U.S. patent application number 12/402247 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-17 for filter assembly of washer.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Jong Deuk Bae, Ji Maeng Kim, Kil Su Kim, Young Bae Park, Sang Hee Yoo.
Application Number | 20090229319 12/402247 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40267951 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090229319 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoo; Sang Hee ; et
al. |
September 17, 2009 |
FILTER ASSEMBLY OF WASHER
Abstract
A filter assembly of a washer is disclosed, by which laundry can
be prevented from being damaged by friction with the filter
assembly in a manner of efficiently filtering off particles
contained in water in the course of washing the laundry. In a
washer including an inner wall having an outlet and a circulation
passage provided between the inner wall and a wash tub to enable
water to circulate to the outlet from a bottom of the wash tub, the
present invention includes a closed-type filter unit filtering off
particles from the water discharged from the outlet, a cap having
an injection hole to enable the water through the closed-type
filter unit to be injected into the wash tub, and a locking means
for fixing the closed-type filter unit and the cap to the inner
wall, the locking means provided between the cap and the
closed-type filter unit.
Inventors: |
Yoo; Sang Hee;
(Gyeongsangnam-do, KR) ; Bae; Jong Deuk;
(Gyeongsangnam-do, KR) ; Kim; Kil Su;
(Gyeongsangnam-do, KR) ; Kim; Ji Maeng;
(Gyeongsangnam-do, KR) ; Park; Young Bae;
(Gyeongsangnam-do, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
40267951 |
Appl. No.: |
12/402247 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/235R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
68/235.R |
International
Class: |
D06F 39/10 20060101
D06F039/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 12, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0022976 |
Claims
1. A filter assembly of a washer, which includes an inner wall
having an outlet and a circulation passage to enable water to
circulate to the outlet from a wash tub, the filter assembly
comprising: a closed-type filter unit filtering off particles from
the water discharged from the outlet; a cap having an injection
hole to enable the water through the closed-type filter unit to be
injected into the wash tub; and a locking means for fixing the
closed-type filter unit and the cap to the inner wall, the locking
means provided between the cap and the closed-type filter unit.
2. The filter assembly of the washer of claim 1, the locking means
comprising: a locking part; and a fitting ring, wherein one side of
the locking part is assembled with the cap, wherein the other side
of the locking part is detachably attached to the outlet, and
wherein the fitting ring is configured to extend from the locking
part to receive the closed-type filter unit therein.
3. The filter assembly of the washer of claim 2, wherein the
locking part detachably attached to the outlet comprises a
hook.
4. The filter assembly of the washer of claim 3, the hook
comprising: a pressurizing portion enabling a user to apply
pressurization thereto; and an insertion portion extending from the
pressurizing portion to be inserted in the outlet.
5. The filter assembly of the washer of claim 4, wherein prominence
and depression is provided to a topside of the pressurizing
portion.
6. The filter assembly of the washer of claim 2, wherein the
fitting ring is formed of a flexible material.
7. The filter assembly of the washer of claim 6, wherein a
multitude of projections are provided to an outer circumference of
the fitting ring by being spaced from each other with a
predetermined gap.
8. The filter assembly of the washer of claim 4, the cap
comprising: a cap body having an injection hole; and a cap rib
configured to extend by being bent from an edge of the cap body,
wherein the closed-type filter unit is inserted in the cap rib.
9. The filter assembly of the washer of claim 8, wherein the cap
body is configured to be rounded.
10. The filter assembly of the washer of claim 8, the cap rib
further comprising: an insertion recess enabling the locking part
to be inserted therein; and a holding sill provided to a lower part
of the insertion to limit a movement of the pressurizing portion.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2008-0022976, filed on Mar. 12, 2008, which is
hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a filter, and more
particularly, to a filter assembly of a washer. Although the
present invention is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it
is particularly suitable for filtering water in a washer that
filters and circulates water within a wash tub.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram of a washer according to
a related art. In the following description, a related art washer
is explained with reference to FIG. 1.
[0006] Referring to FIG. 1, a washer according to a related art
consists of a main body 5 of the washer, a water storing tub 70
provided within the main body 5 to accommodate water therein, a
dewatering tub 80 provided inside the water string tub 70 to
perform washing and dewatering on laundry, a pulsator provided
under the dewatering tub 80 to wash to laundry by rotating to
generate water current, and a drive assembly 50 for rotating the
pulsator 20.
[0007] And, a water supply assembly is installed over the water
storing tub 70. Water supplied from the water supply assembly 10 is
supplied to the water storing tub 70 and is then stored
therein.
[0008] A drain assembly 10 is installed under the water storing tub
70 to discharge the water from the water storing tub 70 after
completion of washing.
[0009] A passage 80a is provided inside the dewatering tub 80 to
enable the water stored in the dewatering tub 80 to ascend over the
dewatering tub 80 according to the rotation of the pulsator 20.
[0010] An injection hole 80b is provided to an upper part of the
passage 80 to introduce the water having ascended along the passage
80a into the dewatering tub 80 again.
[0011] A mesh net 40 is further provided to the injection hole 80b
to filter off particles contained in the water.
[0012] In the above-configured washer of the related art, if the
pulsator 20 rotates, the water stored within the wash tub ascends
along the passage 80a, passes through the injection hole 80b and
the mesh net 40 to filter of particles, and is then supplied within
the dewatering tub 80.
[0013] However, in the related art washer, the mesh net 40 is
projected from an inner wall of the washer in part. Therefore,
while laundry is washed, the laundry and the mesh net 40 collide
with each other to abrade or tear the mesh net 50. If the mesh net
40 is torn, particles filtered off by the mesh net 40 may be
re-introduced into the dewatering tub 80. And, the laundry is
caught on the mesh net 40 to be damaged.
[0014] Moreover, the mesh net 40 is capable of filter off particles
contained in the water only but is unable to inject water on
laundry. Therefore, the mesh net 40 has the configuration failing
to implement a function of raising wash efficiency.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a filter
assembly of a washer that substantially obviates one or more
problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related
art.
[0016] An object of the present invention is to provide a filter
assembly, by which the filter assembly for filtering water is not
projected from a wash tub.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
filter assembly, by which wash performance can be enhanced in a
manner of filtering water and injecting the filtered water on
laundry.
[0018] 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.
[0019] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, a filter assembly of a washer, which
includes an inner wall having an outlet and a circulation passage
to enable water to circulate to the outlet from a wash tub,
according to the present invention includes a closed-type filter
unit filtering off particles from the water discharged from the
outlet, a cap having an injection hole to enable the water through
the closed-type filter unit to be injected into the wash tub, and a
locking means for fixing the closed-type filter unit and the cap to
the inner wall, the locking means provided between the cap and the
closed-type filter unit.
[0020] Preferably, the locking means includes a locking part and a
fitting ring. In this case, one side of the locking part is
assembled with the cap, the other side of the locking part is
detachably attached to the outlet, and the fitting ring is
configured to extend from the locking part to receive the
closed-type filter unit therein.
[0021] More preferably, the locking part detachably attached to the
outlet includes a hook.
[0022] In this case, the hook includes a pressurizing portion
enabling a user to apply pressurization thereto and an insertion
portion extending from the pressurizing portion to be inserted in
the outlet.
[0023] And, prominence and depression is provided to a topside of
the pressurizing portion.
[0024] More preferably, the fitting ring is formed of a flexible
material.
[0025] In this case, a multitude of projections are provided to an
outer circumference of the fitting ring by being spaced from each
other with a predetermined gap.
[0026] Meanwhile, the cap includes a cap body having an injection
hole and a cap rib configured to extend by being bent from an edge
of the cap body. And, the closed-type filter unit is inserted in
the cap rib.
[0027] In this case, the cap body is configured to be rounded. The
cap rib further includes an insertion recess enabling the locking
part to be inserted therein and a holding sill provided to a lower
part of the insertion to limit a movement of the pressurizing
portion.
[0028] 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
[0029] 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:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram of a washer having a
mesh net according to a related art;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram of a washer having a
filter assembly according to the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram of a filter assembly
according to the present invention, in which a state of the filter
assembly prior to being assembled to a washer is shown;
[0033] FIG. 4A is a perspective diagram of a closed-type filter
unit;
[0034] FIG. 4B is a perspective diagram of a closed-type filter
unit, in which an open state of the closed-type filter unit is
shown;
[0035] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a cap and closed-type filter unit of
a filter assembly according to the present invention, in which a
state prior to assembling the cap and the closed-type filter unit
together is shown;
[0036] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a cap of a filter assembly according
to the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram of the cap shown in FIG.
6;
[0038] FIG. 8 is a diagram for a locking device assembled to a cap
of a filter assembly according to the present invention; and
[0039] FIG. 9 is a diagram of a backside of a filter assembly
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0040] 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.
[0041] The present invention is applicable to a washer. In this
case, the washer can have one of various types including a vertical
shaft type for rotating a pulsator or a wash tub and the like. In
this disclosure, a vertical-shaft type washer having a rotated
pulsator is taken as an example for the description of the present
invention.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram of a washer having a
filter assembly according to the present invention.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 2, a configuration of a washer 100 of the
present invention is explained as follows.
[0044] First of all, a washer of the present invention includes a
main body 50 configuring an exterior, a wash tub 800 provided
within the main body 50 to wash laundry by rotating centering on a
vertical axis, and a water storing tub 700 provided outside the
wash tub 800 to accommodate water therein.
[0045] A pulsator 120 is provided to an inner bottom of the wash
tub 800. And, the wash tub 800 and the pulsator 120 are rotated by
drive and shaft assemblies 500 and 600 provided under the water
storing tub 700.
[0046] If the wash tub 800 is rotated by the drive and shaft
assemblies 500 and 600, the water stored on the bottom of the wash
tub 800 is able to flow to an upper part of the wash tub by the
corresponding rotational force. Preferably, the wash tub includes a
circulation passage 800a enabling the water to flow.
[0047] In this case, the circulation passage 800a can include a
space constructed with an inner wall configured to extend from the
pulsator 120 and the wash tub 800.
[0048] And, an outlet 820 is provided to the inner wall 810 to
enable the water having ascended via the circulation passage 800a
to be introduced into the wash tub 800.
[0049] Meanwhile, a water supply assembly (150) for supplying water
to the water storing tub 700 can be provided over the water storing
tub 700 by being connected to an external water supply source of
the washer.
[0050] In the following description, a filter assembly provided to
the above-configured washer of the present invention is
explained.
[0051] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective diagram of a filter
assembly according to the present invention, in which a separated
configuration of the filter assembly prior to being assembled to a
washer is shown.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 3, a washer 100 of the present invention
includes a filter assembly 400 enabling water, which ascends the
circulation passage 800a and introduced into the outlet 820, to be
filtered and injected.
[0053] The filter assembly 400 can be detachably provided to the
outlet 820 provided to the inner wall 810. Preferably, the filter
assembly 400 is inserted in the inner wall 810 to configure the
same plane of a plane configured by the inner wall 810.
[0054] This is to prevent laundry from being damaged by friction
generated between the laundry and the filter assembly 400 when the
laundry is washed through the rotation of the wash tub.
[0055] For this, the inner wall 810 is preferably configured to
have a recess for enabling the filter assembly 400 to be
accommodated therein.
[0056] The filter assembly 400 includes a cap 200 for injecting
water into the wash tub 800 and a closed-type filter unit 300
detachably assembled with the cap 200 to filter the water
introduced from the outlet 820.
[0057] And, the filter assembly 400 according to the present
invention can further include a locking device 250 enabling the cap
200 and the closed type filter unit 300 to be assembled to the
outlet 820 provided to the inner wall 810 of the washer.
[0058] The locking device 250 can be built in one body of the cap
200. Alternatively, the locking device 250 can be provided separate
from the cap 200 to enable both of the cap 200 and the closed-type
filter unit 300 to be detachably assembled to the inner wall
810.
[0059] FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram of a cap and closed-type
filter unit of a washer filter assembly according to the present
invention, in which a front-view state of the washer filter
assembly prior to assembling the cap and the closed-type filter
unit together is shown.
[0060] A configuration and shape of the cap 200 are explained in
detail with reference to FIG. 5 as follows.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 5, the cap 200 is preferably configured to
enable the closed-type filter unit 300 to be accommodated in its
backside.
[0062] Therefore, the cap 200 is able to include a cap body 214
having a circular shape and a cap rib 216 configured to extend
backward along an outer circumference of the cap body 214.
[0063] A multitude of injection holes 210 can be included in the
cap body 214. This configuration is provided to enable the water,
which was filtered via the closed-type filter unit 300, to be
injected into the wash tub 800.
[0064] In particular, the water filtered by the closed-type filter
unit 300 to circulate into the wash tub 800 is made to pass through
the narrow passage, thereby being injected onto the laundry within
the wash tub 800.
[0065] Therefore, according to the filer unit of the washer of the
present invention, since the water circulating into the wash tub
800 is injected on the laundry, the effect of beating and washing
the laundry can be caused to enhance wash performance.
[0066] The cap rib 216 provides a space for accommodating the
closed-type filter unit 300 with the configuration that bent on an
outer circumference of the cap body 214. And, the cap rib 216 is
configured to be assembled with the locking device 250.
[0067] Therefore, it is preferable that the cap rib 216 is provided
with an insertion recess 205 for receiving the locking device 250
therein.
[0068] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a cap of a filter assembly according
to the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram for a
backside view of the cap shown in FIG. 6.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the cap 200 can further
include an insertion recess 205, a holding sill 207 and a
projection 235.
[0070] The insertion recess 205 is configured to be bent along a
length direction of the cap rib 216 and is provided for receiving a
locking part 240 of the locking device 250 therein.
[0071] The holding sill 207 is configured to restrict a motion of
the locking part 240 if the locking part 240 of the locking device
250 is pressurized by the user.
[0072] The locking part 240 (cf. FIG. 8) includes a pressurizing
portion 243 (cf. FIG. 8) enabling a user to pressurize it for
attaching/detaching the filter assembly of the present
invention.
[0073] Therefore, the holding sill 207 is configured to limit a
distance for the locking part 240 to move in a radial direction of
the cap when a user pressurizes the pressurizing portion 243.
[0074] This is to enhance overall durability of the washer of the
present invention by preventing the pressurizing portion 243 from
being excessively transformed.
[0075] The fixing projection 225 shown in FIG. 7 is configured to
determine a locking position of the closed-type filter unit 300
when the closed-type filter unit 300 is accommodated in the cap
200. And, the fixing projection 225 is also configured to maintain
the holding force between the cap 200 and the closed-type filter
unit 300.
[0076] Meanwhile, a plurality of the fixing projections 225 can be
provided to the backside of the cap 200. In FIG. 7, two pairs of
the fixing projections 225 are provided for example.
[0077] The fixing projections of each pair are preferably provided
to symmetric positions. And, a guide rib 327 (explained later) of
the closed-type filter unit 300 can be inserted in a space provided
by a pair of the fixing projections 225, which will be explained in
detail later.
[0078] FIG. 4A is a perspective diagram of a closed-type filter
unit. And, FIG. 4B is a perspective diagram of a closed-type filter
unit, in which an open state of the filter unit is shown.
[0079] In the following description, a configuration of the
closed-type filter unit 300 of the present invention is
explained.
[0080] First of all, the closed-type filter unit 300 includes a
front cover 320 for separating particles contained in water and a
rear cover 340 assembled to the front cover 320.
[0081] The front cover 320 and the rear cover 340 can be provided
in an open/close configuration for facilitating assembly. This can
be implemented by engaging a hinge member 330 between the front
cover 320 and the rear cover 340.
[0082] Preferably, a front side of the front cover 320 includes a
mesh 322 to filter off particles contained in water when the water
passes through the front cover 320.
[0083] Moreover, a first rib 324 can be configured to backward
extend along a circumference of the front cover 320.
[0084] And, a guide rib 327 can be further included in an outer
circumference of the first rib 324.
[0085] Preferably, the guide rib 327 is configured to extend
outward from the first rib 324 in a radial direction of the
closed-type filter unit 300. More preferably, at least two guide
ribs 327 are provided.
[0086] The guide rib 327 is configured to facilitate the assembly
of the closed-type filter unit 300 and the cap 200 in a manner of
being fitted in a space formed by the fixing projections 225
provided to the backside of the cap 200.
[0087] Therefore, a length or shape of the guide rib 327 is
configured enough to correspond to a dimension of the space
provided by the fixing projections 225.
[0088] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a cap and closed-type filter unit of
a filter assembly according to the present invention, in which a
state prior to assembling the cap and the closed-type filter unit
together is shown.
[0089] An assembled state of a cap and a closed type filter unit is
explained with reference to FIG. 5 as follows.
[0090] First of all, when the cap 200 and the closed-type filter
unit 300 are assembled together, a backside of the cap 200
assembled to an upper part of the front cover 320 is preferably
able to maintain a prescribed space from the mesh 322.
[0091] In particular, if the cap 200 and the closed-type filter
unit 300 are assembled together, an outer circumference of the
first rib 324 of the front cover 320 is inserted in the cap rib 216
of the cap 200.
[0092] Preferably, a prescribed space is maintained between the cap
backside and the mesh in a manner that a length (cf. `L1` in FIG.
5) of the cap rib 216 is set greater than a length (cf. `L2` in
FIG. 5) of the first rib 324.
[0093] If the prescribed space is not maintained between the
backside of the cap and the mesh, the water having passed through
the mesh partially collides with the backside portion of the cap
which is not provided with the injection hole 210. Therefore, a
pressure between the cap and the front cover is raised to possibly
separate the cap and the closed-type filter unit from each
other.
[0094] If the prescribed space is maintained between the backside
of the cap and the mesh, the water passing through the mesh can be
smoothly injected into the wash tub via the injection hole 210.
[0095] In the following description, the rear cover 340 is
explained in detail with reference to FIG. 4B.
[0096] First of all, the rear cover 340 is configured to guide
water introduced via the outlet 820 and can include an inlet 342, a
second rib 344 and a passage rib 343.
[0097] The inlet 342 can be provided to a central part of the rear
cover 340 to correspond to the outlet 820 provided to the inner
wall 810.
[0098] The second rib 344 is configured to extend forward along a
circumference of the rear cover 340 and is also configured to be
fitted in the first rib 324.
[0099] Once the front cover and the rear cover 340 are assembled
together, the second rib 344 is assembled with the first rib 324 by
coming into contact with the first rib 324. Therefore, a sealed
space is provided to prevent the water introduced from the outlet
from entering outer parts except the mesh 322.
[0100] In particular, once the front cover 320 and the rear cover
340 are assembled together, the first rib 324 provided to the front
cover 320 covers the second rib 344 provided to the rear cover 340
so that circumferential parts of the front and rear covers 320 and
340 can be completely sealed. Therefore, particles accommodated
within the closed-type filter unit 300 according to the mesh 322
are prevented from being discharged outside the closed-type filter
unit 300.
[0101] The passage rib 343 is provided to a circumference of the
inlet 342 provided to the rear cover 340.
[0102] And, the passage rib 343 can be configured to extend forward
a front side of the rear cover 340 with a prescribed
inclination.
[0103] Moreover, the passage rib 343 is configured to guide the
water introduced into the closed-type filter unit 400 from the
outlet 820 via the inlet 342.
[0104] In particular, the passage rib 343 extends toward the front
side of the rear cover 340 to enable the introduced water to be
directly introduced into the mesh 322 of the front cover 320.
[0105] And, the passage rib 343 is configured to have the
prescribed inclination in order to prevent the water introduced
into the closed-type filter unit 300 from flowing backward in a
direction of the inlet 342.
[0106] In the following description, the locking device 250
provided between an inner circumference of the cap and the
closed-type filter unit is explained with reference to FIG. 8 and
FIG. 9.
[0107] FIG. 8 is a diagram for a locking device assembled to a cap
of a filter assembly according to the present invention, and FIG. 9
is a diagram for a backside of a filter assembly according to the
present invention.
[0108] Referring to FIG. 8, the locking device 250 includes the
locking part 240. In this case, one side of the locking part 240 is
inserted in the insertion recess (cf. `205` in FIG. 7) of the cap
rib 216, while the other side of the locking part 240 is detachably
attached to the inner wall 810 of the filter assembly 400.
[0109] Referring to FIG. 9, the locking device 250 includes a
fitting ring 230 configured to extend from the locking part 240. In
this case, an outer circumference of the fitting ring 230 is fitted
in the backside of the cap 200, while the closed-type filter unit
is inserted in an inner circumference of the fitting ring 230.
[0110] The locking part 240 is explained with reference to FIG. 8
as follows.
[0111] First of all, the locking part 240 is configured to enable a
user to detachably attach the filter assembly 400 to the outlet
820. The locking part 240 can include one of various device
configurations. In particular, the washer filter assembly 400
according to the present invention can include a hook device as the
locking part 240.
[0112] In this case, the locking part 240 can include a
pressurizing portion 243 and an insertion portion 245 configured to
extend from the pressurizing portion 243 to be inserted in the
locking recess 825 provided to the outlet 820.
[0113] In order to attach/detach the filter assembly 400 installed
at the outlet 820 to/from the inner wall 810, a user pressurizes
the pressurizing portion 243 in a vertical direction (up/down).
[0114] Preferably, a multitude of prominences and depressions 243a
are provided to a topside of the pressurizing portion 243 to
prevent a slippery surface against user's pressurization applied to
the pressurizing portion 243.
[0115] The insertion portion 245 is configured to extend from the
pressurizing portion 243. And, the insertion portion 245 is
provided to be inserted in the locking recess (cf. `825` in FIG. 3)
provided to the inner wall 810.
[0116] Therefore, in order to facilitate the insertion portion 245
to be inserted in the locking recess 825, an outer circumference of
the insertion portion 245 is rounded.
[0117] Meanwhile, the holding sill 207 is preferably provided to a
lower part of the insertion recess 205 provided to the cap rib 216.
The holding sill 207 is provided to limit a movement of the
pressurizing portion 243 if a user applies a force to the
pressurizing portion 243.
[0118] Therefore, the user is able to fix the cap and the
closed-type filter unit to the inner wall of the wash tub 800 in a
manner of inserting the insertion portion 245 in the locking recess
825 provided to the inner wall 810.
[0119] Moreover, the user is able to separate the cap and the
closed-type filter unit from the inner wall of the wash tub 800 in
a manner of separating the insertion portion 245 from the locking
recess 825 provided to the inner wall 810 by pressurizing the
pressurizing portion 243.
[0120] In the following description, the fitting ring 230 is
explained with reference to FIG. 9.
[0121] First of all, the fitting ring 230 has a ring-type
configuration for connecting two locking parts 240 in-between.
[0122] An outer circumference of the fitting ring 230 is contacted
with an inner circumference of the cap 200. And, the closed-type
filter unit 300 is inserted in an inner circumference of the
fitting ring 230.
[0123] In particular, the fitting ring 230 is provided between the
inner circumference of the cap 200 and the outer circumference of
the closed-type filter unit 300, thereby enabling both of the cap
200 and the closed-type filter unit 300 to be fixed in one body to
the inner wall 810.
[0124] Preferably, the fitting ring 230 is formed of such a
flexible material as rubber, plastic, etc.
[0125] If the fitting ring 230 is formed of the flexible material,
it is able to fix the closed-type filter unit 300 by shrink
fit.
[0126] Moreover, since the outer circumference of the fitting ring
230 can be fixed to the inner circumference of the cap by the
shrink fit, it is able to assemble the cap and the closed-type
filter unit together within a separate locking or assembling
member.
[0127] Meanwhile, in order to raise the attachment force between
the inner circumference of the cap and the closed-type filter unit,
a plurality of projections 235 can be further provided to the outer
circumference of the fitting ring 230. In this case, a plurality of
the projections 235 are spaced apart from each other with a
prescribed gap.
[0128] In the following description, a process for filtering water
in the above-configured water filter assembly 400 is explained.
[0129] First of all, in performing a washing or rinsing cycle, the
pulsator 120 is rotated by the drive assembly 500.
[0130] Once the pulsator 120 is rotated, a strong water current is
radially generated from water by a corresponding rotational force
of the pulsator 120 so that the water can flow upward along the
circulation passage 800a from a lower part of the wash tub 800.
[0131] Subsequently, the water is introduced into the wash tub 800
via the outlet 820 provided to the circulation passage 800 and the
filer assembly 400 provided to the outlet 820.
[0132] In doing so, the water having passed through the outlet 820
is introduced into the closed-type filter unit 300 via the inlet
342 provided to the rear cover 340 of the closed-type filter unit
300.
[0133] And, particles contained in the water introduced into the
closed-type filter unit 300 are filtered off by the mesh 322
provided to the front cover 320.
[0134] In this case, since the circumferences of the front and rear
covers 320 and 340 configuring the closed-type filter unit 300 are
sealed by the first rib 324 provided to the front cover 320 and the
second rib 344 provided to the rear cover 340, the particles
filtered off by the mesh 322 are not discharged from the
closed-type filter unit 300.
[0135] Moreover, the inclining passage rib 343 is provided around
the inlet 342 to guide the water introduced into the closed-type
filter unit 300 and to prevent the water from flowing backward in a
direction of the inlet 342.
[0136] Meanwhile, the water having passed through the closed-type
filter unit 300 is injected into the wash tub via the injection
hole 210 provided to the cap 200.
[0137] In this case, a multitude of injection holes 210 are
provided to the cap so that the water through the closed-type
filter unit can be introduced into the wash tub 800 via narrow
holes. Thus, it is able to provide the water with a strong
injection pressure.
[0138] Therefore, the water through the injection holes is sprayed
onto the laundry stored in the wash tub, whereby washing or rinsing
efficiency can be raised.
[0139] Moreover, the filter assembly 400 of the washer according to
the present invention is provided not to be projected from the
inner wall 810, thereby preventing laundry from being damaged by
the contact in-between in the course of a washing process.
[0140] 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.
* * * * *