U.S. patent application number 14/604996 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-30 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 Gyu Dong JEON, Yongjie JIN, Sang Wook KIM, Sang Up LEE, Sang Yeon PYO.
Application Number | 20150211163 14/604996 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53678495 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150211163 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Sang Wook ; et
al. |
July 30, 2015 |
WASHING MACHINE
Abstract
A washing machine in which a coupling structure between a
subsidiary washing tub and a rotary tub is improved. The washing
machine includes a cabinet configured to form an exterior, a tub
included in the cabinet and configured to contain washing water, a
rotary tub included in the tub and configured to receive laundry, a
driving device configured to rotate the rotary tub, a subsidiary
washing tub included in the rotary tub and coupled to be removable
from the rotary tub, and a connection shaft configured to extend
from a lower portion of the rotary tub to couple the subsidiary
washing tub to the rotary tub, such that the subsidiary washing tub
is rotated together with the rotary tub.
Inventors: |
KIM; Sang Wook; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; JIN; Yongjie; (Seoul, KR) ; PYO; Sang
Yeon; (Yongin-si, KR) ; LEE; Sang Up;
(Yongin-si, KR) ; JEON; Gyu Dong; (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: |
53678495 |
Appl. No.: |
14/604996 |
Filed: |
January 26, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/133 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 17/10 20130101;
D06F 31/00 20130101; D06F 37/12 20130101; D06F 17/08 20130101; D06F
37/30 20130101; D06F 37/245 20130101 |
International
Class: |
D06F 17/10 20060101
D06F017/10; D06F 37/30 20060101 D06F037/30; D06F 17/08 20060101
D06F017/08; D06F 37/12 20060101 D06F037/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 27, 2014 |
KR |
10-2014-0009838 |
Claims
1. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet configured to form an
exterior; a tub included in the cabinet and configured to contain
washing water; a rotary tub included in the tub and configured to
receive laundry; a driving device configured to rotate the rotary
tub; a subsidiary washing tub included in the rotary tub and
coupled to be removable from the rotary tub; and a connection shaft
configured to extend from a lower portion of the rotary tub to
couple the subsidiary washing tub to the rotary tub, such that the
subsidiary washing tub is rotated together with the rotary tub.
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the rotary tub
further comprises a first pulsator rotatably installed at the lower
portion of the rotary tub to generate a water current and circulate
the laundry.
3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the connection
shaft extends from a center portion of the first pulsator.
4. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the subsidiary
washing tub further comprises a second pulsator rotatably included
at a lower portion of the subsidiary washing tub to generate a
water current and circulate the laundry.
5. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the connection
shaft is coupled to a lower portion of the second pulsator.
6. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the connection
shaft comprises a base portion coupled to the first pulsator, a
neck portion configured to extend from the base portion, and a head
portion configured to extend from the neck portion and coupled to
the subsidiary washing tub.
7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the head
portion is provided so that a width of the head portion tapers
toward an end thereof to guide coupling to the subsidiary washing
tub.
8. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a coupling
hole, to which the connection shaft is coupled, is formed at a
lower surface of the subsidiary washing tub.
9. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein a sealing
member configured to seal the coupling hole is coupled inside the
subsidiary washing tub.
10. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a coupling
groove, to which the connection shaft is coupled, is formed at a
lower surface of the subsidiary washing tub.
11. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a
balancer included on the tub, wherein the subsidiary washing tub is
removably coupled to the balancer.
12. The washing machine according to claim 11, wherein at least one
protruding portion is provided along a circumference of the
subsidiary washing tub, and the balancer has at least one receiving
groove to accommodate the protruding portion.
13. The washing machine according to claim 12, wherein a magnet is
included inside the receiving groove, and a magnetic member
reacting with the magnet is included inside the protruding portion,
and the subsidiary washing tub and the balancer are coupled to each
other by a magnetic force.
14. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet configured to form an
exterior; a tub included in the cabinet and configured to contain
washing water; a rotary tub included in the tub, configured to
receive laundry, and comprising a first pulsator configured to
generate a water current and circulate laundry; a driving device
configured to rotate the rotary tub; a subsidiary washing tub
included in the rotary tub and coupled to be removable from the
rotary tub and comprising a second pulsator configured to generate
a water current and circulate laundry; and a connection shaft
configured to extend from the first pulsator and connect the first
pulsator and the second pulsator so that the first pulsator and the
second pulsator are interlocked and rotated together.
15. The washing machine according to claim 14, wherein the
connection shaft comprises a base portion coupled to the first
pulsator, a neck portion configured to extend from the base
portion, and a head portion configured to extend from the neck
portion and coupled to the subsidiary washing tub.
16. The washing machine according to claim 15, wherein a coupling
hole, through which the head portion of the connection shaft
passes, is formed at a lower surface of the subsidiary washing tub,
and further comprising a sealing member configured to seal the
coupling hole.
17. The washing machine according to claim 15, wherein a coupling
groove, to which the connection shaft is coupled, is formed at a
lower surface of the subsidiary washing tub.
18. The washing machine according to claim 14, further comprising a
balancer included on the tub, wherein the subsidiary washing tub is
removably coupled to the balancer.
19. The washing machine according to claim 18, wherein at least one
protruding portion is provided along a circumference of the
subsidiary washing tub, and the balancer has at least one receiving
groove to accommodate the protruding portion, and the subsidiary
washing tub and the balancer are coupled to each other by coupling
the protruding portion and the receiving groove.
20. The washing machine according to claim 18, wherein a magnet is
included inside the receiving groove, and a magnetic member
reacting with the magnet is included inside the protruding portion,
and the subsidiary washing tub and the balancer are coupled to each
other by a magnetic force.
21. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet configured to form an
exterior; a tub included in the cabinet and configured to contain
washing water; a rotary tub included in the tub and configured to
receive first laundry, the rotary tub comprising a first pulsator
rotatably installed at the lower portion of the rotary tub to
generate a first water current and circulate the first laundry; a
driving device configured to rotate the rotary tub; a subsidiary
washing tub included in the rotary tub and coupled to be removable
from the rotary tub, the subsidiary washing tub comprising a second
pulsator rotatably included at a lower portion of the subsidiary
washing tub to generate a second water current and circulate second
laundry; and a connection shaft configured to extend from a center
portion of the first pulsator to a lower portion of the second
pulsator to couple the subsidiary washing tub to the rotary tub,
such that the subsidiary washing tub is rotated together with the
rotary tub.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2014-0009838, filed on Jan. 27, 2014, in the
Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a washing
machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine which includes
a subsidiary washing tub included in a rotary tub.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Washing machines are apparatuses which wash laundry using
electric power. In general, the washing machines may be classified
into full automation type washing machines in which laundry and
washing water are stirred through the rotation of a pulsator to
generate a washing water current and wash the laundry, and drum
type washing machines in which the laundry falls through a lifter
formed at a drum and thus, the laundry is washed.
[0006] The full automation type washing machine includes a tub
configured to contain washing water, a rotary tub rotatably
installed in the tub, a pulsator rotatably installed at a bottom of
the rotary tub, and a driving device configured to rotatably drive
the rotary tub and the pulsator.
[0007] When the laundry and the washing water are put into the
rotary tub, then the rotary tub and the pulsator are rotated, the
laundry and the washing water put into the rotary tub are stirred
together, and dirt on the laundry is removed.
[0008] Recently, the laundry may be sorted and separately washed by
installing a subsidiary washing tub in the rotary tub. Since the
laundry may be separately washed according to types thereof, this
has an advantage in which it is efficient in temporal and economic
aspects, when a user uses the washing machine.
[0009] However, in the washing of the laundry in a conventional
subsidiary washing tub, the laundry in the subsidiary washing tub
may be washed by rotation of the rotary tub. In this case, since
the laundry in the subsidiary washing tub is washed by only the
rotation of the rotary tub, washing performance of the laundry in
the subsidiary washing tub is lowered.
[0010] The pulsator of the subsidiary washing tub may be separately
installed at an upper end of the washing machine. However, in this
case, when spin-drying the laundry, the pulsator of the subsidiary
washing tub should be moved upward and separated from the
subsidiary washing tub in order to prevent twisting of the
laundry.
[0011] Further, a removable washing net may be foldably installed
at the washing tub. However, in this case, the laundry may be
washed while being separated spatially, but contaminated washing
water is not separated in the washing process.
SUMMARY
[0012] Additional aspects and/or advantages will be set forth in
part in the description which follows and, in part, will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention.
[0013] Therefore, it is an aspect of the present invention to
provide a washing machine in which a coupling structure between a
subsidiary washing tub and a rotary tub may be improved to enhance
the washing power of laundry in the subsidiary washing tub.
[0014] Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in
part by the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious
from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention.
[0015] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
washing machine includes a cabinet configured to form an exterior,
a tub included in the cabinet to contain washing water, a rotary
tub included in the tub to receive laundry, a driving device
configured to rotate the rotary tub, a subsidiary washing tub
included in the rotary tub and coupled to be removable from the
rotary tub, and a connection shaft configured to extend from a
lower portion of the rotary tub to couple the subsidiary washing
tub to the rotary tub, such that the subsidiary washing tub is
rotated together with the rotary tub.
[0016] The rotary tub may further include a first pulsator
rotatably installed at the lower portion of the rotary tub to
generate a water current and circulate the laundry.
[0017] The connection shaft may extend from a center portion of the
first pulsator.
[0018] The subsidiary washing tub may further include a second
pulsator rotatably included at a lower portion of the subsidiary
washing tub to generate a water current and circulate the
laundry.
[0019] The connection shaft may be coupled to a lower portion of
the second pulsator.
[0020] The connection shaft may include a base portion coupled to
the first pulsator, a neck portion configured to extend from the
base portion, and a head portion configured to extend from the neck
portion and coupled to the subsidiary washing tub.
[0021] The head portion may be provided so that a width of the head
portion tapers toward an end thereof to guide coupling to the
subsidiary washing tub.
[0022] A coupling hole to which the connection shaft is coupled may
be formed at a lower surface of the subsidiary washing tub.
[0023] A sealing member configured to seal the coupling hole may be
coupled inside the subsidiary washing tub.
[0024] A coupling groove to which the connection shaft is coupled
may be formed at a lower surface of the subsidiary washing tub.
[0025] The washing machine may further include a balancer included
on the tub, and the subsidiary washing tub may be removably coupled
to the balancer.
[0026] At least one protruding portion may be provided along a
circumference of the subsidiary washing tub, and the balancer may
have at least one receiving groove to accommodate the protruding
portion.
[0027] A magnet may be included inside the receiving groove, and a
magnetic member reacting with the magnet may be included inside the
protruding portion, and the subsidiary washing tub and the balancer
may be coupled to each other by a magnetic force.
[0028] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a washing machine includes a cabinet configured to form an
exterior, a tub included in the cabinet and configured to contain
washing water, a rotary tub included in the tub, configured to
receive laundry, and including a first pulsator configured to
generate a water current and circulate laundry, a driving device
configured to rotate the rotary tub, a subsidiary washing tub
included in the rotary tub and coupled to be removable from the
rotary tub and including a second pulsator configured to generate a
water current and circulate laundry, and a connection shaft
configured to extend from the first pulsator and connect the first
pulsator and the second pulsator so that the first pulsator and the
second pulsator are interlocked and rotated together.
[0029] The connection shaft may include a base portion coupled to
the first pulsator, a neck portion configured to extend from the
base portion, and a head portion configured to extend from the neck
portion and coupled to the subsidiary washing tub.
[0030] A coupling hole through which the head portion of the
connection shaft passes may be formed at a lower surface of the
subsidiary washing tub, and the washing machine may further include
a sealing member configured to seal the coupling hole.
[0031] A coupling groove to which the connection shaft is coupled
may be formed at a lower surface of the subsidiary washing tub.
[0032] The washing machine may further include a balancer included
on the tub, wherein the subsidiary washing tub is removably coupled
to the balancer.
[0033] At least one protruding portion may be provided along a
circumference of the subsidiary washing tub, and the balancer may
have at least one receiving groove to accommodate the protruding
portion, and the subsidiary washing tub and the balancer may be
coupled to each other by coupling the protruding portion and the
receiving groove.
[0034] A magnet may be included inside the receiving groove, and a
magnetic member reacting with the magnet may be included inside the
protruding portion, and the subsidiary washing tub and the balancer
may be coupled to each other by a magnetic force.
[0035] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a washing machine comprising includes a cabinet configured to form
an exterior; a tub included in the cabinet and configured to
contain washing water; a rotary tub included in the tub and
configured to receive first laundry, the rotary tub including a
first pulsator rotatably installed at the lower portion of the
rotary tub to generate a first water current and circulate the
first laundry; a driving device configured to rotate the rotary
tub; a subsidiary washing tub included in the rotary tub and
coupled to be removable from the rotary tub, the subsidiary washing
tub including a second pulsator rotatably included at a lower
portion of the subsidiary washing tub to generate a second water
current and circulate second laundry; and a connection shaft
configured to extend from a center portion of the first pulsator to
a lower portion of the second pulsator to couple the subsidiary
washing tub to the rotary tub, such that the subsidiary washing tub
is rotated together with the rotary tub.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] These and/or other aspects of the invention will become
apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
descriptions of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings of which:
[0037] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a coupling state of a rotary
tub and a subsidiary washing tub in the washing machine in
accordance with the embodiment of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustrating a disassembled state
of the rotary tub and the subsidiary washing tub in the washing
machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present
invention;
[0040] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a coupling
state of a first pulsator and the subsidiary washing tub in the
washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present
invention;
[0041] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a disassembled state of a
balancer and the subsidiary washing tub in the washing machine in
accordance with the embodiment of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a coupling state of a rotary
tub and a subsidiary washing tub in a washing machine in accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 7 is an exploded view illustrating a disassembled state
of the rotary tub and the subsidiary washing tub in the washing
machine in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0044] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a coupling
state of a first pulsator and the subsidiary washing tub in the
washing machine in accordance with another embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to
like elements throughout.
[0046] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a washing machine 1 includes a
cabinet 10 configured to form an exterior, a tub 20 included in the
cabinet 10 and configured to contain washing water, a rotary tub 30
rotatably included in the tub 20, and a driving device 40
configured to drive the rotary tub 30.
[0048] In an embodiment, an upper cover 15 having a laundry input
opening 14 through which laundry is put into the rotary tub 30 is
provided on the cabinet 10, and a door 16 configured to open and
close the laundry input opening 14 is provided at the upper cover
15.
[0049] A lower cover 18 coupled to a mounting portion 19 configured
to mount the washing machine 1 on a floor surface is provided under
the cabinet 10.
[0050] A suspension member (not shown) configured to suspend and
support the rotary tub 30 in the cabinet 10 is connected to an
upper portion of the cabinet 10.
[0051] The rotary tub 30 is rotatably included in the cabinet 10,
and a plurality of through-holes (not shown) formed along a
circumference of the rotary tub 30 are formed at an upper portion
thereof.
[0052] A balancer 90 may be provided on the rotary tub 30.
[0053] A subsidiary washing tub 80 which is removable from the
rotary tub 30 may be coupled to the balancer 90. When the
subsidiary washing tub 80 is coupled to the balancer 90, the
subsidiary washing tub 80 is located in the rotary tub 30.
Therefore, different types of laundry may be separately received
and washed in the rotary tub 30 and the subsidiary washing tub 80,
respectively. The subsidiary washing tub 80 may be separated from
the balancer 90 and then used as a laundry storage basket for
storing the laundry before and after a washing process.
[0054] A connection shaft 70 which couples the rotary tub 30 and
the subsidiary washing tub 80 so that the subsidiary washing tub 80
is rotated together with the rotary tub 30 may be included between
the rotary tub 30 and the subsidiary washing tub 80. This will be
described later.
[0055] A first pulsator 71 is rotatably installed at a bottom of
the rotary tub 30. The first pulsator 71 serves to stir the laundry
put into the rotary tub 30 together with the washing water.
[0056] A water feed device 50 configured to supply the washing
water into the rotary tub 30 is installed above the rotary tub 30.
The water feed device 50 includes a water feed valve 53 configured
to control water supply, and a water pipe 51 configured to connect
the water feed valve 53 to a detergent supply device 60.
[0057] One side of the water pipe 51 is connected to an external
water source (not shown), and the other side thereof is connected
to the detergent supply device 60. The detergent supply device 60
includes a case 63 included in the upper cover 15, and a detergent
container 61 which is removably installed in the case 63 to contain
each detergent. An outlet port 65 configured to discharge the
washing water in which the detergent is dissolved is formed at a
lower surface of the case 63.
[0058] Water fed through the water pipe 51 is fed into the rotary
tub 30 together with the detergent via the detergent supply device
60.
[0059] A first discharge hose 82 and a second discharge hose 84
configured to guide the washing water to an outside of the cabinet
10 after completion of a washing or drying process are provided
under the rotary tub 30.
[0060] The driving device 40 includes a clutch 120 configured to
selectively rotate the rotary tub 30 and the first pulsator 71, a
driving motor 150 configured to drive the clutch 120, a flange
member 140 configured to connect a driving shaft 124 of the clutch
120 to a bottom portion of the rotary tub 30 so as to transmit a
rotational force of the driving shaft 124 to the rotary tub 30, and
a base plate 160 configured to fix the clutch 120 and the driving
motor 150.
[0061] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a coupling state of the rotary
tub and the subsidiary washing tub in the washing machine in
accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[0062] FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustrating a disassembled state
of the rotary tub and the subsidiary washing tub in the washing
machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0063] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a coupling
state of the first pulsator and the subsidiary washing tub in the
washing machine in accordance with the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0064] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, in an embodiment, the first
pulsator 71 is coupled to the bottom of the rotary tub 30. Further,
the balancer 90 may be coupled to an upper surface of the rotary
tub 30. The subsidiary washing tub 80 is coupled to the balancer
90, and thus the subsidiary washing tub 80 is located in the rotary
tub 30.
[0065] The balancer 90 may be formed by coupling a body portion 93a
to a cover portion 93b. The balancer 90 and the subsidiary washing
tub 80 may be coupled to each other through a protruding portion 81
of the subsidiary washing tub 80 and a receiving groove 91 of the
balancer 90. This will be described later.
[0066] A frame portion 88 may be provided at an upper surface of
the subsidiary washing tub 80. The frame portion 88 may be located
at an upper surface of the balancer 90. The frame portion 88 may be
provided to protrude from a surface of the subsidiary washing tub
80.
[0067] A plurality of through-holes 80a may be provided at an upper
portion of a cylindrical portion of the subsidiary washing tub 80.
Further, the cylindrical portion of the subsidiary washing tub 80
may be formed to be sloped. Therefore, when the subsidiary washing
tub 80 is rotated, the washing water in the subsidiary washing tub
80 may be discharged by centrifugal force through the through-holes
80a. That is, when the washing water is fed into the subsidiary
washing tub 80 and a water level of the washing water in the
subsidiary washing tub 80 is more than a predetermined value, the
washing water is fed into the rotary tub 30 through the
through-holes 80a of the subsidiary washing tub 80.
[0068] The first pulsator 71 of the rotary tub 30 may be formed in
a disc shape and included on a lower surface of the rotary tub 30.
A plurality of through-holes 71a may be formed in an entire portion
of the first pulsator 71 so that the washing water passes and flows
up and down through the first pulsator 71.
[0069] Further, the connection shaft 70 may be provided to extend
from a center portion of the first pulsator 71. The driving shaft
124 may be coupled to the center portion of the first pulsator 71.
The driving shaft 124 may be coupled to a lower portion of the
connection shaft 70. Therefore, a driving force of the driving
motor 150 is transmitted to the subsidiary washing tub 80 through
the connection shaft 70, and the laundry in the subsidiary washing
tub 80 may be washed together when the laundry in the rotary tub 30
is washed. According to the embodiment of the present invention,
when the first pulsator 71 is rotated, the subsidiary washing tub
80 may also be rotated.
[0070] The first pulsator 71 may include a plurality of ridge
portions 73 which protrude upward to circulate the laundry.
According to the drawings, six ridge portions 73 may be
provided.
[0071] The connection shaft 70 may include a base portion 74
coupled to the first pulsator 71, a neck portion 72 configured to
extend from the base portion 74, and a head portion 75 configured
to extend from the neck portion 72 and coupled to the subsidiary
washing tub 80. The head portion 75 may be provided so that a width
of the head portion 75 tapers toward an end thereof in order to
guide coupling to the subsidiary washing tub 80. That is, the head
portion 75 may be provided in a wedge shape toward the subsidiary
washing tub 80. Further, a plurality of grooves 75a may be provided
at the end of the head portion 75 to increase a coupling force with
the subsidiary washing tub 80.
[0072] The subsidiary washing tub 80 may have a coupling hole 80b
configured to couple the head portion 75. The coupling hole 80b may
be provided at a center portion of the subsidiary washing tub 80.
The head portion 75 is inserted into and coupled to the coupling
hole 80b, and at least part of the head portion 75 may be inserted
inside the subsidiary washing tub 80 through the coupling hole 80b.
After the head portion 75 is inserted, a sealing member 89 may be
coupled to the coupling hole 80b. Therefore, vibration and noise
generated between the head portion 75 and the subsidiary washing
tub 80 when the washing machine 1 is operated may be reduced.
[0073] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a disassembled state of the
balancer and the subsidiary washing tub in the washing machine in
accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[0074] As illustrated in FIG. 5, in an embodiment, at least one
protruding portion 81 may be provided at the subsidiary washing tub
80. The protruding portions 81 may be provided along a
circumference of the subsidiary washing tub 80. The protruding
portions 81 may be formed to protrude inside the subsidiary washing
tub 80. The balancer 90 may have at least one receiving groove 91
to accommodate the protruding portions 81 of the subsidiary washing
tub 80. The receiving grooves 91 may be provided to have shapes
corresponding to the protruding portions 81.
[0075] According to the embodiment of the present invention, a
magnet (not shown) may be located inside each of the receiving
grooves 91, and a magnetic member (not shown) reacting with the
magnet may be located inside each of the protruding portions 81.
However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The magnet
(not shown) may be located inside each of the protruding portions
81, and the magnetic member (not shown) may be located inside each
of the receiving grooves 91. Therefore, the subsidiary washing tub
80 and the balancer 90 may be coupled to each other by a magnetic
force. When a user would like to separate the subsidiary washing
tub 80 from the balancer 90, the user may separate the subsidiary
washing tub 80 by applying a force greater than the magnetic force.
Thus, the subsidiary washing tub 80 may be prevented from being
separated from the balancer 90 due to the vibration generated when
the washing machine 1 is operated.
[0076] According to the embodiment of the present invention, since
the subsidiary washing tub 80 is provided separately from the
rotary tub 30, general laundry and delicate laundry may be
separately washed. Therefore, since different types of laundry may
be washing through one washing process, the washing process may be
effectively performed.
[0077] Further, the subsidiary washing tub 80 may be easily
separated from the rotary tub 30, and thus when the subsidiary
washing tub 80 is not used, the subsidiary washing tub 80 may be
separated and used as a laundry storage basket.
[0078] Furthermore, since the subsidiary washing tub 80 is rotated
together with the first pulsator 71, the washing process may be
separately performed according to the type of the laundry, and also
a washing force in the subsidiary washing tub 80 may be
increased.
[0079] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a coupling state of a rotary
tub and a subsidiary washing tub in a washing machine in accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention.
[0080] FIG. 7 is an exploded view illustrating a disassembled state
of the rotary tub and the subsidiary washing tub in the washing
machine in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0081] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a coupling
state of a first pulsator and the subsidiary washing tub in the
washing machine in accordance with another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0082] Since elements having the same reference numerals correspond
to the same elements, descriptions thereof will be omitted.
[0083] According to the embodiment of the present invention
illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, a first pulsator 71 is located in a
rotary tub 30, and a second pulsator 185 is separately coupled in a
subsidiary washing tub 80. The first pulsator 71 and the second
pulsator 185 are coupled by a connection shaft 70. Therefore, a
driving force of a driving motor 150 is transmitted to the second
pulsator 185, and thus the second pulsator 185 may be rotated
together with the first pulsator 71.
[0084] The second pulsator 185 may include a connection shaft
coupling portion 182 coupled to the connection shaft 70, and a
ridge portion 183 configured to protrude from the second pulsator
185 and enable the washing water to be circulated. The connection
shaft coupling portion 182 may be provided at a center portion of
the subsidiary washing tub 80.
[0085] The second pulsator 185 may be separately coupled to a lower
surface of the subsidiary washing tub 80. The subsidiary washing
tub 180 may include an insertion portion 186 formed inside the
subsidiary washing tub 80 to protrude upward, such that the
connection shaft 70 is inserted therein. The connection shaft 70
may be inserted into the insertion portion 186.
[0086] According to the embodiment of the present invention, a
guide member 187 configured to guide rotation of the connection
shaft 70 may be included between the connection shaft 70 and the
subsidiary washing tub 180. The guide member 187 may be inserted
into the connection shaft coupling portion 182 of the subsidiary
washing tub 180 and coupled to the second pulsator 185 through a
fastening member 189. Another side of the guide member 187 is
coupled to the head portion 75 of the connection shaft 70.
Therefore, when the connection shaft 70 is rotated, the guide
member 187 is also rotated, and thus the second pulsator 185 of the
subsidiary washing tub 180 may be rotated. According to the
embodiment of the present invention, the guide member 187 is
separately provided, but the present invention is not limited
thereto. The guide member 187 and the connection shaft 70 may be
integrally provided.
[0087] Since the second pulsator 185 and the connection shaft 70
are coupled by the guide member 187, the second pulsator 185 may be
rotated together with the rotation of the connection shaft 70, and
thus the washing force with respect to the laundry in the
subsidiary washing tub 180 may be enhanced. Further, when the
subsidiary washing tub 180, which is not used, is separated from
the rotary tub 30, the second pulsator 185 coupled to the
subsidiary washing tub 180 is also separated, and the user does not
need to separately disassemble the second pulsator 185.
[0088] According to the embodiments of the present invention, since
the laundry can be separately put into the rotary tub and the
subsidiary washing tub and then washed at the same time, the
washing process can be simultaneously performed according to the
type of laundry. Further, since the second pulsator in the
subsidiary washing tub is operated according to the operation of
the first pulsator in the washing tub, it is possible to increase
the washing power of the laundry in the subsidiary washing tub.
[0089] Although a few embodiments of the present invention 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.
* * * * *