A washing machine includes: a tub configured to accommodate wash water therein; a rotary tub rotatably mounted in the tub; a pulsator rotatably arranged below the rotary tub, configured to form a water current; a motor configured to provide driving power to the pulsator; and a floater configured to ascend or descend in response to a water level of the wash water in such a manner that the pulsator and the rotary tub interact with each other or the interaction therebetween is released. The pulsator includes a reinforcement rib protruding from a bottom surface of the pulsator to reinforce stiffness. The floater is connected to the reinforcement rib in a manner that the floater ascends or descends along the reinforcement rib. The washing machine can alternatively transmit the driving power of the motor only to the pulsator or to the pulsator and the rotary tub.

A washing machine includes: a tub configured to accommodate wash water therein; a rotary tub rotatably mounted in the tub; a pulsator rotatably arranged below the rotary tub, configured to form a water current; a motor configured to provide driving power to the pulsator; and a floater configured to ascend or descend in response to a water level of the wash water in such a manner that the pulsator and the rotary tub interact with each other or the interaction therebetween is released. The pulsator includes a reinforcement rib protruding from a bottom surface of the pulsator to reinforce stiffness. The floater is connected to the reinforcement rib in a manner that the floater ascends or descends along the reinforcement rib. The washing machine can alternatively transmit the driving power of the motor only to the pulsator or to the pulsator and the rotary tub.

A washing machine may include a static wash tub, a rotatable vertical axis wash basket in the static wash tub, and a drive motor for rotating the wash basket. A closure may direct wash liquid from the wash basket to a catch basin. A flange may be attached to the closure so that an unattached edge ends within the catch basin. The unattached edge may end below the surface of a first volume of wash liquid to minimize migration of wash liquid and/or vapor from the washing machine. The unattached edge may end above the surface of a second volume of wash liquid less than the first volume to minimize agitation of wash liquid in the catch basin.

A washing machine may include a static wash tub, a rotatable vertical axis wash basket in the static wash tub, and a drive motor for rotating the wash basket. A closure may direct wash liquid from the wash basket to a catch basin. A flange may be attached to the closure so that an unattached edge ends within the catch basin. The unattached edge may end below the surface of a first volume of wash liquid to minimize migration of wash liquid and/or vapor from the washing machine. The unattached edge may end above the surface of a second volume of wash liquid less than the first volume to minimize agitation of wash liquid in the catch basin.

A washing machine comprises a flocculation container for performing flocculation treatment on washing water. At least one cleaning hairy ball is arranged in the container, a stirring mechanism is arranged in the container, and the stirring mechanism stirs water in the container, so that the cleaning hairy ball moves along with water flow at least in a process of cleaning the container so as to remove flocculates attached to the container. A control method for the washing machine comprises: feeding water to the flocculation container, and starting the stirring mechanism, and allowing the cleaning hairy ball move along with the water flow so as to clean the flocculates attached to the inner of the container. By means of the above device and method, the purpose of removing the flocculates retained in the flocculation container is realized. Besides, the washing machine is simple in structure and has significant effect.

The present invention provides a washing machine capable of suppressing vibration and noise and capable of reducing a gap between a circumferential wall of an outer tub and a housing so as to reduce a useless space. The washing machine includes a box-shaped housing having an internal space opened upward; and a washing tub unit suspended and supported through a hanger bar in the internal space. The washing tub unit includes an outer tub presented in a bottomed quasi-cylindrical shape; an inner tub presented in a bottomed quasi-cylindrical shape, coaxially configured inside the outer tub and rotatably supported by the outer tub; and a driving mechanism arranged at a lower end of the outer tub and configured to drive the inner tub to rotate.

The present invention provides a washing machine capable of suppressing vibration and noise and capable of reducing a gap between a circumferential wall of an outer tub and a housing so as to reduce a useless space. The washing machine includes a box-shaped housing having an internal space opened upward; and a washing tub unit suspended and supported through a hanger bar in the internal space. The washing tub unit includes an outer tub presented in a bottomed quasi-cylindrical shape; an inner tub presented in a bottomed quasi-cylindrical shape, coaxially configured inside the outer tub and rotatably supported by the outer tub; and a driving mechanism arranged at a lower end of the outer tub and configured to drive the inner tub to rotate.

A washing machine including a dissolving unit and a bubble generating unit. The dissolving unit includes a hollow outer body that has an open end, and a hollow inner body that has an open end. The inner body is disposed in the outer body. The gap between the inner and the outer body forms a dissolving flow path. A dissolving cap is coupled to one side of the outer body to retain air in the outer body and the inner body. A dissolving inlet port is formed to receive water supplied from the outside to the inner body. A control unit controls the water supply unit and the drain valve so as to stop an inflow of the water/air mixture to be supplied into the bubble generating unit.

A washing machine including a dissolving unit and a bubble generating unit. The dissolving unit includes a hollow outer body that has an open end, and a hollow inner body that has an open end. The inner body is disposed in the outer body. The gap between the inner and the outer body forms a dissolving flow path. A dissolving cap is coupled to one side of the outer body to retain air in the outer body and the inner body. A dissolving inlet port is formed to receive water supplied from the outside to the inner body. A control unit controls the water supply unit and the drain valve so as to stop an inflow of the water/air mixture to be supplied into the bubble generating unit.

A washing machine including a dissolving unit and a bubble generating unit. The dissolving unit includes a hollow outer body that has an open end, and a hollow inner body that has an open end. The inner body is disposed in the outer body. The gap between the inner and the outer body forms a dissolving flow path. The dissolving unit includes flow paths allowing water to mix with air efficiently as water flows through. The bubble generating unit includes a pressure reduction region to reduce pressures of bubbles. Bubbles can be supplied with washing water either to the upper side or the lower side of the tub.