Patent ID: 8551256
Filing Date: 2013-10-08
Classification: D06F

Abstract:
1. A method for use in a washing machine having a water tub and a rotary drum rotatably mounted therein to receive laundry, the method comprising: detecting an amount of load depending upon a weight of laundry; supplying detergent-free water containing no detergent into the water tub after laundry is loaded in the rotary drum; wetting the laundry in the drum, wetting the laundry including operating the rotary drum at a predetermined RPM depending upon the amount of load; supplying detergent water containing detergent into the water tub to a bubble generation water level at which the bubbles are generated while the detergent water is not in contact with the laundry in the rotary drum after the laundry is wetted; supplying air using an air supply unit mounted below the water tub to the detergent water such that bubbles are generated as the supplied air mixes with the detergent water in the water tub below a water surface and, the bubbles generated in the water tub are introduced into the rotary drum through through-holes formed throughout the rotary drum, whereby the bubbles permeate the already wetted laundry in a plurality of directions; detecting a water level of the detergent water changed depending upon the bubble generation; resupplying the detergent-free water in the water tub if the water level of the detected detergent water reaches a heater safety water level; and rotating the rotary drum to perform washing of the laundry using bubbles filled therein without submerging the laundry contained in the rotary drum.