Drum-type washing machine

Abstract

The water circulation system of a drum-type washing machine uses one motor to drive both the circulation and drain pumps. The drum-type washing machine includes a motor having a shaft, the motor enabling forward and reverse rotation of the shaft; a circulation pump, installed on the shaft of the motor, for circulating water by a rotational operation of the motor, the circulating pump moving a first fluid from a water circulation inlet to a water circulation outlet by a centrifugal force; and a drain pump, installed on the shaft of the motor, for draining water by a rotational operation of the motor, the drain pump moving a second fluid from a drain inlet to a drain outlet by a frictional force.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A drum-type washing machine comprising: 
 a motor having a shaft, said motor enabling forward and reverse rotation of the shaft;    a circulation pump, installed on the shaft of said motor, for circulating water by a rotational operation of said motor, said circulating pump moving a first fluid from a water circulation inlet to a water circulation outlet by a centrifugal force; and    a drain pump, installed on the shaft of said motor, for draining water by a rotational operation of said motor, said drain pump moving a second fluid from a drain inlet to a drain outlet by a frictional force.    
     
     
         2 . The drum-type washing machine as claimed in  claim 1 , said circulation pump comprising a centrifugal impeller for moving the fluid of said circulation pump.  
     
     
         3 . The drum-type washing machine as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the water circulation inlet is centrally disposed with respect to said circulation pump.  
     
     
         4 . The drum-type washing machine as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the water circulation outlet is circumferentially disposed with respect to said circulation pump.  
     
     
         5 . The drum-type washing machine as claimed in  claim 1 , said drain pump comprising a frictional impeller for moving the fluid of said drain pump.  
     
     
         6 . The drum-type washing machine as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the drain inlet is circumferentially disposed with respect to said drain pump at a first point.  
     
     
         7 . The drum-type washing machine as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the drain outlet is circumferentially disposed with respect to said drain pump at a second point.  
     
     
         8 . The drum-type washing machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said drain pump is installed adjacent said motor.  
     
     
         9 . The drum-type washing machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said circulation pump sucks in and discharges water when said motor rotates in a forward direction.  
     
     
         10 . The drum-type washing machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said drain pump sucks in and discharges water when said motor rotates in a reverse direction.