A washing machine and washing method thereof

Abstract

A washing machine and washing method thereof, comprising an inner tub, an outer tub and solid particles as washing medium. The inner tub, whose inner wall is arranged with lifting ribs protruding inward, rotates under the driving power of a driving device. Inside the washing machine, there is an air circulation channel, wherein, a fan is arranged. Both ends of the air circulation channel communicate to the inner tub. A discharge hole for recycling the particles and a feeding hole for putting in the particles are arranged at the front end of the inner tub. When the washing process comes to an end, both the clothes and particles can be dewatered and dehydrated simultaneously, so the washing procedures get simplified. Besides, blowing air towards the inner tub to separate and recycle the particles is conducive to 100% recycling of the particles.

1 . A washing machine comprising: an inner tub, an outer tub and particles for washing medium, the inner tub being driven to rotate by a driving device, wherein:
 a lifting rib protruding inward is arranged on an inner wall of the inner tub,   an air circulation channel is arranged inside the washing machine,   a fan is arranged on the air circulation channel,   both ends of the air circulation channel communicate with the inner tub, and   a discharge hole for recycling the particles and a feeding hole for putting in the particles are arranged on a front of the inner tub.   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein,
 an air outlet of the air circulation channel is arranged on a rear wall of the outer tub,   an air inlet of the air circulation channel is arranged on a front wall of the outer tub, and   a plurality of openings for allowing a washing water only to flow through are set on a front wall and bottom wall of the inner tub.   
     
     
         3 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein,
 the air outlet of the air circulation channel is arranged on the rear wall of the outer tub,   the air inlet is arranged on a door of the washing machine,   an air channel for leading an air in the inner tub to the air circulation channel is set on the door of the washing machine, and   a plurality of openings for the washing water only flowing through are set on the bottom wall of the inner tub.   
     
     
         4 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein,
 a storage tank for storing the particles is set on an outer wall of the outer tub, and   the storage tank connects with the outer tub through a port or valve arranged on a wall of the outer tub.   
     
     
         5 . The washing machine according to  claim 4 , wherein, at least one scraper protruding outward is arranged on the outer wall of the inner tub. 
     
     
         6 . The washing machine according to  claim 4 , wherein,
 the storage tank connects with the feeding hold of the inner tub via a feeding channel,   the feeding hold of the inner tub is arranged above or on the door of the washing machine correspondingly, and   a channel is set on the door for connecting the feeding hole with the feeding channel.   
     
     
         7 . The washing machine, according to  claim 6 , wherein, the discharge hole of the inner tub is arranged beneath the door of the washing machine, and is connected with the outer tub. 
     
     
         8 . The washing machine, according to  claim 7 , wherein, a discharge valve is set at the discharge hole. 
     
     
         9 . The washing machine, according to  claim 1 , wherein, the lifting ribs are arranged obliquely or spirally on the inner wall of the inner tub. 
     
     
         10 . The washing machine, according to  claim 9 , wherein,
 a length of a projection of the lifting ribs in the axial direction of the inner tub is identical with that of the side wall of the inner tub, or   the lifting ribs are arranged spirally from the bottom to the top of the inner tub.   
     
     
         11 . The washing machine, according to  claim 1 , wherein, the number of the lifting ribs is 1-10, and the lifting ribs are evenly arranged along the wall of the inner tub. 
     
     
         12 . The washing machine, according to  claim 1 , wherein,
 an isolation tub with a net structure is arranged along the inner wall of the inner tub for separating clothes from particles, and   the isolation tub is fixedly connected with the inner tub.   
     
     
         13 . The washing machine, according to  claim 12 , wherein, a plurality of lifting blocks protruding inward is arranged on a wall of the isolation tub. 
     
     
         14 . A washing method, comprising the following steps:
 Step I: putting the particles into the inner tub of the washing machine, mixing the particles with clothes and a washing water, and turning them over together to wash the clothes;   Step II: after washing, draining the washing water and separating the clothes from the particles and the washing water; and   Step III: blowing air towards the inner tub with a fan and through the air circulation channel to separate the particles from clothes, and then the particles entering in the outer tub through the discharge hole on the front of the inner tub.   
     
     
         15 . The washing method according to  claim 14 , wherein,
 after entering the outer tub, the particles are thrown in the storage tank through the ports on the wall of the outer tub under the centrifugal force induced by the high-speed rotation of the inner tub, and   the recycling of the particles is completed.   
     
     
         16 . The washing method according to  claim 14 , wherein,
 in the Step I, the inner tub is driven to rotate clockwise and counter-clockwise in turns, and   the particles are overturned in the inner tub by the lifting ribs spirally or obliquely arranged on the inner wall of the inner tub.   
     
     
         17 . The washing method according to  claim 16 , wherein,
 in the Step III, the inner tub is driven to rotate continuously, and   the particles are driven to move towards the discharge hole of the inner tub by the lifting ribs.