U.S. patent application number 12/458642 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-03 for washing machine and tub cover of the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Dae Il Park.
Application Number | 20100132416 12/458642 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42221568 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100132416 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Dae Il |
June 3, 2010 |
Washing Machine and Tub Cover of the Same
Abstract
A washing machine capable of preventing scattering of washing
water supplied to a tub through a tub cover. The washing machine is
provided with a washing water supply unit that supplies the washing
water to the tub cover. The washing water supply unit includes
washing water inlet ports that allow the washing water to flow into
the tub, and at least one anti-scattering protrusion that prevents
scattering of the washing water supplied to the washing water inlet
ports.
Inventors: |
Park; Dae Il; (Seoul,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
SUITE 700, 1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
42221568 |
Appl. No.: |
12/458642 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/212 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/088
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
68/212 |
International
Class: |
D06F 37/00 20060101
D06F037/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 1, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-120553 |
Claims
1. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a tub installed in the
cabinet; and a tub cover disposed at an upper end of the tub,
wherein the tub cover includes a washing water supply unit to
supply the tub with washing water, and the washing water supply
unit comprises washing water inlet ports that allow the washing
water to flow into the tub; and at least one anti-scattering
protrusion that prevents scattering of the washing water supplied
to the washing water inlet ports.
2. The washing machine device of claim 1, wherein the
anti-scattering protrusion is provided on an upper surface thereof
with a guide surface that guides the washing water to prevent the
scattering of the washing water, and the guide surface has a round
shape.
3. The washing machine device of claim 2, wherein the guide surface
has a convex-up shape.
4. The washing machine device of claim 2, wherein the guide surface
has a hemispheric shape.
5. The washing machine device of claim 2, wherein the washing water
supply unit is provided with a plurality of anti-scattering
protrusions, and the washing water inlet ports are formed between
the anti-scattering protrusions.
6. The washing machine device of claim 1, wherein the washing water
supply unit comprises first guide surfaces inclined downward from
upper portions of both sides of the washing water supply unit in
opposition to each other, and the anti-scattering protrusion is
provided between the first guide surfaces and comprises second
guide surfaces inclined upward toward an inner center of the
washing water supply unit in opposition to each other.
7. The washing machine device of claim 6, wherein the washing water
inlet ports are formed between the first guide surface and the
second guide surface.
8. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a tub installed in the
cabinet; and a spin basket rotatably installed in the tub; a water
supply unit that supplies washing water to the tub; a detergent
supply unit that mixes detergent in the washing water during a
water supply process using the water supply unit; and a tub cover
disposed at an upper end of the tub and provided with a washing
water supply unit to receive the washing water via the detergent
supply unit, wherein the washing water supply unit comprises
washing water inlet ports that allow the washing water to flow into
the tub; and at least one anti-scattering protrusion that prevents
scattering of the washing water supplied to the washing water inlet
ports.
9. The washing machine device of claim 8, wherein the
anti-scattering protrusion is provided on an upper surface thereof
with a guide surface that guides the washing water to prevent the
scattering of the washing water, and the guide surface has a round
shape.
10. The washing machine device of claim 9, wherein the washing
water supply unit is provided with a plurality of anti-scattering
protrusions, and the washing water inlet ports are formed between
the anti-scattering protrusions.
11. The washing machine device of claim 8, wherein the washing
water supply unit comprises first guide surfaces inclined downward
from upper portions of both sides of the washing water supply unit
in opposition to each other, and the anti-scattering protrusion is
provided between the first guide surfaces and comprises second
guide surfaces inclined upward toward an inner center of the
washing water supply unit in opposition to each other.
12. The washing machine device of claim 11, wherein the washing
water inlet ports are formed between the first guide surface and
the second guide surface.
13. The washing machine device of claim 8, wherein the detergent
supply unit is provided corresponding to the washing water supply
unit.
14. The washing machine device of claim 13, wherein the detergent
supply unit comprises: a case; and a detergent container detachably
coupled to the case, wherein the case is provided at a bottom
surface thereof with a discharge port to discharge the washing
water containing the detergent to the washing water supply
unit.
15. A tub cover disposed at an upper end of a tub in a washing
machine, the tub cover comprising: a washing water supply unit to
supply the tub with washing water, wherein the washing water supply
unit comprises a washing water inlet port that allows the washing
water to flow into the tub; and at least one anti-scattering
protrusion that prevents scattering of the washing water supplied
to the washing water inlet port.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2008-0120553, filed on Dec. 1, 2008, in the
Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The disclosure relates to a washing machine. More
particularly, the disclosure relates to a washing machine capable
of preventing scattering of washing water supplied to a tub cover
fixed to an upper end of a tub.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In general, a washing machine washes the laundry by using
friction between a washing water stream and the laundry,
emulsification of detergent, and impact applied to the laundry from
a pulsator.
[0006] Such a washing machine includes a cabinet representing an
external appearance of the washing machine, a tub installed in the
cabinet to store washing water therein, a spin basket rotatably
installed in the tub, a water supply unit that supplies the washing
water to the tub, and a detergent supply unit that stores detergent
such that the detergent dissolves in the washing water during the
water supply process.
[0007] A tub cover is fixed to an upper end of the tub and is
provided with a washing water supply unit that receives the washing
water via the detergent supply unit. The washing water supply unit
is formed with a washing water inlet port through which the washing
water is supplied to the tub.
[0008] However, in the conventional washing machine, when the
washing water is supplied to the tub, the washing water may not be
easily supplied to the washing water inlet port formed in the
washing water supply unit, but scattered by colliding with the tub
cover.
SUMMARY
[0009] Accordingly, it is an aspect of the disclosure to provide a
washing machine capable of preventing scattering of washing water
supplied to a washing water supply unit provided at a tub
cover.
[0010] Additional aspects and/or advantages of the disclosure will
be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part,
will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by
practice of the disclosure.
[0011] The foregoing and/or other aspects of the disclosure are
achieved by providing a washing machine including a cabinet, a tub
installed in the cabinet, and a tub cover disposed at an upper end
of the tub. The tub cover includes a washing water supply unit to
supply the tub with washing water. The washing water supply unit
includes washing water inlet ports that allow the washing water to
flow into the tub, and at least one anti-scattering protrusion that
prevents scattering of the washing water supplied to the washing
water inlet ports.
[0012] The anti-scattering protrusion may be provided on an upper
surface thereof with a guide surface that guides the washing water
to prevent the scattering of the washing water, and the guide
surface may have a round shape.
[0013] The guide surface may have a convex-up shape.
[0014] The guide surface may have a hemispheric shape.
[0015] The washing water supply unit may be provided with a
plurality of anti-scattering protrusions, and the washing water
inlet ports may be formed between the anti-scattering
protrusions.
[0016] The washing water supply unit may include first guide
surfaces inclined downward from upper portions of both sides of the
washing water supply unit in opposition to each other, and the
anti-scattering protrusion may be provided between the first guide
surfaces and include second guide surfaces inclined upward toward
an inner center of the washing water supply unit in opposition to
each other.
[0017] The washing water inlet ports may be formed between the
first guide surface and the second guide surface.
[0018] According to another aspect, there is provided a washing
machine including a cabinet, a tub installed in the cabinet, and a
spin basket rotatably installed in the tub, a water supply unit
that supplies washing water to the tub, a detergent supply unit
that mixes detergent in the washing water during a water supply
process using the water supply unit, and a tub cover disposed at an
upper end of the tub and provided with a washing water supply unit
to receive the washing water via the detergent supply unit. The
washing water supply unit includes washing water inlet ports that
allow the washing water to flow into the tub, and at least one
anti-scattering protrusion that prevents scattering of the washing
water supplied to the washing water inlet ports.
[0019] The anti-scattering protrusion may be provided on an upper
surface thereof with a guide surface that guides the washing water
to prevent the scattering of the washing water, and the guide
surface may have a round shape.
[0020] The washing water supply unit may be provided with a
plurality of anti-scattering protrusions, and the washing water
inlet ports may be formed between the anti-scattering
protrusions.
[0021] The washing water supply unit may include first guide
surfaces inclined downward from upper portions of both sides of the
washing water supply unit in opposition to each other, and the
anti-scattering protrusion may be provided between the first guide
surfaces and include second guide surfaces inclined upward toward
an inner center of the washing water supply unit in opposition to
each other.
[0022] The washing water inlet ports may be formed between the
first guide surface and the second guide surface.
[0023] The detergent supply unit may be provided corresponding to
the washing water supply unit.
[0024] The detergent supply unit may include a case, and a
detergent container detachably coupled to the case. The case may be
provided at a bottom surface thereof with a discharge port to
discharge the washing water containing the detergent to the washing
water supply unit.
[0025] According to another aspect, a tub cover is disposed at an
upper end of a tub in a washing machine and includes a washing
water supply unit to supply the tub with washing water. The washing
water supply unit includes a washing water inlet port that allows
the washing water to flow into the tub, and at least one
anti-scattering protrusion that prevents scattering of the washing
water supplied to the washing water inlet port.
[0026] According to the washing machine as described above, the
hemispheric anti-scattering protrusions are provided at the washing
water supply unit, so that washing water can be prevented from
being scattered when the washing water is supplied to the washing
water supply unit after passing through the detergent supply
unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more
readily appreciated from the following description of the
embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of
which:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a washing machine
according to an embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the washing machine
shown in FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating a tub and a tub
cover of the washing machine shown in FIG. 2;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the tub cover
shown in FIG. 3;
[0032] FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating main
elements of the washing machine shown in FIG. 2;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a tub cover of the
washing machine shown in FIG. 2 according to another embodiment;
and
[0034] FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the
washing machine shown in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0035] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments,
examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements
throughout. The embodiments are described below to explain the
present invention by referring to the figures.
[0036] Hereinafter, a washing machine according to an embodiment
will be described in detail with reference to accompanying
drawings.
[0037] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the washing machine
according to the embodiment includes a cabinet 10 representing an
external appearance thereof, a tub 20 installed in the cabinet 10,
a spin basket 30 rotatably installed in the tub 20, and a driving
device 40 installed below the tub 20 to rotate the spin basket
30.
[0038] A cover 15 is installed at an upper portion of the cabinet
10. The cover 15 has a laundry inlet 14 such that a user can input
the laundry into the spin basket 30 or take out the laundry from
the spin basket 30. A door 16 is foldably coupled with the cover 15
to open and close the laundry inlet 14.
[0039] The tub 20 is installed in the cabinet 10 to receive washing
water. A suspension 21 is connected with an outer surface of the
tub 20 to support the tub 20 by suspending the tub 20 to the
cabinet 10.
[0040] The spin basket 30 is rotatably installed in the tub 20, and
is formed with a plurality of through holes 31 so that an inner
space of the spin basket 30 communicates with an inner space of the
tub 20.
[0041] A pulsator 35 is rotatably installed at a bottom of the spin
basket 30 to stir the laundry put into the spin basket 30 together
with the washing water.
[0042] The driving device 40 includes a clutch 41 that rotates the
spin basket 30 and the pulsator 35, and a driving motor 43 that
drives the clutch 41. At this time, the driving motor 43 is
connected with the clutch 41 through a pulley and a belt to
transfer driving motor to the clutch 41.
[0043] Further, the washing machine further includes a water supply
unit 50 that supplies the washing water to the tub 20, detergent
supply units 60 that stores detergent such that the detergent
dissolves in the washing water during the water supply process, and
a drain unit 70 that drains the washing water in the tub 20 out of
the washing machine.
[0044] The water supply unit 50 is installed at one side of the
cover 15 and includes a water supply valve 53 that controls water
supply, and a water supply pipe 51 that connects the water supply
valve 53 with the detergent supply units 60.
[0045] The drain unit 70 is installed at a lower side of the tub 20
to drain the washing water in the tub 20, and includes a drain pipe
73 that drains the washing water from the tub 20, and a drain pump
71 connected with the drain pipe 73.
[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the detergent supply units 60 are
installed at rear and front ends of the cover 15, respectively. The
detergent supply units 60 include a first detergent supply unit
60a, which is installed at the rear end of the cover 15 to receive
detergent used for the main washing process, and a second detergent
supply unit 60b installed at the front end of the cover 15 to
receive decolorant and fabric softener.
[0047] Each of the first and second detergent supply units 60a and
60b includes a case 61 provided in the cover 15, and a detergent
container 63 detachably coupled to the case 61 to receive the
detergent, decolorant or fabric softener. A discharge port 65 is
formed at a bottom surface of the case 61 to discharge the washing
water, which is supplied first and second detergent supply units
60a and 60b and contains the detergent, to the tub 20.
[0048] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, an annular tub cover 80 is
fixed to an upper end of the tub 20 to cover the tub 20. The tub
cover 80 includes an annular body 81, a washing water supply unit
85 disposed at one side of the body 81 to supply the washing water
from the discharge ports 65 of the detergent supply units 60 to the
tub 20, a guide passage 82 formed along a peripheral portion of the
body 81 to prevent the washing water from being overflown when an
excessive amount of the washing water is supplied to the washing
water supply unit 85, and a guide port (not shown) formed at a
bottom surface of the guide passage 82 to guide the washing water
of the guide passage 82 into the tub 20.
[0049] As described above, the washing water supply unit 85 is
provided corresponding to the detergent supply unit 60 to receive
the washing water discharged from the discharge ports 65 of the
detergent supply units 60. According to the embodiment, the washing
water supply unit 85 is disposed below the second detergent supply
unit 60b that receives the decolorant and the fabric softener as
illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0050] Although not shown in the drawings, the washing water supply
unit 85 can also be disposed below the first detergent supply unit
60a that receives the detergent used for the main washing process.
Further, the detergent supply units 60 can be provided in the form
of a single unit instead of the two detergent supply unit 60a and
60b as described above. In such a case, the washing water supply
unit 85 is provided at the tub cover 80 corresponding to the single
unit.
[0051] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the washing water supply
unit 85 includes a housing 86 nested on an upper surface of the
body 81 of the tub cover 80. The housing 86 of the washing water
supply unit 85 has an opened upper surface to receive the washing
water via the detergent supply units 60. Further, the housing 86 of
the washing water supply unit 85 is provided with a support
protrusion 87, which protrudes downward from the housing 86, such
that the housing 86 can be supported on the guide passage 82 of the
tub cover 80. Thus, the housing 86 can be nested on the upper
surface of the body 81 of the tub cover 80.
[0052] A plurality of anti-scattering protrusions 88 are provided
in the housing 86 of the washing water supply unit 85 to prevent
the washing water having passed through the detergent supply units
60 from being scattered. As illustrated in FIG. 4, each
anti-scattering protrusion 88 has a rounded guide surface 88a to
prevent scattering of the washing water. The guide surface 88a of
the anti-scattering protrusion 88 has a convex-up shape or a
hemispheric shape.
[0053] Washing water inlet ports 89 are formed between the two
anti-scattering protrusions 88 such that the washing water supplied
to the washing water supply unit 85 flows into the tub 20. The
washing water inlet ports 89 communicate with through holes 81 a
formed in the body 81 of the tub cover 80.
[0054] Hereinafter, a process in which the washing machine supplies
the washing water having passed through the detergent supply units
according to the embodiment will be described.
[0055] First, the washing water containing the detergent is
supplied to the tub 20 in order to wash the laundry. To this end,
the washing water is supplied to the cases 61 of the detergent
supply units 60 through the water supply pipe 51 and the water
supply valve 53 of the water supply unit 50.
[0056] The washing water supplied to the cases 61 of the detergent
supply units 60 is mixed with the detergent while selectively
passing through the detergent containers 63 that receive detergent,
or decolorant and fabric softener. Then, the washing water is
supplied to the washing water supply unit 85 of the tub cover 80
through the discharge ports 65 formed at the bottom surface of the
case 61.
[0057] The washing water supplied to the washing water supply unit
85 of the tub cover 80 is introduced into the housing 86 without
being scattered by the anti-scattering protrusions 88. Then, the
washing water is supplied to the tub 20 though the washing water
inlet ports 89 formed among the anti-scattering protrusions 88. As
illustrated in FIG. 5, the washing water supplied to the washing
water supply unit 85 through the above process collides with the
guide surface 88a of one anti-scattering protrusion 88 and then
flows toward the adjacent anti-scattering protrusions 88, so that
the washing water can be easily supplied to the washing water inlet
ports 89. Further, the washing water supplied to the washing water
supply unit 85 flows along the rounded surfaces of the
anti-scattering protrusions 88, so that the washing water can be
easily supplied to the washing water inlet ports 89.
[0058] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, a washing water supply unit
95 according to another embodiment includes first guide surfaces
95a inclined downward from upper portions of both sides of the
washing water supply unit 95 in opposition to each other. The
washing water supply unit 95 includes an anti-scattering protrusion
98 to prevent scattering of washing water when the washing water
having passed the detergent supply units 60 is supplied to the
washing water supply unit 95.
[0059] The anti-scattering protrusion 98 is substantially located
at the center portion of the washing water supply unit 95 and has a
triangular section. Further, the anti-scattering protrusion 98
includes second guide surfaces 98a corresponding to the first guide
surfaces 95a of the washing water supply unit 95 to prevent
scattering of the washing water. The second guide surfaces 98a are
inclined upward toward the inner center of the washing water supply
unit 95 in opposition to each other. In detail, the first guide
surfaces 95a are symmetrical to the second guide surfaces 98a.
[0060] Further, washing water inlet ports 99 are formed between the
first guide surface 95a and the second guide surface 98a, which are
symmetrical to each other, such that the washing water supplied to
the washing water supply unit 95 flows into the tub 20. The washing
water inlet ports 99 communicate with the through holes 81 a formed
in the body 81 of the tub cover 80.
[0061] Although not shown in the drawings, at least one
anti-scattering protrusion 98 can be provided at the washing water
supply unit 95. Such an anti-scattering protrusion 98 has a shape
symmetrical to the first guide surfaces 95a of the washing water
supply unit 95 as described above. Further, the washing water inlet
ports 99 can be formed between the first guide surface 95a and the
second guide surface 98a or between the second guide surfaces 98a
adjacent to each other such that the washing water supplied to the
washing water supply unit 95 flows into the tub 20.
[0062] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the washing water supplied to the
washing water supply unit 95 through the above process collides
with the first guide surface 95a of the washing water supply unit
95 or the second guide surface 98a of the anti-scattering
protrusion 98, and then flows toward the adjacent guide surface 98a
or the adjacent guide surface 95a, so that the washing water can be
easily supplied to the washing water inlet ports 99.
[0063] According to the embodiment as described above, when the
washing water is supplied to the washing water supply unit 85 or 95
provided in the tub cover 80 after passing through the detergent
supply units 60, scattering of the washing water can be prevented
by the anti-scattering protrusion 88 or 98. Thus, the washing water
can be easily supplied to the tub 20.
[0064] Although few embodiments have been shown and described, it
would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may
be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles
and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *