U.S. patent application number 17/683077 was filed with the patent office on 2022-09-15 for laundry machine.
The applicant listed for this patent is LG ELECTRONICS INC.. Invention is credited to Dongwon KIM, Kyeonghwan KIM, Sungryong KIM, Youngmin KIM, Heakyung YOO.
Application Number | 20220290355 17/683077 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006362034 |
Filed Date | 2022-09-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220290355 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Sungryong ; et
al. |
September 15, 2022 |
LAUNDRY MACHINE
Abstract
A laundry apparatus including a cabinet; a first space provided
in the cabinet, in which a first treating part provided to treat
laundry is installed; a second space provided in the cabinet, in
which a second treating part provided to treat laundry is
installed; a drawer movably provided in the second space, in which
the second treating part is installed; and a rail unit configured
to limit vertical and horizontal movement of the drawer with
respect to the second space and to guide the outward movement of
the drawer. Therefore, laundry may be treated by using the first
and second treating parts and vibration and noise generated in the
second treating part may be reduced.
Inventors: |
KIM; Sungryong; (Seoul,
KR) ; KIM; Dongwon; (Seoul, KR) ; KIM;
Kyeonghwan; (Seoul, KR) ; YOO; Heakyung;
(Seoul, KR) ; KIM; Youngmin; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG ELECTRONICS INC. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006362034 |
Appl. No.: |
17/683077 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16217683 |
Dec 12, 2018 |
11293132 |
|
|
17683077 |
|
|
|
|
15251970 |
Aug 30, 2016 |
10179964 |
|
|
16217683 |
|
|
|
|
13097934 |
Apr 29, 2011 |
10081898 |
|
|
15251970 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 29/00 20130101;
D06F 37/42 20130101; D06F 39/08 20130101; D06F 39/085 20130101;
D06F 29/02 20130101; D06F 39/12 20130101; D06F 39/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
D06F 39/08 20060101
D06F039/08; D06F 29/00 20060101 D06F029/00; D06F 39/12 20060101
D06F039/12; D06F 29/02 20060101 D06F029/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 30, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0040526 |
Apr 30, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0040527 |
Apr 30, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0040624 |
Apr 30, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0040625 |
May 4, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0042004 |
May 28, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0050125 |
Claims
1-31. (canceled)
32. A laundry treatment apparatus comprising: a cabinet; a
partition wall provided in the cabinet to divide a space inside the
cabinet into an upper space and a lower space and having an opening
to communicate the upper space and the lower space; a first
treating part provided in the upper space; and a second treating
part provided in the lower space, wherein at least one component of
the first treating part extending to the second treating part via
the opening of the partition wall.
33. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 32, wherein
the cabinet comprises a front panel, an upper panel, a side panel,
a bottom panel, and rear panel, wherein a vertical length of the
front panel is shorter than a vertical length of the side panel,
and a front lower portion of the cabinet is opened.
34. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 32, further
comprising: a drawer configured to be extracted from and retracted
into the cabinet through the front lower portion of the
cabinet.
35. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 33, wherein
the drawer comprises a front portion and a housing in which the
second treating part is installed.
36. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 35, wherein
a size of the front portion of the drawer is larger than a size of
the front lower portion of the cabinet.
37. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 36, further
comprising: a locking assembly provided at the front portion of the
drawer; and a locking coupling portion provided at lower portion pf
the front panel, wherein the locking assembly and the locking
coupling portion are coupled when the drawer is in closed
position
38. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 36, further
comprising: a shock preventing part provided at a first surface of
the side panel of the cabinet and protruding from the first surface
of the side panel toward the front portion of the drawer.
39. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 38, wherein
a receiving recess is provided at an inner surface of the front
portion of the drawer for accommodating the shock preventing
part.
40. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 39, wherein
a depth of the receiving recess is smaller than a height of the
shock preventing part.
41. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 39, further
comprising: a side rail unit provided between the side panel of the
cabinet and a side surface of the drawer to guide the movement of
the drawer, wherein the side rail unit comprising: a moving rail
provided at the side surface of the drawer, and a fixed rail
provided at the side panel of the cabinet and coupled to the moving
rail.
42. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 41, wherein
the side rail unit further comprises a middle rail coupled between
the moving rail and the fixed rail
43. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 39, further
comprising: a lower rail unit provided between the bottom panel of
the cabinet and a bottom surface of the drawer to guide the
movement of the drawer, wherein the lower rail unit comprising: a
moving rail provided at the bottom surface of the drawer, and a
fixed rail provided at the bottom panel of the cabinet and coupled
to the moving rail.
44. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 43, wherein
the lower rail unit further comprises a middle rail coupled between
the moving rail and the fixed rail.
45. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 36, further
comprising: a rear lock provided between the rear panel of the
cabinet and a rear surface of the drawer to prevent the drawer from
sliding backwardly, wherein the rear lock comprising: an engaging
part provided at a rear surface of the drawer; and a clamp provided
at an inner surface of the rear panel of the cabinet and configured
to receive the engaging part.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the Korean Patent
Application Nos. 10-2010-0040526, filed on Apr. 30, 2010,
10-2010-0040625 filed on Apr. 30, 2010, 10-2010-0040624 filed on
Apr. 30, 2010, 10-2010-0040527 filed on Apr. 30, 2010,
10-2010-0042004 filed on May 4, 2010 and 10-2010-0050125 filed on
May 28, 2010, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Field of the Disclosure
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a laundry
apparatus, more particularly, to a laundry apparatus including an
auxiliary laundry device to treat clothes.
Discussion of the Related Art
[0003] In general, laundry apparatuses are electric appliances
which can wash laundry by using both detergent and mechanical
friction. Such laundry apparatuses can be used together with
auxiliary devices for users to use them conveniently.
[0004] An auxiliary device may be provided beyond or below a
washing apparatus and the auxiliary device provides a user with a
variety of supplementary functions. However, the auxiliary devices
are designed and manufactured as independent devices provided in
the laundry apparatuses.
[0005] In the meanwhile, the laundry apparatus is directly
installed in the floor. Especially, a front loading laundry
apparatus has a laundry introduction opening located relatively
low. Because of that, a user has an inconvenience when loading and
unloading laundry into or out of the front loading laundry
apparatus. To solve this inconvenience, a front loading laundry
device has been proposed to include a stand provided there
below.
[0006] Furthermore, various methods have been proposed to install
an auxiliary laundry device in the stand, not simply using the
stand as it is.
[0007] However, a lot of work may be required to use such a stand
as an independent auxiliary device. Typically, the laundry
apparatus having the auxiliary laundry device fails to have a good
profile.
[0008] Compared with a main laundry device, the auxiliary laundry
device utilizing the stand has various components configured to
treat laundry which are installed in a relatively small space.
Because of that, it is quite difficult to design and manufacture
the auxiliary laundry device.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0009] Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention are
directed to a laundry apparatus.
[0010] An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to
provide a laundry apparatus including an auxiliary laundry device
with an enhanced productivity and enhanced profile.
[0011] Another object of an embodiment of the present invention is
to provide a laundry apparatus which can reduce vibration and
noise, when the laundry apparatus includes an auxiliary laundry
device.
[0012] A further object of further embodiments of the present
invention is to provide a laundry apparatus which allows an inner
configuration of an auxiliary laundry device to be installed
efficiently, even if an inner space of the auxiliary laundry device
is quite narrow.
[0013] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art upon examination of the following.
[0014] To achieve these objects and other advantages in accordance
with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly
described herein, a laundry apparatus includes a cabinet; a first
space provided in the cabinet, the first space in which a first
treating part provided to treat laundry is installed; a second
space provided in the cabinet, the first space in which a second
treating part provided to treat laundry is installed; a drawer
movably provided in the second space, the drawer in which the
second treating part is installed; and a rail unit configured to
limit vertical and horizontal movement of the drawer with respect
to the second space to guide the outward movement of the
drawer.
[0015] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of
the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of
the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the disclosure.
[0017] In the drawings:
[0018] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views illustrating a laundry
apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a bottom surface
of the laundry apparatus;
[0020] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a drawer
provided in the laundry apparatus;
[0021] FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views illustrating a rail of
the laundry apparatus;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a side sectional view illustrating a second
cabinet of the laundry apparatus;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an installation
state of a rear lock provided in the laundry apparatus;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating the rear lock of the
laundry apparatus;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a rear view illustrating a water supply and
drainage device of the laundry apparatus;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the water supply and
drainage device of the laundry apparatus;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a plane view illustrating the water supply and
drainage device of the laundry apparatus;
[0028] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
second tub of the laundry apparatus;
[0029] FIG. 14 is plane view illustrating the second tub of the
laundry apparatus;
[0030] FIG. 15 is a sectional view illustrating the second tub and
a second drum of the laundry apparatus;
[0031] FIG. 16 is partially sectional view illustrating the second
tub and the second drum of the laundry apparatus;
[0032] FIG. 17 is a sectional view illustrating a heater sump of
the laundry apparatus;
[0033] FIG. 18 is a sectional view illustrating an air chamber of
the laundry apparatus;
[0034] FIG. 19 is a partially perspective view illustrating a
second tub supporting device of the laundry apparatus;
[0035] FIG. 20 is a sectional view illustrating the second tub
supporting device of the laundry apparatus;
[0036] FIGS. 21 and 22 are sectional view illustrating a connected
portion of the second tub supporting device;
[0037] FIG. 23 is a partially perspective view illustrating another
embodiment of the second tub supporting device;
[0038] FIG. 24 is a plane view illustrating a second tub supporting
device of the second tub supporting device according to another
embodiment;
[0039] FIG. 25 is a plane view illustrating an installation
location of a drainage pump provided in the laundry apparatus;
[0040] FIG. 26 is a perspective view illustrating an installation
state of the drawing pump;
[0041] FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the
drainage pump of the laundry apparatus;
[0042] FIG. 28 is a sectional view illustrating the drawing pump of
the laundry apparatus;
[0043] FIG. 29 is a perspective view illustrating a drainage
chamber of the drainage pump provided in the laundry apparatus;
[0044] FIG. 30 is a side sectional view illustrating a fixing state
of the second tub provided in the laundry apparatus;
[0045] FIG. 31 is a sectional view illustrating a second drum of
the laundry apparatus;
[0046] FIG. 32 is a perspective view illustrating a side wall of
the second drum provided in the laundry apparatus;
[0047] FIG. 33 is a plane view illustrating a base of the second
drum provided in the laundry apparatus;
[0048] FIG. 34 is a side sectional view illustrating the base of
the second drum; and
[0049] FIG. 35 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a drainage
structure of the laundry apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0050] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be
explained in reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0051] Reference will now be made in detail to the specific
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a laundry apparatus 1 includes a
cabinet 1a configured to define a profile of the laundry apparatus
1. The cabinet 1a includes a first cabinet 10 where a first
treating part 10a for treating laundry is formed and a second
cabinet 20 where a second treating part 20a provided adjacent to
the first cabinet 10 is formed to treat laundry.
[0053] In other words, a user loads laundry into the first cabinet
10 and/or the second cabinet 20 to perform washing, drying or
refreshing. Here, the terminology `refresh` may refer to a process
of wrinkle removing, deodorizing, sanitizing, static electricity
preventing or laundry warming, which uses air, heated air, steam,
mist or water elements supplied to the laundry. In addition,
clothes and laundry which will be mentioned in the present
specification includes wearable objects including clothes, apparel,
shoes, socks, gloves and hats and all kinds of washable objects
having a washing process performed thereto.
[0054] In the meanwhile, the first treating part 10a may include a
first tub (not shown) and/or a first drum (not shown) provided
therein to wash laundry, that is, to perform washing, drying or
refreshing with respect to the laundry, as mentioned above.
[0055] The second treating part 20a may include a second tub (200,
see FIG. 16) configured to hold wash water therein and a second
drum (600, see FIG. 16). The second treating part 20a may be
provided adjacent to the first treating part 10a and it may be
provided in a predetermined portion near the first treating part
10a. For example, the second treating part 20a may be provided
below the first treating part 10a.
[0056] When the second treating part 20a is provided together with
the first treating part 10a for washing the laundry, the first
treating part 10a and the second treating part 20a may have the
same washing capacity.
[0057] However, considering limitation of an installation space for
the laundry apparatus 1 and production cost of the laundry
apparatus 1, either of the first and second treating parts 10a and
20a may have a smaller capacity than the other one.
[0058] As shown in drawings, this embodiment illustrates that at
least one of a washing capacity, a volume, or a height of the
second treating part 20a may be smaller than at least one of a
washing capacity, a volume or a height of the first treating part
10a. Because of that, the user may select one of the first and
second treating parts 10a and 20a properly according to the amount
of the laundry.
[0059] Moreover, the user may select the first treating part 10a or
the second treating part 20a according to the types of laundry
items. For example, sensitive laundry items such as infant clothes
and lingerie which have to be separately washed or a small amount
of laundry items may be washed by using the second treating part
20a and the other types of the laundry items may be washed in the
first treating part 10a.
[0060] When the second treating part 20a is configured to have a
smaller washing capacity than the first treating part 10a, the
second treating part 20a may be provided below the first treating
part 10a. Since the height of the first treating part 10a is
increased by the second part 20a provided below the first treating
part 10a, the user may load or unload the laundry into or out of
the first treating part 10a more smoothly and more efficiently.
[0061] Moreover, when the laundry apparatus 1 includes the first
treating part 10a and the second treating part 20a, the first
cabinet 10, where the first treating part 10a is installed, and the
second cabinet 20, where the second treating part 20a is installed,
may be manufactured independently and connected with each
other.
[0062] However, considering manufacture efficiency, in other
embodiments the first cabinet 10, having the first treating part
10a installed therein, may be integrally formed with the second
cabinet 20, having the second treating part 20a installed therein,
to be a single cabinet 1a. In other words, a single cabinet 1a is
shared and the first and second treating parts 10a and 20a may be
provided in the single cabinet 1a. In this case, a partition wall
(not shown) may be provided between the first treating part 10a and
the second treating part 20a to separate them from each other.
[0063] Here, an internal space of the cabinet 1a may be partitioned
off into the first and second cabinets 10 and 20 by the partition
wall mentioned above. In some embodiments, the partition wall may
include a predetermined opening (not shown) to allow the first
treating part 10a and the second treating part 20a to communicate
with each other.
[0064] In addition, configuration components provided in the second
treating part 20a may be extended to an inside of the first
treating part 10a via the opening. In other embodiments,
configuration components provided in the first treating part 10a
may be extended to an inside of the second treating part 20a via
the opening.
[0065] As follows will be described an embodiment presenting that
the first treating part 10a and the second treating part 20a are
formed integrally as one body.
[0066] The first treating part 10a may include a first door which
can be opened selectively. The user can open the first door 15 to
load the laundry into the first treating part 10a.
[0067] A variety of components which will be described later may be
provided in the second treating part 20a. However, the components
may have a structure with an easy access for users' convenience,
maintenance and the like.
[0068] For example, as shown in the drawings, the second treating
part 20a may include a drawer 100 which can slide inward and
outward. The drawer 100 is provided slidingly such that the user
may draw the drawer 100 forward to have an access to the inside of
the second treating part 20a.
[0069] As follows, the drawer of the second treating part according
to the present invention will be described in detail in reference
to the accompanying drawings.
[0070] In reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the drawer 100 may slide
along an entry and exit space formed in the second cabinet 20 to
open and close.
[0071] The laundry apparatus according to this embodiment includes
a pair of side rail units 130 provided between the drawer 100 and
the second cabinet 20 to guide the inward and outward movement of
the drawer 100. Especially, the laundry apparatus includes a lower
rail unit 140 provided underneath the drawer 100.
[0072] In the meanwhile, the side rail units 130 are provided
between both side surfaces of the drawer 100. The second cabinet 20
may limit upward and downward motion of the drawer 100 and may
guide the inward and outward motion of the drawer 100. The lower
rail unit 140, provided between a bottom surface of the drawer 100
and the second cabinet 20, limits leftward and rightward motion of
the drawer 100 and guides the inward and outward motion of the
drawer 100.
[0073] In reference to FIG. 4, the drawer 100 is configured of a
front portion 110, forming a front surface of the drawer 100, and a
housing 120 where the second treating part 20a will be installed.
The front portion 110 is formed of a rectangular plate with a
predetermined thickness and it is coupled to a front surface of the
housing 120. A handle 112 is formed in a front surface of the front
portion 110 to allow the user to grasp, when the user is moving to
open and close the drawer 100.
[0074] As follows, the side rail units 130 installed between the
housing 120 of the drawer 100 and the second cabinet 20 will be
described in detail. Here, the side rail units 130 are
symmetrically installed to both sides of the housing 120 in the
same structure. Because of that, one of the rail units will be
described first and description of the other rail unit will
omitted.
[0075] Side brackets 131 are provided in both sides of the housing
120, to be coupled to the side rail units 130, respectively. The
side bracket 131 is formed of a bar having a predetermined length
and it includes a front recess 132a and a rear recess 133a formed
therein.
[0076] A front hooking member 132b is formed in the front recess
132a and a rear hooking member 133b is formed in the rear recess
133a. The rear hooking member 133b is bent in an `L` shape and the
front hooking member 132b is formed straight.
[0077] The side rail unit 130 includes a moving rail 134 secured to
the drawer 100, a fixed rail 137 secured to an inner surface of a
side panel 13 provided in the second cabinet 20 and a middle rail
138 secured between the moving rail 134 and the fixed rail 137. A
front coupling portion 135 and a rear coupling portion 136 are
projected from a side of the moving rail 134. Recesses or holes are
formed in the front and rear coupling portions 135 and 136 to
insert the front and rear hooking members 132b and 133b therein. It
is preferable that the rear coupling portion 136 is coupled to the
rear hooking member 133b of the side bracket 132 and has a
partially open top to prevent the inserted rear hooking member 133b
from being separated.
[0078] The moving rail 134 of the side rail unit 130 is secured to
the side bracket 131 provided on the side of the housing 120, the
front hooking member 132b and the rear hooking member 133b of the
side bracket 131 are inserted in the front and rear coupling
portions 135 and 136 formed in the inner surface of the moving rail
134, such that the drawer 100 may be secured to the moving rail
134.
[0079] The fixed rail 137 of the side rail unit 130 is fixed to an
inner surface of the side panel 13 provided in the second cabinet
20. The fixed rail 137 may be fixed to the side panel 13 by a bolt
or a screw. A location where the fixed rail 137 is secured is
corresponding to a location where the moving rail 134 is secured.
Here, the middle rail 138 is secured between the fixed rail 137 and
the moving rail 134.
[0080] The front hooking member 132b is projected from a front
portion of a lower surface of the side bracket 131 and the rear
hooking member 133b is projected from a rear portion thereof. A
predetermined portion of the side bracket 131 may be cut out or
bent to form the front and rear hooking members 132b and 133b.
[0081] In the meanwhile, the shapes of the front and rear hooking
members 132b and 133b may be only an example and the present
invention is not limited thereto. In other words, the front and
rear hooking members 132b and 133b may be members used to secure
the bracket to the moving rail and shapes of them may be varied
properly.
[0082] A lower bracket 141 is provided in a bottom of the housing
120 to be secured to the lower rail unit 140. Compared with the
side rail unit 130, the lower rail unit 140 has the same
configuration, except a moving rail 144 having a different
appearance. Front and rear coupling portions 145 and 146 are formed
in an upper surface of the moving rail 144 to couple the lower
bracket 141 thereto. The front and rear coupling portions 145 and
146 may be recesses or holes. The moving rail 144 of the lower rail
unit 140 is secured to the lower bracket 141 provided in the bottom
of the housing 120. Front and rear hooking members 142 and 143
formed in the lower bracket 141 are inserted in the front and rear
coupling portions 145 and 146 formed in the moving rail 144, such
that the drawer 100 may be secured to the moving rail 144.
[0083] A fixed rail 147 of the lower rail unit 140 is fixed to an
inner surface of a base (not shown) composing the second cabinet
20. The fixed rail 147 may be fixed to the base by a bolt or a
screw. A location where the fixed rail 147 is secured corresponds
to a location where the moving rail 144 is secured. Together with
that, a middle rail 148 is secured between the fixed rail 147 and
the moving rail 144.
[0084] Typically, the second treating part 20a installed in the
housing 120 is a top loading laundry device. The top loading
laundry apparatus 100 includes a shaft 700 of a second drum 600
which is arranged perpendicular to the ground. When the second
treating part 20a is put into operation, with the drawer 100 moved
inwardly in the second cabinet 20, vibration would be generated in
the second treating part 20a by the rotation of the second drum
600. Since the shaft 700 of the second drum 600 is arranged
perpendicularly with respect to the ground, a lot of vibration
might be generated in the drawer 100 including the second drum 600
in a direction parallel to the ground. Especially, this vibration
is generated during a spinning cycle and more vibration is
generated when the second drum 600 is eccentric.
[0085] When the side rail units 130 are secured to the drawer 100,
the drawer 100 can move to a single degree of freedom along a
forward and backward direction. In other words, vertical motion of
the drawer 100 is limited by the securing of the moving rail 134,
the middle rail 138 and the fixed rail 137 composing the side rail
unit 130 and horizontal motion is also limited. However, the moving
rail 134, the middle rail 138 and the fixed rail 137 composing the
side rail unit 130 are secured to each other, spaced apart a
predetermined distance from each other. Because of that, the drawer
100 can be moved along a leftward and rightward direction as much
as the spaced distance and it might be vibrated in the leftward and
rightward direction by the rotation of the second drum 600. The
vibration is transferred to the laundry apparatus 1 including the
first treating part 10a. As a result, durability of the laundry
apparatus 1 will deteriorate and noise might be generated.
[0086] However, this embodiment of the present invention includes
the lower rail unit 140, to limit the horizontal vibration of the
drawer 100. In other words, the lower rail unit 140 not only guides
the inner and outer motion of the drawer 100 but also limits the
leftward and rightward vibration of the drawer 100. As a result,
durability of the laundry apparatus 1 may be enhanced and noise may
be reduced effectively.
[0087] The drawer 100 provided in the laundry apparatus according
to this embodiment of the present invention may be completely
separable from the second cabinet 20. In other words, when the
second treating part 20a or the other parts located in the drawer
100 needs repairing, the drawer 100 can be detached from the second
cabinet 20 to repair the second treating part 20a or the other
parts smoothly and conveniently.
[0088] When the drawer 100 is detached, the drawer 100 is moved
outward completely from the second cabinet 20. After that, the
front portion of the drawer 100 is lifted a predetermined distance.
At this time, the front hooking member 132b of the side bracket 131
is formed straight to be separated from the front coupling portion
135 of the moving rail 134 smoothly. However, the rear hooking
member 133b is formed in the `L` shape and it is not detached from
the rear coupling portion 136, even the front portion 110 is
lifted. The rear hooking member 133b may be sloping a predetermined
angle along the direction in which the drawer 100 is lifted. At
this time, when the drawer 100 is pulled along the sloping
direction of the drawer 100, the rear hooking member 133b is
detached from the rear coupling portion 136. Because of that, the
drawer 100 is detached from the moving rail 134 to be completely
detached from the second cabinet 20. Here, the front and rear
hooking members 142 and 143 of the lower bracket 141 are formed
straight. When the drawer 100 is lifted upwardly, the drawer 100 is
detached from the moving rail 144 of the lower rail unit 140.
[0089] In the meanwhile, a locking assembly 116 and a locking
securing part 12 are provided in the first cabinet 10 and the
drawer 100 to limit the inner and outer motion of the drawer
100.
[0090] As shown in FIG. 2, the locking assembly 116 is provided in
an upper portion of a rear surface of the front portion 110 to lock
the drawer 100 when the drawer 100 is moved inwardly into the
second cabinet 20 completely. Together with the locking assembly
116, the locking coupling portion 12 coupled to the locking
assembly 116 is provided in a front panel 11 of the first cabinet
10. The locking coupling portion 12 is located opposite to the
locking assembly 116.
[0091] The locking assembly 116 is coupled to the locking coupling
part 12, to secure the drawer 100 not to move backward (that is,
outward). The locking assembly 116 and the locking coupling portion
12 may be coupled to each other by hooking or any other suitable
coupling method that is known to one of skill in the art.
[0092] When the drawer 100 is insertedly moved into the second
cabinet 10 by the side rail units 130 and the lower rail unit 140,
the side rail units 130 and the lower rail unit 140 reduce friction
generated between the drawer 100 and the second cabinet 20. Because
of that, when the drawer 100 is moved into the second cabinet 20,
the drawer 100 may be easily accelerated by a little force applied
thereto and it might collide with the second cabinet 20 by
inertia.
[0093] This collision might apply a shock to the drawer 100 and the
second treating part 20a, to damage to the components of the second
treating part 20a. In addition, the shock might be transferred to
the second cabinet 20, to damage the components of the first
treating part 10a. As mentioned above, the shock generated in the
drawer 100 and the second treating part happens to cause severe
noise.
[0094] The laundry apparatus according to embodiments the present
invention include a shock preventing part 150 to solve that
problem. The shock preventing part 150 is employed to relieve the
shock generated by the collision of the drawer 100 against the
second cabinet 20, when the drawer 100 is moved into the second
cabinet 20.
[0095] In reference to FIGS. 2 and 7, the shock preventing part 150
is provided in the front of the cabinet 2 and it is formed in a
trapezium shape, with a circular cross section. The shocking
preventing part 150 may be any other suitable shape known to one of
ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, two shock
preventing parts 150 may be provided on both sides of the front
portion of the second cabinet 20. In other embodiments, a total
four shock preventing parts 150 may be attached or any other
suitable number of shock preventing parts 150 known to one of skill
in the art.
[0096] A bolt hole is formed in a center of the shock preventing
part 150 and a bolt is inserted into the bolt hole to secure the
shock preventing part 150 to the side of the front portion. It is
preferable that the shock preventing part 150 is formed of an
elastic material. In some embodiments, the shock preventing part
150 may be formed of rubber. In further embodiments, the shock
preventing part 150 may be formed of an plastic or any other
suitable elastic material known to one of skill in the art.
[0097] A receiving recess 114 is formed in the inner surface of the
front portion 110 of the drawer 100 to receive the shock preventing
part 150 therein. When the drawer 100 is moved into the second
cabinet 20 completely, the front portion 110 of the drawer 100 may
be designed to be spaced apart a predetermined distance from the
side panel 13. The depth of the receiving recess 114 is smaller
than the height of the shock preventing part 150 and it is
preferable that the depth of the receiving groove 114 is a half to
two thirds with respect to the height of the shock preventing part
150. Even if the shock preventing part 150 is pressed by collision
with the drawer 100, the front portion 110 of the drawer 100 may
not collide with the side panel 13.
[0098] Moreover, according to embodiments of the present invention,
a rear lock 160 is further provided to secure the drawer 100 to
prevent drawer 100 from sliding backwardly when moved into the
second cabinet 20.
[0099] In reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, the rear lock 160 is provided
between a rear surface of the drawer 100 and a rear panel (not
shown) of the second cabinet 20. The rear lock 160 includes an
engaging part 161 engaging with the housing 120 of the drawer 100
and a clamp 165 installed in the rear panel of the second cabinet
20.
[0100] The engaging part 161 is configured of a support 162 having
a bolt hole formed therein and a projection 163 coupled to the
support 162. The engaging part 161 is fixed to a rear surface of
the housing 120 by a bolt. A cross section of the projection 163 is
rectangular and the projection 163 is formed in a center of the
support 162. Arc-shaped engaging grooves 164 are formed in both
sides of the projection 163.
[0101] The clamp 165 receives and secures the engaging part 161
thereto, and it is configured of two ball housings 167 spaced apart
a predetermined distance from each other and a support 166 secured
to lower portions of the ball housings 167. A bolt hole is formed
in the support 166 and the clamp 165 is fixed to the rear panel by
a bolt. A ball 168 is installed in the ball housing 167 and a hole
is formed in the ball housing 167 to expose the ball 168 to the
outside of the ball housing 167 partially there through. A diameter
of the hole is smaller than a diameter of the ball 168 and a
predetermined portion of the ball 168 is exposed via the hole. In
addition, the ball 168 is supported by a spring 169 installed in
the ball housing 167. An end of the spring 169 is secured to the
ball 168 and the other end of the spring 169 is secured to an inner
surface of the ball housing 167. The spring 169 is installed in a
state of being compressed and the ball 168 is in close contact with
the hole formed in the ball housing 167 by elasticity of the spring
169.
[0102] According to an operational principle of the rear lock 160,
the projection 163 of the engaging part 161 is inserted between the
ball housing 167 and the springs of the ball housing 167 are
pressed accordingly. The elastic force which is strong in
proportion to the pressed distances of the springs 169 is applied
to the balls 168. As illustrated in FIG. 9, a plurality of springs
169 are located in a pair of ball housings 167 and apply the
elastic force to the balls 168 toward the projection 163 and the
plurality of balls 168 apply a predetermined force along a
direction toward a center of the projection 163 from both sides of
the projection 163. Because of that, the engaging part 161 is
securely supported by the clamp 165. Together with that, the drawer
100 having the engaging part 161 secured thereto is secured to the
second cabinet 20 having the clamp 165 secured thereto. Here, the
plurality of balls 168 are inserted in the grooves 164 formed in
the projections 163 and they do not slip along a side surface of
the projection 163 accordingly.
[0103] When the drawer 100 is kept in the second cabinet 20, the
drawer 100 may be secured between the locking assembly 116 provided
in the front portion 110 of the drawer 100 and the locking securing
part 12. However, when laundry is treated in the second treating
part 20a installed in the drawer 100, the second drum 600 of the
second treating part 20a rotates and vibration is generated
accordingly. The vibration cannot be eliminated by the locking
assembly 116 enough, resulting in vibration generated in the entire
portion of the laundry apparatus.
[0104] The laundry apparatus 1 according to embodiments of the
present invention may include the rear lock 160 provided in the
drawer 100 to secure the drawer 100 stably and to restrain
vibration. In addition, it is preferable that the rear lock 160 is
installed in a rear portion of the rear surface of the drawer 100.
Typically, the locking assembly 116 is arranged in the upper
portion of the front portion 110 of the drawer 100. The rear lock
160 is installed in the lower portion of the rear surface of the
drawer 100. The securing means of the drawer 100 may be arranged in
symmetry in some embodiments. In other words, the locking assembly
116 and the rear lock 160 are arranged symmetrically, to secure the
drawer 100 more stably.
[0105] As a result, the laundry apparatus according to embodiments
of the present invention may include the rail provided in the
bottom of the drawer to remove sideward-vibration generated when
the auxiliary laundry device is put into operation. Because of
that, durability of the laundry apparatus is enhanced and noise is
effectively restrained.
[0106] Furthermore, the collision between the drawer and the
cabinet which is generated by the inertia of the drawer motion when
the drawer is moved into the cabinet may be prevented
effectively.
[0107] Meanwhile, there may be several disadvantages when the
drawer 100 is used to lead in and out the second treating part 20a.
The second treating part 20a requires a water supply pipe to supply
water to the second tub 200 and a drainage pipe to drain the wash
water.
[0108] When the drawer 100 is led out, the second tub of the second
treating part 20a is led out together with the drawer 100. At this
time, the water supply pipe and the drainage pipe which are
connected with the second tub 200 have to be extended. Therefore it
may be necessary to provide a configuration used to extended or
reduce the water supply pipe and the drainage pipe based on the
leading-in and leading-out of the drawer 100. If the water supply
pipe and the drainage pipe are not arranged effectively, the water
supply pipe and the drainage pipe might be caught by the rear
surface of the drawer 100 in the inward motion of the drawer 100.
In addition, the water supply pipe and the drainage pipe might be
torn or damaged by the drawer.
[0109] Because of the problem, the laundry apparatus 1 includes a
water supply/drainage device 400 which is provided in a rear
portion of the drawer 100 flexibly.
[0110] In reference to FIG. 10, the water supply/drainage device
400 includes a first link 420 and a second link 430 arranged below
the first link 420. The first link 420 and the second link 430 are
rotatably coupled to each other by a hinge. It is preferable that
the first link 420 is provided beyond the second link 430.
[0111] Together with that, it is preferable that long axes of the
first and second links 420 and 430 are arranged in parallel to a
width direction of the second cabinet 20. In other words, the width
of the second cabinet 20 having the drawer 100 provided therein is
structurally longer than the height of the second cabinet 20.
Because of that, the long axes of the first and second links 420
and 430 are arranged in parallel to the width direction of the
second cabinet 20 and the first and second links 420 and 430
arranged vertically have an advantage in an aspect of space
utilization.
[0112] The first link 420 and the second links 430 are symmetrical
in a profile and a configuration. As follows, the same
configuration elements of the second link 430 as those of the first
link 420 will be omitted.
[0113] The first link 420 forms an internal space, with both open
sides. A flexible water supply pipe 450 and a flexible drainage
pipe 460 are insertedly installed in the both open sides of the
first link 420. In other words, the flexible water supply pipe 450
and the flexible drainage pipe 460 are provided in the internal
space of the first link 420.
[0114] An end of the first link 420 is connected to a rear panel
(not shown) of the second cabinet 20 and the first link 420 is
rotatably connected to the rear panel of the second cabinet 20.
More specifically, the end of the first link 420 is hingedly
connected with a first bracket 422 and the first bracket 422 is
fixedly connected with the rear panel.
[0115] The second link 430 is connected with the lower portion of
the first link 420. The profile and configuration of the second
link 430 is identical to those of the first link 420, except an end
of the second link 430 which is hingedly connected with the rear
surface of the housing 120 provided in the drawer 100. More
specifically, the end of the second link 430 is hingedly connected
with a second bracket 432 and the second bracket 432 is fixedly
connected with the rear surface of the housing 120. Together with
that, the other end of the second link 430 is hingedly connected
with the first link 420.
[0116] A hinge connecting part 470 is formed between the first link
420 and the second link 430 and a hinge shaft (not shown) is
inserted in the hinge connecting part 470. The hinge connecting
part 470 may be a projection. The hinge connection part 470 may be
configured of a first projection 424 formed in a bottom of the
first link 420 and a second projection 434 formed in a top of the
second link 430. The first projection 424 and the second projection
434 may be integrally formed with the first link 420 and the second
link 430, respectively.
[0117] A water supply hole 410 is provided in a rear upper portion
of the second cabinet 20 and the water supply hole 410 is
configured of a hot water supply hole 412 for supplying hot water
and a cold water supply hole 414 for supply cold water. The water
supply hole 410 is in communication with the flexible water supply
pipe 450. The flexible water supply pipe 450 is branched to be two
pipes. One of the branched pipes is connected with the hot water
supply hole 412 and the other one is connected with the cold water
supply hole 414. The flexible water supply pipe 450 is inserted in
the first and second links 420 and 430. The flexible water supply
pipe 450 may be arranged in ".OR right." shape entirely. In other
words, the flexible water supply pipe 450 may be inserted in the
end of the first link 420 and exhausted from the other end. The
flexible water supply pipe 450 exhausted from the other end of the
first link 420 is inserted in an end of the second link 430 to be
exhausted from the other end of the second link 430. The flexible
water supply pipe 450 exhausted from the other end of the second
link 430 may be connected with the second treating part 20a,
passing through the rear surface of the housing 120.
[0118] The flexible drainage pipe 460 is installed in the same way
as the flexible water supply pipe 450. In other words, the flexible
drainage pipe 460 may be arranged in the first and second links 420
and 430 in a ".OR right." shape. An end of the flexible drainage
pipe 460 is exhausted to a rear portion of the second cabinet 20.
In other words, a drainage portion of the flexible drainage pipe
460 configured to exhaust wash water outside is located in an
outside of the second cabinet 20. It is preferable that a through
hole (not shown) is formed in the rear panel of the second cabinet
20 to exhaust the flexible drainage pipe 460 there through.
[0119] It is preferable that the flexible water supply pipe 450 and
the flexible drainage pipe 460 are formed of a flexible material
which can be flexed according to the rotation of the first and
second links 420 and 430.
[0120] Although not shown in the drawings, the first and second
links 420 and 430 may guide a control line (not shown) and the
control line includes an electricity line or a control line.
[0121] Moreover, it is described above that the end of the first
link 420 located upper is connected with the rear panel and that
the end of the second link 430 located lower is connected with the
rear surface of the housing 120. Alternatively, the end of the
first link 420 located upper is connected with the rear surface of
the housing 120 and the end of the second link 430 located lower is
connected with the rear panel.
[0122] As follows, an operational state of the water
supply/drainage device 400 mentioned above will be described.
[0123] FIG. 10 is a rear view illustrating the drawer 100 which is
moved into the second cabinet 20 completely and FIGS. 11 and 12 are
side sectional and plane views illustrating the drawer 100 which is
moved outward completely from the second cabinet 20.
[0124] In reference to FIG. 10, the first link 420 and the second
link 430 are folded to be arranged on the same perpendicular plane.
In other words, the first link 420 and the second link 430 are
arranged in parallel to the rear surface of the housing 120.
Together with that, the flexible water supply pipe 450 and the
flexible drainage pipe 460 are bent in a ".OR right." shape near
the hinge-connecting portion of the first and second links 420 and
430. In other words, the flexible water supply pipe 450 and the
flexible drainage pipe 460 exhausted from the first end of the
first link 420 are bent gently to be inserted in the end of the
second link 430.
[0125] In reference to FIG. 11, when the drawer 100 is led out, the
first and second links 420 and 430 connected to the drawer 100 are
not located on the same perpendicular plane anymore. In other
words, the first link 420 is rotated about the connected portion
with the rear panel of the second cabinet 20 and the second link
430 is rotated about the connected portion with the housing 120.
Here, the second link 430 is rotated about all of the connected
portions with the housing 120 and with the first link 420. In
contrast, the first link 420 is only rotated about the connected
portion with the rear panel.
[0126] In reference to FIG. 12, when the drawer 100 is led out
completely, the first and second links 420 and 430 are located on
the same perpendicular plane again. However, the second link 430 is
not located underneath the first link 420 but at a diagonal angle
with respect to the first link 420. It is preferable that the first
and second links 420 and 430 maintain a predetermined angle, not
located on the same perpendicular plane completely, when the drawer
100 is moved outward completely. In other words, if the first and
second links 420 and 430 are placed on the same perpendicular plane
in the state of the drawer 100 being led out completely, the first
and second links 420 and 430 might not be rotated relatively when
the drawer is led in again. In other words, if the first and second
links 420 and 430 are located on the same perpendicular plane, a
moment for rotating the first and second links 420 and 430 cannot
be formed. Because of that, if the first and second links 420 and
430 maintain a predetermined angle when the drawer 100 is led out
completely, the first and second links 420 and 430 may be rotated
smoothly when leading in the drawer 100.
[0127] As a result, the water supply pipe 450 and the drainage pipe
460 of the auxiliary laundry device may be arranged effectively by
the hinge assembly configured of the pair of the links. Twist or
damage of the water supply pipe and the drainage pipe generated
when leading in or out the drawer may be prevented accordingly.
[0128] When the second treating part 20a is formed in the drawer
100 as described above, the auxiliary laundry device may be a top
loading type which allows the user to load laundry via a top
thereof vertically. Because of that, the user may load or unload
the laundry into or out of the drum 600 smoothly and conveniently
after leading out the drawer 100.
[0129] As follows, the second tub and the second drum according to
embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0130] In reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the second treating part
20a includes a second tub 200, a second drum 600 rotatably mounted
in the second tub 200, a tub cover 210 coupled to a top surface of
the second tub 200, a cover 214 coupled to the tub cover 210, a
water chamber 217 and a water supply hose 219a configured to supply
wash water to the second drum 600, and a water chamber cover 219
configured to cover the water chamber 217. The water chamber 217 is
configured to reduce the speed of the wash water, which will be
described in detail later.
[0131] The second tub 200 and the second drum 600 have open tops.
The second tub 200 surrounds the second drum 600 and it prevents
the wash water from leaking outside. The second drum 600 is
rotatable within the second tub 200. The second drum 600 holds
laundry and it is provided with the wash water. A plurality of ribs
may be projected from an outer circumferential surface of the
second tub 200 to reinforce the strength of the second tub 200.
[0132] The tub cover 210 prevents the wash water and the laundry
from being thrown outside during the washing, and it is coupled to
a top surface of the second tub 200. A semicircular-shaped opening
211 is formed in an inner circumference of the tub cover 210 and
the opening 211 is an introduction space for the laundry to be
loaded or unloaded. The opening 211 is opened and closed by the
cover 214. The cover 214 is hingedly coupled to the tub cover 210
and the cover 214 is configured of a frame 215 and a transparent
window 216 secured in the frame 215. A handle 215a used to open and
close the cover 214 is provided in a center of the frame 215. The
transparent window 216 is formed of a transparent material and it
allows the user to identify the state of the laundry and wash water
inside the second drum 600. The user opens the cover 214 before
starting the washing process and he or she loads the laundry into
the second drum 600. After the washing process, the user opens the
cover 214 and he or she takes out the laundry from the second drum
600. During the washing process, the cover 214 is kept being
closed.
[0133] A chamber support 212 is formed in a rear portion of the
semicircular opening 211 formed in the tub cover 210 and the water
chamber 217 is installed in the chamber support 212. A hinge is
provided in the chamber support 212 to connect the cover 214 to the
second cover.
[0134] The water chamber 217 is a device configured to supply the
wash water to the second drum 600 and it is located in the center
of the chamber support 212, adjacent to the opening 211. Here, the
water chamber 217 communicates with an end of the water supply hose
219a. The water supply hose 219a is inserted in a predetermined
portion of the tub cover 210 and it is arranged along an inner
surface of the tub cover 210, that is, an outer surface of the
chamber support 212. Together with that, the water supply hose 219a
is bent at a center of the outer surface of the chamber support 212
to communicate with the water chamber 217. The other end of the
water supply hose 219a is in communication with the flexible water
supply pipe 450.
[0135] A support cover 213 is coupled to the chamber support and
the support cover 213 is coupled with the chamber support 212, to
form a predetermined internal space where the water chamber 217 is
installed.
[0136] In the meanwhile, fixers 218 for fixing the water chamber
217 are formed around the water chamber 217 and bolt grooves are
formed in the fixers 218 to couple the support cover 213 to the
chamber support 212. The fixers 218 may be integrally formed with
the support cover 213.
[0137] A cross section of the water chamber 217 is larger than a
cross section of the water supply hose 219a. As the wash water is
moving at a high speed via the water supply hose 219a, the speed of
the wash water is decreased drastically at the water chamber 217.
Because of that, the wash water may be supplied to the second drum
600 not at a high speed but at a relatively low speed.
[0138] According to the conventional laundry device, wash water is
supplied to a drum from a predetermined portion of the second tub
200 or of the tub cover 210. Typically, most of the laundry is
located in a center of the second drum 600 and the conventional
laundry apparatus consumes quite a lot of time to dampen the
laundry. However, according to an embodiment of the present
invention, the water chamber 217 for supplying the wash water is
arranged near the center of the second drum 600, to supply the wash
water to the center of the second drum 600. Because of that, the
time required for the wash water to dampen the laundry may be
reduced effectively.
[0139] In the meanwhile, the opening 211 is approximately
semicircular and the angle at the circumference is over 180
degrees, exactly. In other words, the opening 211 formed in the tub
cover 210 may be larger than the space occupied by the chamber
support 212. Because of that, the space for loading and unloading
the laundry may be secured as much as possible.
[0140] As a result, the water chamber is arranged in the center of
the drum according to the present invention to supply the wash
water to the center of the drum, such that the laundry may be
dampened more quickly.
[0141] In the meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 15, a shaft 700 passing
through the second tub 200 is provided in a lower portion of the
second tub 200. An upper end of the shaft 700 is connected with the
drum 600 mounted in the second tub 200 such that the second drum
600 may be rotated along the rotation of the shaft 700. A motor 800
is installed underneath the second tub 200 to rotate the shaft
700.
[0142] Within the drawer 100, the second tub 200 is elastically
supported by an auxiliary supporting device (500, see FIG. 19),
which will be described later. Vibration generated by the rotation
of the second drum 600 to be transferred to the second tub 200 may
be suspended and reduced by the supporting device 500.
[0143] A through hole 222 to pass the shaft 700 there through may
be formed in the center of the second tub 200. In addition, a
bearing housing 250 configured to support the shaft 700 is inserted
in a bottom of the second tub 200. Preferably, the bearing housing
250 is integrally formed with the second tub 200 when the second
tub 200 is molded. Here, when the second tub 200 is formed
according to injection molding, the bearing housing 250 may be
insert-molded when the second tub 200 is injection-molded. Here,
shaft holes 252 to pass the shaft 700 there through are formed in a
center of the bearing housing 250 and a pair of bearings 254 to
rotatably support the shaft 700 are inserted in the shaft holes
252. A water seal 256 is provided in the shaft hole 252 of the
bearing housing 250 to maintain air tightness between the shaft 700
and the second tub 200, in contact with the shaft 700. The water
seal 256 is formed in a ring shape, fixed to an inner
circumferential surface of the bearing housing 250, and a sealing
rib 258 is projected from an inner circumferential surface of the
water seal 256 to maintain the air tightness.
[0144] The motor 800 is installed underneath the second tub 200 and
it rotates the shaft 700 supported by the bearing housing 250.
Here, the motor 800 may be an outer rotor type motor including a
stator fixed to an outer circumferential surface of the shaft of
the second tub 200 and a rotor fixed to the shaft, surrounding the
stator.
[0145] As shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, a heater sump 230 may be formed
in an inner lower surface of the second tub 200. A heater 231 is
installed in the heater sump 230 to heat the wash water held in the
second tub 200. A drainage part 235 is provided in the heater sump
230 to drain the wash water held in the second tub 200 and an air
chamber 237 is installed in the drainage part 235 to sense the
amount of the wash water held in the second tub 200.
[0146] Here, in reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, a sloping surface 238
is formed in the bottom of the second tub 200 to allow the wash
water of the second tub 200 to be collected in the heater sump 230.
In other words, when the wash water held in the second tub 20 is
drained, the sloping surface 238 formed in the bottom of the second
tub 200 helps the wash water collect in the heater sump 230 to be
drained via the heater sump 230.
[0147] When the wash water held in the second tub 200 is heated,
the sloping surface 238 collects the wash water in the heater sump
230 to be heated. In this case, even if the wash water is
insufficient when heating the wash water, the wash water is
collected in the heater sump 230 by the sloping surface 130.
Because of that, overheating of the heater 231 and damage to the
heater 231 may be prevented.
[0148] The heater sump 230 mentioned above cannot be formed at the
relatively least space formed by the second tub 200 installed in
the limited space of the drawer 100. In other words, only the least
space having the heater 231 formed therein is used to form the
heater sump 230.
[0149] In this case, the installation of the heater 231 itself may
be a problem. The heater 231 includes a heater terminal 232
connected with the power source and a heating road 233.
Simultaneously, the heater terminal 232 fixes the heater 231.
Because of that, the size of the heater terminal 232 is relatively
larger than the size of the heating road 233. Typically, the heater
terminal 232 is bent along a perpendicular direction with respect
to the heating road 233 for installation efficiency. However,
according to the present invention, the heater terminal 232 is
formed in the same direction as the heating road 233 because of the
small space. As a result, even when the heater sump 230 is
projected toward the lower portion of the second tub 200, the
heater terminal 232 of the heater 231 is caught by the rib for
reinforcing the strength of the second tub 200 when the motor 231
is installed and it interferes with the inserting path of the
heater 232, which makes it difficult to install the heater 231.
[0150] Because of that, when the motor 231 is installed, the
installation direction of the heater 231 is sloping from a lower
portion of the heater sump 230 toward an upper portion. In other
words, when the heater 231 is inserted, the heater 231 is inserted
in the heater sump 230 with an end of the heating road 233 being
upward and the heater terminal 232 being downward. After the
heating road 233 is inserted completely, the heating road 233 is
rotated horizontally to fix the heater terminal 232 to the heater
sump 230.
[0151] Meanwhile, an auxiliary heater clamp 234 for fixing the
heating road 233 of the inserted heater 231 may be installed in an
inner surface of the heater sump 230. The heater clamp 234 supports
the heater in a rightward and leftward direction.
[0152] Such the heater clamp 234 and the second tub 200 are
manufactured independently and the heater clamp 234 is inserted in
the heater sump 230 in advance before the heater 231 is installed.
The heater clamp 234 is located in a predetermined position opposed
to the inserting direction of the heater 231 and it fixes an end of
the heating road of the heater 231. Here, the heater clamp 234 is
inserted in the installation hole provided in the heater sump 230
by a predetermined elasticity and a hooking projection is projected
in the end of the heater sump 230 to prevent the separation of the
heater sump 230.
[0153] Additionally, because of the limited small space of the
heater 231, the direction of the heater terminal 232 is identical
to the direction of the heating road 233 to connect the power
terminal (not shown) to the heater terminal 232.
[0154] In other words, when the direction of the heater terminal
232 is perpendicular to the direction of the heating road 233, like
the conventional heater, the space formed between the second tub
200 and the drawer 100 is narrow and it is difficult to connect the
power terminal with the heater terminal.
[0155] However, when the direction of the heater terminal 232 is
identical to the direction of the heating road 233, the power
terminal is inserted along the installation direction of the heater
231, to be connected with the heater terminal 232 smoothly.
[0156] As shown in FIG. 18, the drainage part 235 is provided in a
bottom of the heater sump 230 to drain the wash water held in the
second tub 200 such the drainage part 235 is connected with a
drainage device (not shown) and the wash water collected in the
heater sump 230 is drained by a drainage pump (300, see FIG. 26)
provided in the drainage device. The drainage pump 300 will be
described in detail later.
[0157] Here, a branched pipe 236 branched toward a upper portion of
the drainage part 235 is formed in the drainage part 235 and a
pressure water level sensor (not shown, for example, a diaphragm
pressure sensor) is connected with the branched pipe 236 to sense a
water level of the wash water stored in the second tub 200. The air
chamber 237 is provided between the branched pipe 236 and the
pressure water level sensor. The air chamber 237 allows the
pressure water level sensor to detect pressure changes of the
branched pipe 236 by using a volume.
[0158] Meanwhile, the conventional laundry apparatus includes a
suspension system which supports the drum and the tub and which
reduces vibration generated by the rotation of the drum, such as a
cylinder and a piston or a spring and a damper. Such a conventional
suspension system is flexible according to the weights of the drum
and the tub, to support the drum and the tub. Because of that, the
drum and the tub may move downwardly a predetermined distance or
more.
[0159] As a result, it is limited to install and drive the
conventional suspension system in the narrow space of the second
cabinet 20. As follows will be described a supporting device which
is provided in the second cabinet 20 of the laundry apparatus 1
according to the above embodiments, to support the second drum 600
and the second tub 200 and to suspend the vibration generated by
the rotation of the second drum 600 to limit the movement of the
second drum 600 and the second tub 200.
[0160] In reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, a supporting device 500
according to an embodiment may maintain the distance between the
second tub 200 and the second cabinet 20 in a predetermined range.
In other words, the supporting device 500 may prevent the second
tub 200 and the second cabinet 20 from being spaced apart over the
predetermined range or from being too closed over the range.
[0161] Here, when the drawer 100 is provided in the second cabinet
20 as mentioned above, the supporting device 500 is provided
between the second tub 200 and the drawer 100 and it can maintain
the distance between the drawer 100 and the second tub 200 in a
predetermined range. In other words, according to an embodiment not
including the drawer 100, the supporting device 500 may be provided
between the second tub 200 and the second cabinet 20. According to
an embodiment including the drawer 100, the supporting device 500
may be provided between the second tub 200 and the drawer 100. The
embodiment including the drawer 100 provided in the second cabinet
and the supporting device 500 provided between the second tub 200
and the drawer 100 will be described.
[0162] As a result, the supporting device according to this
embodiment limits the movement of the second tub 200 and it can
suspend horizontal vibration and/or vertical vibration which are
generated by the rotation of the second drum 600. More
specifically, the supporting device 500 may be provided between a
first fixing part 510 provided in the drawer 100 and the sloping
surface 240 provided in the second tub 200. In this case, the
supporting device 500 may maintain the distance between the first
fixing part 510 and the sloping surface 240 in a predetermined
range. As follows, a specific configuration of the supporting
device 500 will be described in reference to the drawings.
[0163] The supporting device 500 according to an embodiment
includes a first supporting part 520 configured to limit downward
movement and horizontal movement of the second tub 200 and a second
supporting part 530 configured to limit upward movement of the
second tub 200. The supporting device 500 according to the
embodiment may include a supporting part configured to limit
movement of the second tub according to vibration of the second tub
generated by the rotation of the second drum 600, that is, a
direction of movement of the second tub 200. Here, the first
supporting part 520 may limit downward movement and
leftward-and-rightward movement of the second tub 200. The second
supporting part 530 may limit upward movement of the second tub
200.
[0164] In the meanwhile, the second drum 600 and the second tub 200
may be vibrated along various directions by the rotation of the
second drum 600. For example, they may be vibrated along a vertical
direction or a horizontal direction. Even when they are vibrated
along the vertical direction, the second drum 600 and the second
tub 200 may be vibrated linearly or curvedly, and vice versa when
they are vibrated along the horizontal direction. By extension,
when the second tub 200 and the second drum 600 are rotated, only a
single direction rotation will occur rarely and vibration having
complex directional elements will usually be generated. For
example, they are vibrated vertically and vibrated horizontally
along a curvature at the same time.
[0165] When limiting the downward and horizontal movement of the
second tub 200, the first supporting part 520 can limit the upward
movement of the second tub 200 simultaneously. Here, the first
supporting part 520 can limit the downward and horizontal vibration
of the second tub 200 mainly, with limiting the upward movement of
the second tub 200 additionally. This can be applied to the second
supporting part 530. In other words, the second supporting part 520
can limit the upward movement of the second tub 20 mainly, with
limiting the downward and/or horizontal movement of the second tub
200 additionally.
[0166] The first and second supporting parts 520 and 530 mentioned
above may be provided between the second tub 200 and the drawer
100. For example, the first and second supporting parts 520 and 530
may be provided between the first fixing part 510 provided in the
side wall of the second tub 200 and the sloping surface 240
provided in the inner wall of the drawer 100. The first fixing part
510 may be integrally formed with the side wall of the second tub
200 and the sloping surface 240 may be integrally formed with the
inner wall of the drawer 100.
[0167] In the meanwhile, to provide the first and second supporting
parts 520 and 530 between the first fixing part 510 and the sloping
surface 240, the first fixing part 510 may face the sloping surface
240 in opposite. Furthermore, they may face each other in opposite
along a perpendicular direction. The first and second supporting
parts 520 and 530 may be provided along a perpendicular direction
accordingly.
[0168] For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the first fixing part 510
is provided in an upper portion of the supporting device 500 and
the sloping surface 240 is provided lower than the first fixing
part 510, such that they are opposing each other along a
perpendicular direction. The first fixing part 510 may be extended
outwardly from the side wall of the second tub 200 and the sloping
surface 240 may be extended toward the second tub 200 from the
inner wall of the drawer 100.
[0169] Here, the first supporting part 520 may include a supporting
bar 522 configured to limit the moving distance of the second tub
200 according to a moving direction and a connecting portion 526.
In other words, the supporting bar 522 is configured to limit the
downward movement of the second tub 200 and the connecting portion
526 is configured to limit the rightward and leftward movement of
the second tub 200.
[0170] Specifically, the supporting bar is substantially formed of
a rigid material and both ends of the supporting bar 522 may be
connected with the first fixing part 510 and the sloping surface
240, respectively. First and second inserting portions 512 and 242
may be provided in the first fixing part 510 and the sloping
surface 240, respectively, to connect the ends of the supporting
bar 522 there with. Because of that, the ends of the supporting bar
522 may be connected with the first fixing part 510 and the sloping
surface 240, passing through the first and second inserting
portions 512 and 242. In addition, a separation preventing portions
524 may be provided in the ends of the supporting parts to prevent
the ends from separating from the first fixing part 510 and the
sloping surface 240. Here, the connecting portions 526 may be
provided between the separation preventing portion 524 and the
first fixing part 510 and between the separation preventing portion
524 and the sloping surface 240, respectively.
[0171] According to this embodiment, the first fixing part 510 and
the sloping surface 240 may be opposite to each other along a
perpendicular direction and the supporting bar 522 provided between
them may be provided along a perpendicular direction. Because of
that, when the laundry is accommodated in the second drum 600 and
the wash water is held in the second tub 200, a predetermined
tension may be applied to the supporting bar 522 by the loads of
the second drum 600 and the second tub 200.
[0172] Meanwhile, the supporting bar 522 may be substantially
formed of a rigid body and both ends of the supporting bar 522 may
be prevented from being separated from the first fixing part 510
and the sloping surface 240. Even when the tension is applied to
the supporting bar 522 along the perpendicular direction by the
loads of the second drum 600 and the second tub 200, the supporting
bar 52 may stop the second tub 200 from moving downwardly as far as
the length of the supporting bar 522, or farther than the length.
In other words, even if the second tub 200 is moved downwardly by
the rotation or vibration of the second drum 600, the downward
movement of the second tub 200 may be limited by the supporting bar
522.
[0173] In the meanwhile, the upward movement of the second tub 200
generated by the rotation or vibration of the second drum 600 may
be limited by the second supporting part 530. Here, the second
supporting part 530 may be provided between the first fixing part
510 and the sloping surface 240 and it may be formed of an elastic
member capable of providing an elastic force to both ends thereof.
In other words, the second supporting part 530 may be compressed
between the first fixing part 510 and the sloping surface 240 and
it supplies the elastic force to the ends thereof, that is, to the
first fixing part 510 and the sloping surface 240. As a result, the
upward movement of the second tub 200 may be limited by the elastic
force of the second supporting part 530. In addition, the
separation preventing portions 524 provided at the ends of the
supporting bar 522 may be in close contact with the connecting
portion 526 by the elastic force of the second supporting part 530,
such that the connecting portions 526 may be in close contact with
the first fixing part 510 and the sloping surface 240. Because of
that, the distance between the first fixing part 510 and the
sloping surface 240 may be maintained in the predetermined range by
the supporting bar 522 and the elastic material 540, only to limit
the vertical movement of the second tub 200. When the second
supporting part 530 is provided between the first fixing part 510
and the sloping surface 240, the second supporting part 530 may be
provided along an outer circumference of the supporting bar
522.
[0174] Moreover, the horizontal movement of the second tub 200
generated by the rotation of the second drum 600 may be limited by
the connecting portion 526 of the first supporting part 520
mentioned above. Here, the connecting portions 526 may be provided
in both ends of the supporting bar 522 and they may limit the
horizontal movement of the second tub 200 by using a frictional
force with the fixing part 510 and the sloping surface 240. For
example, the second tub 200 is vibrated to receive a predetermined
force for moving horizontally. If then, the supporting bar 522 may
receive a moment to be rotated between the first fixing part 510
and the sloping surface 240. In this case, if the supporting bar
522 is not configured to be rotated at all, the moment applies a
tension to the supporting bar 522 and damage to the supporting bar
522 might occur.
[0175] Because of that, the supporting bar 522 may be configured to
be rotatable to a predetermined angle with respect to the first
fixing part 510 and the sloping surface 240. In this case, the
rotation of the supporting bar 522 may be limited by the connecting
portions provided at the ends of the supporting bar 522 and the
frictional force between the first fixing part 510 and the sloping
surface 240. As a result, the horizontal movement of the second tub
200 may be prevented.
[0176] The configuration of the rotatable supporting bar 522 will
be specifically described as follows. First and second seating
portions 244 and 514 may be provided in the first fixing part 510
and the sloping surface 240 to seat at least a predetermined
portion of the connecting portions thereon. The connecting portion
526 may have a semicircular, circular or curved shape and the first
and second seating portions 244 and 514 may have corresponding
shapes with respect to the connecting portions 526, respectively.
As a result, the shape of the connecting portions 526 provided at
the ends of the supporting bar 522 and the shapes of the first and
second seating parts 244 and 514 enable the supporting bar 522 to
perform the rotation to a predetermined angle. The frictional force
generated between contacting surfaces may be calculated according
to a following mathematical equation:
[Mathematical Equation]
F=.mu.N
[0177] Here, `.mu.` refers to a frictional coefficient and `N`
refers to a normal force. To increase the frictional force between
the connecting portions 526 and the first fixing part 510 and the
sloping surface 240, specifically, the frictional force between the
connecting portion 526 and the first fixing part 510 and between
the connecting portion 526 and the sloping surface 240, the
connecting portions 526 and the first and second seating portions
244 and 514 may be formed of a material having a high frictional
coefficient. To increase the normal force, the connecting portions
526 and the first and second seating portions 244 and 514 are
contacting with each other as closely as possible.
[0178] According to the supporting device 500 of this embodiment,
surfaces of the connecting portions 526 and/or surfaces of the
first and second seating portions 244 and 514 provided in the
sloping surface 240 and the first fixing part 510 may be formed of
a material having a high frictional coefficient. According to this
embodiment, to increase the normal force, the connecting portions
526 and the first and second seating portions 244 and 514 may
contact with each other as closely as possible and at least one of
the connecting portions 526 or the first and second seating
portions 244 and 514 may include an elastic member to prevent any
gap from being generated between them. In other words, the elastic
force of the second supporting part 530 mentioned above enables the
first fixing part 510 and the sloping surface 240 to be in close
contact with the connecting portions 526, and the elastic member
enables the connecting portions 526 and the first and second
seating portions 244 and 514 to contact with each other as closely
as possible, to increase the normal force.
[0179] FIGS. 21 and 22 are diagrams schematically illustrating a
connecting member including the elastic member.
[0180] The elastic member 540 may be exposed along an outer
circumference of the connecting portion 526 as shown in FIG. 21 or
at least a predetermined portion of the elastic member 540 may be
embedded in the connecting portion 526 as shown in FIG. 22. When
the elastic member 540 is embedded in the connecting portion 526,
it is preferable that the elastic member 540 is not embedded in the
connecting portion 526 more than a predetermined depth, to allow
the connecting portion 526 to be in contact with the first and
second seating portions 244 and 514 closely by the elastic force
thereof.
[0181] When the horizontal vibration of the second tub 200 is
generated by the rotation of the second drum 200, the second tub
200 happens to contact with the supporting device 500, to generate
inference with each other. Especially, according to the above
embodiments of the laundry apparatus, the second cabinet 20 has a
relatively narrow internal space and the distance between the
second tub 200 and the drawer 100 could be relatively narrow,
compared with the conventional laundry apparatus. Because of that,
the supporting device 500 provided between the second tub 200 and
the drawer 100 may be provided adjacent to the second tub 200
closely. If the interference is generated between the second tub
200 and the supporting device 500 by the horizontal vibration of
the second tub 200, there might be damage to an outer wall of the
second tub 200 and damage to the supporting device 500. Because of
that, the supporting device 500 cannot function well and noise and
vibration of the laundry apparatus 1 might then increase. As
follows will be described a configuration used to prevent the
interference between the second tub 200 and the supporting device
500 even if vibration is generated in the second tub 200.
[0182] In reference to FIG. 23, a laundry apparatus 1 according to
another embodiment may include a damping material 280 configured to
maintain a predetermined distance or more between the supporting
device 500 and the second tub 200 to prevent interference generated
between them. The damping material 280 may have a predetermined
elastic force and it is provided between the supporting device 500
and the second tub 200, to prevent the interference between the
second tub 200 and the supporting device 500 even if the second tub
200 is vibrated. The damping material 280 may be provided in at
least one of the supporting device 500 and the second tub 200, for
example, it may be provided along an outer circumference of the
second tub 200 as shown in FIG. 23.
[0183] Meanwhile, the supporting device 500 provided in the laundry
apparatus 1 according to some embodiments damps the vibration of
the second tub 200. However, in case of damping the vertical and/or
horizontal vibration of the second tub 200, the supporting device
500 may be provided along at least three portions or more along the
outer circumference of the second tub 200. When the plurality of
the supporting devices 500 are provided at two portions along the
outer circumference of the second tub 200, a yawing phenomenon
might be generated with respect to the supporting device 500.
[0184] FIG. 24 is a plane view of the drawer 100 when the drawer
100 is provided in the second cabinet 20. FIG. 24 illustrates three
supporting devices 500 provided in the laundry apparatus along the
outer circumference of the second tub 200.
[0185] In reference to FIG. 24, the supporting device 500 according
to this embodiment includes a first supporting device 500a provided
in a front surface of the second tub 200 and second and third
supporting devices 500b and 500c provided to form the same angle
with the first supporting device 500a. For example, the second and
third supporting devices 500b and 500c may be located approximately
adjacent to rear corners of the drawer 100. An angle formed between
the first supporting device 500a and the second supporting device
500b and an angle formed between the first supporting device 500a
and the third supporting device 500 may be approximately
120.degree..about.60.degree.. An angle formed between the second
supporting device 500b and the third supporting device 500c may be
approximately 120.degree..about.60.degree..
[0186] As mentioned above, the laundry apparatus 1 according to the
present invention includes the supporting device 500 configured to
prevent the vibration of the second tub 200, to reduce noise and
vibration generated therein.
[0187] When the second cabinet 20 is provided, the laundry
apparatus 1 according to the present invention may include the
supporting device 500 which can be installed in the narrow internal
space of the second cabinet 20 smoothly.
[0188] Meanwhile, it is necessary to provide a drainage pump 300
provided in the second tub 200 of the second treating part 20a to
drain the wash water having treated the laundry. The wash water
drained from the second treating part 20a is drained via a second
drainage pipe 480 and an auxiliary drainage pump 300 for smooth
drainage of the wash water. The drainage pump 300 mentioned above
is configured to perform drainage of wash water and to filter dirt
drained together with the wash water simultaneously. However, this
embodiment requires a new structured drainage pump 300 because of
the narrow installation space formed in the second treating part
20a.
[0189] As follows, the drainage pump 300 according to this
embodiment will be described in detail in reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0190] As shown in FIG. 25, the drainage pump 300 according to an
embodiment of the present invention is installed in a front edge
portion of the drawer 100. The drainage pump is configured of a
filter part 310 and a pump part 320. The pump part 320 is installed
in the drawer 100 and the filter part 310 is detachably installed
in an upper horizontal direction of the drawer 100.
[0191] The reason why the filter part 310 is detachably in an upper
portion of the drawer 100 vertically is that the installation space
for the pump part 320 installed in the drawer is very narrow. In
other words, if the filter part 310 is detachable forward or
sideward with respect to the drawer 100, a filtering area of the
filter part 310 is reduced possibly making it difficult to perform
smooth filtering. However, if the filtering effect of the filter
part 310 is enough, the filter part 310 could be detached along a
forward or sideward direction of the drawer 100.
[0192] As shown in FIGS. 26 to 29, the filter part 310 and the pump
part 320 of the drainage pump may be detachabed vertically.
[0193] Here, the filter part 310 is formed in a cylindrical shape
having a hollow formed therein and it includes an inlet hole 311
formed in a lower portion thereof to draw the wash water therein
and a plurality of filter holes 313 formed in an outer
circumferential surface thereof, except the inlet hole 311, to
filter the wash water. A handle 315 is provided in a top of the
filter part 310 to detach the filter part 310 from the pump part
320. Here, a cut-out plane surface 317 is formed in a body of the
filter part 310 to limit the insertion direction of the filter part
310.
[0194] In the meanwhile, the pump part 320 includes a filter
coupling part 321 configured to couple the filter part 310 thereto
insertedly, a drainage chamber 328 in communication with the filter
coupling part 321 and a pump 329 provided in the drainage chamber
328 to generate a pumping power.
[0195] Here, the filter coupling part 321 is formed in a
cylindrical shape, with an open top to allow the filter part 310 to
be inserted therein and a hollow formed therein. A raised surface
322, corresponding to the cut-out surface 317 formed in the filter
part 310, is formed in an inner surface of the filter coupling part
321. The insertion direction of the filter part 310 inserted in the
filter coupling part 321 is determined by the shape of the raised
surface 322 and the shape of the cut-out surface 317 corresponding
to the raised surface 322.
[0196] The filter coupling part 321 forms a relatively broad space,
compared with the filter part 310. A predetermined space where the
wash water drawn via the inlet hole of the filter 310 passes the
filter hole 313 of the filter part 310 is formed in the filter part
310.
[0197] Meanwhile, a water inlet hole 323 corresponding to the inlet
hole 311 of the filter part 310 is formed in a lower portion of the
filter coupling part 321 to draw the wash water therein. It is
preferable that the water inlet hole 323 contacts with the inlet
hole 311 formed in the filter part 310 closely to supply the wash
water drawn via the water inlet hole 323 toward the inlet hole
311.
[0198] A wash water staying space 324 extending from the filter
coupling part 321 is formed in the lower portion of the filter
coupling part 321. A drainage path 325 to pass the wash water
filtered by the filter part 310 therein is formed underneath the
wash water staying space 324. The drainage path 325 forms a moving
passage of the wash water toward a lower center of the drainage
chamber 328 which will be described later, specifically, a center
of an impeller 341 of the pump 329 which will be described
later.
[0199] The drainage chamber 328 is located adjacent to the filter
coupling part 321, beyond the drainage path 325 extended from the
lower portion of the filter coupling part 321. The pump 329 is
installed in the drainage chamber 328 and an impeller 341, rotated
by the rotation of the pump 329, is located in the drainage chamber
328.
[0200] Moreover, a water outlet hole 342 is formed in a
predetermined portion of the drainage chamber 328 to drain the wash
water therethough by the rotation of the impeller 341. A drainage
hole 345 is additionally formed in an opposite portion of the water
outlet hole 342 to drain the wash water remaining in the drainage
chamber 328 in the maintenance of the drainage pump 300. The
drainage hole 345 may be closed by an auxiliary cap (not
shown).
[0201] In the meanwhile, when the drainage pump 300 is driven at a
high speed in the above structure of the drainage chamber 328, a
pressure inside the drainage chamber 328 may be varied by the
rotation of the impeller 341. In other words, the pressure of the
portion inside the drainage chamber 328 where the wash water is
drained may be increased by the impeller 341 and the pressure of
the portion where the wash water is drawn may be decreased by the
suction of the impeller 341.
[0202] Here, when the pressure is decreased by the suction of the
impeller 341, vapors might be generated in the wash water by the
lowering pressure. The vapor generated in the drainage chamber 328
might affect the operation of the impeller 341, only to result in
poor water drainage and noise generated by the vapors during the
rotation of the impeller 341.
[0203] In the meanwhile, a partition wall 326 is located between
the wash water staying space 324 and the drainage chamber 328 to
partition off a predetermined space into the wash water staying
space 234 and the drainage chamber 328. The partition wall 326
includes a through hole 327 to allow the wash water staying space
324 to communicate with the drainage chamber 328, rather than the
drainage path 325.
[0204] When the pressure inside the drainage chamber 328 is
decreased by the rotation of the impeller 341, the through hole 327
draws the wash water inside the wash water staying space 324 into
the drainage chamber 328 to prevent the pressure inside the
drainage chamber 328 from decreasing. Because of that, the pressure
inside the drainage chamber 328 is decreased by the rotation of the
impeller 341 and the smooth driving of the pump may be
maintained.
[0205] Meanwhile, the second treating part 20a of the laundry
apparatus 1 described above is movably supported by the supporting
device 500. In this case, the second tub 200 is moved by a shock
generated by the movement of the laundry apparatus 1 and it might
collide with the inside of the drawer 100 to cause damage and
breakage thereof. As a result, a fixing material configured to
prevent the movement of the second tub 200 when the laundry
apparatus 1 is moved is required.
[0206] As shown in FIG. 30, a transit bolt securing part 260 for
securing the vibration of the second tub 200 when the laundry
apparatus 1 is moved may be further formed in a predetermined
portion of an outer circumferential surface of the second tub 200.
It is preferable that the transit bolt securing part 260 is formed
in a rear portion of the second tub 200. When the laundry apparatus
1 is moved, a transit bolt 262 passing through the second cabinet
20 is secured to the transit bolt securing part 260 formed in the
rear portion of the second tub 200, to prevent vibration of the
second tub 200.
[0207] Alternatively, a transit bolt 262 passing through the drawer
100 and the second cabinet 20 is secured to the transit securing
part 260. In this case, vibration of the second tub 200 is
prevented by the transit bolt 262 secured via the drawer 100 and
vibration of the second cabinet 20 and the drawer 100 are prevented
from being open from the second cabinet 20, when the laundry
apparatus 1 is moved.
[0208] Moreover, the securing process of the second tub 200 secured
by the transit bolt 262 as mentioned above may prevent the
horizontal vibration of the second tub 200. However, the horizontal
and vertical vibration might be generated complicatedly, when the
laundry apparatus 1 is moved. Because of that, it is necessary to
prevent the vertical vibration of the second tub 200. The bottoms
of the second cabinet 10 and the drawer 100 are open and an
auxiliary vibration preventing material 270 is inserted in the open
bottoms of the second cabinet 20 and the drawer 100, to prevent the
vertical vibration of the second tub 200.
[0209] The auxiliary vibration preventing material 270 is formed of
a predetermined material such as Styrofoam having a shape
corresponding to the shape of space located between the second tub
200 and the drawer. The auxiliary vibration preventing material 270
is inserted into the drawer 100 from the bottom of the second
cabinet 20, to fix the second tub 200. As a result, the vibration
of the second tub 200 may be prevented by the transit bolt 262 and
the auxiliary vibration preventing material 270 mentioned above,
when the laundry apparatus 1 is moved.
[0210] Meanwhile, when the drum is rotated, a balancer used to
reduce eccentricity of the drum may be provided. However, the
second cabinet 20 provided in the laundry apparatus according to
some embodiments may have a smaller washing capacity, that is, at
least one of a smaller volume and a smaller height than the first
cabinet 20. In case of providing a balancer at the second drum 600,
the space for installing the balancer makes the capacity of the
second drum 600 smaller or the installation space of the balancer
itself may be insufficient.
[0211] As a result, in case a ball balancer is provided in the
second drum 600 of the second cabinet 20, the present invention
provides a balancer capable of reducing an installation space. For
that, the balancer according to an embodiment may be employed as at
least a part of an outer wall of the drum 600.
[0212] If the balancer is provided in the drum like the
conventional laundry apparatus, a part of the volume inside the
drum is used as an installation space for the balancer and the drum
capacity decrease cannot be avoided. In contrast, if the balancer
is provided outside the drum, the internal space of the second
cabinet 20 is narrow and it is difficult to secure an enough space
with the tub.
[0213] As a result, an outer wall of the balancer may be used as a
part of an outer wall of the second drum 600, not to reduce the
capacity of the second drum 600 and to secure the installation
space for the balancer. As follows, the balancer will be described
in detail in reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0214] In reference to FIGS. 31 and 32, a balancer 630 according to
an embodiment is provided at a top of the drum 600 to be
substantially employed as a predetermined portion of a wall of the
second drum 600. In other words, the balancer 630 is provided at
the top of the drum 600. It can be expected that the top of the
drum second drum 600 is extended as much as the height of the
balancer 630. For that, the balancer 630 may be projected from the
top of the second drum 600 a predetermined distance. In other
words, the balancer 630 according to some embodiments may be
projected from a top end of the second drum 600, rather than
provided inside or outside the second drum 600.
[0215] In this case, as shown in FIG. 31, an outer circumferential
surface of the balancer 630 may be substantially continuous from an
outer circumferential surface of the second drum 600. The outer
circumferential surface of the balancer 630 may be provided along
the same surface which is identical to the outer circumferential
surface of the second drum 600, that is, a predetermined virtual
surface. If the balancer 630 is projected outwardly from the second
drum 600, the internal space of the second cabinet 20 is narrow and
interference between the balancer 630 and the second tub 200 might
be generated during rotation of the second drum 600, to cause an
error. Since the balancer 630 according to some embodiments forms
at least a part of the wall of the second drum 600, the balancer
630 may minimize the capacity decrease of the second drum 600.
[0216] The connection between the balancer 630 and the second drum
600 will be described as follows. For example, at least one first
connecting portion 631 is provided in a bottom of the balancer 630
and at least one second connecting portion 635 corresponding to the
first connecting portion 631 may be provided in the top of the
second drum 600. Here, the first connecting portion 631 may include
a first extended portion 632 extending from the bottom of the
balancer 630 downwardly and a first seating portion 643. The second
connecting portion 635 includes a second extended portion 636
extending from the top of the second drum 600 upwardly and a second
seating portion 638. The first and second extended portions 632 and
636 may include first and second connecting holes 633 and 637,
respectively.
[0217] When the balancer 630 is connected with the second drum 600,
the first extended portion 632 of the balancer 630 may be seated on
the second seating portion 638 of the second drum 600 and the
second extended portion 636 of the second drum 600 may be seated on
the first seating portion 634 of the balancer 630. In other words,
when the first and second extended portions 632 and 636 are seated
on the second and first seating portions 638 and 634, respectively,
the first connecting hole 633 is in communication with the second
connecting hole 637. Because of that, a fastening material passing
through the first and second connecting holes 633 and 637 may be
fastened to connect the balancer 630 to the second drum 600.
[0218] In the meanwhile, if the fastening material 650 is projected
toward the outside of the second drum 600, interference with the
second tub 200 might be generated during the rotation of the second
drum 600. Because of that, a concave portion 634a may be provided
to prevent the fastening material 650 from being projected toward
the outside of the second drum 600. The concave portion 634a may be
provided between the first connecting portion 631 and the second
connecting portion 635. When it is fastened, the fastening material
650 is inserted in the concave portion 643a and it is prevented
from being projected toward the outside of the second drum 600.
[0219] The second cabinet 20 of the laundry apparatus 1 according
to an embodiment may have at least one of a smaller volume and a
smaller height than the first cabinet 10. The height of the second
drum 600 may be smaller than that of the first drum. In some
embodiments, the balancer 630 is provided on the top of the second
drum 600, the height of the second drum 600 may be smaller than a
diameter of the second drum 600. In other words, the balancer 630
forms a predetermined part of the outer wall of the second drum 600
and the height of the second drum 600 itself may be smaller
accordingly. As a result, the height of the second drum 600 may be
smaller than the diameter of the second drum 600.
[0220] When the height of the second drum 600 is smaller as
mentioned above, compared with that of the conventional drum, it
could be difficult to manufacture the second drum 600 according to
a conventional method. In other words, a plate type side wall is
rolled to be circular and the conventional drum is formed. A base
is manufacture independently and the base is connected with the
side wall. The height of the second drum 600 according to this
embodiment is smaller than that of the conventional drum. The
second drum 600 may not be properly manufactured if a side wall and
a base are independent and then connect with each other to form the
drum. Because of that, to manufacture the second drum 600 of the
laundry apparatus according to some embodiments, a single metal
sheet is provided and the single metal sheet is used to manufacture
the second drum 600 via a drawing process. This is because the
height of the second drum 600 is relatively smaller. It is possible
to manufacture the second drum 600 in the drawing process and it is
further possible to manufacture the second drum 600 according to
the embodiment in a single drawing process. As a result, a side
wall and a base may be integrally formed as one body to be the
second drum 600 according to the embodiment.
[0221] The conventional drum provided in the laundry apparatus
includes a plurality of drainage holes formed in the side wall
thereof to drain water inside the drum. When the drum is rotated,
the water inside the drum is drained toward the tub to perform
washing and rinsing more smoothly. To form the plurality of the
drainage holes, the drum is punched from the inside toward the
outside.
[0222] However, the second drum 600 according to one embodiment may
be integrally manufactured as one body via the drawing process,
with a reduced height. If the side wall of the second drum 600 is
punched to form drainage holes, portions near the drainage holes
might be distorted. In a severe case, a circular profile of the
second drum might be distorted during punching of the side wall to
form drainage holes. If the profile of the second drum is not
uniformly even, the distance with the tub may not be uniform when
the drum is rotated, which may cause an error.
[0223] To solve this potential problem, the second drum 600
according to some embodiments may not include drainage holes formed
along the side wall. Rather, the second drum 600 may include only a
drainage hole formed in a drum base 620. When the drum base 620 of
the second drum 600 is rotated, the distance with the tub 200 is
not so fatal, compared with the side wall, and it is possible to
form the drainage hole in the drum base 620.
[0224] However, when only the drum base 620 includes the drainage
hole, water inside the second drum 600 might leak outside via the
top of the second drum 600 by a centrifugal force during the
rotation of the second drum 600 and the water might leak outside
the second tub 200 according to the rotational speed of the second
drum 600.
[0225] As a result, auxiliary means for drain the water inside the
second drum 600 may be further provided in the side wall to
circulate the water via the space with the second tub 200.
[0226] For example, according to an embodiment, an opening 640 is
provided between the second drum 600 and the balancer 630 to drain
the water inside the second drum toward the second tub 200 during
the rotation of the second drum 600. In other words, as shown in
FIG. 32, the balancer 630 and the second drum 600 may be connected
via the first and second connecting portions 631 and 635. The
opening 640 may be provided between the first and second connecting
portions 631 and 635. When the water is lifted toward an inner wall
of the second drum 600 by the centrifugal force, the water inside
the second drum 600 may be drained to a predetermined space formed
between the second tub 200 and the second drum 600 via the opening
640. The drained water may be stored in the space formed between
the second tub 200 and the second drum 600 or it may be re-supplied
to the inside of the second drum 600 via the drainage hole provided
in the drum base 620 of the second drum 600.
[0227] Meanwhile, the drum integrally manufactured as one body in
the drawing process may have a deterioration in strength in
comparison with a drum manufactured in a conventional process.
Also, the internal volume of the second cabinet 20 is narrow and
the volume, that is, the washing capacity of the second tub 200
provided in the second cabinet may be decrease. The second drum 600
according to this embodiment includes a structure capable of
solving these disadvantages, which will be described as
follows.
[0228] In reference to FIGS. 33 and 34, the second drum 600
according to some embodiments may reinforce the strength of the
drum itself and it may include a stepped portion 622 provided in
the drum base 620 to enhance the washing capacity of the second
drum 600. Here, the stepped portion 622 may be provided to make an
outer portion of the drum base 620 lower than a center thereof. The
stepped portion 622 is provided to reinforce the strength of the
second drum 600 and to make the second drum 600 getting lower as
coming toward the outer portion. Because of that, the internal
volume of the second drum 600 may be increased.
[0229] Moreover, to reinforce the strength of the second drum 600,
the second drum 600 according to this embodiment includes a first
convex portion 624 extending towards the center of the drum base
620 from an outer portion of the drum base 620. For example, at
least one convex portion 624 may be provided and the at least one
convex portion 624 may be extended toward the center from the outer
portion of the drum base 620. In this case, the first convex
portion 624, extending toward the center of the drum base 620, may
be connected with the stepped portion 622 of the drum base 620. As
a result, the strength of the second drum according to this
embodiment may be reinforced by the stepped portion 622 provided in
the drum base 620 and the first convex portion connected with the
stepped portion 622.
[0230] In the meanwhile, the second drum 600 may be rotatable
within the second tub 200. In this case, the second drum 600 may
include a connecting portion 660 extended from the shaft 700 to be
connected therewith, in communication with the shaft 700, to allow
the second drum 600 to be rotatable. The connecting portion 660 may
be connected with the second drum 600 by a fastening material (229,
see FIG. 33) such as a bolt. The connecting portion 660 extends
from the shaft 700 provided in the center of the drum base 620 in a
radial direction. A seating portion may be provided in the drum
base 620 of the second drum 600 to seat the connecting portion 660
thereon. The seating portion may be created to be a second convex
portion 626 extending outwardly from the center of the drum base
620. In other words, the connecting portion 660 may be seated in a
lower portion of the second convex portion 626 and it may be
connected with the second drum 600 by the fastening material
650.
[0231] When the stepped portion 622 if provided in the drum base
620 of the second drum 600 as mentioned above, a stepped portion
221 may be provided in a tub base 220 of the second tub 200 to
maintain the predetermined distance with the second drum 600 and to
reinforce the strength of the second tub 200. The stepped portion
has an outer portion lower than a center portion.
[0232] According to the laundry apparatus 1 described above, the
balancer 630 forming at least a predetermined part of the wall of
the drum may be provided. Because of that, when the second cabinet
20 is provided, the second drum 600 may be installed in the second
cabinet 20 having a relatively narrow internal space and the drum
capacity decrease may be minimized.
[0233] Meanwhile, drainage of the wash water may be performed in
the first treating part 10a located beyond the second treating part
and the second treating parts 20a. At this time, the wash water
drained from the first treating part 10a might flow backward to the
second treating part 20a. It is required to improve the drainage
structure of the first and second treating parts 10a and 20a.
[0234] As follows, the drainage structure of the first and second
treating parts 10a and 20a provided in the laundry apparatus 1
according to embodiments of the present invention will be describe
in detail in reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0235] As shown in FIG. 13, a first drainage pipe 16 is provided in
the first treating part 10a to drain the wash water used in the
first treating part 10a. The first drainage pipe 16 is in
communication with the first tub of the first treating part 10a. A
second drainage pipe 480 is provided in the second treating part
20a to drain the wash water used in the second treating part 20a.
The second drainage pipe 480 is in communication with the second
tub 200. The first drainage pipe 16 of the first treating part 10a
and the second drainage pipe 480 of the second treating part 20a
may be integrated outside the cabinet 1a. A junction pipe 485 is
provided at a junction point (P) and the junction pipe 485 is
arranged in a "U" shape, to prevent the drained wash water from
flowing backward.
[0236] Together with that, the second drainage pipe 480 of the
second treating part 20a is upward with respect to the ground for a
predetermined period and downward again to be integrated with the
first drainage pipe 16 of the first treating part 10a. The second
drainage pipe 480 has an outlet point (O) led out from the bottom
of the second tub 200, a maximum point (M) of the highest position
with respect to the ground and a junction point (P) integrated with
the first drainage pipe 16 of the first treating part 10a.
[0237] Here, the outlet point (O) and the junction point (P) are
located higher than the maximum point (M). In other words, the
maximum point (M) is located higher than the outlet point (O) and
the junction point (P). As a result, the wash water of the junction
point (P) may be prevented from flow backward into the second tub
200 against the drainage direction.
[0238] When the laundry is washed by using the second treating part
20a, too many bubbles might be generated in the second tub 200.
When too many bubbles are generated in the second tub 200, a
friction may be generated by the bubbles located between the second
drum 600 and the second tub 200. The friction interferes with
efficient rotation of the second drum 600.
[0239] Because of that, the second treating part 20a may include a
bubble outlet pipe 490 to discharge the bubbles generated in the
second tub 200. An end of the bubble outlet pipe 490 is coupled to
a predetermined portion of the top of the second tub 200 and the
other end is connected with the second drainage pipe 480.
Preferably, the end of the bubble outlet pipe 490 is coupled to a
top surface of the top cover 210 of the second tub 200.
[0240] In addition, a check valve 487 may be provided at a
connected point between the bubble outlet pipe 490 and the second
drainage pipe 480. The check valve 487 may be selectively closed
according to a case of discharging bubbles or a case of discharging
wash water.
[0241] In the meanwhile, the bubble outlet pipe 490 may be used to
discharge too much steam generated in the second tub 200. The
feature used to discharge the too much steam generated in the
second tub 200 is the same as the feature used to discharge the
bubbles and detailed description thereof will be omitted
accordingly.
[0242] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in embodiments of the
present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the
inventions. Thus, it is intended that embodiments of the present
invention cover the modifications and variations of embodiments of
this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *