Washing machine and washing method therefor

Abstract

A washing machine and washing method therefor are provided. The washing method may include applying a first directional torque to a drum so that laundry in the drum is rotated in a first direction and lifted to a maximum height greater than half a height of the drum, braking the drum so that the laundry is dropped, applying a second directional torque to the drum so that the dropped laundry is rotated in a second direction and lifted to a maximum height greater than half a height of the drum, and braking the drum so that the laundry is dropped.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing method for a washing machine, comprising:
 applying a first directional torque to rotate a drum greater than 120° so that laundry in the drum is rotated in a first direction and lifted;   first braking the drum so that the laundry is dropped;   applying a second directional torque, which is a reverse of the first directional torque, to rotate the drum greater than 120° so that the dropped laundry is rotated in a second direction and lifted;   second braking the drum so that the laundry is dropped; and   repeating consecutively the applying the first direction torque, the first braking, the applying the second directional torque, and the second braking.   
     
     
         2 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein the first braking of the drum is accomplished by the application of the second directional torque. 
     
     
         3 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein the applying the first directional torque to rotate the drum greater than 120° comprises applying the first directional torque to rotate the drum greater than 120° so that the laundry in the drum is rotated in the first direction and lifted to a maximum height greater than half a height of the drum, and the applying the second directional torque to rotate the drum greater than 120° comprises applying the second directional torque to rotate the drum greater than 120° so that the dropped laundry is rotated in the second direction and lifted to a maximum height greater than half the height of the drum. 
     
     
         4 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein the applying the first directional torque to rotate the drum greater than 120° comprises applying the first directional torque to rotate the drum greater than approximately 150° so that the laundry in the drum is rotated in the first direction and lifted, and applying the second directional torque to rotate the drum greater than 120° comprises applying the second directional torque to rotate the drum greater than approximately 150° so that the dropped laundry is rotated in the second direction and lifted. 
     
     
         5 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein the applying the first directional torque to rotate the drum greater than 120° comprises applying the first directional torque to rotate the drum approximately 180° so that laundry in the drum is rotated in the first direction and lifted, and applying the second directional torque to rotate the drum greater than 120° comprises applying the second directional torque to rotate the drum greater than approximately 180° so that the dropped laundry is rotated in the second direction and lifted. 
     
     
         6 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein, in at least one of the first and second braking, at least a portion of the laundry is dropped, passing through a central longitudinal axis of the drum. 
     
     
         7 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the first braking, the second directional torque is applied to the drum and, in the second braking, the first directional torque is applied to the drum. 
     
     
         8 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the first and second braking, 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. 
     
     
         9 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein the washing method is performed in a wash cycle or a rinse cycle of the washing machine. 
     
     
         10 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein the washing machine comprises a front loading washing machine. 
     
     
         11 . A washing method for a washing machine, comprising:
 rotating a drum in a first direction so that laundry in the drum is lifted;   first reducing a rotational speed of the drum so that the laundry is dropped;   rotating the drum greater in a second direction, which is a reverse of the first direction, so that the dropped laundry is lifted;   second reducing the rotational speed of the drum so that the laundry is dropped; and   repeating consecutively the rotating the drum in the first direction, the first reducing, the rotating the drum in the second direction, and the second braking.   
     
     
         12 . A washing method for a washing machine, comprising:
 applying a first directional torque to rotate a drum in a first direction so that laundry in the drum is lifted to a height greater than half a height of the drum;   first braking the drum so that the laundry is dropped;   applying a second directional torque, which is a reverse of the first directional torque, to rotate the drum in a second direction so that the laundry in the drum is lifted to a height greater than half a height of the drum;   second braking the drum so that the laundry is dropped; and   repeating consecutively the applying the first direction torque, the first braking, the applying the second directional torque, and the second braking.