Patent ID: 7934278
Filing Date: 2011-05-03
Classification: D06F

Abstract:
1. A method of washing laundry for a drum-type washing machine including a tub, a drum located inside the tub, and the drum including a plurality of lifts formed on an inner surface of the drum, the method comprising: opening a water supply valve to supply water into the drum, the water being received in a washing water receiving space that includes a space between the drum and the tub; closing the water supply valve to stop supplying water into the drum; rotating the drum to soak the laundry located in the drum with the supplied water in the washing water receiving space, wherein the laundry is tumbled by being lifted and dropped by the plurality of lifts as the drum is rotated; repeating the opening of the water supply valve; the closing of the water supply valve; and the rotating of the drum until a certain amount of water is maintained at the washing water receiving space indicating that the laundry is soaked; while maintaining the water supply valve closed after the certain amount of water is maintained until the start of a water washing cycle, injecting steam into the drum to heat the laundry using a steam generator located between an outer cabinet and the drum, wherein the water supplied to the steam generator is independent from the water in the washing water receiving space; and after injecting the steam, starting the washing cycle to wash the laundry with the laundry being lifted and dropped by the plurality of lifts as the drum is rotated.