Patent ID: 7263862

Claim:
A washing machine, comprising: an outer tub configured to store washing water; an inner tub rotatably mounted in the outer tub and having a plurality of holes; a pulsator configured to form a water circulation for washing laundry; and a motor installed under the outer tub and configured to rotate the inner tub and the pulsator, wherein the motor is configured to vary a rotation speed of the inner tub and the pulsator, such that the laundry is washed by a combination of modes as follows: a centrifugal force washing mode, wherein the motor rotates the inner tub and the pulsator in the same direction for a first predetermined period of time, thereby creating a centrifugal force that is varied according to a variation of the rotation speed, which pushes the laundry against a wall of the inner tub and forces the washing water in the inner tub to penetrate through the laundry, to pass through the holes to the outer tub, and to flow upwardly through a space provided between the inner tub and the outer tub so as to recirculate into the inner tub; and an agitation washing mode, wherein the motor rotates the inner tub and the pulsator in the same direction at an identical speed, and then rotates the inner tub and the pulsator in a first direction for a second predetermined period of time and then in a second, reverse direction for the second predetermined period of time.