Patent Publication Number: US-2011056029-A1

Title: Rinsing method of washing machine

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a rinsing method of a washing machine. More specifically, the present invention relates to a rinsing method of a washing machine capable of supplying fabric softener while getting fabric fully wet by spraying water by a spray nozzle. 
     2. Description of the Conventional Art 
     In general, a washing machine is a device for washing or drying fabric. A washing machine washes fabric by receiving fabric in a washing tub and putting in detergent with water. After washing, detergent remaining in the fabric is removed by supplying water not containing detergent to the fabric. To this purpose, various methods for supplying water to a washing tub exist. 
     When water is supplied to a washing tub, fabric softener is input with water. Fabric softener is combined with water in a detergent box and thus supplied to a washing tub. Fabric softener contains such material that removes unpleasant smell of fabric or prevents fabric damage. Therefore, when fabric softener is supplied, it is important to supply of fabric softener in a uniform rate. 
     Also, it is required to reduce the amount of water consumed during fabric rinsing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a rinsing method of a washing machine capable of supplying fabric softener effectively while getting fabric fully wet using a small amount of water. 
     A rinsing method of a washing machine according to the present invention, comprises water spraying that water not containing detergent is sprayed to a washing tub through a spray nozzle; and fabric softener supplying that water containing fabric softener is supplied to the washing tub through a detergent box; wherein the water spraying and the fabric softener supplying are sequentially started and are repeated for a predetermined number of times. 
     In the present invention, if a predetermined time is passed since the water spraying has started, and the fabric softener supplying is started while the water spraying is performed. 
     In the present invention, water not containing detergent is supplied to the washing tub by the spray nozzle while the fabric softener is supplied. 
     In the present invention, the washing tub rotates while the water spraying and the fabric softener supplying are performed. 
     In the present invention, further comprises spin drying of fabric by rotating the washing tub. 
     In the present invention, the water spraying, the spin drying, and the fabric softener supplying are repeated sequentially for a predetermined number of times. 
     A rinsing method of a washing machine according to the another aspect of the present invention, comprises a first water spraying that water not containing detergent is sprayed to a washing tub through a spray nozzle; spin drying of fabric by rotating the washing tub after the first water spraying; a second water spraying that water not containing detergent is sprayed to the washing tub through the spray nozzle; and fabric softener supplying that water containing fabric softener is supplied to the washing tub through a detergent box after the second water spraying is started. 
     In the present invention, water not containing detergent is supplied to the washing tub through the spray nozzle while the fabric softener is supplied. 
     In the present invention, the washing tub rotates while the first water spraying, the second water spraying, and the fabric softener supplying are performed. 
     A rinsing method of a washing machine according to the present invention, since water is sprayed through a spray nozzle, provides an advantageous effect of getting fabric fully wet while reducing water used for rinsing. 
     Also, since fabric softener is supplied when fabric is wet by spraying water through a spray nozzle, fabric softener can be spread out evenly without being massed into lumps, thereby improving rinsing effect. 
     In addition, if fabric softener is supplied together with water sprayed through a spray nozzle, fabric softener is spread out being mixed with sprayed water, achieving the effect of spraying fabric softener. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a washing machine according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross sectional view of  FIG. 1  as seen along II-II line; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of a control flow of a washing machine according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a block diagram of a water flow of a washing machine according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a flow diagram of a rinsing method of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a flow diagram of a spin drying method of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a flow diagram of a rinsing method of a washing machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a flow diagram of a rinsing method of a washing machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a flow diagram of a spin drying method of a washing machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a washing machine according to the present invention and  FIG. 2  illustrates a cross sectional view of  FIG. 1  as seen along II-II line. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a washing machine  100  comprises a cabinet (not shown), an outer tub  130  disposed inside the cabinet and storing water, and a washing tub  140  disposed inside the outer tub  130  and performing washing of fabric. 
     At one side of an outer tub  130 , connected is a suspension  120  absorbing vibration of the outer tub  130  and the washing tub  140 . In the lower part of the washing tub  140 , disposed is a pulsator  141  which makes fabric and water inside a washing tub flow according to rotation. 
     In the lower part of the washing tub  140 , disposed is a driving apparatus  150  which drives the pulsator  141  and the washing tub  140 . At one side of the driving apparatus  150 , disposed is a clutch (not shown) which drives the washing tub  140  and the pulsator  141  selectively. 
     Meanwhile, in one side of the cabinet, disposed is a washing water supply apparatus  160  which provides water from the outside to the washing tub  140  and the outer tub  130 . In one side of the cabinet, disposed is a draining apparatus  154  which drains water of the washing tub  140  and the outer tub  130  to the outside. 
     The cabinet comprises a cabinet main body  111 ; a top cover  112  disposed and connected at the top of the cabinet main body  111 ; and a control panel  114  which have an input unit  114 A receiving input signals form the user. 
     A lead assembly  113  is connected to the top cover  112  and the top cover  112  opens and closes a fabric entrance hole. 
     At one side of the top cover  112 , connected is a detergent box  118  which stores detergent and fabric softener. Also, at the other side of the top cover  112 , disposed is a spray nozzle which sprays water to the washing tub  140 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of a control flow of a washing machine according to the present invention and  FIG. 4  illustrates a block diagram of a water flow of a washing machine according to the present invention. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the washing water supply apparatus  160  comprises a first fluid path  163  (see  FIG. 4 ) guiding water not containing detergent to the spray nozzle  119  from the outside and a second fluid path  164  (see  FIG. 4 ) guiding water to the detergent box  118  from the outside. 
     The first fluid path  163  and the second fluid path  164  are disposed separately. In other words, the first fluid path  163  and the second fluid path  164  supply water from the outside to the spray nozzle  119  and the detergent box  118 , respectively. 
     In the first fluid path  163 , disposed is a first valve  161  controlling water supply through the first fluid path  163 . In the second fluid path  164 , disposed is a second valve  162  controlling water supply through the second fluid path  164 . 
     Also, a washing machine according to the present invention further comprises a controller  190  which controls opening and closing of the first valve  161  and the second valve  162 . 
     The controller  190  is not only capable of opening the first valve  161  and the second valve  162  sequentially but also capable of controlling the opening at the same time. 
     The controller  190 , at the time of opening the first valve  161 , can control the washing tub to rotate. 
     Also, the controller  190  controls the driving apparatus  150  and the draining apparatus  154  according to signals input to the input unit  114 A. 
     Operation of a washing machine as constituted above according to the present invention is described. 
     When the washing machine starts to operate, water supplied from the outside is combined with detergent and thus supplied to the washing tub  140 . 
     At this time, the controller  190  opens the second valve  162  to supply water through the second fluid path  164 . Water supplied from the outside to the second fluid path  164  flows to the detergent box  118  and is combined with detergent inside the detergent box  118 . 
     If water flows into the detergent box  118  more than a predetermined water level, water combined with detergent can be supplied to the washing tub  140  due to siphon phenomenon. 
     When water supply is completed to a predetermined water level inside the washing tub  140 , the controller  190  operates the driving apparatus  150  to rotate the washing tub  140  and performs a washing course of removing foreign substances of fabric. 
     When the washing course is completed, the controller  190  operates the driving apparatus  150  to rotate the washing tub  140  and performs a spin drying course by which fabric is spin dried. 
     When the first spin drying course is completed, the controller  190 , while controlling opening and closing of the first valve  161  and the second valve  162 , performs a rinsing course by which fabric is rinsed. The rinsing course is described in detail later. 
     After a spin drying course is performed after the rinsing course, the operation of the washing machine is terminated. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a flow diagram of a rinsing method of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , a rinsing method of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described. 
     When the rinsing course is started S 110 , water should be supplied from the outside to the washing tub  140  and the outer tub  130 . 
     The controller  190  opens the first valve  161  and performs a water spraying process where water not containing detergent is sprayed to the washing tub  140  through the spray nozzle  119 , S 120 . 
     When water is sprayed through the spray nozzle  119 , fabric within the washing tub  140  is soaked. Since spraying of water to the side wall and bottom surface of the washing tub  140  is possible when water is sprayed through the spray nozzle  119 , spraying of water to the fabric adhered to the side wall of the washing tub  140  is also possible. 
     At the time of supplying water through the spray nozzle  119 , since fabric is uniformly and sufficiently soaked, rinsing effect can be improved even with a small amount of water. 
     At the water spraying S 120 , the controller  190  controls the driving apparatus  150  and rotates the washing tub  140 . Since the washing tub  140  is rotated, water can be uniformly sprayed inside the washing tub  140 . 
     When fabric is sufficiently soaked inside the washing tub  140 , the controller  190  opens the second valve  162  and performs a fabric softener supplying process where water containing fabric softener is supplied through the detergent box  118  to the washing tub S 130 . 
     The fabric softener supplying S 130  is started after the water spraying process S 120  is performed for predetermined time duration. 
     In the fabric softener supplying S 130 , the controller  190  opens the second valve  162  and makes water supplied from the outside flow to the detergent box  118 . Since fabric softener is already stored inside the detergent box  118 , water flowed into the detergent box  118  is combined with fabric softener stored and thus, can be supplied to the washing tub  140 . 
     In the fabric softener supplying S 130 , the controller  190  controls the driving apparatus  150  and rotates the washing tub  140 . 
     Meanwhile, the fabric softener supplying S 130  can be started after the water spraying S 120  is terminated; at the same time, the fabric softener supplying S 130  can be started while the water spraying S 120  is underway. 
     At this time, it is assumed that if a predetermined time is passed from when the water spraying S 120  has started, the fabric softener supplying S 130  is also performed with the water spraying S 120 . In other words, if fabric is getting fully wet through the water spraying S 120 , the fabric softener supplying S 130  is started. Therefore, since the fabric softener is supplied while the fabric has become wet in some degree as the water spraying S 120  is performed, the fabric softener can be spread out evenly over the fabric without being massed into lumps. 
     Also, even if the fabric softener supplying S 130  is started, the water spraying S 120  is performed without stopping. 
     When the second fluid path  164  is opened and the fabric softener is supplied, the first fluid path  163  is still kept opened and water not containing detergent can be continuously supplied through the spray nozzle  119 . 
     The first fluid path  163  and the second fluid path  164  are both opened and water can be supplied through both the spray nozzle  119  and the detergent box  118 . At the time of supplying fabric softener, since water supply is performed through the spray nozzle  119 , fabric softener can be spread uniformly. 
     In a washing machine according to the present embodiment, the first fluid path  163  and the second fluid path  164  are disposed separately; therefore, when water not containing detergent is supplied through the spray nozzle  119  during rinsing course, supply of fabric softener is made possible. 
     Also, since water is supplied through the spray nozzle  119 , amount of water consumed during rinsing course can be reduced. 
     Meanwhile, not limited to the embodiment, opening the first valve  161  after opening the second valve  162  first is also possible. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a flow diagram of a spin drying method of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , in a rinsing method of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the controller  190  controls the number of performance of the rinsing course. 
     The controller  190 , when the spin drying course is completed, sets the number of performance n of the rinsing course to  0 , S 220 . 
     And the controller  190  performs a water spraying S 230  where water not containing detergent is sprayed through the spray nozzle  119  and a fabric softener supplying S 240  where water containing fabric softener is supplied through the detergent box  118  by opening the second valve  162 . 
     Details of the water spraying S 230  and the fabric softener supplying S 240  are the same as in the first embodiment, detailed description associated therewith is not provided. 
     When a rinsing course including the water spraying S 230  and the fabric softener supplying S 240  is completed, the controller  190  determines whether a performance count (n) of the rinsing course and a predetermined number N are the same S 250  or not. 
     The controller  190 , if the performance count (n) of the rinsing course is found to be less than a predetermined number N, adds 1 to the performance count (n) of the rinsing course S 251 . 
     And the controller  190  again performs the water spraying S 230  and the fabric softener supplying S 240 . 
     The controller  190  repeats the rinsing course until the performance count (n) of the rinsing course including the water spraying S 230  and the fabric softener supplying S 240  reaches a predetermined number N. 
     If a performance count (n) of the rinsing course reaches a predetermined number N, the rinsing course is terminated and a spin drying course is started. 
     As described above, as the rinsing course is performed multiple times, removal of detergent remaining in the fabric can be done more effectively. Also, since water is sprayed through the spray nozzle  119 , amount of water consumed for rinsing can be reduced even if the rinsing course is repeated multiple times. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a flow diagram of a rinsing method of a washing machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , in a rinsing method of a washing machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention, the controller  190  opens the first valve  161  when the rinsing course is started. When the first valve  161  is opened, a first water spraying where water not containing detergent is sprayed through the spray nozzle  119  is performed S 320 . 
     After a predetermined time is passed, the controller  190  opens the first valve  161  and performs a spin drying where fabric is spin dried by rotating the washing tub  140 , S 330 . 
     After the spin drying is completed, the controller  190  again opens the first valve  161  and performs a second water spraying where water not containing detergent is sprayed through the spray nozzle  119 , S 340 . 
     After a predetermined time is passed, the controller  190  opens the second valve  162  and supplies water containing fabric softener to the washing tub  140  through the second fluid path  164 , S 350 . 
     The controller  190  controls the washing tub  140  to rotate continuously. 
     When the second valve  162  is opened, the first valve  161  can also be kept to be opened. 
     As described above, although description was given to the case where spraying through the spray nozzle  119  is performed two times, performing more than two times is still possible. 
     In the present embodiment, water not containing detergent is sprayed through the spray nozzle  119  and fabric is spin dried after sufficiently rinsed; and then fabric softener is supplied. Therefore, rinsing effect is improved and supply of fabric softener at the time of rinsing can also be made possible. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a flow diagram of a rinsing method of a washing machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , in a spin drying method of a washing machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the controller  190  controls a performance count of the rinsing course. 
     The controller  190 , when the spin drying course is completed, sets the performance count (n) of the rinsing course to zero S 420 . 
     And the controller  190 , by opening the first valve  161 , performs a first water spraying where water not containing detergent is sprayed through the spray nozzle  119 , S 430 . 
     When a predetermined time is passed, the controller  190  closes the first valve  161  and performs a spin drying where fabric is spin dried by rotating the washing tub  140 , S 440 . 
     When the spin drying is completed, the controller  190  again opens the first valve  161  and performs a second spray water supplying where water not containing detergent is sprayed through the spay nozzle  119 , S 450 . 
     When a predetermined time is passed, the controller  190  opens the second valve  162  and performs a fabric softener supplying where water containing fabric softener is supplied through the detergent box  118 , S 460 . 
     If a spin drying including all of the first water spraying S 430 , the spin drying S 440 , the second water spraying S 450 , and the fabric softener supplying S 460  is completed, the controller  190  determines whether the performance count (n) of the spin drying and a predetermined number N are the same S 470 . 
     The controller  190 , if the performance count (n) of the spin drying is found to be less than a predetermined number N, adds 1 to the performance count (n) of the spin drying S 471 . 
     And the controller  190  again performs the first water spraying S 430 , the spin drying S 440 , the second water spraying S 450 , and the fabric softener supplying S 460 . 
     The controller  190  repeats the spin drying course until the performance count (n) of the rinsing including all of the first water spraying S 430 , the spin drying S 440 , the second water spraying S 450 , and the fabric softener supplying S 460  reaches a predetermined number N. 
     When the performance count (n) of the rinsing course reaches a predetermined number N, the rinsing course is terminated and a spin drying course is started. 
     As described above, as the rinsing course is performed multiple times, removal of detergent remaining in the fabric can be done more effectively. Also, since water is sprayed through the spray nozzle  119 , amount of water consumed for rinsing can be reduced even if the rinsing course is repeated multiple times. 
     Also, by repeating spraying of water through the spray nozzle  119  multiple times and performing spin drying between water spraying processes, rinsing effect can be improved. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a flow diagram of a spin drying method of a washing machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
     With reference to  FIG. 9 , a rinsing method of a washing machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is as follows. 
     When the rinsing course is started, the controller  190  can open the first valve  161  and the second valve  162  at the same time S 610 , S 620 . If the first valve  161  and the second valve  162  are opened at the same time, water not containing detergent is sprayed and at the same time, supply of fabric softener is made possible. 
     Therefore, total time for the rinsing course can be reduced and fabric softener can be spread out uniformly. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other specific embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit or modifying fundamental characteristics of the invention. Thus, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are provided as examples in all aspects and do not limit modifications and variations of the invention. The scope of the invention is specified by the appended claims rather than the detailed description given above. It should be interpreted that the spirit and the scope of the claims and all the modifications or variations derived from their equivalents belong to the scope of the invention.