U.S. patent application number 11/125185 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-05 for washing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Chang Min Song.
Application Number | 20060000240 11/125185 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35512503 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060000240 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Song; Chang Min |
January 5, 2006 |
Washing machine
Abstract
A washing machine capable of reducing operational noise of a
drainage pump. The washing machine includes a water tub installed
in an outer case, a drainage pump adapted to drain wash water from
the water tub, and a fixing device adapted to fix the drainage
pump. The fixing device includes a support member extending from
the drainage pump, vibration-proof members arranged to support an
outer surface of the support member, and fixture members fixed to
an inner surface of the outer case and adapted to support outer
surfaces of the vibration-proof members.
Inventors: |
Song; Chang Min; (Suwon-si,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
SUITE 700
1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
35512503 |
Appl. No.: |
11/125185 |
Filed: |
May 10, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/3R ;
68/208 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 2103/48 20200201;
D06F 39/085 20130101; D06F 2103/42 20200201 |
Class at
Publication: |
068/003.00R ;
068/208 |
International
Class: |
D06F 37/00 20060101
D06F037/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 2, 2004 |
KR |
2004-51658 |
Claims
1. A washing machine comprising an outer case, a water tub
installed in the outer case, a drainage pump adapted to drain wash
water from the water tub, and a fixing device adapted to fix the
drainage pump, the fixing device comprising: a support member
extending from the drainage pump; vibration-proof members arranged
to support an outer surface of the support member; and fixture
members adapted to support outer surfaces of the vibration-proof
members and fixed to an inner surface of the outer case.
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the
vibration-proof members include first and second vibration-proof
members, which are coupled to oppose each other such that they
support opposite sides of the outer surface of the support member,
both the vibration-proof members surrounding the outer surface of
the support member.
3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the first and
second vibration-proof members have toothed portions formed at
their opposite coupling surfaces, in order to enhance a coupling
force between both the vibration-proof members.
4. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the first and
second vibration-proof members are formed with grooves, and at the
outer surface of the support member are formed protruding ribs, in
order to enhance a coupling force between the vibration-proof
members and the support member.
5. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the support
member has a crucial cross section, and the first and second
vibration-proof members have coupling recesses corresponding to the
shape of the outer shape of the support member.
6. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the
vibration-proof members have a plurality of through-holes.
7. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the fixture
members includes first and second fixture members enclosing the
outer surfaces of the vibration-proof members.
8. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein a coupling
direction of the first and second fixture members intersects with a
coupling direction of the first and second vibration-proof
members.
9. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the first and
second fixture members have protrusions and receiving holes for the
engagement of their contact portions.
10. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the first and
second fixture members have respective insertion slots formed at
their upper surfaces so that the support member is inserted into
the first and second fixture members, the insertion slots being
spaced apart from the support member.
11. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the fixing
device further comprises: screw-fastening portions provided at the
fixture members in order to fix the fixture members to the inner
surface of the outer case; and fixing screws fastened into the
screw-fastening portions, respectively.
12. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the majority
of the drainage pump, except for a portion fixed by the fixing
device, is spaced apart from the outer case.
13. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the support
member is integrally formed with the drainage pump through
injection molding of a resin material.
14. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the
vibration-proof members are made of an elastic rubber material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 2004-51658, filed on Jul. 2, 2004 in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein 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 which can prevent vibrations of
a drainage pump from being transmitted to an outer case.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In general, a washing machine includes a water tub for
containing wash water, a rotating tub installed in the water tub
having, and formed at a peripheral surface thereof with, a
plurality of through-holes for use in a dry cycle, and a driving
device for driving the rotating tub. In addition, the washing
machine includes a water supply device supplying the wash water
into the water tub, and a drainage device draining the wash water
from the water tub.
[0006] In such a washing machine, the drainage device is adapted to
forcibly drain the wash water from the water tub and conventionally
includes a drainage pump, a drainage filter, and a drainage pipe.
The drainage pump typically includes a pump casing containing an
impeller and a driving motor. The drainage filter is used to filter
impurities from the wash water before the wash water enters the
drainage pump. The drainage pipe is used to guide the discharge of
the wash water. In a conventional drainage device, the drainage
pump is fixed to the inner bottom surface of the outer case of the
washing machine.
[0007] However, in the washing machine described above, since a
support for the drainage pump is fixed directly to the bottom
surface of the outer case by bolts or other fasteners, vibration,
generated during operation of the drainage pump, is transmitted
along the bottom surface of the outer case, resulting in
operational noise.
[0008] One proposal put forward to solve the operational noise
problem related to the drainage pump is Korean Patent No.
10-0238970 (published on Jan. 15, 2000). The 10-0238970 patent
discloses a washing machine comprising a damper member which is
interposed between a bracket supporting the drainage pump and a
frame of the washing machine. The bracket is adapted to attenuate
vibration generated by the drainage pump, the damper member and the
bracket being fixed to each other by means of bolts penetrating
through the frame of the washing machine.
[0009] Although the above described installation structure of the
drainage pump may attenuate the vibration of the drainage pump to
some extent through the use of the damper member, vibration of the
bracket, used to support the drainage pump, is still transmitted to
the frame of the washing machine through the fixing bolts,
resulting in an unsatisfactory vibration attenuation effect.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above
mentioned problem. Accordingly, an aspect of the invention is to
provide a washing machine which can reduce vibration transmitted
from the drainage pump to the outer case of the washing machine,
through the use of an improved installation structure for the
drainage pump.
[0011] Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will
be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part,
will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by
practice of the invention.
[0012] To achieve the above and/or other aspects and advantages,
the present invention provides a washing machine including an outer
case, a water tub installed in the outer case, a drainage pump
adapted to drain wash water from the water tub, and a fixing device
adapted to fix the drainage pump. The fixing device includes: a
support member extending from the drainage pump; vibration-proof
members arranged to support the outer surface of the support
member; and fixture members attached to the outer case that are
adapted to support the outer surfaces of the vibration-proof
members.
[0013] The vibration-proof members may include first and second
vibration-proof members, which are coupled to oppose each other
such that they support opposite sides of the outer surface of the
support member. The vibration-proof members surround the outer
surface of the support member.
[0014] The first and second vibration-proof members may have
toothed portions formed at their opposite coupling surfaces, in
order to enhance a coupling force between both the vibration-proof
members.
[0015] The first and second vibration-proof members may be formed
with grooves, and at the outer surface of the support member are
formed protruding ribs, in order to enhance a coupling force
between the vibration-proof members and the support member.
[0016] The support member may have a crucial cross section, and the
first and second vibration-proof members may have coupling recesses
corresponding to the shape of the outer shape of the support
member.
[0017] The vibration-proof members may have a plurality of
through-holes.
[0018] The fixture members may include first and second fixture
members enclosing the outer surfaces of the vibration-proof
members.
[0019] The coupling direction of the first and second fixture
members may intersect with the coupling direction of the first and
second vibration-proof members.
[0020] The first and second fixture members may have protrusions
and receiving holes for the engagement of their contact
portions.
[0021] The first and second fixture members may have respective
insertion slots formed at their upper surfaces so that the support
member is inserted into the first and second fixture members, the
insertion slots being spaced apart from the support member.
[0022] The fixing device may further include screw-fastening
portions provided on the fixture members in order to fix the
fixture members to the inner surface of the outer case and fixing
screws inserted into the screw-fastening portions.
[0023] The majority of the drainage pump, except for a portion
fixed by the fixing device, may be spaced apart from the outer
case.
[0024] The fixing device may include, a support member extending
from the pump, vibration-proof members arranged to support an outer
surface of the support member, and fixture members adapted to
support outer surfaces of the vibration-proof members and fixed to
an inner surface of the outer case.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention
will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the
following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings of which:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a washing machine
in according to the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
drainage pump and a fixing device for use in the fixing of the
drainage pump according to the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the
line III-III' shown in FIG. 2; and
[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the installation
structure of a filter case according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the
like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to
explain the present invention by referring to the figures. Although
the present invention is applicable to both a pulsator-type washing
machine and a drum-type washing machine, hereinafter only the
drum-type washing machine will be explained for the convenience of
explanation.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, the washing machine according to the
present invention includes a drum-type water tub 11 installed in an
outer case 10 and adapted to contain wash water, a rotating drum 12
rotatably installed in the water tub 11, and a driving motor 13
installed below the water tub 11 and adapted to rotate the rotating
drum 12 installed in the water tub 11. In addition, the washing
machine includes a water supply device 14 installed above the water
tub 11 and adapted to supply the wash water into the water tub 11,
a detergent supply device 15 adapted to supply detergent in a water
supply cycle, and a drainage device 20 installed below the water
tub 11 and adapted to forcibly drain the wash water from the water
tub 11.
[0032] Openings are provided at respective corresponding front ends
of the outer case 10, water tub 11, and rotating drum 12 for
putting laundry into the rotating drum 12 or taking the laundry out
of the rotating drum 12 through the openings. In order to open or
close the openings, a door 16 is installed at the front end of the
outer case 10.
[0033] Although not shown, the rear end of the rotating drum 12 is
centrally coupled to a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is
rotatably supported at the center of the rear end of the water tub
11 such that the rotating drum 12 is rotatably installed in the
water tub 11. Such a rotating shaft, extending rearward from the
water tub 11, is coupled to a pulley, and in turn, the pulley is
connected to another pulley, coupled with a rotating shaft of the
driving motor 13, by means of a belt 17. In this manner, according
to the rotation of the shaft of the driving motor 13, the rotating
drum 12 rotates. The rotating drum 12 includes a plurality of
through-holes formed throughout the peripheral surface thereof. The
rotating drum 12 also includes a plurality of lifters 12a arranged
around the inner peripheral surface thereof and adapted to allow
easy lifting and dropping of the laundry when the rotating drum 12
rotates.
[0034] The detergent supply device 15 includes a detergent case 15a
installed near the front end of the outer case 10, and a detergent
container 15b taking the form of a drawer so that it can be
inserted into or retracted from the detergent case 15a, thereby
allowing an appropriate amount of detergent to be placed in the
detergent container 15b when the detergent container 15b is
retracted from the detergent case 15a, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0035] The water supply device 14 includes a pair of external water
supply pipes 14a, a pair of first water supply pipes 14b connected
between the external water supply pipes 14a and the rear end of the
detergent case 15a, a second water supply pipe 14c connected
between the detergent case 15a and the water tub 11, and a pair of
water supply valves 14d installed at the inlet side of the first
water supply pipes 14b for controlling the supply of water. When
the water supply valves 14d are opened to supply the water, the
water is supplied into the water tub 11 via the detergent supply
device 15, such that the detergent filled in the detergent supply
device 15 can be supplied into the water tub 11 along with the
water.
[0036] The drainage device 20, installed below the water tub 11,
includes a drainage pump 30 adapted to forcibly drain the wash
water contained in the water tub 11 to the outside, a first
drainage pipe 21 connected between the water tub 11 and the
drainage pump 30, and a second drainage pipe 22 extending from the
drainage pump 30 to the outside of the outer case 10.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the drainage pump 30 includes a
drainage casing 35, which is an integral combination of a filter
case 31 and a pump case 33. Here, the filter case 31 internally
defines a filter chamber 32, and the pump case 33 internally
defines a pump chamber 34, such that the filter chamber 32 and the
pump chamber 34 form separate spaces sectionalized from each other.
The drainage pump 30 further includes a filter 36 which is received
in the filter chamber 32 and is adapted to filter impurities
contained in the wash water to be drained, an impeller 37 rotatably
installed in the pump chamber 34, and a motor 38 mounted at one
side of the pump case 33 and adapted to drive the impeller 37. The
drainage pump 30 is fixed to an inner bottom surface 10b of the
outer case 10 by means of a fixing device 50.
[0038] The filter case 31 of the drainage casing 35 includes an
inlet port 39 formed at the lateral upper portion thereof, through
which the wash water to be drained is introduced. To the inlet port
39 is provided an inlet pipe 40 for use in the connection of the
first drainage pipe 21. At a lower position on the filter case 31
opposite to the inlet port 39 is formed an outlet port 41
communicating with the interior of the pump chamber 34, thereby
allowing the wash water to flow from the filter chamber 32 to the
pump chamber 34.
[0039] The filter case 31 is further formed at the front end
thereof with an opening 31 a for use in the removal of the filter
36 received in the filter chamber 32. One end of the filter 36 is
provided with a cap 42, which is used to mount the filter 36 in the
filter chamber 32. The cap 42 is also used to close the opening 31a
of the filter case 31. For this, throughout the outer periphery of
the cap 42 and the inner periphery of the opening 31 a formed at
the filter case 31, threads 42a and 31b are provided. The cap 42 is
rotatably coupled to the end of the filter 36. In this way, in a
state wherein the filter 36 is completely inserted in the filter
chamber 32, the cap 42 is rotated such that it can be fastened to
the opening 31a of the filter case 31, thereby closing the opening
31a.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 4, the filter case 31 is installed in such
a fashion that the opening 31a of the filter case 31 and the cap 42
are exposed to the outside through an opening 10c formed in the
outer case 10, such that a user can separate the filter 36 from the
filter case 31 at the outside of the outer case 10 in order to wash
the filter 36. The opening 10c of the outer case 10, for exposing
the cap 42 to the outside, is larger than the filter case 31, such
that the filter case 31 is radially spaced apart from the outer
case 10. This has the effect of preventing vibration generated
during the operation of the drainage pump 30 from being transmitted
to the outer case 10.
[0041] Referring again to FIG. 3, the pump case 33, defining the
pump chamber 34, is opened at one side thereof, and the open side
of the pump case 33 is closed as the motor 38 is mounted to the
pump case 33. The pump case 33 has an outlet port 43 for
discharging the wash water from the pump chamber 34 to the outside
when the impeller 37 is driven. The outlet port 43 is connected to
an outlet pipe 44 to which the second drainage pipe 22 is
attached.
[0042] With such a configuration of the drainage pump 30, first,
the wash water introduced from the water tub 11 to the filter
chamber 32 is filtered while passing through the filter 36 received
in the filter chamber 32, and then, the filtered wash water flows
into the pump chamber 34. In the pump chamber 34, the impeller 37,
rotated by the motor 38, discharges the wash water from the pump
chamber 34 to the outside through the outlet port 43, thereby
draining the wash water from the water tub 11 to the outside.
[0043] The fixing device 50, used to fix the drainage pump 30 to
the bottom surface 10b of the outer case 10, includes a support
member 51 extending downward for a predetermined length from the
lower surface of the drainage casing 35, vibration-proof members 52
and 53 installed to surround the lower portion of the support
member 51 to support it, and fixture members 54 and 55 fixed to the
bottom surface 10b of the outer case 10 such that they enclose the
outer surfaces of the vibration-proof members 52 and 53 to support
them.
[0044] The support member 51 is integrally formed with the drainage
casing 35 through injection molding of a conventional resin
material. The support member 51 extends downward from the lower
surface of the drainage casing 35. The support member 51 is
positioned to correspond to the center of gravity of the drainage
pump 30, such that it can attenuate the vibration of the drainage
pump 30 and stably support the drainage pump 30. Further, the
support member 51 has a crucial cross section, such that it can
secure strength thereof sufficient to support the drainage pump 30,
and can be firmly coupled with the vibration-proof members 52 and
53 without shaking.
[0045] The vibration-proof members are made of an elastic rubber
material, and include first and second vibration-proof members 52
and 53, which are coupled to oppose each other such that they can
support opposite sides of the support member 51. In such a coupled
state, the first and second vibration-proof members 52 and 53
define a width larger than the maximum width of the support member
51, such that they can completely surround the lower portion of the
support member 51. The first and second vibration-proof members 52
and 53 are provided with toothed portions 52a and 53a along edge
areas of their-opposite surfaces to be coupled with each other in
order to enhance a coupling force therebetween. The first and
second vibration-proof members 52 and 53 are further provided with
coupling recesses 52b and 53b corresponding to the shape of an
outer surface of the support member 51 having the crucial cross
section, such that they can support the outer surface of the
support member 51 in a close contact state. In this way, the
support member 51 can be stably supported by the two
vibration-proof members 52 and 53.
[0046] In order to enhance a coupling force between the two
vibration-proof members 52 and 53 and the lower outer surface of
the support member 51, the support member 51 is formed at the lower
outer surface thereof with protruding ribs 51a, and the two
vibration-proof members 52 and 53 are formed with retaining grooves
53d at the inner surfaces of the coupling recesses 52b and 53b
thereof, such that the protruding ribs 51a are fitted in the
retaining grooves 53d, respectively. Further, the first and second
vibration-proof members 52 and 53 are perforated with a plurality
of through-holes 52c and 53c in order to increase the attenuation
of vibration transmitted to the support member 51.
[0047] The fixture members include first and second fixture members
54 and 55, which are configured to enclose the outer surfaces of
the first and second vibration-proof members 52 and 53 to support
them. The first and second fixture members 54 and 55 are coupled
laterally to the vibration-proof members 52 and 53 in such a
fashion that they come into close contact with the outer surfaces
of the vibration-proof members 52 and 53. In this way, the first
and second fixture members 54 and 55 can support the overall
periphery and upper surfaces of the two vibration-proof members 52
and 53. For the engagement of the two fixture members 54 and 55,
the fixture members 54 and 55 are formed at their contact portions
with protrusions 54a and 55a, and receiving holes 54b and 55b. In
an engaged state, as fixing screws 56 are fastened to
screw-fastening portions 54d, 54e and 55d provided at the fixture
members 54 and 55, the two fixture members 54 and 55 are fixed to
the inner bottom surface 10b of the outer case 10. It should be
understood that the coupling direction of the first and second
vibration-proof members 52 and 53 intersects with the coupling
direction of the first and second fixture members 54 and 55, such
that the vibration-proof members 52 and 53 can be more firmly
coupled to each other by the fixture members 54 and 55.
[0048] The first and second fixture members 54 and 55 are spaced,
at their upper surfaces, apart from the support member 51, thereby
being insulated from the support member 51. For this, the first and
second fixture members 54 and 55 are formed at their upper surfaces
with insertion slots 54c and 55c, such that the insertion slots 54c
and 55c are spaced apart from the support member 51. This has the
effect of preventing the vibration, transmitted from the drainage
pump 30 to the support member 51, from being transmitted to the
fixture members 54 and 55, thereby preventing the vibration of the
drainage pump 30 from being transmitted to the outer case 10.
[0049] When it is desired to fix the drainage pump 30 using the
above described fixing device 50, the first and second
vibration-proof members 52 and 53 are first coupled to opposite
sides of the lower portion of the support member 51. Then the first
and second fixture members 54 and 55 are coupled to the
vibration-proof members 52 and 53 such that the coupling direction
of the fixture members 54 and 55 intersects with the coupling
direction of the vibration-proof members 52 and 53. Finally, as the
fixing screws 56 are fastened, the two fixture members 54 and 55
are fixed to the bottom surface 10b of the outer case 10.
[0050] When the drainage pump 30 is fixed as stated above, the
majority of the drainage pump 30, except for a portion fixed by the
fixing device 50, is spaced apart from the outer case 10 so the
transmission of vibration from the drainage pump 30 to the outer
case 10 is minimized. Further, when the drainage is fixed as stated
above, since the support member 51 is spaced apart from the fixture
members 54 and 55 by interposing the vibration-proof members 52 and
53, and the support member 51 is supported only by the
vibration-proof members 52 and 53, the vibrations of the drainage
pump 30 transmitted to the support member 51 can be minimized. This
minimizes vibration of the outer case 10 due to the vibration of
the drainage pump 30, resulting in a reduction in operational noise
of the washing machine.
[0051] As is apparent from the above description, a washing machine
according to the present invention is configured in such a fashion
that a drainage pump is supported only by a support member, and in
turn, the support member is supported only by vibration-proof
members, which are supported by fixture members spaced apart
therefrom, thereby achieving a remarkable decrease in vibration
transmitted from the drainage pump to the outer case of the washing
machine, resulting in a reduction in operational noise of the
washing machine.
[0052] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been
shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that changes may be made in this embodiment without
departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the
scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *