U.S. patent application number 14/119105 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-20 for pulsator for washing machine.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation. Invention is credited to Ju Dong Lee.
Application Number | 20140076004 14/119105 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48043953 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140076004 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Ju Dong |
March 20, 2014 |
PULSATOR FOR WASHING MACHINE
Abstract
A pulsator for a washing machine includes a base; a rotating
shaft positioned at a center of the base; a washing protrusion
supported by the base, connected to the rotating shaft, and that
protrudes upward; and a curved surface portion supported by the
based, and having convex and concave curved surfaces in succession
thereon.
Inventors: |
Lee; Ju Dong; (Incheon,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
48043953 |
Appl. No.: |
14/119105 |
Filed: |
October 5, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
October 5, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2012/008104 |
371 Date: |
November 20, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/134 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 17/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
68/134 |
International
Class: |
D06F 17/10 20060101
D06F017/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 6, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0101803 |
Claims
1. A pulsator for a washing machine, comprising: a base; a rotating
shaft positioned at a center of rotation of the base; a washing
protrusion supported by the base connected to the rotating shaft
and protruding upward; and a curved surface portion supported by
the base, having convex and concave curved surfaces in succession
thereon.
2. The pulsator of claim 1, wherein the washing protrusion is on
the curved surface portion.
3. The pulsator of claim 1, wherein the base comprises: a base body
having a circular ring shape surrounding the curved surface
portion; and a rib member connecting the base body and the rotating
shaft and supporting the curved surface portion.
4. The pulsator of claim 3, wherein the washing protrusion
comprises: a first washing protrusion that protrudes in a spiral
shape from the rotating shaft toward the base body; and a second
washing protrusion that is rotationally symmetrical with the first
washing protrusion around the rotating shaft, and that protrudes in
a spiral shape from the rotating shaft toward the base body.
5. The pulsator of claim 4, wherein the first washing protrusion
comprises: a first wing member connected to the rotating shaft and
that protrudes upward; a first concave side portion having a
concave side surface at the first wing member; and a first convex
side portion having a convex side surface at the first wing
member.
6. The pulsator of claim 5, wherein the second washing protrusion
comprises: a second wing member that is rotationally symmetrical
with the first washing wing member around the rotating shaft,
connected to the rotating shaft, and that protrudes upward; a
second concave side portion having a concave side surface fat the
second wing member; and a second convex side portion having a
convex side surface at the second wing member.
7. The pulsator of claim 6, wherein the curved surface portion
comprises: a first rotation guide having one side in a concave
curved shape and another side in a convex curved shape; a first
rising guide having one side connected to the first rotation guide
and in a convex curved shape and another side in a concave curved
shape; a second rotation guide having one side connected to the
first rising guide and in a concave curved shape and another side
formed in a convex curved shape; and a second rising guide having
one side connected to the second rotation guide and in a convex
curved shape and another side connected to the first rotation guide
and in a concave curved shape.
8. The pulsator of claim 7, wherein an inclined angle between the
first rotation guide and the base body is equal to an inclined
angle between the second rotation guide and the base body.
9. The pulsator of claim 8, wherein an inclined angle between the
first rising guide and the base body is equal to an inclined angle
between the second rising guide and the base body.
10. The pulsator of claim 9, wherein the inclined angle between the
first rotation guide and the base body is smaller than the inclined
angle between the first rising guide and the base body.
11. The pulsator of claim 7, further comprising an auxiliary
protrusion separate from the rotating shaft and on the curved
surface.
12. The pulsator of claim 11, wherein the auxiliary protrusion
comprises: a first auxiliary wing at a connection between the first
rotation guide and the second rising guide; and a second auxiliary
wing that is rotationally symmetrical with the first auxiliary wing
around the rotating shaft, and at a connection between the second
rotation guide and the first rising guide.
13. The pulsator of claim 12, wherein each of the first and second
auxiliary wings protrudes in a spiral shape from the rotating shaft
toward the base body.
14. The pulsator of claim 11, further comprising a guide protrusion
on the curved surface portion, between the washing protrusion and
the auxiliary protrusion, which protrudes in a spiral shape from
the rotating shaft toward the base body.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a pulsator for a washing
machine, and more particularly, to a pulsator for a washing
machine, which is capable of generating water streams to rotate
laundry items in forward and backward directions and to move the
laundry items in a vertical direction, thereby improving washing
efficiency and reducing damage to the laundry items.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In general, a washing machine is a device that removes
stains from laundry items by applying energy, such as impact to the
laundry items. Depending on washing methods, washing machines may
be divided into a drum-type washing machine and a pulsator-type
washing machine.
[0003] The drum-type washing machine washes laundry items through
friction between the laundry items and an inner surface of a
washing tub, or impact caused by fall of the laundry items, when
the laundry items are placed into and rotated in a rotating tub
with water.
[0004] The pulsator-type washing machine washes laundry items
through water streams, which are generated as the rotating tub
rotates in a vertical direction from the ground, and a pulsator
inside the rotating tub rotates.
[0005] The pulsator-type washing machine includes a tub, a rotating
tub, and a driving unit inside a housing forming the exterior
thereof. The tub stores water required for a washing process, the
rotating tub is installed in the tub and has a pulsator provided at
the bottom thereof, and the driving unit provides power for driving
the rotating tub and the pulsator.
[0006] The related art of the present invention is disclosed in
Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 1999-0021443 published on
Jun. 25, 1999 and titled "Pulsator of washing machine".
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0007] The pulsator of the conventional washing machine forms only
water streams to rotate laundry items in forward and backward
directions, while rotating in the forward and backward directions.
Thus, there is a limitation in increasing the washing power, and
the laundry items may become tangled and thus damaged.
[0008] Therefore, there is a demand for a structure capable of
solving such problems.
[0009] The present invention is conceived to solve such problems of
the related art, and an aspect of the invention is to provide a
pulsator for a washing machine, which is capable of generating
water streams to rotate laundry items in forward and backward
directions and to move the laundry items in a vertical direction
through the rotations of the pulsator, thereby improving washing
efficiency and reducing damage to the laundry items.
TECHNICAL SOLUTION
[0010] According to an aspect of the invention, a pulsator for a
washing machine includes a base; a rotating shaft portion at a
center of rotation of the base; a washing protrusion supported by
the base, connected to the rotating shaft, and protruding upward;
and a curved surface portion supported by the base and having
convex and concave curved surfaces in succession thereon.
[0011] The washing protrusion may be formed on the curved surface
portion.
[0012] The base may include a base body having a circular ring
shape that surrounds the curved surface portion; and a rib member
connecting the base body and the rotating shaft, and supporting the
curved surface portion.
[0013] The washing protrusion may include a first washing
protrusion having a spiral shape that protrudes from the rotating
shaft toward the base body; and a second washing protrusion that is
rotationally symmetrical with the first washing protrusion around
the rotating shaft, and having a spiral shape that protrudes from
the rotating shaft toward the base body.
[0014] The first washing protrusion may include a first wing member
connected to the rotating shaft and protruding upward; a first
concave side portion forming a concave side surface at the first
wing member; and a first convex side portion forming a convex side
surface at the first wing member.
[0015] The second washing protrusion may include a second wing
member that is rotationally symmetrical with the first washing wing
member around the rotating shaft, connected to the rotating shaft,
and protruding upward; a second concave side portion forming a
concave side surface at the second wing member; and a second convex
side portion forming a convex side surface fat the second wing
member.
[0016] The curved surface portion may include a first rotation
guide having one side in a concave curved shape and another side in
a convex curved shape; a first rising guide having one side
connected to the first rotation guide and in a convex curved shape
and another side in a concave curved shape; a second rotation guide
having one side connected to the first rising guide and in a
concave curved shape and another side in a convex curved shape; and
a second rising guide having one side connected to the second
rotation guide and in a convex curved shape and another side
connected to the first rotation guide and in a concave curved
shape.
[0017] Furthermore, an inclined angle between the first rotation
guide and the base body may be equal to an inclined angle between
the second rotation guide and the base body.
[0018] Furthermore, an inclined angle between the first rising
guide and the base body may be equal to an inclined angle between
the second rising guide and the base body.
[0019] The inclined angle between the first rotation guide and the
base body may be smaller than the inclined angle between the first
rising guide and the base body.
[0020] The pulsator may further include an auxiliary protrusion
separate from the rotating shaft and on the curved surface
portion.
[0021] The auxiliary protrusion may include a first auxiliary wing
connected between the first rotation guide and the second rising
guide; and a second auxiliary wing that is rotationally symmetrical
with the first auxiliary wing around the rotating shaft, and
connected between the second rotation guide and the first rising
guide.
[0022] Each of the first and second auxiliary wings may be in a
spiral shape and protrude from the rotating shaft toward the base
body.
[0023] The pulsator may further include a guide protrusion on the
curved surface portion, disposed between the washing protrusion and
the auxiliary protrusion, having a spiral shape and protruding from
the rotating shaft toward the base body.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS
[0024] According to an embodiment of the invention, when the
rotations of the pulsator for a washing machine are alternately
performed in forward and backward directions, the rotations and
vertical agitations of wash water are alternately performed. Thus,
since the rotations and vertical agitations of the laundry items
are alternately performed, the laundry items may be washed in a
three-dimensional manner.
[0025] Furthermore, as the washing operation is performed in a
three-dimensional manner, the washing efficiency of laundry items
may be improved, and the laundry items may be prevented from being
tangled and damaged.
BEST MODE
[0026] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a pulsator for a
washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the pulsator for a
washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a bottom
surface of the pulsator for a washing machine in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of the pulsator for a
washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates water streams that are
generated when the pulsator for a washing machine is rotated in one
direction in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0032] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates water streams that are
generated when the pulsator for a washing machine is rotated in a
backward direction in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] Embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described
in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be
noted that the drawings are not to precise scale and may be
exaggerated in thickness of lines or sizes of components for
descriptive convenience and clarity only. Furthermore, the terms as
used herein are defined by taking functions of the invention into
account and can be changed according to the custom or intention of
users or operators. Therefore, definition of the terms should be
made according to the overall disclosures set forth herein.
[0034] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a pulsator for a
washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the pulsator for a
washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a
bottom surface of the pulsator for a washing machine in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic
front view of the pulsator for a washing machine in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 schematically
illustrates water streams that are generated when the pulsator for
a washing machine is rotated in one direction in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 schematically
illustrates water streams that are generated when the pulsator for
a washing machine is rotated in a backward direction in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the pulsator 1 for a washing
machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
includes a base 10, a rotating shaft 20, a washing protrusion 30, a
curved surface portion 60, a guide protrusion 70, and an auxiliary
protrusion 80.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the base 10 supports a bottom of the
washing protrusion 30 and a bottom of the curved surface portion
60. The base 10 may be formed in various shapes including a disk
shape.
[0037] In the present embodiment, the base 10 includes a base body
12 and a rib member 14. The base body 12 is formed in a circular
ring shape to surround the washing protrusion 30 and the curved
surface portion 60. The rib member 14 connects the base body 12 and
the rotating shaft 20, and supports the bottom of the washing
protrusion 30 and the bottom of the curved surface portion 60.
[0038] The rib member 14 may support the washing protrusion 30 and
the curved surface portion 60, while directly contacting the bottom
of the washing protrusion 30 and the bottom of the curved surface
portion 60. Furthermore, the rib member 14 may support the washing
protrusion 30 and the curved surface portion 60, with a separate
support provided between the bottom of the washing protrusion 30
and the bottom of the curved surface portion 60.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 3, the rib member 14 is formed as a
vertical partition, and is radially distributed around the rotating
shaft 20.
[0040] The rotating shaft 20 is at the center of rotation of the
base 10. That is, the rotating shaft 20 is in the center of the
base 10 to be coupled to a shaft member, which is rotated by a
motor. Thus, the pulsator 1 for a washing machine is rotated about
the rotating shaft 20.
[0041] The washing protrusion 30 is disposed over the rib member 14
and supported by the rib member 14. The washing protrusion 30 is
connected to the rotating shaft 20, and protrudes in an upward
direction, in an opposite direction to the rib member 14.
[0042] In the present embodiment, the washing protrusion 30
includes a first washing protrusion 40 and a second washing
protrusion 50. The first washing protrusion 40 is formed in a
spiral shape from the rotating shaft 20 toward the base body 12.
The second washing protrusion 50 is formed in an opposite direction
to the first washing protrusion 40 around the rotating shaft 20,
and formed in a spiral shape from the rotating shaft 20 toward the
base body 12, similar to the first washing protrusion 40.
[0043] That is, the first and second washing protrusions 40 and 50
protrude upward and are in a spiral shape. Furthermore, when the
first washing protrusion 40, the rotating shaft 20, and the second
washing protrusion 50 are connected to each other, an S-shape or
reverse S-shape is formed.
[0044] The first washing protrusion 40 includes a first concave
side portion 42, a first convex side portion 44, and a first wing
member 46.
[0045] The first wing member 46 is connected to the rotating shaft
20 and protrudes in the upward direction corresponding to the
opposite direction of the rib member 14. Specifically, the first
wing member 46 is formed in a spiral shape from the rotating shaft
20 toward the base body 12. The top surface of the first wing
member 46 may have a planar or curved shape.
[0046] The first concave side portion 42 and the first convex side
portion 44 are provided at opposite sides of the first wing member
46. Specifically, the first concave side portion 42 has a concave
side portion formed at the first wing member 46. The first convex
side portion 44 has a convex side portion that faces the first
concave side portion 42 and is formed at the first wing member
46.
[0047] The first wing member 46 includes a plurality of first
through-holes 48 formed therein. In the present embodiment, the
plurality of first through-holes 48 are arranged in a line from one
end to an opposite end of the first wing member 46. Through the
first through-holes 48, wash water or air bubbles are moved.
[0048] The second washing protrusion 50 is rotationally symmetrical
with the first washing protrusion 40 around the rotating shaft 20.
The second washing protrusion 50 includes a second concave side
portion 52, a second convex side portion 54, and a second wing
member 56.
[0049] The second wing member 56 is connected to the rotating shaft
20 in an opposite direction to the first wing member 46, and
protrudes in the upward direction from the rib member 14.
Specifically, the second wing member 56 is formed in a spiral shape
from the rotating shaft 20 toward the base body 12. The top surface
of the second wing member 56 may have a planar or curved shape.
[0050] The second concave side portion 52 and the second convex
side portion 54 are provided at opposite sides of the second wing
member 56. Specifically, the second concave side portion 52 has a
concave side portion formed at the second wing member 56. The
second convex side portion 54 has a convex side portion that faces
the second concave side portion 52 and is formed at the second wing
member 56.
[0051] The second wing member 56 includes a plurality of second
through-holes 58 formed therein. In the present embodiment, the
plurality of second through-holes 58 are arranged in a line from
one end to an opposite end of the second wing member 56. Through
the second through-holes 58, wash water or air bubbles are
moved.
[0052] Since the first and second concave side portions 42 and 52
are rotationally symmetrical with each other around the rotating
shaft 20, the first and second concave side portions 42 and 52
generate the same type of water streams when the pulsator 1 for a
washing machine is rotated. Similarly, since the first and second
convex side portions 44 and 54 are rotationally symmetrical with
each other around the rotating shaft 20, the first and second
convex side portions 44 and 54 generate the same type of water
streams during the rotation of the pulsator 1.
[0053] When the pulsator 1 for a washing machine is rotated in a
forward direction (the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2), water
streams are generated by the first wing member 46. At this time,
the first concave side portion 42 at the front in the rotation
direction of the pulsator 1 first comes in contact with wash water,
before the first convex side portion 44 in the rear in the rotation
direction of the pulsator 1. Thus, the water streams are generated
mainly by the first concave side portion 42, forming one side
surface of the first wing member 46.
[0054] Similarly, when the pulsator 1 for a washing machine is
rotated in the forward direction, water streams are generated by
the second wing member 56. At this time, the second concave side
portion 52 at the front in the rotation direction of the pulsator 1
first comes in contact with wash water, before the second convex
side portion 54 in the rear in the rotation direction of the
pulsator 1. Thus, the water streams are generated mainly by the
second concave side portion 52, forming one side surface of the
second wing member 56.
[0055] As such, when the pulsator 1 for a washing machine is
rotated in the forward direction, laundry items are washed through
the water streams generated by the first concave side portion 42
and the second convex side portion 52.
[0056] When the pulsator 1 for a washing machine is rotated in a
backward direction (the clockwise direction in FIG. 2), water
streams are generated by the first wing member 46. At this time,
the first convex side portion 44 at the front in the rotation
direction of the pulsator 1 first comes in contact with wash water,
before the first concave side portion 42 in the rear in the
rotation direction of the pulsator 1. Thus, the water streams are
generated mainly by the first convex side portion 44, forming the
other side surface of the first wing member 46.
[0057] Similarly, when the pulsator 1 for a washing machine is
rotated in the backward direction, water streams are generated by
the second wing member 56. At this time, the second convex side
portion 54 at the front in the rotation direction of the pulsator 1
first comes in contact with wash water, before the second concave
side portion 52 in the rear in the rotation direction of the
pulsator 1. Thus, the water streams are generated mainly by the
second convex side portion 54, forming the other side surface of
the second wing member 56.
[0058] As such, when the pulsator 1 for a washing machine is
rotated in the backward direction, laundry items are washed through
the water streams generated by the first convex side portion 44 and
the second convex side portion 54.
[0059] In the present embodiment, it has been described that the
first concave side portion 42 is formed at the left side surface of
the first wing member 46 and the first convex side portion 44 is
formed at the right side surface of the first wing member 46, based
on FIG. 2. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.
Thus, the first convex side portion may be formed at the left side
surface of the first wing member 46, and the first concave side
portion may be formed at the right side surface of the first wing
member 46.
[0060] Similarly, in the present invention, it has been described
that the second concave side portion 52 is formed at the right side
surface of the second wing member 56 and the second convex side
portion 54 is formed at the left side surface of the second wing
member 56, based on FIG. 2. However, the present invention is not
limited thereto. Thus, the second convex side portion may be formed
at the right side surface of the second wing member 56, and the
second concave side portion may be formed at the left side surface
of the second wing member 56.
[0061] The curved surface portion 60 is supported by the base 10,
or more specifically, the rib member 14. The curved surface portion
60 includes a convex curved surface and a concave curved surface in
succession, like a wave, in one rotational direction around the
rotating shaft 20. In accordance with the present embodiment, the
curved surface portion 60 includes a first rotation guide 62, a
first rising guide 64, a second rotation guide 66, and a second
rising guide 68.
[0062] One side of the first rotation guide 62 is connected to the
second rising guide 68, and another side of the first rotation
guide 62 is connected to the first concave side portion 42. That
is, the first rotation guide 62 connects the second rising guide 68
and the first concave side portion 42. The first rotation guide 62
has a concave curved shape at a portion in contact with the second
rising guide 68, that gradually protrudes upward, and has a convex
curved shape at a portion in contact with the first concave side
portion 42.
[0063] One side of the first rising guide 64 is connected to the
first convex side portion 44, and another side of the first rising
guide 64 is connected to the second rotation guide 66. That is, the
first rising guide 64 connects the first convex side portion 44 and
the second rotation guide 66. The first rising guide 64 has a
convex curved shape at a portion in contact with the first convex
side portion 44, that gradually slopes downward, and has a concave
curved shape at a portion in contact with the second rotation guide
66.
[0064] One side of the second rotation guide 66 is connected to the
first rising guide 64, and another side of the second rotation
guide 66 is connected to the second concave side portion 52. That
is, the second rotation guide 66 connects the first rising guide 64
and the second concave side portion 52. The second rotation guide
66 has a concave curved shape at a portion in contact with the
first rising guide 64 which gradually protrudes upward, and has a
convex curved shape at a portion in contact with the second concave
side portion 52.
[0065] One side of the second rising guide 68 is connected to the
second convex side portion 54, and another side of the second
rising guide 68 is connected to the first rotation guide 62. That
is, the second rising guide 68 connects the second convex side
portion 54 and the first rotation guide 62. The second rising guide
68 has a convex curved shape at a portion in contact with the
second convex side portion 54 that gradually slopes downward, and
has a concave curved shape at a portion in contact with the first
rotation guide 62. An inclined angle A1 between the first rotation
guide 62 and the base body 12 is equal to an inclined angle A2
between the second rotation guide 66 and the base body 12. Thus,
when the pulsator 1 for a washing machine is rotated, the shape of
water streams generated by the first rotation guide 62 and the
first concave side portion 42 is identical to the shape of water
streams generated by the second rotation guide 66 and the second
concave side portion 52.
[0066] An inclined angle B1 between the first rising guide 64 and
the base body 12 is equal to an inclined angle B2 between the
second rising guide 68 and the base body 12. Thus, when the
pulsator 1 for a washing machine is rotated, the shape of water
streams generated by the first rising guide 64 and the first convex
side portion 44 is identical to the shape of water streams
generated by the second rising guide 68 and the second convex side
portion 54.
[0067] In the present embodiment, the inclined angle A1 between the
first rotation guide 62 and the base body 12 is smaller than the
inclined angle B1 between the first rising guide 64 and the base
body 12. Similarly, the inclined angle A2 between the second
rotation guide 66 and the base body 12 is smaller than the inclined
angle B2 between the second rising guide 68 and the base body
12.
[0068] When the pulsator 1 for a washing machine is rotated in the
forward direction (the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2), the
shape of the water streams generated by the first rotation guide 62
and the first concave side portion 42 is identical to the shape of
the water streams generated by the second rotation guide 66 and the
second concave side portion 52.
[0069] When the pulsator 1 for a washing machine is rotated in the
forward direction (the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2), the
water streams are generated mainly by the first rotation guide 62
of the curved surface portion 60, the first concave side portion 42
of the first washing protrusion 40, the second rotation guide 66 of
the curved surface portion 60, and the second concave side portion
52 of the second washing protrusion 50. The water streams generated
in such a manner mainly rotate wash water and laundry items in the
rotation direction, but do not significantly move the wash water
and the laundry items in a vertical direction.
[0070] On the other hand, when the pulsator 1 for a washing machine
is rotated in the backward direction (the clockwise direction in
FIG. 2), the water streams are generated mainly by the first rising
guide 64 of the curved surface portion 60, the first convex side
portion 44 of the first washing protrusion 40, the second rising
guide 68 of the curved surface portion 60, and the second convex
side portion 54 of the second washing protrusion 50. The water
streams generated in such a manner mainly move the wash water and
the laundry items in the vertical direction, but do not
significantly rotate the wash water and the laundry items in the
rotation direction.
[0071] As such, when the pulsator 1 is rotated in the forward
direction, the wash water and the laundry items are rotated in the
rotation direction of the pulsator 1, and when the pulsator 1 is
rotated in the backward direction, the wash water and the laundry
items are moved in a vertical direction. As the rotations and
vertical agitations of the laundry items are alternately performed,
the wash operation may be performed in a three-dimensional manner,
which makes it possible to improve the washing efficiency.
[0072] The guide protrusion 70 has a spiral shape from the rotating
shaft 20 toward the base body 12. In the present embodiment, a
plurality of guide protrusions 70 are on the curved surface portion
60, and protrude upward in a shape corresponding to the shape of
the first or second washing protrusion 40 or 50.
[0073] The guide protrusions 70 serve to apply an additional
rotating force to the wash water and laundry items that are rotated
by the curved surface portion 60 and the washing protrusion 30. As
the guide protrusions 70 are additionally formed, the rotating
force for the laundry items is further increased, and the washing
efficiency is also improved.
[0074] The auxiliary protrusion 80 has a spiral shape from the
rotating shaft 20 toward the base body 12. In the present
embodiment, one or more auxiliary protrusions 80 are on the curved
surface portion 60. As the auxiliary protrusions 80 protrude
upward, the auxiliary protrusions 80, the washing protrusion 30,
and the curved surface portion 60 influence the generation of the
water streams. As the auxiliary protrusion portions 80 are
additionally formed, the rotating force for the laundry items is
further increased, and the laundry items are significantly moved in
the vertical direction. Thus, the washing efficiency is further
improved.
[0075] In the present embodiment, since the auxiliary protrusion 80
has a smaller height than the washing protrusion 30, the auxiliary
protrusion 80 performs an auxiliary role in the generation of water
streams by the washing protrusion 30 and the curved surface portion
60.
[0076] The auxiliary protrusion 80 includes a first auxiliary wing
82 and a second auxiliary wing 84. The plurality of guide
protrusions 70 are between the first wing member 46 and the first
auxiliary wing 82, between the first auxiliary wing 82 and the
second wing member 56, between the second wing member 56 and the
second auxiliary wing 84, and between the second auxiliary wing 84
and the first wing member 46, respectively.
[0077] The first auxiliary wing 82 is formed on the curved surface
portion 60 between the first concave side portion 42 of the first
washing protrusion 40 and the second convex side portion 54 of the
second washing protrusion 50. That is, the first auxiliary wing 82
protrudes upward at a connection between the first rotation guide
62 and the second rising guide 68.
[0078] The second auxiliary wing 84 is formed on the curved surface
portion 60 between the first concave side portion 52 of the second
washing protrusion 50 and the first convex side portion 44 of the
first washing protrusion 40. That is, the second auxiliary wing 84
protrudes upward at a connection between the second rotation guide
66 and the first rising guide 64.
[0079] The first auxiliary wing 82 and the second auxiliary wing 84
are rotationally symmetrical with each other around the rotating
shaft 20.
[0080] As described above, the first washing protrusion 40 and the
second washing protrusion 50 are rotationally symmetrical with each
other around the rotating shaft20, the plurality of guide
protrusions 70 are rotationally symmetrical with each other around
the rotating shaft20, and the first auxiliary wing 82 and the
second auxiliary wing 84 are rotationally symmetrical with each
other around the rotating shaft 20. Thus, when the pulsator 1 for a
washing machine is rotated, the same type of water streams may be
generated by both sides.
[0081] Since the curved surface portion 60 has a plurality of
through-holes formed therein, wash water and air bubbles may move
through the through-holes.
[0082] Hereinafter, an operation of the pulsator for a washing
machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
will be described in detail.
[0083] Referring to FIG. 5, when the pulsator 1 for a washing
machine is rotated in the forward direction (the counterclockwise
direction), water streams are generated mainly by the first
rotation guide 62 of the curved portion 60, the first concave side
portion 42 of the first washing protrusion 40, the second rotation
guide 66 of the curved surface portion 60, and the second concave
side portion 52 of the second washing protrusion 50.
[0084] The inclined angle A1 of the first rotation guide 62 is
smaller than the inclined angle B1 of the first rising guide 64,
and the inclined angle A2 of the second rotation guide 66 is
smaller than the inclined angle B2 of the second rising guide 68.
Thus, when the pulsator 1 for a washing machine is rotated in the
forward direction, a rotating force rather than a rising force is
mainly applied to the wash water by the first rotation guide 62 and
the second rotation guide 66.
[0085] Furthermore, since the first and second concave side
portions 42 and 52 are concave in the rotation direction, the wash
water reaching the first and second concave side portions 42 and 52
does not disperse in different directions, but is pulled in the
rotation direction by the first and second concave side portions 42
and 52.
[0086] Therefore, when the pulsator 1 for a washing machine is
rotated in the forward direction, the water streams rotating in the
forward direction are stronger than the water streams rising in the
upward direction. Thus, the wash water and laundry items are
rotated in the forward direction rather than moved in the vertical
direction.
[0087] On the other hand, referring to FIG. 6, when the pulsator 1
for a washing machine is rotated in the backward direction (the
clockwise direction), water streams are generated mainly by the
first rising guide 64 of the curved surface portion 60, the first
convex side portion 44 of the first washing protrusion 40, the
second rising guide 68 of the curved surface portion 60, and the
second convex side portion 54 of the second washing protrusion
50.
[0088] The inclined angle B1 of the first rising guide 64 is larger
than the inclined angle A1 of the first rotation guide 62, and the
inclined angle B2 of the second rising guide 68 is larger than the
inclined angle A2 of the second rotation guide 66. Thus, when the
pulsator 1 for a washing machine is rotated in the backward
direction, a rising force rather than a rotating force is mainly
applied to the wash water by the first and second rising guides 64
and 68.
[0089] Furthermore, since the first and second convex side portions
44 and 54 are convex in the rotation direction, the wash water
reaching the first and second convex side portions 44 and 54
disperses in different directions and is lifted upward by the first
and second convex side portions 44 and 54.
[0090] Therefore, when the pulsator 1 for a washing machine is
rotated in the backward direction, the water streams rising in the
upward direction are stronger than the water streams rotating in
the backward direction. Thus, the wash water and laundry items are
moved in the vertical direction rather than rotated in the backward
direction.
[0091] As described above, when the rotations of the pulsator 1 for
a washing machine are alternately performed in the forward and
backward directions, the rotations and vertical agitations of wash
water are alternately performed. Thus, since the rotations and
vertical agitations of laundry items are alternately performed, the
laundry items may be washed in a three-dimensional manner.
Therefore, it is possible to improve the washing efficiency of the
laundry items, and prevent the laundry items from being tangled and
damaged.
[0092] Although some embodiments have been provided to illustrate
the invention in conjunction with the drawings, it will be apparent
to those skilled in the art that the embodiments are given by way
of illustration only, and that various modifications and equivalent
embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention. The scope of the invention should be limited only
by the accompanying claims.
[0093] In the present embodiment, a pulsator used for a domestic
washing machine has been taken as an example for description.
However, this is only an example, and the pulsator for a washing
machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention
may be applied to washing machines for industrial use and washing
machines for business use.
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