U.S. patent application number 14/289079 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-04 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 Young Jae KIM.
Application Number | 20140352363 14/289079 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50828745 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140352363 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Young Jae |
December 4, 2014 |
WASHING MACHINE
Abstract
A washing machine is provided. The washing machine includes a
cabinet having an opening, a tub placed within the cabinet, a drum
rotatably placed within the tub, a gasket connecting the tub and
the cabinet to each other to reduce vibration of the tub to be
transmitted to the cabinet during rotation of the drum, and an
injection device configured to inject wash water into the tub. The
injection device includes an injection nozzle into which wash water
is introduced, the injection nozzle penetrating the gasket, an
injection guide configured to guide wash water introduced through
the injection nozzle so as to inject the wash water, and a fastener
penetrating the gasket to fix a position of the injection nozzle.
The washing machine configuration ensures easy coupling of the
injection device and prevent change in the direction of the
injection device.
Inventors: |
KIM; Young Jae; (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: |
50828745 |
Appl. No.: |
14/289079 |
Filed: |
May 28, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61828285 |
May 29, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/140 ;
239/600 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 37/266 20130101;
D06F 35/002 20130101; D06F 39/088 20130101; D06F 39/083
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
68/140 ;
239/600 |
International
Class: |
D06F 39/08 20060101
D06F039/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 29, 2013 |
KR |
10-2013-0061294 |
Claims
1. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet having an opening; a tub
placed within the cabinet; a drum rotatably placed within the tub;
a gasket connecting the tub and the cabinet to each other to reduce
vibration of the tub to be transmitted to the cabinet during
rotation of the drum; and an injection device configured to inject
wash water into the tub, wherein the injection device includes: an
injection nozzle into which wash water is introduced, the injection
nozzle penetrating the gasket, an injection guide configured to
guide wash water introduced through the injection nozzle so as to
inject the wash water, and a fastener penetrating the gasket to fix
a position of the injection nozzle.
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the fastener
is spaced apart from the injection nozzle in parallel.
3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the fastener
is located at an exit end of the an injection flow path defined in
the injection guide.
4. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the fastener
includes a fastener flow path communicating with the interior of
the tub.
5. The washing machine according to claim 4, further comprising a
bubble generation device configured to generate and supply bubbles
into the tub, wherein interior air of the drum is guided to the
bubble generation device through the fastener flow path.
6. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein at least one
of the injection nozzle and the fastener includes a stepped portion
protruding from an outer circumference thereof to allow the
injection nozzle to be supported by an outer surface of the
gasket.
7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the gasket
includes: a through-hole for penetration of at least a portion of
the injection device, and a support portion protruding outward from
the gasket around the through-hole to support the stepped
portion.
8. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the injection
guide includes: an upper guide, by which the injection nozzle and
the fastener are supported, a lower guide facing a nozzle flow path
defined in the injection nozzle, the lower guide being inclined
toward the drum, and a lateral guide connecting the upper guide and
the lower guide to each other.
9. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the upper
guide includes a bent surface inclined toward the drum and defining
an upper boundary of wash water injected via the injection
guide.
10. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein one end of a
fastener flow path defined in the fastener is located on the bent
surface.
11. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the injection
device includes at least one injection device located in a
circumferential direction of the gasket.
12. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a tub placed within
the cabinet; a drum rotatably placed within the tub; a gasket
connecting the cabinet and the tub to each other; and an injection
device penetrating the gasket, wherein the injection device
includes: an injection nozzle having a nozzle seat supported by a
support portion protruding from the gasket to prevent the injection
device from being separated in a Z-axis corresponding to a
longitudinal direction of the injection nozzle, and a nozzle flow
path penetrating the gasket to communicate an interior and an
exterior of the gasket with each other, and a fastener spaced apart
from the injection nozzle in parallel.
13. The washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the
injection device includes an injection guide configured to inject
wash water introduced through the nozzle flow path into the
drum.
14. The washing machine according to claim 13, wherein the
injection nozzle and the fastener are spaced apart from each other
and coupled to the injection guide.
15. The washing machine according to claim 14, wherein the fastener
is located closer to the exit end of the injection guide than the
injection nozzle.
16. The washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the fastener
includes a fastener flow path communicating with the interior of
the tub.
17. The washing machine according to claim 16, further comprising a
bubble generation device to generate and supply bubbles into the
tub, wherein interior air of the drum is guided to the bubble
generation device through the fastener flow path.
18. The washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the
injection device includes at least one injection device located in
a circumferential direction of the gasket.
19. An injection device for a washing machine, the injection device
comprising: an injection nozzle into which wash water is
introduced, the injection nozzle penetrating a gasket of the
washing machine; an injection guide configured to guide wash water
introduced through the injection nozzle so as to inject the wash
water; and a fastener penetrating the gasket to fix a position of
the injection nozzle.
20. An injection device for a washing machine, the injection device
comprising: an injection nozzle having a nozzle seat supported by a
support portion protruding from a gasket, which is penetrated by
the injection device, to prevent the injection device from being
separated in a Z-axis corresponding to a longitudinal direction of
the injection nozzle; a nozzle flow path penetrating the gasket to
communicate the interior and the exterior of the gasket with each
other; and a fastener spaced apart from the injection nozzle in
parallel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to, and claims the priority
benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0061294, filed on
May 29, 2013 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and the
priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/828,285,
filed on May 29, 2013 in the United States Patent and Trademark
Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Embodiments relate to a washing machine having an improved
wash water injection configuration.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In general, washing machines serve to wash or dry laundry.
For laundry treatment using a washing machine, wash water
introduced from an external source may be subjected to circulation
and injection.
[0006] A typical washing machine includes a cabinet defining an
external appearance of the washing machine, a tub placed within the
cabinet, and a drum rotatably placed within the tub. A gasket to
reduce vibration may be interposed between the tub and the cabinet.
An injection nozzle to inject wash water may be located at the
gasket. Since the gasket may be formed of a high ductility
material, such as rubber, etc., installing the injection nozzle to
the gasket may cause leakage of wash water from the tub due to
change in the direction of the injection nozzle.
[0007] In addition, in the process of installing the injection
nozzle to the gasket, a position of the injection nozzle may be
changed by injection pressure of wash water or vibration of the
drum during washing.
SUMMARY
[0008] It is an aspect of an embodiment to provide a washing
machine in which an injection device to inject wash water may be
stably fixed without change in position.
[0009] Additional aspects are set forth in part in the description
which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description,
or may be learned by practice of the invention.
[0010] In accordance with an aspect of an embodiment, a washing
machine includes a cabinet having an opening, a tub placed within
the cabinet, a drum rotatably placed within the tub, a gasket
connecting the tub and the cabinet to each other to reduce
vibration of the tub to be transmitted to the cabinet during
rotation of the drum, and an injection device configured to inject
wash water into the tub, wherein the injection device includes an
injection nozzle into which wash water is introduced, the injection
nozzle penetrating the gasket, an injection guide configured to
guide wash water introduced through the injection nozzle so as to
inject the wash water, and a fastener penetrating the gasket to fix
a position of the injection nozzle.
[0011] The fastener may be spaced apart from the injection nozzle
in parallel.
[0012] The fastener may be located at an exit end of the an
injection flow path defined in the injection guide.
[0013] The fastener may include a fastener flow path communicating
with the interior of the tub.
[0014] The washing machine may include a bubble generation device
configured to generate and supply bubbles into the tub, and
interior air of the drum may be guided to the bubble generation
device through the fastener flow path.
[0015] At least one of the injection nozzle and the fastener may
include a stepped portion protruding from an outer circumference
thereof to allow the injection nozzle to be supported by an outer
surface of the gasket.
[0016] The gasket may include a through-hole for penetration of at
least a portion of the injection device, and a support portion
protruding outward from the gasket around the through-hole to
support the stepped portion.
[0017] The injection guide may include an upper guide, by which the
injection nozzle and the fastener are supported, a lower guide
facing a nozzle flow path defined in the injection nozzle, the
lower guide being inclined toward the drum, and a lateral guide
connecting the upper guide and the lower guide to each other.
[0018] The upper guide may include a bent surface inclined toward
the drum and defining an upper boundary of wash water injected via
the injection guide.
[0019] One end of a fastener flow path defined in the fastener may
be located on the bent surface.
[0020] The injection device may include at least one injection
device located in a circumferential direction of the gasket.
[0021] In accordance with an aspect of an embodiment, a washing
machine includes a cabinet, a tub placed within the cabinet, a drum
rotatably placed within the tub, a gasket connecting the cabinet
and the tub to each other, and an injection device penetrating the
gasket, wherein the injection device includes an injection nozzle
having a nozzle seat supported by a support portion protruding from
the gasket to prevent the injection device from being separated in
the Z-axis corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the
injection nozzle, and a nozzle flow path penetrating the gasket to
communicate the interior and the exterior of the gasket with each
other, and a fastener spaced apart from the injection nozzle in
parallel.
[0022] The injection device may include an injection guide
configured to inject wash water introduced through the nozzle flow
path into the drum.
[0023] The injection nozzle and the fastener may be spaced apart
from each other and coupled to the injection guide.
[0024] The fastener may be located closer to the exit end of the
injection guide than the injection nozzle.
[0025] The fastener may include a fastener flow path communicating
with the interior of the tub.
[0026] The washing machine may include a bubble generation device
to generate and supply bubbles into the tub, and interior air of
the drum may be guided to the bubble generation device through the
fastener flow path.
[0027] The injection device may include at least one injection
device located in a circumferential direction of the gasket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] These and/or other aspects of the embodiments will become
apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings of which:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a washing machine according to
an embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an arrangement of an injection
device according to an embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a coupled state of an
injection device according to an embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the injection device according
to an embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a washing machine according to
an embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an arrangement of an injection
device according to an embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an injection device according
to an embodiment;
[0036] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an injection device
according to an embodiment; and
[0037] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a coupled state of an
injection device according to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments,
examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements
throughout.
[0039] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a washing machine according to
an embodiment.
[0040] The washing machine according to an embodiment, as
exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1, includes a cabinet 10 defining
an external appearance of the washing machine, a tub 20 in which
wash water is received, the tub 20 being installed within the
cabinet 10 via suspension, a drum 30 rotatably installed within the
tub 20, a door 12 to open or close a laundry opening 11 for
introduction of laundry, and a drive motor 40 installed to a rear
surface of the tub 20 to generate torque required to rotate the
drum 30.
[0041] Accordingly, as the drum 30 is rotated by the drive motor 40
after laundry is introduced into the drum 30 through the laundry
opening 11 opened by the door 12, the laundry within the drum 30 is
washed by being raised upward and dropping.
[0042] The drum 30 has communication holes 31 to allow wash water
of the tub 20 to be introduced into the drum 30. Lifters 32 to
raise laundry upward may be arranged inside the drum 30.
[0043] The drive motor 40 includes a stator 41 installed to the tub
20, a rotor 42 to implement rotation via interaction with the
stator 41, and a rotating shaft 43 having one end coupled to the
rotor 42 and the other end penetrating the rear surface of the tub
20 to thereby be installed to the drum 30, the rotating shaft 43
being rotated along with the rotor 42 to rotate the drum 30.
[0044] A water supply device 50 to supply water into the tub 20 may
be disposed above the tub 20, and a drain device 60 to discharge
wash water from the tub 20 may be disposed below the tub 20.
[0045] The water supply device 50 includes a first water supply
pipe 51 connected to an external water supply source, a water
supply valve 52 to open or close the first water supply pipe 51, a
detergent feeder 53 to mix detergent with wash water supplied
through the first water supply pipe 51, a second water supply pipe
54 connecting the detergent feeder 53 and the tub 20 to each other
to guide a mixture of the detergent and wash water to the tub 20,
and a third water supply pipe 55 diverged from the first water
supply pipe 51 and connected to an injection device 100. The drain
device 60 includes a pump 61 to pump wash water from the tub 20, a
first drainpipe 62 connecting the tub 20 and the pump 61 to each
other to guide wash water of the tub 20 to the pump 61, and a
second drainpipe 63 connected to the pump 61 and extending outward
from the cabinet 1 to outwardly discharge wash water.
[0046] A gasket 80 may be interposed between the cabinet 10 and the
tub 20. The gasket 80 may be coupled at one side thereof to the
cabinet 10 and at the other side thereof to the periphery of a
front opening of the tub 20. This prevents wash water stored in the
tub 20 from leaking from a gap between the tub 20 and the cabinet
10. The gasket 80 may have a corrugated peripheral portion to
absorb vibration of the tub 20.
[0047] The gasket 80 may include a tub coupling portion 81 fastened
to the tub 20, a cabinet coupling portion 82 fastened to the
cabinet 10, and a connection portion 83 connecting the tub coupling
portion 81 and the cabinet coupling portion 82 to each other, the
connection portion 83 being corrugated to absorb shock.
[0048] The gasket 80 may be formed of an elastic material, and may
contain additives to increase elasticity and rigidity thereof.
[0049] To inject wash water into the drum 30 or to suction interior
air of the drum 30, the gasket 80 is provided with a first
injection device 101 and a second injection device 102. According
to an embodiment injection of wash water may use the two injection
devices 100, however, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and
the injection devices 100 may be installed to inject wash water
into the drum 30 or toward the door 12 in at least one
direction.
[0050] In addition, although an embodiment may provide the gasket
80 with the two injection devices 100, the injection devices may be
provided at various positions for injection of wash water into the
drum 30.
[0051] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating arrangement of the injection
device according to an embodiment, FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a
coupled state of the injection device according to an embodiment,
and FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the injection device according to
an embodiment.
[0052] The injection devices 100 may be provided at the gasket 80,
for example, the injection devices may be provided at the
connection portion 83 of the gasket 80.
[0053] The number and position of the injection devices 100 are not
limited to the above description, and one or more injection devices
may be arranged in a circumferential direction of the gasket 80.
According to an embodiment, for convenience of description, two
first and second injection devices 101 and 102 may be arranged at
symmetrical left and right positions of an upper end of the gasket
80.
[0054] Each injection device 100 may include an injection nozzle
110, an injection guide 120, and a fastener 130.
[0055] The injection nozzle 110, the injection guide 120, and the
fastener 130 may be separate elements, or may be integrally formed
via injection molding.
[0056] The injection nozzle 110 may be connected to a water supply
pipe to inject wash water into the drum 30. Although a wash water
supply path to the injection nozzle 110 is not specifically
defined, according to an embodiment, the injection nozzle 110 may
be connected to the third water supply pipe 55 diverged from the
first water supply pipe 51.
[0057] The injection nozzle 110 has a nozzle flow path 112a for
passage of wash water. One end of the injection nozzle 110 may be
connected to the water supply pipe and the other end of the
injection nozzle 110 may be coupled to the injection guide 120. The
injection nozzle 110 may be separate from the injection guide 120,
or may be integrally formed with the injection guide 120.
[0058] The injection nozzle 110 penetrates the connection portion
83 of the gasket 80. The injection nozzle 110 may have a stepped
portion 114 around an outer circumference thereof and may be
supported by an outer surface of the gasket 80 by the stepped
portion 114. The other end of the injection nozzle 110 may be
supported by the injection guide 120 that supports an inner surface
of the gasket 80. The injection nozzle 110 may be installed to the
gasket 80 without a risk of separation.
[0059] Although the stepped portion 114 may be formed at the
injection nozzle 110, the stepped portion 114 may be formed at the
fastener 130. The injection nozzle 110 and the fastener 130 may be
provided respectively with a nozzle seat 116 and a seat 136, which
are coupled to the gasket 80 between the respective stepped
portions 114 and 134 and the injection guide 120. Lengths of the
nozzle seat 116 and the seat 136 may vary based on a thickness of
the gasket 80.
[0060] The injection guide 120 may be provided at the other end of
the injection nozzle 110 to inject wash water passing through the
nozzle flow path 112a.
[0061] The injection guide 120 may have a fanwise injection flow
path 120a, a width of which gradually increases toward an exit end
thereof. This shape ensures that wash water is injected over a wide
range into the drum 30.
[0062] The injection guide 120 may include a lower guide 122, an
upper guide 124, and a lateral guide 126.
[0063] The lower guide 122 may be located to face an exit end 112b
of the nozzle flow path 112a, and may obliquely extend into the
drum 30. A width of the lower guide 122 may increase toward the
exit end of the injection flow path 120a. The upper guide 124
supports the injection nozzle 110 and the fastener 130 and defines
an upper boundary of wash water. The lateral guide 126 may extend
to connect the upper guide 124 and the lower guide 122 to each
other.
[0064] Wash water introduced into the nozzle flow path 112a may
have upper and lower boundaries defined by the upper guide 124 and
the lower guide 122 and a width direction boundary defined by the
lateral guide 126.
[0065] The upper guide 124 may have a bent surface 125 such that at
least a portion of the upper guide 124 proximate to the injection
flow path 120a is inclined into the drum 30. The bent surface 125
defines the upper boundary of wash water passing through the
injection flow path 120a.
[0066] Both the fastener 130 and the injection nozzle 110 may be
supported by the upper guide 124 of the injection guide 120. The
fastener 130 may be spaced apart from the injection nozzle 110 and
function to prevent change in the direction of the injection nozzle
110.
[0067] Assuming that a longitudinal axis of the nozzle flow path
112a of the hollow injection nozzle 110 is the Z-axis, the fastener
130 may be located in parallel to the Z-axis and be integrated with
the upper guide 124. The fastener 130 penetrates the gasket 80 to
thereby be supported by the gasket 80. Consequently, the fastener
130 may prevent the injection nozzle 110 from being tilted to the
X-axis or the Y-axis perpendicular to the Z-axis.
[0068] Wash water may be injected into the drum 30 by passing
through the nozzle flow path 112a of the injection nozzle 110 and
the injection flow path 120a of the injection guide 120. Both the
injection flow path 120a and the nozzle flow path 112a may be
angled to each other, which may cause direction change due to
injection pressure of wash water.
[0069] For this reason, the fastener 130 may be located at the exit
end of the injection flow path 120a of the injection guide 120.
That is, the fastener 130 may be positioned on the injection guide
120 so as to be spaced apart, for example, in parallel, from the
injection nozzle 110 toward the exit end of the injection flow path
120a.
[0070] The gasket 80 may have through-holes 84 such that the
injection nozzle 110 and the fastener 130 penetrate the gasket 80,
and support portions 85 protruding outward from the gasket 80
around the through-holes 84.
[0071] The injection nozzle 110 and the fastener 130 may be
respectively provided with the stepped portions 114 and 134, and
thus are supported by the outer surface of the gasket 80. Although
the stepped portions 114 and 134 may be directly supported by the
through-holes 84, the stepped portions 114 and 134 may be supported
by ends of the support portions 85 to allow the injection device
100 to be supported by the gasket 80.
[0072] The stepped portions 114 and 134 of the injection device 100
may be supported by the outer surface of the gasket 80 and the
inner surface of the gasket 80 may be supported by the upper guide
124.
[0073] A positioning recess 86 may be formed in the support portion
85, and a fixing boss 118 formed at the injection nozzle 110 or the
fastener 130 may be seated in the positioning recess 86.
[0074] The positioning recess 86 is formed in one side of the
support portion 85, and the fixing boss 118 is formed at an outer
circumference of the injection nozzle 110 or the fastener 130 to
correspond to the positioning recess 86. According to an
embodiment, the fixing boss 118 is formed at the injection nozzle
110.
[0075] The positioning recess 86 and the fixing boss 118 function
to prevent change in the position of the injection nozzle 110, and
to indicate a coupling position to assist the injection device 100
in being coupled to the gasket 80 at an accurate position without
direction change.
[0076] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a washing machine according to
an embodiment, FIG. 6 is a view illustrating arrangement of an
injection device according to an embodiment, FIG. 7 is a sectional
view of the injection device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 8
is a perspective view of the injection device according to an
embodiment.
[0077] A description related to the same parts as the above
description is omitted hereinafter.
[0078] A bubble generation device 70 may be disposed below the tub
20 to generate and supply bubbles into the tub 20.
[0079] The bubble generation device 70 may be connected to a
transfer pipe 64 which may be in turn connected to the pump 61 such
that wash water is supplied from the pump 61 to the transfer pipe
64. The bubble generation device 70 may be connected to a
connection pipe 13 which may be in turn connected to the top of the
tub 20 such that air may be transferred to the bubble generation
device 70. One end of the connection pipe 13 may be connected to
the bubble generation device 70, and the other end of the
connection pipe 13 positioned higher than the level of wash water
received in the tub 20 such that interior air of the tub 20 may be
suctioned into the connection pipe 13. As such, bubbles may be
generated and supplied into the tub 20 as wash water transferred
from the pump 61 and air transferred through the connection pipe 13
are mixed in the bubble generation device 70.
[0080] According to an embodiment, the injection device 100 may
include a third injection device 103.
[0081] The pump 61 may be provided with a circulation pipe 65
connected to the third injection device 103. Wash water supplied
from the pump 61 through the circulation pipe 65 may be directed to
the injection nozzle 110 of the third injection device 103, and
then may be directed into the drum 30.
[0082] The fastener 130 may be spaced apart from the Z-axis of the
injection nozzle 110 and functions to prevent change in the
direction of the injection device 110. In addition, the fastener
130 may function to transfer interior air of the tub 20 to the
bubble generation device 70 through a fastener flow path 130a
formed therein.
[0083] That is, the other end of the connection pipe 13 connected
to the bubble generation device 70 may be coupled to the fastener
130 such that interior air of the tub 20 is suctioned into the
bubble generation device 70.
[0084] One end of the fastener flow path 130a may communicate with
the connection pipe 13 connected to the bubble generation device
70, and the other end of the fastener flow path 130a may be located
at the bent surface 125 of the upper guide 124 to communicate with
the interior of the tub 20.
[0085] Since the upper boundary of wash water injected through the
injection flow path 120a may be defined by the bent surface 125 and
the end of the fastener flow path 130a may be located on the bent
surface 125, it may be possible to prevent wash water from flowing
backward through the fastener flow path 130a.
[0086] A washing machine having the above described configuration
is additionally described.
[0087] A description related to the same parts as those of the
above described washing machine is omitted hereinafter.
[0088] The washing machine includes the cabinet 10, the tub 20
placed within the cabinet 10, the drum 30 rotatably placed within
the tub 20, the gasket 80 connecting the cabinet 10 and the tub 20
to each other, and the injection device 100 penetrating the gasket
80.
[0089] The injection device 100 includes the injection nozzle 110,
which includes the nozzle seat 116 supported by the support portion
85 protruding from the gasket 80 to prevent the injection device
100 from being separated in the Z-axis corresponding to a
longitudinal direction of the injection nozzle 110 and the nozzle
flow path 112a penetrating the gasket 80 to communicate the
interior and the exterior of the gasket 80 with each other, and the
fastener 130 spaced apart from the injection nozzle 110 to prevent
the injection device 100 from being tilted to the X-axis or the
Y-axis perpendicular to the Z-axis.
[0090] The injection device 100 may include the injection guide 120
to inject wash water introduced through the nozzle flow path 112a
into the drum 30. The injection nozzle 110 and the fastener 130 may
be coupled to the injection guide 120 at positions spaced apart
from each other.
[0091] The fastener 130 may be located closer to the exit end of
the injection guide 120 than the injection nozzle 110.
[0092] The fastener 130 may include the fastener flow path 130a
communicating with the interior of the tub 20. The bubble
generation device 70 to generate and supply bubbles into the tub 30
may be provided, and interior air of the drum 30 may be directed to
the bubble generation device 70 through the fastener flow path
130a.
[0093] Hereinafter, the washing machine according to another
embodiment is described.
[0094] A description related to the same parts as the above
description is omitted hereinafter.
[0095] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a coupled state of an
injection device according to an embodiment.
[0096] An injection device 210 may include an injection nozzle 220,
an injection guide 224, and a fastener 230.
[0097] The fastener 230 may extend from the injection nozzle 220 in
a radial direction from an axial nozzle flow path 220a of the
injection nozzle 220.
[0098] A through-hole 202 of a gasket 200 may have a combined shape
of the circular cross section of the injection nozzle 220 and a
bar-shaped cross section of the fastener 230.
[0099] According to an embodiment, it may be possible to prevent
the fastener 230 from being rotated about the Z-axis of the
injection nozzle 220, and consequently, to prevent change in the
direction of the injection nozzle 220.
[0100] Coupling of the injection device having the above described
configuration is described.
[0101] The injection device 100 may be coupled and fixed to the
gasket 80, and function to inject wash water from the exterior to
the interior of the gasket 80 or to discharge interior air of the
drum 30 to the exterior of the gasket 80.
[0102] The gasket 80 may have a through-hole 84 for insertion of
the injection device 100. According to an embodiment, a plurality
of through-holes 84 may be provided for injection of both the
fastener 130 and the injection nozzle 110.
[0103] When the fastener 130 and the injection nozzle 110 are
inserted into the gasket 80, the injection nozzle 110 and the
fixing boss 118 may be positioned to correspond to the positioning
recess 86 of the support portion 85. As the stepped portions 114
and 134 are supported by the ends of the support portions 85 and
the upper guide 124 of the injection guide 120 is supported by the
inner surface of the gasket 80, it may be possible to prevent the
injection device 100 from being separated from the gasket 80.
[0104] Since the injection nozzle and the fastener 130 are spaced
apart from each other in parallel, the fastener 130 may prevent
change in the direction of the injection nozzle 110.
[0105] A technological advantage of an embodiment includes a
washing machine having an improved configuration of an injection
device and may ensure easy coupling of the injection device and
prevent change in the direction of the installed injection device,
thereby maintaining a constant wash water injection direction.
[0106] Although the embodiments 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 invention, the scope of which is defined in the
claims and their equivalents.
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