Drum type washing machine

Abstract

A drum type washing machine includes a tub configured to contain water, a rotatable drum in the tub configured to receive laundry, a water supply pipe configured to supply washing water to the tub, a water supply stand-by box connected to the water supply pipe, and a heating device in the water supply stand-by box configured to increase the temperature of the water in the water supply stand-by box.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drum type washing machine, comprising:
 a tub configured to contain water;   a rotatable drum in the tub configured to receive laundry;   a water supply pipe configured to supply water to the tub;   a water supply stand-by box connected to the water supply pipe; and   a heating device in the water supply stand-by box configured to increase a temperature of water in the water supply stand-by box.   
     
     
         2 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a control valve on or in the water supply pipe between the water supply stand-by box and the tub;   a temperature sensor in the water supply stand-by box; and   a control unit configured to control an operation of the heating device and the control valve according to a plurality of factors   
     
     
         3 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of factors comprise information from the temperature sensor and a present washing step. 
     
     
         4 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 3 , wherein the present washing step comprises a washing operation or cycle, a spin-dry operation or cycle, and/or a rinsing operation or cycle. 
     
     
         5 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 4 , wherein the control unit separates the washing operation or cycle, the spin-dry operation or cycle, and the rinsing operation or cycle into a plurality of steps to control the heating device and the control valve. 
     
     
         6 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the control unit opens the control valve when the temperature of the water in the water supply stand-by box is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature or value. 
     
     
         7 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 6 , wherein the predetermined temperature or value one of a plurality of different values, depending on the washing step and/or washing situation. 
     
     
         8 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 2 , further comprising a detergent storage unit connected to the water supply pipe between the control valve and the tub, wherein the water from the water supply stand-by box is supplied to the detergent storage unit. 
     
     
         9 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of lifters in the drum. 
     
     
         10 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a driving motor at a rear side of the tub, configured to rotate the drum. 
     
     
         11 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a damper configured to suppress vibrations and support the tub. 
     
     
         12 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the water supply stand-by box has a predetermined volume. 
     
     
         13 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the heating device comprises a heater. 
     
     
         14 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein the heating device comprises a resistive heater. 
     
     
         15 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein the heating device comprises a gas heater. 
     
     
         16 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the control valve is configured to control a flow rate of the water from the water supply stand-by box to the tub. 
     
     
         17 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the temperature sensor measures the temperature of the water in the water supply stand-by box. 
     
     
         18 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 17 , wherein when the temperature sensor determines that the washing water in the water supply stand-by box is lower than a predetermined temperature or value, the control unit actuates the heating device to increase the temperature of the water in the water supply stand-by box. 
     
     
         19 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 18 , wherein when the temperature sensor determines that the temperature of the water in the water supply stand-by box equals the predetermined temperature or value, the control unit opens the control valve to supply the water to the tub. 
     
     
         20 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the control unit is further configured to control the driving motor.