U.S. patent application number 14/080498 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-03 for drain device for washing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation. Invention is credited to In Dong KIM.
Application Number | 20140182685 14/080498 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49683487 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140182685 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; In Dong |
July 3, 2014 |
DRAIN DEVICE FOR WASHING MACHINE
Abstract
A drain device for a washing machine includes a water storage
unit connected to a tub and configured to receive wash water
discharged from the tub; a drain pipe connected to the water
storage unit and extending to an outside of a cabinet; and a supply
pipe connected to the water storage unit and guiding external air
to an inlet of the drain pipe.
Inventors: |
KIM; In Dong; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Dongbu Daewoo Electronics
Corporation
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
49683487 |
Appl. No.: |
14/080498 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
137/1 ;
137/565.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 137/85978 20150401;
Y10T 137/0318 20150401; D06F 39/083 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/1 ;
137/565.01 |
International
Class: |
D06F 39/08 20060101
D06F039/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 27, 2012 |
KR |
10-2012-0154985 |
Claims
1. A drain device for a washing machine, comprising: a water
storage unit connected to a tub and configured to receive wash
water discharged from the tub; a drain pipe connected to the water
storage unit and extending to an outside of a cabinet; and a supply
pipe connected to the water storage unit and guiding external air
to an inlet of the drain pipe.
2. The drain device of claim 1, wherein the water storage unit has
a first insertion hole at a side surface thereof, and a second
insertion hole at a bottom or lowermost surface thereof, wherein
the drain pipe passes through the first insertion hole, and the
supply pipe passes through the second insertion hole.
3. The drain device of claim 2, wherein the water storage unit is
under the tub.
4. The drain device of claim 2, further comprising a pump
configured to introduce the external air through the supply pipe
and into the inlet of the drain pipe.
5. The drain device of claim 2, wherein the water storage unit
comprises a support configured to fix the inlet of the drain
pipe.
6. The drain device of claim 2, wherein the supply pipe has an
outer diameter less than an inner diameter of the drain pipe, and
is at least partially in the inlet of the discharge pipe.
7. The drain device of claim 1, further comprising a pump that
pumps and/or forces the external air through the drain pipe.
8. A washing machine, comprising: the drain device of claim 1; the
tub; and the cabinet, surrounding the tub and the drain device.
9. A drain device for a washing machine, comprising: a water
storage unit connected to a tub and configured to receive wash
water from the tub; a drain pipe receiving external air and
extending through the water storage unit to an outside of a
cabinet; and a diverging pipe inside the water storage unit, the
diverging pipe diverging from the drain pipe and guiding wash water
in the water storage unit to the drain pipe.
10. The drain device of claim 9, wherein the drain pipe passes into
the water storage unit through a bottom or lowermost surface of the
water storage unit, and extending outside of the water storage unit
through a side surface of the water storage unit.
11. The drain device of claim 9, wherein the diverging pipe extends
toward the bottom or lowermost surface of the water storage
unit.
12. The drain device of claim 9, wherein the diverging pipe is at
an angle of 15.degree. to 85.degree. with respect to the drain
pipe.
13. The drain device of claim 9, further comprising a pump that
pumps and/or forces the external air through the drain pipe.
14. A washing machine, comprising: the drain device of claim 9; the
tub; and the cabinet, surrounding the tub and the drain device.
15. A method of draining water from a washing machine, comprising:
discharging wash water from a tub in the washing machine into a
drain device; passing air through a first pipe passing into and/or
through the drain device; and removing wash water in the drain
device using a second pipe over or joining the first pipe.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first pipe comprises a
supply pipe that passes through a bottom or lowermost surface of
the drain device, and is configured to pass the air through wash
water in a lower or bottom portion of the drain device.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second pipe comprises a
discharge pipe having an inlet over and surrounding an outlet of
the supply pipe, and is configured to receive wash water from the
lower or bottom portion of the drain device.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the first pipe comprises a
discharge pipe that passes completely through the drain device and
is configured to receive the air from a pump.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second pipe comprises a
diverging pipe inside the drain device, the diverging pipe
diverging from the drain pipe, extending into wash water in a lower
or bottom portion of the drain device, and guiding wash water in
the drain device to the discharge pipe.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to Korean
application number 10-2012-0154985, filed on Dec. 27, 2012, which
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a drain device for a
washing machine, and more particularly, to a drain device for a
washing machine, which is capable of reducing the amount of wash
water remaining in the washing machine after a washing process has
ended.
[0003] A general washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub in the
cabinet and capable of storing wash water, a drum rotatably
installed in the tub and capable of containing laundry therein, a
driving unit rotating the drum to perform a washing process, a
water supply device supplying wash water to the tub, and a drain
device discharging wash water from the tub to the outside of the
cabinet after the washing process has ended.
[0004] When a user puts laundry items into the drum and starts a
washing process, the water supply device supplies wash water into
the tub. When the wash water supply operation is completed, the
washing process is performed while the drum is rotated by operation
of the driving unit.
[0005] After the washing process has ended, the drain device is
operated to discharge the wash water from the tub to the outside of
the cabinet.
[0006] The related art of the present invention is disclosed in
Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 10-2008-0100542 published
on Nov. 19, 2008 and titled "Drain device for drum washing machine
and control method thereof".
[0007] Since the conventional washing machine drain device includes
a pump installed on a drain pipe extending from the tub, and the
drain pipe bends upward, wash water may remain in the drain pipe
even though the drain process or operation has ended. Thus,
bacteria may breed, or a bad smell may occur.
[0008] Therefore, there is a demand for a structure capable of
solving such a problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a drain
device for a washing machine, which is capable of reducing the
amount of wash water remaining in the washing machine after a
washing process has ended.
[0010] In one embodiment, a drain device for a washing machine
includes a water storage unit connected to a tub (e.g., of the
washing machine) and configured to receive wash water from the tub;
a drain pipe connected to the water storage unit and extending to
the outside of a cabinet (e.g., of the washing machine); and a
supply pipe connected to the water storage unit and guiding
external air to an inlet of the drain pipe.
[0011] The water storage unit may have a first insertion hole at a
side surface thereof, the drain pipe passing through the first
insertion hole, and a second insertion hole at a bottom or
lowermost surface thereof, the supply pipe passing through the
second insertion hole.
[0012] The water storage unit may be under the tub.
[0013] The drain device may further include a pump configured to
introduce external air into the inlet of the drain pipe through the
supply pipe.
[0014] The water storage unit may include a support configured to
fix the inlet of the drain pipe (e.g., in a general or
predetermined location).
[0015] The supply pipe may have an outer diameter less than an
inner diameter of the drain pipe, and may be partially inserted
into the inlet of the discharge pipe.
[0016] The drain device may further include a pump that pumps
and/or forces the external air through the drain pipe.
[0017] In another embodiment, a drain device for a washing machine
includes a water storage unit connected to a tub (e.g., of the
washing machine) and configured to receive wash water from the tub;
a drain pipe receiving external air and extending through the water
storage unit to the outside of a cabinet (e.g., of the washing
machine); and a diverging pipe inside the water storage unit, the
diverging pipe diverging from the drain pipe and guiding wash water
in the water storage unit to the drain pipe.
[0018] The drain pipe may pass into the water storage unit through
a bottom or lowermost surface of the water storage unit, and extend
to the outside of the water storage unit through a side surface of
the water storage unit.
[0019] The diverging pipe may extend toward the bottom or lowermost
surface of the water storage unit.
[0020] The diverging pipe may be at an angle of 15.degree. to
85.degree. with respect to the drain pipe.
[0021] The drain device may further include a pump that pumps
and/or forces the external air through the drain pipe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a washing machine including
an exemplary drain device in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary drain
device for a washing machine in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary drain
device for a washing machine in accordance with one or more other
embodiments of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0025] 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 necessarily 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 may be defined by taking functions of the invention
into account and can be changed according to the custom or
intention of users or operators. Therefore, any definition of the
terms should be made according to the overall disclosures set forth
herein.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a washing machine including
an exemplary drain device in accordance with embodiment(s) of the
present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the
exemplary drain device for a washing machine in accordance with
embodiment(s) of the present invention.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the exemplary drain device for a
washing machine in accordance with embodiment(s) of the present
invention includes a water storage unit 50, a drain pipe 70, and a
supply pipe 80.
[0028] The water storage unit 50 is connected to a tub 30. Thus,
wash water discharged from the tub 30 is received by and
temporarily stored in the water storage unit 50. For example, the
wash water discharged from the tub 30 may flow through the water
storage unit 50. The drain pipe 70 is connected to a side surface
of the water storage unit 50 and extends to the outside of the
cabinet 10. The supply pipe 80 is connected to the bottom or
lowermost surface of the water storage unit 50, and guides external
air to an inlet 72 of the drain pipe 70. The external air is
introduced into the inlet 72 of the drain pipe 70 through the
supply pipe 80 by operation of a pump 82.
[0029] The water storage unit 50 is under the tub 30 and configured
to communicate with (e.g., receive wash water discharged from) the
tub 30. Thus, wash water discharged from the tub 30 is flows into
and may be stored in the water storage unit 50, and is then
discharged to the outside of the cabinet 10 along the drain pipe 70
extended to the outside of the cabinet 10 from the water storage
unit 50.
[0030] The external air supplied through the supply pipe 80 by the
operation of the pump 82 is output to the inlet 72 of the drain
pipe 70. As the external air is pumped to the inlet 72, foam or air
bubbles are formed in the wash water that enters the drain pipe
70.
[0031] Since the foam or air bubbles tend to rise within the wash
water, the wash water is pushed upward by the rising foam or air
bubbles. As the wash water is pushed upward by the rising foam or
air bubbles, the wash water is introduced to the inlet 72 of the
drain pipe 70. Then, the wash water flows through the discharge
pipe 70 and discharged to the outside of the cabinet 10.
[0032] Furthermore, when high-pressure external air is pumped
through the supply pipe 80 into the discharge pipe 70, a large
amount of wash water and air bubbles can be introduced into the
drain pipe 70. Thus, a Venturi effect may occurs because the
pressure at the inlet 72 of the drain pipe 70 is lower than the
internal pressure of the drain pipe 70.
[0033] Thus, the wash water in the water storage unit 50 is taken
up through the inlet 72 of the discharge pipe 70 due to the Venturi
effect, and is then discharged to the outside of the cabinet 10
along the drain pipe 70.
[0034] The water storage unit 50 has a first insertion hole 52 in a
side surface thereof, into which the drain pipe 70 is inserted
and/or through which the drain pipe 70 passes. The water storage
unit 50 also has a second insertion hole 54 at the bottom or
lowermost surface of the water storage unit 50, into which the
supply pipe 80 is inserted and/or through which the supply pipe 80
passes. There may be a sealing member between each of (1) the drain
pipe 70 and the first insertion hole 52 and (2) the supply pipe 80
and the second insertion hole 54 to inhibit or block leakage of
water out of the water storage unit 50.
[0035] When the washing machine is seen from the front side (based
on and/or looking straight at FIG. 2), the outlet of the supply
pipe 80 is inserted upward from the bottom surface of the water
storage unit 50 through the second insertion hole 54 (and/or any
seal or other sealing member therein). Thus, the external air
supplied through the supply pipe 80 passes through the wash water
in the water storage unit 50, and air bubbles may be formed in the
wash water.
[0036] For example, since the external air is supplied from the
bottom of the water storage unit 50, the external air may pass
through the wash water even when a small amount of wash water is in
the water storage unit 50. That is, since an area and/or location
of the water storage unit 50 in which wash water collects
corresponds to the area and/or location of the water storage unit
50 in which external air passes, foam or air bubbles may be easily
formed in the wash water, even though only a small amount of wash
water is in the water storage unit 50.
[0037] The inlet 72 to the drain pipe 70 is inserted into the side
surface of the storage unit 50 through the first insertion hole 52
(and/or any seal or other sealing member therein). The drain pipe
70 extends in a downward direction, and the inlet 72 of the drain
pipe 70 reaches the vicinity of the bottom or lowermost surface of
the water storage unit 50. The supply pipe 80 is inserted through
the second insertion hole 54 in the bottom surface of the water
storage unit 50 until an outlet 81 of the supply pipe 80 enters the
water storage unit 50.
[0038] In one embodiment, the outlet 81 of the supply pipe 80 is
inserted into the inlet 72 of the drain pipe 70. As a result,
external air supplied to the bottom of the water storage unit 50
through the supply pipe 80 is transferred to the inlet 72 of the
drain pipe 70 through the outlet 81 of the supply pipe 80. Then,
the external air is discharged to the outside of the water storage
unit 50 while moving or flowing along the drain pipe 70.
[0039] The water storage unit 50 includes a support 56 to fix, hold
or secure the inlet 72 of the drain pipe 70 in place over the
outlet 81 of the supply pipe 80. Specifically, the support 56 is
fixed to an inner surface of the water storage unit 50 and
connected to the inlet 72 of the drain pipe 70. Thus, the pressure
of the external air passing through the supply pipe 80 may prevent
the discharge pipe 70 from moving or dislodging, and may maintain
the inlet 72 of the drain pipe 70 over and/or surrounding the
outlet 81 of the supply pipe 80 (e.g., the outlet 81 of the supply
pipe 80 remains in the inlet 72 of the drain pipe 70). The support
56 may have one or more holes or openings (e.g., a plurality of
holes or openings) therein to allow the wash water to pass through
to the inlet 72 of the drain pipe 70. In various embodiments, the
hole(s) or opening(s) occupy for 20 to 80% of the surface area of
the support 56, or any percentage or percentage range therein
(e.g., from 30 to 70%, from 35 to 60%, about 50%, etc.).
[0040] The supply pipe 80 has an outer diameter smaller than the
inner diameter of the drain pipe 70, and may be inserted into the
inlet 72 of the drain pipe 70.
[0041] Thus, when the external air pumped through the supply pipe
80 is supplied to the drain pipe 70, wash water is introduced into
the drain pipe 70 through a gap between the supply pipe 80 and the
drain pipe 70. Then, the wash water is removed from the water
storage unit 50 (e.g., by vacuum and/or aspiration) along the drain
pipe 70 and is then discharged to the outside of the cabinet
10.
[0042] The operation of the drain device for a washing machine in
accordance with embodiment(s) of the present invention will be
described as follows.
[0043] When a washing process ends, the pump 82 is operated or
turned on to supply external air through the supply pipe 80. The
external air pumped through the supply pipe 80 (e.g., at a
relatively high rate or velocity, such as 50-100 km/hour, or
possibly higher) is transferred to the drain pipe 70 and then
discharged to the outside of the cabinet 10 along the drain pipe
70.
[0044] The external air supplied through the supply pipe 80 may
form foam and/or air bubbles in the wash water in the water storage
unit 50. The foam and/or air bubbles push and/or pull the wash
water at the inlet 72 of the drain pipe 70 upward, and the wash
water enters the drain pipe 70 and/or the inlet 72 thereof. Then,
the wash water is discharged to the outside of the cabinet 10
through the drain pipe 70. As such, the wash water in the water
storage unit 50 may be easily discharged to the outside through the
drain pipe 70.
[0045] Furthermore, when the external air supplied through the
supply pipe 80 is output into the drain pipe 70, the pressure at
the inlet 72 of the drain pipe 70 becomes lower than the internal
pressure of the drain pipe 70 (e.g., due to the smaller
cross-sectional area at the inlet 72 available for wash water
and/or air to enter the drain pipe 70 from the water storage unit
50 than in the remainder of the drain pipe 70). Thus, wash water in
the vicinity of the inlet 72 of the drain pipe 70 is pulled into
the inlet 72 of the drain pipe 70, perhaps due to the Venturi
effect and/or aspiration. Then, the wash water introduced into the
drain pipe 70 is discharged to the outside of the cabinet 10 after
moving through the discharge pipe 70.
[0046] Through the above-described operation, wash water in the
water storage unit 50 flowing to the bottom of the discharge pipe
70, or specifically, the bottom of the inlet 72, is discharged to
the outside through the drain pipe 70. Thus, it is possible to
reduce the amount of wash water remaining in the tub 30 or/and the
water storage unit 50. Furthermore, it is also possible to reduce
the amount of wash water remaining in the drain pipe 70.
[0047] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary drain
device for a washing machine in accordance with one or more other
embodiment(s) of the present invention.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 3, the exemplary drain device for a
washing machine in accordance with embodiment(s) of the present
invention includes a water storage unit 150, a diverging pipe 170,
and a drain pipe 180.
[0049] The water storage unit 150 is connected to the tub 130, and
receives and/or stores wash water discharged from the tub 130. In
one embodiment, the water storage unit 150 allows wash water from
the tub 130 to flow through it, into the diverging pipe 170 and/or
drain pipe 180.
[0050] The drain pipe 180 receives external air, passes through the
water storage unit 150, and extends to the outside of the cabinet
10 (refer to FIG. 1). The drain pipe 180 passes into the water
storage unit 150 through the bottom or lowermost surface of the
water storage unit 150, and extends to the outside of the water
storage unit 150 through a side surface of the water storage unit
150.
[0051] The diverging pipe 170 diverges or splits from the drain
pipe 180 inside the water storage unit 150, and guides wash water
in the water storage unit 150 toward the drain pipe 180.
Specifically, the diverging pipe 170 diverges from the drain pipe
180 and extends toward the bottom of the water storage unit
150.
[0052] When a washing process ends, the pump 182 is operated or
turned on to discharge external air to the outside of the cabinet
10 through the drain pipe 180.
[0053] The pressure at the inlet of the diverging pipe 170 becomes
lower than the internal pressure of the discharge pipe 180 as a
result of the air passing through the discharge pipe 180.
Consequently, wash water in the water storage unit 150 enters the
diverging pipe 170 and passes into the discharge pipe 180. Then,
the wash water passing into the drain pipe 180 moves or flows along
the drain pipe 180 and is discharged to the outside of the cabinet
10.
[0054] While wash water enters into the drain pipe 180 through the
diverging pipe 170, foam or air bubbles may be formed in the wash
water. The foam or air bubbles push and/or pull the wash water at
the inlet of the diverging pipe 170 upward, and the wash water
enters the inlet of the diverging pipe 170. Then, the wash water is
guided to the drain pipe 180 through the diverging pipe 170 and
discharged to the outside of the washing machine through the drain
pipe 180.
[0055] In some embodiments, the diverging pipe 170 has a smaller
diameter than that of the drain pipe 180. Also, in additional or
alternative embodiments, the inlet of the diverging pipe 170 is
below the outlet of the diverging pipe 170 where it joins the drain
pipe 180. In further or other embodiments, the diverging pipe 170
is at an angle of 15.degree. to 85.degree. with respect to the
drain pipe 180, or any angle or range of angles therein (e.g.,
30.degree. to 80.degree., 45.degree. to 75.degree., about
60.degree., etc.).
[0056] Thus, it is possible to reduce the amount of wash water
remaining in the washing machine, or specifically, the tub 130
and/or the water storage unit 150, after a washing operation
ends.
[0057] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the
drain device injects external air into the drain pipe to perform
and/or facilitate a process of draining wash water from the tub.
Since foam and/or air bubbles may be formed in the drain pipe, wash
water may be effectively discharged through the buoyancy of the
foam and/or air bubbles. As the pressure of the inlet of the drain
pipe decreases (e.g., due to a local vacuum, aspiration, and/or the
Venturi effect), the wash water may be more effectively discharged.
Therefore, the amount of wash water remaining in the drain pipe may
be reduced.
[0058] Embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed
above for illustrative purposes. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions
are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
[0059] In embodiments of the present invention, the drain device
for a washing machine has been taken as an example for description.
However, this is only an example, and the drain device for a
washing machine in accordance with the disclosed embodiments of the
present invention may be applied to other products.
* * * * *