U.S. patent application number 15/394463 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-17 for washing machine provided with thermal insulation mechanism.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation. Invention is credited to Jong Jin LEE.
Application Number | 20170233927 15/394463 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59561252 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170233927 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEE; Jong Jin |
August 17, 2017 |
WASHING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH THERMAL INSULATION MECHANISM
Abstract
A washing machine including a thermal insulation mechanism for
protecting an additive tray from being damaged by heat radiated
from a drying duct assembly. The additive tray may be sized to
contain sufficient additive for multiple laundry loads. The
additive tray may be installed on the top of the washing machine.
The drying duct assembly is disposed above the tub and can heat air
for supplying to the tub and drying laundry. A heatproof plate is
disposed between the additive tray and the drying duct assembly to
inhibit heat transfer from the drying duct assembly to the additive
tray. A gap is formed between the heatproof plate and the drying
duct assembly.
Inventors: |
LEE; Jong Jin; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
59561252 |
Appl. No.: |
15/394463 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/17R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/02 20130101;
D06F 37/04 20130101; D06F 39/04 20130101; D06F 25/00 20130101; D06F
37/42 20130101 |
International
Class: |
D06F 37/42 20060101
D06F037/42; D06F 39/04 20060101 D06F039/04; D06F 37/04 20060101
D06F037/04; D06F 39/02 20060101 D06F039/02; D06F 25/00 20060101
D06F025/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 15, 2016 |
KR |
10-2016-0017398 |
Claims
1. A washing machine comprising: a tub configured to contain
washing water; an additive container configured to contain an
additive to be supplied to the tub during an operation; a drying
duct assembly configured to provide heated air into the tub; and a
thermal insulator disposed between the additive container and the
drying duct assembly.
2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the thermal insulator
comprises a heatproof plate coupled to the additive container.
3. The washing machine of claim 1 further comprising: an exterior
housing; and a drum installed inside the tub and configured to
contain washing objects.
4. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein the additive container
is disposed in an upper portion of the exterior housing.
5. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the thermal insulator is
configured to cover an upper portion of the drying duct assembly to
prevent heat emitted from the drying duct assembly from being
transferred to the additive container.
6. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the thermal insulator
comprises: a flat plate portion configured to cover an upper
portion of the drying duct assembly; and a slant portion obliquely
extending from one edge of the flat plate portion and configured to
cover a side portion of the drying duct assembly.
7. The washing machine of claim 6, wherein the flat plate portion
and the slant portion each comprise a curved edge.
8. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein a distance between the
thermal insulator and the additive container is smaller than a
distance between the thermal insulator and the drying duct
assembly.
9. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the drying duct assembly
comprises a heater.
10. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the drying duct
assembly is disposed above the tub.
11. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein the additive container
comprises an open end that opens at a top surface of the exterior
housing, and wherein the additive container is sized to contain
sufficient additive to supply a plurality of washing operations
with addtive.
12. A washing machine comprising: an exterior housing; a tub
configured to contain washing water; an additive tray configured to
contain an additive to be supplied to the tub during an operation
of the washing machine; a drying duct assembly comprising a heater
and configured to heat air and supply heated air to the tub during
an operation of the washing machine; and a heatproof plate disposed
between the additive tray and the drying duct assembly, wherein the
heatproof plate and the drying duct assembly are spaced apart by a
predetermined distance.
13. The washing machine of claim 12, wherein the predetermine
distance is greater than a distance between the additive tray and
the heatproof plate.
14. The washing machine of claim 12, wherein the additive tray has
a multiple-use capacity for additive.
15. The washing machine of claim 12, wherein the additive tray
opens to a top surface of the exterior housing.
16. The washing machine of claim 12, wherein the drying duct
assembly is disposed above the tub.
17. The washing machine of claim 12, wherein the heatproof plate
comprises: a first plate member configured to surround an upper
portion of the drying duct assembly; and a second plate member
configured to surround a side portion of the drying duct
assembly.
18. The washing machine of claim 17, wherein the first plate member
and the second plate member are coupled together and each comprise
a curved edge.
19. The washing machine of claim 12 further comprising: a drum
disposed inside the tub; and a motor coupled to the drum and
configured to drive rotation of the drum.
20. The washing machine of claim 12 further comprising: a water
supply device configured to supply washing water into the tub; and
a drain device configured to drain washing water out of the tub.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based on and claims priority from Korean
Patent Application No. 10-2016-0017398, filed on Feb. 15, 2016, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by
reference for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to washing
machines, and, more specifically, to thermal insulation mechanisms
in washing machines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In general, a drum type washing machine washes laundry by
rotating a drum using washing water mixed with detergent and/or
other additives. It offers the advantages of high efficiency
regarding water and detergent usage, reduced laundry entanglement
and reduced laundry damage.
[0004] A drum type washing machine may include a cabinet serving as
an exterior housing, a tub disposed inside the cabinet and
configured to contain washing water, a drum disposed inside the tub
and configured to accommodate washing objects (e.g., laundry), a
motor configured to drive rotation of the drum, a water supply
device configured to supply washing water to the tub, a detergent
tray configured to store one or more additives (including liquid or
powder detergent, fabric softener, etc.), a detergent supply pipe
configured to supply the additives into the tub, a drying system
configured to supply hot air flow to dry the washing objects, and a
water drain device configured to drain the washing water outside of
the cabinet.
[0005] In a conventional washing machine, a detergent tray can be
pulled out of the front side of the cabinet for a user to load
detergent or other additives. A detergent tray of this drawer-like
configuration usually is designed with very limited capacity.
Accordingly, a user has to load detergent each time before doing
laundry, which can be cumbersome.
[0006] Thus, a large-capacity detergent tray that contains enough
detergent for multiple uses is desirable. However, if a
large-capacity detergent tray is positioned close to heater, e.g.,
included in a drying duct assembly, radiant heat emitted from the
heater may overheat and deform the large-capacity detergent tray,
or even worse, cause a fire accident.
PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS
Patent Documents
[0007] Patent Document 1: Korean Patent Application Publication.
No. 10-2006-0031164 (published on Apr. 12, 2006)
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a washing
machine using a thermal insulation mechanism to protect an additive
tray from being overheated, e.g., by a heater in a drying duct
assembly.
[0009] An exemplary washing machine includes: a cabinet serving as
an outer shell of the washing machine; a tub installed within the
cabinet; a drum rotatably installed inside the tub and configured
to contain washing objects; a detergent tray installed in an upper
portion of the cabinet for containing detergent or any other
suitable additive; a drying duct assembly disposed above the tub
and configured to provide hot air into the drum and tub; and a
heatproof plate disposed between the detergent tray and the drying
duct assembly.
[0010] The heatproof plate may include a flat plate portion
configured to cover or surround an upper portion of the drying duct
assembly and a slant portion obliquely extending from one end
portion of the flat plate portion and configured to cover or
surround a side portion of the drying duct assembly.
[0011] The heatproof plate may further include a curved portion
formed by bending edges of the flat plate portion and the slant
portion.
[0012] A distance between the heatproof plate and the drying duct
assembly is larger than a distance between the heatproof plate and
the detergent tray.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary
washing machine having a thermal insulation mechanism according to
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a side sectional view of the exemplary
washing machine having the thermal insulation mechanism according
to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary
detergent tray coupled to an exemplary thermal insulation mechanism
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the exemplary detergent
tray and the exemplary thermal insulation mechanism according to
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary
heatproof plate of an exemplary washing machine according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the exemplary heatproof
plate according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The
illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description,
drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other
embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without
departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented
here.
[0020] One or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure
will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which one or more exemplary embodiments
of the disclosure can be readily determined by those skilled in the
art. As those skilled in the art will realize, the described
exemplary embodiments may be modified in various different ways,
all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present
disclosure, which is not limited to the exemplary embodiments
described herein.
[0021] It is noted that the drawings are schematic and are not
necessarily dimensionally illustrated. Relative sizes and
proportions of parts in the drawings may be exaggerated or reduced
in size, and a predetermined size is just exemplary and not
limiting. The same reference numerals designate the same
structures, elements, or parts illustrated in two or more drawings
in order to exhibit similar characteristics.
[0022] The exemplary drawings of the present disclosure illustrate
ideal exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in more
detail. As a result, various modifications of the drawings are
expected. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments are not limited to
a specific form of the illustrated region, and for example, include
modifications of form due to manufacturing.
[0023] The configuration and operation according to one embodiment
of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary
washing machine having a thermal insulation mechanism according to
one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates a side
sectional view of the exemplary washing machine having the thermal
insulation mechanism according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates the configuration of an exemplary
detergent tray and an exemplary thermal insulation mechanism
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is
front view illustrating the configuration of the exemplary
detergent tray and the exemplary thermal insulation mechanism
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a
perspective view illustrating the configuration of an exemplary
heatproof plate according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure. FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating the configuration
of the exemplary heatproof plate according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0025] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, the washing machine
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a
cabinet 10, a tub 20, a drum 30, a detergent tray (additive
container) 100, a drying duct assembly 50 and a thermal insulator,
e.g., a heatproof plate 170. The washing machine may be a drum type
washing machine operable to wash laundry or other washing objects
by rotating the drum 30. However, the present disclosure is not
limited to any specific type of washing machine.
[0026] More specifically, the cabinet 10 serves as an exterior
housing and encloses various functional components of the washing
machine, including the tub 20, the drum 30, and the drying duct
assembly 50. The detergent tray 100 may be installed on the top of
the cabinet 10 as shown.
[0027] It will be appreciated that the washing machine 10 may
include a wide range of other suitable components that are well
known in the art. In the illustrated example, a detergent supply
pipe 40 is configured to supply detergent or any other additive
stored in the detergent tray 100 to the tub 20. A motor 90 is
configured to drive rotation of the drum 30. A water supply device
70 is configured to supply washing water into the tub 20. A drain
device 80 is configured to drain washing water out of the cabinet
10.
[0028] The tub 20 has an approximately cylindrical space configured
to contain washing water. The tub may be horizontally disposed in
the cabinet 10 when the washing machine is in the operational
position. The tub 20 may receive detergent from the detergent tray
100, and receive washing water from the water supply device 70.
Washing water can be drained out of the tub and the cabinet 10
through the drain device 80.
[0029] The drum 30 is coupled to a motor and rotatably installed
inside the tub 20. The drum 30 is configured to contain washing
objects. During operation, the washing objects in the drum 30 are
stirred by rotation of the drum 30 and thereby cleaned by washing
water mixed with detergent in the tub 20.
[0030] The detergent tray 100 may be a large-capacity detergent
tray capable of storing a large amount of detergent, e.g.,
sufficient for multiple loads of laundry or multiple washing
cycles. The detergent tray 100 installed in the upper portion of
the cabinet 10 has its open end aligned with the top of the cabinet
10.
[0031] It will be appreciated that various kinds of laundry
additives may be stored in the detergent tray 100. For example, the
detergent tray 100 may have a first compartment (not shown)
configured to store liquid additive (liquid detergent and/or fabric
softener, etc.) and a second compartment (not shown) configured to
store powder additive.
[0032] The drying duct assembly 50 is configured to supply heated
air in the tub 20. More specifically, the drying duct assembly 50
may include a drying duct 52 configured to guide heated air toward
the tub 20, a heater unit 53 configured to heat air in the drying
duct 52, and a fan 51 configured to enhance circulation of the
heated air through the tub 20.
[0033] The heatproof plate 170 may be disposed between the
detergent tray 100 and the drying duct assembly 50. The heatproof
plate 170 serves to inhibit radiant heat emitted from the drying
duct assembly 50. For instance, the heatproof plate 170 may be
coupled to the detergent tray 100 by fastener bolts through
mounting holes 170a. The heatproof plate 170 is disposed above to
cover or surround the upper portion of the drying duct assembly
50.
[0034] The heatproof plate 170 may include a flat plate portion 171
configured to cover or surround the upper portion of the drying
duct assembly 50, a slant portion 172 obliquely extending from one
end portion of the flat plate portion 171 and configured to cover
or surround the side portion of the drying duct assembly 50, and a
curved portion 173 formed by bending the edges of the flat plate
portion 171 and the slant portion 172.
[0035] The curved portion 173 can reinforce the mechanical strength
of the heatproof plate 170 and thereby prevent thermal deformation
of the heatproof plate 170 caused by radiant heat emitted from the
drying duct assembly 50.
[0036] It will be appreciated that the present disclosure is not
limited to any specific geometric configuration or material of a
heatproof plate. The heatproof plate 170 may be configured to fully
surround the drying duct 52 of the drying duct assembly 50.
[0037] The heatproof plate 170 and the drying duct 52 may be spaced
apart from each other, such that air in between the two components
may facilitate dissipation of heat radiated from the drying duct
52.
[0038] In addition, the distance (`a` shown in FIG. 6) between the
heatproof plate 170 and the drying duct 52 may be larger than the
distance (`b` shown in FIG. 6) between the heatproof plate 170 and
the detergent tray 100. Thus, the heatproof plate 170 is disposed
closer to the detergent tray 100 than the drying duct 52. In this
way, the heatproof plate 170 can effectively prevent heat transfer
from the drying duct 52 to the detergent tray 100.
[0039] As described above, according to embodiments of the present
disclosure, a thermal insulation mechanism disposed adjacent to the
drying duct assembly is used to inhibit radiant heat emitted from
the drying duct assembly from. being transferred to a detergent
tray. As a result, thermal deformation of the detergent tray or
other type of damage caused by the radiant heat can be effectively
and advantageously prevented.
[0040] Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are
described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those
skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure may
be implemented in various ways without changing the necessary
features or the spirit of the present disclosure.
[0041] Therefore, it should be understood that the exemplary
embodiments described above are not limiting, but only an example
in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is expressed
by claims below, and it should be construed that all changes and
modifications achieved from the meanings and scope of claims and
equivalent concepts are included in the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0042] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various
embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein
for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be
made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present
disclosure. The exemplary embodiments disclosed in the
specification of the present disclosure do not limit the present
disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure will be interpreted
by the claims below, and it will be construed that all techniques
within the scope equivalent thereto belong to the scope of the
present disclosure.
* * * * *