Classifications

• • 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
  • D06F37/02—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums
• • 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
  • D06F15/00—Washing machines having beating, rubbing or squeezing means in receptacles stationary for washing purposes
  • D06F15/02—Washing machines having beating, rubbing or squeezing means in receptacles stationary for washing purposes wherein the articles being washed are squeezed by a flexible diaphragm or bag
• • 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
  • D06F17/00—Washing machines having receptacles, stationary for washing purposes, wherein the washing action is effected solely by circulation or agitation of the washing liquid
  • D06F17/12—Washing machines having receptacles, stationary for washing purposes, wherein the washing action is effected solely by circulation or agitation of the washing liquid solely by gases, e.g. air or steam, introduced into the washing liquid

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a washing machine, in which laundry is washed while a space receiving the laundry is repeatedly expanded and contracted, and the laundry is dehydrated while being compressed.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of the conventional washing machine.
• the conventional housing has a housing
• a water tub 11 is disposed in the housing 10, and a dehydration tub 13 is disposed in the water tub 11.
• a pulsator 15 is disposed on an inner surface of the bottom of the dehydration tub 13 and rotates in two opposite directions so as to generate a vortex of washing water, thereby washing the laundry.
• a motor 17 and a power transmission 19 are disposed outside of the bottom of the dehydration tub 13. The power transmission 19 receives power from the motor 17 and selectively rotates either the dehydration tub 13 or the pulsator 15. Therefore, only the pulsator 15 rotates in two opposite directions when washing the laundry, while the dehydration tub 13 and the pulsator 15 rotate in the same manner when dehydrating the laundry.
• the laundry also rotates in two opposite directions according to the rotation of the pulsator 15 in two opposite directions, so that the laundry is apt to be twisted or entangled.
• the laundry is dehydrated by centrifugal force of the rotating dehydration tub 13, which also causes the laundry to be severely twisted or entangled on an inner surface of the dehydration tub 13.
• the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine, in which laundry is washed while a space receiving the laundry is repeatedly expanded and contracted, so as to prevent the laundry from being twisted or entangled.
• a washing machine comprising: a housing having a control section; an inner container disposed in the housing, the inner container having a first opening formed through a portion of an upper surface of the inner container and a space formed in the inner container; a washing tub disposed in the inner container, the washing tub having side portions capable of performing hinge movement and linear reciprocation, thereby contracting and expanding a space formed in the washing tub; a dehydration tub disposed in and supported by the washing tub, the dehydration tub having a second opening formed through an upper surface of the dehydration tub, which is connected with the first opening of the washing tub, the dehydration tub having an interior space in which laundry and washing water are put, the dehydration tub being made from elastic synthetic resin, so that the dehydration tub is contracted and expanded according to contraction and expansion of the washing tub when washing the laundry,
• the washing tub comprises: a base plate disposed in the inner container and spaced a predetermined distance apart from a bottom of the inner container; first and second fixed plates fixed to an upper surface of the base plate while being opposed to each other; first and second pairs of support shafts each of which is rotated in two opposite directions by the first operating means, the first pair of support shafts extending through the base plate and side portions of the first fixed plate, the second pair of support shafts extending through the base plate and side portions of the second fixed plate, the first pair of support shafts including first and second support shafts, the second pair of support shafts including third and fourth support shafts; first and second pairs of hinged plates performing hinge movement by rotation of the first and second pairs of support shafts, the first pair of hinged plates including first and second hinged plates, the second pair of hinged plates including third and fourth hinged plates, the first hinged plate having a side portion fixedly fitted around the first support shaft, the second hinged plate having a side portion fixedly fitted around the second support shaft, the third hinged plate having
• each of the first and second pair of support shafts and the first and second fixed plates has an upper end fixed to a suspension bar fixed to the inner container;
• the first, second, third, and fourth hinged plates have first, second, third, and fourth guide spaces each of which is formed inside of each of the first, second, third, and fourth hinged plates;
• the first pair of moving plates are assembled with each other by a first assembling rod fixed to the base plate and extending through adjacent side ends of the first pair of moving plates, while the second pair of moving plates are assembled with each other by a second assembling rod fixed to the base plate and extending through adjacent side ends of the second pair of moving plates;
• the first pair of moving plates have side portions opposite to the adjacent side ends of the first pair of moving plates, which are movably inserted in the first and third guide spaces, while the second pair of moving plates have side portions opposite to the adjacent side ends of the second pair of moving plates, which are movably inserted in the third and fourth guide spaces.
• the first operating means comprises: a first gear fixedly fitted around the first support shaft, the first gear being rotated by the power transmission to make the first hinged plate perform hinge movement; a second gear fixedly fitted around the fourth support shaft, the second gear being connected with the first gear in such a manner that the second gear can rotate in a direction equal to that of the first gear, so as to make the fourth hinged plate perform hinge movement; a third gear fixedly fitted around the second support shaft, the third gear being engaged with the first gear, so as to make the second hinged plate perform hinge movement; and a fourth gear fixedly fitted around the third support shaft, the fourth gear being engaged with the second gear, so as to make the third hinged plate perform hinge movement.
• the second operating means comprises: a first bevel gear disposed under the first pair of moving plates and connected with the first gear; second bevel gear disposed under the second pair of moving plates and connected with the second gear; a third bevel gear engaged with the first bevel gear in such a manner that the third bevel gear can rotate only on its own axis; a fourth bevel gear engaged with the second bevel gear in such a manner that the fourth bevel gear can rotate only on its own axis; and first and second pivoting levers, the first pivoting lever having an upper end slidably connected with the first pair of moving plates and a lower end fixed to the third bevel gear, the second pivoting lever having an upper end slidably connected with the second pair of moving plates and a lower end fixed to the fourth bevel gear, so that the first and second pivoting levers are pivoted by the third and fourth bevel gears, so as to push and pull the first and second pairs of moving plates inward and outward with regard to the washing tub, thereby helping the first and second pairs
• a first guide member having a first guide channel is provided at an outer surface of the first pair of moving plates, and a second guide member having a second guide channel is provided at an outer surface of the second pair of moving plates;
• the first and second guide members are assembled with the first and second pairs of moving plates, respectively, through an assembling rod; and the first and second pivoting levers respectively have first and second engagement protuberances which are respectively engaged with the first and second guide channels, so as to prevent the first and second pivoting levers from being separated from the first- and second guide channels.
• the dehydration tub comprises: a receiving section having an interior space in which the laundry and washing water are put, the receiving section having a bottom, a portion of which is connected with the discharge pipe, and an outer surface, which is partially attached to and partially caught and held by an inner surface of the washing tub, so that the receiving section is compressed and decompressed by the washing tub when washing the laundry, and so that the receiving section is compressed by pressurized air supplied into the washing tub by the compressor when dehydrating the laundry; and a bellows type connection section extending from an opening formed through an upper surface of the receiving section and connected with the opening of the inner container.
• the dehydration tub has wrinkles formed at the bottom of the receiving section, the wrinkles extending perpendicularly to and propagating in parallel to a direction of movement of the first and second pairs of moving plates, so that the receiving section can be easily folded along the wrinkles according to the movement of the first and second pairs of moving plates.
• the washing machine further comprising: a circulation pipe having a first end, which is connected with a portion of the discharge pipe between the dehydration tub and the first valve, and a second end, which is connected with the inner container cover, so as to circulate the washing water, which rises above the dehydration tub while the laundry is washed, to the dehydration tub; a ventilation" pipe having a first end, which is connected with a portion of the discharge pipe between the dehydration tub and the first valve, and a second end disposed outside of the housing and communicating with atmosphere; and a second valve provided at the ventilation pipe, the second valve being opened when the laundry is washed and closed when the laundry is dehydrated.
• the washing machine further comprises a suction pump for applying suction force to the interior space of the dehydration tub, thereby dehydrating the laundry in the dehydration tub.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a conventional washing machine
• FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a washing tub and first and second operating means employed in the washing machine shown in FIG. 2;
• FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 3;
• FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of moving plates employed in the washing machine shown in FIG. 2;
• FIGs . 6a and 6b are views showing operation states of a washing tub employed in the washing machine shown in FIG. 2;
• FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a washing tub and a dehydration tub employed in the washing machine shown in FIG. 2;
• FIGs. 8a and 8b are views showing the dehydration tub shown in FIG. 7, when it is compressed and decompressed by the washing tub, thereby washing the laundry;
• FIGs. 9a and 9b are views showing the dehydration tub shown in FIG. 7, when it is compressed by pressurized air, thereby dehydrating the laundry.
• FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of a washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• a washing machine 100 includes a control section (not shown) and a housing 110 an upper surface of which is open.
• a cover 111 is pivotally assembled at an upper end of the housing 110.
• An inner container 120 is disposed in the housing 110.
• the inner container 120 has a predetermined interior space and an upper surface through a portion of which an opening 121 is formed.
• a washing tub 200 is disposed in the inner container 120.
• the washing tub 200 has side portions capable of performing hinge movement and linear movement, thereby expanding and contracting an interior space of the washing tub 200 in the horizontal direction.
• a dehydration tub 130 is disposed in the washing tub 200.
• the dehydration tub 130 has a predetermined interior space and an outer surface supported by and in contact with an inner surface of the washing tub 200.
• the laundry is put in the dehydration tub 130, and washing water is introduced through a water supply pipe 113, which is disposed at the cover 111, into the dehydration tub 130.
• the dehydration tub 130 is made from such material as synthetic resin having elasticity, so that the dehydration tub 130 can be expanded and contracted in the horizontal direction by the washing tub 200 when the laundry is washed, and also can be compressed to dehydrate the laundry.
• a motor 140 and a power transmission 150 are disposed outside of the bottom of the inner container 120.
• the motor 140 generates power when electric current is applied to the motor 140, and the power transmission 150 transmits the power of the motor 140 to the washing tub 200.
• the power transmission 150 has a first belt 155 connected to the washing tub 200.
• the washing tub 200 is expanded and contracted in the horizontal direction, so that the interior space of the dehydration tub 130 is also expanded and contracted. Then, the laundry contained in the dehydration tub 130 is also compressed and decompressed, so that the laundry can be washed as if it were washed by hand. Moreover, the laundry is also washed by a vortex of washing water, which is generated by the contraction and expansion of the dehydration tub 130.
• the washing tub 200 and means for operating the washing tub 200 in the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGs. 2 to 5.
• FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a washing tub and first and second operating means according to one embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 3
• FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of moving plates according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• the washing tub 200 includes a base plate 210, first and second fixed plates 221 and 225, first and second pairs of support shafts 231 and 235, first and second pairs of hinged plates 241 and 245, and first and second pairs of moving plates 251 and 255.
• the base plate 210 is disposed in the inner container 120 and spaced a predetermined distance apart from the bottom of the inner container 120.
• the first and second fixed plates 221 and 225 are fixed to an upper surface of the base plate 210, and are spaced apart from and opposed to each other.
• First and second support shafts 231a and 231b of the first pair of support shafts 231 are disposed at both sides of the first fixed plate 221 and extend vertically through side portions of the first fixed plate 221.
• Third and fourth support shafts 235a and 235b of the second pair of support shafts 235 are disposed at both sides of the second fixed plate 225 and extend vertically through side portions of the second fixed plate 225.
• Lower ends of the first and second pairs of support shafts 231 and 235 extend through the base plate 210 and are disposed rotatable in the base plate 210, so that the first and second fixed plates 221 and 225 are assembled with the base plate 210.
• first and second fixed plates 221 and 225 and upper ends of the first and second pairs of support shafts 231 and 235 are each connected with one side end of each of the suspension bars 215, while the other side ends of the suspension bars 215 are fixed to the inner surface of the inner container 120. Therefore, the first fixed plate 221, the second fixed plate 225, the first pair of support shafts 231, and the second pair of support shafts 235 can be fixedly assembled with the base plate 210.
• the first support shaft 231a is fixedly fitted through one side portion of a first hinged plate 241a of the first pair of hinged plates 241, so that the first hinged plate 241a is pivoted about the first support shaft 231a when the first support shaft 231a rotates.
• the second support shaft 231b is fixedly fitted through one side portion of a second hinged plate 241b, so that the second hinged plate 241b is pivoted about the second support shaft 231b when the second support shaft 231b rotates.
• the second pair of hinged plates 245 are also fixedly fitted around and pivoted about the second pair of support shafts 235 by the second pair of support shafts 235.
• the first pair of support shafts 231 are inserted through side portions of the first fixed plate 221 with clearance while being fixedly fitted through side portions of the first pair of hinged plates 241. Therefore, the first fixed plate 221 and the first pair of hinged plates 241 are assembled with each other and fixed to the base plate 210 by the first pair of support shafts 231. In the same manner as the assembly between the first fixed plate 221 and the first pair of hinged plates 241, the second fixed plate 225 and the second pair of hinged plates 245 are also assembled with each other and fixed to the base plate 210 by the second pair of support shafts 235.
• the first and second pairs of hinged plates 241 and 245 have first and second guide spaces 243 and 247 formed inside of them.
• Each of the first and second pairs of hinged plates 241 and 245 has three open edges, that is, upper, lower, and one side edges which are open. Therefore, the first and second guide spaces 243 and 247 are also open through the three open edges of the first and second pairs of hinged plates 241 and 245, so that the first pair of moving plates 251 and the first belt 155 can come into and out of the first and second guide spaces 243 and 247.
• first and second moving plates 251a and 251b are inserted in the first and second guide spaces 243 and 247 of the first hinged plate 241a and a third hinged plate 245a
• side portions of third and fourth moving plates 255a and 255b are inserted in the first and second guide spaces 243 and 247 of the second hinged plate 241b and a fourth hinged plate 245b.
• first and second pairs of hinged plates 241 and 245 are pivoted while the first and second pairs of moving plates 251 and 255 move radially inward and outward with regard to the washing tub 200, the first and second pairs of moving plates 251 and 255 come into and out of the first and second guide spaces 243 and 247 of the first and second pairs of hinged plates 241 and 245 while performing hinge movement.
• first and second operating means 260 and 270 will be described.
• the first operating means 260 pivots the first and second pairs of hinged plates 241 and 245, and the second operating means 270 linearly moves the first and second pairs of moving plates 251 and 255 inward and outward of the washing tub 200, which are linearly moved also by the first and second pairs of hinged plates 241 and 245.
• the first operating means 260 receives power from the power transmission 150, while the second operating means 270 receives power from the first operating means 260.
• the first operating means 260 includes first, second, third, and fourth gears 261, 263, 265, and 267.
• the first support shaft 231a is fixed to the first gear 261.
• the first support shaft 231a is also rotated to pivot the first hinged plate 241a.
• the fourth support shaft 235b fixedly fitted through the fourth hinged plate 245b and opposed to the first support shaft 231a is fixed to the second gear 263 and connected with the first gear 261 through a second belt 269. Therefore, when the second gear 263 is rotated, the second pair of support shafts 235 is accordingly rotated to pivot the fourth hinged plate 245b.
• the second support shaft 231b is fixed to the third gear 265 engaged with the first gear 261, and the third support shaft 235a, which is fixedly fitted through the third hinged plate 245a and opposed to the second support shaft 231b, is fixed to the fourth gear 267 engaged with the second gear 263. Therefore, the second hinged plate 241b and the third hinged plate 245a are pivoted by the third gear 265 and the fourth gear 267, respectively.
• the motor 140 rotates in two opposite directions
• the first gear 261 pivots the first hinged plate 241a
• the second gear 263 pivots the fourth hinged plate 245b
• the third gear 265 pivots the second hinged plate 241b
• the fourth gear 267 pivots the third hinged plate 245a.
• the second operating means 270 includes first and second pair of bevel gears 271 and 275 and first and second pivoting levers 281 and 285.
• a first bevel gear 271a of the first pair of bevel gears 271 is disposed under the first pair of moving plates 251, while a second bevel gear 271b is disposed under the second pair of bevel gears 275.
• the first bevel gear 271a is connected through a third belt 273 with the first gear 261 or the third gear 265, while the second bevel gear 271b is connected through a fourth belt 277 with the second gear 263 or the fourth gear 267.
• a third bevel gear 275a is engaged with the first bevel gear 271a in such a manner that the third bevel gear 275a can rotate only on its own axis.
• a fourth bevel gear 275b is engaged with the second bevel gear 271b in such a manner that the fourth bevel gear 275b can rotate only on its own axis.
• first and second pivoting levers 281 and 285 are respectively fixed to rotation shafts of the third bevel gear 275a and the fourth bevel gear 275b, and upper ends of the first and second pivoting levers 281 and 285 are respectively in contact with the first and second pairs of moving plates 251 and 255. Therefore, the first and second pivoting levers 281 and 285 are pivoted by the second pair of bevel gears 275, so as to push and pull the first and second pairs of moving plates 251 and 255 inward and outward with regard to the washing tub 200, which are moved also by the first and second pairs of hinged plates 241 and 245.
• a first guide member 291 and a second guide member 295 having a first guide channel 292 and a second guide channel 296 are provided at outer surfaces of the first and second pairs of moving plates 251 and 255, so that the first and second pivoting levers 281 and 285 can make the first and second pairs of moving plates 251 and 255 perform exact linear reciprocating movement.
• first and second pivoting levers 281 and 285 protrude toward the first and second pairs of moving plates 251 and 255, are inserted in the first guide channel 292 and the second guide channel 296 of the first guide member 291 and the second guide member 295, and are in contact with the first guide member 291 and the second guide member 295.
• first and second engagement protuberances 282 and 286 formed at the upper ends of the first and second pivoting levers 281 and 285 are engaged with the first guide channel 292 and the second guide channel 296 of the first guide member 291 and the second guide member 295, thereby preventing the first and second pivoting levers 281 and 285 from being separated from the first guide channel 292 and the second guide channel 296.
• the third bevel gear 275a and the fourth bevel gear 275b rotating on their own axes pivot the first and second pivoting levers 281 and 285, thereby pushing or pulling the first guide member 291 and the second guide member 295.
• the first and second pairs of moving plates 251 and 255 perform exact linear reciprocating movement.
• an assembling rod 299 is inserted through an assembling tube 297 formed at the second guide member 295 and portions of the second pair of moving plates 255, so that the second pair of moving plates 255 and the second guide member 295 are assembled with each other.
• the first pair of moving plates 251 and the first guide member 291 are assembled with each other through the assembling rod 299.
• the washing tub 200 has a nearly circular shape in a plan view when the washing tub 200 has been expanded, while it takes an ellipsoidal shape in a plan view when it has been contracted. Therefore, the first and second fixed plates 221 and 225, the first and second pairs of hinged plates 241 and 245, and the first and second pairs of moving plates 251 and 255 have proper curvatures which enable the first and second pairs of hinged plates 241 and 245 and the first and second pairs of moving plates 251 and 255 to smoothly perform the hinge movement and linear movement .
• FIGs. 6A and 6B are views showing the operation of a washing tub in a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• the first and second pairs of hinged plates 241 and 245 pivot and the first and second pairs of moving plates 251 and 255 move in such a direction as to contract the interior space of the dehydration tub 130.
• the first and second pair of bevel gears 271 and 275 are also rotated by the third gear 265 and the fourth gear 267, thereby pivoting the first and second pivoting levers 281 and 285.
• the first and second pivoting levers 281 and 285 push the first and second pairs of moving plates 251 and 255 in a direction of contracting the interior space of the dehydration tub 130.
• the laundry is compressed while being washed by the first and second pairs of hinged plates 241 and 245 and the first and second pairs of moving plates 251 and 255.
• the laundry is washed by vortex flow of the washing water also in the course of being compressed.
• the control section rotates the motor 140 in the reverse direction, thereby rotating the first gear 261 in the reverse direction. Then, the second gear 263 is also rotated in the reverse direction, while the third gear 265 and the fourth gear 267 are rotated in the normal direction.
• the first and second pairs of hinged plates 241 and 245 and the first and second pairs of moving plates 251 and 255 are pivoted in such a direction as to expand the interior space of the dehydration tub 130.
• the first and second pivoting levers 281 and 285 pull the first and second pairs of moving plates 251 and 255 in such a direction as to expand the interior space of the dehydration tub 130.
• the laundry When the interior space of the dehydration tub 130 is expanded, the laundry is washed by the vortex flow of the washing water.
• the interior space of the dehydration tub 130 is contracted and expanded by the normal and reverse rotation of the motor 140 as described above, the laundry is also compressed and decompressed, so that the laundry is washed clean as if it were washed by hand.
• rotational angle and direction of the first and second pairs of hinged plates 241 and 245 and direction and distance of the movement of the first and second pairs of moving plates 251 and 255 should be so controlled to correspond to each other.
• the dehydration tub 130 when the laundry is washed, the dehydration tub 130 is contracted and expanded in the horizontal direction by the washing tub 200 as described above.
• FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a washing tub and a dehydration tub employed in a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention
• FIGs. 8a and 8b are views showing the compression and expansion of the dehydration tub shown in FIG. 7.
• the dehydration tub 130 has a receiving section 131 and a connection section 135.
• the receiving section 131 is made from elastic synthetic resin and has an opening formed through its upper surface
• the connection section 135 is made from bellows type.
• the receiving section 131 forms a predetermined space for containing the laundry and washing water and is partially attached to while partially being caught and held by the inner surface of the washing tub 200.
• the connection section 135 extends upward from the opening formed through the upper surface of the receiving section 131 and is connected with the opening 121 of the inner container 120.
• An inner container cover 125 is pivotally provided at the opening 121 of the inner container 120, so as to open or close the opening 121 of the inner container 120 and the connection section 135 of the dehydration tub 130, thereby opening or closing the interior space of the inner container 120 and the interior space of the dehydration tub 130.
• a compressor 160 is disposed on an outer surface of the bottom of the inner container 120, so as to supply pressurized air to the interior space of the inner container 120, thereby compressing the dehydration tub 130. As a result, the laundry contained in the receiving section 131 is compressed and dehydrated. A more detailed description about the compression and dehydration of the laundry will be given later.
• Two opposite portions of the outer surface of the receiving section 131 are attached to inner surfaces of the first and second pairs of moving plates 251 and 255 of the washing tub 200. Further, a plurality of elastic rings 133 are formed on other two opposite portions of the outer surface of the receiving section 131. The rings 133 are hooked on hooks 223 formed on the inner surfaces of the first and second fixed plates 221 and 225 of the washing tub 200.
• the elastic dehydration tub 130 attached to and held by the washing tub 200 in this way is expanded and contracted in the horizontal direction according to the movement of the washing tub 200. In order to enable the receiving section 131 of the dehydration tub 130 to easily be expanded and contracted, the bottom of the receiving section 131 has wrinkles 131a.
• the wrinkles 131a formed at the bottom of the receiving section 131 extend perpendicularly to and propagate in parallel to the direction of the movement of the first and second pairs of moving plates 251 and 255, so that the receiving section 131 can be easily folded along the wrinkles 131a according to the movement of the first and second pairs of moving plates 251 and 255.
• a portion of the bottom of the dehydration tub 130 is connected with a discharge pipe 171 for discharging the washing water therethrough.
• the discharge pipe 171 is provided with a first valve 175 which is opened according to the control of the control section only when the washing water is discharged.
• a circulation pipe 181 is connected with a portion of the discharge pipe 171 between the dehydration tub 130 and the first valve 175 while the other end of the circulation pipe 181 is connected with the inner container cover 125. Therefore, when the laundry is washed in the state where the inner container cover 125 is closed so that the interior of the dehydration tub 130 is closed, the . washing water rising above the dehydration tub 130 due to the contraction of the washing tub 200 and the dehydration tub 130 is introduced into the circulation pipe 181 and then into the dehydration tub 130 again. In this case, the washing water can smoothly circulate only when the interior space of the dehydration tub 130 communicates with the atmosphere. In order to ensure the smooth circulation of the washing water, a ventilation pipe 191 is arranged.
• One end of the ventilation pipe 191 is connected with a portion of the discharge pipe 171 between the dehydration tub 130 and the first valve 175, while the other end of the ventilation pipe 191 is disposed outside of the housing 110. It is preferred that the other end of the ventilation pipe 191 outside of the housing 110 is disposed higher than the inner container 120, so as to prevent the washing water introduced into the dehydration tub 130 through the circulation pipe 181 from being discharged through the ventilation pipe 191. Further, the ventilation pipe 191 is provided with a second valve 195 which is opened when the laundry is washed while being closed when the laundry is dehydrated according to the control of the control section.
• the motor 140 (see FIG. 2) is operated to rotate in the normal direction. Then, the first, second, third, and fourth gears 261, 263, 265, and 267 and the first and second pair of bevel gears 271 and 275 rotate in the normal direction, so that the washing tub 200 is contracted to make the dehydration tub 130 contracted from the state shown in FIG. 8a to that in FIG. 8b. In this case, the dehydration tub 130 is easily contracted due to the wrinkles 131a formed at the bottom of the receiving section 131 of the dehydration tub 130.
• the motor 140 is operated in the reverse direction.
• the washing tub 200 is expanded.
• the dehydration tub 130 is restored to its initial state by the expansion of the washing tub 200, its own elasticity, and the restoring force of the rings 133 hooked on the hooks 223.
• FIGs. 9a and 9b show the process of the contraction of the dehydration tub according to the present embodiment.
• the first valve 175 is opened while the second valve 195 is closed. Thereafter, the pressurized air of the compressor 160 is supplied to the inner container 120. Then, the dehydration tub 130 is compressed as shown in FIG. 9b, so that the laundry in the receiving section 131 of the dehydration tub 130 is dehydrated while being compressed. In this case, the washing water squeezed from the laundry is drained through the discharge pipe 171.
• FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of a washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.
• a suction pump 365 is provided at a discharge pipe 371, so as to apply suction force to the interior of a dehydration tub 330, thereby dehydrating the laundry in the dehydration tub 330.
• both a compressor 360 and the suction pump 365 may be simultaneously operated, or only one of the compressor 360 and the suction pump 365 may be operated.
• the washing tub and the dehydration tub are expanded and contracted, so that the laundry is compressed and decompressed. That is, the laundry is washed while being compressed and decompressed, so that the laundry is never twisted or entangled but is washed as if it were washed by hands, thereby providing an excellent washing effect.
• the laundry is dehydrated while being compressed by pressurized air, so that the laundry is not twisted or entangled.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
• Accessory Of Washing/Drying Machine, Commercial Washing/Drying Machine, Other Washing/Drying Machine (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=19708626

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Cited By (6)

Families Citing this family (3)

Citations (1)

• 2001
  • 2001-04-24 KR KR10-2001-0022009A patent/KR100406260B1/ko not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2002
  • 2002-04-23 WO PCT/KR2002/000744 patent/WO2002086218A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation

Patent Citations (1)

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