U.S. patent application number 12/299228 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-06 for washing machine.
Invention is credited to Ig Geun Kweun, Kyu Hwan Lee, Yong Suck Park.
Application Number | 20090193855 12/299228 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38655674 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090193855 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Yong Suck ; et
al. |
August 6, 2009 |
WASHING MACHINE
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a washing machine having a hall sensor wire
stably secured to a tub through a rear wall of the tub, thereby
preventing the hall sensor wire from freely moving due to vibration
transmitted from the tub when operating the washing machine. The
washing machine comprises a tub installed in a body of the washing
machine to contain water, and a fixing bracket positioned on a rear
wall of the tub to prevent movement of at least one hall sensor
wire connected with a hall sensor serving to detect a speed of a
motor installed on the rear wall of the tub.
Inventors: |
Park; Yong Suck;
(Gyeongsangnam-do, KR) ; Kweun; Ig Geun;
(Gyeongsangnam-do, KR) ; Lee; Kyu Hwan; (Busan,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KED & ASSOCIATES, LLP
P.O. Box 221200
Chantilly
VA
20153-1200
US
|
Family ID: |
38655674 |
Appl. No.: |
12/299228 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
May 2, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR06/01631 |
371 Date: |
October 31, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/12.27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 33/00 20130101;
D06F 2204/065 20130101; H02G 3/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
68/12.27 |
International
Class: |
D06F 39/00 20060101
D06F039/00; D06F 33/02 20060101 D06F033/02 |
Claims
1. A washing machine, comprising: a tub installed in a cabinet of
the washing machine to contain water; and a fixing bracket
positioned on a rear wall of the tub to prevent movement of a hall
sensor wire connected with a hall sensor serving to detect a speed
of a motor installed on the rear wall of the tub.
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the fixing
bracket comprises a body defining an outer appearance of the fixing
bracket and having a recess formed thereon to receive the hall
sensor wire, and a fixing part formed at one end of the body and
having at least one fastening hole formed therein to secure the
body.
3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the recess has
both circumferences rounded outwardly.
4. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the fixing
bracket has all circumferences rounded outwardly.
5. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the fixing
bracket is secured to the rear wall of the tub by means of a
one-point fastening structure.
6. The washing machine according to claim 5, further comprising: a
rotation preventing device formed on the fixing bracket and the
rear wall of the tub to prevent the fixing bracket from
rotating.
7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the rotation
preventing device comprises a rotation preventing protrusion formed
on the tub, and an insertion hole formed through the fixing bracket
so as to allow the rotation preventing protrusion to be inserted
therein.
8. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the rotation
preventing device comprises a rotation preventing protrusion formed
on the fixing bracket, and an insertion hole formed on the tub so
as to allow the rotation preventing protrusion to be inserted
therein.
9. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a
fixing device formed on the rear wall of the tub to fix remaining
portions of the hall sensor wire secured to the fixing bracket.
10. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the fixing
device comprises a pair of protrusions formed on the rear wall of
the tub so as to allow the hall sensor wire to be fitted between
the pair of protrusions.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more
particularly, to a washing machine, which has structure to prevent
a hall sensor wire connected with a hall sensor serving to detect a
rotating speed of a motor from freely moving due to vibration
transmitted from a tub when washing laundry, thereby preventing
damage or disconnection of the hall sensor wire.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Generally, washing machines are classified into pulsator
type washing machines which wash laundry using water motion
generated by rotating a plate-shaped pulsator, and drum type
washing machines which wash the laundry using falling of water and
the laundry and frictional force therebetween generated within a
horizontally laid tub by rotating the tub.
[0003] Among these washing machines, the drum type washing machine
has been increasingly demanded in recent years due to its merits
over the pulsator type washing machine in that the drum type
washing machine uses a smaller amount of water and detergent, and
is substantially free from damage and entanglement of the laundry
when washing the laundry.
[0004] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, construction of a conventional
drum type washing machine will be described in detail as
follows.
[0005] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section view illustrating
construction of a conventional drum type washing machine, which
comprises a tub 2 positioned within a cabinet 1, a drum rotatably
installed at an inner center of the tub 2, and a controller 7
positioned at an upper portion of the cabinet 2 to control
operation of the washing machine.
[0006] A motor 5 of the washing machine is positioned at a rear
side of the tub 2, and comprises a stator 5a secured to a rear wall
of the tub 2 and a rotor 5b which penetrates the tub 2 and is
connected with the drum 3 via a shaft 4 while surrounding the
stator 5a.
[0007] The motor 5 is provided at one side with a hall sensor 9 to
detect a speed of the motor 5, and a hall sensor wire 9a positioned
at a lower side of the rear wall of the tub 2 and connected with
the hall sensor 9 to supply power to the hall sensor 9 or to allow
the hall sensor 9 to be controlled by the controller 7.
[0008] The hall sensor wire 9a is connected with the hall sensor 9
via a hall sensor connecting member 9b.
[0009] Meanwhile, a door 21 is installed on a front side of the
cabinet 1, and a gasket 22 is installed between the door 21 and the
tub 2.
[0010] In addition, a hanging spring 23 is installed between an
inner side of an upper surface of the cabinet 1 and an upper side
of an outer periphery of the tub 2 to hold the tub 2, and a
friction damper 24 is installed between an inner side of a lower
surface of the cabinet 1 and a lower side of an outer periphery of
the tub 2 to damp vibration of the tub 2 that occurs upon spin
drying.
[0011] Operation of the conventional drum type washing machine will
be described hereinafter.
[0012] When power is applied to the stator 5a of the motor 5 with
the drum 3 filled with water and detergent, the rotor 5b is
rotated. Rotation of the rotor 5b causes the shaft 4 to be rotated,
and in turn, causes rotation of the drum 3.
[0013] Then, laundry contained in the drum 3 is washed by virtue of
water and friction between the laundry and the drum 3.
[0014] The conventional drum type washing machine has a problem as
follows.
[0015] For the conventional drum type washing machine, when driving
the motor 5 for operation of the washing machine, vibration is
generated, and transmitted to the tub 2, causing the hall sensor
wire 9a positioned on the rear wall of the tub to move. As a
result, there is possibility that displacement of the hall sensor
wire 9a with respect to the tub 2 becomes significantly
enlarged.
[0016] As the displacement of the hall sensor wire 9a with respect
to the tub 2 becomes significantly enlarged, load is applied to the
connecting member 9b of the hall sensor wire 9a so that the
connecting member 9b of the hall sensor wire 9a is damaged, or the
hall sensor wire 9a is disconnected.
[0017] Furthermore, the disconnection of the hall sensor wire 9a
can cause short circuit, and result in fire.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0018] An object of the present invention devised to solve the
problem lies on a washing machine, which has a hall sensor wire
stably secured to a tub on a rear wall of the tub, thereby
preventing the hall sensor wire from freely moving due to vibration
transmitted from the tub when operating the washing machine.
Technical Solution
[0019] The objects of the present invention can be achieved by
providing a washing machine, comprising: a tub installed in a
cabinet of the washing machine to contain water; and a fixing
bracket positioned on a rear wall of the tub to prevent movement of
a hall sensor wire connected with a hall sensor serving to detect a
speed of a motor installed on the rear wall of the tub.
[0020] The fixing bracket may comprise a body defining an outer
appearance of the fixing bracket and having a recess formed thereon
to receive the hall sensor wire, and a fixing part formed at one
end of the body and having at least one fastening hole formed
therein to secure the body.
[0021] The recess may have both circumferences rounded outwardly,
and the fixing bracket may have all circumferences rounded
outwardly.
[0022] The fixing bracket may be secured to the rear wall of the
tub by means of a one-point fastening structure.
[0023] The washing machine may further comprise a rotation
preventing device formed on the fixing bracket and the rear wall of
the tub to prevent the fixing bracket from rotating.
[0024] The rotation preventing device may comprise a rotation
preventing protrusion formed on the tub, and an insertion hole
formed through the fixing bracket so as to allow the rotation
preventing protrusion to be inserted therein.
[0025] The rotation preventing device may comprise a rotation
preventing protrusion formed on the fixing bracket, and an
insertion hole formed on the tub so as to allow the rotation
preventing protrusion to be inserted therein.
[0026] The washing machine may further comprise a fixing device
formed on the rear wall of the tub to fix remaining portions of the
hall sensor wire secured to the fixing bracket.
[0027] The fixing device may comprise a pair of protrusions formed
on the rear wall of the tub so as to allow the hall sensor wire to
be fitted between the pair of protrusions.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS
[0028] With this construction, the present invention has
advantageous effects as follows.
[0029] Firstly, according to the present invention, with the
structure of the hall sensor wire secured to the rear wall of the
tub, a large displacement of the hall sensor wire with respect to
the rear wall of the tub can be prevented from occurring due to
vibration transmitted from the tub when operating the drum type
washing machine, thereby solving problems such as damage or
disconnection of the hall sensor wire.
[0030] In this regard, since a short circuit caused by the
disconnection of the hall sensor wire is prevented, it is possible
to prevent fire from occurring.
[0031] Secondly, according to the present invention, with the
structure of the fixing bracket having the circumferences rounded
outwardly, the hall sensor wire can be prevented from being worn
out even with continuous contact of the hall sensor wire with the
circumferences of the fixing bracket, thereby preventing a cover of
the hall sensor wire from being worn out.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention.
[0033] In the drawings:
[0034] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section view illustrating the
construction of a conventional drum type washing machine;
[0035] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a rear structure of
the drum type washing machine shown in FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a rear structure
of a drum type washing machine in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of Part A of FIG. 3; and
[0038] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration
of a fixing bracket in the drum type washing machine in accordance
with the embodiment.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0039] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0040] For reference, in the following description, the same
components of the present invention as those of the conventional
washing machine will be denoted by the same reference numerals as
those of FIG. 1, and detailed description thereof will be omitted
hereinafter.
[0041] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a rear structure
of a drum type washing machine in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an enlarged view
illustrating Part A shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a perspective
view illustrating the structure of a fixing bracket of the drum
type washing machine in accordance with the preferred
embodiment.
[0042] As can be seen from FIGS. 3 to 5, the drum type washing
machine according to the embodiment comprises a tub 2 positioned
within a cabinet 1, a drum rotatably installed at an inner center
of the tub 2, and a controller 7 positioned at an upper portion of
the cabinet 2 to control operation of the washing machine.
[0043] In addition, a motor 5 of the washing machine is positioned
at a rear side of the tub 2, and comprises a stator 5a secured to a
rear wall of the tub 2 and a rotor 5b which penetrates the tub 2
and is connected with the drum 3 via a shaft 4 while surrounding
the stator 5a.
[0044] The motor 5 is provided at one side with a hall sensor 9 to
detect a speed of the motor 5, and a hall sensor wire 9a positioned
at a lower side of the rear wall of the tub 2 and connected with
the hall sensor 9 to supply power to the hall sensor 9 or to allow
the hall sensor 9 to be controlled by the controller 7.
[0045] The hall sensor wire 9a is connected with the hall sensor 9
via a hall sensor connecting member 9b.
[0046] Meanwhile, a door 21 is installed on a front side of the
cabinet 1, and a gasket 22 is installed between the door 21 and the
tub 2.
[0047] In addition, a hanging spring 23 is installed between an
inner side of an upper surface of the cabinet 1 and an upper side
of an outer periphery of the tub 2 to hold the tub 2, and a
friction damper 24 is installed between an inner side of a lower
surface of the cabinet 1 and a lower side of an outer periphery of
the tub 2 to damp vibration of the tub 2 that occurs upon spin
drying.
[0048] According to the embodiment, a fixing bracket 100 is
installed to the rear wall of the tub 2 to prevent a hall sensor
wire 9a from moving due to vibration transmitted from the tub when
driving the motor 5. The fixing bracket 100 comprises a body 110,
and a fixing part 130 to secure the body 110.
[0049] The body 110 is adapted, for example, to define an outer
appearance of the fixing bracket 100, and preferably has a recess
111 to allow a hall sensor wire 9a to be seated on the recess
111.
[0050] The fixing part 130 serves to secure the body 110 to the
rear wall of the tub 2, and preferably has at least one fastening
hole 131 formed therethrough so as to allow a screw S to be
fastened to the tub 2 therethrough.
[0051] Meanwhile, the recess 111 preferably has both circumferences
rounded outwardly. More preferably, the fixing bracket 100 has all
circumferences rounded outwardly.
[0052] More specifically, for the conventional drum type washing
machine, the cover of the hall sensor wire 9a can being worn out or
damaged due to continuous contact of the hall sensor wire 9a with
the circumference of the fixing bracket 100 when driving the motor
20, thereby causing a short circuit. On the contrary, according to
the present invention, the circumference of the fixing bracket 100
is rounded outwardly in order to prevent this phenomenon.
[0053] According to the embodiment, the fixing bracket 100 may be
secured to the rear wall of the tub by means of a one-point
fastening structure, which may be a screw S. To this end,
preferably, the fixing part 130 is formed with one fastening hole
131, and the rear wall of the tub is formed with one fastening
groove (not shown) corresponding to the fastening hole 131.
[0054] Meanwhile, the washing machine may further comprise a
rotation preventing device 300 formed on the fixing bracket 100 and
the rear wall of the tub 2 to prevent the fixing bracket 100 from
rotating.
[0055] More specifically, if vibration from the motor becomes
severe, the fixing, bracket 100 fixed to the rear wall of the tub 2
via the one-point fastening structure may be rotated to one side
along with the hall sensor wire 9a by the vibration.
[0056] The rotation preventing device 300 prevents rotation of the
fixing bracket 100.
[0057] According to the embodiment, the rotation preventing device
300 may comprise a rotation preventing protrusion 310 formed on the
tub 2, and an insertion hole 330 formed through the fixing bracket
100 so as to allow the rotation preventing protrusion 310 to be
inserted therein.
[0058] Although not shown in the drawings, the rotation preventing
protrusion 310 may be formed on the fixing bracket 100, and the
insertion hole may be formed on the tub 2 so as to allow the
rotation preventing protrusion to be inserted therein.
[0059] According to the embodiment, the washing machine may further
comprise a fixing device 500 formed on the rear wall of the tub 2
to fix remaining portions of the hall sensor wire 9a which is
secured to the fixing bracket 100.
[0060] The fixing device 500 may comprises a pair of protrusions
510 and 520 formed on the rear wall of the tub so as to allow the
hall sensor wire 9a to be fitted between the protrusions 510 and
520.
[0061] A method of securing a hall sensor wire 9a using a fixing
bracket 100 and a fixing device 500 according to the present
invention, and effect thereof will be described hereinafter.
[0062] First, a hall sensor 5 to detect a speed of a motor 5 is
assembled to the rear wall of a tub 2 along with the motor 5 when
assembling the washing machine of the invention.
[0063] Next, a hall sensor wire 9a connected with the hall sensor 9
via a hall sensor connecting member 9b is positioned at a lower
side on the rear wall of the tub 2 such that the hall sensor 9 is
supplied with electric current through the hall sensor wire 9a, or
controlled by a controller 7.
[0064] Then, the hall sensor wire 9a is secured to the rear wall of
the tub 2 by means of a fixing bracket 100.
[0065] At this time, a securing position of the hall sensor wire 9a
is placed by seating the hall sensor wire 9a in a recess 111 formed
on a body 110 of the fixing bracket 100 while inserting a rotation
preventing protrusion 310 formed on the rear wall of the tub 2 into
an insertion hole 330 formed through a fixing part 110 of the
fixing bracket 100.
[0066] Then, the fixing bracket 100 is secured to the rear wall of
the tub 2, with the hall sensor wire 9a fixed thereto, by fastening
a screw S to a fastening groove (not shown) formed on the rear wall
of the tub 2 through a fastening hole 131 formed through the fixing
part 130.
[0067] Next, a remaining portion of the hall sensor wire 9a between
the fixing bracket 100 and the hall sensor 9 is fitted and secured
between protrusions 510 and 520 of a fixing device 500.
[0068] With a series 6f steps described above, the hall sensor wire
9a is firmly secured to the rear wall of the tub 2 by means of the
fixing bracket 100 and the fixing device 500.
[0069] In the drum type washing machine constructed as described
above, the hall sensor wire 9a is stably secured to the rear all of
the tub 2 by the fixing bracket and the fixing device so that
displacement of the hall sensor wire 9a with respect to the tub 2
can be prevented from being enlarged due to vibration transmitted
from the tub 2 when operating the washing machine.
[0070] In other words, if the hall sensor wire 9a moves to generate
large displacement with respect to the tub 2, a load is applied to
the connecting member 9b of the hall sensor wire 9a, thereby
possibly causing damage or disconnection of the connecting member
9b. However, according to the invention, since the hall sensor wire
9a is secured to the rear wall of the tub 2, the hall sensor wire
9a can vibrate along with the tub 2 so that the displacement of the
hall sensor wire 9a with respect to the tub 2 becomes negligible,
and thus a high load is prevented from being applied to the
connecting member 9b of the hall sensor wire 9a, thereby preventing
disconnection of the hall sensor wire 9a.
[0071] In addition, with the structure of the fixing bracket 100
having the circumference rounded outwardly, the hall sensor wire 9a
can be prevented from being worn out even with continuous direct
contact of the hall sensor wire 9a with the circumference of the
fixing bracket 100, which prevents a cover of the hall sensor wire
9a from being worn out as well as a short circuit caused
thereby.
[0072] 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 invention. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0073] The present invention has industrial applicability in that,
since damage of the connecting member of the hall sensor wire or
disconnection of the hall sensor wire is prevented by the structure
of the hall sensor wire as it cannot move when the washing machine
is operated, fire can be prevented from occurring due to the damage
or disconnection of the hall sensor wire, thereby increasing
satisfaction of consumers for the products.
* * * * *