow space formed therein to store washing water, and is desired to have one side of an upper portion thereof formed in a recessed manner while corresponding to the shape of the tub 12 so that the first storage tank 44 may be disposed at a lower portion of the tub 12 and at one side of the inside the body 10.

The first connecting pipe 42 has one end connected to the water supply pipe 21 of the water supply unit 20 and the other end connected to the first storage tank 44. The first connecting pipe 42 is composed by including the first valve 41 and the washing water may be supplied or shut off through the opening/closing of the first valve 41.

Thus, as the first valve 41 is opened, the washing water is supplied through the first connecting pipe 42 and is stored at an inside the first storage tank 44.

The first storage tank 44 is connected to the first pump 43 through a first pump connecting pipe 46, and the second connecting pipe 45 is connected to the first pump 43.

At this time, one end of the second connecting pipe 45 is connected to the first pump 43, and the other end of the second connecting pipe 45 is connected to the tub 12.

Thus, the washing water stored at an inside the first storage tank 44 may be supplied to the tub 12 through the first pump 43 and the second connecting pipe 45.

The washing water stored in the first storage tank as such, when a washing cycle is completed and a rinsing cycle is started, is mixed with the water supplied through the water supply valve 30 and the detergent supplying apparatus 11, and is supplied to an inside the tub 12, and thereby, a large amount of water may be supplied in a short period of time, and thus the entire wash time may be reduced.

In addition, the second storage unit 50 includes a second storage tank 54, a first connecting channel 52, a second connecting channel 55, a second valve 51, and a second pump 53.

The second storage tank 54 is provided with a hollow space formed therein to store the washing water after a washing is completed, and is desired to have one side of an upper portion thereof formed in a recessed manner while corresponding to the shape of the tub 12 so that the second storage tank 54 may be disposed at a lower portion of the tub 12 and at one side of the inside the body 10.

The second storage tank 54 is desired to be disposed at an opposite side of the first storage tank 44, that is, on the other side of the body 10.

One end of the first connecting channel 52 is connected to a drainage hole 12a formed at a bottom surface of the tub 12, and the other end of the first connecting pipe 52 is connected to the second storage tank 54.

The first connecting channel 52 includes the second valve 51, and the washing water in the inner side of the tub 12 may be supplied or shut off by the opening/closing of the second valve 51.

Thus, as the second valve 51 is opened, the washing water stored in the tub 12 after a washing is completed is drained to the second storage tank 54 through the first connecting channel 52, and is stored in the second storage tank 54.

The washing water stored in the second storage tank 54 as such is discharged to an outside of the body 10 through the second pump 53 and the second connecting channel 55.

Thus, the washing water stored in the second storage tank 54 may be drained at the same time when a rinsing cycle is in progress, and therefore, no separate time for a draining of the washing water is needed in the entire wash time.

In addition, a rinsing water stored in the tub 12 after the rinsing is completed may also be drained by controlling the second valve 51. At this time, the rinsing water stored in the second storage tank 54 may also be drained at the same time when a spin-dry cycle is in progress, and therefore, no separate time for a draining of the rinsing water is needed.

In general, in a washing cycle, the rotation of the drum 13 configured for a spin-dry process may be possible if the level of the washing water is lowered to a safety level of a heater 17 installed at a lower portion of the tub 12.

Thus, the time of the entire washing cycle may be reduced by providing the second storage tank 54 having the capacity for the washing water in the tub 12 to be lowered to the safety level of the heater 17 at the time when a drainage takes place, providing a water level sensor 60 at the second storage tank 54, draining quickly the washing water in the tub 12 to the second storage tank 54, and performing a spin-dry process by rotating the drum 13.

The water level sensor 60 of the second storage tank 54 detects the water level of the second storage tank 54 so as to prevent the washing water from remaining inside the second storage tank 54 even after all the washing cycles are completed.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the washing, the rinsing, and the draining cycles of the drum type washing machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be briefly explained as below:

After a laundry is inserted into an inside the drum 13 by opening a front side of the body 10, the washing water that is supplied through the water supply valve 30 and the water supply pipe 21 passes through the detergent supplying apparatus 11 and is supplied to an inside the tub 12 and the drum 13 along with the detergent.

After the supply of the washing water is completed, the drum 13 is rotated by the driving apparatus 16, which is installed at a rear surface of the outer side of the tub 12 and is capable of rotating the drum 13, to perform a washing.

A control unit 70, during a washing cycle, determines if the washing water is stored at an inside the first storage tank 44. If found by the control unit 70 that no washing water is stored in the first storage tank 44, the control unit 70 controls and opens the first valve 41 that is connected to the water supply pipe 21.

When the first valve 41 is open, the washing water is stored into the first storage tank 44 through the first connecting pipe 42.

When the washing cycle is completed, the control unit 70 controls and opens the second valve 51 that is connected to the drainage hole 12a formed at a lower side of the tub 12, and the washing water is drained through the first connecting channel 52 and then is stored in the second storage tank 54.

During a rinsing cycle, the washing water sequentially supplied through the water supply valve 30 and the detergent supplying apparatus 11 along with the washing water stored in the first storage tank 44 is supplied to the tub 12, and thus, the time for supplying the washing water for the rinsing cycle may be reduced.

At this time, the washing water in the first storage tank 44 is supplied to the tub 12 by the control of the first pump 43.

The washing water stored in the second storage tank 54 is discharged to an outside the body 10 by the control of the second pump 53.

When the rinsing is completed, a drainage for a spin-dry cycle is performed.

The rinsing water in the tub 12 is stored quickly in the second storage tank 54 by the control of the second valve 51, and the spin-dry cycle is performed when the rinsing water at an inside the tub 12 is lowered to the safety level of the heater 17.

At this time, the rinsing water in the second storage tank 54 is discharged to an outside at the same time when the spin-dry cycle takes place, thereby reducing the time for the drainage of the rinsing water.

The result of the simulation using the first storage unit 40 and the second storage unit 50 of the embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Washing Rinsing Amount Amount Supply/Drainage of Supply Drainage of Supply Drainage Time for Water Time Time Water Time Time Washing + Rinsing supply (l) (sec.) (sec.) supply (l) (sec.) (sec.) (sec.) Model A 9.6 61 45 25 135 80 321 30↓ 35↓  65↓ 50↓ 136 (185↓) Model B 10.5 65 50 27.5 210 95 420 32↓ 40↓ 110↓ 50↓ 188 (282↓)

As shown in Table 1 above, in a case of Model A, the water supply time for washing is reduced from 61 secs to 30 secs, the water supply time for rinsing is reduced from 135 secs to 65 secs, the drainage time for washing is reduced from 45 secs to 35 secs, and the drainage time for rinsing is reduced from 80 secs to 50 secs.

In addition, in a case of Model B, the water supply time for washing is reduced from 65 secs to 32 secs, the water supply time for rinsing is reduced from 210 to 110, the drainage time for washing is reduced from 50 secs to 40 secs, and the drainage time for rinsing is reduced from 95 secs to 50 secs.

As a result, the water supply time as well as the water drainage time during a washing and a rinsing cycles are both reduced.

FIG. 6 illustrates a drum type washing machine 1 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The drum type washing machine 1 includes a first storage tank 44, a second storage tank 54, a connecting channel 81 connecting the first storage tank 44 to the second storage tank 54, a divert valve 80 installed at the connecting channel 81, and a third pump 83 connectively installed at the first storage tank 44 and the second storage tank 54.

During a washing cycle, the first storage tank 44 that is configured to reduce water supply time includes a first connecting pipe 42 having one end thereof connected to the water supply pipe 21, and a first valve 41 installed at the first connecting pipe 42.

The second storage tank 54 that is configured to reduce water drainage time includes a first connecting channel 52 having one end thereof connected to the drainage hole 12a of the tub 12 and the other end thereof connected to the second storage tank 54, and a second valve 51 installed at the first connecting channel 52.

A connecting channel 81 configured to connect the first storage tank 44 and the second storage tank 54 includes a first connecting channel 81a connecting the first storage tank 44 and the divert valve 80, and a second connecting channel 81b connecting in between the second storage tank 54 and the divert valve 80.

In addition, the divert valve 80 is connected to the third pump 83.

At this time, one side of the third pump 83 is connected to a second connecting pipe 45 provided to supply washing water to the tub 12, and the other side of the third pump 83 is connected to a second connecting channel 55 provided to drain the washing water in the second storage tank 54 thereto.

Thus, through the third pump 83, the washing water stored in the first storage tank 44 may be supplied to an inside the tub 12 or the washing water stored in the second storage tank 54 after the washing is completed may be discharged to an outside of the body 10.

The detailed descriptions of the washing, the rinsing, and the draining processes of the drum type washing machine 1 using the first storage tank 44 and the second storage tank 54 are similar to the embodiment above, and therefore, will be omitted to avoid redundancy.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 10, a drum type washing machine 1 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with a water supply valve 30 configured to reduce water supply time during a washing cycle, and with a second storage unit 50 configured to reduce water drainage time during the washing cycle.

The water supply valve 30 includes a valve body 31, a water supply channel 33 provided at one side of the valve body 31, a first water supply channel 33a and a second water supply channel 33b. The first water supply channel 33a is provided to supply the washing water introduced from the water supply channel 33 to the detergent supplying apparatus 11. The second water supply channel 33b is provided in a way to communicate with the first water supply channel 33a to supply the washing water supplied from the water supply channel 33 to the tub 12.

The first water supply channel 33a of the water supply valve 30 is connected to the detergent supplying apparatus 11 through the water supply pipe 21.

The detergent supplying apparatus 11 is connected to an upper end portion of the tub 12 through a connecting pipe 11a.

Thus, the washing water supplied through the water supply valve 30 is supplied to the tub 12 through the first water supply channel 33a the water supply pipe 21, the detergent supplying apparatus 11, and then through the connecting pipe 11a.

The second water supply channel 33b is connected to the tub 12 through a third connecting pipe 90, and at this time, the second water supply channel 33b is desired to be installed near the connecting pipe 11a at an upper end portion of the tub 12.

Thus, a large amount of water may be supplied within a short period of time by the washing water supplied to the tub 12 through the first water supply channel 33a, the detergent supplying apparatus 11, and then the connecting pipe 11a, and by the washing water directly supplied to the tub 12 through the second water supply channel 33b and the third connecting pipe 90.

Meanwhile, the second storage unit 50 is composed of by including a second storage tank 54, a first connecting channel 52, a second connecting channel 55, a second valve 51, and a second pump 53.

The second storage tank 54 is desired to be provided with a hollow space formed therein to store the washing water after a washing and a rinsing are completed.

One end of the first connecting channel 52 is connected to a drainage hole 12a formed at a bottom surface of the tub 12, and the other end of the first connecting pipe 52 is connected to the second storage tank 54.

The first connecting channel 52 is composed of by including the second valve 51, and the washing water in the inner side of the tub 12 may be supplied or shut off by the opening/closing of the second valve 51.

As the second valve 51 is open, the washing water stored in the tub 12 after a washing is completed is drained to the second storage tank 54 through the first connecting channel 52, and is stored in the second storage tank 54.

The washing water stored in the second storage tank 54 as such is discharged to an outside of the body 10 through the second pump 53 and the second connecting channel 55.

Thus, the washing water stored in the second storage tank 54 may be drained at the same time when a rinsing cycle is in progress, and therefore, no separate time for a draining of the washing water is needed in the entire wash time.

As illustrated on FIG. 10, a water supply valve 30 includes a water supply channel 33 at an inside a valve body 31, and the water supply channel 33 is selectively open/closed by a solenoid unit 32 coupled to an upper portion of the valve body 31.

The solenoid unit 32 includes a magnetic core 32a forming a magnetic field by receiving an electricity, a shaft 32b disposed at an inside the magnetic core 32a and configured to open/close a channel provided at an inside the valve body 31 according to the magnetic field formed at the magnetic core 32a, and a power supply source (not shown) configured to supply a current to the magnetic core 32a.

Thus, in a case when water is supplied from an outside water supply source during a water supply, a magnetic field is formed as a current is applied at the magnetic core 32a, and thus the magnetic core 32a is pulled toward an upper portion thereof by the magnetic field by overcoming the elastic force of a coil spring 32c, and thereby, the water supply channel 33 is open.

At this time, some of the washing water passing through the water supply channel 33 is supplied to the detergent supplying apparatus 11 and the tub 12 through the first water supply channel 33a and the second water supply channel 33b, respectively, that are connected to the water supply channel 33.

The first water supply channel 33a is provided to supply some of the washing water introduced through the water supply channel 33 to the detergent supplying apparatus 11 through the water supply pipe 21. The second water supply channel 33b is installed in a way to communicate with the first water supply channel 33a such that the washing water introduced through the water supply channel 33 is supplied to the first water supply channel 33a, and at the same time, to the tub 12.

Thus, it is desired that the first water supply channel 33a is extendedly formed from the other side of the valve body 31 toward an inner side of the body 10, and that the second water supply channel 33b is extendedly formed toward a lower side of the first water supply channel 33a.

In this manner, the washing water supplied from an outside water supply source as such may be simultaneously supplied to the tub 12 through the first water supply channel 33a and the second water supply channel 33a of the water supply valve 30, thereby reducing the time of the water supply cycle in an entire washing cycle.

As illustrated on FIG. 11, the washing, the rinsing, and the draining cycles of the drum type washing machine 1 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be briefly explained as below:

After laundry is inserted into an inside the drum 13 by opening a front door 10a of the body 10, some of the washing water passing through the water supply valve 30 is supplied to an inside the tub 12 and the drum 13 along with the detergent through the first water supply channel 33a and the water supply pipe 21 and then through the detergent supplying apparatus 11, and at the same time, some of the other washing water passing through the water supply valve 30 is supplied to an inside the tub 12 and the drum 13 through the second water supply channel 33b and the third connecting pipe 90.

In this manner, the washing water is simultaneously supplied to an inside the tub 12 through the first water supply channel 33a and the second water supply channel 33b, thereby reducing the time of the water supply cycle in an entire washing cycle.

After the supply of the washing water is completed, the drum 13 is rotated by the driving apparatus 16, which is installed at a rear surface of the outer side of the tub 12 and is capable of rotating the drum 13, to perform a washing.

When the washing cycle is completed, the control unit 70 controls and opens the second valve 51 that is connected to the drainage hole 12a formed at a lower surface of the tub 12, and the washing water is drained through the first connecting channel 52 and then is stored in the second storage tank 54.

The washing water stored in the second storage tank 54 is discharged to an outside by the control of the second pump 53.

During a rinsing cycle, some of the washing water passing through the water supply valve 30 is supplied to an inside the tub 12 and the drum 13 through the first water supply channel 33a and the water supply pipe 21 and then through the detergent supplying apparatus 11 along with the detergent, and at the same time, some of the other washing water passing through the water supply valve 30 is supplied to an inside the tub 12 and the drum 13 through the second water supply channel 33b and the third connecting pipe 90.

After the supply of the rinsing water is completed, the drum 13 is rotated by the driving apparatus 16 to perform the rinsing cycle.

When the rinsing is completed, a drainage for a spin-dry cycle is performed.

The rinsing water in the tub 12 is stored quickly in the second storage tank 54 by the control of the second valve 51, and the spin-dry cycle is performed when the rinsing water at an inside the tub 12 is lowered to the safety level of the heater 17.

At this time, the rinsing water in the second storage tank 54 is discharged to an outside at the same time when the spin-dry cycle is in progress, thereby reducing the time for the drainage of the rinsing water.

Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A drum type washing machine, comprising:

a body;
a tub provided at an inside the body to accommodate washing water therein;
a drum rotatably installed at an inside the tub;
a water supply unit connected to the tub and provided to supply washing water; and
a first storage unit connected to the water supply unit and provided to store washing water that is to be supplied to the tub,
wherein the first storage unit, comprises a first storage tank configured to store washing water; a first connecting pipe configured to connect the first storage tank to the water supply unit; and a second connecting pipe configured to connect the first storage tank to the tub.

2. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein the first storage unit comprises:

a first valve installed at the first connecting pipe; and
a first pump installed to supply the washing water stored in the first storage tank to the tub.

3. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein the water supply unit comprises:

a water supply pipe connected to an outside water supply source; and
a water supply valve installed at the water supply pipe.

4. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a second storage unit connected to the tub and configured to store the washing water discharged from the tub.

5. The drum type washing machine of claim 4, wherein the second storage unit comprises:

a second storage tank configured to store the washing water discharged from the tub;
a first connecting channel configured to connect the second storage tank to the tub;
a second valve installed at the first connecting channel; and
a second connecting channel configured to discharge the washing water stored in the second storage tank to an outside.

6. The drum type washing machine of claim 5, further comprising:

a second pump installed to discharge the washing water stored in the second storage tank to an outside of the body.

7. The drum type washing machine of claim 2, further comprising:

a control unit configured to control the first valve and the first pump.

8. The drum type washing machine of claim 7, wherein the control unit is configured to control the first valve so that the washing water is supplied to the first storage tank through the first valve during a washing cycle.

9. The drum type washing machine of claim 7, wherein the control unit is configured to control the first pump so that the washing water stored in the first storage tank is supplied to the tub.

10. The drum type washing machine of claim 6, further comprising:

a control unit configured to control the second valve and the second pump.

11. The drum type washing machine of claim 10, wherein the second storage tank further comprises a water level sensor, and

wherein the second pump operates by the control unit in a case when the amount of the washing water stored in the second storage tank reaches a predetermined level.

12. A drum type washing machine, comprising:

a body;
a tub provided at an inside the body and configured to accommodate washing water;
a drum rotatably installed at an inside the tub; and
a second storage unit configured to store the washing water discharged from the tub and the drum,
wherein the second storage unit, comprises a second storage tank configured to store the washing water discharged from the tub; a first connecting channel configured to connect the second storage tank to the tub; a second valve installed at the first connecting channel; and a second connecting channel configured to discharge the washing water stored in the second storage tank to an outside.

13. The drum type washing machine of claim 12, further comprising:

a second pump configured to drain the washing water stored in the second storage tank to an outside of the body.

14. The drum type washing machine of claim 12, further comprising:

a water supply unit connected to the tub and provided to supply washing water to the tub,
wherein the water supply unit comprises a water supply pipe connected to an outside a water supply source, and a water supply valve installed at the water supply pipe.

15. The drum type washing machine of claim 14, further comprising:

a first storage unit connected to the water supply unit and configured to store the washing water which is to be supplied to the tub,
wherein the first storage unit, comprises a first storage tank configured to store washing water; a first connecting pipe configured to connect the first storage tank to the water supply unit; a second connecting pipe configured to connect the first storage tank to the tub; a first valve installed at the first connecting pipe; and a first pump installed to supply the washing water stored in the first storage tank to the tub.

16. The drum type washing machine of claim 13, further comprising:

a control unit configured to control the second valve and the second pump, wherein the second pump operates by the control unit in a case when the amount of the washing water stored in the second storage tank reaches a predetermined level.

17. The drum type washing machine of claim 15, further comprising:

a control unit configured to control the first valve and the first pump.

18. The drum type washing machine of claim 17, wherein the control unit is configured to control the first valve so that the washing water is supplied to the first storage tank through the first valve during a washing cycle, and is configured to control the first pump so that the washing water stored in the first storage tank is supplied to the tub.

19. A method of controlling a drum type washing machine, comprising:

supplying washing water to a tub of the drum type washing machine by controlling a water supply valve installed at a water supply pipe connected to an outside water supply source;
storing washing water in a first storage tank by controlling a first valve installed at a first connecting pipe connected to the water supply pipe during a washing cycle, and
during a rinsing cycle, supplying washing water to the tub by controlling the water supply valve, and at the same time, supplying the washing water stored in the first storage tank to the tub through a second connecting pipe connected to the first pump by controlling the first pump, which is installed at the first storage tank, thereby performing a rinsing operation.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

starting a water drainage by controlling a second valve installed at a first connecting channel connected to the tub;
storing the washing water drained by the opening of the second valve in a second storage tank, and
performing a drainage cycle of the washing water to an outside by controlling a second pump installed at the second storage tank.

21. A drum type washing machine, comprising:

a body;
a tub provided at an inside the body and configured to accommodate washing water;
a drum rotatably installed at an inside the tub;
a detergent supplying apparatus configured to supply detergent to an inside the drum; and
a water supply valve provided to control the amount of the washing water supplied from an outside water supply source,
wherein the water supply valve comprises: a valve body, a water supply channel provided at one side of the valve body, a first water supply channel provided to supply the washing water introduced through the water supply channel to the detergent supplying apparatus, and a second water supply channel configured to communicate with the first water supply channel so that the washing water is supplied to the tub at the same time of being supplied to the first water supply.

22. The drum type washing machine of claim 21, wherein

the first water supply channel is provided at the other side of the valve body and extends toward an inner side of the body, and
the second water supply channel extends toward a lower side of the first water supply channel.

23. The drum type washing machine of claim 21, further comprising:

a drainage water storage unit connected to the tub and configured to store the washing water discharged from the tub,
wherein the drainage water storage unit, comprises a drainage water storage tank configured to store the washing water discharged from the tub; a first connecting channel configured to connect the drainage water storage tank to the tub; a valve installed on the first connecting channel; and a second connecting channel configured to discharge the washing water stored in the drainage storage tank to an outside.

24. A method of controlling a drum type washing machine, comprising:

controlling a water supply valve having a first water supply channel connected to a detergent supplying apparatus of the drum type washing machine, and having a second water supply channel connected to the tub, thereby supplying a certain portion of washing water to the detergent supplying apparatus and the tub through the first water supply channel while supplying another portion of the washing water directly to the tub through the second water supply channel;
washing a laundry by rotating a drum inside the tub;
primarily draining washing water to a storage tank by controlling a drainage valve installed at a connecting channel that is connected to a drainage hole of the tub;
discharging the washing water in the storage tank to an outside the body by controlling a pump connected to the storage tank;
supplying a certain portion of the washing water to the detergent supplying apparatus and the tub through the first water supply channel and supplying another portion of the washing water directly to the tub through the second water supply channel by controlling the water supply valve;
rinsing the laundry by rotating the drum;
secondarily draining a rinsing water in the tub to the storage tank by controlling the drainage valve at the time when a rinsing is completed; and
discharging the rinsing water in the storage tank to an outside during a spin-dry cycle by controlling the pump.
Patent History
Publication number: 20130117943
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 26, 2012
Publication Date: May 16, 2013
Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Suwon)
Inventor: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Suwon)
Application Number: 13/661,767
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Cleaning Or Laundering (8/137); Tumbling (68/139)
International Classification: D06F 25/00 (20060101); D06L 1/20 (20060101);