U.S. patent application number 13/955634 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-06 for washing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Dong Ha Jung, Dae Uk Kang, Jeong Hoon Kang, Doo Pil Kim, Min Sung Kim, Gyu Sung Na, Dong Ho Park.
Application Number | 20140033772 13/955634 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50024152 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140033772 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jung; Dong Ha ; et
al. |
February 6, 2014 |
WASHING MACHINE
Abstract
A washing machine comprising a cabinet including an outer frame
defining an appearance and an inner frame at least partially
connected to an inner surface of the outer frame and a drum having
a cylindrical shape and rotatably disposed in the inner frame. The
inner frame includes a water flow disturbing part to disturb water
flow generated in a space formed between the drum and the inner
frame when the drum is rotated. The water flow disturbing part may
have a shape that at least a portion of the inner frame protrudes
outwardly along a periphery of the inner frame so that a length of
at least one gap between an inner surface of the inner frame and an
outer circumferential surface of the drum is different from a
length of another gap. Accordingly, the drum may be stably rotated
without collision with the frame in a dehydration process.
Inventors: |
Jung; Dong Ha; (Yongin-si,
KR) ; Kang; Dae Uk; (Hwaseong-si, KR) ; Kang;
Jeong Hoon; (Seoul, KR) ; Kim; Doo Pil;
(Suwon-si, KR) ; Kim; Min Sung; (Yongin-si,
KR) ; Na; Gyu Sung; (Yongin-si, KR) ; Park;
Dong Ho; (Suwon-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. |
Suwon-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
50024152 |
Appl. No.: |
13/955634 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/131 ;
312/228 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 37/26 20130101;
D06F 23/04 20130101; D06F 37/145 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
68/131 ;
312/228 |
International
Class: |
D06F 37/14 20060101
D06F037/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 3, 2012 |
KR |
10-2012-0085147 |
Claims
1. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet including an outer frame
defining an appearance and an inner frame at least partially
connected to an inner surface of the outer frame; and a drum having
a cylindrical shape and rotatably disposed in the inner frame,
wherein the inner frame includes at least one water flow disturbing
part to disturb water flow generated in a space formed between the
drum and the inner frame when the drum is rotated, and the water
flow disturbing part has a shape that at least a portion of the
inner frame protrudes outwardly along a periphery of the inner
frame so that a length of at least one gap between an inner surface
of the inner frame and an outer circumferential surface of the drum
is different from a length of another gap.
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the water flow
disturbing part is provided at two or more portions of the inner
frame along the periphery of the inner frame.
3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the water flow
disturbing part includes at least one first water flow disturbing
rib which protrudes from an inner surface of the water flow
disturbing part toward the outer circumferential surface of the
drum.
4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the first
water flow disturbing rib includes at least one vertical rib which
is formed longitudinally in an axial direction of the drum.
5. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the first
water flow disturbing rib includes at least one horizontal rib
which is formed in a ring shape in a circumferential direction of
the drum.
6. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the first
water flow disturbing rib includes a connecting rib which connects
the vertical rib to a bottom surface of the inner frame.
7. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the water flow
disturbing part includes at least one second water flow disturbing
rib which has a shape that a portion of the water flow disturbing
part protrudes inwardly and extends in an axial direction of the
drum.
8. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the water flow
disturbing part includes a first slanted surface and a second
slanted surface which are slanted with respect to the inner surface
of the inner frame adjacent thereto in an outward direction of the
inner frame.
9. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein an angle of
the first slanted surface with respect to the inner surface of the
inner frame adjacent thereto and an angle of the second slanted
surface with respect to the inner surface of the inner frame
adjacent thereto are different from each other.
10. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the water
flow disturbing part includes at least one first water flow
disturbing rib which protrudes from an inner surface of the water
flow disturbing part toward the outer circumferential surface of
the drum, and the first water flow disturbing rib is provided at at
least one of the first slanted surface and the second slanted
surface.
11. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the water
flow disturbing part includes a second water flow disturbing rib
which has a shape that a portion of the water flow disturbing part
protrudes inwardly and extends in an axial direction of the
drum.
12. A washing machine comprising: an outer frame; an inner frame at
least partially connected to an inner surface of the outer frame;
and a drum having a cylindrical shape and rotatably disposed in the
inner frame, wherein the inner frame includes at least one first
portion defining a first gap with the drum, and at least one second
portion defining a second gap with the drum in order to disturb
water flow generated in the first gap, the second gap being larger
than the first gap.
13. The washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the second
portion is provided at two or more portions of the inner frame
along a periphery of the inner frame.
14. The washing machine according to claim 13, wherein the second
portion is arranged at an angle of approximately 90 degrees along
the periphery of the inner frame.
15. The washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the inner
frame includes a third portion which is provided between the first
portion and the second portion and slantedly connected to the first
portion and the second portion.
16. The washing machine according to claim 15, wherein the inner
frame includes at least one rib which protrudes from an inner
surface of the third portion toward an outer circumferential
surface of the drum.
17. The washing machine according to claim 16, wherein the rib
includes at least one first rib which is formed longitudinally in
an axial direction of the drum.
18. The washing machine according to claim 16, wherein the rib
includes at least one second rib which is formed in a ring shape in
a circumferential direction of the drum.
19. The washing machine according to claim 17, wherein the rib
includes a third rib which connects the first rib to a bottom
surface of the inner frame.
20. The washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the second
portion includes a first surface and a second surface which are
stepped from each other.
21. The washing machine according to claim 15, wherein the inner
frame includes at least one edge portion which is provided between
the second portion and the third portion, and bent toward the outer
circumferential surface of the drum so that the second portion is
depressed toward the outer circumferential surface of the drum.
22. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one water flow disturbing part has a saw-tooth shape along the
periphery of the inner frame.
23. A washing machine comprising: an outer frame; an irregular
shaped inner frame at least partially connected to an inner surface
of the outer frame; and a drum rotatably disposed in the inner
frame, wherein a distance between a portion of the inner frame and
the drum is different from a distance between another portion of
the inner frame and the drum.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Korean
Patent Application No. 10-2012-0085147, filed on Aug. 3, 2012 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 frame
structure of a washing machine.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A washing machine is an appliance that washes laundry using
electric power. In general, a washing machine comprises a tub to
store wash water, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub, a pulsator
rotatably mounted to a bottom portion of the drum, and a motor and
a clutch to rotate the drum and the pulsator.
[0006] A washing machine generally performs a washing process to
remove dirt from laundry, and a dehydration process to remove water
from the laundry.
[0007] A washing process is performed by rotating a pulsator in a
state of laundry and wash water being in a drum, in order to
agitate the laundry with the wash water, thereby removing dirt from
the laundry. A dehydration process is performed by rotating the
drum in order to remove water from the laundry.
[0008] When the drum is rotated at a high speed in the dehydration
process, water flow is generated in a space formed between the drum
and the frame. The water flow exerts force upon the drum in a
variable direction. In the dehydration process, because the drum is
rotated in a state of the wash water used in the washing process
being discharged from the drum, vibration due to eccentric rotation
of the drum may occur when the laundry accumulates at one side
portion of the drum. The vibration due to eccentric rotation of the
drum may be increased by force acting on the drum by the water flow
generated in a space between the drum and the frame. Collision
between the drum and the frame may also occur.
SUMMARY
[0009] It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a
washing machine having an improved structure capable of stably
rotating a drum in a dehydration process while preventing collision
with a frame.
[0010] Additional aspects 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] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a
washing machine includes a cabinet including an outer frame
defining an appearance and an inner frame at least partially
connected to an inner surface of the outer frame, and a drum having
a cylindrical shape and rotatably disposed in the inner frame. The
inner frame includes a water flow disturbing part to disturb water
flow generated in a space formed between the drum and the inner
frame when the drum is rotated. The water flow disturbing part has
a shape that at least a portion of the inner frame protrudes
outwardly along a periphery of the inner frame so that a length of
at least one gap between an inner surface of the inner frame and an
outer circumferential surface of the drum is different from a
length of another gap.
[0012] The water flow disturbing part may be provided at two or
more portions of the inner frame along the periphery of the inner
frame.
[0013] The water flow disturbing part may include at least one
first water flow disturbing rib which protrudes from an inner
surface of the water flow disturbing part toward the outer
circumferential surface of the drum.
[0014] The first water flow disturbing rib may include at least one
vertical rib which is formed longitudinally in an axial direction
of the drum.
[0015] The first water flow disturbing rib may include at least one
horizontal rib which is formed in a ring shape in a circumferential
direction of the drum.
[0016] The first water flow disturbing rib may include a connecting
rib which connects the vertical rib to a bottom surface of the
inner frame.
[0017] The water flow disturbing part may include at least one
second water flow disturbing rib which has a shape that a portion
of the water flow disturbing part protrudes inwardly and extends in
an axial direction of the drum.
[0018] The water flow disturbing part may include a first slanted
surface and a second slanted surface which are slanted with respect
to the inner surface of the inner frame adjacent thereto in an
outward direction of the inner frame.
[0019] An angle of the first slanted surface with respect to the
inner surface of the inner frame adjacent thereto and an angle of
the second slanted surface with respect to the inner surface of the
inner frame adjacent thereto may be different from each other.
[0020] The water flow disturbing part may include at least one
first water flow disturbing rib which protrudes from an inner
surface of the water flow disturbing part toward the outer
circumferential surface of the drum, and the first water flow
disturbing rib may be provided at either or both of the first
slanted surface and the second slanted surface.
[0021] The water flow disturbing part may include a second water
flow disturbing rib which has a shape that a portion of the water
flow disturbing part protrudes inwardly and extends in an axial
direction of the drum.
[0022] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure,
a washing machine includes an outer frame, an inner frame at least
partially connected to an inner surface of the outer frame, and a
drum having a cylindrical shape and rotatably disposed in the inner
frame. The inner frame includes at least one first portion defining
a first gap with the drum, and at least one second portion defining
a second gap with the drum in order to disturb water flow generated
in the first gap, the second gap being larger than the first
gap.
[0023] The second portion may be provided at two or more portions
of the inner frame along a periphery of the inner frame.
[0024] The second portion may be arranged at an angle of
approximately 90 degrees along the periphery of the inner
frame.
[0025] The inner frame may include a third portion which is
provided between the first portion and the second portion and
slantedly connected to the first portion and the second
portion.
[0026] The inner frame may include at least one rib which protrudes
from an inner surface of the third portion toward an outer
circumferential surface of the drum.
[0027] The rib may include at least one first rib which is formed
longitudinally in an axial direction of the drum.
[0028] The rib may include at least one second rib which is formed
in a ring shape in a circumferential direction of the drum.
[0029] The rib may include a third rib which connects the first rib
to a bottom surface of the inner frame.
[0030] The second portion may include a first surface and a second
surface which are stepped from each other.
[0031] The second surface may be connected to the bottom surface of
the inner frame.
[0032] As is apparent from the above description, since the inner
frame may have a shape capable of disturbing water flow generated
in a space formed between the drum and the inner frame, vibration
of the drum may be reduced and accordingly the drum may be stably
rotated in a dehydration process.
[0033] In addition, durability of the washing machine may be
improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become
apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings of which:
[0035] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a washing machine
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0036] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the washing machine
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0037] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line I-I in FIG.
2;
[0038] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.
2;
[0039] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an inner frame
according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0040] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to
the first embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0041] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an inner frame
according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0042] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to
the second embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0043] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an inner frame
according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0044] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to
the third embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0045] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an inner frame
according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0046] FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to
the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0047] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an inner frame
according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0048] FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to
the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0049] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an inner frame
according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0050] FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to
the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0051] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the
present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to
like components throughout.
[0052] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a washing machine
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 1, a washing machine 1 includes a cabinet
10 defining an appearance thereof, a drum 30 rotatably mounted in
the cabinet 10, and a driving unit mounted below the drum 30 to
rotate the same.
[0054] An upper frame 15 is disposed at a top surface of the
cabinet 10. The upper frame 15 is formed with an opening 14 through
which a user places laundry into the drum 30. A door 16 is provided
at the upper frame 15 to open and close the opening 14.
[0055] A lower frame 18 is disposed at a bottom surface of the
cabinet 10. The lower frame 18 is coupled with legs 19 to support
the washing machine 1 on the ground.
[0056] Suspension members 21 (refer to FIG. 2) to suspend the drum
30 from the cabinet 10 are connected to the top surface of the
cabinet 10.
[0057] The drum 30 is rotatably mounted in the cabinet 10, and is
formed with a plurality of through-holes 36 at an upper peripheral
wall of the drum 30.
[0058] A pulsator 35 is rotatably mounted on a bottom portion of
the drum 30. The pulsator 35 serves to agitate laundry introduced
into the drum 30 with wash water.
[0059] A water supply device 50 is mounted above the drum 30 in
order to supply wash water to the drum 30. The water supply device
50 includes a water supply valve 53 to control water supply, and a
water supply pipe 51 to connect the water supply valve 53 to a
detergent supply device 60.
[0060] One end portion of the water supply pipe 51 is connected to
an external water supply source (not shown), and the other end
portion of the water supply pipe 51 is connected to the detergent
supply device 60.
[0061] The detergent supply device 60 includes a case 61 disposed
in the upper frame 15, and a detergent container 63 detachably
attached to the case 61 and serving to contain a detergent. The
case 61 is formed with an outlet hole 65 at a bottom surface
thereof, through which detergent-dissolved wash water flows out of
the case 61.
[0062] The water supplied through the water supply pipe 51 is fed
into the drum 30 together with a detergent via the detergent supply
device 60.
[0063] A first drain hose 82 and a second drain hose 84 are
disposed below the drum 30, in order to discharge wash water from
the cabinet 10 after a washing or dehydration process is
completed.
[0064] The driving unit includes a clutch 120 to selectively rotate
the drum 30 and the pulsator 35, a driving motor 150 to drive the
clutch 120, a flange member 140 connecting a driving shaft 124 of
the clutch 120 to a bottom wall 32 of the drum 30 to transmit
rotational force of the driving shaft 124 to the drum 30, and a
base plate 160 to which the clutch 120 and the driving motor 150
are fixed.
[0065] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the washing machine
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 3 is a
sectional view taken along line I-I in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a
sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 2.
[0066] As shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, the drum 30 is disposed in
the cabinet 10 with a predetermined gap from the cabinet 10.
Therefore, a space to additionally store wash water is formed
between the cabinet 10 and the drum 30.
[0067] The cabinet 10 includes an outer frame 10a forming an
appearance of the washing machine 1, and an inner frame 10b at
least partially connected to an inner surface of the outer frame
10a.
[0068] The inner frame 10b has a substantially cylindrical shape.
An outer circumferential surface of the inner frame 10b may be
connected to the inner surface of at least a portion of the outer
frame 10a using ribs (not shown) or the like, or may be in contact
with the inner surface of at least a portion of the outer frame
10a.
[0069] The inner frame 10b has a side wall which is slanted in such
a manner that a radius thereof is gradually increased from the
bottom portion to the top portion. Most of the water discharged
from the drum 30 through the through-holes 36 during the
dehydration process flows down an inner circumferential surface of
the inner frame 10b, and flows into a drain recess 22. Because the
side wall of the inner frame 10b is slanted, the water discharged
from the drum 30 slowly flows along the slanted surface of the
inner frame 10b. Accordingly, the water flowing into the drain
recess 22 is prevented from splashing out of the drain recess
22.
[0070] The side wall of the inner frame 10b may have the same
slanted angle as a slanted angle .alpha. of a side wall 34 of the
drum 30 so as to be in parallel therewith. While the drum 30 is
rotated, the drum 30 may vibrate in a radial direction thereof as
well as in a vertical direction. In order to prevent interference
with the inner frame 10b of the cabinet 10 due to vibration of the
drum 30 in the radial direction, a gap is provided between the drum
30 and the inner frame 10b. For example, since the inner frame 10b
and the side wall 34 of the drum 30 are disposed in parallel with
each other, the gap may be uniformly maintained therebetween and
utilization of space in the cabinet 10 may be maximized.
[0071] In order to improve productivity, the outer frame 10a and
the inner frame 10b may be integrally formed by injection molding.
In this case, the cabinet 10 including the outer frame 10a and the
inner frame 10b may be made of a material, such as Acrylonitrile
Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Poly Propylene (PP) or the like. The
cabinet 10 may be formed by injection molding to reinforce the
strength of the cabinet 10 because the cabinet 10 includes the
outer frame 10a and the inner frame 10b. That is, the cabinet 10
may not be damaged in the injection molding processes of injection
of a material, such as ABS, PP or the like, into a mold,
coagulation and separation of the mold.
[0072] The outer frame 10a and the inner frame 10b may be
separately made of different materials, and may be coupled to each
other later. For example, the outer frame 10a may be made of a
metal material for strength reinforcement, and the inner frame 10b
may be made of a plastic material. The cabinet 10 may be formed by
coupling the separately manufactured outer frame 10a and inner
frame 10b to each other.
[0073] The inner frame 10b is provided with the drain recess 22 at
a lower end portion thereof. The drain recess 22 is formed in a
bent shape along the periphery of the inner frame 10b.
[0074] The drain recess 22 includes a first bent portion 22a which
is bent toward a central portion of the inner frame 10b from the
lower end portion of the inner frame 10b, and a second bent portion
22b which is bent upwardly and perpendicularly to the ground from
the end portion of the first bent portion 22a.
[0075] The first bent portion 22a serves to receive the water
directly dropping thereon or flowing down the outer circumferential
surface of the drum 30 or the inner circumferential surface of the
inner frame 10b after being discharged from the drum 30 through the
through-holes 36 during the dehydration process. The second bent
portion 22b serves to form a water passage with the inner
circumferential surface of the lower end portion of the inner frame
10b, in order to temporarily store the water flowing down to the
first bent portion 22a and discharge the water.
[0076] The first bent portion 22a is formed with a drain hole 24 at
a portion thereof. The drain hole 24 communicates with the drain
recess 22, and discharges the water stored in the drain recess 22
out of the drain recess 22. The second drain hose 84 is connected
to an end portion of the drain hole 24. The water passing through
drain hole 24 is finally discharged from the cabinet 10 through the
second drain hose 84 and the first drain hose 82 connected to the
second drain hose 84.
[0077] The drum 30 disposed in the inner frame 10b may rotate about
a vertical axis.
[0078] The drum 30 includes a bottom wall 32 and a side wall 34
connected to the bottom wall 32 to define a wash water storage
space.
[0079] The bottom wall 32 of the drum 30 is provided with a
plurality of ribs 32a. The plurality of ribs 32a serve to generate
centrifugal force acting in the radial direction of the drum 30
(i.e., a direction toward the inner frame 10b of the cabinet 10
from the center of the drum 30) when the drum 30 is rotated.
Accordingly, the water flowing down the outer circumferential
surface of the drum 30 is prevented from moving toward the center
portion of the drum 30, near which the clutch 120 and the driving
motor 150 are disposed, along the bottom wall 32 of the drum
30.
[0080] The side wall 34 of the drum 30 is slanted such that a
diameter of the drum 30 is gradually increased from the bottom wall
32 to the top of the drum 30. The drum 30 rotates at a high speed
of approximately 280 rpm or more in the dehydration process. The
water removed from laundry moves to the side wall 34 of the drum 30
by centrifugal force, and smoothly moves to the upper portion of
the drum 30 on the inner circumferential surface of the slanted
side wall 34.
[0081] The slanted angle .alpha. of the side wall 34 with respect
to a line I perpendicular to the bottom wall 32 may be in the range
of approximately 2.degree. to approximately 10.degree.. If the
slanted angle .alpha. is too small, below 2.degree., the water may
not smoothly move to the upper portion of the drum 30 on the inner
circumferential surface of the side wall 34, which causes
deterioration of dehydration performance. Conversely, if the
slanted angle .alpha. is too large, above 10.degree., the diameter
of the upper portion of the drum 30 may become large, which causes
increase in overall width of the cabinet 10.
[0082] The side wall 34 of the drum 30 is formed with at least one
or more through-holes 36 through which the water removed from
laundry is discharged from the drum 30.
[0083] The through-holes 36 are arranged on the peripheral surface
of the side wall 34 in a circumferential direction. The
through-holes 36 may be located at an upper half of the drum 30 so
as to prevent outflow of wash water from the drum 30 through the
through-holes 36 during the washing process.
[0084] The water discharged from the drum 30 through the
through-holes 36 flows down the outer circumferential surface of
the drum 30 or the inner circumferential surface of the inner frame
10b or directly drops through a discharge passage 33 defined by the
side wall 34 and the inner circumferential surface of the inner
frame 10b, and flows into the drain recess 22.
[0085] The drum 30 may further include guide ribs 38 to guide
movement of the water discharged from the drum 30 through the
through-holes 36 to the drain recess 22.
[0086] The guide ribs 38 are positioned between the second bent
portion 22b of the drain recess 22 and the inner circumferential
surface of the inner frame 10b. The guide ribs 38 extend from the
lower end portion of the side wall 34 so as to prevent the water
flowing down the outer circumferential surface of the drum 30 from
moving toward the center portion of the drum 30, near which the
clutch 120 and the driving motor 150 are disposed, along the bottom
wall 32 of the drum 30 and also to ensure smooth flow of the water
to the drain recess 22.
[0087] An interference-prevention recess 39 is defined between a
side surface of the bottom wall 32 and the guide ribs 38. The
interference-prevention recess 39 has a predetermined depth so as
to prevent interference between the drum 30 and the second bent
portion 22b due to vertical vibration of the drum 30 during
operation of the washing machine 1.
[0088] The depth of the interference-prevention recess 39 or the
length of the guide ribs 38 extending from the lower end portion of
the side wall 34 is related to a vertical vibration width of the
drum 30 during the washing or dehydration process. As the vertical
vibration width of the drum 30 increases, the depth of the
interference-prevention recess 39 increases, however, the extension
length of the guide ribs 38 decreases.
[0089] The overall height of the cabinet 10 may be reduced by
positioning the guide ribs 38 between the second bent portion 22b
and the inner circumferential surface of the inner frame 10b and
positioning the second bent portion 22b in the
interference-prevention recess 39. That is, in consideration of the
vertical vibration width of the drum 30, the washing machine 1 may
be designed such that the guide ribs 38 are temporarily received in
the drain recess 22 and the second bent portion 22b is temporarily
received in the interference-prevention recess 39, thereby reducing
the height of the cabinet 10 by an overlapping length between the
guide ribs 38 and the second bent portion 22b.
[0090] The driving unit is mounted below the drum 30 in order to
drive the drum 30 or the pulsator 35 disposed in the drum 30.
[0091] The driving unit includes a clutch 120 to selectively rotate
the drum 30 and the pulsator 35, a driving motor 150 to drive the
clutch 120, a flange member 140 connecting a driving shaft 124 of
the clutch 120 to a bottom wall 32 of the drum 30 to transmit
rotational force of the driving shaft 124 to the drum 30, and a
base plate 160 to which the clutch 120 and the driving motor 150
are fixed.
[0092] The bottom wall 32 of the drum 30 is provided with a
shaft-coupling part 31 at the center thereof. The shaft-coupling
part 31 is coupled with the flange member 140 and fixedly supports
the flange member 140. The shaft-coupling part 31 includes a
shaft-coupling wall 31a protruding downwardly from the bottom wall
32 outside the drum 30, and a shaft-inserting hole 31b defined by
the shaft-coupling wall 31a so that an end portion of the flange
member 140 is inserted into the drum 30 through the shaft-inserting
hole 31b.
[0093] A portion of the flange member 140 coupling the driving
shaft 124 to the drum 30 is fixedly inserted into the
shaft-inserting hole 31b.
[0094] The flange member 140 includes a first penetration hole 142
formed at the center thereof, into which the driving shaft 124 is
fitted, and a second penetration hole 144 formed around the first
penetration hole 142 in a circumferential direction.
[0095] The second penetration hole 144 serves as a passage through
which the wash water in the drum 30 moves out of the drum 30 when
the washing process is completed.
[0096] The clutch 120 includes a housing 122 and a driving shaft
124 rotatably coupled to a center of the housing 122.
[0097] The housing 122 accommodates bearings to rotatably support
the driving shaft 124 and speed reducers to reduce a speed of the
driving shaft 124.
[0098] The driving shaft 124 is inserted through the first
penetration hole 142 of the flange member 140, and is connected to
the drum 30 and the pulsator 35.
[0099] The driving shaft 124 includes a first connecting part 124a
fitted into the first penetration hole 142, and a second connecting
part 124b extending from the first connecting part 124a and coupled
to the pulsator 35. The first connecting part 124a and the second
connecting part 124b may rotate simultaneously or separately from
each other according to the washing or dehydration process. In the
washing process, the second connecting part 124b rotates, and thus
only the pulsator 35 coupled to the second connecting part 124b
rotates. In the dehydration process, the first connecting part 124a
and the second connecting part 124b rotate at the same time, and
thus the drum 30 and the pulsator 35 also rotate at the same time.
The other end portion of the driving shaft 124 is coupled with a
pulley 134 to transmit rotational force of the driving motor 150 to
the clutch 120 using a drive belt 135.
[0100] A base plate cover 162 is coupled between the flange member
140 and the base plate 160. The base plate 160 and the base plate
cover 162 define a space 161 communicating with the second
penetration hole 144 so that the water flowing in the space 161
through the second penetration hole 144 may move to a drain case
174. In order to prevent wash water leakage, sealing members 164
are inserted between the flange member 140 and the base plate cover
162 and between the base plate cover 162 and the base plate
160.
[0101] The drain case 174 is coupled below the base plate 160. The
drain case 174 stores the wash water flowing therein via the space
161 defined by the base plate cover 162 and the base plate 160. A
drain pipe 176 is provided at an end portion of the drain case 174
in order to discharge the wash water from the drain case 174. The
drain pipe 176 is connected with the first drain hose 82 to
discharge the wash water from the cabinet 10. The drain pipe 176 is
provided with a valve 178 to selectively discharge the wash water
from the drain case 174 during the washing process.
[0102] The wash water used in the washing or rinsing process flows
in the space 161 between the base plate cover 162 and the base
plate 160 through the second penetration hole 144 of the flange
member 140, and is discharged from the cabinet 10 through the drain
case 174 and the first drain hose 82. The wash water removed from
laundry in the dehydration process moves out of the drum 30 through
the through-holes 36, flows down the outer circumferential surface
of the drum 30 or the inner circumferential surface of the inner
frame 10b to be received in the drain recess 22, and is discharged
from the cabinet 10 through the drain hole 24 and the second drain
hose 84 connected to the drain hole 24.
[0103] The base plate 160 is coupled to a lower portion of the
cabinet 10 by the suspension members 21. At least two or more
suspension members 21 are coupled to corner portions of the cabinet
10 including the quadrangular-shaped outer frame 10a and the
cylindrical-shaped inner frame 10b, in order to support the drum
30. The corner portions of the cabinet 10 are provided with
coupling ribs 10c to which end portions of the suspension members
21 are coupled. The coupling ribs 10c may be formed integrally with
the outer frame 10a and the inner frame 10b by injection
molding.
[0104] Connecting brackets 180 are coupled between the base plate
160 and the suspension members 21. Each of the connecting brackets
180 is provided with an interference-prevention recess 181 which is
bent downwardly so as to prevent interference with the drain recess
22 during operation of the washing machine. The base plate 160 and
the connecting brackets 180 may be formed integrally with each
other.
[0105] Since the drum 30 is connected to the clutch 120 and the
base plate 160 fixing the clutch 120 below the drum 30 and the base
plate 160 is coupled to the lower portion of the cabinet 10 by the
suspension members 21, load applied to the drum 30 is transmitted
to the suspension members 21 through the base plate 160, and the
suspension members 21 absorb vibration due to the load applied to
the drum 30.
[0106] In addition, since the cabinet 10 has a two part structure
including the outer frame 10a and the inner frame 10b, the cabinet
10 has sufficient strength to bear weights of the drum 30, the
clutch 120 and the driving motor 150 connected thereto by the
suspension members 21. However, the cabinet may have more than two
part structure including a plurality of frames.
[0107] A damping device 200 connects the base plate 160 to the
lower frame 18, and serves to absorb vibration generated in
rotation of the drum 30. The damping device 200 includes a
supporting bracket 210 coupled to the bottom surface of the base
plate 160, and a plurality of dampers 220 and 240, each of which
has an end portion connected to the supporting bracket 210 and the
other end portion connected to the lower frame 18.
[0108] Both end portions of the dampers 220 and 240 are
respectively pivotably coupled to the supporting bracket 210 and
the lower bracket 18, so as to absorb vibration generated in
rotation of the drum 30. Accordingly, rotation of the drum 30 is
stabilized, and the drum 30 is prevented from colliding with the
inner frame 10b. In order to effectively absorb vibration due to
eccentric rotation of the drum 30, the dampers 220 and 240 may be
radially arranged about a rotation center axis Lc of the drum
30.
[0109] The inner frame 10b may have, for example, a shape capable
of decreasing vibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum 30 by
disturbing water flow formed between the inner frame 10b and the
drum 30 when the drum 30 is rotated.
[0110] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an inner frame
according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG.
6 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the first
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0111] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the inner frame 10b may have, for
example, a shape capable of disturbing water flow formed in the
space formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 10b when the
drum 30 is rotated.
[0112] The inner frame 10b includes at least one first portion 111
spaced from the drum 30 to define a first gap G1, at least one
second portion 112 spaced from the drum 30 to define a second gap
G2, which is larger than the first gap G1, in order to disturb
water flow formed in the first gap G1, and third portions 113a and
113b disposed between the first portion 111 and the second portion
112 and slantedly connected to the same. The second portion 112 and
the third portions 113a and 113b connected to both end portions of
the second portion 112 form a water flow disturbing part 110.
[0113] The water flow disturbing part 110 may have, for example, a
shape that a portion of the inner frame 10b protrudes outwardly
along the periphery of the inner frame 10b so that a length of the
gap between the inner surface of the inner frame 10b and the outer
circumferential surface of the drum 30 different from a length of
another gap. Therefore, the distance between the inner frame 10b
the drum 30 may not be uniform. The third portions 113a and 113b of
the water flow disturbing part 110 include a first slanted surface
115 and a second slanted surface 116, respectively, which are
slanted with respect to the inner surface of the inner frame 10b
adjacent thereto in an outward direction of the inner frame 10b.
The water flow disturbing part 110 may include at least one edge
portion 114a, 114b which is bent toward the drum 30. For Example, a
plurality of edge portions 114a and 114b are formed at the
junctions of the third portions 113a and 113b, the first portion
111 and the second portion 112. As shown in FIG. 6, the edge
portions 114a and 114b are formed between the second portion 112
and the third portion 113a or 113b so that the second portion is
depressed toward the drum 30. Although the edge portions may be
bent toward the drum 30, the edge portions may be separately
manufactured and assembled together with the second and third
portions.
[0114] The water flow generated in the space formed between the
drum 30 and the inner frame 10b is changed in speed and direction
at the third portions 113a and 113b slantedly connected to the
first portion 111 and the second portion 112. The first slanted
surface 115 and the second slanted surface 116 of the third
portions 113a and 113b guide the water flow generated in the space
formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 10b to an inner
surface 112a of the second portion 112 and the edge portions 114a
and 114b. Accordingly, the water collides with the inner surface
112a of the second portion 112 and the edge portions 114a and 114b.
As a result, the speed and direction of water flow are changed, and
thus the water flow is disturbed.
[0115] When the space formed between the drum 30 and the inner
frame 10b is regarded as a flow passage, the second gap G2 serves
as a section in which a width of the flow passage is relatively
large. Therefore, the speed of water flow is reduced, and the
pressure is increased in the area of the second gap G2. That is,
the force applied to the drum 30 by water flow in the area of the
second gap G2 is larger than the force in other areas. In addition,
the force F applied to the drum 30 by water flow in the area of the
second gap G2 is directed toward the center of the drum 30.
[0116] As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of water flow disturbing
parts 110 may be radially arranged at an angle of approximately 90
degrees along the periphery of the inner frame 10b. In this case,
all of the forces F1, F2, F3 and F4 acting on the drum 30 by water
flow in each area of the second gap G2 are directed toward the
center of the drum 30. Accordingly, vibration due to eccentric
rotation of the drum 30 is reduced. As a non-limiting example, only
four water follow disturbing parts are shown in FIG. 6, however, a
number of the water flow disturbing parts is not limited thereto.
For example, the inner frame may include one or more water flow
disturbing parts.
[0117] If laundry accumulates at one side portion of the drum 30,
the drum 30 rotates eccentrically, and an area R (hereinafter
referred to as a first area), in which the gap between the outer
circumferential surface of the drum 30 and the inner surface of the
inner frame 10b becomes smaller than the gap in the other areas,
may be generated. Since the first area R serves as a section in
which a width of the flow passage formed in the space formed
between the drum 30 and the inner frame 10b becomes relatively
small, the speed of water flow is increased, and the pressure is
decreased. Accordingly, force Fr is applied to the drum 30 in such
a direction that the gap of the first area R is further reduced. At
this time, the water flow disturbing parts 110 located adjacent to
both side portions of the first area R reduce vibration due to
eccentric rotation of the drum 30 in such a manner that a resultant
force of the pressures F1 and F2 acting on the drum 30 eliminates
the force Fr acting on the drum 30 in a direction of reducing the
gap of the first area R.
[0118] As described above, the water flow disturbing parts 110
disturb the water flow generated in the space formed between the
drum 30 and the inner frame 10b, and reduce vibration due to
eccentric rotation of the drum 30 by eliminating the force acting
on the drum 30 in an eccentric direction of the drum 30, thereby
preventing collision between the drum 30 and the inner frame 10b in
advance.
[0119] Hereinafter, other embodiments of the inner frame will be
explained. The same parts are denoted by the same reference
numerals and names and a duplicate description thereof will be
omitted.
[0120] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an inner frame
according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, and
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the
second embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0121] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, an inner frame 210b includes at
least one vertical rib 211 which protrudes from the inner surface
of the water flow disturbing part 110 toward the outer
circumferential surface of the drum 30.
[0122] The vertical rib 211 is formed longitudinally in an
extension direction of the rotation center axis Lc of the drum 30,
and protrudes from the first slanted surface 115 and the second
slanted surface 116 of the third portions 113a and 113b toward the
outer circumferential surface of the drum 30 by a predetermined
length.
[0123] The water flow generated in the space formed between the
drum 30 and the inner frame 210b is guided to the vertical rib 211
by the first slanted surface 115 and the second slanted surface 116
of the third portions 113a and 113b. Accordingly, the water
collides with the vertical rib 211, and the speed and direction of
the water flow are changed.
[0124] As described above, the vertical rib 211 disturbs the water
flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30 and the
inner frame 210b, and changes the magnitude and direction of the
force of the water flow acting on the drum 30, thereby reducing
vibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum 30.
[0125] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an inner frame
according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG.
10 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the third
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0126] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, an inner frame 310b includes a
connecting rib 311 to connect the vertical rib 211 to a bottom
portion of the inner frame 310b.
[0127] The connecting rib 311 may have, for example, a shape that a
width thereof is gradually decreased from the bottom portion to the
top portion in an extension direction of the rotation center axis
Lc of the drum 30.
[0128] The water flow generated in the space formed between the
drum 30 and the inner frame 310b is guided to the connecting rib
311 by the first slanted surface 115 and the second slanted surface
116 of the third portions 113a and 113b. Accordingly, the water
collides with the connecting rib 311, and the speed and direction
of the water flow are changed. The connecting rib 311 and the
vertical rib 211 disturb the water flow generated in the space
formed between the drum 30 and the inner frame 310b, and change the
magnitude and direction of the force of the water flow acting on
the drum 30, thereby reducing vibration due to eccentric rotation
of the drum 30.
[0129] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an inner frame
according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, and
FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the
fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0130] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, an inner frame 410b includes at
least one water flow disturbing rib 411, which is formed in an
extension direction of the rotation center axis Lc of the drum 30
and may have, for example, a shape that a portion of the water flow
disturbing part 110 protrudes inwardly so that a length of the gap
between the inner surface of the water flow disturbing part 110 and
the outer circumferential surface of the drum 30 is different from
a length of another gap. Therefore, the distance between the inner
frame 410b and the drum 30 may not be uniform.
[0131] The water flow disturbing rib 411 includes a stepped rib
surface 422 which is provided at a lower portion of the water flow
disturbing part 110 and is stepped from the inner surface of the
water flow disturbing part 110, a first stepped surface 431 to
connect the inner surface of the water flow disturbing part 110 to
the stepped rib surface 422 in a longitudinal direction of the
water flow disturbing rib 411, and second stepped surfaces 432 to
connect the inner surface of the inner frame 410b to the stepped
rib surface 422 in a width direction of the water flow disturbing
rib 411.
[0132] The water flow disturbing rib 411 is disposed between the
first slanted surface 115 and the second slanted surface 116 of the
third portions 113a and 113b, and disturbs the water flow. The
water flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30 and
the inner frame 410b is guided to the water flow disturbing rib 411
by the first slanted surface 115 and the second slanted surface
116. Accordingly, the water collides with the second stepped
surfaces 432, and the speed and direction of the water flow are
changed. The first stepped surface 431 changes the speed and
direction of the water flow in a vertical direction of the water
flow disturbing rib 411. The water flow disturbing rib 411 disturbs
the water flow generated in the space formed between the drum 30
and the inner frame 410b using the first stepped surface 431 and
the second stepped surfaces 432, and changes the magnitude and
direction of the force of the water flow acting on the drum 30,
thereby reducing vibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum
30.
[0133] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an inner frame
according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG.
14 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the fifth
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0134] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, an inner frame 510b includes at
least one horizontal rib 511 which protrudes from an inner surface
of the inner frame 510b toward the outer circumferential surface of
the drum 30.
[0135] The horizontal rib 511 has a ring shape formed in a
peripheral direction of the drum 30. The horizontal rib 511
disturbs the water flow generated in the space formed between the
drum 30 and the inner frame 510b, and changes the magnitude and
direction of the force of the water flow acting on the drum 30,
thereby reducing vibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum
30.
[0136] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an inner frame
according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG.
16 is a plan view showing the inner frame according to the sixth
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0137] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, an inner frame 610b includes
sawtooth-shaped water flow disturbing parts 610 which are arranged
spaced apart from each other along a periphery of the inner frame
610b.
[0138] The water flow disturbing parts 610 may have, for example, a
shape that a portion of the inner frame 610b protrudes outwardly
along the periphery of the inner frame 610b so that a length of the
gap between the inner surface of the inner frame 610b and the outer
circumferential surface of the drum 30 is different from a length
of another gap. Therefore, the distance between the inner frame
610b and the drum 30 may not be uniform. Each of the water flow
disturbing parts 610 includes a first slanted surface 615 and a
second slanted surface 616 which are slanted outwardly from the
inner frame 610b at slanted angles r1 and r2. The slanted angle r1
of the first slanted surface 615 with respect to the inner surface
of the inner frame 610b and the slanted angle r2 of the second
slanted surface 616 with respect to the inner surface of the inner
frame 610b may be different from each other.
[0139] The water flow generated in the space formed between the
drum 30 and the inner frame 610b collides with the first slanted
surface 615 and the second slanted surface 616, and the speed and
direction thereof are changed. The water flow disturbing parts 610
disturb the water flow generated in the space formed between the
drum 30 and the inner frame 610b using the first slanted surface
615 and the second slanted surface 616, and change the magnitude
and direction of the force of the water flow acting on the drum 30,
thereby reducing vibration due to eccentric rotation of the drum
30.
[0140] 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.
* * * * *