U.S. patent application number 13/202380 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-08 for washing machine.
Invention is credited to Jin Woong Kim, Keun Joo Kim, Bo Sung Seo, Hyun Seok Seo.
Application Number | 20110296879 13/202380 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42634352 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110296879 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Seo; Bo Sung ; et
al. |
December 8, 2011 |
WASHING MACHINE
Abstract
The present invention relates to a washing machine. The washing
machine includes a tub (20) for holding washing water, the tub (20)
having a plurality of venting portions (200, 201) formed on an
outside circumferential surface, a drum (30) rotatably mounted in
the tub (20), and a blocking member (300, 322) for blocking
discharge of air from the tub (20) through the venting portions
(200, 201) in spin-drying.
Inventors: |
Seo; Bo Sung; (Seoul,
KR) ; Kim; Keun Joo; (Seoul, KR) ; Kim; Jin
Woong; (Seoul, KR) ; Seo; Hyun Seok; (Seoul,
KR) |
Family ID: |
42634352 |
Appl. No.: |
13/202380 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
February 22, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2010/001078 |
371 Date: |
August 19, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/23R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 25/00 20130101;
D06F 37/268 20130101; D06F 37/267 20130101; D06F 37/269 20130101;
D06F 37/263 20130101; D06F 37/262 20130101; D06F 37/26 20130101;
D06F 35/007 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
68/23.R |
International
Class: |
D06F 35/00 20060101
D06F035/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 20, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0014223 |
Claims
1. A washing machine comprising: a drum having an opening at a
front portion thereof to allow laundry to be entered through; a tub
in which the drum is rotatably placed and water for washing is
held, the tub having at least one venting portion on a
circumferential surface thereof behind the opening of the drum; and
a blocking member for blocking discharge of air from the tub
through the venting portion spin-drying when a spin-drying is
performed.
2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blocking
member blocks the discharge when the drum reaches to a preset
rotation speed.
3. The washing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the preset
rotation speed is over 400 RPM.
4. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blocking
member blocks the discharge when an inside pressure of the tub
reaches a pressure higher than a preset pressure at the time of
high speed rotation of the drum.
5. The washing machine as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a
pressure sensor to sense the inside pressure.
6. The washing machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the blocking
member includes a pressure valve which is closed at the preset
pressure.
7. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tub has a
hole in front of the opening of the drum to allow air to flow into
the drum when the spin-drying is performed.
8. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blocking
member includes a check valve member.
9. The washing machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the check
valve member is of a passive control type.
10. The washing machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the check
valve member is a flapper.
11. The washing machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the check
valve member includes a blocking portion of shape memory alloy for
blocking the second venting portion as the blocking portion is
unfolded by a steam temperature when steam discharges through the
venting portion.
12. The washing machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the check
valve member is of a floating type, which includes; a supporting
portion for closing the venting portion when a washing is
performed, the supporting portion having a side opening for venting
the air, and a floating portion movably mounted to the supporting
portion having an opening to be in communication with the side
opening, for moving upward when a pressure difference is generated
by detergent foam or steam to close the side opening.
13. The washing machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the check
valve member is of an active control type.
14. The washing machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the check
valve member is of a magnet type which opens or closes the venting
portion by magnetic force.
15. The washing machine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the check
valve member includes; a magnetic force supply portion mounted in
the venting portion for supplying magnetic force if the power is
supplied to the washing machine, a fixed plate fixed to an inside
of the magnetic force supply portion having a central hole, and a
movable plate mounted under the fixed plate for moving upward when
the magnetic force is supplied to close the central hole.
16. The washing machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein the check
valve member further includes a stopper projected from an underside
of the magnetic force supply portion for supporting the movable
plate which moves down by gravity when the magnetic force is turned
off from an underside of the movable plate.
17. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the venting
portion is formed at a rear of a top side of the tub, or at a
center of the top side of the tub.
18. The washing machine as claimed in claim 17, wherein the venting
portion comprises a plurality of venting portions spin-drying and
the blocking member comprises a plurality of blocking members
corresponding to the plurality of venting portions.
19. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a driving unit including a rotation shaft, a bearing housing for
rotatably supporting the rotation shaft, and a motor for rotating
the rotation shaft, and a flexible material to prevent the water
inside the tub from leaking toward the driving unit and allow the
driving unit to move relatively to the tub.
20. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a driving unit including a rotation shaft, a bearing housing for
rotatably supporting the rotation shaft, and a motor for rotating
the rotation shaft, and a suspension unit attached to the bearing
housing for reducing vibration of the drum.
21. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tub is
supported more rigidly than the drum is.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In general, a drum type washing machine has a tub mounted in
a cabinet which forms an exterior of the washing machine for
holding washing water. Inside of the tub, there is a drum rotatably
mounted in the tub for holding laundry. Since the drum is rotated
by a motor, and vibration of the drum is transmitted to the tub,
springs, dampers, and balancers are provided to the washing machine
for attenuating the vibration.
[0003] The tub is suspended from an inside of the cabinet with
hanging springs, and the motor is mounted to a rear side of the tub
for rotating the drum in the tub. That is, the motor mounted to the
rear side of the tub connects the drum to the tub.
[0004] In the meantime, a related art drum type washing machine
causes the vibration at the drum due to unbalance of weight of the
laundry leaned to one side when the drum rotates at a high speed.
As the vibration transmits from the drum to the tub, the tub also
vibrates.
[0005] Consequently, in order to prevent the tub from hitting the
cabinet due to vibration of the tub, an adequate gap between an
outside circumferential surface of the tub and the cabinet is
required. Therefore, as far as a size of the cabinet is not
increased, a volume of the tub can not be increased.
[0006] It is a recent trend that the consumers prefer a larger
capacity of washing for the same size of cabinet. To meet such a
user's demand, a washing machine has been developed having a
structure in which the tub is connected to the cabinet directly and
the vibration does not transmit from the drum to the tub for
increasing an effective volume.
[0007] In order to secure venting, thereby preventing bad odor,
when the related art drum type washing machine is not in use, and
in order to open a door for preventing accident caused by
negligence of safety, the tub has a venting hole formed therein.
spin-drying
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0008] When a drum rotates with a high speed, for example when a
spin-drying being performed, due to a flow of air inside a tub, the
drum may move forward. Especially, in a drum washing machine having
a flexible material connecting a driving unit and the tub, the
movement of the drum may be more severe.
[0009] It is found by the inventors that the forward-moving may get
more severe when air inside the tub flows out through a hole which
is located behind an laundry entrance opening of the drum.
Solution to Problem
[0010] An embodiment of a washing machine may include a tub for
holding washing water, the tub having a venting portion formed on
an circumferential surface, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub,
and a blocking member for blocking discharge of air from the tub
through the venting portion in spin-drying, namely in
spin-drying.
[0011] The drum has an opening at a front portion thereof to allow
laundry to be entered through.
[0012] The venting portion may be located behind the opening of the
drum.
[0013] The blocking member comes into action when the drum reaches
to a preset blocking rotation speed.
[0014] The blocking rotation speed is over 400 RPM.
[0015] The blocking member comes into action when an inside
pressure of the tub reaches to a pressure higher than a preset
pressure at the time of high speed rotation of the drum.
[0016] The inside pressure of the tub is sensed by a pressure
sensor mounted to an inside of the tub.
[0017] The blocking member includes a pressure valve which is
closed at a pressure higher than a specific pressure.
[0018] The blocking member includes a check valve member.
[0019] The check valve member is of a passive control type.
[0020] The check valve member is a flapper.
[0021] The check valve member includes a blocking portion of shape
memory alloy for blocking the second venting portion as the
blocking portion is unfolded by a steam temperature when steam
discharges through the venting portion.
[0022] The check valve member is of a floating type, which includes
a supporting portion for closing the venting portion in washing,
the supporting portion having a side opening for venting the air,
and a floating portion movably mounted to the supporting portion
having an opening to be in communication with the side opening, for
moving upward when a pressure difference is generated by detergent
foam or steam to close the side opening.
[0023] The check valve member is of an active control type.
[0024] The check valve member is of a magnet type which opens or
closes the venting portion by magnetic force.
[0025] The check valve member includes a magnetic force supply
portion mounted in the venting portion for supplying magnetic force
if the power is supplied to the washing machine, a fixed plate
fixed to an inside of the magnetic force supply portion having a
central hole, and a movable plate mounted under the fixed plate for
moving upward when the magnetic force is supplied to close the
central hole.
[0026] The check valve member further includes a stopper projected
from an underside of the magnetic force supply portion for
supporting the movable plate which moves down by gravity when the
magnetic force is turned off from an underside of the movable
plate.
[0027] The venting portion may be formed at a rear of a top side of
the tub, or at a center of the top side of the tub.
[0028] spin-drying The venting portion may comprise a plurality of
venting portions and the blocking member may comprise a plurality
of blocking members corresponding to the plurality of venting
portions.
[0029] Further, the tub may have a hole in front of the opening of
the drum to allow air to flow into the drum through. When the
spin-drying is being performed, if air outside the tub flows into
the drum, the forward-movement of the drum may be alleviated.
[0030] The washing machine may have the tub fixedly mounted
thereto, or supported by a flexible supporting structure, like
suspension units. Or, the washing machine may be supported in an
extent intermediate between the supporting by the suspension and
the fixed mounting.
[0031] That is, the tub may be supported flexibly in an extent
similar to the suspension unit to be described later, or rigidly
more than supporting with the suspension. For an example, the tub
may be supported by the suspension, or by ones, such as rubber
bushings, for providing a certain extent of flexibility to the tub
even though the supporting is not flexible more than the
suspension.
[0032] The tub may have a shape enlarged within a space the tub is
mounted therein as far as possible. That is, the tub may be
enlarged close to a wall or a frame (for an example, left or right
side plates of the cabinet) that limits a left/right direction size
of the space at least in left/right directions (a direction
perpendicular to a shaft direction of a rotation shaft in a
horizontal direction). The tub may be fabricated as one unit with
the left or right side wall of the cabinet. Relatively, the tub may
be formed closer to the wall or the frame than the drum in the
left/right directions. For an example, the tub may be formed to be
spaced from the wall or the frame less than 1.5 times of a space to
the drum. In a state the tub is expanded in the left/right
directions thus, the drum also may be enlarged in the left/right
directions. The smaller left/right direction spaces between the tub
and the drum, the drum may be enlarged the more. In reducing the
left/right direction spaces of the tub and the drum, left/right
direction vibration of the drum may be taken into account. The
smaller the left/right direction vibration of the drum, a diameter
of the drum may be the greater. Therefore, the suspension unit
which dampens the vibration of the drum may be made to have
left/right direction rigidity greater than other direction
rigidity. For an example, the suspension unit may be made to have
rigidity with respect to a left/right direction deformation the
greatest compared to rigidity in other directions.
[0033] Different from the related art, the suspension unit may be
directly connected to the bearing housing which supports the
rotation shaft connected to the drum, without passed through the
tub. In this instance, the suspension unit may include a bracket
extended in a shaft direction of the rotation shaft. And, the
bracket may be extended forward toward the door.
[0034] The tub may have a rear opening. A driving unit including
the rotation shaft, the bearing gousing, and the motor may be
connected to the tub through a flexible member. The flexible member
may be made to seal such that water does not leak through the rear
opening of the tub, and to enable the driving unit to move relative
to the tub. The flexible member may be of any material as far as
the material may function as a sealing and is flexible, for an
example, flexible member may be formed of a gasket material like
the front gasket. In this case, for convenience's sake, the
flexible member may be called as a rear gasket with reference to
the front gasket. The rear gasket may be connected to the driving
unit in a state the rear gasket is limited not to rotate at least
in a rotation direction of the rotation shaft. A portion of the
driving unit positioned in front of a connection portion to the
rear gasket so as to be vulnerable to exposure to the washing water
in the tub may be made not to be in direct contact with the washing
water. For an example, the portion may be coated, or a front
surface thereof may be covered with an additional component of
plastic. By making parts of the driving unit formed of metal not to
be direct exposure to the water, the parts may be prevented from
corrosion.
[0035] Along with this, different from the embodiment, the cabinet
may not be included to the washing machine. For an example, in a
case of a built-in washing machine, a space the washing machine is
to be installed therein may be porvided, not by the cabinet, but by
a wall structure. That is, the washing machine may be fabricated in
a shape which does not include the cabinet which forms an exterior,
independently. However, in this case too, the front frame may be
required for a front exterior.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0036] The present invention has following advantageous
effects.
[0037] The washing machine can secure venting capability when the
washing machine is not in use for improving odor discharge and
venting capability.
[0038] The washing machine can reduce a forward-movement of the
drum when the drum rotates at a high speed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0039] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide
further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of
the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the disclosure.
[0040] In the drawings:
[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates a section of a washing machine in
accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the tub and the
drum in FIG. 1;
[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the A
part in FIG. 2;
[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates a section across a line A-A' in FIG.
3;
[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates an operational diagram showing an
operation state of the check valve member in FIG. 2;
[0046] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate diagrams respectively showing other
manual control types of the check valve members in accordance with
the present invention, schematically;
[0047] FIG. 8 illustrates a diagram showing an exemplary active
control type of the check valve members in accordance with the
present invention, schematically; and
[0048] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate diagrams respectively showing
other exemplary active control types of the check valve members in
accordance with the present invention, schematically.
[0049] FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a
washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0050] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate perspective views each showing a
tubfront of a washing machine in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 14 illustrates a rear perspective view of a tubrear of
a washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0052] FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a suspension of a
washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0053] FIG. 16 illustrates a side view showing coupling of a
suspension to a tub of a washing machine in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0054] Reference will now be made in detail to the specific
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.
[0055] The present invention will be described taking a washing
machine having a tub rigidly connected to a cabinet as one
embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention
is not limited to such a washing machine, but applicable to all
drum type of washing machines.
[0056] A washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
1 to 10.
[0057] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the washing machine of the
present invention improves odor discharge and venting capability by
securing venting means when the washing machine is not in use.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 1, the washing machine includes a cabinet
10 which forms an exterior of the washing machine, a tub 20 in the
cabinet 10 directly connected thereto, and a drum 30 rotatably
mounted in the tub 20. Mounted in rear of the tub 20, there are a
motor 40 for rotating the drum 30, and a bearing housing 28 which
is a rear side of the tub 20 and supports a shaft 42 that supports
the motor 40. Mounted between the bearing housing 28 and the tub
20, there is damping means 50 for sealing an inside of the tub 20
and damping vibration or impact transmitting from the motor 40 to
the tub 20. Also mounted also between the bearing housing 28 and
the tub 20, there is a suspension assembly 60 for supporting the
drum 30 and damping the vibration or impact transmitting to the
bearing housing 28.
[0059] The cabinet 10 has a door 12 mounted to a front 11 thereof,
and a base 16 fixedly secured to an underside thereof. The cabinet
10 also may have a top bracket 73 at an upper side 13 for securing
an elastic member 72 for suspending the bearing housing 28.
[0060] The tub 20 is directly fixed to an inside of the cabinet 10.
Preferably, the tub 20 and the cabinet 10 may be fixed as a side of
the tub 20 facing the door 12 is fastened to an inside of the front
11 of the cabinet 10 with screws 25. Of course, a side or a rear of
the tub 20 may be fastened to the cabinet 10.
[0061] The bearing housing 28 is fixedly mounted to a rear side of
the tub 20. The bearing housing 28 has bearings (not shown) mounted
thereto for smooth rotation of the motor shaft 42, and the motor
shaft 42 is supported on the bearings.
[0062] The motor 40 is coupled to a rear of the bearing housing 28,
and the motor shaft 42 is passed through the bearing housing 28 and
fixedly secured to the rear side of the drum 30.
[0063] In the meantime, the suspension assembly 60 includes a
damper bracket 62 coupled to the bearing housing 28, and a damping
unit coupled to the damper bracket 62 for supporting the bearing
housing 28.
[0064] The damping unit includes a main damper 80 for supporting
weight of the drum 30 and damping vertical direction vibration, and
a sub-damper 90 for damping horizontal direction vibration of the
drum 30.
[0065] The drum 30 and the bearing housing 28 are lifted up and
supported by the damping unit having the main damper 80 and the
sub-damper 90.
[0066] Thus, since the tub 20 is directly fixed to the cabinet 10,
and the vibration does not transmit from the drum 30 to the tub 20,
a diameter of the tub 20 can be made greater than the related art
washing machine. Eventually, the washing machine of the present
invention has an effect of expanding effective volumes of the tub
20 and the drum 30.
[0067] Since the tub 20 is fixed to the cabinet 10, if the
vibration or impact is transmitted to the tub 20 fixed to the
cabinet 10 as one body, not only the tub 20 itself shakes. Because
weight of the cabinet 10 is added to the tub 20, rigidity of the
tub 20 increases, allowing to expect improvement of an effect of an
overall vibration characteristic of the washing machine.
[0068] Moreover, since the drum 30 rotating thus is supported only
on one side, the inside volume of the drum 30 can be expanded
further than a type of the drum 30 which is supported on both
sides. Accordingly, since a number of components can be reduced as
many, improvement of productivity can be expected.
[0069] The related art washing machine has one venting hole formed
in the tub for preventing bad odor from generating and opening of
the door for prevention of accident caused by negligence of safety.
However, if the venting hole is in an opened position at the time
the drum rotates at a high speed for spin-drying, the drum moves
toward a front of the tub to hit the tub.
[0070] Above problem is liable to cause in a structure in which the
tub is connected to the drum with a flexible material, such as the
rear gasket, separating the tub and the drum from each other with
respect to vibration. At the time the drum rotates at a high speed,
pressure imbalance takes place around the drum in the tub, making
the drum to move toward the front of the tub. Therefore, the
forward movement of the drum takes place at the time of spin-drying
when the drum rotates at the high speed.
[0071] The forward movement of the drum 30 causes a problem in
which wear down of the door gasket (not shown) which is mounted for
preventing foreign matters from entering between the tub 20 and the
drum 30 becomes great. Moreover, if the drum 30 holds a large
amount of the laundry, making the drum 30 to move forward, the drum
30 at a front thereof is liable to hit the tub 20.
[0072] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in order to solve this problem,
the venting portion includes one (a first venting portion) at a
front side of a top side of the tub 20, and at least one (a second
venting portion) at a rear side of the top side of the tub 20. The
first venting portion 201 is located in front of an laundry
entrance opening of the drum, and the second venting portion 200 is
located behind of the laundry entrance opening. The first venting
portion 201 is kept open while a spin-drying is performed. Through
the first venting portion 201, air outside the tub can flow into
the drum. This air flow is found to help to reduce the
forward-movement of the drum.
[0073] The second venting portion 200 formed at the rear side of
the top side of the tub 20 may have one leaned to a side, and
another one at a center of the rear side of the top side. As far as
the second venting portion 200 is positioned in the rear side, the
second venting portion 200 can be formed regardless of an actual
formation position.
[0074] The second venting portion 200 is cylindrical and projected
from an outside circumference of the tub 20 for making the inside
of the tub 20 to be in communication with an outside thereof. When
the washing machine is not in use, the air is vented through the
second venting portion 200, thereby discharging odor from the tub
20 and venting required for opening of the door.
[0075] To reduce the forward-movement of the drum, it is better if
the second venting portion 200 is closed such that air inside the
tub is not flown out therethrough.
[0076] spin-drying Also, in washing, it is better to block the
discharge of steam or detergent foam through the second venting
portion 200.
[0077] In order to block the second venting portion 200 in
spin-drying for preventing the air from being discharged to an
outside of the tub 20, a block member may be mounted to the second
venting portion 200.
[0078] At the time the drum 30 rotates at a high speed, if the
second venting portion 200 is blocked, pressures inside and outside
of the tub 20 become the same because the air introduced through
the first venting portion 201 and no air is discharged through the
second venting portion 200. Therefore, at the time the drum rotates
at the high speed, the forward movement of the drum 30 caused by an
inside pressure difference can be reduced or prevented.
[0079] Owing to this reason, the washing machine in accordance with
the preferred embodiment of the present invention can solve the
problem of the forward movement of the drum 30 toward the front of
the cabinet 10 at the time of high speed rotation of the drum 30.
Together with this, the discharge of detergent foam or steam can be
blocked in washing while securing venting when the washing machine
is not in use. As one example of the blocking member, a check valve
member 300 is used.
[0080] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 10, in the check valve member 300,
there may be two kinds of types, i.e., a passive control type and
an active control type.
[0081] In the embodiment, the passive control is defined as
controlling of operation of the check valve member 300 by a direct
pressure difference generated when the detergent foam or steam (in
a case of the washing and drying machine) rises to escape through
the second venting portion 200 or the drum 30 rotates at the high
speed.
[0082] In the check valve member 300 of the passive control type,
there are a flapper type as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, or a shape
memory alloy type as shown in FIG. 6, or a floating type as shown
in FIG. 7.
[0083] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the check valve member 310 of the
flapper type has thin plate flappers 312 rotatably fastened to
respective rotation shafts 314 which are fixed to an inside of the
second venting portion 200 by a shaft supporting portion 316.
[0084] The flapper 312 is rotatably mounted to the inside of the
second venting portion 200.
[0085] The flapper 312 swings upward by a pressure difference of
the detergent foam or the steam rising thus to close the inside of
the second venting portion 200.
[0086] If the pressure difference is removed, the flapper 312
returns to an original position by gravity to open the second
venting portion 200. According to this, the flapper 312 can prevent
the air, the detergent foam or the steam from discharging to the
outside of the tub 20 when the washing machine is in operation, and
permits the air to vent as shown in FIG. 5 when the washing machine
is not in operation.
[0087] Referring to FIG. 6, the check valve member 320 of the shape
memory alloy type has a blocking portion 322 of a shape memory
alloy unfolded by a steam temperature when the air or the steam is
discharged through the second venting portion 200 to close the
inside of the second venting portion 200.
[0088] The blocking portion 322 may be formed of any shape memory
alloy as far as the shape memory alloy can respond to the steam
temperature being discharged from the washing and drying machine.
When the pressure difference is removed, the steam generation
stops, or a temperature of a second venting portion 200 side drops
to a certain extent, the blocking portion 322 returns to an
original shape to open the second venting portion 200.
[0089] Or, the check valve member 320 of the shape memory alloy
type may be applied to the second venting portion 200 positioned on
the front side of the tub 20. In this case, the second venting
portion 200 is kept open to allow introduction of the air into the
tub 20 in general except when the steam discharges. It can be made
that the second venting portion 200 is closed only when the steam
discharges.
[0090] Referring to FIG. 7, the floating check valve member 330
includes a supporting portion 332 having an opening 332a in a side
surface for venting the air, and a floating portion 334 movably
mounted to the supporting portion 332 having an opening 334a to be
in communication with the side surface opening 332a.
[0091] The supporting portion 332 has a structure in which the
supporting portion 332 closes an inside of the second venting
portion 200 in a state the supporting portion 332 is coupled to the
floating portion 334. However, since the side surface opening 332a
of the supporting portion 332 and the opening 334a in the floating
portion 334 are in communication, the air can vent through the side
surface opening 332a and the opening 334a when the washing machine
is not in use.
[0092] If the detergent foam or the steam is generated as the
washing machine is in operation or the pressure difference is
generated by the high speed rotation of the drum 30, the pressure
difference moves up the floating portion 334 from the supporting
portion 332. If the floating portion 334 moves up from the
supporting portion 332, making the side surface opening 332a and
the opening 334a are out of alignment, the inside of the second
venting portion 200 is closed. Accordingly, the discharge of the
air, the detergent foam or the steam to the outside of the tub 20
through the second venting portion 200 can be prevented at the time
the drum 30 rotates at the high speed.
[0093] If the pressure difference is removed, the floating portion
334 returns to an original position by gravity. Accordingly, the
side surface opening 332a and the opening 334a are aligned, to form
a passage which allows venting of the air.
[0094] Thus, if the manual control type check valve member 300 is
applied, at the same time with the closure of the second venting
portion 200, the inside of the tub 20 is closed from the outside of
the tub 20. Therefore, since no pressure difference is formed
between the tub 20 and the drum 30 even if the drum 30 rotates, the
forward movement of the drum 30 by the pressure difference can be
prevented.
[0095] And, the discharge of the detergent foam or the steam during
operation of the washing machine can also be prevented.
[0096] In the embodiment, the active control is defined as one in
which power is supplied artificially for controlling operation of
the check valve member 300 to prevent the air, the detergent foam
or the steam from escaping through the second venting portion 200
during the power is supplied.
[0097] That is, during supply of the power, the check valve member
300 is operated to close the second venting portion 200, and if the
supply of the power stops, the check valve member 300 opens the
second venting portion 200, allowing venting of the air.
[0098] The active control type check valve member 300 has
efficiency better than the manual control type in which the check
valve member 300 is operated by an inside pressure difference
generated when the drum 30 rotates, or by the steam or the
detergent foam.
[0099] This is because the check valve member 300 can be operated
within a time period shorter than the manual control type owing to
the power supply, and can close the venting portion 200 more
positively.
[0100] Since the inside of the tub 20 is closed at the same time
with the closure of the second venting portion 200, generating no
pressure difference between the tub 20 and the drum 30 even if the
drum 30 rotates, the forward movement of the drum 30 caused by the
pressure difference can be prevented.
[0101] Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, as the active control type check
valve member 300, a magnet type may be used.
[0102] Referring to FIG. 8, the magnet type check valve member 340
includes a rotation holding portion 342. If power is supplied to
the washing machine, the rotation holding portion 342 closes the
second venting portion 200, and if the power is turned off, the
rotation holding portion 342 turns to open the second venting
portion 200. Since a structure for supplying a magnet force by
using the power is similar to the embodiment described later,
detailed description of the structure will be omitted.
[0103] The magnet type check valve member 350 shown in FIGS. 9 and
10 is a type which opens or closes the second venting portion 200
by a magnetic force.
[0104] Referring to FIG. 10, the magnet type check valve member 350
includes a magnetic force supply portion 352 for supplying a
magnetic force if the power is supplied to the washing machine, a
fixed plate 354 fixed to an inside of the magnetic force supply
portion 352, and a movable plate 356 under the fixed plate 354 for
opening/closing the second venting portion 200. Under the magnetic
force supply portion 352, there is a stopper 352a.
[0105] The magnetic force supply portion 352 is mounted in the
second venting portion 200. The magnetic force supply portion 352
is an electric magnet which supplies a magnetic force if the power
is supplied to the washing machine, and turns off the magnetic
force if the power is turned off. The fixed plate 354 is fixed to
an upper side of the magnetic force supply portion 352, and the
movable plate 356 moves within a space between an underside of the
magnetic force supply portion 352 and the fixed plate 354.
[0106] The fixed plate 354 is an annular plate with a central hole
to close the inside of the second venting portion 200 except the
central hole portion. If the movable plate 356 couples to the fixed
plate 354, the central hole is closed to close the second venting
portion completely, and the movable place 356 moves away from the
fixed plate 354, the second venting portion 200 is opened.
[0107] The movable plate 356 moves up/down between an upper side of
the stopper 352a and the fixed plate 354 by the magnetic force, and
has a central closure 356a for closing the central hole when the
movable plate 356 moves up by the magnetic force supplied thus. If
the magnetic force is supplied to the movable plate 356, the
movable plate 356 moves up by an attraction force between the
movable plate 356 and the fixed plate 354 unit the movable plate
356 is brought into close contact to the fixed plate 352a.
[0108] That is, referring to FIG. 9, since the movable plate 356
has the magnetic force supplied thereto during the washing machine
is in operation, the movable plate 356 is kept a state in which the
movable plate 356 is in close contact with the underside of the
fixed plate 354. As shown in FIG. 10, if the power to the washing
machine is turned off, the movable plate 356 moves down to maintain
a state in which the movable plate 356 is spaced from the fixed
plate 354. The air pressure generated at the time of spin-drying
acts favorably in coupling of the movable plate 356 to the fixed
plate 354, making the two plates 356 and 354 to be in close contact
with each other, positively.
[0109] It is preferable that the central closure 356a has a size
slightly greater than the central hole such that the detergent foam
or the steam can not escape through the central hole in the fixed
plate 354 when the movable plate 356 is in close contact with the
fixed plate 354. According to this, when the movable plate 356 is
in close contact with the fixed plate 354, the central hole is
closed completely to close the second venting portion 200.
[0110] If the movable plate 356 moves down to open the central hole
in the fixed plate 354, venting capability of the tub 20 can be
secured.
[0111] The venting portion described before is able to apply the
washing machine which will be described, with reference to FIGS. 11
to 16.
[0112] FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a
washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0113] Referring to FIG. 10, the washing machine has a tub fixedly
secured to a cabinet. The tub includes a tubfront 100 which forms a
front portion thereof and a tubrear 120 which forms a rear portion
thereof. The tubfront 100 and the tubrear 120 are fastened together
with screws for forming a space for placing a drum therein. The tub
also includes a tubback 130 which forms a rear surface thereof. The
tubback 130 is connected to the tubrear 120 with a rear gasket 250.
The rear gasket 250 is formed of elastic material for preventing
vibration from transmitting to the tubrear 120 from the tubback
130.
[0114] The tubrear 120 has a rear surface 128. The rear surface 128
of the tubrear 120, the tubback 130, and the rear gasket 250 form a
rear wall surface of the tub. The rear gasket 250 is sealably
connected to the tubback 130 and the tubrear 120 respectively for
preventing the washing water from leaking from the tub. The tubback
130 vibrates together with the drum when the drum rotates. In order
to prevent the tubback 130 from interfering with the tubrear 120 at
the time the tubback 130 vibrates, the tubback 130 is spaced from
the tubrear 120, adequately. Since the rear gasket 250 is formed of
elastic material, the rear gasket 250 allows the tubback 130 to
make relative motion without interference with the tubrear 120. The
rear gasket 250 may have a corrugated portion 252 (See FIG. 14)
which can be extended adequately for allowing the relative motion
of the tubback 130.
[0115] A foreign matter getting in preventive member 200 is
connected to a front of the tubfront 100 for preventing foreign
matters from entering between the tub and the drum. The foreign
matter getting in preventive member 200 is formed of an elastic
material, and fixedly mounted to the tubfront 100. The foreign
matter getting in preventive member 200 may be formed of a material
the same with the rear gasket 250.
[0116] The drum includes a drumfront 300, a drumcenter 320, and a
drumback 340. Ball balancers 310 and 330 are mounted to a front
portion and a rear portion of the drum, respectively. The drumback
340 is connected to a spider 350, and the spider 350 is connected
to a rotation shaft 351.
[0117] The drum rotates in the tub by rotation force transmitted
through the rotation shaft 351.
[0118] The rotation shaft 351 is passed through the tubback 130 and
connected to the motor, directly. In detail, a rotor of the motor
and the rotation shaft 351 are connected, directly. There is a
bearing housing 400 coupled to the rear surface 128 of the tubback
130. The bearing housing 400 rotatably supports the rotation shaft
351 between the motor and the tubback 130.
[0119] A stator is fixedly mounted to the bearing housing 400. The
rotor is positioned around the stator. As described before, the
rotor is directly connected to the rotation shaft 351. The motor,
being an outer rotor type motor, is connected to the rotation shaft
351, directly.
[0120] The bearing housing 400 is supported on a cabinet base 600
through a suspension unit. The suspension unit includes three
vertical suspensions and two tilted suspensions for supporting in
front/rear directions in tilted positions. The suspension unit is
connected to the cabinet base 600, not fixedly perfectly, but to
allow a certain extent of elastic deformation to allow the drum to
move in front/rear and left/right directions.
[0121] That is, the suspension unit is elastically secured to allow
a certain extent of rotation of the suspension unit in front/rear
and left/right directions with respect to a securing point at which
the suspension unit is connected to the base. In order to make such
elastic securing, the vertical suspensions may be mounted to the
base 600 with rubber bushings disposed therebetween,
respectively.
[0122] Of the suspensions, it can be configured that the vertical
suspensions elastically buffer vibration or the drum, and the
tilted suspensions dampens the vibration. That is, it can be
configured that, of a vibration system having springs and damping
means, ones mounted in vertical positions serve as a spring and
ones mounted in tilted positions serve as damping means.
[0123] The tub is fixedly mounted to the cabinet except the tubback
130, and the vibration of the drum is buffered and supported by the
suspension unit. It can be said that supporting structures for the
tub and the drum are separated from each other actually, such that
the tub does not vibrate even if the drum vibrates.
[0124] Respective parts will be described in detail.
[0125] FIGS. 12 and 13 disclose the tubfront 100. The tubfront 100
has a donut shaped vertical front surface at a front side of a
cylindrical surface which is a portion of a sidewall of the tub. A
rear side of the cylindrical surface is opened, and has a plurality
of fastening holes 110. The fastening holes 110 are fastened to
fastening holes 127 (See FIG. 14) in the tubrear 120 matched
thereto, respectively.
[0126] A rim portion 101 is extended forward from an inside
circumferential surface of a front surface of the tubfront 100. The
rim portion 101 has a width which becomes the smaller at the rim
portion 101 goes from an upper side to a lower side the more. At a
lower side of a lower edge of the front surface, there may not be
the rim portion 101 formed thereon, actually.
[0127] The rim portion 101 has a water supply hole 104, a hot air
inlet 103 to be used for drying, a circulating water inlet 106 for
inlet of washing water circulated by a circulating pump, and a
steam inlet 105 for introduction of steam.
[0128] Since the washing machine of the present invention has
vibration of the tub reduced significantly, connection of a water
supply structure, such as the water supply hose for supplying
washing water, a structure for drying, such as drying duct, a
structure for supplying steam, a structure for supplying the
circulating water, and so on can be held in position, securely.
[0129] The hot air inlet 103 is an upward rectangular shaped
extension from the rim portion 101, substantially. The hot air
inlet 103 is required for a washing and drying machine, and may not
be required for a washing machine which has no drying function.
[0130] Since the water supply hole 104 and so on are formed in the
front portion of the tubfront 100, supply of the washing water and
so on are made at the front side of the tub.
[0131] The water supply hole 104 and so on can be positioned in
front of a front end of the drum which is housed in the tub.
Accordingly, the washing water and so on can be introduced to the
drum directly through a drum opening provided for laundry in/out.
Since fluids which are supplied for treating the laundry, such as
the washing water and so on, can be introduced to the drum
directly, effective treatment of the laundry is possible. Moreover,
in a case detergent is supplied together with the washing water
which is supplied through detergent box (not shown), if the
detergent is introduced to the drum directly, consumption of the
detergent can be reduced, enabling to reduce an amount of the
washing water, accordingly. And, a problem of contamination of a
bottom of the tub by deposition of detergent sediments can be
reduced. Furthermore, the water supply from the front of the tub
can have an effect of washing door glass (not shown).
[0132] Even if the hot air is supplied from the front of the tub,
if the hot air is supplied through a vertical surface of the
tubfront 100, since a flow of the hot air undergoes two times of
bending to form a `.OR right.` shape (a `.OR right.` shaped
complicate flow is formed as the hot air introduced into the tub is
bent downward at a front of the tub and bent forward of the tub
again), the flow of the hot air can be poor. However, if the hot
air inlet 103 is formed in the rim portion 101 of the tubfront 100,
the flow of the hot air can be smooth since the hot air flow is
required to bend only once, vertically.
[0133] The water supply holes 104 and so on are positioned above a
center point of the drum. The washing water and so on are supplied
to the drum from an upper side of the front of the drum. If,
different from this, it is required to supply the washing water and
so on to the drum from a lower side of the front of the drum, the
rim portion 101 of the tubfront 100 can be formed at the lower side
of the front surface, accordingly. If it is required to supply the
washing water and so on to the drum, not from the upper or lower
side, but from a left or right side of the front of the drum, the
rim portion 101 of the tubfront 100 can be formed in the vicinity
of a center portion 131 of an inside edge of the front surface,
accordingly. That is, a shape of the rim portion 101 can vary with
a direction of supply of the fluids.
[0134] In a front edge of the rim portion 101, there is a coupling
portion 102 for coupling the foreign matter getting in preventive
member 200 thereto. The coupling portion 102 is a forward extension
from a front end of the rim portion 101 to form a small cylindrical
surface, substantially. The small cylindrical surface has a rib
102a formed on an outside circumferential surface.
[0135] The foreign matter getting in preventive member 200 is
coupled to the coupling portion 102 as the coupling portion 102 is
placed in the foreign matter getting in preventive member 200.
Accordingly, the foreign matter getting in preventive member 200
has a groove (not shown) for placing the small cylindrical surface
having the rib 102a therein.
[0136] The tubfront 100 is fixedly connected to the cabinet front
(not shown). For this fixed connection of the tubfront 100,
fastening bosses 107a, 107b, 107c and 107d are formed on the front
surface of the tubfront 100 to surround the rim portion 101,
substantially. After positioning the cabinet front (not shown) in a
state the tubfront 100 is mounted, the cabinet front (not shown) is
fastened to the tubfront 100 by fastening screws in a rear
direction.
[0137] The steam inlet 105 can be connected to a steam hose. The
steam inlet 105 has a steam guide 105a for guiding the steam
introduced thereto to an inside of the drum. The circulating water
inlet 106 has a circulating water guide 106a for guiding the
circulating water introduced to the circulating water inlet 106 to
the inside of the drum. The steam inlet 105, the circulating water
inlet 106, the steam guide 105a and the circulating water guide
106a are formed as one unit with the tubfront 100. The tubfront 100
of plastic is injection molded together with the steam inlet 105
and so on as portions of the tubfront 100.
[0138] The tubfront 100 is coupled to the tubrear 120 to form a
space for housing the drum. The tubfront 100 and the tubrear 120
are fastened with screws. For this screw fastening, the tubfront
100 has a plurality of screw fastening holes 110 formed along a
circumference of a rear portion thereof.
[0139] FIG. 14 illustrates the tubfront 100, the tubrear 120, the
tubback 130, and the rear gasket 250 assembled together.
[0140] The tubrear 120 is cylindrical to surround the drum, and has
an opened front and the donut shaped rear surface 128. The front is
sealably coupled to the tubfront 100. The rear surface 128 of the
tubrear 120 has a diameter adequately greater than the outside
diameter of the tubback 130, so that a gap enough to prevent the
tubback 130 from interfering with the rear surface 128 of the
tubrear 120 even if the tubback 130 vibrates. In the gap, i.e.,
between the rear surface 128 of the tubrear 120 and the tubback
130, there is the rear gasket 250 connected. The rear gasket 250
seals between the rear surface 128 of the tubrear 120 and the
tubback 130. The rear gasket 250 has a corrugated portion 252
having an adequate elasticity for not interfering with the
vibration of the tubback 130.
[0141] The tubrear 120 has a hot air outlet 121 on one side for the
washing and drying machine. It is natural that the hot air outlet
121 is not required if the washing machine is not the washing and
drying machine, but a washing machine only for washing.
[0142] In the meantime, under the tubfront 100 and the tubrear 120,
there is an additional structure for fixedly securing the tub to
the base.
[0143] FIG. 15 illustrates the suspension unit mounted on the base
600. FIG. 16 illustrates assembly of the tub 100 and 120, the
bearing housing 400, and the suspension unit.
[0144] The suspension unit includes the bearing housing 400, a
first weight 431, a second weight 430, a first suspension bracket
450, and a second suspension bracket 440.
[0145] The bearing housing 400 has a rotation shaft hole 401 at a
center for passing the rotation shaft 351. The rotation shaft hole
401 have one pair of bearings 404 placed in a front end and a rear
end thereof, respectively. The rotation shaft 351 is rotatably
supported by the bearings 404.
[0146] The rotation shaft hole 401 has a plurality of tubback
fastening holes 405 formed around the rotation shaft hole 401
matched to the pass through holes in the tubback 130. In rear of
the bearing housing 400, there is a motor mounting portion (not
shown).
[0147] The bearing housing 400 is coupled to the tubback 130 with
additional fastening bodies which pass through the pass through
holes 405. Between the bearing housing 400 and the tubback 130
coupled thus, there is a water seal for maintaining sealing between
the bearing housing 400 and the tubback.
[0148] Extended in a radial direction of left and right directions
from the bearing housing 400, there are a first extension 406a and
a second extension 406b. The first extension 406a and the second
extension 406b have the first weight 431 and the second weight 430
connected thereto, respectively. The first weight 431 and the
second weight 430 have the first suspension bracket 450 and the
second suspension bracket 440 connected thereto, respectively.
[0149] The first extension 406a and the second extension 406b, the
first weight 431 and the second weight 430, and the first
suspension bracket 450 and the second suspension bracket 440 are
symmetry to each other, respectively. The first and second weights
431 and 430 serve as balancer in a case the drum holds laundry, and
mass in a vibration system in which the drum vibrates.
[0150] The suspension unit can include vertical suspensions for
buffering in a vertical direction and front/rear direction
suspensions for buffering in front/rear directions. One of the
vertical suspensions can be arranged on a rear side of the base,
and two of the vertical suspensions can be arranged on a front side
of the base on left and right sides of a center of the base,
respectively. Two suspensions can be arranged on left and right
sides tilted in a front/rear direction.
[0151] The suspension unit can include a first cylinder spring 520,
a second cylinder spring 510, a third cylinder spring 500, a first
cylinder damper 540, and a second cylinder damper 530.
[0152] The cylinder spring is mounted between a cylinder and a
piston. Owing to the cylinder and the piston, a length of the
cylinder spring makes stable variation at the time of buffering.
The cylinder is connected to the suspension bracket and the piston
is connected to the base. A cylinder damper provides a damping
effect owing to friction caused as the piston moves in the
cylinder.
[0153] The first cylinder spring 520 is connected between the first
suspension bracket 450 and the base 600. The second cylinder spring
510 is connected between the second suspension bracket 440 and the
base 600. The third cylinder spring 500 is connected between the
bearing housing 400 and the base 600, directly. The cylinder
springs buffer and support at one point on the rear side and two
points on the left and right sides of the front side.
[0154] The first cylinder damper 540 is mounted tilted between the
first suspension bracket 450 and the rear side of the base, and the
second cylinder damper 530 is mounted tilted between the second
suspension bracket 440 and the rear side of the base.
[0155] The third cylinder spring 500 is arranged at a center of the
rear side, and the first cylinder spring 520 and the second
cylinder spring 510 are arranged on left and right sides of the
front side, respectively. The first cylinder damper 540 and the
second cylinder damper 530 are positioned between a rear side of
the third cylinder spring 500 and a front side of the first
cylinder spring 520 and the second cylinder spring 510. Those are
symmetry in left/right directions. The cylinder springs are
connected to the base 600 with rubber bushings disposed
therebetween, respectively. 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.
* * * * *