U.S. patent application number 11/956832 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-09 for drum type washing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Daewoo Electronics Corporation. Invention is credited to Chang Hoo Kim.
Application Number | 20080245113 11/956832 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39825771 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080245113 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Chang Hoo |
October 9, 2008 |
Drum Type Washing Machine
Abstract
A drum type washing machine which performs a drying function is
provided having improved drying efficiency. The drum type washing
machine includes a tub disposed inside a cabinet to receive water,
a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub to receive laundry, and a
suction duct communicating with the tub. One end of the suction
duct communicates with the tub, and the opposed end of the suction
duct is a free end which remains disconnected from nearby
structures, and is located inside the cabinet. The tub further
includes a discharge hole. The water and air passing through the
discharge hole are separated and discharged outside the cabinet
along a drainage pipe and an exhaust duct, respectively.
Inventors: |
Kim; Chang Hoo; (Incheon,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OCCHIUTI ROHLICEK & TSAO, LLP
10 FAWCETT STREET
CAMBRIDGE
MA
02138
US
|
Assignee: |
Daewoo Electronics
Corporation
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
39825771 |
Appl. No.: |
11/956832 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 58/02 20130101;
D06F 25/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
68/20 |
International
Class: |
D06F 29/02 20060101
D06F029/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 6, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0034385 |
Claims
1. A drum type washing machine, comprising: a tub disposed inside a
cabinet, the tub including a tub through-hole formed in a first
side of the tub; a drum disposed inside the tub; and a suction duct
including a first end, and a second end opposed to the first end,
wherein the suction duct is connected at the first end to the tub
through-hole, and the second end is a free end.
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the suction
duct is disposed at an upper side of the tub.
3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the tub
through-hole is disposed at an upper side of the tub.
4. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the second end
of the suction duct is disposed inside the cabinet.
5. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the drum has
at least one inflow hole disposed thereon at a location
corresponding to location of the tub through-hole, the at least one
inflow hole arranged in a circular band shape on a side of the
drum.
6. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the tub
further includes a tub discharge hole formed in a second side of
the tub, the washing machine further comprising: an exhaust duct
communicating with the tub discharge hole and extending to an
outside of the cabinet; an exhaust fan disposed at the second side
of the tub; and a motor to drive the exhaust fan.
7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein an extension
conduit and a housing are disposed between the discharge hole and
the exhaust duct, and the exhaust fan is disposed in the
housing.
8. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the tub
further includes plural balancers, wherein the balancers are
provided so as to be separated from each other, and the extension
conduit is disposed between two of said plural balancers.
9. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the housing
has a bottom surface located a predetermined height above that of
the extension conduit to form a step between the bottom surfaces of
the housing and the extension conduit.
10. The washing machine according to claim 9, further comprising: a
drainage pump to discharge water from the tub to an outside of the
cabinet; and a connection pipe extending between the bottom surface
of the extension conduit and the drainage pump.
11. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the discharge
hole is disposed at a lower side of the tub.
12. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a
heater disposed inside the suction duct.
13. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the first
side of the tub is opposed to the second side of the tub, the
discharge hole is disposed at a lower side of the tub, and the tub
through-hole is disposed at an upper side of the tub.
14. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the cabinet
comprises a door formed in a front-facing side thereof, a second
side of the tub comprises a tub opening corresponding to the door,
and the first side of the tub opposes the second side.
15. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the second
end of the suction duct is disposed between an interior surface of
the cabinet and an exterior surface of the tub.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine
which performs a drying function, and more particularly to a drum
type washing machine that has improved drying efficiency.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A front-loaded, drum type washing machine is a machine
designed to clean laundry with detergent and water in a drum by
rotating the drum about a horizontal axis, with a drive force of a
motor. The front-loaded drum type washing machine has many
advantages when compared to a top-loading washing machine, such as
less laundry damage and entanglement, and more cleaning
effectiveness due to laundry pounding and rubbing effects in a
washing operation.
[0005] FIG. 1 is a sectional side elevation view of a conventional
drum type washing machine.
[0006] Referring to FIG. 1, the washing machine includes a cabinet
1 having an opening defined in a front side thereof, a door 2
hingably attached to the cabinet 1 to open or close the opening,
and a tub 3 disposed inside the cabinet 1 to receive water.
[0007] A drum 4 having holes on an outer peripheral surface is
rotatably disposed inside the tub 3, and a motor assembly 5 is
disposed through the tub 3 to supply a drive force to the drum
4.
[0008] The door 2 is provided with a door glass 2a that protrudes
outside an opening of the tub 3.
[0009] A spring 6 is disposed between an inner upper side of the
cabinet 1 and an outer upper side of the tub 3 to support the tub
3, and a damper (not shown) is disposed between an inner lower side
of the cabinet 1 and an outer lower side of the tub 3 to reduce
vibration of the tub 3 generated during the operation of the drum
type washing machine.
[0010] The motor assembly 5 is generally operated in an indirect
drive manner such that the drive force of a motor 5a is transferred
to a washing operation shaft 5c via a belt 5b to rotate the drum
4.
[0011] The washing machine includes a drying duct 7 disposed at the
inner upper side of the cabinet 1. The drying duct 7 has a heater
7b and a blow fan 7a to generate and blow hot air.
[0012] The drying duct 7 is connected at one end to a gasket 8,
which bridges the circumference of the opening of the tub 3 to the
circumference of the opening in the cabinet 1 for the door 2.
[0013] In other words, the gasket 8 is disposed along a front inner
circumference of the tub 3 and has a corrugated shape to receive
vibration from the tub 3. By connecting the end of the drying duct
to the gasket 8, it is possible to prevent leakage of hot air
through the connection between the drying duct 7 and the tub 3.
[0014] Further, the tub 3 is provided with a condensing duct 9 that
communicates with the drying duct 7. Here, the condensing duct 9 is
connected at one end to the rear of the tub 3, and at the other end
to the drying duct 7. The condensing duct 9 is provided with a
condensed water supply tube to supply condensing water that serves
to condense and remove moisture from air.
[0015] On the other hand, the condensing water supply tube 9a is a
separate component independent of the condensing duct 9 and is
fitted into a securing groove formed on an upper portion of the
condensing duct 9. At this time, the condensing water supply tube
9a is connected at one side to a water supply hose.
[0016] With the construction as described above, the operation of
the drum type washing machine with a drying function includes a
washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, spin-drying cycle, and a drying
cycle.
[0017] The drying cycle of the washing machine with the drying
function is as follows.
[0018] When the drying cycle of the washing machine is started,
electrical power is applied to the heater 7b of the drying duct 7.
Then, the blow fan 7a and heater 7b are operated to blow hot air
from the blow fan 7a.
[0019] The hot air collides with a slanted section of the door
glass 2a and is introduced into the drum 4 as guided by the drying
duct 7.
[0020] Within the drum 4, the hot air evaporates moisture from
laundry while heating the laundry. At this time, the drum 4 is
rotated at a low speed to stir the laundry in the drum 4 such that
the laundry can be uniformly exposed to the hot air, thereby
promoting evaporation of moisture from the laundry.
[0021] Evaporated moisture is discharged in a state of being
contained in air through the condensing duct 9. At this time, the
moisture is removed from the air by spraying water from the
condensing water supply tube 9a. Then, the air, after having the
moisture removed, is introduced again into the drying duct 7, and
is changed to hot air by the heater 7b and blow fan 7a, which in
turn flows again into the drum 4 for the drying operation. In this
manner, laundry is dried by repeating such an aforementioned series
of processes.
[0022] In the conventional drum type washing machine that is
designed to remove moisture from air by circulating the air with
condensing water, there is a limit to the reduction in the amount
of moisture in the air using this technique. As a result, air of
high humidity is introduced inside the drum and thus is used to
perform the drying cycle, providing a low drying efficiency.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The present invention is conceived to solve the problems of
the conventional washing machine as described above, and an aspect
of the present invention is to provide a drum type washing machine
that has improved drying efficiency.
[0024] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
drum type washing machine includes: a tub disposed inside a
cabinet; a drum disposed inside the tub; and a suction duct
communicating with the tub.
[0025] The suction duct may be disposed at an upper side of the
tub.
[0026] The suction duct may be connected at one end to a
through-hole formed on a rear side of the tub, and have the opposed
end located as a free end inside the cabinet. Further, the drum may
formed to have inflow holes at a location corresponding to the
location of the tub through-hole. The inflow holes may be arranged
in a circular band shape on a rear side of the drum.
[0027] The drum type washing machine may further include: an
exhaust duct communicating with the tub and extending to an outside
of the cabinet; an exhaust fan disposed at a discharge hole side of
the tub; and a motor to drive the exhaust fan. The exhaust duct may
communicate with the discharge hole, an extension conduit and a
housing may be disposed between the discharge hole and the exhaust
duct, and the exhaust fan may be disposed in the housing. Further,
the tub may be provided with balancers separated from each other,
and the extension conduit may be disposed between the balancers.
The housing may have a bottom surface located a predetermined
height higher than that of the extension conduit to form a step
between the bottom surfaces of the housing and the extension
conduit. Further, the washing machine may further include a
drainage pump to drain water from the tub to an outside of the
cabinet, and a connection pipe extending between the bottom surface
of the extension conduit and the drainage pump. The discharge hole
may be disposed at a lower side of the tub.
[0028] The washing machine may further include a heater disposed
inside the suction duct.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following
description of exemplary embodiments given in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a sectional side elevation view of a conventional
drum type washing machine;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevation view of a drum type
washing machine in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a front view of a tub of the drum type washing
machine in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0033] FIG. 4 is a rear view of a drum of the drum type washing
machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
For descriptive convenience, the present invention will be
described with a front-loaded drum type washing machine having a
condensation type dryer given by way of illustration. In the
disclosure of the present invention, the drawings may be
exaggerated in thickness of lines or scale of components for the
purpose of descriptive convenience and clarity only. Furthermore,
terms used herein should be defined in consideration of functions
of components of the present invention and thus can be changed
according to the custom or intention of users or operators.
Therefore, definition of such terms should be determined according
to overall disclosures set forth herein.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the drum type washing machine
includes a cabinet 50, a tub 52 inside the cabinet 50 to receive
water, a drum 54 rotatably disposed inside the tub 52 to receive
laundry, a drive unit 58 provided to the tub 52 and connected to
the drum 54, a water supply device 56 extending from an outside of
the cabinet 50 to the tub 52, a drainage unit 59 extending through
the tub 52 to the outside of the cabinet 50, and a dryer to remove
moisture from washed laundry.
[0036] When the washing machine is started to operate with laundry
received inside the drum 54, water is supplied into the tub 52 and
drum 54 through the water supply device 56, and after the supply of
water is completed, the drum 54 is rotated to perform a washing
operation by application of power to the drive unit 58.
[0037] When the washing operation is completed, water is discharged
outside the cabinet 50 through the drainage unit 59, followed by a
drying operation of the washing machine to remove remaining
moisture from the laundry by means of the dryer.
[0038] The dryer includes a suction duct 60 communicating with the
tub 52, an exhaust duct 70 communicating with the tub 52 and
extending to the outside of the cabinet 50, an exhaust fan 72
disposed at a side of a discharge hole 52b of the tub 52, and a
motor 74 connected to a rotational shaft of the exhaust fan 72. The
suction duct 60 is preferably provided therein with a heater 62 to
heat air being introduced into the suction duct 60. Additionally,
in order to draw in external air of a low humidity from the outside
the tub 52, the suction duct 60 is connected at one end 64 to the
tub 52, and has a free end 66 formed at the end opposed to the one
end 64. Preferably, the free end 66 of the suction duct 60 remains
disconnected from nearby structures, and is located inside the
cabinet 50 to reduce the amount of dust in the air being drawn in
through the suction duct 60.
[0039] A tub through-hole 52a is formed on the rear of the tub 52
to be connected with the suction duct 60, and the discharge hole
52b is formed at the opening of the tub 52 to communicate with the
exhaust duct 70.
[0040] When the drying operation is started, power is applied to
the motor 74 to drive the exhaust fan 72 along with rotation of the
drum 54 at a predetermined speed or less by the drive unit 58,
allowing air to be introduced from the outside.
[0041] While being introduced along the suction duct 60, the air is
heated and converted to dry hot air by the heater 62. Thus, when it
comes into contact with laundry moving inside the drum 54, the dry
hot air absorbs moisture from the laundry. Then, the air containing
the moisture is discharged outside the cabinet through the exhaust
duct 70 via the exhaust fan 72.
[0042] During the washing operation, water can flow out through the
suction duct 60, or discharged water can flow into the tub 52
through the suction duct 60. Accordingly, the suction duct 60 is
preferably located at an upper side of the tub 52. Further, to
provide an extended contact time between air being introduced from
above and the laundry while ensuring uniform distribution of the
air to the laundry, the discharge hole 52b is preferably located at
a lower side of the tub 52. More preferably, the discharge hole 52b
is located in a diagonal direction with respect to the suction duct
60 through which air is sucked into the cabinet 50. In this
embodiment, the suction duct 60 is disposed on an inner wall of the
cabinet 50, and is bent in a -shape to have one end 64 connected to
the rear of the tub 52 and the opposed end 66 located as a free end
inside the cabinet 50.
[0043] With such an arrangement of the suction duct 60 as described
above, air inside the cabinet 50 can be forced to flow into the tub
52 through the suction duct 60.
[0044] Further, for improved drying efficiency, an extension
conduit 76 and a housing 78 are disposed between the discharge hole
52b and the exhaust duct, and the exhaust fan 72 is disposed inside
the housing 78. In combination with operation of the exhaust fan
72, internal air is discharged from the drum 54 to the outside
through the exhaust duct 70, and external air of a low humidity is
supplied into the drum 52 through the suction duct 60. As such,
since air having the low humidity is supplied into the drum 52, the
drying efficiency of the washing machine is improved.
[0045] The tub 52 has a pair of balancers 80 disposed in a
separated state on opposed sides of the tub opening 52c (FIG. 3).
The extension conduit 76 is disposed between the balancers 80 so as
not to interfere with the balancers 80.
[0046] In order to allow external air that has flowed into the tub
52 to be supplied into the drum 54, the rear side of the drum 54 is
provided with inflow holes 54a. The inflow holes 54a are formed to
extend through the rear side of the drum 54 at a location
corresponding to the location of the tub through-hole 52a. The
plural inflow holes 54a are spaced at predetermined intervals from
each other. Since the drum 54 is rotated during use, the inflow
holes 54a are preferably formed in a circular band shape on the
rear side of the drum 54. Since the tub through-hole 52a continues
to face the inflow holes 54a during the rotation of the drum 54,
the air having flowed into the tub 52 through the tub through-hole
52 can be supplied into the drum 54 via the inflow holes 54a.
[0047] The bottom of the housing 78 is located a predetermined
height above that of the extension conduit 76 to form a step 77
between the bottom surfaces of the housing 78 and the extension
conduit 76, and a connection pipe 79 is disposed between the bottom
of the extension conduit 76 and the drainage pump 59b. Accordingly,
when flowing into the extension conduit 76 through the discharge
hole 52b, water is accumulated on the bottom surface of the
extension conduit 76, and is then discharged to the outside of the
cabinet 50 through the drainage unit 59. Specifically, water flows
into the connection pipe 79 and discharged by the drainage pump 59a
outside of the cabinet 50 through the drainage pipe 59a.
[0048] Next, operation of the washing machine having the
construction as above according to one embodiment of the present
invention will be described.
[0049] When the drying operation is started after the washing
operation, power is applied to the drive unit 58 to rotate the drum
54. Further, when the motor 74 is driven, the exhaust fan 72 is
rotated to circulate air inside the cabinet. As the exhaust fan 72
is rotated, the air inside the cabinet flows into the drum 54
through the tub through-hole 52a and the inflow holes 54a via the
suction duct 60, where the air is changed to dry hot air by the
heater 62. The dry hot air comes into contact with laundry within
the drum 54, absorbs moisture from the laundry, and is then
exhausted outside the cabinet 50 through the exhaust duct 70 along
the discharge hole 52b, extension conduit 76, housing 78, and
exhaust fan 72. Here, water passing through the discharge hole 52b
is accumulated on the bottom of the extension conduit 76, and is
then discharged outside the cabinet 50 through the drainage pump
59b and drainage pipe 59a via the extension conduit 76. Air flowing
into the extension conduit 76 through the discharge hole 52b is
directed toward the exhaust duct 70 by the exhaust fan 72, and is
then exhausted outside the cabinet 50. As such, the water and air
passing through the discharge hole 52b are separated and discharged
outside the cabinet 50 along the drainage pipe 59a and the exhaust
duct 70, respectively.
[0050] Since the extension conduit 76 on the front side of the tub
52 is disposed between the balancers 80 so as to have a
predetermined separation between the extension conduit 76 and the
balancers 80, the extension conduit 76 is prevented from contacting
the balancers 80 when the drying operation or the washing operation
is performed as described above.
[0051] As apparent from the above description, the washing machine
according to the present invention has improved drying efficiency
by performing a drying operation with air of high temperature and
low humidity.
[0052] Further, the washing machine of the invention circulates air
using an exhaust fan, enabling efficient circulation of air, and
thus reducing time and cost for the drying operation.
[0053] Further, in the washing machine of the invention, the free
end 66 of a suction duct is located inside the cabinet, thereby
preventing foreign matter from entering the tub 52.
[0054] Further, in the washing machine of the invention, the
suction duct 60 is disposed at an upper side of the tub 52, so that
air flowing into the tub 52 is uniformly distributed to laundry
inside a drum 54, and so that air having a low humidity is drawn
into the tub 52.
[0055] Further, in the washing machine, the suction duct 60
communicates with the upper side of the tub 52, and the discharge
hole 52b is disposed at the lower side of the tub 52. Accordingly,
the washing machine ensures an extended contact time between inflow
air and laundry, uniform distribution of air with respect to the
laundry, and improved drying efficiency.
[0056] Further, the washing machine has plural balancers 80
separated from each other to prevent intervention between a drying
device and other components, thereby suppressing vibration during
the drying and washing operations. Therefore, the washing machine
avoids being damaged, and also performs quiet and stable washing
and drying operations.
[0057] Moreover, the washing machine has a step 77 formed between
the extension conduit 76 and a housing 78, and is provided with a
connection pipe 79 to guide water accumulated on the bottom of the
extension conduit 76 to a drainage pump 59b, so that air and water
passing through a discharge hole 52b are discharged in a separated
state to the outside, and so that malfunction or corrosion-related
damage of an exhaust fan 72 caused by contact between water and the
exhaust fan is prevented, thereby extending a lifetime of the
washing machine.
[0058] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the
embodiments and drawings are given by way of illustration only,
and, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and equivalent other embodiments can be made without
departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the
scope of the present invention should be limited only by the
accompanying claims.
* * * * *