US20060236468A1 - Washing machine having rinse agent dispenser and control method thereof - Google Patents
Washing machine having rinse agent dispenser and control method thereof Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060236468A1 US20060236468A1 US11/319,156 US31915605A US2006236468A1 US 20060236468 A1 US20060236468 A1 US 20060236468A1 US 31915605 A US31915605 A US 31915605A US 2006236468 A1 US2006236468 A1 US 2006236468A1
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- Prior art keywords
- water
- rinse agent
- water tub
- level
- tub
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/26—Casings; Tubs
- D06F37/267—Tubs specially adapted for mounting thereto components or devices not provided for in preceding subgroups
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers
- D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control
- D06F33/32—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
- D06F33/34—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of water filling
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers
- D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control
- D06F33/32—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
- D06F33/38—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of rinsing
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers
- D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control
- D06F33/32—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
- D06F33/42—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of draining
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/26—Casings; Tubs
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/02—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
- D06F39/087—Water level measuring or regulating devices
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2103/18—Washing liquid level
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2105/02—Water supply
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a drum-type washing machine having a dispenser for a rinse agent, such as fabric softener. More particularly, to a washing machine having a rinse agent dispenser to dispense a rinse agent into a water tub via an adjustment of a level of water contained in the water tub without requiring a separate water supply device, and a control method thereof.
- a rinse agent dispenser to dispense a rinse agent into a water tub via an adjustment of a level of water contained in the water tub without requiring a separate water supply device, and a control method thereof.
- a washing machine specifically, a drum-type washing machine, washes laundry contained in a cylindrical rotating drum by raising and dropping the laundry through rotation of the drum.
- the drum-type washing machine reduces clothes damage and water consumption as compared to a conventional pulsator-type washing machine, although it has a long wash time.
- the demand for drum-type washing machines is increasing.
- the washing machine requires a separate water supply device, which includes the water supply valve to dispense the rinse agent into the water tub and a water supply hose to supply water into the detergent container.
- the detergent container has a limitation of an installation position thereof because it must be mounted close to a water supply pipe connected to an external water source, and is complex in structure.
- dispensing the rinse agent requires a large number of parts, resulting in long production time and increasing a probability of malfunction, such as leakage.
- a washing machine having a rinse agent dispenser, which is directly connected with a water tub to dispense a rinse agent into the water tub via an adjustment of a level of water contained in the water tub without requiring a separate water supply device, and a control method of the washing machine.
- a washing machine including a water tub to contain wash water therein, and a rinse agent dispenser connected with the water tub to dispense a rinse agent into the water tub via an adjustment of a level of the water contained in the water tub.
- the rinse agent dispenser is connected with the water tub by means of connection tubes thereof.
- the rinse agent dispenser is mounted outside of the water tub at a position higher than a middle position of the water tub by a predetermined height.
- the predetermined height may be at least 3 cm.
- the controller may determine whether a remaining cycle is a rinsing cycle, whereby, when the remaining cycle is the rinsing cycle, the controller controls the supply of the wash water so that the wash water reaches a predetermined rinse agent dispensing level.
- the rinsing cycle may be a final rinsing cycle, and the predetermined rinse agent dispensing level is higher than a predetermined rinsing level.
- the controller may control the drainage of the wash water so that the wash water reaches the predetermined rinsing level.
- a method of controlling a washing machine having a water tub and a rinse agent dispenser connected with the water tub to receive a rinse agent including controlling the supply of wash water when a remaining cycle is a rinsing cycle, thereby introducing the wash water into the rinse agent dispenser, and controlling a drainage of the wash water after the wash water is introduced into the rinse agent dispenser, thereby allowing the rinse agent to be dispensed into the water tub.
- the controlling of the supply of the wash water is performed to supply the wash water into the water tub to reach a predetermined rinse agent dispensing level.
- FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a washing machine having a rinse agent dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the washing machine having the rinse agent dispenser according to the embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an operational sequence of a rinse agent dispensing process of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 6A to 6 C are sectional views illustrating a sequential rinse agent dispensing operation of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
- the water tub 11 is generally tilted relative to a washing machine mounting plane by a predetermined inclination a so that a front surface 11 a thereof formed with an opening 11 b , is positioned higher than a rear surface 11 c thereof.
- the rotating drum 12 mounted in the water tub 11 , is tilted so that a front surface 12 a thereof formed with an opening 12 b , is positioned higher than a rear surface 12 c thereof.
- a plurality of through-holes 12 d is formed at a circumferential wall of the rotating drum 12 . Also, a plurality of lifters 14 is mounted at an inner surface of the rotating drum 12 to raise and drop laundry upon rotation of the rotating drum 12 .
- a motor 15 is mounted at an outside of the rear surface 11 c of the water tub 11 and serves as a drive unit to rotate the rotating shaft 13 connected to the rotating drum 12 .
- the motor 15 comprises a stator 15 a affixed to the rear surface 11 c of the water tub 11 , a rotor 15 b rotatably disposed around the stator 15 a , and a rotating plate 15 c to connect the stator 15 a with the rotating shaft 13 .
- the body 10 is formed at a front surface thereof with an opening 16 at a position corresponding to the openings 12 b and 11 b of the rotating drum 12 and the water tub 11 to put laundry into the rotating tub 12 or to take the laundry out of the rotating tub 12 .
- a door 17 is mounted at the opening 16 to open and close the opening 16 .
- a detergent supply device 18 and a water supply device 20 are provided above the water tub 11 , and a drainage device 19 is mounted underneath the water tub 11 to drain water contained in the water tub 11 .
- the drainage device 19 comprises a drainage pipe 19 a , a drainage valve 19 b , and a drainage motor 19 c .
- the detergent supply device 18 internally defines a detergent receiving chamber.
- the detergent supply device 18 is mounted at the front surface of the body 10 to facilitate the input of a detergent therein.
- the water supply device 20 comprises cool and hot water supply pipes 21 and 22 , respectively, to supply cool water and hot water, and water supply valves 23 and 24 mounted to the respective cool and hot water supply pipes 21 and 22 to control the supply of water via the pipes 21 and 22 .
- the cool and hot water supply pipes 21 and 22 are connected with the detergent supply device 18 to supply water from an external source (not shown) into the detergent supply device 18 .
- a separate water supply pipe 25 is mounted between the detergent supply device 18 and the water tub 11 to supply the water, having passed through the detergent supply device 18 , into the water tub 11 .
- a water supply nozzle 26 is mounted at an outlet of the water supply pipe 25 . Supplying the water into the water tub 11 by way of the detergent supply device 18 allows the detergent inside the detergent supply device 18 to be supplied into the water tub 11 .
- a rinse agent dispenser 30 is mounted at the outside of the water tub 11 to dispense a rinse agent into the water tub 11 .
- the rinse agent dispenser 30 is coupled with the water tub 11 to directly dispense a rinse agent into the water tub 11 .
- the rinse agent dispenser 30 is positioned on a side of the door 17 .
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the rinse agent dispenser of FIG. 1 , which is mounted to the washing machine.
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A′ of FIG. 2 .
- the rinse agent dispenser 30 is positioned at a height higher than a middle position of the water tub 11 by approximately 3 cm.
- the height of the rinse agent dispenser 30 is slightly higher than a level of water during a rinsing cycle (i.e., a rinsing level).
- the rinsing level is half-full level of the water tub 11 .
- Positioning the rinse agent dispenser 30 at the above height allows the rinse agent to be automatically dispensed into the water tub 11 using a siphon phenomenon caused by adjustment of the level of water contained in the water tub 11 without assistance of the water supply device 20 .
- the rinse agent dispenser 30 internally defines a rinse agent receiving chamber 31 .
- the rinse agent dispenser 30 comprises first and second connection tubes 32 and 33 .
- a cover 34 is provided at an upper side of the receiving chamber 31 .
- the first and second connection tubes 32 and 33 are fitted in holes 11 d and 11 e formed at the water tub 11 to guide the flow of water between the water tub 11 and the rinse agent dispenser 30 .
- the rinse agent contained in the rinse agent dispenser 30 can be introduced into the water tub 11 .
- FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the washing machine having the rinse agent dispenser according to the embodiment of the present invention.
- a control system comprises a signal input unit 100 , a water level sensor 110 , a temperature sensor 120 , a controller 130 , and a drive unit 140 .
- the signal input unit 100 serves to input various operational information, such as a desired wash course, a temperature of wash water, revolutions per minute for spin-drying, and addition of a rinsing operation, to the controller 130 .
- the water level sensor 110 senses a level of wash water supplied to the water tub 11 .
- the temperature sensor 120 senses a temperature of wash water supplied to the water tub 11 .
- the drive unit 140 is adapted to drive the motor 15 , drainage valve 19 b , drainage pump 19 c , and water supply valves 23 and 24 according to drive control signals of the controller 130 .
- washing machine having the rinse agent dispenser configured as stated above and the operational sequence and effects of the control method of the washing machine will be explained.
- FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an operation of a rinse agent dispensing process of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
- laundry is put into the rotating drum 12 , and various operational information, such as a desired wash course, a temperature of wash water, revolutions per minute for spin-drying, and addition of a rinsing operation, is selected. Then, the selected operational information is inputted to the controller 130 via the signal input unit 100 .
- various operational information such as a desired wash course, a temperature of wash water, revolutions per minute for spin-drying, and addition of a rinsing operation.
- the process moves to operation 110 where the controller 130 determines whether a remaining cycle is the final rinsing cycle.
- the process moves to operation 120 where the controller 130 switches on the water supply valves 23 and 24 to supply wash water into the detergent supply device 18 via the water supply pipes 21 and 22 .
- the wash water specifically, rinsing water, supplied to the detergent supply device 18 , is further supplied to the water tub 11 via the water supply pipe 25 .
- the wash water As the wash water is supplied to the water tub 11 , a level of the water inside the water tub 11 gradually rises to a rinsing level that is equal to the half-full level of the water tub 11 .
- the water is continuously supplied beyond the rinsing level to reach a predetermined level.
- the predetermined level is a level to allow the wash water, contained in the water tub 11 , to be introduced into the rinse agent dispenser 30 to thereby dissolve the rinse agent present therein.
- the predetermined level varies depending on an installed position of the rinse agent dispenser 30 .
- the wash water inside the water tub 11 is introduced into the receiving chamber 31 of the rinse agent dispenser 30 by way of the first and second connection tubes 32 and 33 connected to the holes 11 d and 11 e of the water tub 11 (See FIG. 6B ).
- the process moves to operation 130 where the water level sensor 110 senses a level W s of the wash water inside the water tub 11 . From operation 130 , the process moves to operation 140 where the controller 130 determines whether the sensed level W s of the wash water exceeds a predetermined rinse agent dispensing level W 1 .
- the predetermined rinse agent dispensing level W 1 is set to be higher than the rinsing level to allow the wash water contained in the water tub 11 to be introduced into the rinse agent dispenser 30 .
- the process returns to operation 120 where the wash water is continuously supplied until it reaches the predetermined rinse agent dispensing level W 1 .
- the process moves to operation 150 , where the controller 130 switches off the water supply valves 23 and 24 to stop the supply of the wash water into the water supply pipes 21 and 22 .
- the process moves to operation 160 where the controller 130 operates the drainage valve 19 b and the drainage pump 19 c to allow the wash water inside the water tub 11 to be drained via the drainage pipe 19 a .
- the level of the wash water gradually decreases.
- the drainage of the wash water is continued until the water reaches the rinsing level that is the half full level of the water tub 11 .
- the rinse agent present inside the rinse agent dispenser 30 is able to be dispensed into the water tub 11 along with the wash water.
- the process moves to operation 170 where the water level sensor 110 senses a level of the wash water W d inside the water tub 11 , and from operation 170 , the process moves to operation 180 where the controller 130 determines whether the sensed water level W d is lower than a predetermined rinsing level W 2 .
- the predetermined rinsing level W 2 is equal to the half-full level of the water tub 11 .
- the process returns to operation 160 where the wash water is continuously drained until it reaches the predetermined rinsing level W 2 .
- the process moves to operation 190 where the controller 130 switches off the drainage valve 19 b and the drainage pump 19 c to stop the drainage of the wash water to the drainage pipe 19 a .
- the process moves to operations 200 and 210 where the motor 15 is operated under a control of the controller 130 to rotate the rotating drum 12 to thereby perform a final rinsing cycle and spin-drying cycle, successively.
- the embodiment of the present invention exemplifies the rinse agent, such as fabric softener, which is filled in the rinse agent dispenser 30 to be dispensed into the water tub 11 during the final rising cycle, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto and a detergent may be filled in the rinse agent dispenser 30 to be automatically dispensed into the water tub 11 .
- the present invention provides a washing machine having a rinse agent dispenser, which is directly connected to a water tub to automatically dispense a rinse agent into the water tub via adjustment of the level of water contained in the water tub without requiring a separate water supply device, and control method thereof.
- a rinse agent dispenser as stated above simplifies the overall structure of the washing machine, resulting in improved productivity.
- the rinse agent dispenser of the embodiment of the present invention eliminates the necessity of an expensive water supply valve, for example, a three-way valve, and reduces the number of parts, thereby achieving a reduction of manufacturing costs. Also, the rinse agent dispenser has a simplified structure and requires fewer connecting parts, resulting in a reduction of malfunction, such as leakage.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
- Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
- Accessory Of Washing/Drying Machine, Commercial Washing/Drying Machine, Other Washing/Drying Machine (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2005-33741, filed on Apr. 22, 2005 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a drum-type washing machine having a dispenser for a rinse agent, such as fabric softener. More particularly, to a washing machine having a rinse agent dispenser to dispense a rinse agent into a water tub via an adjustment of a level of water contained in the water tub without requiring a separate water supply device, and a control method thereof.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- In general, a washing machine, specifically, a drum-type washing machine, washes laundry contained in a cylindrical rotating drum by raising and dropping the laundry through rotation of the drum. The drum-type washing machine reduces clothes damage and water consumption as compared to a conventional pulsator-type washing machine, although it has a long wash time. Thus, the demand for drum-type washing machines is increasing.
- The washing machine includes a detergent container, which is internally sectionalized into a plurality of chambers to receive a detergent, a rinse agent, etc., respectively. As water is supplied into the detergent container according to an operation of a water supply valve upon a final rinsing cycle, the rinse agent is dispensed into a water tub along with the water based on a siphon phenomenon that is caused in a gap between the detergent container and a container cap.
- However, the washing machine requires a separate water supply device, which includes the water supply valve to dispense the rinse agent into the water tub and a water supply hose to supply water into the detergent container. Also, the detergent container has a limitation of an installation position thereof because it must be mounted close to a water supply pipe connected to an external water source, and is complex in structure.
- In addition, dispensing the rinse agent requires a large number of parts, resulting in long production time and increasing a probability of malfunction, such as leakage.
- Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a washing machine having a rinse agent dispenser, which is directly connected with a water tub to dispense a rinse agent into the water tub via an adjustment of a level of water contained in the water tub without requiring a separate water supply device, and a control method of the washing machine.
- It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a washing machine having a rinse agent dispenser, which can automatically dispense a rinse agent into a water tub via an adjustment of a level of water contained in the water tub, thereby achieving a simplified structure and high productivity, and a control method of the washing machine.
- Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
- The foregoing and/or other aspects are achieved by a washing machine including a water tub to contain wash water therein, and a rinse agent dispenser connected with the water tub to dispense a rinse agent into the water tub via an adjustment of a level of the water contained in the water tub.
- The rinse agent dispenser is connected with the water tub by means of connection tubes thereof.
- The rinse agent dispenser is mounted outside of the water tub at a position higher than a middle position of the water tub by a predetermined height. The predetermined height may be at least 3 cm.
- The washing machine further includes water supply means to supply the wash water into the water tub, drainage means to drain the wash water from the water tub, and a controller to control water supply and drainage operations of the water supply means and drainage means, thereby adjusting the level of the wash water contained in the water tub.
- The controller may determine whether a remaining cycle is a rinsing cycle, whereby, when the remaining cycle is the rinsing cycle, the controller controls the supply of the wash water so that the wash water reaches a predetermined rinse agent dispensing level.
- The rinsing cycle may be a final rinsing cycle, and the predetermined rinse agent dispensing level is higher than a predetermined rinsing level.
- After completion of the supply of the wash water, the controller may control the drainage of the wash water so that the wash water reaches the predetermined rinsing level.
- The foregoing and/or other aspects are achieved by a method of controlling a washing machine having a water tub and a rinse agent dispenser connected with the water tub to receive a rinse agent, the method including controlling the supply of wash water when a remaining cycle is a rinsing cycle, thereby introducing the wash water into the rinse agent dispenser, and controlling a drainage of the wash water after the wash water is introduced into the rinse agent dispenser, thereby allowing the rinse agent to be dispensed into the water tub.
- The controlling of the supply of the wash water is performed to supply the wash water into the water tub to reach a predetermined rinse agent dispensing level.
- The controlling of the drainage of the wash water is performed to drain the wash water from the water tub to reach the predetermined rinsing level.
- These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:
-
FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a washing machine having a rinse agent dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the rinse agent dispenser ofFIG. 1 , which is mounted to the washing machine; -
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A′ ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the washing machine having the rinse agent dispenser according to the embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an operational sequence of a rinse agent dispensing process of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention; and -
FIGS. 6A to 6C are sectional views illustrating a sequential rinse agent dispensing operation of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. - Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiment of the present invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The embodiment is described below to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.
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FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a washing machine having a rinse agent dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , the washing machine having a rinse agent dispenser according to the embodiment of the present invention comprises a drum-shaped water tub 11 mounted in abody 10 to contain wash water therein, and a rotatingdrum 12 rotatably mounted in thewater tub 11. - The
water tub 11 is generally tilted relative to a washing machine mounting plane by a predetermined inclination a so that afront surface 11 a thereof formed with an opening 11 b, is positioned higher than arear surface 11 c thereof. In the same manner as thewater tub 11, the rotatingdrum 12, mounted in thewater tub 11, is tilted so that afront surface 12 a thereof formed with an opening 12 b, is positioned higher than arear surface 12 c thereof. - That is, the rotating
drum 12 is mounted so that a rotating center axis A thereof is tilted relative to the washing machine mounting plane by the predetermined inclination a to thereby allow thefront surface 12 a thereof formed with theopening 12 b to face up and to the front. The rotatingdrum 12 comprises arotating shaft 13, which is coupled with the center of therear surface 12 c of the rotatingdrum 12 to be rotatably supported at the center of the rear surface of thewater tub 11. Through rotation of the rotatingshaft 13, the rotatingdrum 12 is rotatable inside thewater tub 11. - A plurality of through-
holes 12 d is formed at a circumferential wall of the rotatingdrum 12. Also, a plurality oflifters 14 is mounted at an inner surface of the rotatingdrum 12 to raise and drop laundry upon rotation of the rotatingdrum 12. - A
motor 15 is mounted at an outside of therear surface 11 c of thewater tub 11 and serves as a drive unit to rotate the rotatingshaft 13 connected to the rotatingdrum 12. Themotor 15 comprises astator 15 a affixed to therear surface 11 c of thewater tub 11, arotor 15 b rotatably disposed around thestator 15 a, and a rotatingplate 15 c to connect thestator 15 a with the rotatingshaft 13. - The
body 10 is formed at a front surface thereof with anopening 16 at a position corresponding to theopenings drum 12 and thewater tub 11 to put laundry into the rotatingtub 12 or to take the laundry out of the rotatingtub 12. Adoor 17 is mounted at the opening 16 to open and close the opening 16. - A
detergent supply device 18 and awater supply device 20 are provided above thewater tub 11, and adrainage device 19 is mounted underneath thewater tub 11 to drain water contained in thewater tub 11. Thedrainage device 19 comprises adrainage pipe 19 a, adrainage valve 19 b, and adrainage motor 19 c. - The
detergent supply device 18 internally defines a detergent receiving chamber. Thedetergent supply device 18 is mounted at the front surface of thebody 10 to facilitate the input of a detergent therein. - The
water supply device 20 comprises cool and hotwater supply pipes water supply valves water supply pipes pipes - The cool and hot
water supply pipes detergent supply device 18 to supply water from an external source (not shown) into thedetergent supply device 18. A separatewater supply pipe 25 is mounted between thedetergent supply device 18 and thewater tub 11 to supply the water, having passed through thedetergent supply device 18, into thewater tub 11. Awater supply nozzle 26 is mounted at an outlet of thewater supply pipe 25. Supplying the water into thewater tub 11 by way of thedetergent supply device 18 allows the detergent inside thedetergent supply device 18 to be supplied into thewater tub 11. - A rinse
agent dispenser 30 is mounted at the outside of thewater tub 11 to dispense a rinse agent into thewater tub 11. The rinseagent dispenser 30 is coupled with thewater tub 11 to directly dispense a rinse agent into thewater tub 11. To facilitate easy input of the rinse agent, the rinseagent dispenser 30 is positioned on a side of thedoor 17. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the rinse agent dispenser ofFIG. 1 , which is mounted to the washing machine.FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A′ ofFIG. 2 . - The rinse
agent dispenser 30 is positioned at a height higher than a middle position of thewater tub 11 by approximately 3 cm. The height of the rinseagent dispenser 30 is slightly higher than a level of water during a rinsing cycle (i.e., a rinsing level). The rinsing level is half-full level of thewater tub 11. Positioning the rinseagent dispenser 30 at the above height allows the rinse agent to be automatically dispensed into thewater tub 11 using a siphon phenomenon caused by adjustment of the level of water contained in thewater tub 11 without assistance of thewater supply device 20. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , the rinseagent dispenser 30 internally defines a rinseagent receiving chamber 31. To allow the water contained in thewater tub 11 to be introduced into the rinseagent dispenser 30 and the water introduced into the rinseagent dispenser 30 to be returned to thewater tub 11, the rinseagent dispenser 30 comprises first andsecond connection tubes cover 34 is provided at an upper side of the receivingchamber 31. - The first and
second connection tubes holes water tub 11 to guide the flow of water between thewater tub 11 and the rinseagent dispenser 30. As the water contained in thewater tub 11 is introduced into the rinseagent dispenser 30, the rinse agent contained in the rinseagent dispenser 30 can be introduced into thewater tub 11. -
FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the washing machine having the rinse agent dispenser according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 4 , a control system comprises asignal input unit 100, awater level sensor 110, atemperature sensor 120, acontroller 130, and adrive unit 140. - The
signal input unit 100 serves to input various operational information, such as a desired wash course, a temperature of wash water, revolutions per minute for spin-drying, and addition of a rinsing operation, to thecontroller 130. Thewater level sensor 110 senses a level of wash water supplied to thewater tub 11. Thetemperature sensor 120 senses a temperature of wash water supplied to thewater tub 11. - The
controller 130 is a micro-computer to control the washing machine based on the operational information inputted by thesignal input unit 100. Thecontroller 130 controls operation of thewater supply valves drainage valve 19 b, anddrainage pump 19 c depending on the water level sensed by thewater level sensor 110 during a final rinsing cycle, in order to adjust the level of water inside thewater tub 11. Adjustment of the water level inside thewater tub 11 enables the rinse agent filled in the rinseagent dispenser 30 to be automatically dispensed into thewater tub 11. - The
drive unit 140 is adapted to drive themotor 15,drainage valve 19 b,drainage pump 19 c, andwater supply valves controller 130. - Now, the washing machine having the rinse agent dispenser configured as stated above and the operational sequence and effects of the control method of the washing machine will be explained.
-
FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an operation of a rinse agent dispensing process of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. - In
operation 100, laundry is put into therotating drum 12, and various operational information, such as a desired wash course, a temperature of wash water, revolutions per minute for spin-drying, and addition of a rinsing operation, is selected. Then, the selected operational information is inputted to thecontroller 130 via thesignal input unit 100. - According to the inputted operational information from the
signal input unit 100, thecontroller 130 progresses a washing cycle and a rinsing cycle in this sequence. The washing and rinsing cycles are identical to those of a general washing machine, and thus, a description thereof will be omitted hereinafter. The following description is based on only a rinse agent dispensing process using the rinseagent dispenser 30. - As an initial condition of operation according to the present invention, it is assumed that the rinse
agent dispenser 30 is filled with the rinse agent (SeeFIG. 6A ). - After completion of the washing and rinsing cycles except for a final rinsing cycle in
operation 100, the process moves tooperation 110 where thecontroller 130 determines whether a remaining cycle is the final rinsing cycle. - When the remaining cycle is the final rinsing cycle in
operation 110, the process moves tooperation 120 where thecontroller 130 switches on thewater supply valves detergent supply device 18 via thewater supply pipes detergent supply device 18, is further supplied to thewater tub 11 via thewater supply pipe 25. - As the wash water is supplied to the
water tub 11, a level of the water inside thewater tub 11 gradually rises to a rinsing level that is equal to the half-full level of thewater tub 11. In the present invention, the water is continuously supplied beyond the rinsing level to reach a predetermined level. Here, the predetermined level is a level to allow the wash water, contained in thewater tub 11, to be introduced into the rinseagent dispenser 30 to thereby dissolve the rinse agent present therein. The predetermined level varies depending on an installed position of the rinseagent dispenser 30. - When the wash water is supplied beyond the rinsing level, the wash water inside the
water tub 11 is introduced into the receivingchamber 31 of the rinseagent dispenser 30 by way of the first andsecond connection tubes holes FIG. 6B ). - During the supply of the wash water into the
water tub 11 inoperation 120, the process moves tooperation 130 where thewater level sensor 110 senses a level Ws of the wash water inside thewater tub 11 . Fromoperation 130, the process moves tooperation 140 where thecontroller 130 determines whether the sensed level Ws of the wash water exceeds a predetermined rinse agent dispensing level W1. Here, the predetermined rinse agent dispensing level W1 is set to be higher than the rinsing level to allow the wash water contained in thewater tub 11 to be introduced into the rinseagent dispenser 30. - When it is determined that the sensed level Ws of the wash water is lower than the predetermined rinse agent dispensing level W1 in
operation 140, the process returns tooperation 120 where the wash water is continuously supplied until it reaches the predetermined rinse agent dispensing level W1. - When the sensed level Ws of the wash water is higher than the predetermined rinse agent dispensing level W1 in
operation 140, the process moves tooperation 150, where thecontroller 130 switches off thewater supply valves water supply pipes - Next, prior to performing a rinsing cycle, the process moves to
operation 160 where thecontroller 130 operates thedrainage valve 19 b and thedrainage pump 19 c to allow the wash water inside thewater tub 11 to be drained via thedrainage pipe 19 a. - As the wash water is drained from the
water tub 11, the level of the wash water gradually decreases. In the present invention, the drainage of the wash water is continued until the water reaches the rinsing level that is the half full level of thewater tub 11. During the drainage of the wash water, the rinse agent present inside the rinseagent dispenser 30 is able to be dispensed into thewater tub 11 along with the wash water. - That is, as the level of the wash water inside the
water tub 11 is lowered by the drainage of the wash water, a siphon phenomenon is caused, thereby allowing the rinse agent present inside the rinseagent dispenser 30 to be introduced into thewater tub 11 by way of the first andsecond connection tubes holes water tub 11, along with the wash water (SeeFIG. 6C ). - During the drainage of the wash water in
operation 160, the process moves tooperation 170 where thewater level sensor 110 senses a level of the wash water Wd inside thewater tub 11, and fromoperation 170, the process moves tooperation 180 where thecontroller 130 determines whether the sensed water level Wd is lower than a predetermined rinsing level W2. Here, the predetermined rinsing level W2 is equal to the half-full level of thewater tub 11. - When the sensed water level Wd is higher than the predetermined rinsing level W2 in
operation 170, the process returns tooperation 160 where the wash water is continuously drained until it reaches the predetermined rinsing level W2. - When the sensed water level Wd is lower than the predetermined rising level W2 in
operation 180, the process moves tooperation 190 where thecontroller 130 switches off thedrainage valve 19 b and thedrainage pump 19 c to stop the drainage of the wash water to thedrainage pipe 19 a. - After completion of the dispensing operation of the rinse agent, the process moves to
operations motor 15 is operated under a control of thecontroller 130 to rotate therotating drum 12 to thereby perform a final rinsing cycle and spin-drying cycle, successively. - Although the embodiment of the present invention exemplifies the rinse agent, such as fabric softener, which is filled in the rinse
agent dispenser 30 to be dispensed into thewater tub 11 during the final rising cycle, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto and a detergent may be filled in the rinseagent dispenser 30 to be automatically dispensed into thewater tub 11. - As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a washing machine having a rinse agent dispenser, which is directly connected to a water tub to automatically dispense a rinse agent into the water tub via adjustment of the level of water contained in the water tub without requiring a separate water supply device, and control method thereof. Using the rinse agent dispenser as stated above simplifies the overall structure of the washing machine, resulting in improved productivity.
- Further, differently from conventional rinse agent dispensers, the rinse agent dispenser of the embodiment of the present invention eliminates the necessity of an expensive water supply valve, for example, a three-way valve, and reduces the number of parts, thereby achieving a reduction of manufacturing costs. Also, the rinse agent dispenser has a simplified structure and requires fewer connecting parts, resulting in a reduction of malfunction, such as leakage.
- Although the embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in this embodiment without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
Claims (15)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020050033741A KR20060111286A (en) | 2005-04-22 | 2005-04-22 | Washing machine with rinse input device and control method thereof |
KR2005-33741 | 2005-04-22 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060236468A1 true US20060236468A1 (en) | 2006-10-26 |
Family
ID=36646173
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/319,156 Abandoned US20060236468A1 (en) | 2005-04-22 | 2005-12-28 | Washing machine having rinse agent dispenser and control method thereof |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060236468A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1715097A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2006297059A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20060111286A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1851103A (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080155756A1 (en) * | 2006-12-29 | 2008-07-03 | Ogden J Michael | Method and apparatus for delivering liquid fabric treatment compositions in washing machines |
US20090090140A1 (en) * | 2007-10-08 | 2009-04-09 | Miele & Cie. Kg | Dispensing system for powdered treating agent for use in a washing machine |
US20090090139A1 (en) * | 2007-10-08 | 2009-04-09 | Miele & Cie. Kg | Dispensing system for powdered treating agent for use in a washing machine, and washing machine |
US20110277515A1 (en) * | 2008-11-17 | 2011-11-17 | Young Jin Doh | Washing machine |
US20150240406A1 (en) * | 2014-02-21 | 2015-08-27 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Washing machine with ball balancer and method of controlling vibration reduction thereof |
US11280038B2 (en) * | 2016-11-10 | 2022-03-22 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Laundry treating apparatus and method for controlling laundry treating apparatus |
US20220349106A1 (en) * | 2021-04-28 | 2022-11-03 | Whirlpool Corporation | Cleaning sequence for an appliance |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2010077110A2 (en) * | 2008-12-31 | 2010-07-08 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Laundry machine |
KR101556150B1 (en) * | 2008-12-31 | 2015-09-30 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | A Drum Type Washing Machine |
RU2564239C2 (en) * | 2011-04-14 | 2015-09-27 | ЭлДжи ЭЛЕКТРОНИКС ИНК. | Washing machine |
KR20120128359A (en) * | 2011-05-17 | 2012-11-27 | 주식회사 대우일렉트로닉스 | Apparatus and method for detecting water level error of washing machine |
KR20180052282A (en) * | 2016-11-10 | 2018-05-18 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | A detergent box and a laundry apparatus with the same |
KR102318548B1 (en) * | 2017-03-08 | 2021-10-28 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | A control method of the laundry treating apparatus |
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US3022656A (en) * | 1959-08-28 | 1962-02-27 | Maytag Co | Dispenser for laundry machines |
US3038639A (en) * | 1957-10-31 | 1962-06-12 | American Radiator & Standard | Pressure actuated dispenser for washing machines |
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JPS5937996B2 (en) * | 1977-10-03 | 1984-09-13 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Washing machine soft finishing agent dosing device |
ES238080Y (en) * | 1978-09-09 | 1979-05-01 | PERFECTED WASHER DOOR WITH DRAWER CARRIER FOR DETERGENT. | |
IT1272065B (en) * | 1993-11-30 | 1997-06-11 | Merloni Elettrodomestici Spa | FRONT-LOADING WASHING MACHINE. |
ITTO20030066A1 (en) * | 2003-02-04 | 2004-08-05 | Merloni Elettrodomestici Spa | WASHING MACHINE, IN PARTICULAR LOADING |
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2005
- 2005-04-22 KR KR1020050033741A patent/KR20060111286A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2005-12-28 US US11/319,156 patent/US20060236468A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2006
- 2006-01-05 CN CNA2006100513281A patent/CN1851103A/en active Pending
- 2006-01-05 EP EP06250035A patent/EP1715097A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2006-01-24 JP JP2006015639A patent/JP2006297059A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (2)
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US3038639A (en) * | 1957-10-31 | 1962-06-12 | American Radiator & Standard | Pressure actuated dispenser for washing machines |
US3022656A (en) * | 1959-08-28 | 1962-02-27 | Maytag Co | Dispenser for laundry machines |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080155756A1 (en) * | 2006-12-29 | 2008-07-03 | Ogden J Michael | Method and apparatus for delivering liquid fabric treatment compositions in washing machines |
US20090090140A1 (en) * | 2007-10-08 | 2009-04-09 | Miele & Cie. Kg | Dispensing system for powdered treating agent for use in a washing machine |
US20090090139A1 (en) * | 2007-10-08 | 2009-04-09 | Miele & Cie. Kg | Dispensing system for powdered treating agent for use in a washing machine, and washing machine |
US8359888B2 (en) * | 2007-10-08 | 2013-01-29 | Miele & Cie. Kg | Dispensing system for powdered treating agent for use in a washing machine, and washing machine |
US20110277515A1 (en) * | 2008-11-17 | 2011-11-17 | Young Jin Doh | Washing machine |
US9702077B2 (en) * | 2008-11-17 | 2017-07-11 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Washing machine |
US20150240406A1 (en) * | 2014-02-21 | 2015-08-27 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Washing machine with ball balancer and method of controlling vibration reduction thereof |
US10066333B2 (en) * | 2014-02-21 | 2018-09-04 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Washing machine with ball balancer and method of controlling vibration reduction thereof |
US11280038B2 (en) * | 2016-11-10 | 2022-03-22 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Laundry treating apparatus and method for controlling laundry treating apparatus |
US20220349106A1 (en) * | 2021-04-28 | 2022-11-03 | Whirlpool Corporation | Cleaning sequence for an appliance |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN1851103A (en) | 2006-10-25 |
EP1715097A1 (en) | 2006-10-25 |
KR20060111286A (en) | 2006-10-27 |
JP2006297059A (en) | 2006-11-02 |
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Legal Events
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Owner name: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS, CO., LTD, KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CHOI, WON SEOK;HUR, WOON GU;CHOI, DONG HYUN;REEL/FRAME:017431/0468 Effective date: 20051226 |
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Owner name: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Free format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE'S ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 017431 FRAME 0468;ASSIGNORS:CHOI, WON SEOK;HUR, WOON GU;CHOI, DONG HYUN;REEL/FRAME:018035/0212 Effective date: 20051226 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
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