Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Description
WASHING MACHINE
Technical Field
[1] The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly,
to a cir-
culatory washing machine, in which water stored in the bottom of a tub is
circulated
and supplied to a drum.
Background Art
[2] Generally, washing machines are pulsator washing machines, in which a drum
is
vertically erected, and drum washing machines, in which a drum is laid
horizontally.
[3] A conventional drum washing machine includes a case forming the external
ap-
pearance of the washing machine, a door installed at an opening formed through
the
front surface of the case, a tub installed in the case for containing washing
water, and a
drum rotatably installed in the tub.
[4] The drum contains laundry to be washed, and receives the washing water
contained
in the tub by through-holes formed through the circumferential surface of the
drum.
The drum is rotated by a driving unit, and thus the laundry in the drum is
washed.
[5] The tub contains the washing water, and causes the laundry contained in
the drum to
be washed and rinsed. A drain hole for discharging the washing water to the
outside is
formed at the lower portion of the tub.
[6] In the drum washing machine, laundry is put into the drum through the door
formed
through the front surface of the case. Then, washing water is supplied to the
tub, and
the laundry in the drum, and is elevated and dropped by the rotation of the
drum and
thus washed.
[7] Further, when the washing of the laundry is finished, a dehydrating
operation is
performed, in which the drum is rotated at a high velocity and the washing
water
contained in the laundry is discharged to the outside of the drum by the
centrifugal
force. The washing water discharged to the outside of the drum is discharged
to the
outside of the washing machine through the drain hole formed at the lower end
of the
tub.
[8] The above drum washing machine is advantageous in that it washes laundry
with a
small amount of washing water compared with a pulsator washing machine.
Disclosure of Invention
Technical Problem
[9] However, in order to smoothly perform the washing and rinsing of the
laundry using
the drum washing machine, the washing water supplied to the tub must be
supplied up
to at least the height of the laundry contained in the drum. In a situation
where the
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washing water cannot be supplied up the height of the laundry contained in the
drum,
the washing water stored in the bottom of the tub cannot be substantially
used.
[10] Particularly, if the washing water is absorbed into dry laundry in the
initial stage of
the operation and thus the level of the washing water is lower than an
expected level,
the washing and rinsing of the laundry cannot be properly performed.
Technical Solution
[11] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a washing machine.
[12] One object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine, in
which water
stored in a tub is uniformly supplied to laundry in a drum, thus smoothly
washing and
rinsing the laundry with a small amount of washing water.
[13] To achieve this object and other advantages and in accordance with the
purpose of
the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a washing machine
includes
a tub for containing washing water; a drum rotatably installed in the tub; a
circulation
unit for circulating the washing water stored in the tub to the upper portion
of the
drum; and a spray nozzle for spraying the washing water, circulated by the
circulation
unit, to the rear portion of the inside of the drum.
[14] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and
the following
detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory
and are
intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
Advantageous Effects
[15] The washing machine of the present invention reduces the amount of the
washing
water required to wash and rinse laundry to save water, and supplies the
washing water
uniformly to the laundry contained in the drum through the spray nozzle to
enhance the
laundry washing and rinsing effects.
[16] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations
can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or
scope of the
inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the
modifications and
variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the
appended
claims and their equivalents.
Brief Description of Drawings
[17] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further
understanding
of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
application, il-
lustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description
serve to
explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
[18] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the inside of a washing machine
in ac-
cordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
[19] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal-sectional view of the washing machine of FIG. 1;
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[20] FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the spray of washing water by a
spray nozzle
of FIG. 1;
[21] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the spray nozzle of FIG. 1;
[22] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the spray nozzle of FIG. 1;
[23] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a spray nozzle of a washing machine in
accordance
with a second embodiment of the present invention;
[24] FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating the spray of washing water by the
spray nozzle
of FIG. 6;
[25] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the inside of a washing machine
in ac-
cordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and
[26] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a spray nozzle of a washing machine in
accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention.
Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention
[27] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the
present
invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Wherever
possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to
the same or like parts.
[28] Hereinafter, a washing machine in accordance with a first embodiment of
the present
invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[29] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the inside of the washing
machine in ac-
cordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a
lon-
gitudinal-sectional view of the washing machine of FIG. 1.
[30] The washing machine of this embodiment includes an outer case 10 forming
the
external appearance of the washing machine, a tub 20 installed in the outer
case 10 for
containing washing water, and a drum 30 rotatably installed in the tub 20.
[31] The outer case 10 protects various components installed therein, and
forms the
external appearance of the washing machine.
[32] The tub 20 is supported in the outer case 10 by a spring 21 and dampers
22, and
contains washing water supplied from the outside through a water supply device
50.
[33] The drum 30 for containing laundry is rotatably installed in the tub 20,
and a driving
unit 40 is installed on the rear end of the tub 20 and drives the drum 30.
Here, a
plurality of dehydration holes 31, through which the washing water flows into
and out
of the drum 30, are formed through the circumferential surface of the drum 30.
[34] When the tub 20 contains more than a designated amount of the washing
water, the
washing water is supplied to the drum 30 through the dehydration holes 31, and
in de-
hydration, the washing water contained in the laundry is discharged to the
outside of
the drum through the dehydration holes 31.
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[35] A plurality of lifters 32 are protruded from the inner circumferential
surface of the
drum 30 in the lengthwise direction of the drum 30. When the drum 30 is
rotated by
the driving unit 40, the lifters 32 lift up the laundry contained in the drum
30 in the
rotating direction of the drum 30. Thus, the laundry is elevated and dropped
by the
rotation of the drum 30, thereby being washed.
[36] A door 60, which can be opened and closed, is formed at the front surface
of the
drum 30 such that laundry can be put into and taken out of the drum 30 through
the
door 60.
[37] A gasket 70, which covers a gap between the front surface of the tub 20
and the rear
surface of the door 60, such that the tub 20 containing the washing water
forms a
sealed space when the door 60 is closed, is formed in the circumferential
direction.
Preferably, the gasket 70 is made of an elastic member so as to absorb the
vibration of
the tub 20, and has a curved shape.
[38] Further, preferably, the washing machine of this embodiment further
includes a cir-
culation unit 80 for circulating the washing water stored in the tub 20 to the
upper
portion of the drum 30.
[39] The laundry put into the drum 30 is washed using the washing water
contained in the
tub 20. Thus, in a situation where the washing water contained in the tub 20
cannot
reach the height of the drum 30, it is not easy to use the washing water.
Accordingly,
the washing machine of this embodiment includes the circulation unit 80 so as
to
supply the washing water stored in the tub 20 to the drum 30, and thus in a
situation
where the amount of the washing water contained in the tub 20 is small, the
washing or
rinsing of the laundry can be performed using the washing water.
[40] Specifically, the circulation unit 80 includes a circulation channel 81,
which supplies
the washing water stored in the tub 20 to the drum 30. In this embodiment, one
end of
the circulation channel 81 is installed at the lower end of the tub 20, and is
extended
upwardly along the outline of the tub 20.
[41] Since the water stored in the lower portion of the tub 20 is pulled up
along the cir-
culation channel 81, the circulation unit 80 further includes a circulation
pump 82,
which pumps up the washing water along the circulation channel 81.
[42] In one embodiment, the other end of the circulation channel 81 for
discharging the
washing water is located at the front region of the upper portion of the drum
30.
Specifically, the other end of the circulation channel 81 passes through the
upper
portion of the gasket 70 or the tub 20, and discharges the washing water to
the front
region of the drum 30. Further, a spray nozzle 100 for supplying the washing
water is
provided at the other end of the circulation channel 81, from which the
washing water
is discharged.
[43] Preferably, the spray nozzle 100 is located at a position separated from
the front
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surface of the drum 30 by a designated interval so as to prevent the drum 30
from
colliding with the spray nozzle 100 due to the vibration of the drum 30
generated
during rotation.
[44] In the present invention, since the washing water stored in the tub 20 is
supplied to
the drum 30 along the circulation channel 81 by the circulation unit 80, the
laundry in
the drum 30 can be washed or rinsed with a small amount of the washing water.
Further, even in a situation where the tub 20 contains a sufficient amount of
the
washing water, washing water is additionally supplied to the drum 30 from the
upper
part, and rapidly soaks laundry in the drum 30 when the laundry is put into
the drum
30.
[45] The washing machine of this embodiment is operated in a penetration type
washing
method, in which the drum 30 is rotated at a high velocity by the driving unit
40 so as
to wash or rinse the laundry in the drum 30.
[46] Here, the penetration type washing method is where the laundry in the
drum 30 is
washed or rinsed by the rotation of the drum 30 at a high velocity such that
the laundry
is closely attached to the inner surface of the drum 30, differing from a
general drum
rotating velocity. At this time, the washing water contained in the laundry
penetrates
the laundry by the centrifugal force and is discharged to the outside of the
drum 30,
and thus the laundry is washed or rinsed.
[47] Compared with a general washing method, in the penetration washing
method, the
drum 30 is rotated at a high velocity. Thus, so as to prevent the rotating
drum 30 from
being affected by the resisting power due to the washing water contained in
the tub 20,
the supplied washing water may maintain a level lower than the lower surface
of the
drum 30.
[48] The washing water is circulated upwardly by the circulation unit 80, and
is con-
tinuously supplied to the inside of the drum 30. After the supplied washing
water
penetrates the laundry due to the high-velocity rotation of the drum 30, the
washing
water is discharged to the outside of the drum 30, and is stored in the bottom
of the tub
20 along the inner wall of the tub 20.
[49] Preferably, the spray nozzle 100 spraying the washing water circulated by
the cir-
culation unit 80 to the inside of the drum 30 is disposed so that the spray
nozzle 100
sprays the washing water to the rear portion of the inside of the drum 30.
Hereinafter,
the spray nozzle 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGs. 3 to
5.
[50] FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the spray of washing water by the
spray nozzle
100, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the spray nozzle 100, and FIG. 5 is a
plan view of
the spray nozzle 100.
[51] Preferably, the drum 30 has a cylindrical shape provided with an opened
front
surface, and the spray nozzle 100 is installed at a position close to the
front portion of
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the drum 30. In a situation where the washing water is supplied to only the
front
portion of the drum 30 by the spray nozzle 100, the washing water may not be
supplied
to the laundry located at the rear portion of the inside of the drum 30.
[52] Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, the spray nozzle 100 of this embodiment is
preferably
configured such that it can spray the washing water to the rear portion of the
drum 30
as well as the front portion of the drum 30. That is, the spray nozzle 100 is
configured
such that it can spray the washing water in various directions, so as to
supply the
washing water uniformly to the laundry contained in the drum 30.
[53] Particularly, in a situation where the drum 30 is not rotated, the
laundry in the drum
30 is concentrated on the lower end of the drum 30, which forms the lowermost
position in the drum 30. Thus, the spray nozzle 100 preferably sprays the
washing
water uniformly to the drum 30 in the lengthwise direction of the lower end of
the
drum 30 so as to concentratively supply the washing water to the laundry even
if the
drum 30 is not rotated.
[54] As shown in FIG. 5, the spray nozzle 100 includes a plurality of spray
holes 110
turning toward the inside of the drum 30. Preferably, the respective spray
holes 110
spray the washing water onto different falling positions in the lengthwise
direction of
the drum 30.
[55] That is, the respective spray holes 110 spray the washing water onto
different
positions of the lower region of the drum 30, separated at a designated
interval from
the front portion to the rear portion of the drum 30, thus uniformly
dispersing the
washing water in the lengthwise direction of the drum 30.
[56] Thus, as the laundry, which is closely attached to the inner
circumferential surface of
the drum 30 during washing or rinsing, is rotated together with the rotation
of the drum
30, the washing water is supplied uniformly to the laundry. Further, even in a
situation
where the drum 30 is not rotated and thus the laundry is concentrated on the
lower
portion of the drum 30, it is possible to supply the washing water to the
laundry.
[57] The spray nozzle 100 may include a plurality of spray units, which are
installed at
different positions so as to branch off the washing water supplied by the
circulation
unit 80 into various directions (with reference to FIG. 8). However, a
procedure of as-
sembling the plurality of the spray units (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) installed
at different
positions may be complicated.
[58] Thus, the spray nozzle 100 in this embodiment preferably includes a
plurality of the
spray holes 110 formed through a single case, as shown in FIG. 5.
[59] Further, in the present invention, the respective spray holes 110
preferably have
different shapes or different channels. The spray nozzle 100 is located at the
front
portion of the drum 30 provided with an opening. In order to spray the washing
water
onto different positions from the front portion of the drum 30 to the rear
portion of the
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drum 30, the spray holes 110 preferably have different washing water spray
directions
or spray velocities.
[60] Here, the respective spray holes 110 have different cross-sectional areas
such that
hydraulic pressures of the washing water sprayed through the spray holes 110
can be
different. In a situation where washing water is passed through channels
having the
same condition, the smaller the cross-sectional area of the spray hole is, the
washing
water is sprayed at a high hydraulic pressure, and the larger the cross-
sectional area of
the spray hole is, the washing water is sprayed at a low hydraulic pressure.
[61] The washing water sprayed at a low hydraulic pressure is sprayed in a
shape similar
to that in natural falling, and the washing water sprayed at a high hydraulic
pressure
tends to proceed in the spraying direction rather than the shape of natural
falling.
[62] Thus, it is preferable that the washing water sprayed at a low hydraulic
pressure is
supplied to the front portion of the drum 30 adjacent to the position of the
spray nozzle
100, and the washing water sprayed at a high hydraulic pressure is supplied to
the rear
portion of the drum 30.
[63] On the other hand, velocity components of the washing water sprayed
through the re-
spective spray holes 100 may be different. Even if the washing water is
sprayed
through the same spray hole 100, the washing water may fall onto different
positions
according to the velocity component of the washing water.
[64] Here, the spray nozzle 100 includes a plurality of channels 120, through
which the
washing water supplied from the circulation unit 80 passes, and the plurality
of the
channels 120 correspond to the plurality of the spray holes 110. The channels
120 have
different shapes, and thus the washing water passed through the respective
channels
120 are sprayed with different velocity components.
[65] For example, the washing water passed through the channel 120, which is
formed in
the vertical direction, falls just onto the front portion of the drum 30, and
the washing
water passed through the channel 120, which is extended in the inward
direction of the
drum 30, has a velocity component in the inward direction of the drum 30 and
thus can
be sprayed onto the rear portion of the drum 30.
[66] Thus, the spray nozzle 100 is preferably configured such that the spray
hole 110
connected to the longer length channel 120 extended in the inward direction of
the
drum 30 sprays the washing water to the more rear portion of the inside of the
drum
30.
[67] As shown in FIG. 5, the spray nozzle 100 in this embodiment employs the
above-
described principle.
[68] The spray nozzle 100 includes a plurality of the spray holes 110 having
different
cross-sectional areas, and the spray holes 110 are connected to the channels
120 having
different shapes.
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[69] The closer the spray hole 110 is disposed in the direction (a), the
narrower the cross-
sectional area of the spray hole 110. Conversely, the closer the spray hole
110 is
disposed in the direction (b), the wider the cross-sectional area of the spray
hole 110.
Thus, the spray holes 110 disposed in the direction (a) spray the washing
water at a
high hydraulic pressure, and the spray holes 110 disposed in the direction (b)
spray the
washing water at a low hydraulic pressure.
[70] Further, the channels 120 connected to the spray holes 110 disposed in
the direction
(a) are extended to a long length in the inward direction of the drum 30, and
the
channels 120 connected to the spray holes 110 disposed in the direction (b)
are
extended to a short length in the inward direction of the drum 30.
Particularly, as
shown in FIG. 5, the portion of the spray nozzle 110, on which the spray holes
120 are
formed, has a stepwise shape so as to differentiate the lengths of the
channels 120
extended in the inward direction of the drum 30.
[71] In this case, the spray holes 110 disposed in the direction (a) spray the
washing water
having a high velocity component in the inward direction of the drum 30 at a
high
hydraulic pressure, and thus the washing water is supplied to the rear portion
of the
drum 30. On the other hand, the closer the spray holes 110 are disposed in the
direction
(b), the spray holes 110 spray the washing water having a lower velocity
component in
the inward direction of the drum 30 at a lower hydraulic pressure, and the
washing
water cannot reach the rear portion of the drum 30 and falls around the front
portion of
the drum 30.
[72] Thus, the spray nozzle 100 in this embodiment can spray washing water
uniformly to
the inside of the drum 30 from the front portion to the rear portion of the
drum 30 in
the lengthwise direction of the lower end of the drum 30.
[73] The spray nozzle 100 is installed at the front region of the upper
portion of the drum
30. In a situation where one spray nozzle is installed, it is preferable that
the spray
nozzle is installed at the front region of the upper end of the drum 30.
[74] However, in a situation where more than two spray nozzles are installed
or an ad-
ditional steam spray nozzle for supplying steam to the inside of the drum 30
is
provided, the spray nozzles are installed at positions being close to
designated sides
such that they can be installed at symmetrical positions centered on the upper
end of
the drum 30.
[75] FIG. 4 illustrates the spray nozzle 100, which is located at a position
close to one
side. In a situation where a steam spray nozzle or another spray nozzle (not
shown) is
installed, this nozzle is preferably installed at a position close to the
other side so as to
be symmetrical with the spray nozzle 100 of FIG. 4.
[76] Even in a situation where the spray nozzle is located at a position close
to one side,
as described above, it is preferable that the channels 120 connected to the
respective
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spray holes 110 are formed in directions corresponding to positions at which
the
washing water from the spray holes 110 falls. That is, the spray nozzle 100 in
this em-
bodiment supplies the washing water in the lengthwise direction of the lower
end of
the drum 30. Thus, it is preferable that the channels 120 are formed towards
the center
of the drum 30.
[77] Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the surface of the spray nozzle 100, on which
the spray
holes 110 are formed, is inclined at a designated angle with the opened front
surface of
the drum 30. Particularly, it is preferable that the larger the distances of
the spray holes
110 from the center of the drum 30 are, the closer the spray holes 110 are
installed in
the inward direction of the drum 30.
[78] In this embodiment, it was verified by experiment that when the spray
nozzle 100 is
located at a position deviated from the center of the drum 30 at an angle of
35-45 , and
the surface of the spray nozzle 100, on which the spray holes 110 are formed,
is
inclined at a designated angle of 5-10 with the opened front surface of the
drum 30,
the washing water is sprayed in the lengthwise direction of the lower end of
the drum
30.
[79] The angles can be varied according to the position of the spray nozzle
100, and can
be varied in a designated range according to the hydraulic pressure of the
sprayed
washing water or the angles of the channels 120.
[80] The first embodiment describes the washing machine which supplies washing
water
to the inside of the drum 30 in various directions using the spray nozzle 100
having a
plurality of the spray holes 110.
[81] Hereinafter, a washing machine in accordance with a second embodiment of
the
present invention will be described with reference to FIGs. 6 and 7. Some
parts in this
embodiment, which are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment,
are
denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted in
different
drawings, and a detailed description thereof will thus be omitted because it
is
considered to be unnecessary.
[82] Although the first embodiment describes the washing machine, which
supplies
washing water to different positions using the spray nozzle 100 having a
plurality of
the spray holes 110, the second embodiment describes a washing machine
including a
spray nozzle 100 having one spray hole 110.
[83] As shown in FIG. 6, the spray nozzle 100 sprays washing water through one
spray
hole 110. Preferably, the spray nozzle 100 has a channel 120, the width of
which is
gradually increased in the flowing direction of the washing water passing
therethrough,
such that the washing water passing through the spray nozzle 100 is dispersed
in the
width direction and is sprayed.
[84] This structure employs a phenomenon, in which when the end of a hose
connected to
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a water supply is pressed flatly, water passing through the end is widely
dispersed at a
high hydraulic pressure. Thus, even though the washing water is supplied
through one
spray hole 110, the washing water can be supplied to the inside of the drum 30
in
various directions.
[85] As shown in FIG. 6, the channel 120 formed in the spray nozzle 100
preferably has a
shape in which the height of the cross-section of the channel 120 is gradually
decreased in the flowing direction of the washing water. In this case, it is
preferable
that although the width of the channel 120 is increased in the flowing
direction of the
washing water, the cross-sectional area of the channel 120 is gradually
decreased.
Thus, the spray hole 110 spraying the washing water has a slim and long shape
so as to
form the smallest cross-sectional area of the channel 120.
[86] Here, the cross-sectional area of the channel 120 of the spray nozzle 100
is decreased
in the flowing direction of the washing water, and thus the hydraulic pressure
of the
washing water sprayed from the spray nozzle 100 is increased. Thus, the
washing
water is easily dispersed in the width direction, and is supplied to the
inside of the
drum at a high hydraulic pressure.
[87] Further, guide ribs 130 for inducing the dispersion of the washing water
in the width
direction are provided in the channel 120, through which the washing water
passes.
The guide ribs 130 are disposed in the width direction, and are inclined in
the flowing
direction of the washing water, thus inducing the uniform dispersion of the
washing
water in the width direction.
[88] FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating the spray of washing water by the
spray nozzle
100 in accordance with this embodiment.
[89] In the case that the spray nozzle 100 in this embodiment is installed
such that the
spray hole 110 is parallel with the front surface of the drum 30, although the
drum 30
is rotated, washing water may not be supplied to a designated position in the
drum 30.
Thus, it is preferable that the spray hole 110 of the spray nozzle 100 is
inclined at a
designated angle with the front surface of the drum 30.
[90] Further, as described in detail in the first embodiment, it is preferable
that the spray
nozzle 100 in this embodiment uniformly sprays washing water in the lengthwise
direction of the lower end of the drum 30. Thus, it is preferable that the
spray nozzle
100 is obliquely installed toward the drum 30 such that the washing water
sprayed
from one end of the spray hole 110 is supplied to the front portion of the
lower end of
the drum 30 and the washing water sprayed from the other end of the spray hole
110 is
supplied to the rear portion of the lower end of the drum 30.
[91] Thus, this embodiment provides a washing machine which supplies washing
water
continuously from the front portion to the rear portion of the lower end of
the drum 30.
[92] Hereinafter, a washing machine in accordance with a third embodiment of
the present
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invention will be described with reference to FIG. 9. Some parts in this
embodiment,
which are substantially the same as those in the first and second embodiments,
are
denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted in
different
drawings, and a detailed description thereof will thus be omitted because it
is
considered to be unnecessary.
[93] The first and second embodiments respectively describe the washing
machines in
which the spray directions of washing water are adjusted by the shape and
position of
the spray nozzle 100. On the other hand, the third embodiment describes a
washing
machine, in which the direction of washing water sprayed from a spray nozzle
100 is
adjusted by a driving part 150, such as a motor. That is, in this embodiment,
washing
water is not sprayed in various directions concurrently, but the spray
direction of the
washing water continuously varies using the driving part 50.
[94] As shown in FIG. 9, the spray nozzle 100 includes a body part 140, which
sprays
washing water, and the driving part 150, which adjusts the spray position of
the
washing water.
[95] Washing water circulated by the circulation unit 80 is supplied to the
body part 140,
and the body part 140 includes spray holes 110 which spray the washing water
to the
drum 30. Preferably, the body part 140 is configured such that it can be fixed
to the
driving part 150 and vary the spray direction of the washing water by the
control of the
driving part 150.
[96] The driving part 150 is fixed to the inside of the tub 20 in front of the
drum 30, and is
provided with a driving device (not shown), such as a motor, therein. Thus,
the driving
device is driven by the supply of power, thus rotating the body part 140 or
changing
the direction of the body part 140. The motor may be an electric motor powered
by
electricity, or a fluid motor powered by the flow of the washing water from
the cir-
culation unit 80.
[97] As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, both sides of the body part 140
are re-
spectively fixed to the driving part 150. The body part 140 is rotated at a
designated
angle on a shaft formed at both side surfaces, and sprays washing water in
various di-
rections.
[98] In this case, the falling position of the washing water sprayed by the
body part 140
continuously varies, and preferably reciprocates from the front end to the
rear end of
the lower portion of the drum 30.
[99] Although this embodiment describes the spray nozzle 100 having a shape
shown in
FIG. 9, the present invention is not limited thereto. Besides, the present
invention may
be applied to various machines including a laundry treating machine, in which
a spray
nozzle adjusts the spray direction of washing water using a driving device.
[100] As described above, although the three embodiments of the present
invention have
CA 02720703 2010-10-06
12
WO 2009/125917 PCT/KR2009/000187
been disclosed for illustrative purposes, the present invention is not limited
to the
above-described shapes and positions. Further, various modifications,
additions and
substitutions are possible as far as washing water can be supplied to the
inside of the
drum in various directions by adjusting the hydraulic pressure of the spray
nozzle
spraying the washing water and the direction(s) of the channel(s), or using a
driving
device, such as a motor.
CA 02720703 2010-10-06
