Washing machine and washing method therefor

Abstract

A washing machine and washing method therefor are provided. In the washing method, in which a drum of a drum type washing machine is rotated in a first direction, the method includes applying a first directional torque to the drum so that laundry in the drum is rotated and lifted; braking the drum so that the laundry is dropped; and then again applying the first directional torque to the drum so that the dropped laundry is rotated and lifted again.

1 . A washing method, performed during one revolution of a drum of a washing machine in a first direction, the method comprising:
 applying a first directional torque to the drum so that laundry in the drum is rotated and lifted;   braking the drum so that the laundry is dropped; and   again applying the first directional torque to the drum so that the dropped laundry is rotated and lifted again.   
   
   
       2 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the braking the drum, a maximum height of the laundry exceeds half a height of the drum when the laundry is dropped. 
   
   
       3 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the braking the drum, the drum is braked before the laundry is dropped after a maximum height of the laundry exceeds half a height of the drum. 
   
   
       4 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the braking the drum, the laundry is dropped when a rotational speed of the drum is reduced. 
   
   
       5 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the braking the drum, at least a portion of the laundry is dropped, passing through a central longitudinal axis of the drum. 
   
   
       6 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the braking the drum, a second directional torque, which is a reverse of the first directional torque, is applied to the drum. 
   
   
       7 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the braking the drum, an electromotive force generated in a closed circuit formed in a motor of a driving device that rotates the drum is consumed by a resistor to brake the drum. 
   
   
       8 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein the washing method is performed in a wash cycle of the washing machine. 
   
   
       9 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein the washing machine is a front loading washing machine. 
   
   
       10 . A washing method, performed during one revolution of a drum of a washing machine in a first direction, the method comprising:
 applying a first directional torque to the drum;   braking the drum to reduce a rotational speed of the drum; and   again applying the first directional torque to the drum.   
   
   
       11 . The washing method of  claim 10 , wherein, in the braking the drum, a second directional torque, which is a reverse of the first directional torque, is applied to the drum. 
   
   
       12 . The washing method of  claim 10 , wherein, in the braking the drum, an electromotive force generated in a closed circuit formed in a motor of a driving device that rotates the drum is consumed by a resistor to brake the drum. 
   
   
       13 . The washing method of  claim 10 , wherein the washing method is performed in a wash cycle of the washing machine. 
   
   
       14 . The washing method of  claim 10 , wherein the washing machine is a front loading washing machine. 
   
   
       15 . A washing method, performed during one revolution of a drum of a washing machine in a first direction, comprising:
 rotating the drum in the first direction so that laundry in the drum is lifted to a maximum height greater than half a height of the drum;   reducing a rotational speed of the drum via a controller of the washing machine so that the laundry is dropped; and   again rotating the drum in the first direction so that the dropped laundry is lifted again to the maximum height greater than half the height of the drum.   
   
   
       16 . The washing method of  claim 15 , wherein, in the reducing the rotational speed of the drum, at least a portion of the laundry is dropped, passing through a central longitudinal axis of the drum. 
   
   
       17 . The washing method of  claim 15 , wherein, in the reducing the rotational speed of the drum, a reverse torque is applied to the drum to reduce the rotational speed of the drum. 
   
   
       18 . The washing method of  claim 15 , wherein, in the reducing the rotational speed of the drum, an electromotive force generated in a closed circuit formed in a motor of a driving device that rotates the drum is consumed by a resistor to reduce the rotational speed of the drum. 
   
   
       19 . The washing method of  claim 15 , wherein the washing method is performed in a wash cycle of the washing machine. 
   
   
       20 . The washing method of  claim 15 , wherein the washing machine is a front loading washing machine. 
   
   
       21 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a drum configured to accommodate laundry to be washed;   a driving device that rotates the drum by applying torque thereto; and   a controller that controls the driving device to provide a first motion to the drum by applying a first directional torque to the drum to rotate the drum in a first direction so that laundry in the drum is rotated and lifted, braking the drum so that the laundry is dropped, and again applying the first directional torque to the drum so that the dropped laundry is rotated and lifted again, and a second motion in which the driving device rotates the drum in the first direction by continuously applying the first directional torque to the drum.   
   
   
       22 . The washing machine of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second motions are performed at least once during a washing or rinsing cycle. 
   
   
       23 . The washing machine of  claim 21 , wherein the washing machine is a front loading washing machine. 
   
   
       24 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a drum that accommodates laundry to be washed;   a controller that controls the driving device to provide a first motion to the drum by applying a first directional torque to the drum to rotate the drum in a first direction so that laundry in the drum is rotated and lifted, braking the drum so that the laundry is dropped, and again applying the first directional torque to the drum so that the dropped laundry is rotated and lifted again, and a second motion in which the driving device reciprocatingly rotates the drum in the first direction and a second direction, which is a reverse of the first direction, so that the laundry in the drum is lifted and then dropped.   
   
   
       25 . The washing machine of  claim 24 , wherein a maximum height of the laundry exceeds half a height of the drum while the laundry is dropped in the second motion. 
   
   
       26 . The washing machine of  claim 24 , wherein a maximum height of the laundry does not exceed half a height of the drum while the laundry is dropped in the second motion. 
   
   
       27 . The washing machine of  claim 24 , wherein the first and second motions are performed at least once during a washing or rinsing cycle. 
   
   
       28 . The washing machine of  claim 24 , wherein the washing machine is a front loading washing machine.