KR101365555B1 - 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. The pedestal washing machine is configured to include a tub for receiving wash water and a pulsator rotatably installed in the tub. 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.

Washing machine, stand, pedestal, small washer, pedestal washer, pulsator

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 a view of a part of the washing machine of FIG. 2 from above.

5 shows an example in which a pulsator is wobbleable.

6 shows one embodiment of a control method 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: Tub 141: Tub Door

142: door frame 143: hook

144: door sealing material 150: pulsator

160 ~ 163: Supporting device 170: Drainage pipe

171: corrugated pipe 172: drainage pump

180: water supply pipe 181: corrugated pipe

182: water supply valve 185: steam generator

190: motor 191: rotation axis

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 a vertical type in which pulsators and pulsators are rotated and a horizontal type in which the drum is rotated 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 increasing in size in response to user acceptance in recent years. That is, the external size of washing machines used for domestic use is becoming larger and 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. Further, a large amount of power is consumed because a large drum or pulsator 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 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.

A pedestal washing machine according to the present invention comprises: a case capable of supporting another laundry machine; A tub installed in the case to accommodate washing water; A pulsator rotatably installed in the tub; It is configured to include; a motor for providing a rotational force to the pulsator.

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 tub is supported in the drawer.

The tub may be supported by a support device including a spring. Such a support device may be configured in the same way as the support device that was connected to the tub by the case in a conventional washing machine of the vertical axis type.

Preferably, the support device includes a first support device, a second support device, a third support device, and a fourth support device connected to the upper or lower corners of the drawer. Since the pedestal washing machine is smaller in size than a conventional washing machine, the space inside the case may be relatively small. Thus, the support devices are preferably arranged at each corner.

In addition, the support device may include a damper to absorb and dissipate the vibration of the tub. The damper is made of a friction damper that absorbs and dissipates vibration by friction, and a spring is installed in the cylinder to cushion the vibration.

A pulsator is rotatably installed in the tub. A plurality of through grooves may be formed in the pulsator. Thus, the wash water in the tub can pass through the through groove.

In addition, a rotation shaft of the motor may be directly connected to the pulsator. Preferably the motor is an outer rotor type in which the stator is fixed to the bottom surface of the tub.

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 tub 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.

The rotating shaft of the motor is rotatably supported by a bearing installed on the bottom surface of the tub and may be directly connected to a pulsator located in the tub.

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

A flexible sealing material for sealing between the tub top and the case may be further included. Even if the wash water in the tub leaks through the top of the tub is prevented from entering the case.

In addition, since the sealing material is made of a flexible material, the vibration of the tub is prevented from being transmitted to the case as much as possible.

Such a flexible sealing material may be installed to seal between the upper and the drawer of the tub.

And, more preferably, an upper frame covering the upper part of the drawer is added, the flexible sealing material connects between the upper frame and the top of the tub.

In addition, a tub door may be further included to prevent the wash water from flowing out through the top of the tub. The tub door covers an opening formed in the top of the tub.

The washing water flowing upward by the rotation of the pulsator is prevented from being leaked by the tub door.

The case may be provided with a water supply valve which may be connected to an external water supply pipe, and a water supply pipe may be connected between the water supply valve and the tub.

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 along with the detergent via 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 heat the water by a heater to generate steam and supply the steam into the tub. The specific configuration of such a steam generator can be used that used in the conventional washing machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to 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 tub 140 is supported and installed in the drawer 120. As shown in FIG. 4, the first support device 160, the second support device 162, the third support device 161, and the third support device 160 are formed at four corners of the case 110 to support the tub 140. 4 support device 163 is located.

The support devices may be made of the same structure as the support device for supporting the tub 140 in the conventional vertical shaft type washing machine.

One end of the support devices is connected to each corner of the upper frame 121 covering the top of the drawer 120, the other end is connected to the side wall of the tub 140, respectively.

The upper portion of the tub 140 is connected to the upper frame 121 through a gasket 122 that is a flexible sealing material. The upper frame 121 and the gasket 122 prevents foreign substances including water from entering between the tub 140 and the drawer 120.

In addition, because the gasket 122 is flexible, the vibration of the tub 140 is not transmitted to the upper frame 121.

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

In addition, the tub door 141 is provided with a hook 143. The hook 143 is inserted into a hook groove (not shown) formed on the inner wall surface of the 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 wash water in the tub 140 may be splashed out. If the tub door 141 is present, it is prevented.

The pulsator 150 is located in the tub 140. The pulsator 150 is installed to be wobbling.

As shown in FIG. 5, the tub 140 has a concave guide guide 145, and a pulsator shaft 151 is connected to the pulsator 150 by a bearing. In addition, the end of the pulsator shaft 151 is inserted into the groove 193 formed in the expansion portion 192 above the rotary shaft 191 of the motor. The groove 193 is eccentrically positioned at a distance from the center of the extension 192.

Thus, as the motor 190 is rotated, the pulsator 150 is wobbled within an angle θ range with its end in contact with the guide guide 145.

The motor 190 is fixedly installed on the bottom lower surface of the tub 140. The motor 190 is an outer rotor type motor, the stator of which is fixed to the bottom surface of the tub 140. In addition, the rotating shaft 191 of the rotor penetrates the bottom of the tub 140 and is directly connected to the bottom of the pulsator 150.

A bearing is installed at the bottom of the tub 140 to support the rotating shaft 191.

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

A drain pipe 170 for drainage is connected to the lower portion of the tub 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 tub 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.

The upper portion of the tub 140 is connected to the water supply pipe 180 for water supply. 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 tub 140. The steam generator 185 has a water supply pipe 186 is connected to the water supply valve 182 to receive water. The steam is supplied into the 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 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).

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 pulsator 150 is rotating as the washing is in progress. If the drawer 120 is pulled out while the pulsator 150 is rotating, vibration may occur. Therefore, the main controller detects the rotation state of the pulsator 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 pulsator 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 pulsator 150. In this case, the main controller may display the display unit to inform the time when the drawer 120 may be withdrawn after the operation of the pulsator 150 is stopped.

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 that the locker of the locking device is caught in the case body. 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 according to the present invention as described above will be described.

First, the user grabs the handle 124, draws the drawer 120, and opens the tub 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.

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 pulsator 150 to perform washing (S12).

Then, when the washing is completed, water is supplied again to rinse the laundry to complete the washing (S13).

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. 6, 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 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 (18)

A case capable of supporting another laundry machine; A drawer drawable in and out of the case; A tub installed in the drawer to receive wash water; A pulsator rotatably installed in the tub; A motor providing rotational force to the pulsator; A rotating shaft which transmits the rotational force of the motor to the pulsator; A pulsator shaft coupled to the pulsator; An expansion unit configured to eccentrically connect the pulsator shaft and the rotary shaft to enable the pulsator to wobble; Pedestal washing machine is configured to include. delete The method of claim 1, One end is connected to the upper or lower portion of the drawer, the other end pedestal washing machine characterized in that it further comprises a support device connected to the tub. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the support device comprises a first support device, a second support device, a third support device, and a fourth support device connected to the upper or lower corners of the drawer. Pedestal Washing Machine. The method of claim 1, Pedestal washer is connected to the tub, characterized in that it further comprises a variable length water supply pipe. The method of claim 5, Pedestal washer is connected to the tub, characterized in that it further comprises a variable drain pipe. The pedestal washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the motor is an outer rotor type motor. The pedestal washing machine according to claim 1 or 7, wherein the motor is wound in a concentrated zone. The pedestal washing machine according to claim 1 or 7, wherein the motor has a diameter larger than the height thereof. The method of claim 1, Pedestal washing machine further comprises a steam generator for supplying steam into the tub. The method of claim 1, Pedestal washing machine characterized in that it further comprises a flexible sealing material for sealing between the tub top and the case. The method of claim 1, An upper frame covering at least a portion of an upper portion of the drawer; Pedestal washer characterized in that it further comprises a flexible sealing material for connecting between the tub upper and the upper frame. The method of claim 1, The pedestal washer characterized in that it further comprises a tub door covering the top of the tub. delete The method of claim 1, A support device having one end connected to the upper or lower portion of the drawer and the other end connected to the tub; An upper frame covering at least a portion of an upper portion of the drawer; Flexible sealing material connecting between the tub upper and the upper frame; A water supply pipe connected to the tub and having a variable length; A drain pipe connected to the tub and having a variable length; A tub door covering an upper portion of the tub; Pedestal washer that is configured to further include. delete delete The method of claim 1, The tub is a pedestal washer, characterized in that to form a concave guide guides in contact with the end of the pulsator.

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