U.S. patent application number 11/033177 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-29 for washing machine.
Invention is credited to Lyu, Jae Cheol.
Application Number | 20050284193 11/033177 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35504080 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050284193 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lyu, Jae Cheol |
December 29, 2005 |
Washing machine
Abstract
Provided is a washing machine having a wash aid box designed to
prevent a liquid stored in the wash aid box from overflowing. The
washing machine includes: a cabinet receiving a washing tub; and a
wash aid box storing wash aid to be fed to the washing tub, wherein
the wash aid box includes: a storage portion storing liquid to be
fed to the wash aid box; and an overflow preventing portion
preventing the liquid fed to the wash aid box from overflowing
along an inner wall surface of the wash aid box.
Inventors: |
Lyu, Jae Cheol;
(Changwon-si, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE LLP
1900 K STREET, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
35504080 |
Appl. No.: |
11/033177 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/17R ; 68/23R;
68/3R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
068/017.00R ;
068/003.00R; 068/023.00R |
International
Class: |
D06F 029/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 24, 2004 |
JP |
P 2004-0047428 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet receiving a washing tub;
and a wash aid box storing wash aid to be fed to the washing tub,
wherein the wash aid box comprises: a storage portion storing
liquid to be fed to the wash aid box; and an overflow preventing
portion preventing the liquid fed to the wash aid box from
overflowing along an inner wall surface of the wash aid box.
2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the wash aid box further
comprises an overflow wall which is disposed at a predetermined
portion of a bottom of the storage portion and has a predetermined
height, and along which the liquid as being excessively fed
overflows such that a height level of the liquid stored in the
storage portion is kept below a predetermined height level.
3. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the overflow preventing
portion is disposed on a ceiling of the storage portion to prevent
the liquid flowing along the inner wall surface of the storage
portion from overflowing along the overflow wall.
4. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein the overflow preventing
portion comprises an overflow preventing rib protruded downward
from the ceiling of the storage portion.
5. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the storage portion
comprises: a base having the overflow wall; and a cap disposed on
the base, for opening or closing the storage portion.
6. The washing machine of claim 5, wherein the overflow preventing
portion is disposed on a lower surface of the cap to prevent the
liquid flowing along the inner wall surface of the storage portion
from overflowing along the overflow wall.
7. The washing machine of claim 6, wherein the overflow preventing
portion comprises an overflow preventing rib protruded downward
from the ceiling of the storage portion.
8. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the wash aid box further
comprises a siphon tube for draining the liquid stored in the
storage portion using a siphon principle.
9. The washing machine of claim 8, wherein the siphon tube is
formed protruding upward from the bottom of the storage
portion.
10. The washing machine of claim 9, wherein the storage portion
further comprises a siphon cover covering the siphon tube.
11. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein the siphon cover is
disposed on a ceiling of the storage portion.
12. The washing machine of claim 11, further comprising a gap
formed between an inner circumferential surface of the siphon cover
and an outer circumferential surface of the siphon tube, for
causing a capillary phenomenon.
13. The washing machine of claim 9, wherein the siphon tube has a
height lower than that of the overflow wall.
14. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet receiving a washing
tub; and a wash aid box storing wash aid to be fed to the washing
tub, wherein the wash aid box comprises: a storage portion storing
liquid to be fed to the wash aid box; an overflow preventing
portion preventing the liquid fed to the wash aid box from
overflowing along an inner wall surface of the wash aid box; and an
overflow wall which is disposed at a predetermined portion of a
bottom of the storage portion at a predetermined height, and along
which the liquid as being excessively fed overflows such that a
height level of the liquid stored in the storage portion is kept
below a predetermined height level, wherein the storage portion
comprises: a base having the overflow wall; and a cap disposed on
the base, for opening or closing the storage portion, the cap
having a wash aid slot; and a water feed portion through which
water for diluting the wash aid is fed.
15. The washing machine of claim 14, wherein the cap has an upper
surface which is inclined downward as it travels to the wash aid
slot.
16. The washing machine of claim 15, wherein the overflow
preventing portion comprises an overflow preventing rib protruded
downward from a lower surface of the cap, for preventing the liquid
fed to the storage portion from overflowing along the lower surface
of the cap and the overflow wall.
17. The washing machine of claim 16, wherein the overflow
preventing rib is disposed between the water feed portion and the
overflow wall.
18. The washing machine of claim 14, wherein the storage portion
further comprises: a siphon tube formed protruding from the bottom
of the base, for draining substance stored in the storage portion
using a siphon principle; and a siphon cover covering the siphon
tube and forming a gap through which the liquid flows between the
siphon tube and the siphon cover.
19. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein the siphon cover is
disposed on the lower surface of the cap.
20. The washing machine of claim 18, wherein the siphon tube has a
height lower than that of the overflow wall.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the Korean
Application No. P2004-47428 filed on Jun. 24, 2004 which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more
particularly, to a washing machine having a wash aid box to store
wash aid.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, a washing machine is an apparatus to get rid of a
variety of contaminants adhered to laundry by a chemical
interaction of detergent and rubbing of water current due to
rotation of washing wing and drum.
[0006] Such a general washing machine includes a cabinet forming
the exterior of the washing machine, and a cylindrical washing tub
disposed inside the cabinet to receive laundry and washing
water.
[0007] The tub includes an outer tub receiving washing water and a
cylindrical inner tub rotatably disposed inside the outer tub to
receive laundry and having a plurality of perforated holes formed
at a wall surface thereof and through which the washing water
passes. A pulsator is provided on a bottom of the inner tub to
rotate the laundry.
[0008] A top cover having an opening for entrance and exit of
laundry at a central portion thereof and a door for opening and
closing the opening of the top cover are disposed at an upper
portion of the cavity.
[0009] Meanwhile, a wash aid box storing wash aid such as
decolorant or tanning products is disposed at an edge of the top
cover having the opening for entrance and exit of laundry.
[0010] The wash aid box includes a storage portion where wash aid
is stored, and a cap for opening and closing the storage portion.
The cap has an inlet through which the wash aid is introduced.
[0011] As wash aid such as decolorant or tanning products is filled
in the wash aid box and then the washing machine starts to operate,
washing water is introduced into the wash aid box and mixed with
the wash aid to dilute the wash aid.
[0012] When the mixed solution of the wash aid and the washing
water reaches a predetermined water level, it is supplied into the
tub through an aid feed tube formed in the wash aid box.
[0013] However, the related art wash aid box has a problem that the
water for diluting the wash aid overflows along an inner wall
surface of the wash aid box before the wash aid stored in the wash
aid box is sufficiently diluted by the washing water and supplied
into the tub.
[0014] To this end, at the present, it is strongly requested to
develop a washing machine including a wash aid box designed to
prevent liquid supplied into the inside of the wash aid box from
overflowing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a washing
machine that substantially obviates one or more problems due to
limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
[0016] An object of the present invention is to provide a washing
machine constructed to prevent liquid supplied into a wash aid box
from overflowing to an outside.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
washing machine having a wash aid box that can save water used to
dilute wash aid by preventing the water for dilution from
overflowing prior to a sufficient dilution of the wash aid.
[0018] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be
learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other
advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the
structure particularly pointed out in the written description and
claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
[0019] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, there is provided a washing machine
including: a cabinet receiving a washing tub; and a wash aid box
storing wash aid to be fed to the washing tub, wherein the wash aid
box includes: a storage portion storing liquid to be fed to the
wash aid box; and an overflow preventing portion preventing the
liquid fed to the wash aid box from overflowing along an inner wall
surface of the wash aid box.
[0020] The wash aid box may further include an overflow wall which
is disposed at a predetermined portion of a bottom of the storage
portion and has a predetermined height, and along which the liquid
as being excessively fed overflows such that a height level of the
liquid stored in the storage portion is kept below a predetermined
height level.
[0021] The overflow preventing portion is disposed on a ceiling of
the storage portion to prevent the liquid flowing along the inner
wall surface of the storage portion from overflowing along the
overflow wall.
[0022] For this purpose, the overflow preventing portion comprises
an overflow preventing rib protruded downward from the ceiling of
the storage portion.
[0023] The storage portion may include: a base having the overflow
wall; and a cap disposed on the base, for opening or closing the
storage portion.
[0024] The overflow preventing portion is disposed on a lower
surface of the cap to prevent the liquid flowing along the inner
wall surface of the storage portion from overflowing along the
overflow wall.
[0025] The overflow preventing portion may include an overflow
preventing rib protruded downward from the ceiling of the storage
portion.
[0026] The wash aid box may further include a siphon tube for
draining the liquid stored in the storage portion using a siphon
principle.
[0027] The siphon tube is formed protruding upward from the bottom
of the storage portion.
[0028] The storage portion may further include a siphon cover
covering the siphon tube. At this time, the siphon cover is
disposed on a ceiling of the storage portion.
[0029] The above washing machine may further include a gap formed
between an inner circumferential surface of the siphon cover and an
outer circumferential surface of the siphon tube, for causing a
capillary phenomenon.
[0030] The siphon tube has a height lower than that of the overflow
wall.
[0031] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a washing machine including: a cabinet receiving a washing
tub; and a wash aid box storing wash aid to be fed to the washing
tub, wherein the wash aid box includes: a storage portion storing
liquid to be fed to the wash aid box; an overflow preventing
portion preventing the liquid fed to the wash aid box from
overflowing along an inner wall surface of the wash aid box; and an
overflow wall which is disposed at a predetermined portion of a
bottom of the storage portion at a predetermined height, and along
which the liquid as being excessively fed overflows such that a
height level of the liquid stored in the storage portion is kept
below a predetermined height level, wherein the storage portion
includes: a base having the overflow wall; a cap disposed on the
base, for opening or closing the storage portion, the cap having a
wash aid slot; and a water feed portion through which water for
diluting the wash aid is fed.
[0032] The cap has an upper surface which is inclined downward as
it travels to the wash aid slot.
[0033] The overflow preventing portion may include overflow
preventing rib protruded downward from a lower surface of the cap,
for preventing the liquid fed to the storage portion from
overflowing along the lower surface of the cap and the overflow
wall.
[0034] The overflow preventing rib is disposed between the water
feed portion and the overflow wall.
[0035] The storage portion may further include: a siphon tube
formed protruding from the bottom of the base, for draining
substance stored in the storage portion using a siphon principle;
and a siphon cover covering the siphon tube and forming a gap
through which the liquid flows between the siphon tube and the
siphon cover.
[0036] Preferably, the siphon cover is disposed on the lower
surface of the cap, and the siphon tube has a height lower than
that of the overflow wall.
[0037] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description of the present
invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide
further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
[0039] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine having a
wash aid box according to the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view showing a cap of a wash
aid box of a washing machine according to the present
invention;
[0041] FIG. 3 is a lower perspective view showing a cap of a wash
aid box of a washing machine according to the present
invention;
[0042] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a base of a wash aid
box of a washing machine according to the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a base and a cap
of a wash aid box of a washing machine according to the present
invention; and
[0044] FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line I-I of FIG.
5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0045] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0046] An exemplary embodiment of a washing machine and a wash aid
box provided in the washing machine will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 1 through 6.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 1, the washing machine includes a cabinet
110 forming the exterior of the washing machine, and a washing tub
(not shown) disposed inside the cabinet 110.
[0048] A top cover 120 having an opening 121 for entrance and exit
of laundry and a door 130 for opening and closing the opening of
the top cover 120 are disposed at an upper portion of the cavity
110.
[0049] A control panel 140 provided with a variety of buttons for
inputting an operational condition of the washing machine and a
display for displaying an operational state of the washing machine
is disposed at a rear portion of the top cover 140. And, a variety
of electrical devices are disposed inside the control panel
140.
[0050] In addition, a detergent box 150 for storing detergent is
disposed between the opening 121 of the top cover 120 and the
control box 140, i.e., at a rear side of the opening 121 for the
entrance and exit of laundry.
[0051] The washing tub includes a cylindrical outer tub (not shown)
receiving washing water and a cylindrical inner tub (not shown)
disposed inside the outer tub to receive laundry and rotated by a
motor.
[0052] The inner tub has a plurality of perforated holes formed at
a wall surface thereof and through which the washing water passes.
A pulsator is provided on a bottom of the inner tub to rotate the
laundry together with washing water.
[0053] Meanwhile, a wash aid box constituting the washing machine
of the present invention is disposed at a portion of the top cover
120.
[0054] In more detail, referring to FIGS. 2 through 6, the wash aid
box includes a storage portion disposed at an edge of the top cover
and storing wash aid such as decolorant or tanning products, and an
overflow preventing portion for preventing liquid supplied to the
wash aid box from overflowing along an inner wall surface of the
wash aid box.
[0055] The storage portion includes a base 210 and a cap 220
disposed above the base 210 to open and close the storage portion.
In more detail, a cap hole (now shown) into which the cap is
inserted is formed at a portion of the top cover 120 disposed above
the base 210, i.e., at a ceiling of the storage portion.
[0056] Herein, it is preferable that the cap 220 has a wash aid
slot 221 through which wash aid is introduced. The cap 220 has an
upper surface of which central portion is recessed to form a recess
portion. The recess portion is inclined downward as it travels
toward a central portion of the cap 220 and prevents introduced
wash aid from splashing or overflowing.
[0057] Also, a guide passage 222 for guiding the wash aid to the
wash aid slot is formed at a predetermined portion of the wash aid
slot. Accordingly, the cap 220 has a lower surface shaped in a
convex form.
[0058] In addition, the cap 220 has an edge curved with a
curvature, and the edge of the cap 220 is mounted on an edge of the
cap hole shaped corresponding to the edge of the cap 220. The cap
220 is formed corresponding to the surface of the top cover 120
such that the cap 220 as mounted is not protruded upward from the
top cover 120.
[0059] A water feed portion 211 through which water for diluting
the wash aid introduced into the storage portion is fed is formed
at a bottom of the storage portion, i.e., at one sided portion of
the base 210. At the other sided portion of the base 210, in more
detail, at an opposite side to the water feed portion 211, an
overflow wall 212 having a predetermined height and along which
excessively fed liquid overflows such that water level of the
liquid stored in the storage portion is kept below a predetermined
level is formed.
[0060] Accordingly, at an edge of the other sided portion of the
base 210, an overflow chamber 213 formed by the overflow wall 212
is provided. When the level of the wash aid fed to the storage
portion is higher than an upper end of the overflow wall 212, an
excessive amount of the wash aid overflows along the overflow wall
212 and is introduced into the washing tub through a drainage hole
formed at the overflow chamber 213.
[0061] A siphon tube 230 is disposed on a bottom of the base 210
between the water feed portion 211 and the overflow wall 212 so as
to drain substance stored in the storage portion, e.g., the wash
aid solution using a siphon principle.
[0062] The siphon tube 230 is shaped in a cylinder having a
perforated hole perforated in a length direction, is protruded
vertically upward from the bottom and is formed integrally with the
base 210. A lower end of the siphon tube 230 is connected with a
wash aid feed line (not shown) connected to the washing tub. A
siphon cover 240 is formed integrally with the cap 220 on a lower
surface of the cap 220 to cover the siphon tube 230.
[0063] The siphon cover 240 is shaped in a cylinder of which lower
end is opened such that the siphon tube is inserted into an inner
side of the siphon cover 240, and is disposed at a portion adjacent
to the overflow wall of an edge of the cap 220.
[0064] Between an outer circumferential surface of the siphon tube
230 and an inner circumferential surface of the siphon cover 240, a
gap through which the wash aid solution passes is formed. In
addition, between the upper end of the siphon tube 230 and the
upper end of the siphon cover 240, a gap is formed such that the
wash aid solution is introduced into the siphon tube 230.
[0065] For this purpose, a gap maintenance protrusion 231 is formed
on the outer circumferential surface of the siphon tube 240 to
maintain a side gap and an upper gap between the outer
circumferential surface of the siphon tube 230 and the siphon cover
240.
[0066] Of course, it may be designed that an interval for
occurrence of a capillary phenomenon is provided between the outer
circumferential surface of the siphon tube 230 and the inner
circumferential surface of the siphon cover 240.
[0067] When the cap 220 having the siphon cover 240 constructed as
above is mounted on the cap hole of the top cover 120, the siphon
tube 230 is inserted into an inside of the siphon cover 240.
[0068] In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, gaps for flow of the wash
aid solution are respectively formed between the lower end of the
siphon cover and the base, between the outer circumferential
surface of the siphon tube 230 and the inner circumferential
surface of the siphon cover, and between the upper end of the
siphon tube 230 and the upper end of the siphon cover 240.
Accordingly, the wash aid solution is fed to the washing tub
through the siphon tube 230.
[0069] In the present invention, it is preferable that the siphon
tube 230 is formed having a height lower than the overflow wall 212
such that the wash aid solution in the storage portion is fed to
the washing tub through the siphon tube 230 before overflowing
along the overflow wall 212.
[0070] In an example, the siphon tube 230 is formed having a height
lower by 3 mm than the height of the overflow wall 212 and a gap of
about 5 mm is formed between the upper end of the siphon tube 230
and the upper end of the siphon cover 240.
[0071] In the meanwhile, the overflow preventing portion is
disposed on a ceiling of the storage portion to prevent the liquid
in the storage portion from overflowing along an inner wall surface
of the storage portion and the outer wall of the wash aid box or
from overflowing along the overflow wall 212 and being leaked
through the overflow chamber 213.
[0072] In more detail, the overflow preventing portion includes an
overflow preventing rib 250, which is protruded downward from the
ceiling of the storage portion, in particular, from the lower
surface of the cap 220. The overflow preventing rib 250 has a
predetermined height and prevents the liquid such as water, wash
aid or the like from overflowing along the overflow wall 212 and
being drained, or from overflowing a sidewall of the base.
[0073] The overflow preventing rib 250 is shaped in a protrusion
connecting the upper end of the siphon cover 240 provided at one
edge of the cap 200 to the other edge of the cap 200.
[0074] More preferably, the overflow preventing rib 250 is disposed
between the water feed portion 211 and the overflow wall 212. By
doing so, the water fed by the water feed portion 211 is prevented
from flowing to the overflow wall 212 or the sidewall of the base
210 along the ceiling of the storage portion.
[0075] Referring to FIGS. 3 through 6, the wash aid box provided in
the washing machine of the present invention has the storage
portion formed by the top cover 120 and the base 210 disposed below
the top cover 120.
[0076] The base 210 is disposed below one edge of the top cover
120, and the cap 220 for opening or closing the cap hole formed in
the top cover 120 is disposed at an upper portion of the base
210.
[0077] In addition, the side portion of the base 210 is curved
corresponding to a side shape of the top cover 120 and a shape of
the hole for entrance and exit of laundry, and the water feed
portion 211 is disposed at a rear side portion of the base 210.
[0078] The overflow wall 212 is disposed at a position spaced apart
by a predetermined distance from a front end of the base 210 to
form the overflow chamber 213, and the siphon tube 230 is disposed
at a corner where one end of the overflow wall 212 meets with the
side portion of the base 210.
[0079] In addition, the siphon cover 240 is disposed at a front
portion of the cap 220 to cover the siphon tube 230 when the cap
220 is mounted on the cap hole.
[0080] Meanwhile, the overflow preventing rib 250 connecting the
upper end of the siphon cover 240 and the edge of the cap 220 is
formed at a front portion of the lower surface of the cap 220.
Accordingly, the overflow preventing rib 250 prevents the liquid in
the wash aid box from overflowing to an outside of the wash aid box
along the ceiling of the storage portion, in particular, along the
convex lower surface of the cap 220.
[0081] Operation of the washing machine provided with the wash aid
box constructed as above will now be described.
[0082] First, the cap 220 is mounted and the wash aid such as
decolorant, tanning product or the like is supplied to an inside of
the wash aid box through the wash aid slot 221. At this time, the
wash aid passes through the wash aid slot 221 without overflowing
or splashing due to the concave shape of the upper surface of the
cap 220 and the guide passage 222.
[0083] After the wash aid such as decolorant or tanning product is
filled in the wash aid box, washing water is introduced into the
wash aid box through the water feed portion 211. As water level of
the fed washing water is elevated, the fed washing water is mixed
with the wash aid to dilute the wash aid.
[0084] When the height level of the liquid fed to the wash aid box,
i.e., the height level of the wash aid solution reaches the height
level of the siphon tube 230, the wash aid solution is fed to the
washing tub through the siphon tube 230 due to the siphon
principle.
[0085] In the present invention, since the siphon tube 230 and the
siphon cover 240 are designed to cause the capillary phenomenon,
even though the height level of the wash aid solution does not
reach the height of the siphon tube 230, the wash aid solution
starts to be fed through the siphon tube 230.
[0086] Meanwhile, in case water or wash aid is excessively supplied
to the wash aid box and thus the height level of the wash aid
solution exceeds the height of the overflow wall, the water or wash
aid overflows along the overflow wall 212 and is drained to a
washing tub through a drain hole 214 formed in the overflow chamber
213 before the wash aid box is completely full of the water or the
wash aid solution.
[0087] While liquid such as water, wash aid solution and the like
is fed, if some of the liquid flows along the ceiling of the
storage portion, particularly, along the lower surface of the
convex cap protruded downward, the overflow preventing rib 250
shields the flow of the liquid such that the flowing liquid is not
drained to an outside.
[0088] The washing machine having the wash aid box according to the
present invention has the following effects.
[0089] First, since the overflow preventing unit is provided in the
wash aid box, liquid such as washing water, decolorant and the like
is prevented from overflowing along the ceiling of the storage
portion, in particular, along the lower surface of the cap.
[0090] Secondly, since the water fed through the water feed portion
is prevented from overflowing before diluting the wash aid, the
water to dilute the wash aid is saved.
[0091] Thirdly, since a gap causing a capillary phenomenon is
formed between the siphon tube and the siphon cover, even through
the height level of the wash aid solution does not reach the height
of the siphon tube, the wash aid solution starts to be fed to the
washing tub at a proper water height level.
[0092] Fourthly, since the overflow wall for maintaining the wash
aid solution below a constant height level is formed on the bottom
of the wash aid box, the wash aid solution is prevented from
overflowing.
[0093] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention.
Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the
modifications and variations of this invention provided they come
within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *