U.S. patent application number 16/546546 was filed with the patent office on 2020-02-27 for laundry apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Jinwoong KIM, Youngmin KIM.
Application Number | 20200063312 16/546546 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67659257 |
Filed Date | 2020-02-27 |
![](/patent/app/20200063312/US20200063312A1-20200227-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20200063312/US20200063312A1-20200227-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20200063312/US20200063312A1-20200227-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20200063312/US20200063312A1-20200227-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20200063312/US20200063312A1-20200227-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20200063312/US20200063312A1-20200227-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20200063312/US20200063312A1-20200227-D00006.png)
![](/patent/app/20200063312/US20200063312A1-20200227-D00007.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20200063312 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Jinwoong ; et
al. |
February 27, 2020 |
LAUNDRY APPARATUS
Abstract
A laundry apparatus may include a cabinet, a tub provided in the
cabinet and configured to hold water, a drum rotatably mounted in
the tub and configured to accommodate laundry, and a through-hole
penetrating the drum and configured to facilitate communication
between the tub and the drum. The laundry apparatus may also
include a pump housing comprising a chamber defining a
predetermined space in which water is stored, a tub water discharge
pipe provided to guide the water held in the tub towards the
chamber, a pump water discharge pipe provided to guide the water
stored in the chamber to a position outside the chamber, an
impeller rotatably mounted in the chamber and configured to pump
the water stored in the chamber towards the pump water discharge
pipe, and an air discharge pipe configured to guide air from inside
the chamber towards the tub or the pump water discharge pipe.
Inventors: |
KIM; Jinwoong; (Seoul,
KR) ; KIM; Youngmin; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG Electronics Inc. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
67659257 |
Appl. No.: |
16/546546 |
Filed: |
August 21, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/085 20130101;
D06F 39/088 20130101; D06F 39/12 20130101; D06F 25/00 20130101;
D06F 58/24 20130101; D06F 21/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
D06F 25/00 20060101
D06F025/00; D06F 39/12 20060101 D06F039/12; D06F 39/08 20060101
D06F039/08; D06F 58/24 20060101 D06F058/24; D06F 21/02 20060101
D06F021/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 23, 2018 |
KR |
10-2018-0098619 |
Claims
1. A laundry apparatus comprising: a cabinet; a tub disposed in the
cabinet and configured to hold water; a drum rotatably mounted in
the tub and configured to accommodate laundry; a through-hole
penetrating the drum and configured to facilitate fluid
communication between the tub and the drum; a pump housing
comprising a chamber defining a predetermined space configured to
store water; a tub water discharge pipe configured to guide the
water held in the tub towards the chamber; a pump water discharge
pipe configured to guide the water stored in the chamber to a
position outside the chamber; an impeller rotatably mounted in the
chamber and configured to pump the water stored in the chamber
towards the pump water discharge pipe; and an air discharge pipe
configured to guide air inside the chamber towards one of the tub
or the pump water discharge pipe.
2. The laundry apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air discharge pipe
is connected to an uppermost area of an outer circumferential
surface of the pump housing.
3. The laundry apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pump water
discharge pipe comprises a first pump water discharge pipe
configured to guide the water held in the chamber towards the tub,
the impeller comprises a circulation impeller configured to pump
the water stored in the chamber towards the first pump water
discharge pipe, and the air discharge pipe connects a
circumferential surface of the first pump water discharge pipe to
an upper area of the chamber of the pump housing located above a
horizontal line passing through a rotation axis of the circulation
impeller.
4. The laundry apparatus of claim 3, wherein an area where the air
discharge pipe is connected to the circumferential surface of the
first pump water discharge pipe is higher than an upper end of the
pump housing.
5. The laundry apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air discharge pipe
connects a circumferential surface of the tub with an upper area of
the chamber of the pump housing located above a horizontal line
passing through a rotation axis of the impeller.
6. The laundry apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pump water
discharge pipe comprises a second pump water discharge pipe
configured to guide the water stored in the chamber to a position
outside the cabinet, the impeller comprises a water discharge
impeller configured to pump the water stored in the chamber towards
the second pump water discharge pipe, and the air discharge pipe
connects a circumferential surface of the second pump water
discharge pipe with an upper area of the chamber of the pump
housing located above a horizontal line passing through a rotation
axis of the water discharge impeller.
7. The laundry apparatus of claim 6, wherein an area where the air
discharge pipe is connected to the circumferential surface of the
second pump water discharge pipe is higher than an uppermost area
of the chamber.
8. The laundry apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a
discharge pipe connecting pipe projected from a top surface of the
pump housing and connected with the air discharge pipe.
9. The laundry apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a sump
recessed from a lower area of a circumferential surface of the tub
towards a bottom surface of the cabinet and configured to
accommodate water; a water discharge hole penetrating a bottom
surface of the sump and configured to communicate with the tub
water discharge pipe; and a rib projecting from an upper end of a
lateral surface of the sump, extending parallel with the ground,
and configured to prevent the water stored in the sump from flowing
out of the sump.
10. The laundry apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a lower
supporter connected with a circumferential surface of the tub and
configured to support the tub, wherein the lower supporter
comprises a damper configured to damp vertical vibration of the
tub.
11. The laundry apparatus of claim 10, wherein the pump housing is
located in a lower area of the tub, and the tub water discharge
pipe is extendible to have an adjustable length in a direction of
movement of the tub.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2018-0098619, filed on Aug. 23, 2018 in Korea,
the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in
its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Field of the Disclosure
[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a laundry
apparatus.
Background of the Disclosure
[0003] Hereinafter, a structure of a conventional laundry apparatus
and disadvantages thereof will be described referring to FIG.
1.
[0004] Such a conventional laundry apparatus includes a tub T
provided to hold water; a drum D rotatably mounted in the tub to
accommodate laundry; and a tub water discharge tube TD connected to
the tub to discharge the water from the tub T.
[0005] In addition, the conventional laundry apparatus may further
include a pump P installed at an outer surface of the tub T and
configured to provide a water discharge power; a pump housing PH
connected to the tub water discharge pipe TD and configured to
accommodate the pump P; and a pump water discharge pipe PD
connected to the pump housing PH and configured to discharge the
water outside the laundry apparatus.
[0006] Under the above-noted structure, the conventional laundry
apparatus has following disadvantages during the process of
discharging the water from the tub T.
[0007] First, the tub T is likely to sag or deform downwardly by
the weight of the laundry or the rotation of the drum D such that a
curved or bent area might occur in the tub water discharge pipe TD,
forming a T-trap. Accordingly, an upper end of the bent area caused
in the tub water discharge pipe TD might become lower than an upper
end of the pump housing PH, thereby causing an air blockage that
may trap air in the pump housing PH.
[0008] In other words, cavitation might occur in the pump housing
PH during the water discharging process and deteriorate pumping
efficiency enough to cause water to be trapped in the tub. After
that, water bubbles might increase noise in the pump housing PH
enough to cause damage to a surface of an impeller of the pump P,
which is a serious problem.
[0009] Second, upon rotating the drum D, the water trapped in a
lower area of the tub T is likely to be continuously forced up
along an inner circumferential surface of the tub T by the rotating
drum D such that the water may remain trapped in the tub and water
discharge and laundry spinning effects might deteriorate
disadvantageously while noise increases.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0010] Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to
address the above-noted and other problems and provide a laundry
apparatus which may facilitate smooth discharge or circulation of
wash water.
[0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a
laundry apparatus which may reduce the noise generated during the
water discharge or circulation.
[0012] A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a
laundry apparatus which may enhance durability of a pump configured
to discharge or circulate wash water.
[0013] Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a laundry
apparatus comprising a cabinet; a tub disposed in the cabinet and
configured to hold water; a drum rotatably mounted in the tub and
configured to accommodate laundry; a through-hole penetrating the
drum and configured to facilitate fluid communication between the
tub and the drum; a pump housing comprising a chamber defining a
predetermined space in which water is stored; a tub water discharge
pipe configured to guide the water held in the tub towards the
chamber; a pump water discharge pipe configured to guide the water
stored in the chamber to a position outside the chamber; an
impeller rotatably mounted in the chamber and configured to pump
the water stored in the chamber towards the pump water discharge
pipe; and an air discharge pipe configured to guide air inside the
chamber towards one of the tub or the pump water discharge
pipe.
[0014] The air discharge pipe may be connected to an uppermost area
of an outer circumferential surface of the pump housing.
[0015] The pump water discharge pipe may comprise a first pump
water discharge pipe configured to guide the water held in the
chamber towards the tub, and the impeller may comprise a
circulation impeller configured to pump the water stored in the
chamber towards the first pump water discharge pipe, and the air
discharge pipe may connect a circumferential surface of the first
pump water discharge pipe to an upper area of the chamber defined
within the pump housing and located above a horizontal line passing
through a rotation axis of the circulation impeller.
[0016] An area where the air discharge pipe is connected to the
circumferential surface of the first pump water discharge pipe may
be higher than an upper end of the pump housing.
[0017] The air discharge pipe may connect a circumferential surface
of the tub with an upper area of the chamber defined within the
pump housing and located above a horizontal line passing through a
rotation axis of the impeller.
[0018] The pump water discharge pipe may comprise a second pump
water discharge pipe provided to guide the water stored in the
chamber outside the cabinet, and the impeller may comprise a water
discharge impeller configured to pump the water stored in the
chamber towards the second pump water discharge pipe, and the air
discharge pipe may connect a circumferential surface of the second
pump water discharge pipe with an upper area of the chamber defined
within the pump housing and located above a horizontal line passing
through a rotation axis of the water discharge impeller.
[0019] An area where the air discharge pipe is connected to the
circumferential surface of the second pump water discharge pipe may
be higher than an uppermost area of the chamber.
[0020] The laundry apparatus may further comprise a discharge pipe
connecting pipe projected from a top surface of the pump housing
and connected with the air discharge pipe.
[0021] The laundry apparatus may further comprise a sump recessed
from a lower area of a circumferential surface of the tub towards a
bottom surface of the cabinet and configured to accommodate water;
a water discharge hole penetrating a bottom surface of the sump and
configured to communicate with the tub water discharge pipe; and a
rib projected from an upper end of a lateral surface of the sump,
extending parallel with the ground and configured to prevent the
water stored in the sump from flowing out of the sump.
[0022] The laundry apparatus may further comprise a lower supporter
connected with a circumferential surface of the tub and configured
to support the tub, wherein the lower supporter comprises a damper
configured to damp vertical vibration of the tub.
[0023] The pump housing may be located in a lower area of the tub,
and the tub water discharge pipe may be extendible to have an
adjustable length along the movement of the tub.
[0024] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the
laundry treating apparatus has following effects.
[0025] First, the laundry apparatus is capable of discharging or
circulating wash water smoothly.
[0026] Furthermore, the laundry apparatus is capable of reducing
noise.
[0027] Still further, the laundry apparatus is capable of
guaranteeing the durability of the pump.
[0028] Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure
will become apparent from the detailed description given
hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed
description and specific examples, while indicating preferred
embodiments of the disclosure, are given by illustration only,
since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope
of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art
from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The present disclosure will become more fully understood
from the detailed description given herein below and the
accompanying drawings, which are given by illustration only, and
thus are not limitative of the present disclosure, and wherein:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a sectional diagram illustrating a conventional
laundry apparatus;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a sectional diagram illustrating an inner
structure of a laundry apparatus according to the present
disclosure;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram illustrating an inside of a
cabinet according to one embodiment of an air discharge pipe;
[0033] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating a
pump housing according to the embodiment and peripheral
components;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram illustrating an inside of a
cabinet according to another embodiment of the air discharge
pipe;
[0035] FIG. 6 is a perspective diagram illustrating an inside of a
cabinet according to a further embodiment of the air discharge
pipe; and
[0036] FIG. 7 is a sectional diagram illustrating one embodiment of
an inner structure of a tub provided in the laundry apparatus
according to the present disclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0037] Referring to the accompanying drawings, exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail.
Regardless of numeral references, the same or equivalent components
may be provided with the same reference numbers and description
thereof will not be repeated.
[0038] For the sake of brief description with reference to the
drawings, the sizes and profiles of the elements illustrated in the
accompanying drawings may be exaggerated or reduced and it should
be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited
by the accompanying drawings.
[0039] The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand
various technical features and it should be understood that the
embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying
drawings. As such, the present disclosure should be construed to
extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutes in addition
to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying
drawings.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 2, illustrating a side view of a laundry
apparatus according to the present disclosure, an entire
configuration of the laundry apparatus will be described.
[0041] The laundry apparatus may include a cabinet 1 defining an
exterior design; a tub provided in the cabinet and a drum 3
rotatably mounted in the tub 2 and configured to accommodate
laundry.
[0042] The cabinet 1 may have an opening formed in a front side of
the cabinet to introduce the laundry and a door 12 may be rotatably
coupled to the cabinet to open and close the opening.
[0043] The door 12 may be configured of a circular door frame 121;
and a transparent window 122 provided in a center of the door
frame.
[0044] Here, as defining directions to make the specific structure
of the laundry apparatus, which will be described as follows,
easily understood, a direction towards the door 12 with respect to
the center of the cabinet 1 may be defined as a front side.
[0045] A reversed direction of the direction towards the door 12
may be defined as a rear side. A right side and a left side may be
naturally defined by the front and rear sides.
[0046] The tub 2 may be provided as a cylinder shape with a
longitudinal axis disposed in parallel or keeping 0-30 degrees with
a bottom surface of the cabinet so as to define a predetermined
space in which water is stored. The tub 2 may include a tub opening
21 formed in a front side to communicate with the opening.
[0047] The tub 2 may be fixed to the bottom surface of the cabinet
1 by a lower supporter 91 having a support bar 91a and a damper 91b
connected to the support bar 91a. Accordingly, the vibration
generated in the tub 2 by the rotation of the drum 3 may be
damped.
[0048] In addition, an elastic supporter 92 provided in a top
surface of the cabinet 1 may be connected to a top surface of the
tub 2. Accordingly, the vibration generated in the tub 2 and
transferred to the cabinet 1 may be damped.
[0049] The drum 3 may be provided in a cylinder shape having a
longitudinal axis arranged in parallel or keeping 0-30 degrees with
the bottom surface of the cabinet so as to accommodate the laundry.
The drum may include a drum opening 31 formed in a front side to
communicate with the tub opening 21.
[0050] Accordingly, a user may load laundry into the drum 3 through
the opening, the tub opening 21 and the drum opening 31 or unload
the laundry from the inside of the drum 3.
[0051] Also, the drum 3 may include a plurality of through-holes 33
penetrating an outer circumferential surface of the drum 3 so as to
draw water from the tub 2 into the drum and also discharge the
water from the laundry to the inside of the tub 2.
[0052] A lifter 35 may be further provided in an inner
circumferential surface of the drum 3 to agitate the laundry when
the drum is rotated. The drum 3 may be rotatable by a drive unit 8
provided behind the tub 2.
[0053] The drive unit 8 may include a stator 81 fixed to a rear
surface of the tub 2; a rotor 83 rotatable by the electromagnetic
action with the stator; and a shaft 85 connecting the drum 3 and
the rotor 83 with each other via the rear surface of the tub 2.
[0054] The stator 81 may be secured to a rear surface of a bearing
housing 24 provided in the rear surface of the tub 2. The rotor 83
may be configured of a permanent magnet 832 spaced a predetermined
distance apart from stator in a perpendicular direction with
respect to the shaft; and a rotor housing 831 provided to connect
the permanent magnet 832 and the shaft 85 with each other.
[0055] The bearing housing 24 may include a housing-through-hole
penetrating the bearing housing to facilitate communication between
the inside and outside of the tub 2; and a plurality of bearings 88
provided in the housing-through hole 26 to support the shaft
85.
[0056] An arm 87 may be provided in a rear surface of the drum 3
and configured to easily transfer the rotational force of the rotor
83 to the drum 3. The shaft 85 configured to transfer the
rotational force of the rotor 83 may be fixed to the arm 87.
[0057] Meanwhile, the laundry apparatus according to one embodiment
may further include a water supply hose 51 provided to be supplied
water by an external supply source; and a detergent supply unit 55
provided in the cabinet 1 and configured to supply a washing
detergent to the tub 2.
[0058] The detergent supply unit 55 may include a detergent box 551
fixed to an inner wall of the cabinet 10; and a detergent box
drawer 553 detachable from the detergent box 551 to be retractable
from the front side of the cabinet 1.
[0059] In this instance, the washing detergent supplied to the
inside of the detergent box 551 may be mixed with water to easily
flow into the tub 2. For that, the water supply hose 51 may be
connected with the detergent box 551.
[0060] A gasket 4 may be provided between the opening of the
cabinet land the tub opening 21. The gasket 4 may be configured to
prevent leakage of water into the cabinet 1 from the tub 2 and the
vibration of the tub 2 from being transferred to the cabinet 1.
[0061] Specifically, the gasket 4 may include a cabinet fixing
portion 43 connected to an area where the opening of the cabinet 1
is formed; a tub fixing portion 42 connected to an area where the
tub opening 21 is formed; and a circular gasket body 41 provided to
connect the cabinet fixing portion 43 and the tub fixing portion 42
with each other.
[0062] The gasket 4 may be made of a flexible material (e.g.,
rubber) so as to damp the vibration transferred to the cabinet 1
from the tub 2. The vibration may be more effectively damped by a
vibration isolating member 44 that is curved from a circumferential
surface of the gasket body 41 along a perpendicular direction with
respect to the circumferential surface.
[0063] The laundry apparatus according to one embodiment may
further include a water supply pipe 53 configured to supply water
to the tub 2. The water supply pipe 53 may be provided to connect
the detergent box 551 with the gasket 4 or the detergent box 4 with
the tub 2.
[0064] The water supply pipe 53 may be made of a flexible material
with elasticity so as to damp the vibration transferred to the
detergent box 551 secured to the inner surface of the cabinet 1
from the tub 2.
[0065] A weight balancer 93 may be provided in a front surface of
the tub 2 outside the gasket 4 and configured to damp the vibration
generated in the drum. The weight balancer 93 may include a first
balancer 931 and a second balancer 932 provided in both sides of
the tub 2 with respect to a center of a right-and-left width
direction of the tub 2, respectively.
[0066] Meanwhile, a water discharge hole 25 maybe formed in the
bottom surface of the tub 2 to discharge the water held in the tub
2 and a tub water discharge pipe 61 provided to form a water
discharge path in communication with the water discharge hole 25 so
as to allow the water to flow outside the tub 2 may be connected to
the water discharge hole 25.
[0067] A heater 95 configured to heat water and a sump 23 provided
to accommodate the heater 95 may be provided in an area underneath
the tub 2.
[0068] The sump 23 may be recessed from the bottom surface of the
tub 2 downwardly so as to prevent the overheat of the heater 95
while continuously accommodating a predetermined amount of
water.
[0069] When the sump 23 is provided underneath the tub 2, the water
discharge hole 25 may be formed in a bottom surface of the sump 23
and the tub water discharge pie 61 may be connected with the bottom
surface of the sump 23 to facilitate communication between the tub
water discharge pipe 61 and the water discharge hole 25.
[0070] The laundry apparatus according to one embodiment may
further include a pump assembly 7 connected to the tub water
discharge pipe 61 to discharge the water held in the tub 2.
[0071] Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 3, the pump assembly 7 and
peripheral components will be described in detail.
[0072] The pump assembly 7 may be formed in a cylinder shape and
include a pump housing 71 providing a chamber (71a, see FIG. 4) in
which the water discharged via the tub water discharge pipe 61 is
stored; and a circulation pump 75 configured to re-supply the water
stored in the pump housing 71 to the tub 2.
[0073] The circulation pump 75 may include a circulation impeller
753 rotatably mounted in the chamber 71a; and a circulation motor
751 connected to a side of the pump housing 71 and configured to
rotate the circulation impeller 753 (see FIG. 7).
[0074] The pump assembly 7 may further include a water discharge
pump 73 disposed in a side area of the pump housing 71 and
configured to generate a pressure difference in the tub water
discharge pipe 61.
[0075] The water discharge pump 73 may include a water discharge
impeller 733 rotatably mounted in the chamber 71a; and a water
discharge motor connected to the side area of the pump housing 71
and disposed in the opposite area to the circulation motor 751 to
rotate the water discharge impeller 733 (see FIG. 7).
[0076] In various alternative embodiments, the water discharge
motor 731 may be included in the laundry apparatus while the
circulation motor 751 may be selectively included. The embodiment
shown in FIG. 7 includes the circulation motor 751.
[0077] The water discharge pump 73 and the circulation pump 75 may
be actuated selectively. The water pumped by the water discharge
pump 73 and the circulation pump 75 in the chamber 71a may be
discharged from the pump housing 71 via pump water discharge pipes
65 and 67 connected to the pump housing 71.
[0078] The pump water discharge pipe 65 may include a first pump
water discharge pipe 65 provided to re-supply the water pumped by
the circulation pump 75 to the tub 2; and a second pump water
discharge pipe 67 provided to discharge the water pumped by the
water discharge pump 73 outside the cabinet 1.
[0079] The second pump water discharge pipe 67 may be extended from
the pump housing 71 to an upper area with respect to a horizontal
surface passing the shaft of the drum 3 from the rear surface of
the cabinet 1.
[0080] Moreover, the first pump water discharge pipe 65 may be
connected to a guide pipe 69 provided along an outer circumference
of the gasket 4 and the guide pipe 69 may be in communication with
a plurality of spraying nozzles 46 provided in an inner
circumferential surface of the gasket 4.
[0081] The plurality of the spraying nozzles 46 may extend from the
inner circumferential surface of the gasket 41 towards the drum
inside so as to spray water into the drum 3.
[0082] A filter member 77 may be further provided in a
predetermined area of the pump housing 71 and configured to filter
and remove foreign substances (e.g., lint) from the water draw from
the tub 2.
[0083] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
pump housing 71 may be disposed under the tub 2 and the tub water
discharge pipe 61 may be made of a flexible material that is able
to bend along the movement of the tub 2.
[0084] Accordingly, when the drum 3 is rotated or a large amount of
laundry is loaded into the drum 3, the tub 2 and the tub water
discharge pipe 61 is likely to sag downwardly enough to cause a
problem of air blocking in an upper area of the chamber provided in
the pump housing 71.
[0085] To solve the problem, the laundry apparatus according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an air
discharge pipe 72 configured to guide air inside the chamber 71a
towards the first pump water discharge pipe 65, in communication
with the chamber 71a.
[0086] Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 4, the air discharge pipe 72
provided in an embodiment of the laundry apparatus and peripheral
structures will be described in detail.
[0087] The air discharge pipe 72 may connect a circumferential
surface of the first pump water discharge pipe 65 and an upper area
of the pump housing 71 located above a horizontal line passing
through a rotation axis of the circulation impeller 753.
[0088] More specifically, the air discharge pipe 72 may extend from
the outer circumferential surface of the first pump water discharge
pipe 65 along a lateral direction and bend downwardly towards the
top surface of the pump housing 71, only to be connected to the top
surface of the pump housing 71,
[0089] In other words, to directly discharge the air blocked in the
chamber 71a of the pump housing 71 through the first pump water
discharge pipe 65, the area where the air discharge pipe is
connected to the circumferential surface of the first pump water
discharge pipe 65 may be formed higher than an upper end of the
chamber 71a.
[0090] Accordingly, the air inside the chamber 71a of the pump
housing 71 may be smoothly discharged via the air discharge pipe 72
such that the water discharge can be facilitated enough to prevent
the water from being trapped between the tub 2 and the drum 3 and
reduce the noise generated by the impeller 733 and 753 striking
water bubbles and then prevent the damage to the surface of the
impeller 733 and 753 caused by bubbles.
[0091] Meanwhile, the air discharge pipe 72 may integrally formed
with the pump housing 71 as one body. Alternatively, it may be
separately formed from the pump housing 71 for the easy and smooth
assembly.
[0092] For that, the pump housing 71 may further include a
discharge pipe connecting pipe 715 inserted in the air discharge
pipe 72. The discharge pipe connecting pipe 715 may be upwardly
projected from a top surface of the pump housing 71 to communicate
with the chamber 71a.
[0093] Also, a tub water discharge pipe connecting portion 711 may
be provided in a rear surface of the pump housing 71 and the tub
water discharge pipe connecting portion 711 may have an open
surface communicating with the chamber 71a. A circulation pump
coupling portion 717 having an open surface in communication with
the chamber 71a may be provided in one lateral surface of the pump
housing 71. A water discharge pump coupling portion 716 having an
open surface in communication with the chamber 71a may be provided
in the other surface of the pump housing 71.
[0094] A first pump water discharge pipe connecting portion 712
connected with the first pump water discharge pipe 65 may be
provided between the circulation pump coupling portion 717 and the
pump housing 71. A second pump water discharge pipe connecting
portion 713 may be provided between the water discharge pump
coupling portion 716 and the pump housing 71.
[0095] The filter member 77 mentioned above may be provided in a
front surface of the pump housing 71 and coupled to a filter
coupling portion 718 having an open surface in communication with
the chamber 71a. A cabinet securing portion 719 provided to secure
the pump housing 71 to the cabinet 1 may be provided in an upper
area of the filter coupling portion 718.
[0096] Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 5, another embodiment of the
air discharge pipe 72 will be described, focused on a difference
from the above-noted embodiment.
[0097] As this embodiment, the air discharge pipe 72 may be
provided to guide air inside the chamber 71a towards the second
pump water discharge pipe 67.
[0098] The air discharge pipe 72 may connect a circumferential
surface of the second pump water discharge pipe 67 with an upper
area of the chamber 71a defined within pump housing 71 and located
above a horizontal line passing through the axis of the circulation
impeller 753.
[0099] More specifically, the air discharge pipe 72 may extend from
an outer circumferential surface of the second pump water discharge
pipe 67 in a lateral direction and then bend downwardly towards a
top surface of the pump housing 71 to be connected to the top
surface of the pump housing 71.
[0100] Similarly, the area where the air discharge pipe 72 is
connected to the circumferential surface of the second pump water
discharge pipe 67 may be higher than the upper end of the chamber
71a.
[0101] Accordingly, the air inside the chamber 71a of the pump
housing 71 may be discharged via the air discharge pipe 72 smoothly
enough to facilitate efficient water circulation.
[0102] Here, when the water is discharged towards the second pump
water discharge pipe 67 by the driving the water discharge pump 73,
the water might flow backward via the air discharge pipe 72 as a
result of a pressure difference.
[0103] Accordingly, a valve (not shown) may be provided in the air
discharge pipe 72 to open and close the air discharge pipe
selectively. The air discharge pipe 72 may be shut off by using the
valve.
[0104] Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 6, a further embodiment of
the air discharge pipe 72 will be described, focused on a different
feature from the embodiments mentioned above.
[0105] As a further embodiment, the air discharge pipe 72 may be
provided to guide air inside the chamber 71a towards the tub 2.
[0106] The air discharge pipe 72 may connect a circumferential
surface of the tub 2 with the upper area of the chamber 71a defined
within the pump housing and located above the horizontal axis
passing through the circulation impeller 753.
[0107] More specifically, the air discharge pipe 72 may extend from
the outer circumferential surface of the tub 2 and then extend
downwardly to be connected with the top surface of the pump housing
71.
[0108] In this instance, the air discharge pipe 72 may be connected
to the outer circumferential surface of the tub 2 in an upper area
of the tub above a horizontal plane passing through the shaft 85 of
the drum 3. Accordingly, the water held in the tub 2 may be
prevented from being drawn into the air discharge pipe 72.
[0109] This embodiment may be applied to the laundry apparatus
including no water circulation structure (e.g., the first pump
water discharge pipe and water discharge pump).
[0110] Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 7, one embodiment is
disclosed to prevent the water from being trapped in the tub by
modifying the inner structure of the tub 2.
[0111] Respective ribs 27 projected from respective upper ends of
both sides of the sump towards a flat surface perpendicular to the
ground and the front surface of the cabinet 1 may be provided in
the sump 23.
[0112] The ribs 27 may prevent the water stored in the sump 23 from
flowing out of the sump as the drum 3 is rotated.
[0113] Accordingly, the water trapped in the space between the tub
2 and the drum 3 may be reduced. Also, a water level may be
maintained as a heater protecting level such that overheat of the
heater 95 (shown in FIG. 2) exposed outside the water may be
prevented.
[0114] As the present features may be embodied in several forms
without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also
be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited
by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless
otherwise specified, but rather should be considered broadly within
its scope as defined in the appended claims.
[0115] Therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the
metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and
bounds, are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended
claims.
* * * * *