Drum type washing machine

Abstract

Disclosed is a drum type washing machine, including a housing; an internal housing in the housing; a withdrawable drum in the internal housing, having an opening on an outer peripheral surface thereof; a door coupled to one end of the drum; and a guide between the door and/or drum and the internal housing, configured to slide the drum.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drum type washing machine, comprising:
 a housing;   an internal housing in the housing;   a withdrawable drum in the internal housing and having an opening on an outer peripheral surface thereof;   a door or handle coupled to one end of the drum; and   a guide between the drum and the internal housing, configured to slide the drum.   
     
     
         2 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the guide is configured to slide the drum out of and into the internal housing and/or housing. 
     
     
         3 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the guide includes:
 a guide slot or groove in the internal housing guiding movement of the drum; and   a slide rail coupled to the door and/or the drum, configured to move along the guide slot or groove.   
     
     
         4 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 1 , comprising the door. 
     
     
         5 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 4 , wherein the door further includes the handle at one side of the door. 
     
     
         6 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 5 , wherein the handle is on or in an upper half of an external surface of the door. 
     
     
         7 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cover configured to open and/or close the opening.   
     
     
         8 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 7 , wherein the cover comprises a sliding connection configured to sealably slide into place over the opening to the drum. 
     
     
         9 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 7 , wherein the cover comprises a plurality of hooks or tabs configured to mate with corresponding connection openings in the drum adjacent to the opening and thus seal the opening. 
     
     
         10 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a rotary driving member in the housing configured to rotate the drum; and   a control unit configured to control the rotary driving member,   wherein the control unit controls the rotary driving member so that the opening faces upward when the rotary driving member stops or is not rotating the drum.   
     
     
         11 . The drum type washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lock between the door and the housing configured to couple the door to the housing.   
     
     
         12 . A method of operating a drum type washing machine, comprising:
 sliding a drum out of an internal housing in the drum type washing machine;   placing laundry in the drum;   sliding the drum back into the internal housing; and   washing the laundry.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein sliding the drum out of the internal housing comprises pulling a handle or opening a door on or over the drum. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising, after sliding the drum out of the internal housing and before placing the laundry in the drum, opening a cover on an outer peripheral surface of the drum to expose an interior of the drum. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising, after placing the laundry in the drum, closing the cover on the outer peripheral surface of the drum to seal the drum. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising, when washing the laundry is completed:
 sliding the drum out of the internal housing;   removing the laundry from the drum; and   sliding the drum back into the internal housing.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising, after sliding the drum out of the internal housing and before removing the laundry from the drum, opening the cover on the outer peripheral surface of the drum.