US20090193855A1

US20090193855A1 - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: US20090193855A1
Application number: US12/299,228
Authority: US
Inventors: Yong Suck Park; Ig Geun Kweun; Kyu Hwan Lee
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2006-05-02
Filing date: 2006-05-02
Publication date: 2009-08-06
Also published as: WO2007126168A1; DE112006003876T5

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a washing machine having a hall sensor wire stably secured to a tub through a rear wall of the tub, thereby preventing the hall sensor wire from freely moving due to vibration transmitted from the tub when operating the washing machine. The washing machine comprises a tub installed in a body of the washing machine to contain water, and a fixing bracket positioned on a rear wall of the tub to prevent movement of at least one hall sensor wire connected with a hall sensor serving to detect a speed of a motor installed on the rear wall of the tub.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine, which has structure to prevent a hall sensor wire connected with a hall sensor serving to detect a rotating speed of a motor from freely moving due to vibration transmitted from a tub when washing laundry, thereby preventing damage or disconnection of the hall sensor wire.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, washing machines are classified into pulsator type washing machines which wash laundry using water motion generated by rotating a plate-shaped pulsator, and drum type washing machines which wash the laundry using falling of water and the laundry and frictional force therebetween generated within a horizontally laid tub by rotating the tub.
Among these washing machines, the drum type washing machine has been increasingly demanded in recent years due to its merits over the pulsator type washing machine in that the drum type washing machine uses a smaller amount of water and detergent, and is substantially free from damage and entanglement of the laundry when washing the laundry.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, construction of a conventional drum type washing machine will be described in detail as follows.
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section view illustrating construction of a conventional drum type washing machine, which comprises a tub 2 positioned within a cabinet 1, a drum rotatably installed at an inner center of the tub 2, and a controller 7 positioned at an upper portion of the cabinet 2 to control operation of the washing machine.
A motor 5 of the washing machine is positioned at a rear side of the tub 2, and comprises a stator 5 a secured to a rear wall of the tub 2 and a rotor 5 b which penetrates the tub 2 and is connected with the drum 3 via a shaft 4 while surrounding the stator 5 a.
The motor 5 is provided at one side with a hall sensor 9 to detect a speed of the motor 5, and a hall sensor wire 9 a positioned at a lower side of the rear wall of the tub 2 and connected with the hall sensor 9 to supply power to the hall sensor 9 or to allow the hall sensor 9 to be controlled by the controller 7.
The hall sensor wire 9 a is connected with the hall sensor 9 via a hall sensor connecting member 9 b.
Meanwhile, a door 21 is installed on a front side of the cabinet 1, and a gasket 22 is installed between the door 21 and the tub 2.
In addition, a hanging spring 23 is installed between an inner side of an upper surface of the cabinet 1 and an upper side of an outer periphery of the tub 2 to hold the tub 2, and a friction damper 24 is installed between an inner side of a lower surface of the cabinet 1 and a lower side of an outer periphery of the tub 2 to damp vibration of the tub 2 that occurs upon spin drying.
Operation of the conventional drum type washing machine will be described hereinafter.
When power is applied to the stator 5 a of the motor 5 with the drum 3 filled with water and detergent, the rotor 5 b is rotated. Rotation of the rotor 5 b causes the shaft 4 to be rotated, and in turn, causes rotation of the drum 3.
Then, laundry contained in the drum 3 is washed by virtue of water and friction between the laundry and the drum 3.
The conventional drum type washing machine has a problem as follows.
For the conventional drum type washing machine, when driving the motor 5 for operation of the washing machine, vibration is generated, and transmitted to the tub 2, causing the hall sensor wire 9 a positioned on the rear wall of the tub to move. As a result, there is possibility that displacement of the hall sensor wire 9 a with respect to the tub 2 becomes significantly enlarged.
As the displacement of the hall sensor wire 9 a with respect to the tub 2 becomes significantly enlarged, load is applied to the connecting member 9 b of the hall sensor wire 9 a so that the connecting member 9 b of the hall sensor wire 9 a is damaged, or the hall sensor wire 9 a is disconnected.
Furthermore, the disconnection of the hall sensor wire 9 a can cause short circuit, and result in fire.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies on a washing machine, which has a hall sensor wire stably secured to a tub on a rear wall of the tub, thereby preventing the hall sensor wire from freely moving due to vibration transmitted from the tub when operating the washing machine.

Technical Solution

The objects of the present invention can be achieved by providing a washing machine, comprising: a tub installed in a cabinet of the washing machine to contain water; and a fixing bracket positioned on a rear wall of the tub to prevent movement of a hall sensor wire connected with a hall sensor serving to detect a speed of a motor installed on the rear wall of the tub.
The fixing bracket may comprise a body defining an outer appearance of the fixing bracket and having a recess formed thereon to receive the hall sensor wire, and a fixing part formed at one end of the body and having at least one fastening hole formed therein to secure the body.
The recess may have both circumferences rounded outwardly, and the fixing bracket may have all circumferences rounded outwardly.
The fixing bracket may be secured to the rear wall of the tub by means of a one-point fastening structure.
The washing machine may further comprise a rotation preventing device formed on the fixing bracket and the rear wall of the tub to prevent the fixing bracket from rotating.
The rotation preventing device may comprise a rotation preventing protrusion formed on the tub, and an insertion hole formed through the fixing bracket so as to allow the rotation preventing protrusion to be inserted therein.
The rotation preventing device may comprise a rotation preventing protrusion formed on the fixing bracket, and an insertion hole formed on the tub so as to allow the rotation preventing protrusion to be inserted therein.
The washing machine may further comprise a fixing device formed on the rear wall of the tub to fix remaining portions of the hall sensor wire secured to the fixing bracket.
The fixing device may comprise a pair of protrusions formed on the rear wall of the tub so as to allow the hall sensor wire to be fitted between the pair of protrusions.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

With this construction, the present invention has advantageous effects as follows.
Firstly, according to the present invention, with the structure of the hall sensor wire secured to the rear wall of the tub, a large displacement of the hall sensor wire with respect to the rear wall of the tub can be prevented from occurring due to vibration transmitted from the tub when operating the drum type washing machine, thereby solving problems such as damage or disconnection of the hall sensor wire.
In this regard, since a short circuit caused by the disconnection of the hall sensor wire is prevented, it is possible to prevent fire from occurring.
Secondly, according to the present invention, with the structure of the fixing bracket having the circumferences rounded outwardly, the hall sensor wire can be prevented from being worn out even with continuous contact of the hall sensor wire with the circumferences of the fixing bracket, thereby preventing a cover of the hall sensor wire from being worn out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section view illustrating the construction of a conventional drum type washing machine;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a rear structure of the drum type washing machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a rear structure of a drum type washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of Part A of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a fixing bracket in the drum type washing machine in accordance with the embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
For reference, in the following description, the same components of the present invention as those of the conventional washing machine will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those of FIG. 1, and detailed description thereof will be omitted hereinafter.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a rear structure of a drum type washing machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an enlarged view illustrating Part A shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a fixing bracket of the drum type washing machine in accordance with the preferred embodiment.
As can be seen from FIGS. 3 to 5, the drum type washing machine according to the embodiment comprises a tub 2 positioned within a cabinet 1, a drum rotatably installed at an inner center of the tub 2, and a controller 7 positioned at an upper portion of the cabinet 2 to control operation of the washing machine.
In addition, a motor 5 of the washing machine is positioned at a rear side of the tub 2, and comprises a stator 5 a secured to a rear wall of the tub 2 and a rotor 5 b which penetrates the tub 2 and is connected with the drum 3 via a shaft 4 while surrounding the stator 5 a.
The motor 5 is provided at one side with a hall sensor 9 to detect a speed of the motor 5, and a hall sensor wire 9 a positioned at a lower side of the rear wall of the tub 2 and connected with the hall sensor 9 to supply power to the hall sensor 9 or to allow the hall sensor 9 to be controlled by the controller 7.
The hall sensor wire 9 a is connected with the hall sensor 9 via a hall sensor connecting member 9 b.
Meanwhile, a door 21 is installed on a front side of the cabinet 1, and a gasket 22 is installed between the door 21 and the tub 2.
In addition, a hanging spring 23 is installed between an inner side of an upper surface of the cabinet 1 and an upper side of an outer periphery of the tub 2 to hold the tub 2, and a friction damper 24 is installed between an inner side of a lower surface of the cabinet 1 and a lower side of an outer periphery of the tub 2 to damp vibration of the tub 2 that occurs upon spin drying.
According to the embodiment, a fixing bracket 100 is installed to the rear wall of the tub 2 to prevent a hall sensor wire 9 a from moving due to vibration transmitted from the tub when driving the motor 5. The fixing bracket 100 comprises a body 110, and a fixing part 130 to secure the body 110.
The body 110 is adapted, for example, to define an outer appearance of the fixing bracket 100, and preferably has a recess 111 to allow a hall sensor wire 9 a to be seated on the recess 111.
The fixing part 130 serves to secure the body 110 to the rear wall of the tub 2, and preferably has at least one fastening hole 131 formed therethrough so as to allow a screw S to be fastened to the tub 2 therethrough.
Meanwhile, the recess 111 preferably has both circumferences rounded outwardly. More preferably, the fixing bracket 100 has all circumferences rounded outwardly.
More specifically, for the conventional drum type washing machine, the cover of the hall sensor wire 9 a can being worn out or damaged due to continuous contact of the hall sensor wire 9 a with the circumference of the fixing bracket 100 when driving the motor 20, thereby causing a short circuit. On the contrary, according to the present invention, the circumference of the fixing bracket 100 is rounded outwardly in order to prevent this phenomenon.
According to the embodiment, the fixing bracket 100 may be secured to the rear wall of the tub by means of a one-point fastening structure, which may be a screw S. To this end, preferably, the fixing part 130 is formed with one fastening hole 131, and the rear wall of the tub is formed with one fastening groove (not shown) corresponding to the fastening hole 131.
Meanwhile, the washing machine may further comprise a rotation preventing device 300 formed on the fixing bracket 100 and the rear wall of the tub 2 to prevent the fixing bracket 100 from rotating.
More specifically, if vibration from the motor becomes severe, the fixing, bracket 100 fixed to the rear wall of the tub 2 via the one-point fastening structure may be rotated to one side along with the hall sensor wire 9 a by the vibration.
The rotation preventing device 300 prevents rotation of the fixing bracket 100.
According to the embodiment, the rotation preventing device 300 may comprise a rotation preventing protrusion 310 formed on the tub 2, and an insertion hole 330 formed through the fixing bracket 100 so as to allow the rotation preventing protrusion 310 to be inserted therein.
Although not shown in the drawings, the rotation preventing protrusion 310 may be formed on the fixing bracket 100, and the insertion hole may be formed on the tub 2 so as to allow the rotation preventing protrusion to be inserted therein.
According to the embodiment, the washing machine may further comprise a fixing device 500 formed on the rear wall of the tub 2 to fix remaining portions of the hall sensor wire 9 a which is secured to the fixing bracket 100.
The fixing device 500 may comprises a pair of protrusions 510 and 520 formed on the rear wall of the tub so as to allow the hall sensor wire 9 a to be fitted between the protrusions 510 and 520.
A method of securing a hall sensor wire 9 a using a fixing bracket 100 and a fixing device 500 according to the present invention, and effect thereof will be described hereinafter.
First, a hall sensor 5 to detect a speed of a motor 5 is assembled to the rear wall of a tub 2 along with the motor 5 when assembling the washing machine of the invention.
Next, a hall sensor wire 9 a connected with the hall sensor 9 via a hall sensor connecting member 9 b is positioned at a lower side on the rear wall of the tub 2 such that the hall sensor 9 is supplied with electric current through the hall sensor wire 9 a, or controlled by a controller 7.
Then, the hall sensor wire 9 a is secured to the rear wall of the tub 2 by means of a fixing bracket 100.
At this time, a securing position of the hall sensor wire 9 a is placed by seating the hall sensor wire 9 a in a recess 111 formed on a body 110 of the fixing bracket 100 while inserting a rotation preventing protrusion 310 formed on the rear wall of the tub 2 into an insertion hole 330 formed through a fixing part 110 of the fixing bracket 100.
Then, the fixing bracket 100 is secured to the rear wall of the tub 2, with the hall sensor wire 9 a fixed thereto, by fastening a screw S to a fastening groove (not shown) formed on the rear wall of the tub 2 through a fastening hole 131 formed through the fixing part 130.
Next, a remaining portion of the hall sensor wire 9 a between the fixing bracket 100 and the hall sensor 9 is fitted and secured between protrusions 510 and 520 of a fixing device 500.
With a series 6 f steps described above, the hall sensor wire 9 a is firmly secured to the rear wall of the tub 2 by means of the fixing bracket 100 and the fixing device 500.
In the drum type washing machine constructed as described above, the hall sensor wire 9 a is stably secured to the rear all of the tub 2 by the fixing bracket and the fixing device so that displacement of the hall sensor wire 9 a with respect to the tub 2 can be prevented from being enlarged due to vibration transmitted from the tub 2 when operating the washing machine.
In other words, if the hall sensor wire 9 a moves to generate large displacement with respect to the tub 2, a load is applied to the connecting member 9 b of the hall sensor wire 9 a, thereby possibly causing damage or disconnection of the connecting member 9 b. However, according to the invention, since the hall sensor wire 9 a is secured to the rear wall of the tub 2, the hall sensor wire 9 a can vibrate along with the tub 2 so that the displacement of the hall sensor wire 9 a with respect to the tub 2 becomes negligible, and thus a high load is prevented from being applied to the connecting member 9 b of the hall sensor wire 9 a, thereby preventing disconnection of the hall sensor wire 9 a.
In addition, with the structure of the fixing bracket 100 having the circumference rounded outwardly, the hall sensor wire 9 a can be prevented from being worn out even with continuous direct contact of the hall sensor wire 9 a with the circumference of the fixing bracket 100, which prevents a cover of the hall sensor wire 9 a from being worn out as well as a short circuit caused thereby.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention has industrial applicability in that, since damage of the connecting member of the hall sensor wire or disconnection of the hall sensor wire is prevented by the structure of the hall sensor wire as it cannot move when the washing machine is operated, fire can be prevented from occurring due to the damage or disconnection of the hall sensor wire, thereby increasing satisfaction of consumers for the products.

Claims

1. A washing machine, comprising:

a tub installed in a cabinet of the washing machine to contain water; and

a fixing bracket positioned on a rear wall of the tub to prevent movement of a hall sensor wire connected with a hall sensor serving to detect a speed of a motor installed on the rear wall of the tub.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the fixing bracket comprises a body defining an outer appearance of the fixing bracket and having a recess formed thereon to receive the hall sensor wire, and a fixing part formed at one end of the body and having at least one fastening hole formed therein to secure the body.

3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the recess has both circumferences rounded outwardly.

4. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the fixing bracket has all circumferences rounded outwardly.

5. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the fixing bracket is secured to the rear wall of the tub by means of a one-point fastening structure.

6. The washing machine according to claim 5, further comprising:

a rotation preventing device formed on the fixing bracket and the rear wall of the tub to prevent the fixing bracket from rotating.

7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the rotation preventing device comprises a rotation preventing protrusion formed on the tub, and an insertion hole formed through the fixing bracket so as to allow the rotation preventing protrusion to be inserted therein.

8. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the rotation preventing device comprises a rotation preventing protrusion formed on the fixing bracket, and an insertion hole formed on the tub so as to allow the rotation preventing protrusion to be inserted therein.

9. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising:

a fixing device formed on the rear wall of the tub to fix remaining portions of the hall sensor wire secured to the fixing bracket.

10. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the fixing device comprises a pair of protrusions formed on the rear wall of the tub so as to allow the hall sensor wire to be fitted between the pair of protrusions.