WASHING MACHINE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME

Abstract

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a washing machine, and the washing machine includes: a water supply unit which supplies washing water; a dissolving unit which stores air therein, and mixes the supplied washing water and the inside air so that the stored air is dissolved in the supplied washing water; a pressure pump which selectively pressurizes the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit from the water supply unit; a pressure sensor which detects pressure of the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit; and a control unit which controls the pressure pump based on information detected by the pressure sensor.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit and priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0124309, filed on Sep. 27, 2016, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirely by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a washing machine and a method of controlling the same, and more particularly, to a washing machine and a method of controlling the same, which are capable of effectively supplying washing water of the washing machine with dissolved air and bubbles created by washing water with dissolved air.

BACKGROUND

In general, a washing machine washes laundry by using friction created between water and laundry and caused by a rotation of a pulsator installed in a washing tub. Specifically, a plurality of holes is formed in an outer circumferential surface of the washing tub positioned inside the tub, such that water introduced into the tub is introduced into the washing tub and water in the washing tub maybe discharged out of the tub. That is, during a washing process, a rinsing process, and a spin-drying process, the water in the tub is discharged to the outside of the tub through a drain line installed at a lower side of the tub.

Therefore, the laundry accommodated in the washing tub is washed by the rotation of the pulsator, the rotation of the washing water stored in the tub and the washing tub, and contact between the water and the laundry.

However, detergents remaining on surfaces of the laundry or foreign substances remaining on the laundry may cause dermatitis, such as atopic dermatitis, when the clothing is worn repeatedly by a user.

To prevent the problem, various technologies for supplying small amounts of washing water to the surfaces of the laundry are applied to help remove any remaining detergents, etc., but there is a problem in that a separate device needs to be installed such as a pump for creating the small amounts of washing water. In this case, unwanted noise occurs because of the operation of the pump and moreover there is difficulty with respect to maintenance of the pump when the pump is repeatedly used over time.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure has been made in an effort to provide a washing machine which supplies washing water with dissolved air and babbles in order to advantageously remove remaining detergent or foreign substances from the laundry.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a washing machine including: a water supply unit operable to supply washing water; a dissolving unit operable to store air therein, and to mix the supplied washing water and inside air so that the stored air is dissolved in the supplied washing water; a pressure pump which selectively pressurizes the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit from the water supply unit; a pressure sensor which detects pressure of the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit; and a control unit which controls the pressure pump based on information detected by the pressure sensor.

The washing machine may further include: a washing water detecting member which detects a flow rate (or a level) of the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit, in which the control unit controls the water supply unit to supply the washing water into the dissolving unit when the information detected by the washing water detecting member Is a preset washing water level information value or less.

The control unit may control the water supply unit to stop the supply of washing water supplied into the dissolving unit when the information detected by the washing water detecting member exceeds a preset washing water level information value.

When pressure of the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit, which is detected by the pressure sensor, is at a preset washing water pressure information value or less when the water supply unit supplies the washing water into the dissolving unit, the control unit may operate the pressure pump to pressurize the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit.

The control unit may stop the operation of the pressure pump when pressure of the washing water to he supplied into the dissolving unit which is detected by the pressure sensor, exceeds the preset washing water pressure information value.

The washing machine may further include: a tab which stores the washing water; and a bubble generating unit which is disposed between the dissolving unit and the tub, and generates bubbles by using the washing water with dissolved air introduced from the dissolving unit and further supplies the bubbles into the tub.

The bubble generating unit may include: a bubble body which includes a bubble inlet port formed at one side thereof, and a bubble discharge port formed at the other side thereof; a bubble nozzle which is disposed inside the bubble body, and has a bubble flow path that has an inner diameter increasing from the bubble inlet port to the bubble discharge port and generates bubbles; and a bubble check valve which is disposed between the bubble inlet port and the bubble nozzle, and guides the water with dissolved ah; which is introduced from the bubble inlet port, to the bubble nozzle.

The dissolving unit may include: an outer body which is opened at one side and has a hollow interior; an inner body which is opened at one side, and is disposed in the outer body such that an outer circumferential surface of the inner body is spaced apart from an inner circumferential surface of the outer body so as to form a dissolving flow path; a dissolving cap which is coupled to one side of the outer body and has a dissolving inlet port formed such that the washing water supplied from the water supply unit is supplied into the inner body; a porous portion which is formed in one area of the inner body; and a dissolving guide port which is formed in the outer body, and guides the water passing through the dissolving flow path to the bubble generating unit.

The dissolving unit may further include: a dissolving drain port which is disposed at a side of the outer body which is lower than the dissolving guide port in the longitudinal direction of the outer body; and a discharge check valve which discharges the water with dissolved air remaining in the dissolving unit to the outside of the dissolving unit when the supply of the washing water by the water supply unit is stopped by tire control unit.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a washing machine including: a water supply unit, which supplies washing water; a dissolving unit which stores air therein, and mixes the supplied washing water and the inside air so that the stored air is dissolved in the supplied washing water; a pressure pump which selectively pressurizes the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit from the water supply unit; a washing water detecting member which detects a flow rate (or a level) of the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit; and a control unit which controls the water supply unit so as to supply the washing water into the dissolving unit when information detected by the washing water detecting member is at a preset washing water level information value or less.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of controlling a washing machine, the method including: supplying washing water into a dissolving unit; detecting information about a flow rate (or a level) of the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit; comparing the detected information about the washing water in the dissolving unit and preset information about the washing water in the dissolving unit; and controlling a supply of the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit based on the detected information about the washing water in the dissolving unit and the preset information about the washing water in the dissolving unit.

The controlling of the supply of the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit may include: cutting off the supply of the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit when the detected information about the washing water in the dissolving unit exceeds the preset information about the washing water in the dissolving unit; and maintaining the supply of the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit when the detected information about the washing water in the dissolving unit is equal to or less than the preset information about the washing water in the dissolving unit.

The method may include: detecting pressure of the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit after maintaining the supply of the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit; comparing the detected washing water pressure information with preset washing water pressure information; and applying pressure to the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit in accordance with the detected washing water pressure information and the preset washing water pressure information.

According to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the washing machine and the method of controlling the same may effectively supply the washing water with dissolved air or the bubbles in order to advantageously remove detergent or foreign substances remaining on the laundry by reducing surface tension between the laundry and the detergent or the foreign substances. The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrated based on a control unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a dissolving unit and a bubble generating unit in FIG. 1 which are specified in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operational process of the control unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawing, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains may easily carry out the exemplary embodiment. The present disclosure may be implemented in various different ways, and is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein.

It is noted that the drawings are schematic, and are not illustrated based on actual scales. Relative dimensions and proportions of parts illustrated in the drawings are exaggerated or reduced in size for the purpose of clarity and convenience in the drawings, and any dimension is merely illustrative and not restrictive. Further, the same reference numerals designate the same structures, elements or components illustrated in two or more drawings in order to exhibit similar characteristics.

Exemplary drawings of the present disclosure illustrate ideal exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in more detail. As a result, various modifications of the drawings are expected. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments are not limited to specific forms in regions illustrated in the drawings, and for example, include modifications of forms due to manufacture.

Hereinafter, a washing machine 101 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the washing machine 101 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a water supply unit 130, a dissolving unit 300, a pressure pump 140, a pressure sensor 120, and a control unit 700.

The water supply unit 130 supplies washing water. Specifically, the water supply unit 130 may selectively supply the washing water.

Air is stored in the dissolving unit 300. In addition, the dissolving unit 300 mixes the supplied washing water and the inside air so that the stored air is dissolved in the supplied washing water.

The pressure pump 140 selectively pressurizes the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit 300 from the water supply unit 130. Specifically, the pressure pump 140 may selectively apply pressure to the washing water, which is introduced from the water supply unit 130 and supplied to die dissolving unit 300, and may guide the pressurized washing water to flow into the dissolving unit 300.

The pressure sensor 120 may detect the pressure of the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300. Specifically, the pressure sensor 120 may be disposed between the pressure pump 140 and the dissolving unit 300, and may detect the pressure of the washing water pressurized by the pressure pump 140.

Moreover, the control unit 700 may control the pressure pump 140 based on the pressure of the washing water which is detected by the pressure sensor 120, and may selectively apply pressure to tire washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit 300. That is, it is possible to allow the stored air and the washing water to be effectively mixed in the dissolving unit 300 by applying pressure to the washing water that is introduced into the dissolving unit 300.

The washing machine 101 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a washing water detecting member 110. In addition, the control unit 700 may allow the water supply unit 130 to supply the washing water into the dissolving unit 300 when the information detected by the washing water detecting member 110 is at a preset washing water level information value or less.

The washing water detecting member 110 may detect a flow rate or alternatively a level of the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300. Specifically, the washing water detecting member 110 may detect a flow rate or a level of the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300, thereby detecting the amount of washing water introduced into the dissolving unit 300. The washing water detecting member 110 may be disposed in a supply line through which the washing water is supplied into the dissolving unit 300 or to the dissolving unit 300.

The washing water level information value may be preset in the control unit 700. The preset washing water level information value is a value at which the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300 may be effectively mixed with the air stored in the dissolving unit 300 and the stored air may he effectively dissolved in the supplied washing water. That is, with the washing water detecting member 110, the control unit 700 may determine whether a relatively excessively large amount of washing water is supplied in comparison with the air stored in the dissolving unit 300.

Therefore, when the information detected by the washing water detecting member 110 is at a preset washing water level information value or less, the control unit 700 may allow the water supply unit 130 to continuously supply the washing water into the dissolving unit 300.

As an example, the water supply unit 130 may be a water supply valve controlled by the control unit 700 to selectively supply water.

The control unit 700 of the washing machine 101 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may control the water supply unit 130 to stop supplying washing water into the dissolving unit 300 when the information detected by the washing water detecting member 110 exceeds the preset washing water level information value.

When, the information detected by the washing water detecting member 110 exceeds the preset washing water level information value, the control unit 700 may determine that a relatively excessively large amount of washing water is supplied in comparison with the air stored in the dissolving unit 300 and thus the air cannot be effectively dissolved in the supplied washing water. In this case, the control unit 700 may control the water supply unit 130 to cut off supply of washing water into the dissolving unit 300.

The control unit 700 of the washing machine 101 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may operate the pressure pump 140 in a case in which pressure of the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit 300, which is detected by die pressure sensor 120, is at a preset washing water pressure information value or less when the water supply unit 130 supplies the washing water into the dissolving unit 300.

The pressure information value of the washing water may be preset in the control unit 700. That is, the washing water pressure information value preset in the control unit 700 may be information related to the pressure of the washing water at which the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300 may be effectively mixed with the air in the dissolving unit 300.

Therefore, the control unit 700 may operate the pressure pump 140 to pressurize the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit 300 so that the supplied washing water is effectively mixed with the stored air in the dissolving unit 300 and the air is dissolved in the supplied washing water. That is, the washing water, which is pressurized by the pressure pump 140 and supplied into the dissolving unit 300, may flow at a high flow velocity in the dissolving unit 300 and may be effectively mixed with the air stored in the dissolving unit 300.

The control unit 700 of the washing machine 101 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may stop the operation of the pressure pump 140 when the pressure of the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit 300, which is detected by the pressure sensor 120, exceeds the preset washing water pressure information value.

When the pressure of the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit 300, which is detected by the pressure sensor 120, exceeds the preset washing water pressure information value, the control unit 700 may determine that the pressure of the washing water being currently supplied into the dissolving unit 300 may sufficiently enable the air stored in the dissolving unit 300 and the supplied washing water to be effectively mixed.

In this case, the control unit 700 may stop the operation of the pressure pump 140, thereby cease applying pressure to the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit 300.

As illustrated in the aforementioned FIG. 1, the washing machine 101 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a tub 200 and a bubble generating unit 400.

The tub 200 may store the washing water. Specifically, the washing machine 101 may further include a housing 100, a washing tub 250, a pulsator 260, and a drive unit 270.

The housing 100 defines an external appearance of the washing machine 101. The tub 200 is installed in the housing 100 and may store the washing water. The washing tub 250 is installed in the tub 200 and accommodates laundry. The pulsator 260 is installed in the washing tub 250 and may rotate. The drive unit 270 is disposed between the housing 100 and the tub 200 and may rotate the pulsator 260 or the washing tub 250.

A drain line 210 through which the washing water stored in the tub 200 may be discharged to the outside of the tub 200 is installed at a lower side-of the tub 200.

The bubble generating unit 400 may be disposed between the dissolving unit 300 and the tub 200, In addition, the bubble generating unit 400 may be supplied with the washing water with dissolved air from the dissolving unit 300, may generate bubbles, and may supply the bubbles to the tub 200. That is, the bubble generating unit 400 may generate bubbles by using the washing water with dissolved, air supplied from the dissolving unit 300, and may supply the bubble to the tub 200.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the bubble generating unit 400 of the washing machine 101 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a bubble body 410, a bubble nozzle 420, and a bubble check valve 430.

The bubble body 410 may include a bubble inlet port 411 and a bubble discharge port 412. Specifically, the bubble inlet port 411 may be formed at one side of the bubble body 410, and the bubble discharge port 412 may be formed at the other side of the bubble body 410.

The bubble nozzle 420 may be disposed inside the bubble body 410. The bubble nozzle 420 may be formed with a bubble flow path 421 formed to have an inner diameter which increases from the bubble inlet port 411 to the bubble discharge port 412. Specifically, the washing water with dissolved air, which is introduced into the bubble inlet port 411, may be deaerated while passing through the bubble flow path 421, thereby advantageously generating bubbles.

As an example, a single or a plurality of bubble flow paths 421 may be formed in the bubble nozzle 420. That is, one or more bubble flow paths 421 may be formed in the bubble nozzle 420.

Therefore, with the bubble nozzle 420 having the bubble flow path 421, the bubble generating unit 400 may effectively generate bubbles by using the washing water with dissolved air.

The bubble check valve 430 may be disposed between the bubble inlet port 411 in the bubble body 410 and the bubble nozzle 420. In addition, the bubble check valve 430 may guide the washing water with dissolved air so that it is supplied from the bubble inlet port 411 to the bubble nozzle 420. Further, the bubble check valve 430 may block a flow of fluid introduced into the bubble inlet port 411 from the bubble discharge port 412.

That is, the bubble check valve 430 opens the bubble inlet port 411 due to the pressure of the washing water with dissolved air, and may guide the washing water with dissolved air, which is introduced into the bubble inlet port 411, so that the washing water with dissolved air passes through the bubble flow path 421 formed in the bubble nozzle 420. Further, when the fluid is supplied from the bubble discharge port 412 and flows to the bubble inlet port 411, the bubble inlet port 411 is closed thereby preventing the fluid from being, supplied into the dissolving unit 300.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the dissolving unit 300 of the washing machine 101 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include an outer body 310, an inner body 320, a dissolving cap 330, a porous portion 321, and a dissolving guide port 311.

The outer body 310 is opened at one side, and may have a hollow interior. As an example, the outer body 310 may be formed to have a hollow shape having a cross section having approximately a “U” shape in which a lower portion of the outer body 310 is formed in a hemispheric shape, and an upper portion of the outer body 310 is opened.

Like the outer body 310, one side of the inner body 320 may be opened, and the other side may be formed in a hemispheric shape. In addition, the inner body 320 may be disposed inside the outer body 310. Further, an outer circumferential surface of the inner body 320 may be disposed to be spaced apart from an inner circumferential surface of the outer body 310 in order to form a dissolving flow path. Specifically, one side of the inner body 320 may be supported by one side of the outer body 310.

That is, one side of the inner body 320 is supported by one side of the outer body 310, and the outer circumferential surface of the inner body 320 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the outer body 310 in order to form the dissolving flow path.

The dissolving cap 330 may be coupled to one side of the outer body 310. Specifically, the dissolving cap 330 is formed approximately in a hemispheric shape, and may cover the opened one side of the outer body 310. Therefore, with the hemispheric shape of the dissolving cap 330 and the hemispheric shape of the lower portion of the outer body 310, air may be effectively stored in the dissolving unit 300. Further, a dissolving inlet port 331 may be formed in the dissolving cap 330. The dissolving inlet port 331 may guide washing water supplied from the water supply unit 130 so that washing water is supplied into the inner body 320.

The porous portion 321 may be formed in one area of the inner body 320. The porous portion 321 may guide at least a part of the washing water introduced into the inner body 320 through the dissolving inlet port 331 so that at least a part of tire washing water collides with washing water currently introduced through the dissolving inlet port 331 and flowing into the dissolving flow path. In addition, the porous portion 321 may be formed in one area at one side of the inner body 320 or one area of the outer circumferential surface of the inner body 320. Specifically, the porous portion 321 may be formed in one area of the inner body 320 that is relatively close to the dissolving Met port 331. As an example, the porous portion 321 may have a plurality of holes formed in a circumferential direction of the inner body 320. That is, the porous portion 321 may be formed at an upper side of the inner body 320 adjacent to the dissolving inlet port 331.

That is, the washing water introduced into the dissolving inlet port 331 formed in the dissolving cap 330 may flow into the interior of the inner body 320, and may flow from the interior of the inner body 320 through the porous portion 321 along the dissolving flow path in a direction in which a distance from the dissolving inlet port 331 is increased. Specifically, the washing water supplied into the dissolving inlet port 331 formed in the dissolving cap 330 may be mixed with air stored in the dissolving unit 300 while flowing into the inner body 320 and along the dissolving flow path formed between the inner body 320 and the outer body 310, thereby dissolving the stored air in the washing water introduced from the dissolving inlet port 331.

In other words, advantageously without requiring a separate agitating device or a separate mixing member, the washing water introduced into the dissolving inlet port 331 of the dissolving unit 300 may be effectively mixed with the air stored in the dissolving unit 300 while flowing into the interior of the inner body 320 in the dissolving unit 300 and along the dissolving flow path.

The dissolving guide port 311 may be formed at the other side of the outer body 310. In addition, the dissolving guide port 311 may guide the washing water passing through the dissolving flow path formed between the inner body 320 and the outer body 310 so that the washing water is supplied into the bubble generating unit 400.

The dissolving unit 300 of the washing machine 101 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a dissolving drain port 312 and a discharge check valve 350.

The dissolving drain port 332 is formed at the other side of the outer body 310, and may be spaced apart from the dissolving guide port 311. Specifically, the dissolving drain port 312 may be formed at a lowest side of the hemispheric shape of the outer body 310, and the dissolving guide port 311 may be formed in a direction that intersects the dissolving drain port 312. That is, the dissolving drain port 312 may be disposed at a side of the outer body which is lower than the dissolving guide port 311 in the longitudinal direction of the outer body 310.

When the amount of-washing water stored in the outer body 310 (or a level of the washing water stored in the inner body 320 and the outer body 310) is at a predetermined amount or larger, the dissolving drain port 312 may guide the washing water to discharge the washing water through the drain line 210 of the tub 200. Specifically, the drain line 210 is installed at the lower side of the tub 200, and guides the washing water stored in the tub 200 to discharge the washing water to the outside of the tub 200. That is, the dissolving drain port 312 and the drain line 210 may be connected through a tube or a hose so that the washing water stored in the outer body 310 and the inner body 320 may be discharged to the drain line 210.

An inner hole 322 may be formed at the other hemispheric side of the inner body 320. The inner hole 322 is formed with an area relatively smaller that an area of the opened one side of the inner body 320, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the washing water introduced into the dissolving inlet port 331 from flowing directly to the dissolving guide port 311 through the inner hole 322. Further, the inner hole 322 may guide the washing water stored in the interior of the inner body 320 and along the dissolving flow path formed between the outer body 310 and the inner body 320 so that the washing water is discharged to the drain line 210 of the tub 200 through the dissolving dram port 312.

The discharge check valve 350 is disposed at the other hemispheric side of the outer body 310. In addition, the discharge check valve 350 is opened in accordance, with a level (pressure) of the washing water remaining in the dissolving unit 300. Specifically, the washing water remaining in the inner body 320 is discharged through the inner hole 322 formed at the other hemispheric side of the inner body 320 (through the dissolving drain port 312), to the outside through the drain line 210 which is installed at the lower side of the tub 200 in order to discharge the washing water, which is stored in the tub 200, to the outside of the tub 200.

More specifically, when the water supply unit 130 stops the supply of the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300 under control of the control unit 700, the washing water remaining in the dissolving unit 300 is supplied into the tub 200 through the bubble generating unit 400. In a case in which the residual washing water cannot open the bubble check valve 430 of the bubble generating unit 400, the discharge check valve 350 is opened so that the dissolving drain port 312 communicates with the dissolving flow path, and as a result, the washing water remaining in the dissolving unit 300 is discharged to the outside of the dissolving unit 300 and discharged through the drain line 210 of the tub 200.

As an example, the discharge check valve 350 may be opened in accordance with a level or pressure of the washing water stored in the dissolving unit 300.

The dissolving unit 300 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an air supply check valve 340. The air supply check valve 340 is formed on the dissolving cap 330, and opened when the discharge check valve 350 of the dissolving unit 300 is opened, thereby filling the interior of the dissolving unit 300 with air. In this case, responsive to the air in which the interior of the dissolving unit 300 is filled (by the discharge check valve 350), the residual washing water may be effectively discharged to the dissolving drain port 312.

Specifically, the air supply cheek valve 340 is opened and closed in accordance with and responsive to the pressure in the dissolving unit 300 in order to supply the outside air into the dissolving unit 300, and in a ease in which the pressure in the dissolving unit 300 is at a predetermined pressure or higher, it is possible to prevent the air received or stored in the dissolving unit 300 from being discharged to the outside.

Hereinafter, an operational process of the washing machine 101 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

Washing water is supplied into the tub 200 during a washing mode or a rinsing mode of the washing machine 101 (S100). Specifically, washing water is supplied into the dissolving unit 300 through the water supply unit 130. The washing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300 is mixed with air stored in the dissolving unit 300.

Specifically, the air, which is supplied through the air supply check valve 340 when the pressure in the dissolving unit 300 is at a predetermined pressure or lower, may be stored in the dissolving unit 300.

That is, the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300 flows along the interior of the dissolving unit 300 so that the air stored in the dissolving unit 300 is dissolved in the washing water. Specifically, the washing water introduced through the dissolving inlet port 331 and supplied from the water supply unit 130 flows into the inner body 320 and is stored in the hollow interior of the inner body 320. In this case, the washing water, which is continuously supplied through the dissolving inlet port 331, and the washing water, which is stored in the hollow interior of the inner body 320, collide with each other, flow along the inner wall of the inner body 320, and flow over toward the dissolving flow path between the inner circumferential surface of the outer body 310 and the outer circumferential surface of the inner body 320 through the porous portion 321 formed in one area of the inner body 320 that is adjacent to the opened one side of the inner body 320.

Therefore, the washing water Introduced Into the dissolving unit 300 by the water supply unit 130 flows into the inner body 320 and along the dissolving flow path located between the inner body 320 and the outer body 310, and is effectively mixed with the air stored in the dissolving unit 300 without need of a separate pump or agitating device, thereby enabling air to be advantageously dissolved in the washing water introduced into the dissolving inlet port 331.

The washing water with dissolved air in the dissolving unit 300 may be supplied into the bubble generating unit 400 through the dissolving guide port 311. Specifically, the bubble check valve 430 disposed in the bubble body 410 is opened by the pressure of the washing water with dissolved air, and the washing water with dissolved air is guided to the bubble nozzle 420 through the bubble inlet port 411.

The washing water with dissolved air passes through the bubble flow path 421 which is formed with an inner diameter that increases from the bubble inlet port 411 to the bubble discharge port 412 which are formed in the bubble nozzle 420. As the water with dissolved air passes, the air is separated from the washing water with dissolved air, thereby generating bubbles. That is, fine micro bubbles may be advantageously generated in accordance with a diameter of the bubble flow path 421 and the number of bubble flow paths 421.

Specifically, the washing water including the bubbles is supplied to the laundry accommodated in the washing tub 250 and to the lower side of the tub 200, and the washing water is also supplied to the upper side of the tub 200, and as a result, detergent and foreign substances remaining on the surfaces of the laundry may be detached from the laundry. The bubbles supplied to the lower side of the tub 200 pass through the washing water stored in the tub 200, thereby effectively generating bubbles. That is, the laundry accommodated in the washing tub 250 and the bubbles supplied through the lower side of the tub 200 collide with each other, and as a result residual detergent or foreign substances attached to the surfaces of the laundry may be effectively and advantageously detached from the laundry.

The washing water detecting member 110 may detect a flow rate or a level of washing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300 (S200). As an example, the washing water detecting member 110 may he a flow rate sensor or a water level sensor.

The control unit 700 compares the information detected by the washing water detecting member 110 with the preset washing water level information value (S300). In this case, when the information detected by the washing water detecting member 110 exceeds the preset washing water level information, value, the control unit 700 controls the water supply unit 130 to cease the supply of washing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300 (S410). Specifically, the control unit 700 may cut off the supply of washing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300 by closing the water supply valve.

The washing water with dissolved air remaining in the dissolving unit 300 may be supplied into the bubble generating unit 400. Thereafter, when the washing water with dissolved air remaining in the dissolving unit 300 has a level at which the bubble check valve 430 of the bubble generating unit 400 cannot be opened, the washing water with dissolved air may be discharged to the drain line 210 outside the dissolving unit 300.

Specifically, when the washing water with dissolved air remaining in the dissolving unit 300 has a level at which the bubble check valve 430 of the bubble generating unit 400 cannot be opened, the discharge check valve 350 is opened.

The dissolving flow path and the dissolving drain port 312 communicate with each other by the discharge check valve 350, and as a result, the washing water with dissolved air remaining m the dissolving unit 300 may be discharged through the drain line 210. In this case, the air supply check valve 340 is opened by the decreasing pressure in the dissolving unit 300, such that the interior of the dissolving unit 300 may be filled with outside air, and the washing water remaining in the dissolving unit 300 may be effectively discharged to the drain line 210.

Alternatively, the control unit 700 may control the water supply unit 130 to continuously supply washing water into the dissolving unit 300 when the information detected by the washing water detecting member 110 is at the preset washing water level information value or less (S420).

While the water supply unit 130 continuously supplies washing water to the dissolving unit 300, the pressure sensor 120 detects pressure of the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300.

When the pressure of the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit 300, which is detected by the pressure sensor 120, is at the preset washing water pressure information value or less, the control unit 700 operates the pressure pump 140 to pressurize the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit 300, thereby allowing the bubble generating unit 400 to effectively generate bubbles (S520). As an example, the preset washing water pressure information value may be 1.5 kg. Further, the control unit 700 may operate the pressure pump 140 until the pressure of the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300, which is detected by the pressure sensor 120, exceeds the preset washing water pressure information value.

Alternatively, when the pressure of the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300. which is detected by the pressure sensor 120, exceeds the preset washing water pressure information Value, the control unit 700 stops the operation of the pressure pump 140 (S510). That is, the control unit 700 determines that the bubble generating unit 400 may effectively generate bubbles even by the pressure of the washing water being currently introduced into the dissolving unit 300.

According to the washing machine 101 of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure having the aforementioned configurations, the control unit 700 may control the water supply unit 130 or the pressure pump 140 based on information about the amount of supplied water or the pressure of the supplied water which may be effectively mixed with the stored air when the washing water is introduced into the dissolving unit 300, and as a result, the washing machine 101 may allow the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit 300 to be effectively mixed, with the stored air.

While the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure may be implemented in any other specific form without changing the technical spirit or an essential feature thereof.

Accordingly, it should be understood that the aforementioned exemplary embodiments are described for illustration in all aspects and is not limited, and the scope of the present disclosure shall be represented by the claims to be described below, and it should be construed that all of the changes or modified forms induced from the meaning and the scope of the claims, and an equivalent concept thereto are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising:

a water supply unit operable to supply washing water;

a dissolving unit operable to store air therein, and to mix washing water supplied thereto with stored air, wherein stored air is dissolved in the washing water supplied thereto;

a pressure pump operable to selectively pressurize the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit from the water supply unit;

a pressure sensor operable to detect pressure of the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit; and

a control unit operable to control the pressure pump responsive to information detected by the pressure sensor.

2. The washing machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a washing water detecting member which detects one of a flow rate and a level of the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit, and

wherein the control unit is further operable to control the water supply unit to supply washing water when information detected by the washing water detecting member is at a preset washing water level information value or less.

3. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the control unit is further operable to control the water supply unit to stop supplying washing water when the information detected by the washing water detecting member exceeds the preset washing water level information value.

4. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein when pressure of the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit, as detected by the pressure sensor, is at a preset washing water pressure information value or less, the control unit is operable to control the pressure pump to pressurize the washing water.

5. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the control unit is operable to stop operation of the pressure pump when pressure of the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit, as detected by the pressure sensor, exceeds a preset washing water pressure information value.

6. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the control unit is operable to stop operation of the pressure pump when pressure of the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit, as detected by the pressure sensor, exceeds the preset washing water pressure information value.

7. The washing machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a tub operable to store washing water; and

a bubble generating unit, disposed between the dissolving unit and the tub, and operable to generate bubbles by using washing water with dissolved air therein supplied from the dissolving unit, and to supply the bubbles into the tub.

8. The washing machine of claim 7, wherein the bubble generating unit comprises:

a bubble body having a bubble inlet port formed at one side thereof, and a bubble discharge port formed at the other side thereof;

a bubble nozzle disposed inside the bubble body, and forming a bubble flow path having an inner diameter that increases in size from the bubble inlet port to the bubble discharge port and wherein said bubble flow path is operable to generate bubbles; and

a bubble check valve disposed between the bubble inlet port and the bubble nozzle, and operable to guide the washing water with dissolved air therein, supplied from the bubble inlet port, to the bubble nozzle.

9. The washing machine of claim 7, wherein the dissolving unit comprises:

an outer body opened at one side and having a hollow interior;

an inner body opened at one side, and disposed in the outer body wherein an outer circumferential surface of the inner body is spaced apart from an inner circumferential surface of the outer body to form a dissolving flow path;

a dissolving cap coupled to the one side of the outer body, and having a dissolving inlet port formed wherein, washing water supplied from the water supply unit is supplied into the inner body;

a porous portion disposed in one area of the inner body; and

a dissolving guide port disposed in the outer body, and operable to guide water passing through the dissolving flow path to the bubble generating unit.

10. The washing machine of claim 9, wherein the dissolving unit further comprises:

a dissolving drain port disposed at a side of the outer body which is lower than the dissolving guide port in a longitudinal direction of the outer body; and

a discharge check valve operable to discharge washing water with dissolved air therein that remains in the dissolving unit to the outside of the dissolving unit when the supply of washing water by the water supply unit is stopped by the control unit.

11. A washing machine comprising:

a water supply unit operable to supply washing water;

a dissolving unit operable to store air therein, and to mix washing water supplied thereto with stored air wherein the stored air is dissolved in tire washing water supplied thereto;

a pressure pump operable to pressurize the washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit from the water supply unit;

a washing water detecting member operable to detect one of a flow rate and a level of the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit; and

a control unit operable to control the water supply unit to supply the washing water into the dissolving unit when information detected by the washing water detecting member is at a preset washing water level information value or less.

12. The washing machine of claim 11, further comprising:

a tub operable to store washing water; and

a bubble generating unit, disposed between the dissolving unit and the tub, and operable to generate bubbles by using washing water with dissolved air therein supplied from the dissolving unit, and to supply the bubbles into the tub.

13. The washing machine of claim 12, wherein the bubble generating unit comprises:

a bubble body having a bubble inlet port formed at one side thereof, and a bubble discharge port formed at the other side thereof;

a bubble nozzle disposed inside the bubble body, and forming a bubble flow path having an inner diameter that increases in size from the bubble inlet port to the bubble discharge port and wherein said bubble flow path is operable to generate bubbles; and

a bubble check valve disposed between the bubble inlet port and the bubble nozzle, and operable to guide the water with dissolved air therein, which is supplied from the bubble inlet port, to the bubble nozzle.

14. A method of controlling a washing machine, the method comprising:

supplying washing water into a dissolving unit;

detecting information about one of a flow rate and a level of the washing water supplied into the dissolving unit;

comparing detected information about the washing water in the dissolving unit to preset information about the washing water in the dissolving unit; and

controlling a supply of washing water into the dissolving unit based on the detected information about the washing water in the dissolving unit and the preset information about the washing water in the dissolving unit.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the controlling supply of washing water into the dissolving unit comprises:

cutting off supply of washing water into the dissolving unit when the detected information about the washing water in the dissolving unit exceeds the preset information about the washing water in the dissolving unit; and

maintaining supply of washing water into the dissolving unit when the detected information about the washing water in the dissolving unit is equal to or less than the preset information about the washing water in the dissolving unit.

16. The method of claim 15, comprising:

detecting a pressure of washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit after the maintaining supply of the washing water into the dissolving unit;

comparing a detected washing water pressure information with, preset washing water pressure information; and

applying pressure to washing water to be supplied into the dissolving unit in accordance with the detected washing water pressure information and the preset washing water pressure information.