RU2315140C2 - Washing machine and method for removal of soap foam from the same (versions) - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: washing machine furnished with drying apparatus and method for removal of soap foam formed in large amounts during washing cycle and delivered into drying apparatus.

SUBSTANCE: method involves determining whether or not drying cycle is selected after termination of washing cycle; removing soap foam by feeding water into drying apparatus after termination of washing cycle and before beginning of drying cycle during selecting of drying cycle. Washing machine is furnished with water tank and drum, and has drying apparatus equipped with condensing channel provided on rear surface of water tank, from which tank excessive amounts of foam are removed from drum through condensing channel, and control unit for regulated feeding of condensing water into condensing channel after termination of washing cycle of washing machine to thereby remove foam delivered into condensing channel.

EFFECT: increased efficiency in removal of foam from washing machine.

15 cl, 7 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine equipped with a drying device, and more particularly, to a washing machine and method for removing soap foam from it, providing removal of soap foam, which is formed in excess during the washing cycle and thus penetrates the drying device.

Basically, the drying device is designed to supply hot air heated by the heater to the drum when the drum rotates at a low speed, thereby drying the wet laundry in the drum. When the dryer is connected to the washing machine, the washing machine can also be used as a clothes dryer. This type of washing machine has recently been put into production as a drum type washing machine and is used to independently execute only a drying cycle or to execute a drying cycle after completion of the washing, rinsing and wringing cycles performed in this sequence.

Korean registered patent publication No. 10-435241 discloses an example of a washing machine equipped with a dryer. In this washing machine, when the drying cycle is performed after the completion of the washing, rinsing and wringing cycles, the heater is turned on to heat the interior of the channel of the washing machine. In addition, a drying fan (i.e., a blower fan) is turned on to generate and blow compressed air into the duct.

Injected compressed air turns into hot air as it passes through the interior of the channel. Therefore, when hot air is supplied to the drum of the washing machine, the wet laundry located in the drum can be dried.

When using the conventional washing machine described above, when the detergent is used in excess of the norm or the detergent with increased foaming is used, an excessive amount of soap foam will form during the washing cycle, which is thus forced up in the channel.

However, since a conventional washing machine cannot remove soap suds entering the canal, soap suds inevitably remain inside the canal. This is problematic because residual soap suds in the channel can get into the drum during the circulation of hot air during the drying cycle, causing the washing machine to become dirty.

An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine and method for removing soap foam from it, which removes soap foam, which is formed in excess during the washing cycle and thus penetrates the dryer.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a washing machine and method for removing soap foam from it, which can effectively remove soap foam or foreign substances in the dryer by performing a soap foam removal cycle after a washing cycle or before a drying cycle, thereby increasing the purity of the washing cars.

Additional objectives and / or advantages of the present invention will be partially discussed in the following description and partially understood from the description or can be learned through the practice of the present invention.

These and / or other tasks can be achieved by creating a washing machine equipped with a drying device and containing a signal input device for selecting a drying cycle or washing cycle, a water supply device for supplying water to the drying device, and a control device for controlling the water supply for removing soap foam located in the drying device, when the signal input device selects a drying cycle or washing cycle.

The water supply is controlled to supply water to the dryer after the wash cycle, during the rinse cycle or before the drying cycle.

The drying device comprises a channel connected to the water tank for circulating heated air into the water tank, and the water supply device comprises a water supply valve for supplying water to the channel.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by a method for removing soap foam from a washing machine for removing soap foam located in a drying device, a method comprising determining whether a drying cycle and removing soap foam by supplying water to the drying device when selecting a drying cycle are selected.

Soap removal can be done before the drying cycle.

Another objective of the present invention is achieved by creating a method for removing soap foam from a washing machine equipped with a drying device, a method comprising determining whether the washing cycle is completed, removing soap foam in the drying device by supplying water to the drying device at the end of the washing cycle .

It is also an object of the present invention that the removal of soap suds is an independent cycle during which soap suds or foreign substances in the dryer are removed.

Another objective of the present invention is that the removal of soap suds is carried out simultaneously with the rinse cycle.

Another objective of the present invention is that the removal of soap foam is carried out by supplying water to the drying device for a predetermined time or by supplying water to the drying device for a predetermined time for a given number of cycles.

These and / or other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and will be better understood when reading the following description of embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 is a perspective view of a washing machine equipped with a dryer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

figure 2 shows a sectional view of a washing machine equipped with a drying device, figure 1;

figure 3 shows a partial perspective view of the condensing channel of the drying device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

figure 4 shows a view in section of a condensing channel of the drying device of figure 3;

FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of a soap foam system of a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a flowchart in accordance with a method for removing soap foam from a washing machine in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; and

7 is a flowchart in accordance with a method for removing soap foam from a washing machine in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

Reference will be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers refer to like elements. Embodiments are described below for the disclosure of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

1 is a perspective view of a washing machine equipped with a dryer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a washing machine equipped with a drying device, figure 1.

As shown in figures 1 and 2, a washing machine equipped with a drying device in accordance with the present invention, contains a water tank 11 in the form of a drum mounted in the housing 10, for containing water for washing and a rotating drum 12 mounted for rotation in a water tank 11 and having a large number of water separating holes.

An electric motor 13 is installed under the water tank 11 to rotate the rotating drum 12 forward or backward to perform washing, rinsing and wringing cycles. Holes 14 are made in the respective front end parts of the water tank 11 and the rotary drum 12 for loading laundry into the rotary drum 12 or for unloading laundry from the rotary drum 12 on the front surface of the housing 10. A door 15 is mounted on the front surface of the housing 10 to open and close the holes fourteen.

The detergent supply device 24 includes tubes 23 for supplying water to the water tank 11 and water supply valves 21 and 22 mounted on respective water supply tubes 23 for controlling water supply through the water supply tubes 23.

Among the water supply valves 21 and 22, the water supply valve 21 is an electrically operated three-way valve. The water supply valve 21 is connected to a hose (not shown) for supplying cold water for supplying water in three directions for the cycles of pre-washing, main washing and drying. The water supply tubes 23 are connected to a detergent supply device 24 for supplying water from an external water source (not shown) to the detergent supply device 24.

A connecting tube 25 is installed between the detergent supply device 24 and the water tank 11 for supplying water passing through the detergent supply device 24 to the water tank 11. The supply of water to the water tank 11 through the detergent supply device 24 allows the liquid fabric softener contained in the detergent supply device 24 to be supplied to the water tank 11 in a mixed state with water.

The detergent supply device 24 is internally divided into a large number of compartments. In addition, the detergent supply device 24 is located on the front side of the housing 10, which facilitates loading the detergent or fragrance fabric softener into the respective compartments.

The washing machine further comprises a drain device 30 for draining the water contained in the water tank 11. The drain device 30 includes a drain pipe 31 connected to the bottom of the water tank 11 for draining water from the water tank 11 to the outside of the housing 10 and a sump pump 32 mounted on the drain pipe 31.

The washing machine further comprises a dryer 40 for drying clothes. The drying device 40 includes a drying fan 41 mounted on the upper side of the water tank 11, a drying channel 42 connecting the outlet 41b of the drying fan 41 and an air inlet 45 made in the upper part of the opening 14 of the water tank 11, and a condensing channel 43 located on the rear surface of the water tank 11, connecting the air outlet 46 made in the lower end part of the rear surface of the water tank 11 and the suction hole 41a of the drying fan 41.

The drying device 40 further comprises a drying heater 44 installed in the drying channel 42 for supplying hot air to the water tank 11, and a condenser installed in the condensing channel 43 for condensing and removing moisture contained in the water vapor that is formed during drying of the laundry and rises along the condensing channel 43.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a condensing channel of a drying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the condensing channel of the drying device of figure 3.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the condensing channel 43 defines a channel extending between the air outlet 46 formed in the lower end portion of the rear surface of the water tank 11 and the suction hole 41a of the drying fan 41 mounted on the upper side of the water tank 11. The condensing channel 43 is bent in accordance with a predetermined radius of curvature and is open on its surface for tight connection with the rear surface of the water tank 11 and the suction hole 41a of the drying fan 41.

The condenser installed in the condensing channel 43 comprises a spray nozzle 51 mounted in the upper part of the condensing channel 43 for injecting condensing water, i.e. cold water into the condensing channel 43 and the condensing water supply pipe 52 connected to the spray nozzle 51 and the water supply valve 21. Condensing water is injected from the spray nozzle 51 installed in the upper part of the condensing channel 43, and passes down along the inner surface of the condensing channel 43. The contact efficiency increases between rising water vapor and cold condensing water, resulting in increased moisture absorption.

The condensing channel 43 comprises an outlet pipe 43a in the lower end portion for draining the condensate. The end of the outlet pipe 43a is connected to the drain pipe 31. In the present invention, a water temperature sensor 47 is installed between the air outlet 46 and the outlet pipe 43a. Since the water supply valve 21 operates in such a way that the amount of water collected in the lower part of the condensing channel 43 is greater than the amount of water flowing out of the condensing channel 43 through the outlet pipe 43a at a given speed, the water temperature sensor 47 is immersed in the water collected in the condensing channel 43 and measures the temperature of the water, thereby providing information about the measured temperature of the water to the control device 130 (shown in FIG. 5). Thus, the control device 130 can determine the end time of the drying cycle based on the temperature of the condensate.

5 is a control block diagram of a system for removing soap suds from a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the soap suds removal system includes a signal input device 100, a water level sensor 110, a temperature sensor 120, a control device 130, and a drive unit 140.

The signal input device 100 is used to input various operating information into the control device 130. In this case, the operating information includes the desired washing program, such as an independent washing cycle, an independent drying cycle or a combined washing and drying cycle, the temperature of the washing water, the number of revolutions per minute for pressing, the addition of a rinse operation, etc. The water level sensor 110 serves to measure the level of water for washing supplied to the water tank 11. The temperature sensor 120 includes a water temperature sensor 47 for measuring the temperature of the water collected in the lower part of the condensing channel 43, and another sensor for measuring the temperature of the washing water in the water tank 11.

The control device 130 is a microcomputer for controlling the operation of the water supply valve 21 for supplying condensing water to the condensing channel 43 after the washing cycle or before the drying cycle, in order to thereby remove the soap foam entering the condensing channel 43. The control device 130 includes a timer (not shown ) for calculating the supply time and the number of feeds of condensing water to the condensing channel 43 opened by the water supply valve 21, and a ROM table for storing various data, such as time I supply and the number of such water supplies, depending on the selected washing program, washing machine power and the size of the rotating drum 12.

The drive unit 140 is designed to control the electric motor 13, the water supply valves 21 and 22, the sump pump 32, the drying fan 41 and the drying heater 44 in accordance with the driving signals of the control device 130.

The following describes the operating sequence and effects of a method for removing soap foam from a washing machine equipped with an arranged dryer, as described above.

6 is a flowchart in accordance with a method for removing soap foam from a washing machine in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. In the present invention, the soap suds removal cycle may be performed as an independent cycle after the completion of the washing cycle, or may be performed simultaneously with the rinse cycle. Therefore, the soap suds removal cycle can be set as the default for automatic execution after the completion of the washing cycle or can be set for selective execution only when the user presses a separate option button.

First of all, in the position in which the laundry is loaded into the rotary drum 12 and the detergent is filled in the detergent supply device 24, operational information such as a desired washing program (for example, a combined washing and drying cycle), washing water temperature, number of revolutions is selected per minute for push-ups and the addition of a rinse operation. In operation 100, the selected operational information is input to the control device 130 through the signal input device 100.

Based on the input of operational information in operation 100, the process proceeds to operation 110, in which the control device 130 includes water supply valves 21 and 22 for supplying water to the detergent supply device 24 by means of water supply tubes 23. When water is supplied to the detergent supply device 24, the detergent contained in the detergent supply device 24 dissolves in the supplied water and then is supplied to the water tank 11 through the connecting pipe 25.

After supplying a predetermined amount of water to the water tank 11 through the connecting pipe 25, the control device 130 turns off the water supply valves 21 and 22 to stop the water supply to the water supply tubes 23. After completing the water supply operation, the rotary drum 12 is rotated by the electric motor 13 in accordance with the control of the control device 130, thereby performing a washing cycle of the selected washing program.

When using excess detergent or a detergent with increased foaming, an excessive amount of soap foam will form during the wash cycle. The resulting soap foam passes through an air outlet 46 (shown in FIG. 2) made at the lower end of the rear surface of the water tank 11 and is forced up in the condensing channel 43 located on the rear surface of the water tank 11.

Soap foam entering the condensing channel 43 can then be forced upward into the supply channel 42 connected to the condensing channel 43, thereby circulating therein under the influence of the pressure of the circulating air during the drying cycle. Therefore, in order to prevent the circulation of soap foam, it is an object of the present invention to remove soap foam entering the condensing channel 43 after a washing cycle or before a drying cycle.

FIG. 6 shows a method for automatically performing a soap suds removal cycle after a washing cycle. However, the order in which the soap suds removal cycle ends is not limited to this option and may change when necessary.

After completing the washing cycle in operation 110, the process proceeds to operation 120, in which the control device 130 includes a water supply valve 21 connected to the condensing channel 43, which opens the condensing channel 43 to remove soap foam entering the condensing channel 43.

That is, when the water supply valve 21 opens the condensing channel 43, condensed water (i.e. cold water) is supplied through the condensing water supply pipe 52 and injected into the condensing channel 43 from the spray nozzle 51, thereby raising and removing the soap foam, received in the condensing channel 43.

From operation 120, the process proceeds to operation 130, in which the control device 130 calculates the time for the condensing water to be supplied to the condensing channel 43 (i.e., the opening time of the water supply valve 21) and determines whether the calculated time exceeds the predetermined soap foam removal time T1, which is sufficient time to remove soap foam entering the condensing channel 43.

When the calculated time exceeds the predetermined soap suds removal time T1 in step 130, the process proceeds to step 140, in which the water supply valve 21 connected to the condensing channel 43 is closed to stop the condensing water from being supplied to the condensing channel 43. Then, the remaining rinsing and pressing cycles and drying is partially or fully performed based on the selected operational information, completing the selected washing program.

However, when the calculated time does not exceed the predetermined soap foam removal time T1 in operation 130, the process returns to operation 120, in which water is continuously supplied to the condensing channel 43 until the calculated time exceeds the predetermined soap foam removal time T1 in operation 130 .

The following describes a method for independently performing a soap foam removal cycle before a drying cycle, regardless of the washing cycle with reference to FIG.

7 is a flowchart in accordance with a method for removing soap foam from a washing machine in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present invention, a soap suds removal cycle may be set as the default for automatic execution simultaneously with a drying cycle, regardless of the washing cycle. The present invention is not limited to this and can be used in various other ways.

First of all, in operation 200, when the desired washing program, for example an independent drying cycle, is selected at the position in which the laundry is loaded into the rotary drum 12, the process proceeds to step 210, in which the control device 130 determines whether the drying cycle is selected. When the drying cycle is selected in operation 210, the process proceeds to operation 220, in which the control device 130 includes a water supply valve 21 that opens the condensing channel 43 to remove foreign substances, including soap foam, located in the condensing channel 43, or to maintain the condensing channel 43 as a channel for clean air circulation.

When the water supply valve 21 opens the condensing channel 43, condensed water (i.e., cold water) is supplied through the condensing water supply pipe 52 and injected into the condensing channel 43 from the spray nozzle 51, thereby removing foreign matter in the condensing channel 43 , and keeping the condensing channel 43 clean.

From operation 220, the process proceeds to operation 230, in which the control device 130 calculates the time for the condensing water to be supplied to the condensing channel 43 (i.e., the opening time of the water supply valve 21) and determines whether the calculated time exceeds the predetermined foreign matter removal time T2, which is sufficient time to remove foreign substances in the condensing channel 43.

The predetermined foreign matter removal time T2 may be the same or different from the soap foam removal time T1 (shown in FIG. 6). However, the present invention is not limited to this and may vary based on the design of the washing machine, taking into account the power of the washing machine or the selected washing program.

When the calculated time exceeds the predetermined removal time of the foreign substances (T2) in step 230, the water supply valve 21 connected to the condensing channel 43 is closed to stop the water supply to the condensing channel 43. Then, the process proceeds to operation 240, in which the drying cycle is performed, completing the washing process.

Meanwhile, the present invention determines, but is not limited to, the time for removal of soap suds or foreign matter based on the time the condensing water is supplied to the condensing channel 43. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to determine the time point for removing soap suds or foreign substances by supplying condensing water for a predetermined time for a predetermined number of times (approximately two or three times).

In addition, an embodiment of the present invention provides, but is not limited to, a drum type washing machine equipped with a dryer, and can be used in any type of washing machine having a drying function or a regeneration function. At the same time, the function of regeneration is to remove unpleasant odor or dust from clothing.

As can be seen from the above description, the present invention describes a washing machine and method for removing soap foam from it, which removes soap foam, which is formed in excess during the washing cycle and thus enters the drying device. This method is effective and eliminates the risk of contamination of the laundry. By carrying out a soap foam removal cycle after the washing cycle or before the drying cycle, it is possible to efficiently remove the soap foam, including foreign substances in the drying device, which leads to an increased cleanliness of the washing machine.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that changes are possible in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims (15)

1. A washing machine equipped with a drying device, comprising a water supply device for supplying water to the drying device, and a control device for controlling a water supply for removing soap suds contained in the drying device before performing a drying cycle, if a drying cycle is selected. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, in which the drying cycle is carried out after the washing cycle, and the water supply is regulated to supply water to the drying device after the completion of the washing cycle and before the drying cycle. 3. The washing machine according to claim 1, in which the drying cycle is carried out after the rinse cycle, and the water supply is regulated to supply water to the drying device during the rinse cycle. 4. The washing machine according to claim 1, in which the drying device comprises a channel connected to the water tank for circulating heated air into the water tank. 5. The washing machine according to claim 4, in which the water supply device comprises a water supply valve for supplying water to the channel. 6. The washing machine according to claim 1, in which the removal of soap suds is an independent cycle for removing soap suds or foreign substances in the drying device. 7. The washing machine according to claim 1, in which the removal of soap foam is carried out by supplying water to the drying device for a predetermined time. 8. The washing machine according to claim 1, in which the removal of soap foam is carried out by supplying water to the drying device for a predetermined time for a given number of cycles. 9. A method of removing soap foam from a washing machine equipped with a drying device, comprising the steps of determining whether the washing cycle is completed and removing the soap foam in the drying device by supplying water to the drying device after the washing cycle is completed and before start of the drying cycle. 10. The method according to claim 9, in which the removal of soap suds is an independent cycle for removing soap suds or foreign substances in the drying device. 11. The method according to claim 9, in which the removal of soap foam is carried out simultaneously with the rinse cycle of the washing machine. 12. The method according to claim 9, in which the removal of soap foam is carried out by supplying water to the drying device for a predetermined time. 13. The method according to claim 9, in which the removal of soap foam is carried out by supplying water to the drying device for a predetermined time at a given number of cycles. 14. A washing machine equipped with a water tank and a drum, containing a drying device for drying laundry placed in a drum having a condensing channel located on the rear surface of the water tank, in which excess soap foam is removed from the drum through a condensing channel, and the device control to regulate the flow of condensing water into the condensing channel after the washing cycle of the washing machine to remove thus the soap foam entering the condensing channel. 15. The washing machine according to claim 14, which further comprises a spray nozzle mounted in the upper part of the condensing channel for injecting condensing water into the condensing channel for passing downward along the inner surface of the condensing channel.

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