U.S. patent application number 13/602739 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-07 for washing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Hong Gil Ha, Goan Su Jung, Ho Young Kim, Dong Woo Lee, Seok Jin Lee. Invention is credited to Hong Gil Ha, Goan Su Jung, Ho Young Kim, Dong Woo Lee, Seok Jin Lee.
Application Number | 20130055769 13/602739 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47752101 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130055769 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ha; Hong Gil ; et
al. |
March 7, 2013 |
WASHING MACHINE
Abstract
A washing machine capable of protecting a water seal to prevent
foreign substance from being stuck or accumulated inside the water
seal, so that the water seal is prevented from being worn out. The
washing machine includes a tub configured to accommodate wash
water, a rotary tub rotatably installed inside the tub, a pulsator
rotatably disposed inside the rotary tub, a driving shaft connected
to the rotary tub and the pulsator, a support member installed on
the driving shaft, a water seal installed between the driving shaft
and the tub, and a protection member provided between the support
member and the water seal to prevent foreign substance from being
introduced into the water seal.
Inventors: |
Ha; Hong Gil; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; Lee; Seok Jin; (Hwaseong-si, KR) ; Lee;
Dong Woo; (Yongin-si, KR) ; Kim; Ho Young;
(Suwon-si, KR) ; Jung; Goan Su; (Yeosu-si,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ha; Hong Gil
Lee; Seok Jin
Lee; Dong Woo
Kim; Ho Young
Jung; Goan Su |
Suwon-si
Hwaseong-si
Yongin-si
Suwon-si
Yeosu-si |
|
KR
KR
KR
KR
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon
KR
|
Family ID: |
47752101 |
Appl. No.: |
13/602739 |
Filed: |
September 4, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/133 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 37/40 20130101;
D06F 23/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
68/133 |
International
Class: |
D06F 37/20 20060101
D06F037/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 5, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0089417 |
Claims
1. A washing machine comprising: a tub configured to accommodate
wash water; a rotary tub rotatably installed inside the tub; a
pulsator rotatably disposed inside the rotary tub; a driving shaft
connected to the rotary tub and the pulsator; a support member
installed on the driving shaft; a water seal installed between the
driving shaft and the tub; and a protection member provided between
the support member and the water seal to prevent foreign substance
from being introduced into the water seal.
2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the protection member is
installed such that an outer circumference of the protection member
makes contact with an outer side circumference of the water
seal.
3. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the protection member
comprises: a fixing unit provided at a center thereof with a hollow
unit that allows the driving shaft to pass therethrough; a cover
unit extending outward from the fixing unit; and a support unit
formed at an end portion of the cover unit.
4. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein the fixing unit
comprises: a fixing protrusion which protrudes upward from an inner
side circumference of an upper surface of the fixing unit such that
the fixing unit is fixed to the support member; a support
protrusion which protrudes upward from an outer side circumference
of the upper surface of the fixing unit to support a lateral side
of the support member; and a fixing groove formed to allow a lower
surface of the support member to be fixed between the fixing
protrusion and the support protrusion.
5. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein the support member
comprises an installation groove corresponding to the fixing
protrusion such that the fixing protrusion is fixed to the
installation groove.
6. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the support member
comprises a washer.
7. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein the cover unit is formed
from the fixing unit outward while being slanted downward to
prevent foreign substance from being introduced into the water seal
that is provided at a lower side of the cover unit.
8. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein the cover unit is
provided in a form of a ring.
9. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the driving shaft
comprises a rotary shaft connected to the pulsator and a connector
connected to the rotary tub, wherein the protection member is
rotated by the support member along with rotation of the
connector.
10. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein the protection member
further comprises a reinforcing rib configured to reinforce
strength of the protection member during rotation of the protection
member.
11. The washing machine of claim 10, further comprising a first
connection unit configured to connect the fixing unit to the cover
unit, and the reinforcing rib is formed at a lower side of the
first connection unit.
12. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein the reinforcing rib is
disposed around the rotary shaft.
13. The washing machine of claim 3, further comprising a second
connection unit configured to connect the cover unit to the support
unit, and the second connection unit further comprises an extension
unit that extends from a side end portion of the support unit.
14. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein the water seal
comprises an inner side rib supporting the rotary shaft while
coming into a close contact with the rotary shaft, an outer side
rib supporting the tub while coming into a close contact with the
tub, a connection rib formed between the inner side rib and the
outer side rib, a first installation groove formed between the
inner side rib and the connection rib and a second installation
groove formed between the connection rib and the outer side rib,
wherein a protrusion rib protrudes upward from an upper end of the
outer side rib to prevent foreign substance from being introduced
into the water seal, and wherein an outer surface of the protrusion
rib is inclined such that foreign substance is slid outside.
15. The washing machine of claim 14, wherein a rim of an upper
surface of the water seal comprises a flat surface corresponding to
the support unit, and one end of the flat surface is connected to
the protrusion rib.
16. The washing machine of claim 14, wherein the cover unit is
disposed between the support member and the protrusion rib.
17. The washing machine of claim 15, wherein the support unit is
provided at a lower side with at least one contact protrusion to
increase contact efficiency in relation to the flat surface.
18. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the protection member
includes rubber.
19. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the protection member
is formed together with the support member through insert injection
molding.
20. A washing machine comprising: a rotary tub; a pulsator
rotatably provided inside the rotary tub; a driving shaft connected
to the rotary tub and the pulsator; a housing coupled at an inside
thereof with a bearing that rotatably supports the driving shaft; a
water seal installed at an upper side of the housing to seal the
inside of the housing; and a protection member is provided such
that an outer circumference of the protection member makes contact
with an outer side circumference of the water seal to prevent
foreign substance from being introduced into the water seal.
21. The washing machine of claim 20, wherein the protection member
comprises: a fixing unit allowing the driving shaft to pass
therethrough; a cover unit extending outward from the fixing unit
in a shape of a ring; and a support unit formed at an end portion
of the cover unit.
22. The washing machine of claim 20, further comprising a support
member which is installed on the driving shaft to support a bottom
surface of the rotary tub, wherein the protection member is fixed
to the support member.
23. The washing machine of claim 22, wherein the fixing unit
comprises: a hollow formed at a center of the fixing unit; a fixing
protrusion protruding upward from a circumference forming the
hollow; a support protrusion protruding upward to support a lateral
side of the support member; and a fixing groove formed to allow a
lower surface of the support member to be supported between the
fixing protrusion and the support protrusion, wherein the support
member is formed with an installation groove corresponding to the
fixing protrusion such that the fixing protrusion is coupled to the
installation groove.
24. The washing machine of claim 22, wherein the cover unit is
formed from the fixing unit outward while being slanted downward to
prevent foreign substance from being introduced into the water seal
that is provided at a lower side of the cover unit, and wherein the
cover unit is disposed between an outer side end of the support
member and an upper side end of the water seal.
25. The washing machine of claim 22, wherein the protection member
is rotated by the support member along with rotation of the driving
shaft and comprises a reinforcing rib configured to reinforce
strength of the protection member during the rotation of the
protection member.
26. The washing machine of claim 25, wherein the reinforcing rib
vertically extends from a bottom surface of the fixing unit while
being formed along a circumference of the rotary shaft.
27. The washing machine of claim 22, wherein the protection member
includes rubber and is formed together with the support member
through insert injection molding.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 2011-0089417, filed on Sep. 5, 2011 in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a washing
machine having a protection member configured to protect a water
seal.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A washing machine is an apparatus configured to wash a
laundry by use of electric power. In general, the washing machine
includes a tub configured to store awash water, a rotary tub
rotatably installed inside the tub, a pulsator rotatably installed
on the bottom of the rotary tub, and a power transmission apparatus
configured to selectively transmit a power to the rotary tub or the
pulsator.
[0006] As an example of such a power transmission apparatus, a
clutch apparatus is disclosed in Korean Patent Application No.
10-2002-0004043. According to the clutch apparatus, a washing
operation is performed by transmitting a power of a motor, which is
received through a pulley, to a pulley shaft such that the rotation
speed of the motor is reduced at a reduction gear and then by
transmitting the power to a washing shaft such that a pulsator
connected to the washing shaft is reversed left and right.
[0007] The clutch apparatus is provided at an upper side with a
spin basket supporting bush and a water seal that prevent wash
water from being introduced to the clutch apparatus while serving
as a sealing.
[0008] However, foreign substance and moisture generated during a
washing operation in the rotary tub are introduced into the inside
the water seal and the sealing is destroyed. In addition, the
moisture is infiltrated into a bearing to rust the bearing, causing
a noise during a spin dry operation.
SUMMARY
[0009] Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to
provide a washing machine capable of preventing foreign substance
from being stuck or accumulated inside a water seal by protecting a
water seal.
[0010] It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a
washing machine capable of protecting a water seal at an upper side
of a clutch, thereby preventing the water seal and a bearing from
being damaged.
[0011] Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in
part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious
from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
disclosure.
[0012] In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a
washing machine includes a tub, a rotary tub, a pulsator, a driving
shaft, a supper member, a water seal and a protection member. The
tub is configured to accommodate wash water. The rotary tub is
rotatably installed inside the tub. The pulsator is rotatably
disposed inside the rotary tub. The driving shaft is connected to
the rotary tub and the pulsator. The support member is installed on
the driving shaft. The water seal is installed between the driving
shaft and the tub. The protection member is provided between the
support member and the water seal to prevent foreign substance from
being introduced into the water seal.
[0013] The protection member is installed such that an outer
circumference of the protection member makes contact with an outer
side circumference of the water seal.
[0014] The protection member includes a fixing unit, a cover unit
and a support unit. The fixing unit is provided at a center thereof
with a hollow unit that allows the driving shaft to pass
therethrough. The cover unit extends outward from the fixing unit.
The support unit is formed at an end portion of the cover unit.
[0015] The fixing unit includes a fixing protrusion, a support
protrusion and a fixing groove. The fixing protrusion protrudes
upward from an inner side circumference of an upper surface of the
fixing unit such that the fixing unit is fixed to the support
member. The support protrusion protrudes upward from an outer side
circumference of the upper surface of the fixing unit to support a
lateral side of the support member. The fixing groove is formed to
allow a lower surface of the support member to be fixed between the
fixing protrusion and the support protrusion.
[0016] The support member includes an installation groove
corresponding to the fixing protrusion such that the fixing
protrusion is fixed to the installation groove.
[0017] The support member includes a washer.
[0018] The cover unit is formed from the fixing unit outward while
being slanted downward to prevent foreign substance from being
introduced into the water seal that is provided at a lower side of
the cover unit.
[0019] The cover unit is provided in a form of a ring.
[0020] The driving shaft includes a rotary shaft connected to the
pulsator and a connector connected to the rotary tub, wherein the
protection member is rotated by the support member along with
rotation of the connector.
[0021] The protection member further includes a reinforcing rib
configured to reinforce strength of the protection member during
rotation of the protection member.
[0022] The washing machine further includes a first connection unit
configured to connect the fixing unit to the cover unit. The
reinforcing rib is formed at a lower side of the first connection
unit.
[0023] The reinforcing rib is disposed around the rotary shaft.
[0024] The washing machine further includes a second connection
unit configured to connect the cover unit to the support unit. The
second connection unit further includes an extension unit that
extends from a side end portion of the support unit.
[0025] The water seal includes an inner side rib supporting the
rotary shaft while coming into a close contact with the rotary
shaft, an outer side rib supporting the tub while coming into a
close contact with the tub, a connection rib formed between the
inner side rib and the outer side rib, a first installation groove
formed between the inner side rib and the connection rib and a
second installation groove formed between the connection rib and
the outer side rib. A protrusion rib protrudes upward from an upper
end of the outer side rib to prevent foreign substance from being
introduced into the water seal. An outer surface of the protrusion
rib is inclined such that foreign substance is slid outside.
[0026] A rim of an upper surface of the water seal includes a flat
surface corresponding to the support unit, and one end of the flat
surface is connected to the protrusion rib.
[0027] The cover unit is disposed between the support member and
the protrusion rib.
[0028] The support unit is provided at a lower side with at least
one contact protrusion to increase contact efficiency in relation
to the flat surface.
[0029] The protection member includes rubber.
[0030] The protection member is formed together with the support
member through insert injection molding.
[0031] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure,
a washing machine includes a rotary tub, a pulsator, a driving
shaft, a hosing, a water seal and a protection member. The pulsator
is rotatably provided inside the rotary tub. The driving shaft is
connected to the rotary tub and the pulsator. The housing is
coupled at an inside thereof with a bearing that rotatably supports
the driving shaft. The water seal is installed at an upper side of
the housing to seal the inside of the housing. The protection
member is provided such that an outer circumference of the
protection member makes contact with an outer side circumference of
the water seal to prevent foreign substance from being introduced
into the water seal.
[0032] The protection member includes a fixing unit, a cover unit
and a support unit. The fixing unit allows the driving shaft to
pass therethrough. The cover unit extends outward from the fixing
unit in a shape of a ring. The support unit is formed at an end
portion of the cover unit.
[0033] The washing machine further includes a support member which
is installed on the driving shaft to support a bottom surface of
the rotary tub. The protection member is fixed to the support
member.
[0034] The fixing unit includes a hollow, a fixing protrusion, a
support protrusion and a fixing groove. The hollow is formed at a
center of the fixing unit. The fixing protrusion protrudes upward
from a circumference forming the hollow. The support protrusion
protrudes upward to support a lateral side of the support member.
The fixing groove is formed to allow a lower surface of the support
member to be supported between the fixing protrusion and the
support protrusion. The support member is formed with an
installation groove corresponding to the fixing protrusion such
that the fixing protrusion is coupled to the installation
groove.
[0035] The cover unit is formed from the fixing unit outward while
being slanted downward to prevent foreign substance from being
introduced into the water seal that is provided at a lower side of
the cover unit. The cover unit is disposed between an outer side
end of the support member and an upper side end of the water
seal.
[0036] The protection member is rotated by the support member along
with rotation of the driving shaft. The protection member includes
a reinforcing rib configured to reinforce strength of the
protection member during the rotation of the protection member.
[0037] The reinforcing rib vertically extends from a bottom surface
of the fixing unit while being formed along a circumference of the
rotary shaft.
[0038] The protection member includes rubber and is formed together
with the support member through insert injection molding.
[0039] According to the present disclosure, a water seal of a full
automatic washing machine is protected, so that foreign substance
is prevented from being stuck or accumulated inside the water seal,
thereby preventing the water seal from being worn out.
[0040] In addition, since the water seal is not worn out, the wash
water is not introduced into the bearing of the clutch, thereby
preventing the bearing from being damaged and improving the
durability of the product.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become
apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings of which:
[0042] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view schematically illustrating
a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0043] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of `A` portion of FIG. 1.
[0044] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an
assembled status of a water seal and a protection member of the
washing machine according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0045] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating the
protection member according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0046] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating an
assembled status of the protection member according to the
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0047] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an assembled
status of a protection member and a support member of a washing
machine according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0048] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an assembled
status of the protection member and a water seal of a washing
machine according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0049] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an assembled
status of a protection member and a water seal of a washing machine
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0050] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to
like elements throughout.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a washing machine 1 includes a
tub 11 installed inside a body 10, a rotary tub 12 rotatably
installed inside the tub 11, and a pulsator 13 rotatably installed
at a lower side of the rotary tub 12 inside the rotary tub 12.
[0052] The tub 11 is supported by a plurality of suspensions 18
hung on an upper side of the body 10 inside the body 10.
[0053] A water supply apparatus 14 is installed at an upper side of
the tub 11 to supply a wash water to the tub 11. A water drain
apparatus 15 is installed at a lower side of the tub 11 to drain
the wash water outside the tub 11.
[0054] In addition, a driving motor 19 and a driving unit are
installed at the lower side of the tub 11 to drive the pulsator 13,
and the rotary tub 12. The driving unit is configured to transmit a
rotary force of the driving motor 19 selectively to the pulsator 13
and the rotary tub 12. The driving motor 19 is connected to the
driving unit through a motor pulley 16a, a clutch pulley 16b, and a
belt 17.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 2, the driving unit includes driving shaft
21 passing through the tub 11, a connector 26 having a hollow
coupled to an outer side of the driving shaft 21, frames 24
including a first frame 24a and a second frame which are vertically
provided to support the connector 26 as to enable rotation, and a
clutch 50 configured to regulate a power transmission between the
driving shaft 21 and the connector 26.
[0056] The driving shaft 21 includes an upper rotary shaft 21a, a
lower rotary shaft 21b, and the connector 26. The upper rotary
shaft 21a is connected at an upper end to the pulsator 13 inside
the rotary tub 12. The lower rotary shaft 21b is coupled at a lower
end to the clutch pulley 16b that is connected to the driving motor
19 through the belt 17. The connector 26 is coupled to an outer
side of the upper rotary shaft 12 while being connected to the
rotary tub 12 and the pulsator 13.
[0057] The rotary force of the driving motor 19 is directly
transmitted to the pulsator 13 through the upper rotary shaft
21a.
[0058] The connector 26 passes through the tub 11 while at an upper
end of the connector 26 is connected to the rotary tub 12, and a
lower end of the connector 26 extends to the clutch 50. A support
member 25 is installed on an upper side of the connector 26 to
support the rotary tub 12.
[0059] The support member 25 includes a washer to support the
rotary tub 12.
[0060] The connector 26 is rotatably supported at an inner surface
by an outer surface of the upper rotary shaft 21a through a
plurality of oilless bearings 22, and is rotatably supported at an
outer surface by the first and second frames 24a and 24b through a
plurality of bearings 23a and 23b.
[0061] The first frame 24a and the second frame 24b form a housing
of the clutch 50. The first frame 24a is desired to be supported by
a lower surface of the tub 11.
[0062] At an upper side of the clutch pulley 16b of the clutch 50,
the lower rotary shaft 21b and the upper rotary shaft 21a which
receive a power from the clutch pulley 16b are connected to each
other through the frame 24.
[0063] In addition, the connector 26 and a gear case 52 are
installed at an outer side of the upper rotary shaft 21a and the
lower rotary shaft 21b. A power switching unit (not shown) and a
clutch spring 55 are provided on an outer circumference of the gear
case 52 to transmit a power of the driving motor 19 selectively to
the upper and the lower rotary shaft 21a and 21b and the connector
26.
[0064] A lower ball bearing 23b and an upper ball bearing 23a are
provided inside the first frame 24a and the second frame 24b. The
lower ball bearing 23b is configured to support a load of the lower
rotary shaft 21b while supporting a rotation and a vibration of the
upper and the second rotary shafts 21a and 21b and the connector
26. The upper ball bearing 23a is configured to support the upper
rotary shaft 21a and the connector 26.
[0065] Hereinafter, a washing operation and a spin-dry operation of
the washing machine having the above configuration are
described.
[0066] During a washing operation, as a power is applied to the
driving motor 19, the driving motor 19 rotates. A rotary force of
the driving motor 19 is transmitted to the lower rotary shaft 21b
by passing through the motor pulley 16a and the clutch pulley 16b.
The power switching unit of the clutch 50 pushes the clutch spring
55 in a predetermined direction that the diameter of the clutch
spring 55 is increased. The clutch spring 55 remains while being
spaced away from the connector 26.
[0067] Accordingly, the rotary force of the driving motor 19 is
transmitted only to the upper rotary shaft 21a, and the pulsator 13
fixed to the upper rotary shaft 21a alternately rotates to the left
and the right sides to generate a water stream, thereby performing
a washing operation.
[0068] During a spin-dry operation, the clutch spring 55 decreases
in diameter to strongly clamp the upper rotary shaft 21a and the
connector 26. Accordingly, the upper rotary shaft 21a and the
connector 26 rotates as an integral body according to a rotary
force of the driving motor 19, and the rotary tub 12 and the
pulsator 13 rotate together, thereby performing a spin-dry
operation.
[0069] In such a process, the upper rotary shaft 21a and the
connector 26 are prevented from irregularly rotating while being
supported at end portions by the upper ball bearing 23a and the
lower ball bearing 23b.
[0070] A water seal 30 is provided at an upper side of the upper
ball bearing 23a and at a portion of the tub 11, through which the
connector 26 passes, to prevent the wash water contained in the tub
11 from leaking.
[0071] The water seal 30 includes an inner side rib 32, an outer
side rib 31, a guide rib 33, and a core 37. The inner side rib 32
comes into close contact to the connector 26 to prevent water
leakage. The outer side rib 31 is mounted on the tub 11 to prevent
water leakage. The guide rib 33 connects the inner side rib 32 to
the outer side rib 31.
[0072] The core 37 enables the water seal 30 to be press-fitted to
an upper end of the connector 26, so that water seal 30 is stably
coupled without being separated from between the connector 26 and
the tub 11.
[0073] A protrusion rib 34 is formed upward from an upper end of
the outer side rib 31 to prevent foreign substance from being
introduced to the inside the water seal 30. An inner surface of the
protrusion rib 34 is vertically formed, and an outer surface of the
protrusion rib 34 is slanted to slide foreign substance to
outside.
[0074] In addition, a rim of an upper surface of the water seal 30
includes a flat surface 35 to support a support unit 43 of a
protection member 40 that are to be described later.
[0075] The water seal 30 having the above configuration is mounted
on the tub 11, so that the water contained in the tub 11 is
prevented from leaking to outside during a washing operation. In
addition, the water seal 30 surrounds the connector 26, so that
water contained in the tub 11 from leaking to the upper ball
bearing 23a.
[0076] A coil spring 36 is installed each on the upper end portion
and the lower end portion of the inner side rib 32 such that the
water seal 30 comes into close contact with the connector 26.
[0077] In a case that residues remaining after the washing
operation are introduced to the inside the water seal 30 over the
water seal 30, the water seal 30 may be damaged, and the wash water
introduced as a result of the damage may be infiltrated to the
upper ball bearing 23. Accordingly, the clutch 50 and the upper
ball bearing 23a may be rusted.
[0078] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the
protection member 40 is provided to protect the water seal 30 such
that such a foreign substance is prevented from being stuck or
accumulated in the water seal 30.
[0079] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the protection member 40, which
is used to protect the water seal 30 of the full automatic washing
machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, is
provided between an upper side of the water seal 30 and the support
member 25 that is configured to support the rotary tub 12.
[0080] The protection member 40 is provided to have a size
corresponding to a radius of the water seal 30 to prevent foreign
substance from being stuck or accumulated in the water seal 30. The
protection member 40 is desired to be installed such that an outer
circumference of the protection member 40 makes contact with an
outer side circumference of the water seal 30.
[0081] The protection member 40 includes a fixing unit 41, a cover
unit 42, a support unit, and a reinforcing rib 44.
[0082] The fixing unit 41 is provided on a center of an upper
surface of the protection member 40. The fixing unit 31 includes a
hollow 45, a fixing protrusion 41a, a support protrusion 41b, and a
fixing groove 41c. The hollow unit 45 allows the driving shaft 21
and the connector 26 to pass therethrough. The fixing protrusion
41a protrudes upward from a circumference forming the hollow 45.
The support protrusion 41b protrudes upward while being spaced
apart from the fixing protrusion 41a. The fixing groove 41c is
formed to allow a lower surface of the support member 25 to be
supported between the fixing protrusion 41a and the support
protrusion 41b.
[0083] An installation groove 25a is formed on the lower surface of
the support member 25 such that the fixing protrusion 41a of the
fixing unit 41 is fixed to the installation groove 25a.
[0084] The support protrusion 41b of the fixing unit 41 supports a
lower portion of the outer surface of the support member 25,
thereby securing the fixed state between the support member 25 and
the protection member 40.
[0085] The cover unit 42 is formed from the fixing unit 41 outward
in a ring shape. The cover unit 42 is formed from the fixing unit
41 downward while being slanted downward to prevent foreign
substance from being introduced into the water seal 30 that is
provided at a lower side of the cover unit 42.
[0086] The fixing unit 41 is connected to the cover unit 42 through
a first connection unit 47 that is provided at an outer
circumference of the fixing unit 41.
[0087] The support unit 43 is formed on a circumference of a lower
end of the cover unit 42 to correspond to the protrusion rib 34 and
the flat surface 35 of the water seal 30.
[0088] The support unit 43 is connected to the cover unit 42
through a second connection unit 49 that is provided on a
circumference of a lower end of the cover unit 42.
[0089] The second connection unit 49 includes an extension unit 48
that extends from a side end portion of the support unit 43 by a
predetermined thickness (L).
[0090] The support unit 43 is desired to have a thickness (t)
larger than a thickness (t1) of the cover unit 42.
[0091] A lower surface of the support unit 43 corresponds to the
flat surface 35 of the water seal 30. A lateral side of the support
unit 43, that is, a lateral side of the extension unit 48
corresponds to an inner side surface of the protrusion rib 34 of
the water seal 30.
[0092] The protection member 40 is rotated by the support member 25
along with rotation of the connector 26. At this time, the
protrusion rib 34 of the water seal 30 prevents the support member
43 of the protection member 40 from being partially separated from
the support member 25.
[0093] The protection member 40 includes a reinforcing rib 44
configured to reinforce strength of the protection member 40 during
the rotation.
[0094] The reinforcing rib 44 vertically extends from a lower
portion of the first connection unit 47. The reinforcing rib 44 may
be provide4d with a plurality of reinforcing ribs.
[0095] In the above description, the protection member 50 is
coupled such that a portion of the lower end surface of the support
member 25 is inserted into the installation groove 25a of the
protection member 50. However, referring to FIG. 6, the protection
member 40 may be integrally formed with the support member 25
through an insert injection molding.
[0096] The support member 25 includes an installation groove
extension unit 25b that extends from the installation groove 25
formed on the lower surface of the support member 25.
[0097] The fixing unit 41 of the protection member 40 has a fixing
protrusion extension unit 41c corresponding to the installation
groove extension unit 25b.
[0098] Accordingly, the installation groove extension unit 25b and
the fixing protrusion extension unit 41c may strengthen the
securing between the support member 25 and the protection member
40.
[0099] The protection member 40 is desired to include rubber.
[0100] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, according to another embodiment
of the present disclosure, the protection member 40 may include a
contact protrusion (denoted as reference numeral 43a in FIGS. 7 and
43b in FIG. 8), which is provided on the bottom surface of the
support unit 43 to improve a sealing performance between the
protection member 40 and the water seal 30. The contact protrusion
may be provided in variety of shapes.
[0101] The contact protrusion may be provided in the form of an
inverted triangle or a circle.
[0102] In this manner, the contact efficiency of the support unit
45 is enhanced, thereby preventing the wash water the foreign
substance from being introduced to inside the water seal 30.
[0103] Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure 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.
* * * * *