Washing machine and washing method thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016010258-A1
Application number	US-201414556722-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 1, 2014
Priority date	Jul 9, 2014
Publication date	Jan 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A washing machine includes an auxiliary washing unit. When an inner tank is rotated during a washing cycle or a rinsing cycle, laundry experiences direct impact from an impact projection member of a rotator assembly of the auxiliary washing unit, thereby improving washing performance by virtue of the rubbing caused by such impact.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A washing machine, comprising:
an outer tank in which water can be held; an inner tank which is installed rotatably inside the outer tank; and an auxiliary washing unit which is installed inside the inner tank, wherein the auxiliary washing unit comprises: a supporting member which is configured to rotate integrally with the inner tank, the supporting member having a water channel through which the water flows out, after flowing in; and at least one rotor assembly which is installed in the supporting member and projects toward the inside of the inner tank and is rotated by the force of action of the water that is passing through the water channel.

2 . The washing machine of claim 1 , wherein laundry in the inner tank is lifted and then dropped repeatedly by means of the rotor assembly while the inner tank is rotated.

3 . The washing machine of claim 1 , wherein the at least one rotor assembly comprises two rotor assemblies, wherein the two rotor assemblies are adjacent to each other and rotate in opposite directions relative to each other while the inner tank is rotated.

4 . The washing machine of claim 1 , wherein the rotor assembly comprises:
a hydro-driven propeller that is configured to be rotated by a driving force generated by a force of action of the water; and an impact projection member that is rotated integrally with the hydro-driven propeller and is configured to apply a force to the laundry in the inner tank.

5 . The washing machine of claim 4 , wherein the water channel has a shape that is narrower toward - the center and away from the edge of the supporting member.

6 . A washing method, comprising:
rotating an inner tank of a washing machine, wherein the rotation of the inner tank causes water to contact an auxiliary washing unit; and rotating a first rotor assembly in the auxiliary washing unit in response to a driving force that is generated while the washing water passes through the auxiliary washing unit; wherein laundry is washed by the laundry contacting with the rotating rotor assembly.

7 . The washing method of claim 6 , wherein laundry in the inner tank is lifted and then dropped repeatedly by means of the rotor assembly while the inner tank is rotated.

8 . The washing method of claim 6 , wherein the washing machine comprises a second rotor assembly, wherein the first and second rotor assemblies are adjacent to each other and rotate in opposite directions relative to each other while the inner tank is rotated.

9 . The washing method of claim 6 , wherein the rotor assembly comprises:
a hydro-driven propeller that is configured to be rotated by a driving force generated by a force of action of the washing water; and an impact projection member that is rotated integrally with the hydro-driven propeller and is configured to apply a force to the laundry in the inner tank.

10 . The washing method of claim 9 , wherein the water channel has a shape that is narrower toward the center and away from the edge of the supporting member.

11 . An auxiliary washing unit for a washing machine, wherein the auxiliary washing unit comprises:
a supporting member which is configured to rotate integrally with the washing machine's inner tank, the supporting member having a water channel through which water flows out, after flowing in; and at least one rotor assembly which is installed in the supporting member and projects toward the inside of the inner tank and is rotated by the force of action of the water that is passing through the water channel.

12 . The auxiliary washing unit of claim 11 , wherein the at least one rotor assembly comprises two rotor assemblies, wherein the two rotor assemblies are adjacent to each other and rotate in opposite directions relative to each other while the inner tank is rotated.

13 . The auxiliary washing unit of claim 11 , wherein the rotor assembly comprises:
a hydro-driven propeller that is configured to be rotated by a driving force generated by a force of action of the washing water; and an impact projection member that is rotated integrally with the hydro-driven propeller and is configured to apply a force to the laundry in the inner tank.

14 . The auxiliary washing unit of claim 13 , wherein the water channel has a shape that is narrower toward the center and away from the edge of the supporting member.

Assignees

• Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corp

Inventors

• Kim In Dong

Classifications

• D06F37/22

  in machines with a receptacle rotating or oscillating about a horizontal axis · CPC title

• D06F37/30

  Driving arrangements  (control circuits or arrangements D06F34/08) · CPC title

• D06F37/065 Primary

  ribs or lifters having means for circulating the washing liquid · CPC title

• D06F23/02

  and rotating or oscillating about a horizontal axis · CPC title

• D06F17/06

  by rotary impellers · CPC title