CA2142219C - Fully automated washing machine - Google Patents
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- CA2142219C CA2142219C CA002142219A CA2142219A CA2142219C CA 2142219 C CA2142219 C CA 2142219C CA 002142219 A CA002142219 A CA 002142219A CA 2142219 A CA2142219 A CA 2142219A CA 2142219 C CA2142219 C CA 2142219C
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a fully automated washing machine adapted to be provided with a purified water generating apparatus by which washing water supplied from a water supplying source can be cleansed or purified and then supplied to a washing tub. More particularly, the invention relates to a fully automated washing machine disposed with the purified water generating apparatus arranged between a water supply pipe and an outer tub for electro-depositing alkali metal ions, heavy metal ions and iron-like ions contained in the washing water and at the same time for generating in quantity in the washing water hydraulic seal ions having interfacial tension, thereby to supply the same to the outer tub. The fully automated washing machine thus constructed according to the present invention employing the purified water generating apparatus can electro-deposit the alkali metal ions, heavy metal ions, iron-like ions and the like contained in the washing water. The purified water having increased hydraulic seal ions to promote the interfacial tension in the washing water improves the washing efficiency and the use of detergent can be reduced for prevention of environmental pollution.
Description
21422 ~ 9 FULLY AUTOMATED WASHING MACHINE
The present invention relates to a fully automated washing machine, and more particularly to a fully automated washing machine employing a purified (cleansed) water generating apparatus by which washing water supplied from a water supplying source can be purified (cleansed) to thereafter be supplied to a washing tub.
As prior art, an example of a conventional fully automated washing machine is presented in United States Patent No. 5,239,847 (issued August 31, 1993 to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.; inventor: Kyu-Chai Lee).
According to this United States Patent No. 5,239,847, a washing machine employing an agitator to increase washing efficiency is disclosed wherein an angle of inclination against a facing surface of an agitating fin is arranged differently, and at the same time, a curve is given to the agitating fin so that laundry and the washing water can be smoothly shifted to a central area of the washing tub and to an inner periphery thereof, so that friction force can be increased by a whirlpool produced by the laundry and the washing water according to a steep grade of the fin, thereby increasing the washing efficiency.
An example of a representative fully automated washing machine thus described is illustrated in Figure 1. The washing machine illustrated in Figure 1 includes an outer tub 3 which is suspended at a predetermined height with the intermediary of a plurality of suspension bars 2 disposed in a body 1, thereby to be arranged in such a way as to prevent vibration during the washing and spinning operations, and for storing the washing water, a motor 4 is provided at an external bottom surface of the outer tube 3 and is driven by an electric power source, a power transmission apparatus 6 is provided at an external bottom surface of the outer tub 3 to receive a driving force from the motor 4 through a belt 5 in order to drive a pulsator (to be described later) or the washing tub, a washing tub 7 is rotatably disposed within the outer tub 3 in order to spin the laundry by way of a centrifugal force generated by turning effect of the power transmission apparatus 6, a pulsator 8 is rotatably disposed at a bottom surface within the washing tub 7 in order to perform the washing operation by producing a water current in the washing water stored in the washing tub 7 while receiving power from the motor 5 with the intermediary of the power transmission apparatus 6 thereafter to be rotated in the forward or reverse direction, a water level detecting apparatus 9 for receiving pressure of the washing water supplied into the outer tub 3 thereby to control a water level, a water supply pipe 10 for supplying the washing water into the outer tub 3 with the intermediary of the water level detecting apparatus 9, and a water discharge pipe 11 for discharging to an external side of the body 1 the washing water soiled by the laundry stored in the outer tub 3.
The washing machine thus constituted generally washes the laundry by way of mechanical turning effect of the pulsator 8 and interfacial tension of a chemical detergent.
In other words, in the washing machine thus described, there are several ways to improve washing efficiency, and one way is to rotate the pulsator at a high speed in order to rotate the laundry more rapidly, a second way is to lengthen the driving time of the motor 4 and a third way is to increase the quantity of detergent.
However, there is a problem in the mechanical increase of the turning effect of the pulsator 8 in order to improve the washing efficiency, in that the friction force between the washing water and the laundry is increased causing the .' 2142219 laundry to sustain damage even though washing efficiency is improved.
Meanwhile, there is another problem in the washing method by way of increased quantity of detergent, in that, even though dirt in the laundry can be rapidly removed, increased environmental pollution can be caused by the use of large quantities of detergents, and a large quantity of washing water is needed to thoroughly rinse the detergent out of the laundry. If the detergent is not completely rinsed out of the laundry, skin irritation from the residual detergent can occur.
Accordingly, the present invention solves the aforementioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a fully automated washing machine employing a purified water generating apparatus by which alkali metal ions, heavy metal ions and iron-like ions contained in the washing water can be electro-deposited.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a fully automated washing machine employing a purified water generating apparatus by which hydraulic seal ion for promoting the interfacial tension by way of turmaline granules can be increased in the washing water.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a fully automated washing machine employing a purified water generating apparatus by which the hydraulic seal ion for promoting the surface active working can be increased in the washing water, thereby improving a purifying degree and a washing efficiency, and reducing the quantity of detergent used.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a fully automated washing machine employing a purified water generating apparatus by which the hydraulic seal ion for promoting the interfacial tension in the washing water can be increased, thereby to reduce the quantity of detergent used.
In accordance with the objects of the present invention, there is provided a purifier for a fully automated washing machine comprising: a body disposed with an inlet orifice for guiding washing water into the body there through, having one side thereof connected to a water supply pipe, and having an outlet disposed at an upper surface thereof; a receiving unit disposed within the body having an inner side thereof into which the washing water is infused, one end for forming an inner bottom surface of the receiving unit and the other end for forming an upper surface of the receiving unit, wherein the inner side has an increasing diameter of the receiving unit from one end to the other end in order to contain turmaline granules; a first filtering means disposed under the inner bottom surface of the receiving unit, for passing the washing water and for inhibiting discharge of the turmaline granules;
a second filtering means disposed at the inner upper surface of the receiving unit thereby to prevent leakage of the turmaline granules when purified water generated by contact of the washing water from the water supply pipe with the turmaline granules is discharged; and a lid removably fixed to the body thereby to prevent movement of the second filtering means, the lid being provided with a discharge outlet in order to discharge through a purified water supply pipe the purified water produced in the receiving unit by contact of the washing water from the water supply pipe with the turmaline granules.
The fully automated washing machine thus described according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, alkali metal ions such as kalium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and the like, heavy metal ions such as lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and the like, and iron-like ions and the like contained in the washing water can be electro-deposited by the turmaline granules in the purified water generating apparatus before the washing water is supplied from the water supply pipe to the washing tub, and at the same time, the purified water minus chlorine odour, mustiness and the -4a-,.~..
like is supplied as the washing water to the washing tub, thereby improving the purifying (cleansing) performance thereof, degree of cleansing of the laundry and the washing efficiency thereof.
Furthermore in the fully automated washing machine, according to the present invention, the purified water containing a large quantity of hydraulic seal ions to promote the interfacial tension is supplied to the washing tub in order to wash the laundry, so that the cleansing performance can be improved, the quantity of detergent can be reduced, and environmental pollution and skin irritation resulting from use of detergent can be prevented.
Furthermore, because the fully automated washing machine according to the present invention is arranged with the purified water generating apparatus, permanent magnetic particles are diffused by the water pressure difference resulting from venturi effect when the washing water is introduced into the purified water generating apparatus, thereby causing the particles to get more rotation and revolution. The permanent magnetic particles and the washing water to be supplied to the washing tub are brought in for removal of hydrogen bubble phenomenon, and at the same time, increased generation of hydraulic seal ions having interfacial tension is promoted by contact with the washing water. This improves the purifying performance, thereby reducing the use of detergent during the washing because of increased cleaning power, and enables a thorough washing of the laundry with less detergent, leading to conservation of the rinsing water.
The turmaline granules used in the present invention are small spherical pellets formed in grain shapes, sintered and made of a mixture of electrically-insulated powders such as ceramics and the like with turmaline granules which are crystallized materials produced at high temperature and high _5_ pressure hundreds of thousands of years ago when magma in igneous rock layers erupted during movement of the earth's crust.
The turmaline granules are electrically insulated by an electrically-insulated material thereby to cause the same to form a plurality of electrodes.
Accordingly, minute electrodes having reverse polarities of the turmaline granules not only electro-deposit alkali metal ions such as kalium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and the like contained in the washing water and the like, but also electro-deposit in the minute electrodes of negative polarities the lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), heavy metal ions, iron-like ions or the like feared to be soluble in the washing water and the like, thereby removing the same.
Furthermore, the turmaline granules are brought in contact with the washing water, thereby generating the hydraulic seal ions having interfacial tension.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a longitudinal side sectional view illustrating a conventional washing machine;
Figure 2 is a longitudinal side sectional view illustrating a washing machine employing a purified water generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a longitudinal side sectional view illustrating the purified water generating apparatus in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a structural drawing of a hydraulic seal ion;
Figure 5 is a sectional view illustrating a purified water generating apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 5.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the purified water generating apparatus 50 is disposed between the water supply pipe 10 and the outer tub 3, and causes the turmaline granules 30 contained therein to diffusively move with the washing water according to water pressure difference generated by a venturi effect for their revolution and rotation, so that hydrogen bubble phenomenon for curbing efficiency of the turmaline granules 30 can be eliminated, and, at the same time, promotes generation of the hydraulic seal ions having interfacial tension when the washing water contacts the turmaline granules 30.
In other words, the purified water generating apparatus 50 includes a body 60 disposed with an inlet orifice 62 for guiding the washing water while being connected at one side thereof to a water supply pipe and forming a venturi orifice 61 for accelerating the washing water through the inlet orifice 62, and disposed at an upper surface thereof with an opening, a receiving unit 63 disposed within the body 60 with an inner side thereof into which the washing water is ,.~~, infused tapering off in order to receive the turmaline granules, first filtering means 70 arranged under an inner bottom surface (washing water inlet side) of the receiving unit 63 for passing the washing water and for inhibiting discharge of the turmaline granules, second filtering means 71 provided at an opening formed at an inner upper surface (purified water outlet side) of the receiving unit 63 thereby to prevent leakage of the turmaline granules 30 when the purified water generated by contact with the turmaline granules 30 is discharged, and a lid 80 fixed to the body 60 to curb a position movement of the second filtering means 71 and at the same time formed with a discharge outlet 81 in order to discharge through a purified water supply pipe 90 the purified water produced in the receiving unit 63 by contact with the turmaline granules.
The first and second filtering means 70 and 71 are formed with a plurality of water passage orifices 70a and 71a having smaller diameters than those of the turmaline granules 30 so that the particles 30 cannot pass therethrough.
In the fully automated washing machine thus constructed according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the turmaline granules 30 stored in the receiving unit 63 through the inlet orifice 62, venturi orifice 61 and the first filtering means 70 arranged within the purified water generating apparatus 50 are diffusively circulated by the water pressure of the washing water infused through the inlet orifice 62 and the venturi orifice 61 formed at the body 60, not sticking to a bottom surface of the first filtering means 70.
The particles 30 now revolve and rotate by themselves to collide with the water, so that the alkali metal ions, heavy metal ions and the iron-like ions are electro-deposited and at the same time, generate the hydraulic seal _g_ ions having interfacial tension, the structure of which is illustrated in Figure 4.
The hydraulic seal ions thus generated perform a function of promoting the interfacial tension, thereby lowering surface tension of the washing water, so that actions such as emulsification, dispersion, penetration and the like are actively realised for easier removal of dirt in the laundry.
Meanwhile, when the hydraulic seal ions are generated by the turmaline granules 30 in contact with the washing water within the purified water generating apparatus S0, the minute electrodes having the negative polarities of the turmaline granules 30 electro-deposit alkali metal ions such as kalium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and the like contained in the washing water and the like, and at the same time, also electro-deposit the lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), heavy metal ions, iron-like ions or the like, thereby causing the purified water to be infused into the washing tub 3 through a purified water supply pipe 90.
Accordingly, the washing efficiency is improved because the laundry in the washing tub 3 is washed with the purified water having the alkali components, heavy metal ions or the iron-like ions removed therefrom.
Furthermore, because the washing can be carried out with a smaller amount of detergent, rinsing water can also be conserved, and, at the same time, there occurs no problem of environmental pollution resulting from overuse of the detergent, and skin irritation caused by the overuse of detergent can be prevented.
In the aforesaid description, because the first and second filtering means 70 and 71 are respectively formed with the water passage orifices 70a and 71a having smaller diameters than those of the turmaline granules 30, the turmaline granules 30 are not discharged through the discharge outlet 81 of the purified water arranged at the lid 80 or the inlet orifice 62 side of the washing water.
Next, a purified water generating apparatus 150 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figures 5 and 6.
Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals are used to designate like or equivalent parts or portions as illustrated in Figure 3 of the first embodiment.
The difference between the purified water generating apparatus 50 in the first embodiment and the other purified water generating apparatus 150 in the second embodiment is that an auxiliary circulation pipe 40 is disposed on the same axis with the receiving unit 63 between the first filtering means 70 and the second filtering means 71 in order to diffusively circulate the particles 30 housed in the receiving unit 63 of the body 60 by way of the high water pressure.
The auxiliary circulation pipe 40 is a pipe of tubular shape, where a plurality of through holes 40a with smaller diameters than those of the turmaline granules 30 are formed in order to diffusively eject at a high speed the washing water supplied from the first filtering means 70 toward an inner periphery of the receiving unit 63 for housing the turmaline granules 30.
The auxiliary circulation pipe 40 is fixed between the lid 80 and the body 60 to a position on the same axis with the receiving unit 63 between the first filtering means 70 and the second filtering means 71.
Hereinafter, operation and effect therefrom for the purified water generating apparatus 150 will now be described according to the second embodiment of the present invention thus constructed.
As illustrated in Figure 2, when the laundry and a predetermined quantity of detergent are inserted into a washing tub 7, a washing condition is selected, the electric power is applied, and the washing water is supplied into the purified water generating apparatus 150 through a water supply pipe 10.
Part of the washing water, as illustrated in Figure 5, passes the inlet orifice 62, venturi orifice 61 and the water passage orifice 70a of the first filtering means 70 formed at a lower end of the body 60 and is supplied into the auxiliary circulation pipe 40 at a high speed by way of venturi effect generated at the venturi orifice 61 and the water passage orifice 70a, and another part of the washing water is supplied into the receiving unit 63.
Accordingly, part of the washing water infused into the auxiliary circulation pipe 40 is discharged into the receiving unit 63 through the plurality of through holes 40a formed therearound.
At this time, the contact between the turmaline granules 30 housed in the receiving unit 63 and the washing water is markedly increased, thereby generating more of the hydraulic seal ions having interfacial tension.
Furthermore, because the turmaline granules 30 are diffusively floated toward the axis in the receiving unit so that the turmaline granules 30 are not stuck to a bottom area of the second filtering means 71 even though a high water pressure occurs in the auxiliary circulation pipe 40, the turmaline granules 30 come into contact with the water ,y .,J'~ .~, current gushing through the through holes 40a formed at the auxiliary circulation pipe 40, thereby to obtain more frequent revolutions and rotations, and to generate more hydraulic seal ions having interfacial tension.
Because the turmaline granules 30 stored in the receiving unit 63 and the washing water come into more frequent contact by way of the water current ejected through the through holes 40a formed at the auxiliary circulation pipe 40, the alkali metal ions, heavy metal ions, iron-like ions and the like contained in the washing water are electro-deposited to the minute electrodes of the turmaline granules.
At this time, the minute electrodes have negative polarities (-) of the turmaline granules 30.
The purified water is now supplied into the washing tub 7 through the water passage orifices 71a in the second filtering means 71 and through the discharge outlet 81 of the lid 80 and the purified water supply pipe 90 connected to the discharge outlet 81.
When the purified water is provided to the washing tub 7, water level detecting means 9 which receives air pressure according to the pressure of the purified water detects the storage quantity of the washing water.
When the quantity of the washing water detected by the water level detecting means 9 reaches a water level (in this case, the water level is prestored in a microcomputer not shown) necessary for washing of the laundry inserted into the washing tub 7, a motor 4 is then driven.
Driving force of the motor 4 is transferred to a power transmission apparatus 6 via a belt 5, and the driving force transferred to the power transmission apparatus 6 is reduced in speed at a predetermined rate, thereby to rotate in the forward or reverse direction a pulsator 8 disposed at a bottom surface of the washing tub 7.
The water current is then formed in the washing water within the washing tub 7 thereby to wash the laundry.
Thereafter, dirt and detergent in the laundry are rinsed off through several rinsing processes, and the washing tub 7 is rotated by the turning effect of the power transmission apparatus 6 which has received the driving force of the motor 4, thereby discharging outside the washing water in the tub 7 through a discharge pipe 11.
As is apparent from the foregoing description, the washing water dirtied in the course of the washing processes is discharged outside according to the opening of a solenoid valve 13 provided between the outer tub 3 and discharge pipe 11, and in the course of spinning, the washing tub 7 is rotated and at the same time, the solenoid valve 13 is opened, so that the washing water remaining in the washing tub 7 and the laundry is discharged to the outside via the solenoid valve 13 and the discharge pipe 11 and through the through holes 7a formed at a side wall of the washing tub 7 and through the outer tub 3.
Meanwhile, during the washing and rinsing processes, because the purified water and detergent containing lots of hydraulic seal ions for being cleansed by the purified water generating apparatus 150 and for promoting the interfacial tension are supplied to the washing tub 7, the interfacial tension of the detergent is further promoted by the hydraulic seal ions, and, at the same time, the purified water and the washing water come into contact by way of the water current, thereby to generate emulsification, dispersion and penetration action and to remove the dirt in the laundry.
Furthermore, because in the purified water, the alkali components, heavy metal ions or iron-like ions potentially contained in the washing water are electro-deposited by contact thereof with the turmaline granules 30 stored in the purified water generating apparatus 150, even a small quantity of detergent can carry out a cleaning or washing operation, and because a small quantity of detergent is used during the washing process, the quantity of rinsing water used is reduced.
Because less detergent is used during the washing process, environmental pollution caused by the detergent use can be decreased, and at the same time, skin irritation resulting from overuse of the detergent contained in the laundry can be avoided.
As seen from the foregoing, in the fully automated washing machine according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the alkali metal ions, heavy metal ions, iron-like ions and the like contained in the washing water is electro-deposited in the purified water generating apparatus by the turmaline granules, thereby increasing washing efficiency because of the existence of the increased hydraulic seal ions to promote the interfacial tension and reducing quantity of used detergent because of improved washing efficiency according to the hydraulic seal ions.
Furthermore, there are remarkable positive effects in that, water necessary for rinsing the laundry can be saved, environmental pollution resulting from use of the detergent can be reduced, and skin irritation can be prevented, because a reduced quantity of detergent is used in the washing.
Having described specific preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
The present invention relates to a fully automated washing machine, and more particularly to a fully automated washing machine employing a purified (cleansed) water generating apparatus by which washing water supplied from a water supplying source can be purified (cleansed) to thereafter be supplied to a washing tub.
As prior art, an example of a conventional fully automated washing machine is presented in United States Patent No. 5,239,847 (issued August 31, 1993 to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.; inventor: Kyu-Chai Lee).
According to this United States Patent No. 5,239,847, a washing machine employing an agitator to increase washing efficiency is disclosed wherein an angle of inclination against a facing surface of an agitating fin is arranged differently, and at the same time, a curve is given to the agitating fin so that laundry and the washing water can be smoothly shifted to a central area of the washing tub and to an inner periphery thereof, so that friction force can be increased by a whirlpool produced by the laundry and the washing water according to a steep grade of the fin, thereby increasing the washing efficiency.
An example of a representative fully automated washing machine thus described is illustrated in Figure 1. The washing machine illustrated in Figure 1 includes an outer tub 3 which is suspended at a predetermined height with the intermediary of a plurality of suspension bars 2 disposed in a body 1, thereby to be arranged in such a way as to prevent vibration during the washing and spinning operations, and for storing the washing water, a motor 4 is provided at an external bottom surface of the outer tube 3 and is driven by an electric power source, a power transmission apparatus 6 is provided at an external bottom surface of the outer tub 3 to receive a driving force from the motor 4 through a belt 5 in order to drive a pulsator (to be described later) or the washing tub, a washing tub 7 is rotatably disposed within the outer tub 3 in order to spin the laundry by way of a centrifugal force generated by turning effect of the power transmission apparatus 6, a pulsator 8 is rotatably disposed at a bottom surface within the washing tub 7 in order to perform the washing operation by producing a water current in the washing water stored in the washing tub 7 while receiving power from the motor 5 with the intermediary of the power transmission apparatus 6 thereafter to be rotated in the forward or reverse direction, a water level detecting apparatus 9 for receiving pressure of the washing water supplied into the outer tub 3 thereby to control a water level, a water supply pipe 10 for supplying the washing water into the outer tub 3 with the intermediary of the water level detecting apparatus 9, and a water discharge pipe 11 for discharging to an external side of the body 1 the washing water soiled by the laundry stored in the outer tub 3.
The washing machine thus constituted generally washes the laundry by way of mechanical turning effect of the pulsator 8 and interfacial tension of a chemical detergent.
In other words, in the washing machine thus described, there are several ways to improve washing efficiency, and one way is to rotate the pulsator at a high speed in order to rotate the laundry more rapidly, a second way is to lengthen the driving time of the motor 4 and a third way is to increase the quantity of detergent.
However, there is a problem in the mechanical increase of the turning effect of the pulsator 8 in order to improve the washing efficiency, in that the friction force between the washing water and the laundry is increased causing the .' 2142219 laundry to sustain damage even though washing efficiency is improved.
Meanwhile, there is another problem in the washing method by way of increased quantity of detergent, in that, even though dirt in the laundry can be rapidly removed, increased environmental pollution can be caused by the use of large quantities of detergents, and a large quantity of washing water is needed to thoroughly rinse the detergent out of the laundry. If the detergent is not completely rinsed out of the laundry, skin irritation from the residual detergent can occur.
Accordingly, the present invention solves the aforementioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a fully automated washing machine employing a purified water generating apparatus by which alkali metal ions, heavy metal ions and iron-like ions contained in the washing water can be electro-deposited.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a fully automated washing machine employing a purified water generating apparatus by which hydraulic seal ion for promoting the interfacial tension by way of turmaline granules can be increased in the washing water.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a fully automated washing machine employing a purified water generating apparatus by which the hydraulic seal ion for promoting the surface active working can be increased in the washing water, thereby improving a purifying degree and a washing efficiency, and reducing the quantity of detergent used.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a fully automated washing machine employing a purified water generating apparatus by which the hydraulic seal ion for promoting the interfacial tension in the washing water can be increased, thereby to reduce the quantity of detergent used.
In accordance with the objects of the present invention, there is provided a purifier for a fully automated washing machine comprising: a body disposed with an inlet orifice for guiding washing water into the body there through, having one side thereof connected to a water supply pipe, and having an outlet disposed at an upper surface thereof; a receiving unit disposed within the body having an inner side thereof into which the washing water is infused, one end for forming an inner bottom surface of the receiving unit and the other end for forming an upper surface of the receiving unit, wherein the inner side has an increasing diameter of the receiving unit from one end to the other end in order to contain turmaline granules; a first filtering means disposed under the inner bottom surface of the receiving unit, for passing the washing water and for inhibiting discharge of the turmaline granules;
a second filtering means disposed at the inner upper surface of the receiving unit thereby to prevent leakage of the turmaline granules when purified water generated by contact of the washing water from the water supply pipe with the turmaline granules is discharged; and a lid removably fixed to the body thereby to prevent movement of the second filtering means, the lid being provided with a discharge outlet in order to discharge through a purified water supply pipe the purified water produced in the receiving unit by contact of the washing water from the water supply pipe with the turmaline granules.
The fully automated washing machine thus described according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, alkali metal ions such as kalium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and the like, heavy metal ions such as lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and the like, and iron-like ions and the like contained in the washing water can be electro-deposited by the turmaline granules in the purified water generating apparatus before the washing water is supplied from the water supply pipe to the washing tub, and at the same time, the purified water minus chlorine odour, mustiness and the -4a-,.~..
like is supplied as the washing water to the washing tub, thereby improving the purifying (cleansing) performance thereof, degree of cleansing of the laundry and the washing efficiency thereof.
Furthermore in the fully automated washing machine, according to the present invention, the purified water containing a large quantity of hydraulic seal ions to promote the interfacial tension is supplied to the washing tub in order to wash the laundry, so that the cleansing performance can be improved, the quantity of detergent can be reduced, and environmental pollution and skin irritation resulting from use of detergent can be prevented.
Furthermore, because the fully automated washing machine according to the present invention is arranged with the purified water generating apparatus, permanent magnetic particles are diffused by the water pressure difference resulting from venturi effect when the washing water is introduced into the purified water generating apparatus, thereby causing the particles to get more rotation and revolution. The permanent magnetic particles and the washing water to be supplied to the washing tub are brought in for removal of hydrogen bubble phenomenon, and at the same time, increased generation of hydraulic seal ions having interfacial tension is promoted by contact with the washing water. This improves the purifying performance, thereby reducing the use of detergent during the washing because of increased cleaning power, and enables a thorough washing of the laundry with less detergent, leading to conservation of the rinsing water.
The turmaline granules used in the present invention are small spherical pellets formed in grain shapes, sintered and made of a mixture of electrically-insulated powders such as ceramics and the like with turmaline granules which are crystallized materials produced at high temperature and high _5_ pressure hundreds of thousands of years ago when magma in igneous rock layers erupted during movement of the earth's crust.
The turmaline granules are electrically insulated by an electrically-insulated material thereby to cause the same to form a plurality of electrodes.
Accordingly, minute electrodes having reverse polarities of the turmaline granules not only electro-deposit alkali metal ions such as kalium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and the like contained in the washing water and the like, but also electro-deposit in the minute electrodes of negative polarities the lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), heavy metal ions, iron-like ions or the like feared to be soluble in the washing water and the like, thereby removing the same.
Furthermore, the turmaline granules are brought in contact with the washing water, thereby generating the hydraulic seal ions having interfacial tension.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a longitudinal side sectional view illustrating a conventional washing machine;
Figure 2 is a longitudinal side sectional view illustrating a washing machine employing a purified water generating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a longitudinal side sectional view illustrating the purified water generating apparatus in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a structural drawing of a hydraulic seal ion;
Figure 5 is a sectional view illustrating a purified water generating apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 5.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the purified water generating apparatus 50 is disposed between the water supply pipe 10 and the outer tub 3, and causes the turmaline granules 30 contained therein to diffusively move with the washing water according to water pressure difference generated by a venturi effect for their revolution and rotation, so that hydrogen bubble phenomenon for curbing efficiency of the turmaline granules 30 can be eliminated, and, at the same time, promotes generation of the hydraulic seal ions having interfacial tension when the washing water contacts the turmaline granules 30.
In other words, the purified water generating apparatus 50 includes a body 60 disposed with an inlet orifice 62 for guiding the washing water while being connected at one side thereof to a water supply pipe and forming a venturi orifice 61 for accelerating the washing water through the inlet orifice 62, and disposed at an upper surface thereof with an opening, a receiving unit 63 disposed within the body 60 with an inner side thereof into which the washing water is ,.~~, infused tapering off in order to receive the turmaline granules, first filtering means 70 arranged under an inner bottom surface (washing water inlet side) of the receiving unit 63 for passing the washing water and for inhibiting discharge of the turmaline granules, second filtering means 71 provided at an opening formed at an inner upper surface (purified water outlet side) of the receiving unit 63 thereby to prevent leakage of the turmaline granules 30 when the purified water generated by contact with the turmaline granules 30 is discharged, and a lid 80 fixed to the body 60 to curb a position movement of the second filtering means 71 and at the same time formed with a discharge outlet 81 in order to discharge through a purified water supply pipe 90 the purified water produced in the receiving unit 63 by contact with the turmaline granules.
The first and second filtering means 70 and 71 are formed with a plurality of water passage orifices 70a and 71a having smaller diameters than those of the turmaline granules 30 so that the particles 30 cannot pass therethrough.
In the fully automated washing machine thus constructed according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the turmaline granules 30 stored in the receiving unit 63 through the inlet orifice 62, venturi orifice 61 and the first filtering means 70 arranged within the purified water generating apparatus 50 are diffusively circulated by the water pressure of the washing water infused through the inlet orifice 62 and the venturi orifice 61 formed at the body 60, not sticking to a bottom surface of the first filtering means 70.
The particles 30 now revolve and rotate by themselves to collide with the water, so that the alkali metal ions, heavy metal ions and the iron-like ions are electro-deposited and at the same time, generate the hydraulic seal _g_ ions having interfacial tension, the structure of which is illustrated in Figure 4.
The hydraulic seal ions thus generated perform a function of promoting the interfacial tension, thereby lowering surface tension of the washing water, so that actions such as emulsification, dispersion, penetration and the like are actively realised for easier removal of dirt in the laundry.
Meanwhile, when the hydraulic seal ions are generated by the turmaline granules 30 in contact with the washing water within the purified water generating apparatus S0, the minute electrodes having the negative polarities of the turmaline granules 30 electro-deposit alkali metal ions such as kalium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and the like contained in the washing water and the like, and at the same time, also electro-deposit the lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), heavy metal ions, iron-like ions or the like, thereby causing the purified water to be infused into the washing tub 3 through a purified water supply pipe 90.
Accordingly, the washing efficiency is improved because the laundry in the washing tub 3 is washed with the purified water having the alkali components, heavy metal ions or the iron-like ions removed therefrom.
Furthermore, because the washing can be carried out with a smaller amount of detergent, rinsing water can also be conserved, and, at the same time, there occurs no problem of environmental pollution resulting from overuse of the detergent, and skin irritation caused by the overuse of detergent can be prevented.
In the aforesaid description, because the first and second filtering means 70 and 71 are respectively formed with the water passage orifices 70a and 71a having smaller diameters than those of the turmaline granules 30, the turmaline granules 30 are not discharged through the discharge outlet 81 of the purified water arranged at the lid 80 or the inlet orifice 62 side of the washing water.
Next, a purified water generating apparatus 150 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figures 5 and 6.
Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals are used to designate like or equivalent parts or portions as illustrated in Figure 3 of the first embodiment.
The difference between the purified water generating apparatus 50 in the first embodiment and the other purified water generating apparatus 150 in the second embodiment is that an auxiliary circulation pipe 40 is disposed on the same axis with the receiving unit 63 between the first filtering means 70 and the second filtering means 71 in order to diffusively circulate the particles 30 housed in the receiving unit 63 of the body 60 by way of the high water pressure.
The auxiliary circulation pipe 40 is a pipe of tubular shape, where a plurality of through holes 40a with smaller diameters than those of the turmaline granules 30 are formed in order to diffusively eject at a high speed the washing water supplied from the first filtering means 70 toward an inner periphery of the receiving unit 63 for housing the turmaline granules 30.
The auxiliary circulation pipe 40 is fixed between the lid 80 and the body 60 to a position on the same axis with the receiving unit 63 between the first filtering means 70 and the second filtering means 71.
Hereinafter, operation and effect therefrom for the purified water generating apparatus 150 will now be described according to the second embodiment of the present invention thus constructed.
As illustrated in Figure 2, when the laundry and a predetermined quantity of detergent are inserted into a washing tub 7, a washing condition is selected, the electric power is applied, and the washing water is supplied into the purified water generating apparatus 150 through a water supply pipe 10.
Part of the washing water, as illustrated in Figure 5, passes the inlet orifice 62, venturi orifice 61 and the water passage orifice 70a of the first filtering means 70 formed at a lower end of the body 60 and is supplied into the auxiliary circulation pipe 40 at a high speed by way of venturi effect generated at the venturi orifice 61 and the water passage orifice 70a, and another part of the washing water is supplied into the receiving unit 63.
Accordingly, part of the washing water infused into the auxiliary circulation pipe 40 is discharged into the receiving unit 63 through the plurality of through holes 40a formed therearound.
At this time, the contact between the turmaline granules 30 housed in the receiving unit 63 and the washing water is markedly increased, thereby generating more of the hydraulic seal ions having interfacial tension.
Furthermore, because the turmaline granules 30 are diffusively floated toward the axis in the receiving unit so that the turmaline granules 30 are not stuck to a bottom area of the second filtering means 71 even though a high water pressure occurs in the auxiliary circulation pipe 40, the turmaline granules 30 come into contact with the water ,y .,J'~ .~, current gushing through the through holes 40a formed at the auxiliary circulation pipe 40, thereby to obtain more frequent revolutions and rotations, and to generate more hydraulic seal ions having interfacial tension.
Because the turmaline granules 30 stored in the receiving unit 63 and the washing water come into more frequent contact by way of the water current ejected through the through holes 40a formed at the auxiliary circulation pipe 40, the alkali metal ions, heavy metal ions, iron-like ions and the like contained in the washing water are electro-deposited to the minute electrodes of the turmaline granules.
At this time, the minute electrodes have negative polarities (-) of the turmaline granules 30.
The purified water is now supplied into the washing tub 7 through the water passage orifices 71a in the second filtering means 71 and through the discharge outlet 81 of the lid 80 and the purified water supply pipe 90 connected to the discharge outlet 81.
When the purified water is provided to the washing tub 7, water level detecting means 9 which receives air pressure according to the pressure of the purified water detects the storage quantity of the washing water.
When the quantity of the washing water detected by the water level detecting means 9 reaches a water level (in this case, the water level is prestored in a microcomputer not shown) necessary for washing of the laundry inserted into the washing tub 7, a motor 4 is then driven.
Driving force of the motor 4 is transferred to a power transmission apparatus 6 via a belt 5, and the driving force transferred to the power transmission apparatus 6 is reduced in speed at a predetermined rate, thereby to rotate in the forward or reverse direction a pulsator 8 disposed at a bottom surface of the washing tub 7.
The water current is then formed in the washing water within the washing tub 7 thereby to wash the laundry.
Thereafter, dirt and detergent in the laundry are rinsed off through several rinsing processes, and the washing tub 7 is rotated by the turning effect of the power transmission apparatus 6 which has received the driving force of the motor 4, thereby discharging outside the washing water in the tub 7 through a discharge pipe 11.
As is apparent from the foregoing description, the washing water dirtied in the course of the washing processes is discharged outside according to the opening of a solenoid valve 13 provided between the outer tub 3 and discharge pipe 11, and in the course of spinning, the washing tub 7 is rotated and at the same time, the solenoid valve 13 is opened, so that the washing water remaining in the washing tub 7 and the laundry is discharged to the outside via the solenoid valve 13 and the discharge pipe 11 and through the through holes 7a formed at a side wall of the washing tub 7 and through the outer tub 3.
Meanwhile, during the washing and rinsing processes, because the purified water and detergent containing lots of hydraulic seal ions for being cleansed by the purified water generating apparatus 150 and for promoting the interfacial tension are supplied to the washing tub 7, the interfacial tension of the detergent is further promoted by the hydraulic seal ions, and, at the same time, the purified water and the washing water come into contact by way of the water current, thereby to generate emulsification, dispersion and penetration action and to remove the dirt in the laundry.
Furthermore, because in the purified water, the alkali components, heavy metal ions or iron-like ions potentially contained in the washing water are electro-deposited by contact thereof with the turmaline granules 30 stored in the purified water generating apparatus 150, even a small quantity of detergent can carry out a cleaning or washing operation, and because a small quantity of detergent is used during the washing process, the quantity of rinsing water used is reduced.
Because less detergent is used during the washing process, environmental pollution caused by the detergent use can be decreased, and at the same time, skin irritation resulting from overuse of the detergent contained in the laundry can be avoided.
As seen from the foregoing, in the fully automated washing machine according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the alkali metal ions, heavy metal ions, iron-like ions and the like contained in the washing water is electro-deposited in the purified water generating apparatus by the turmaline granules, thereby increasing washing efficiency because of the existence of the increased hydraulic seal ions to promote the interfacial tension and reducing quantity of used detergent because of improved washing efficiency according to the hydraulic seal ions.
Furthermore, there are remarkable positive effects in that, water necessary for rinsing the laundry can be saved, environmental pollution resulting from use of the detergent can be reduced, and skin irritation can be prevented, because a reduced quantity of detergent is used in the washing.
Having described specific preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (7)
1. A purifier for a fully automated washing machine comprising: a body disposed with an inlet orifice for guiding washing water into the body there through, having one side thereof connected to a water supply pipe, and having an outlet disposed at an upper surface thereof;
a receiving unit disposed within the body having an inner side thereof into which the washing water is infused, one end for forming an inner bottom surface of the receiving unit and the other end for forming an upper surface of the receiving unit, wherein the inner side has an increasing diameter of the receiving unit from one end to the other end in order to contain turmaline granules;
a first filtering means disposed under the inner bottom surface of the receiving unit, for passing the washing water and for inhibiting discharge of the turmaline granules;
a second filtering means disposed at the inner upper surface of the receiving unit thereby to prevent leakage of the turmaline granules when purified water generated by contact of the washing water from the water supply pipe with the turmaline granules is discharged; and a lid removably fixed to the body thereby to prevent movement of the second filtering means, the lid being provided with a discharge outlet in order to discharge through a purified water supply pipe the purified water produced in the receiving unit by contact of the washing water from the water supply pipe with the turmaline granules.
a receiving unit disposed within the body having an inner side thereof into which the washing water is infused, one end for forming an inner bottom surface of the receiving unit and the other end for forming an upper surface of the receiving unit, wherein the inner side has an increasing diameter of the receiving unit from one end to the other end in order to contain turmaline granules;
a first filtering means disposed under the inner bottom surface of the receiving unit, for passing the washing water and for inhibiting discharge of the turmaline granules;
a second filtering means disposed at the inner upper surface of the receiving unit thereby to prevent leakage of the turmaline granules when purified water generated by contact of the washing water from the water supply pipe with the turmaline granules is discharged; and a lid removably fixed to the body thereby to prevent movement of the second filtering means, the lid being provided with a discharge outlet in order to discharge through a purified water supply pipe the purified water produced in the receiving unit by contact of the washing water from the water supply pipe with the turmaline granules.
2. The purifier for a fully automated washing machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary circulation pipe disposed on a longitudinal axis of the receiving unit between the first filtering means and the second filtering means in order to diffusively circulate the turmaline granules housed in the receiving unit of the body by way of high water pressure.
3. The purifier for a fully automated washing machine as defined in claim 2, wherein the auxiliary circulation pipe is formed with a plurality of through holes with diameters smaller than the turmaline granules in order to diffusively eject at a high speed the washing water supplied from the first filtering means toward an inner periphery of the receiving unit for housing the turmaline granules.
4. The purifier for a fully automated washing machine as defined in claim 2, wherein the auxiliary circulation pipe is fixed between the lid and the body to a position on a longitudinal axis of the receiving unit between the first filtering means and the second filtering means.
5. The purifier for a fully automated washing machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the first filtering means and the second filtering means are formed with a plurality of water passage orifices having smaller diameters than those of the turmaline granules so that the turmaline granules cannot pass through the water passage orifices.
6. The purifier for a fully automated washing machine as defined in claim 1, wherein a venturi orifice is formed in one side of the body to which the water supply is connected, in order to accelerate the washing water which has passed the inlet orifice.
7. The purifier for a fully automated washing machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the receiving unit is disposed within the body at an inner side thereof in which the infused washing water is tapering off in order to receive turmaline granules.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| KR94-2602 | 1994-02-14 | ||
| KR1019940002602A KR100317832B1 (en) | 1993-02-15 | 1994-02-15 | Synthesis method of 4-halo-5- (hydroxymethyl) imidazole compound and new imidazole compound |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2142219A1 CA2142219A1 (en) | 1995-08-15 |
| CA2142219C true CA2142219C (en) | 2001-05-29 |
Family
ID=19377168
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002142219A Expired - Fee Related CA2142219C (en) | 1994-02-14 | 1995-02-10 | Fully automated washing machine |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2142219C (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2009050543A1 (en) * | 2007-10-15 | 2009-04-23 | Greentrading S.R.L. | Product for water treatment |
-
1995
- 1995-02-10 CA CA002142219A patent/CA2142219C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2009050543A1 (en) * | 2007-10-15 | 2009-04-23 | Greentrading S.R.L. | Product for water treatment |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2142219A1 (en) | 1995-08-15 |
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| MKLA | Lapsed |