U.S. patent application number 12/041921 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-11 for foreign materials filtering apparatus.
Invention is credited to Jong-Deuk BAE, Bo-Young CHANG, Ae-Na JO, Soo-Jin JUNG, Ji-Maeng KIM, Young-Bae PARK, Sang-Hee YOO.
Application Number | 20080216523 12/041921 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39404310 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080216523 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YOO; Sang-Hee ; et
al. |
September 11, 2008 |
FOREIGN MATERIALS FILTERING APPARATUS
Abstract
In a foreign materials filtering apparatus for a washing
machine, a filter unit is not exposed to inside of a washing tub
thus not to directly come in contact with laundry. Accordingly, the
filter unit and laundry are prevented from being damaged, and the
entire appearance is enhanced. Additionally, the foreign materials
filtering apparatus is modularized to facilitate a detachable
mounting, thereby enhancing the user's convenience.
Inventors: |
YOO; Sang-Hee; (Changwon,
KR) ; BAE; Jong-Deuk; (Changwon, KR) ; CHANG;
Bo-Young; (Changwon, KR) ; PARK; Young-Bae;
(Changwon, KR) ; KIM; Ji-Maeng; (Changwon, KR)
; JUNG; Soo-Jin; (Changwon, KR) ; JO; Ae-Na;
(Changwon, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
39404310 |
Appl. No.: |
12/041921 |
Filed: |
March 4, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/212 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
68/212 |
International
Class: |
D06F 39/10 20060101
D06F039/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 6, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0022178 |
Claims
1. A foreign materials filtering apparatus for a washing machine,
comprising: a washing water circulating duct having one or more
washing water inlets, and installed on an inner circumferential
surface of the washing tub; a filter cover mounted at the washing
water circulating duct and having drain holes so as to communicate
with the washing water inlets; and a filter unit disposed between
the washing water circulating duct and the filter coven for
filtering foreign materials from washing water, wherein the filter
cover comprises: a cap having the drain holes for covering the
washing water inlet of the washing water circulating duct; and a
handle coupled to the cap thus to be mounted at the washing water
circulating duct.
2. The foreign materials filtering apparatus for a washing machine
of claim 1, wherein the handle is detachably mounted at the
cap.
3. The foreign materials filtering apparatus for a washing machine
of claim 2, wherein the handle and the cap are formed of different
materials from each other.
4. The foreign materials filtering apparatus for a washing machine
of claim 2, wherein the handle is formed of a material softer than
that of the cap.
5. The foreign materials filtering apparatus for a washing machine
of claim 2, wherein one or more handle fixing ribs are formed at
the cap, and a fixing recess for insertion-fixing the handle fixing
rib is formed at the handle.
6. The foreign materials filtering apparatus for a washing machine
of claim 5, wherein the handle fixing rib has an end extendingly
formed in a wedge shape.
7. The foreign materials filtering apparatus for a washing machine
of claim 2, wherein a plurality of handle fixing ribs are formed
inside and outside the cap with an interval therebetween, and the
handle is insertion-coupled to a space between the two handle
fixing ribs.
8. The foreign materials filtering apparatus for a washing machine
of claim 1, wherein the handle is fixedly coupled to the cap thus
to be mounted at the washing water circulating duct.
9. The foreign materials filtering apparatus for a washing machine
of claim 8, wherein the handle and the cap are formed of different
materials from each other.
10. The foreign materials filtering apparatus for a washing machine
of claim 8, wherein the handle is formed of a material softer than
that of the cap.
11. The foreign materials filtering apparatus for a washing machine
of claim 8, wherein one or more handle fixing ribs are formed at
the cap, and a fixing recess for insertion-fixing the handle fixing
rib is formed at the handle.
12. The foreign materials filtering apparatus for a washing machine
of claim 11, wherein the handle fixing rib has an end extendingly
formed in a wedge shape.
13. The foreign materials filtering apparatus for a washing machine
of claim 8, wherein a plurality of handle fixing ribs are formed
inside and outside the cap with an interval therebetween, and the
handle is insertion-coupled to a space between the two handle
fixing ribs.
14. The foreign materials filtering apparatus for a washing machine
of claim 1, wherein the handle is fixedly coupled to the cap in an
insert molding manner.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present invention relates to subject matter contained in
priority Korean Application No. 10-2007-0022178, filed on Mar. 6,
2007, which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a foreign materials
filtering apparatus, and more particularly, to a foreign materials
filtering apparatus for a washing machine.
[0004] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0005] Generally, a washing machine is largely classified into a
drum type washing machine that a washing tub rotates in a
horizontal direction with respect to the ground, and a pulsator
type washing machine the washing tub rotates in a vertical
direction with respect to the ground. According to the drum type
washing machine, while a washing tub rotates, laundry comes into
friction with an inner wall of the washing tub or drops from the
washing tub thereby to be cleaned. On the contrary, laundry comes
into friction with a water current generated while a pulsator
rotates, or is entangled by the pulsator, thereby being
cleaned.
[0006] In the conventional pulsator type washing machine, a foreign
materials filtering apparatus for filtering each kind of foreign
materials such as nap generated from laundry during a washing
process is installed above the washing tub.
[0007] In the foreign materials filtering apparatus, a filtering
net for filtering foreign materials is attached to a frame
detachably mounted at the washing tub. The frame is formed of an
elastic material in a rectangular belt shape so as to be detachably
mounted at the washing tub. And, the filtering net is formed of a
mesh-shaped fibrous material or a material similar thereto having a
certain aperture ratio so as to pass washing water and filter
foreign materials.
[0008] In a washing machine having the foreign materials filtering
apparatus, a pulsator provided on a bottom surface of a washing tub
rotates to generate a water current, and by the generated water
current, washing water rises along a passage formed between an
inner wall and an outer wall of the washing tub. The risen washing
water is introduced into the washing tub via the foreign materials
filtering apparatus. While the washing water passes through the
foreign materials filtering apparatus, foreign materials such as
nap detached from laundry and mixed with the washing water are
filtered by passing through a filtering net of the foreign
materials filtering apparatus.
[0009] However, the conventional foreign materials filtering
apparatus has the following problems.
[0010] The filtering net is installed to be exposed to inside of
the washing tub, thereby repeatedly coming in contact with laundry.
Accordingly, the filtering net or laundry may be damaged, or the
frame may be detached from the washing tub, which causes the entire
appearance to be degraded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a foreign materials filtering apparatus for a washing
machine capable of preventing a filtering net and laundry from
being damaged by preventing friction therebetween, and capable of
preventing a frame from being detached from a washing tub.
[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
foreign materials filtering apparatus capable of easily installing
a filtering net and enhancing the entire appearance.
[0013] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described herein, there is provided a foreign materials filtering
apparatus for a washing machine, comprising: a washing water
circulating duct having one or more washing water inlets, and
installed on an inner circumferential surface of the washing tub; a
filter cover mounted at the washing water circulating duct and
having drain holes so as to communicate with the washing water
inlets; and a filter unit disposed between the washing water
circulating duct and the filter cover, for filtering foreign
materials from washing water, wherein the filter cover comprises: a
cap having the drain holes for covering the washing water inlet of
the washing water circulating duct; and a handle coupled to the cap
thus to be mounted at the washing water circulating duct.
[0014] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and
advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from
the following detailed description of the present invention when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principles of the invention.
[0016] In the drawings:
[0017] FIGS. 1 and 2 are respectively perspective and longitudinal
sectional views showing a pulsator type washing machine to which a
foreign materials filtering apparatus according to the present
invention is applied;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a frontal exploded perspective view of the foreign
materials filtering apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a frontal assembled perspective view of the
foreign materials filtering apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a lateral longitudinal sectional view of the
foreign materials filtering apparatus of FIG. 1 taken along line
`I-I` of FIG. 4;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of a washing water
circulating duct of the is foreign materials filtering apparatus of
FIG. 1;
[0022] FIGS. 7 and 8 are rear perspective views showing embodiments
of an assembled state between a cap and a handle of the foreign
materials filtering apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line
`II-II` of FIG. 7;
[0024] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing another
embodiment of a filter unit of the foreign materials filtering
apparatus of FIG. 1; and
[0025] FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of an
assembly method between a cap and a handle of the foreign materials
filtering apparatus of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0027] Hereinafter, a foreign materials filtering apparatus for a
washing machine according to the present invention will be
explained in more detail with reference to the attached
drawings.
[0028] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective and longitudinal sectional
views, respectively of a pulsator type washing machine to which a
foreign materials filtering apparatus according to the present
invention is applied.
[0029] As shown, a washing machine 100 to which a foreign materials
filtering apparatus according to the present invention is applied,
comprises: a cabinet 110 that forms the appearance; a top cover 120
mounted at an upper side of the cabinet 110; and a lid 130 mounted
at an upper side of the top cover 120, for opening and closing a
washing tub 150 to be later explained.
[0030] A reservoir 140 for containing washing waster therein is
installed in the cabinet 110, and a washing tub 150 containing
laundry therein and washing the laundry while rotating is installed
in the washing tub 140. A pulsator 160 for stirring laundry is
installed at a lower surface of the washing tub 150, and a foreign
materials filtering apparatus 200 is installed at a part on an
inner wall of the washing tub 150.
[0031] A control panel 170 for controlling an operation of the
washing machine is installed at one side of the top cover 120, and
a detergent box 180 is inserted into an inner inclination surface
of the top cover 120.
[0032] Unexplained reference numeral 190 denotes a driving
unit.
[0033] The operation of the washing machine according to the
present invention will be explained.
[0034] First, laundry is put into the washing tub 150, and washing
conditions are inputted by pressing a course selection button, etc.
mounted at the control panel 170. Then, an operation button is
pressed to start a washing process, and washing water is introduced
into the washing tub 150. As the washing water reaches a certain
level, the pulsator 160 rotates thus to start a washing
process.
[0035] As the pulsator 160 rotates, a centrifugal force is applied
to the washing water. By the centrifugal force, the washing water
is moved toward an inner wall of the washing tub 150, and
circulates along the inner wall. As the washing tub 150 and the
pulsator 160 alternately rotate with a certain time gap
therebetween in opposite directions to each other, a washing
process is performed while water current and laundry are mixed to
each other. Here, the washing water passes through the foreign
materials filtering apparatus 200 while circulating toward inside
the washing tub 150. As the washing water passes through the
foreign materials filtering apparatus 200, foreign materials such
as nap mixed with the washing water are filtered by the foreign
materials filtering apparatus 200.
[0036] FIGS. 3 to 10 are views respectively showing a foreign
materials filtering apparatus for a washing machine according to
the present invention.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, a foreign materials filtering apparatus
200 according to the present invention comprises a washing water
circulating duct 210 installed on an inner wall surface of a
washing tub 150 of FIG. 1, a filter cover 220 detachably mounted at
the washing water circulating duct 210, and a filter unit 230
disposed on a rear surface of the filter cover 220 for filtering
foreign materials from washing water.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the washing water circulating duct
210 is formed in a rectangular plate shape approximately same as an
inner all surface of the washing tub 150. At right and left sides
of a rear surface of the washing water circulating duct 210,
provided is a washing water guiding protrusion 211 long protruded
in a vertical direction so as to form a washing water guiding
passage (F) together with an inner circumferential surface of the
washing tub 150. One or more washing water inlets 212 are formed
inside the washing water guiding passage (F) at a nearly middle
height of the washing water circulating duct 210. A cover mounting
groove 213 for mounting the filter cover 220 is formed at the
periphery of a front surface of the washing water inlet 212. A hook
groove 214 for detachably mounting a hook protrusion 229 of a
handle 222 to be later explained is formed at upper and lower sides
of the cover mounting groove 213, respectively. Here, the hook
protrusion may be formed at the washing water circulating duct, and
the hook groove may be formed at the filter cover.
[0039] The washing water inlet 212 may be formed in the same shape
regardless of the kind of the filter unit 230, and may be formed in
different shapes according to the kind of the filter unit 230. As
shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, when the filter unit 230 is formed in a
rectangular box shape having a foreign materials filtering space
(S) between a front filter 231 and a rear filter 232, a filter
inserting groove 215 for inserting the rear filter 232 of the
filter unit 230 is extendingly formed below the washing water inlet
212 in an approximately rectangular shape, thereby increasing the
foreign materials filtering space (S) by a thickness of the rear
filter 232.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the filter cover 220 includes a cap 221
for covering the washing water inlet 212 of the washing water
circulating duct 210, and a handle 222 coupled to the cap 221 thus
to be detachably mounted at the washing water circulating duct
210.
[0041] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the cap 221 having a disc shape
is provided with a plurality of minute holes 223 at an upper
portion thereof in a radius direction along an circumferential
direction, and is provided with a plurality of drain holes 224 at a
lower portion thereof in a radius direction along an
circumferential direction. A handle fixing rib 225 for insertion
fixing the handle 222 is formed at the edge of a rear surface of
the cap 221. A hook inserting groove 221a for inserting a hook
protrusion 229 of the handle 222 is formed at upper and lower ends
of the rear surface of the cap 221, respectively. And, a handle
locking protrusion 221b for locking the handle 222 is formed at
both sides of an inner surface of the hook inserting groove 221a,
respectively.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 7, the handle fixing rib 225 may be
protrudingly formed in a circumferential direction at fixed
intervals therebetween with a rectangular or arc shaped section so
as to be forcibly inserted into a fixing recess 228b of the handle
222. As shown in FIG. 8, the handle fixing rib 225 may also be
disposed inside and outside the handle 222 as two in a circular or
arc shape so as to fix the handle 222 therebetween.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 9, at the end of the handle fixing rib 225,
may be formed a stopping protrusion 225a extended with a wedge
shape for preventing the handle fixing rib 225 inserted into a
fixing recess 228b of the handle 222 from being detached
therefrom.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the handle 222 includes a handle
body 228 having a circular belt shape, and a hook protrusion 229
formed at upper and lower sides of the handle body 229 and inserted
into the hook groove 214 of the washing water circulating duct 210.
An extension portion 228a is formed at a part of the handle body
228, and a fixing recess 228b for insertion-fixing the handle
fixing rib 225 of the cap 221 is formed at the extension portion
228a. The handle 222 may be formed of the same material as the cap
221. However, preferably, the handle 222 may be formed of a
material softer than the cap 221 so as to enhance a coupling force
with the cap 221 by being elastically restored when repeatedly
detachably mounted. For instance, the cap 221 may be formed of a
hard PC material, and the handle 222 may be formed of a soft POM
material.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, the filter unit 230 may be composed of a
front filter 231 and a rear filter 232 thus to be coupled to the
handle 222. As shown in FIG. 10, the filter unit 230 may be
composed of a frame 235 and a filtering net 236 thus to be coupled
to the cap 221. As shown in FIG. 3, when the filter unit 230 is
composed of a front filter 231 having a mesh net 231a and a rear
filter 232, the front filter 231 and the rear filter 232 are
rotatably coupled to each other under a structure that an upper
side is opened, whereas right, left, and lower sides are closed.
Also, a filter fixing recess 231b for concavely coupling a filter
fixing is protrusion 222a of the handle body 222 is formed at both
sides on an outer surface of the front filter 231 (or the rear
filter 232). However, as shown in FIG. 3, when the filter unit 230
is composed of a frame 235 and a filtering net 236, the frame 235
is detachably coupled to a filter fixing rib 226 mounted on a rear
surface of the cap 220.
[0046] Unexplained reference numeral 216 denotes a duct fixing
protrusion.
[0047] Hereinafter, processes for assembling the foreign materials
filtering apparatus according to the present invention will be
explained.
[0048] First, the fixing recess 228b of the handle 222 is fitted
into the handle fixing rib 225 of the cap 221, and the hook
protrusion 229 of the handle 222 is inserted into the hook
inserting groove 221a of the cap 221, thereby coupling the handle
222 to the cap 221. Here, the handle locking protrusion 221b is
protrudingly formed at right and left sides of the hook inserting
groove 221a in a circumferential direction, thereby supporting
upper and lower sides of the handle 222 by locking an extended
portion between the handle body 228 of the body 222 and the hook
protrusion 229.
[0049] Then, the filter fixing protrusion 222a of the front filter
231 is concavely coupled to the filter fixing recess 231b of the
handle 222, thereby detachably mounting the filter unit 230 and the
filter cover 220 to the washing water circulating duct 210 as on
unit. In the case that the filter unit 230 is a net filter, the
frame 235 of the net filter is insertion-coupled to the filter
fixing rib 226 of the cap 221 of the filter cover 220.
[0050] Then, the hook protrusion 229 of the handle 222 being held
by a user's thumb and index finger is pressed, and then is released
when mounted at the hook groove 214 of the washing water
circulating duct 210. Accordingly, the hook protrusion 229 is
elastically restored to the original shape, thus to be fitted into
the hook groove 214. As a result, the filter unit 230 is positioned
between the washing water circulating duct 210 and the filter cover
220.
[0051] Hereinafter, processes for filtering foreign materials from
the washing machine to which the foreign materials filtering
apparatus is applied will be explained.
[0052] First, once the pulsator 160 rotates to generate a water
current, washing water is moved toward an inner wall surface of the
washing tub 150 by a centrifugal force due to the water current.
The washing water rises along the washing water circulating duct
210 mounted on the inner wall surface of the washing tub 150, and
then is introduced into the foreign materials filtering apparatus
200 through the washing water inlet 212 formed at an intermediate
height of the washing water circulating duct 210.
[0053] Then, the washing water introduced into the foreign
materials filtering apparatus 200 is guided to a space between the
front filter 231 and the rear filter 232. Here, foreign materials
of the washing water are filtered by the mesh net 231a of the front
filter 231, and the washing water is introduced into the washing
tub 150 through the mesh net 231a and the drain holes 224 of the
cap 221 thus to circulate.
[0054] The foreign materials filtering apparatus 200 is
disassembled in a reverse order to the aforementioned assembling
order, thereby separating the filter unit 230 therefrom 200 and
removing foreign materials from the filter unit 230. Then, the
foreign materials filtering apparatus 200 is assembled again to
perform a washing process.
[0055] Hereinafter, another embodiment of the filter cover of the
foreign materials filtering apparatus according to the present
invention will be explained.
[0056] According to the aforementioned embodiment, the handle 222
of the filter cover 220 is detachably mounted at the cap 221 of the
filter cover 220. However, according to another embodiment, the
handle 222 is fixedly coupled to the cap 221. For instance, as
shown in FIG. 11, under a state that the fixing recess 228b of the
handle 222 or the handle body 228 is inserted into the handle
fixing rib 225 of the cap 221, a melted resin is poured into a
coupled part therebetween thus to fix the coupled part in an insert
molding manner (M).
[0057] The shape and material of the cap 221 and the handle 222 of
another embodiment are similar to those of the aforementioned
embodiment, and thus its detailed explanation will be omitted
except the following. When the cap 221 and the handle 222 are
formed of different materials and an inserting molding method is
applied thereto, the cap 221 and the handle 222 are integrally
coupled to each other. Accordingly, degrading of a washing function
or exposing of the filter unit 230 due to detachment of the handle
222 from the cap 221 can be prevented.
[0058] In the foreign materials filtering apparatus for a washing
machine, the filter unit is not exposed to inside of the washing
tub thus not to directly come in contact with laundry. Accordingly,
the filter unit and laundry are prevented from being damaged, and
the entire appearance may be enhanced. Additionally, the foreign
materials filtering apparatus is modularized to facilitate a
detachable mounting, thereby enhancing the user's convenience.
[0059] The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely
exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present
invention. The present teachings can be readily applied to other
types of apparatuses. This description is intended to be
illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many
alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and
other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein
may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or
alternative exemplary embodiments.
[0060] As the present features may be embodied in several forms
without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also
be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited
by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless
otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within
its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all
changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of
the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore
intended to be embraced by the appended claims.
* * * * *