U.S. patent application number 12/081022 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-19 for washing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Heung-gi Kim, Ig-geun Kwon, Hee-tae Lim, Suk-yun Moon, Jung-tae Song.
Application Number | 20090071199 12/081022 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39296891 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090071199 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kwon; Ig-geun ; et
al. |
March 19, 2009 |
Washing machine
Abstract
A drum type washing machine is disclosed. The drum type washing
machine includes a tub mounted in a case, a drum rotatably mounted
in the tub, and a tilt reduction unit for reducing the downward
tilt degree of the tub and the drum when laundry to be cleaned is
received into the drum. According to the present invention, it is
possible to reduce the downward tilt degree of the tub and the
drum, and therefore, it is possible to increase the capacities of
the tub and the drum without the modification of the case.
Inventors: |
Kwon; Ig-geun; (Changwon-si,
KR) ; Lim; Hee-tae; (Changwon-si, KR) ; Kim;
Heung-gi; (Changwon-si, KR) ; Song; Jung-tae;
(Changwon-si, KR) ; Moon; Suk-yun; (Changwon-si,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE LLP
1900 K STREET, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
39296891 |
Appl. No.: |
12/081022 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/140 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 37/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
68/140 |
International
Class: |
D06F 37/20 20060101
D06F037/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 10, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0034989 |
Claims
1. A drum type washing machine comprising: a case; a tub provided
in the case; a drum rotatably provided in the tub; and a tilt
reduction unit to reduce the downward tilt degree of the tub and
the drum when laundry is received into the drum.
2. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the
tilt reduction unit includes a plurality of elastic members
provided at the tub, such that the entrance sides of the tub and
the drum tilt upward by a predetermined angle when the laundry is
not received into the drum.
3. The drum type washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the
elastic members are mounted at the tub such that the entrance sides
of the tub and the drum tilt upward by an angle of 0.5 to 1 degree
when the laundry is not received into the drum.
4. The drum type washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the
elastic members are mounted at the tub such that the entrance sides
of the tub and the drum do not tilt upward by an angle of more than
1 degree when the laundry is not received into the drum.
5. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the
tilt reduction unit includes a plurality of elastic members
provided at the tub, such that the entrance sides of the tub and
the drum do not tilt downward by more than a predetermined angle
when a maximum amount of the laundry is received into the drum.
6. The drum type washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the
elastic members are mounted at the tub such that the entrance sides
of the tub and the drum tilt downward by an angle of 0.5 to 1
degree when a maximum amount of the laundry is received into the
drum.
7. The drum type washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the
elastic members are mounted at the tub such that the entrance sides
of the tub and the drum do not tilt downward by an angle of more
than 1 degree when a maximum amount of the laundry is received into
the drum.
8. A drum type washing machine comprising: a case; a tub provided
in the case; a drum rotatably provided in the tub; and a plurality
of elastic members arranged at predetermined intervals from the
center of gravity of the tub, to support the tub.
9. The drum type washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the
elastic members are mounted at opposite sides of the upper part of
the tub.
10. The drum type washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the
elastic members are mounted at the tub such that one elastic member
is mounted at each side of the upper part of the tub.
11. The drum type washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the
elastic members are mounted at the tub such that the elastic
members are arranged at predetermined intervals toward the entrance
side of the tub from the center of gravity of the tub.
12. The drum type washing machine according to claim 11, wherein
the elastic members are mounted at the tub such that the entrance
sides of the tub and the drum tilt upward by an angle of 0.5 to 1
degree when the laundry is not received into the drum.
13. The drum type washing machine according to claim 11, wherein
the elastic members are mounted at the tub such that the entrance
sides of the tub and the drum do not tilt upward by an angle of
more than 1 degree when the laundry is not received into the
drum.
14. The drum type washing machine according to claim 11, wherein
the elastic members are mounted at the tub such that the entrance
sides of the tub and the drum tilt downward by an angle of 0.5 to 1
degree when a maximum amount of the laundry is received into the
drum.
15. The drum type washing machine according to claim 11, wherein
the elastic members are mounted at the tub such that the entrance
sides of the tub and the drum do not tilt downward by an angle of
more than 1 degree when a maximum amount of the laundry is received
into the drum.
16. The drum type washing machine according to claim 11, wherein
the elastic members are mounted at the tub such that the entrance
sides of the tub and the drum tilt upward by an angle of 0.5 to 1
degree when the laundry is not received into the drum and such that
the entrance sides of the tub and the drum do not tilt downward by
an angle of more than 1 degree when a maximum amount of the laundry
is received into the drum.
17. A drum type washing machine comprising: a case; a tub mounted
in the case for receiving wash water; a drum rotatably mounted in
the tub for receiving laundry to be cleaned; and a plurality of
elastic members mounted at the outside of the tub, such that the
elastic members are arranged at predetermined intervals toward the
entrance side of the tub from the center of gravity of the tub, for
allowing the entrance sides of the tub and the drum to tilt upward
by a predetermined angle when the laundry is not received into the
drum and preventing the entrance sides of the tub and the drum from
tilting downward by more than a predetermined angle when a maximum
amount of the laundry is received into the drum.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2007-0034989, filed on Apr. 10, 2007, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set
forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more
particularly, to a drum type washing machine constructed in a
structure in which the capacities of a tub and a drum are increased
without the modification of a case forming the external appearance
of the drum type washing machine.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, a washing machine may be classified as a top
loading type washing machine which receives laundry to be cleaned
from the top of a case or as a drum type washing machine which
receives laundry to be cleaned from the front of a case.
[0006] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view schematically illustrating
the interior structure of a conventional drum type washing
machine.
[0007] Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional drum type washing
machine includes a case 1 forming the external appearance of the
drum type washing machine, a tub 4 mounted in the case 1 for
receiving wash water, and a drum 6 rotatably mounted in the tub 4
for receiving laundry to be cleaned.
[0008] The case 1 forms the external appearance of the drum type
washing machine. The tub 4 is mounted in the case 1. The tub 4
includes a front tub 2 and a rear tub 3. The drum 6 is rotatably
mounted in the tub 4. At the rear of the tub 4 is mounted a drive
unit 9 for driving the drum 6 such that the drum 6 is rotated.
[0009] The tub 4 is supported by a damper 8 mounted at the lower
side of the tub 4 and elastic members 7 mounted at the upper side
of the tub 4. The damper 8 and the elastic members 7 serve to
absorb vibration, generated from the tub 4 when the drum 6 is
rotated by the drive unit 9, to some extent.
[0010] In the conventional drum type washing machine, however, it
is very difficult to increase the capacities of the drum 6 and the
tub 4 unless the size of the case 1 is changed. Specifically, not
only the external sizes of washing machines preferred by every
nation are different from each other, but also the standards of the
external appearances of washing machines are different from each
other. Consequently, it is required to increase the capacity of the
washing machine without changing the size of the case 1. However,
the conventional drum type washing machine has a difficulty.
[0011] This is because the conventional drum type washing machine
is constructed in a structure in which the elastic members 7 are
positioned at opposite sides of the tub 4 such that the elastic
members 7 coincide with the center of gravity, and therefore, the
drum and the tub 4 are maintained level to some extent when laundry
to be cleaned is not placed in the drum 6; however, the drum and
the tub 5 tilt downward when laundry to be cleaned is put in the
drum 6, particularly when a maximum amount of the laundry to be
cleaned in put in the drum 6.
[0012] Also, when laundry to be cleaned is put in the drum 6, the
laundry is generally gathered at the entrance side of the drum 6.
Even when the washing machine is operated, the laundry remains
gathered at the entrance side of the drum 6, with the result that
the entrance sides of the drum 6 and the tub 4 tilt downward. When
the entrance sides of the drum 6 and the tub 4 tilt downward by
more than a predetermined angle, the upper side of the tub 4 is
vibrated by the rotation of the drum 6, with the result that the
tub 4 comes into contact with the inside of the case 1, since the
inner space of the case 1 is narrow. Consequently, the tub 4 may be
damaged or even broken in the worst case.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] 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.
[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide a drum type
washing machine constructed in a structure in which the capacities
of a tub and a drum are increased without the modification of a
case forming the external appearance of the drum type washing
machine.
[0015] 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.
[0016] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, a drum type washing machine includes a
tub mounted in a case, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub, and a
tilt reduction unit for reducing the downward tilt degree of the
tub and the drum when laundry to be cleaned is received into the
drum.
[0017] In another aspect of the present invention, a drum type
washing machine includes a case, a tub mounted in the case for
receiving wash water, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub for
receiving laundry to be cleaned, and a plurality of elastic members
mounted at the outside of the tub, such that the elastic members
are arranged at predetermined intervals toward the entrance side of
the tub from the center of gravity of the tub, for allowing the
entrance sides of the tub and the drum to tilt upward by a
predetermined angle when the laundry is not received into the drum
and preventing the entrance sides of the tub and the drum from
tilting downward by more than a predetermined angle when a maximum
amount of the laundry is received into the drum.
[0018] 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
[0019] 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:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view schematically illustrating
the structure of a conventional drum type washing machine;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a drum type washing
machine including a tilt reduction unit according to an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustrating the separation
between a tub and a drum of which the capacities are increased
according to the present invention; and
[0023] FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the tilt degree of the tub
and the drum at the entrance sides of the tub and the drum
depending upon the change in weight of wash water and laundry to be
cleaned in the conventional drum type washing machine and the drum
type washing machine according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] 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.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a drum type washing
machine including a tilt reduction unit according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, the drum type washing machine according
to the present invention includes a tilt reduction unit 30 for
reducing the downward tilt degree of a tub 16 and a drum 20 at the
entrance sides thereof when laundry to be cleaned and wash water
are received into the drum 20 (see FIG. 3).
[0027] The tilt reduction unit 30 includes a plurality of elastic
members 33 mounted at the tub 16 such that the elastic members 33
are arranged at predetermined intervals from the center of gravity
of the tub 16. The tub 16 includes a front tub 12 and a rear tub
14. Opposite ends of the elastic members 33 are fixed to fixing
brackets 34 mounted at the outer circumference of the front tub 12
and in fixing holes 36 formed at a fixing plate 38 mounted at the
inner top of a case (not shown), whereby the tub 16 is supported by
the elastic members 33. In particular, the elastic members 33,
constituting the tilt reduction unit 30 according to the present
invention, are arranged at predetermined intervals from the center
of gravity of the tub 16 to reduce the tilt of the tub 16 and the
drum 20, which will be described hereinafter in detail.
[0028] Specifically, the elastic members 33 are mounted at the tub
16 such that the elastic members 33 are arranged at predetermined
intervals toward the entrance side of the tub 16 from the center of
gravity of the tub 16. In this case, the entrance side of the tub
16, which is supported by the elastic members 33, tilts upward by a
predetermined angle when laundry to be cleaned and wash water are
not received into the tub 16. That is, the elastic members 33 are
mounted at the tub 16 such that the elastic members 33 are arranged
at predetermined intervals toward the entrance side of the tub 16
from the center of gravity of the tub 16, with the result that the
entrance side of the tub 16 is raised, whereas the rear side of the
tub 16 is lowered.
[0029] Meanwhile the elastic members 33 may be a pair of elastic
members 33 mounted at opposite sides of the tub 16. However, the
number of the elastic members 33 is not particularly restricted.
For example, two or more elastic members 33 may be mounted at the
tub 16. Specifically, two elastic members may be mounted at one
side of the tub 16, and two elastic members may be mounted at the
other side of the tub 16. In this case, the four elastic members
are arranged such that the central points of the elastic members
are located toward the entrance side of the tub 16 at predetermined
intervals from the center of gravity. The following description
will be given on the assumption that two elastic members 33,
constituting the tilt reduction unit 30, are mounted at opposite
sides of the upper part of the tub 16, respectively.
[0030] As previously described, in a case where the elastic members
33 are mounted at the tub 16 such that the elastic members 33 are
arranged at predetermined intervals toward the entrance side of the
tub 16 from the center of gravity of the tub 16, the entrance sides
of the drum 20 and the tub 16 tilt upward by a predetermined angle,
when laundry to be cleaned and wash water are not received into the
drum 20. Preferably, the elastic members 33 are mounted at the tub
16 such that the entrance sides of the drum 20 and the tub 16 tilt
upward by an angle of approximately 0.5 to 1 degree when laundry to
be cleaned and wash water are not received into the drum 20. If the
entrance sides of the drum 20 and the tub 16 tilt upward by an
angle of more than 1 degree, the entrance-side lower part of the
tub 16 comes into contact with the inside of the case (not shown),
with the result that the tub 16 may be deformed or damaged.
Consequently, it is preferred to mount the elastic members 33 at
the tub 16 such that the entrance sides of the drum 20 and the tub
16 do not tilt upward by an angle of more than 1 degree.
[0031] On the other hand, when laundry to be cleaned and wash water
are received into the drum 20, the entrance sides of the drum 20
and the tub 16 tilt downward due to the weights of the laundry and
the wash water. In this case, the downward tilt degree of the drum
20 and the tub 16 in which the entrance sides of the drum 20 and
the tub 16 tilt downward is maximally reduced, although the laundry
and the wash water are received into the drum 20, since the elastic
members 33 are mounted at the tub 16 such that the entrance sides
of the drum 20 and the tub 16 tilt upward when the laundry and the
wash water are not received into the drum 20 according to the
present invention.
[0032] Preferably, the elastic members 33 are mounted at the tub 16
such that the entrance sides of the drum 20 and the tub 16 tilt
downward by an angle of approximately 0.5 degree to 1 degree even
when a maximum amount of laundry to be cleaned and wash water are
received into the drum 20. If the entrance sides of the drum 20 and
the tub 16 tilt downward by an angle of more than 1 degree, the
entrance-side upper part of the tub 16 comes into contact with the
inside of the case (not shown), with the result that the tub 16 may
be deformed or damaged. Consequently, it is preferred to mount the
elastic members 33 at the tub 16 such that the entrance sides of
the drum 20 and the tub 16 do not tilt downward by an angle of more
than 1 degree.
[0033] According to the present invention, therefore, the elastic
members 33, constituting the tilt reduction unit 30, are mounted at
the tub 16 such that the elastic members 33 are arranged at
predetermined intervals toward the entrance side of the tub 16 from
the center of gravity of the tub 16, with the result that, when
laundry to be cleaned and wash water are not received into the drum
20, the entrance sides of the drum 20 and the tub 16 tilt upward by
the predetermined angle, and, even when a maximum amount of laundry
to be cleaned and wash water are received into the drum 20, the
entrance sides of the drum 20 and the tub 16 are prevented from
tilting downward by more than the predetermined degree.
[0034] Consequently, even when the washing machine is operated, and
therefore, the drum 20 is rotated, the downward tilt of the tub 16
is reduced according to the present invention, with the result that
the distance between the tub 16 and the case is maintained, whereby
it is possible to increase the capacities of the tub 16 and the
drum 20. That is, even when laundry to be cleaned and wash water
are received into the drum 20, the downward tilt degree of the drum
20 and the tub 16 in which the entrance sides of the drum 20 and
the tub 16 tilt downward is reduced, with the result that the
distance between the tub 16 and the case is maintained, whereby it
is possible to increase the lengths of the drum 20 and the tub 16
without changing the size of the case, and therefore, it is
possible to increase the capacities of the tub 16 and the drum
20.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the front tub 12 of the tub 16
and the drum 20, the capacities of which are increased by the
increase in length of the tub 16 and the drum 20, of the drum type
washing machine according to the present invention.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, it is possible to increase the
capacities of the tub 16 and the drum 20 by increasing the lengths
of the drum 20 and the tub 16 (see FIG. 2) by a length A according
to the present invention. The tub 20 includes the front tub 12 and
the rear tub 14 (see FIG. 2). According to the present invention,
the length of the front tub 12 is increased to increase the
capacity of the tub 20. However, the present invention is not
limited by the above-described modification of the tub 12. For
example, the length of the rear tub 14 may be increased to increase
the capacity of the tub 20. Alternatively, the lengths of both the
front tub 12 and the rear tub 14 may be increased to increase the
capacity of the tub 20.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the tilt degree of the tub
and the drum at the entrance sides of the tub and the drum
depending upon the change in weight of wash water and laundry to be
cleaned in the conventional drum type washing machine and the drum
type washing machine according to the present invention. In FIG. 4,
the vertical axis indicates the tilt degree of the tub and the
drum, and the horizontal axis indicates the weight of laundry to be
cleaned and the wash water. Here, the downward tilt angle of the
tub and the drum is marked with minus (-), and the upward tilt
angle of the tub and the drum is marked with plus (+).
[0038] Referring to FIG. 4, it can be seen that, when laundry to be
cleaned and wash water are not received into the conventional drum
type washing machine, the entrance side of the tub tilts downward
by an angle of approximately -2.0 degrees. With the reception of
laundry to be cleaned and wash water, the downward tilt degree of
the tub at the entrance side of the tub gradually decreases, but,
after the weight of the laundry and the wash water exceeds
approximately 10 kg, the downward tilt degree of the tub at the
entrance side of the tub gradually increases. In particular, when a
maximum amount of the laundry and the wash water are received into
the drum, and the weight of the laundry and the wash water reaches
approximately 30 kg, the entrance sides of the tub and the drum
tilt downward by an angle of approximately -3.0 degrees.
[0039] In the conventional drum type washing machine, as described
above, when the maximum amount of the laundry and the wash water
are received into the drum, the entrance sides of the tub and the
drum excessively tilt downward. Consequently, when the lengths of
the drum and the tub are increased to increase the capacities of
the drum and the tub, the entrance-side upper part of the tub comes
into contact with the inside of the case.
[0040] In the drum type washing machine according to the present
invention, on the other hand, the entrance sides of the tub and the
drum tilt upward by an angle of approximately +0.5 degrees, when
laundry to be cleaned and wash water are not received into the
drum. Even when a maximum amount of the laundry and the wash water
are received into the drum, with the result that the weight of the
laundry and the wash water reaches approximately 30 kg, the
entrance sides of the tub and the drum do not tilt downward by an
angle of more than approximately -1.0 degree. In particular, the
drum type washing machine according to the present invention is
constructed in a structure in which, when the capacity of the drum
type washing machine generally used when a user operates the drum
type washing machine, i.e., the weight of laundry to be cleaned and
wash water, reaches 18 kg (for example, 6 kg of the laundry and 12
kg of the wash water), the entrance side of the tub 16 tilts
approximately neither upward nor downward, but is maintained
level.
[0041] According to the present invention, therefore, the downward
tilt degree of the tub and the drum in which the entrance sides of
the tub and the drum tilt downward is minimized even when a maximum
amount of laundry to be cleaned and wash water are received into
the drum. Consequently, the entrance side of the tub is prevented
from coming into contact with the inside of the case, during the
operation of the drum type washing machine, even in a structure in
which the lengths of the tub and the drum are increased, and
therefore, it is possible to increase the capacities of the tub and
the drum.
[0042] Apparent from the above description, the drum type washing
machine according to the present invention is characterized by the
tilt reduction unit, and therefore, it is possible to minimize the
downward tilt degree of the tub at the entrance side of the tub
when laundry to be cleaned and wash water are received into the
drum.
[0043] Also, the downward tilt degree of the tub at the entrance
side of the tub is minimized according to the present invention.
Consequently, it is possible to increase the capacities of the tub
and the drum without changing the size of the case, forming the
external appearance of the washing machine.
[0044] Also, the downward tilt degree of the tub at the entrance
side of the tub is minimized according to the present invention.
Consequently, it is possible to minimize vibration generated from
the tub during the rotation of the drum.
[0045] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. 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.
* * * * *