KR101306712B1 - Pedestal washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pedestal washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine of a new concept that serves as a pedestal of a washing machine or a dryer and washes. Such a pedestal washing machine is usefully used to wash small laundry while supporting the washing apparatus as a pedestal, unlike a conventional large washing machine. In addition, since the bearing housing supporting the motor shaft and the bottom plate of the tub are connected by a gasket, vibration of the tub is minimized during washing.

Laundry Machine, Pedestal, Pedestal, Washing Machine, Pedestal Washing Machine

Description

Pedestal washing machine {PEDESTAL WASHING MACHINE}

1 shows a conventional laundry machine and a pedestal.

2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a cross-sectional view of the pedestal washing machine of FIG.

4 shows another embodiment.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a control method of a washing machine according to the present invention.

Description of the Related Art [0002]

100: pedestal washing machine 110: case

120: drawer 121: upper frame

122: gasket 123: control panel

124: handle 130: case body

140: out tub 141: out tub door

142: door frame 143: hook

144: door sealing material 150: inner tub

160, 162: damping device 170: drainage pipe

171: corrugated pipe 172: drainage pump

180: water supply pipe 181: corrugated pipe

182: water supply valve 190: motor

191: axis of rotation

The present invention relates to a pedestal washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine of a new concept that serves as a pedestal of a washing machine or a dryer and washes.

In general, the laundry machine refers to a device capable of washing, drying or washing or drying clothes. Here, one washing apparatus may perform only washing or drying functions, or both washing and drying. In addition, recently, a steam supply device is provided, and a washing device having a refresh function such as wrinkle removal, odor removal, and static electricity removal of clothes, etc., has been widely used.

On the other hand, conventional washing apparatuses are classified into a front loading type or a top loading type according to a drawing direction of clothes. There is also a vertical type in which the pulsator or inner tub is rotated and a horizontal type in which the drum lies horizontally, depending on the manner of washing. Representative examples of this horizontal type are drum washing machines or drum dryers.

These washing machines are gradually becoming larger in size in response to recent user acceptance. In other words, the external size of the laundry machines used for home use is also getting larger.

Generally, each household is equipped with one large capacity washing machine. Therefore, when the laundry is divided according to the type of the laundry, the washing machine is used several times. For example, in the case of washing laundry such as adult clothes and laundry such as underwear or baby clothes, after the washing of the electronic is completed, the washing machine is used again for the latter washing. As a result, the washing time is long and the energy consumed is also large.

Further, it is not preferable from the viewpoint of energy saving to use a large washing machine like the conventional one in washing a small amount of clothes. Most of the laundry courses provided in large washing machines are scheduled to have a large amount of laundry, so the amount of water consumed is large. In addition, a large amount of power is consumed because a large drum or inner tub must be rotated. In addition, the laundry course is relatively long because the laundry course is scheduled for large quantities.

In addition, the large washing machine is not suitable for washing delicate clothes such as underwear or baby clothes because the laundry is mainly provided with general clothes.

Even if a small amount of laundry is frequently washed, a large washing machine is not suitable. Consumers collect laundry for a few days or longer to collect the laundry at once.

Underwear and baby clothes are not good for long-term cleanliness. And, if such laundry is left for a long time, there is a problem that the time is stuck to the cloth and the laundry is not made clean.

Therefore, a compact washing machine smaller in capacity than a conventional large washing machine is required. However, even if it is small, it is not preferable to install two washing machines in a house and install it side by side in space, and it is not good for aesthetics.

1 is a perspective view showing a conventional washing machine.

As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional laundry machine 1 includes a main body 10 forming an appearance and a control panel 11 positioned on the front or upper surface of the main body. The control panel may include a control unit for controlling the operation of the washing apparatus. Therefore, the user performs a process such as washing or drying by operating the control panel.

Here, the washing apparatus may be a washing machine, a dryer, or a washing machine and a dryer.

On the other hand, the conventional washing machine may include a pedestal 20, that is, a pedestal for supporting the body 10 against the floor. Here, the main body 10 is installed above the pedestal 20.

Such a pedestal has not been utilized for other purposes than the conventional use only to support a washing machine or a dryer.

The present invention is to solve the above-described problems, it provides a new concept pedestal washing machine capable of washing a small amount of laundry, etc. without driving a large washing machine, and can also serve as a pedestal, such as a dryer or a washing machine.

The pedestal washing machine according to the present invention includes a case capable of supporting another washing machine; An out tub installed in the case to accommodate washing water; A rotating body rotatably installed in the outer tub to swing laundry; A rotating shaft for transmitting the rotational force of the motor to the rotating body; A bearing housing supporting the rotating shaft; A flexible sealing material connected between the bearing housing and the outtub; .

Since the flexible sealing material is connected between the bearing housing and the outer tub supporting the rotating shaft, the vibration transmitted to the bearing housing through the rotating shaft is not transmitted to the outer tub.

The case is made structurally strong to support the conventional washing machine or dryer. Thus, the role of the pedestal 20 of FIG. 1 may be substituted.

Here, the case may include a drawer (drawer) that can be pulled out from the case body. And, the outtub is preferably fixed in the drawer.

More preferably, it has an upper frame united with at least a portion of the upper part of the drawer and unitary with the outer tub.

In the outer tub, a rotating body for swinging laundry is rotatably installed. The rotating body may be an inner tub or a pulsator.

A plurality of through grooves may be formed in the inner tub. Thus, the wash water in the outer tub can pass through the through groove.

A damping device for supporting a bearing housing for rotatably supporting the rotating shaft may be further included.

Preferably the motor is directly connected to the rotating shaft. And more preferably, the motor is an outer rotor type in which a stator is fixed to the bearing housing.

And, more preferably, the motor is wound in a concentrated zone. Winding in the concentrated zone rather than winding in the distribution zone can reduce the height of the motor and increase the output.

Since the pedestal washing machine is particularly small in height, the space under the outboard where the motor is to be installed may be small. Therefore, it is preferable to use a motor that is small in height and capable of maintaining a required output.

Alternatively, the motor may be made of a double rotor type.

It is preferable to use a motor at least whose diameter is larger than the height.

When the drawer is withdrawn from the case body, the outtub, the rotating body, the motor, and the like are withdrawn in and out together.

In addition, an outer door may be further included to prevent the washing water from flowing out through the upper portion of the outer tub. The outer door covers an opening formed in an upper portion of the outer tub.

The washing water flowing upward by the rotation of the rotating body such as the inner tub is prevented from being leaked by the outer door.

The case may include a water supply valve that may be connected to an external water supply pipe, and a water supply pipe may be connected between the water supply valve and the outtub.

The water supply pipe preferably has a shape that is variable in length. For example, at least a portion of the feed pipe may have a corrugated pipe that is stretchable in the longitudinal direction or may have a structure that is telescopically variable in length.

In addition, a detergent box for supplying detergent may be installed on the water supply passage of the wash water. Washing water is supplied to the tub with detergent while passing through the detergent box.

Such detergent box is preferably located in the upper corner of the inside of the case.

In addition, it includes a drain pipe for draining the wash water, it is preferable that the drain pipe has a form that is variable in length as well.

A drain pump for drainage may be connected to the drain pipe.

And, the water supply structure or the drainage structure as described above is preferably located at the corner of the case. For example, the water supply valve and the drain pump may be located at the corner of the case.

On the other hand, the pedestal washing machine according to the present invention may include a steam generator. By supplying steam to the laundry using the steam generating device as described above it is possible to increase the washing effect.

The steam generator is preferably located at one corner of the upper case.

The steam generating device may be connected to the water supply valve to receive water, and to heat the water by a heater to generate steam to supply the water into the outtub. The specific configuration of such a steam generator can be used that used in the conventional washing machine.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail through preferred embodiments of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the case 110 includes a case body 130 and a drawer 120. The drawer 120 may be pulled out from the case body 130 to the front.

The case body 130 has a suitable size and structurally strong to place a conventional laundry machine thereon.

The drawer 120 is fixed to the outer tub 140 is installed.

The drawer 120 has an upper frame 121 covering the upper portion thereof, and the outer tub 140 is made of a single body with the upper frame 121.

The outer door 141 is installed in the upper opening of the outer tub 140. A door frame 142 protrudes from the inner wall of the outer tub 140 in the circumferential direction, and a door sealing material 144 is installed in the outer tub 141. Thus, when the outer door 141 is closed, the door sealing material 144 contacts the door frame 142 to seal the upper portion of the outer tub 140.

In addition, a hook 143 is installed at the outer door 141. The hook 143 is inserted into a hook groove (not shown) formed on the inner wall surface of the outer tub 140. The hook 143 is supported by a spring (not shown) installed therein. And, the end of the hook 143 is gentle and can be separated or inserted from the hook groove when a suitable force is applied to open or close the door 141.

Such a hook device can be used as it is a form commonly used in other conventional devices. Instead of the hook device, it is also possible to provide a locking means by another method.

Since the pedestal washing machine 100 is relatively low in height, the washing water in the outer tub 140 may be splashed out, and if the outer door 141 is present, it is prevented.

The inner tub 150 is located in the outer tub 140. The inner tub 150 is formed with a plurality of through grooves for the inflow and outflow of the wash water. In another embodiment, the inner tub 150 may be a pulsator.

An opening is formed in the center of the bottom plate of the outer tub 140. In addition, the bearing housing 192 is located in the opening. A gasket 122, which is a flexible sealing material, is installed between the bearing housing 192 and the bottom plate of the outer tub.

The stator of the motor 190 is fixedly installed in the bearing housing 192. The motor 190 is an outer rotor type motor. The rotor shaft 191 is supported by the bearing housing 192 and directly connected to the bottom of the inner tub 150.

In addition, the motor 190 is wound in a concentrated zone, the diameter of which is larger than the height.

Damping devices 160 and 162 are connected to support the bearing housing 192.

In addition, a drain pipe 170 for drainage is connected to a lower portion of the outtub 140. One end of the drain pipe 170 is fixed to the case body 130 to communicate with the outside, and the other end is connected to the lower portion of the outtub 140 to communicate. The drain pipe 170 is connected to the drain pump 172 is installed.

In addition, a part of the drain pipe 170 is made of a corrugated pipe 171 that is stretchable in the longitudinal direction. Thus, when the drawer 120 is pulled forward, the corrugated pipe 171 is extended.

A telescopic structure may be used instead of the above-mentioned corrugated pipe shape.

A water supply pipe 180 for supplying water is connected to an upper portion of the outtub 140. The other end of the water supply pipe 180 is connected to the water supply valve 182. The water supply pipe 180 also includes a corrugated pipe 181.

In addition, a steam generator 185 is installed to supply steam into the outer tub 140. The steam generator 185 has a water supply pipe 186 is connected to the water supply valve 182 to receive water. And, the steam is supplied into the outer tub 140 through the steam pipe 187.

The steam pipe 187 is likewise made of a variable length structure, such as corrugated pipe.

The steam outlet of the steam pipe 187 is located above the inner tub 150 so that steam can be supplied to the inner tub 150.

The steam generator as described above may be made in the same structure as the steam generator used in the conventional washing machine.

In addition, the steam generator is preferably located in the upper corner of the case (110).

4 illustrates a case where the motor is an inner rotor type. The rotating shaft 191 of the motor is similarly connected to the inner tub 150. In addition, a bracket 192 is installed at an outer circumference of the motor, and damping devices 160 and 162 are connected to the bracket 192.

Meanwhile, the control panel 123 is installed at the front of the drawer 120. The control panel 123 is provided with various buttons and knobs as an input unit for inputting a command related to washing such as a washing course. In addition, the control panel 123 is provided with an LCD window and an LED lamp as a display unit for displaying laundry information.

In addition, a main controller for controlling the motor 190, the water supply valve 182, the drain pump 172, and the like is also provided in the control panel 123.

However, when there is a space limitation, the control panel 123 may be provided with only an input unit and a display unit, and a main control unit with a microcomputer may be located at one corner.

In addition, the drawer 120 may further include a locking device (not shown) for maintaining the drawer 120 is inserted into the case body 130. Preferably, the locking device is an electronic locking device controlled by the main controller.

Thus, the locking device is controlled so that the drawer 120 is not drawn out while the inner tub 150 is being rotated as the washing is in progress. If the drawer 120 is pulled out while the inner tub 150 is rotating, vibration may occur. Therefore, the main controller detects the rotation state of the inner tub 150 to control the locking device. Such an electronic locking device can also be used in the conventional home appliances.

Here, the rotation state of the inner tub 150 may be detected through the rotation state of the motor 190.

In addition, there may be a case in which the user wants to draw the drawer 120 when the washing is in progress. At this time, the main control unit is preferably provided to release the locking device after stopping the operation of the inner tub 150. In this case, the main controller may display the drawer 120 after the operation of the inner tub 150 is stopped to notify the time when the drawer 120 may be drawn out.

In order to determine when the user wants to withdraw the drawer 120, a 'pause' button may be provided on the control panel. Alternatively, it may be determined that the drawer 120 is to be drawn out using a sensor such as a force sensor. For example, when a user applies a force to draw the drawer 120, the force is sensed by the load sensor and the main controller compares the sensed result with a reference value. Thus, when the reference value is higher than or equal to the user, it is determined that the drawer 120 is to be withdrawn.

The load sensor as described above may be installed in the locker groove to which the locker of the locking device is caught. Thus, when the user pulls to draw the drawer, the load sensor installed in the locker groove is applied by the locker to transmit a signal to the main control unit.

Hereinafter, a method of using the pedestal washing machine 100 as shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

First, the user grabs the handle 124 and draws the drawer 120, and then opens the outer door 141 to input laundry.

After the laundry is put in, the drawer 120 is pushed into the case body 130, and an option related to washing such as a washing course is selected through the control panel 123 (S10).

When the user presses the 'start' button to command the washing start, the main controller controls the relevant device to perform the washing course as shown in FIG. 5.

First, the main control unit opens the water supply valve 182 to supply washing water (S11).

When the water supply is completed, the motor 190 is controlled to rotate the inner tub 150 to perform washing (S12).

When washing is completed, water is supplied again to rinse the laundry (S13).

Then, at this time, it is determined whether or not to exclude the dehydration step (S30), if selected to exclude the dehydration step, the washing course is completed after the completion of the rinsing step. However, if it is not selected to exclude the dehydration step, the inner tub 150 is rotated at a high speed after the rinsing step to perform the dehydration step (S14).

The pedestal washing machine 100 of the present embodiment may be used to wash toys and the like in addition to clothing. Thus, the dehydration step may be excluded.

To this end, an input unit of the control panel 123 may be provided with means for selecting a washing course from which the dehydration step is excluded. For example, the washing course including the dehydration step and the washing course not including the dehydration step may be provided. 5 illustrates a case in which the control panel 123 includes a button excluding the dehydration step. Thus, when the user selects the washing course and presses the 'except dehydration step' button, the dehydration step is excluded from the washing course.

In addition, the washing course may include supplying steam.

Means for including the steam supply step in the washing course may be provided in the control panel 123. For example, the 'steam supply' button is provided on the control panel 123, and when the user selects the washing course and presses the 'steam supply' button as shown in FIG. 5, the washing course includes the steam supplying step (S20).

The steam supplying step may be performed for soaking the laundry before performing the washing step. Alternatively, the steam supplying step may be performed during the washing step to increase the washing effect.

Alternatively, the steam supplying step may be used to sterilize laundry. In this case, a predetermined amount of steam may be supplied to maintain the sterilizing effect for a predetermined time.

Preferably, sterilization by steam is performed after the rinsing step is completed or after the dehydration step is completed.

Selection means may be provided in the control panel 123 so that the user can select when to supply the steam. For example, the 'steam supply' button may be made in the form of a knob to be further selected so that options such as 'before washing', 'during washing' and 'after rinsing' may be further selected as the knob is rotated. Can be. Then, the control unit determines the supply time of the steam in accordance with the user's selection (S21).

The washing step may be performed by rotating the inner tub 150 in the forward and reverse directions so that the laundry is tumbled.

Alternatively, in the washing step, the laundry may be rotated by rotating the inner tub 150 so that the washing water draws a V shape. At this time, the speed of rotating the inner tub 150 is faster than the above-described example.

As another case, the washing step may be performed to perform centrifugal washing. At this time, the rotation speed of the inner tub 150 is faster. The wash water in the inner tub 150 flows out of the inner tub 150 through the through groove of the inner tub 150 while penetrating the laundry by centrifugal force.

The pedestal washing machine according to the present invention can support the washing machine upwards and is suitable for washing a small amount of laundry.

Instead of using a large washing machine, you can save a small amount of laundry while saving energy. And since it can support a large washing machine or a dryer, it is not restricted by the installation space.

When used with a large washing machine it can be made at the same time washing according to the type of laundry.

Claims (14)

A case capable of supporting another laundry machine; An out tub installed in the case to accommodate washing water; A rotating body rotatably installed in the outer tub to swing laundry; A rotating shaft for transmitting the rotational force of the motor to the rotating body; A bearing housing constituting a part of the lower portion of the outer tub and supporting the rotating shaft; A flexible sealing material connected between the bearing housing and the outtub; Pedestal washing machine is configured to include. The pedestal washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the outtub is fixed to a drawer of the case. 3. The method of claim 2, Pedestal washer characterized in that it further comprises an upper frame which covers at least a portion of the upper portion of the drawer and a single unit with the outer tub. The pedestal washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body is an inner tub or a pulsator. The pedestal washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a damping device for supporting the bearing housing. The pedestal washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the stator of the motor is fixed to the bearing housing. The pedestal washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the motor is an outer rotor type motor. The pedestal washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the motor is wound in a concentrated zone. 7. The pedestal washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the motor is larger in diameter than the height. The method of claim 1, Pedestal washer is connected to the outer tub, characterized in that it further comprises a water supply pipe variable in length. The method of claim 10, Pedestal washer is connected to the outer tub, characterized in that it further comprises a variable length of the drain pipe. The method of claim 1, Pedestal washing machine further comprises a steam generator for supplying steam into the outer tub. The method of claim 1, Pedestal washer characterized in that it further comprises an outer door covering the upper portion of the outer tub. A case capable of supporting another laundry machine; A drawer drawable from the case; An upper frame covering an upper portion of the drawer; An outer tub united with the upper frame and containing wash water; A rotating body rotatably installed in the outer tub to swing laundry; A rotating shaft connected to the rotating body; A bearing housing constituting a part of the lower portion of the outer tub and supporting the rotating shaft; A motor providing a rotational force to the rotating shaft and having a stator fixed to the bearing housing; A flexible sealing material connected between the bearing housing and the outtub; Damping device for supporting the bearing housing; A water supply pipe connected to the outtub and having a variable length; A drain pipe connected to the outtub and having a variable length; An outer door covering an upper portion of the outer tub; A steam generator for supplying steam into the outtub; Pedestal washing machine is configured to include.

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